Drivers and differentiators: a grounded theory study of procurement in public and private organizations

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-285
Author(s):  
Dolores Kuchina-Musina ◽  
John Charles Morris ◽  
Joshua Steinfeld

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine procurement professionals’ perceptions of public-private partnerships in contract arrangements and to explore decision-making that takes place in the contracting process. Design/methodology/approach A grounded theory approach is applied to Simon’s (1947) model of decision-making to better understand the perceptions of procurement professionals, especially because it pertains to public vs private sector contexts. The researchers collected data by conducting interviews and observing a compliance webinar of federal contracting employees. Findings The results show that in the decision-making process, Simon’s illustration of a means-end hierarchy is applicable for procurement decision-making because it is driven by activities that are evaluated using aims established by the organization. Practical implications The implications are that, in the procurement decision-making process, a means-end hierarchy is driven by the activities that are evaluated using aims established by the organization. Essentially, the activities are associated to a mean, a mean is associated to a sub-goal and the sub-goal supports the main aim of the organization. Social implications This study supports the notion that training, information and procedures are a way for organizations to control behaviors and promote consistent results from their subordinates. Originality/value This study contributes by examining the drivers of procurement decision-making. Despite previous literature that focuses on practitioner discretion or emphasizes on socio-economic factors, this study highlights the linkages between practitioner decision-making and organizational aims and objectives. As such, the paper serves to illustrate the vital connection between procurement activities and outputs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ysabel Polanco Lopez de Mesa

Objective: to explore the decision-making process of agricultural workers associated with pesticide use and exposure; and to discover if these processes differ between pesticide users and non users. and the characteristics of these differences Methods: his study used a grounded theory approach to understand the decision-making process for pesticide use/non-use among agricultural workers in San Cristobal, Colombia. This study involved participantobservation, individual interviews, and focus groups. Results: the theory developed to explain the decision making process of pesticide use showed several categories including: the prospect of having a good harvest, efficient pest control, habituation to use pesticides, feeling obligated to do use them, poor knowledge about pesticides, believing that pesticide increased the quality of the products, positive attitudes towards pesticide use, family support towards pesticide use, community pressure and acceptance, economic fear, and market pressure. In the non pesticide users group categories included: having better health, pesticides considered harmful for human health, pesticides being deleterious for  the environment, being used to work without pesticides, family and economic support, and negative attitude towards pesticide use . The decision making process for personal protective equipment (PPE) use encompassed categories such as: powerless feelings, economic difficulties, and belief that equipment is not necessary. Discussion: The decision-making process for pesticide use in agricultural communities is complex and varies between pesticide users and non-users. Conclusions: It is important to consider the intricate process of pesticide use in order to orient interventions in the agricultural sector.


2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442110144
Author(s):  
N.R. Paul ◽  
S.R. Baker ◽  
B.J. Gibson

Introduction: Patients’ decisions to undergo major surgery such as orthognathic treatment are not just about how the decision is made but what influences the decision. Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to identify the key processes involved in patients’ experience of decision making for orthognathic treatment. Methods: This study reports some of the findings of a larger grounded theory study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews of patients who were seen for orthognathic treatment at a teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. Twenty-two participants were recruited (age range 18–66 y), of whom 12 (male = 2, female = 10) were 6 to 8 wk postsurgery, 6 (male = 2, female = 4) were in the decision-making stage, and 4 (male = 0, female = 4) were 1 to 2 y postsurgery. Additional data were also collected from online blogs and forums on jaw surgery. The data analysis stages of grounded theory methodology were undertaken, including open and selective coding. Results: The study identified the central role of dental care professionals (DCPs) in several underlying processes associated with decision making, including legitimating, mediating, scheduling, projecting, and supporting patients’ decisions. Six categories were related to key aspects of decision making. These were awareness about their underlying dentofacial problems and treatment options available, the information available about the treatment, the temporality of when surgery would be undertaken, the motivations and expectation of patients, social support, and fear of the surgery, hospitalization, and potentially disliking their new face. Conclusion: The decision-making process for orthognathic treatment is complex, multifactorial, and heavily influenced by the role of DCPs in patient care. Understanding the magnitude of this role will enable DCPs to more clearly participate in improving patients’ decision-making process. The findings of this study can inform future quantitative studies. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used both for informing clinical practice around enabling decision making for orthognathic treatment and also for designing future research. The findings can better inform clinicians about the importance of their role in the patients’ decision-making process for orthognathic treatment and the means to improve the patient experience. It is suggested that further research could be conducted to measure some of the key constructs identified within our grounded theory and assess how these change during the treatment process.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoang To Loan Nguyen

PurposeWisdom is considered as crucial in decision-making in both management and auditing practice. This research aims to investigate the concept of wisdom in auditing, thereby empirically exploring the determinants of wisdom in audit decision-making and explaining inter-relations among these determinants.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs grounded theory methodology that is based on in-depth interviews with twenty-seven practicing auditors who are audit partners, managers, seniors and assistants of auditing firms. Guided by the grounded theory, data collection and data analyses were conducted simultaneously to look into the new insights of the research phenomenon. The coding process was constantly compared until the research's theoretical saturation is reached after four rounds. At the end of the research process, the study conducted a survey to confirm the proposed framework as well as examine the inter-relationships between the defined determinants.FindingsResults suggest developing a conceptual framework to interpret wisdom-based decision-making process in auditing. A wise process of audit decision-making is defined as an integrated exercise of multiple determinants including knowledge assimilation, judgmental ability and ethical orientation. The research also explains and examines the potential interrelationships among these determinants in the audit decision-making process.Practical implicationsWisdom is a valuable tacit ability for all external auditors. The development of wise decision-making abilities of auditors should be considered an integral part of multiple virtues including knowledge and judgmental and ethical aspects.Originality/valueThe contributions of this study are original and significant because it proposes a new approach to explain for the audit decision-making process and enhances better understandings of the concept of wisdom in auditing practices and its roles in audit decision-making.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoo Jin Kwon ◽  
Kyoung-Nan Kwon

