scholarly journals Should we cooperate? Game theory insights for servitization

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Wagstaff ◽  
Jamie Burton ◽  
Judy Zolkiewski
Keyword(s):  
Game Theory ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Complex Dynamics ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Cooperative Behaviour ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Cooperative Approach ◽  
The Impact

PurposeAn abundance of literature suggests that organisations adopting a cooperative approach achieve greater rewards than those that act in opposition or isolation. An emerging body of work also highlights the multiple actors involved in servitization. Despite this, in some contexts the benefits of servitization are not apparent. This paper examines business relationships in the oil industry and how they affect levels of servitization.Design/methodology/approachA mixed method study employing qualitative and quantitative methods was used to fully explore the context. In the quantitative phase, 48 oil industry specialists responded to a scenario based on game theory. This aimed to determine if the relationships between their respective organisations are cooperative or adversarial. Abduction drove a second qualitative phase. This consisted of a series of semi-structured interviews used to explore the servitization level and influence of servitization on relationships and vice versa.FindingsThe statistical results suggest that all parties used adversarial strategies despite the publicised intent to work cooperatively. The interviews suggested that increasing (decreasing) servitization could increase (decrease) cooperation and, in turn, value co-creation but revealed nuances to this effect. It also adds to our understanding of the darker side of servitization by illustrating the impact of mimetic isomorphism.Originality/valueThe findings add to understanding of the complex dynamics around servitization by showing that it is only at advanced levels of servitization that cooperative behaviour is observed, and base and intermediate levels result in non-cooperative behaviour and thus illustrate the importance of adopting a multi-actor lens to explore servitization.

scholarly journals An evaluation of sensory processing training on the competence, confidence and practice of teachers working with children with autism

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-17
Author(s):  