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the values consumers pursue and roles consumers partake in selfie practice. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research method was adopted. In-depth interviews were conducted with selfie enthusiasts. Data were analyzed with grounded theory approach. Findings Diverse activities and reflections pertaining to selfies were analyzed, which uncovered three consumer roles departmentalized and the nine values that selfie practice generates for consumers. The three roles are subject, photographer and user of selfies, and the roles are orchestrated together or selectively performed if necessary. In consequence of the interplay of performances and expectations of the roles, consumers pursue and gain four collaboratively created values and five individually created values. Originality/value Findings of the study expand the understanding of values of selfie practice and consumer roles in Web 2.0.


foresight ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajasshrie Pillai ◽  
Shilpi Yadav ◽  
Brijesh Sivathanu ◽  
Neeraj Kaushik ◽  
Pooja Goel

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the use of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technology and its barriers in human resourcemanagement (HRM) for Smart HR 4.0 and its impact on HR performance. Design/methodology/approach The research has been conducted using the grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 122 senior HR officers of national and multi-national companies in India after the extensive literature review. NVivo 8.0 software was used for the analysis of the interview data. Findings I4.0 technology is used for HRM functions by HR professionals. It is revealed that Smart HR 4.0 that emerged from the I4.0 technology has leveraged the HR performance. It is also found that usage barriers, traditional barriers and risk barriers affect the use of I4.0 technology in HRM. Originality/value A model is developed using the grounded theory approach for HR managers to understand the impact of I4.0 on HRM. This study reveals the barriers affecting the use of I4.0 technology in HRM. It also provides the model for HR performance that emerged through the use of I4.0 technology in HR and Smart HR 4.0. The research delivered key insights for the HR professionals, marketers of HR technology and technology developers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Komal Chopra

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand motivation of young consumers to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as chatbots, voice assistants and augmented reality in shopping by generating Vroom’s expectancy theory of motivation using grounded theory approach.Design/methodology/approachGrounded theory approach has been used to develop the Vroom’s expectancy theory. Initially data were collected through participant interviews using theoretical sampling. These data were analyzed and coded using the three step process, i.e. open coding, axial coding and selective coding. The categories created during coding were integrated to generate Vroom’s expectancy theory of motivation.FindingsThe findings indicate that Vroom’s expectancy theory of motivation can be used to explain motivation of young consumers to use AI tools as an aid in taking shopping decisions. The motivation may be intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation or force choice motivation. Expectancy represents the ease of using the tools, instrumentality represents competence of tools in performing desired tasks while valence represents satisfaction, rewarding experience and trust in using of tools.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of the study are based on grounded theory approach which is an inductive approach. Alternate research methodologies, both inductive and deductive, need to be employed to strengthen the external validity and generalize the results. The study is limited to shopping motives of young consumers in India. A comparison with other consumer motivational studies has not been done. Hence no claim is made regarding the advantage of Vroom’s theory over other motivational theories.Practical implicationsThe study has strong implications for retailers in developing countries which are seen as an emerging market for retail and have introduced AI tools in recent years. The Vroom’s expectancy theory will help retailers to understand consumer motivation in using AI tools or shopping.Originality/valueVroom’s expectancy theory to understand consumer motivation to use AI tools in shopping was generated using the grounded theory approach.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Upasna A. Agarwal ◽  
Arpana Rai

Purpose This paper aims to explore the phenomenon of workplace bullying – its nature, antecedents, direct and indirect effects – from victim’s perspective. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted grounded theory approach and centered on the participants experiences and interpretations of bullying. A total of 23 self-reported victims formed the sample of our study. Data from interviews were analyzed using the coding procedure of grounded theory methodology. To enhance validity of results, in addition to interviews, creative drawings were used for triangulation. Findings The study reveals some similarities and culturally relevant variation in the sources and outcomes of bullying. The role of culture on bullying is visible. The study also adds to the limited literature on underlying and intervening factors in bullying–outcome relationship. Research limitations/implications The study examined bullying from the victim’s perspective. Perpetrator and bystander’s perspectives would have added interesting insights into the findings. Practical implications Effective identification of, prevention of and intervention in workplace bullying are imperative for individuals and organizations. Rich descriptions from victims on enablers of bullying and how these events have affected their everyday experiences may also boost practitioners’ and policymakers’ willingness to rectify the potential issues leading to bullying in organizations. Originality/value The present study contributes to the workplace bullying research in general and Indian context in particular by examining contextually relevant antecedents, consequences as well as underlying and intervening factors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly R. Wickersham

Objective: Empirical work explaining student mobility, particularly postsecondary pathways among 2-year college students, remains limited. This study examines the underlying process that drives 2-year college students into one or more pathways as they navigate higher education. Method: Drawing upon survey, transcript, and interview data from one transfer-focused and two comprehensive community colleges in a Midwestern state, this study uses a grounded theory approach to develop a conceptual model to understand college students’ decision-making process when choosing among competing postsecondary pathways. Results: The resulting College Pathway (Re)Selection Model Among Beginning 2-Year College Students contained two categories—lifetime decision-making and short-term decision-making—that defined the purposes of students’ decisions as they navigate postsecondary education. Within the categories, 2-year college students described the role of payoff, fit, transferability, place, flexibility, and mobility in their decision-making process. Contributions: This study offers a new model that explains what shapes 2-year college students’ decisions and challenges notions of postsecondary pathways, student progress, success, and completion in the context of 2-year college students’ fluid lives and goals.


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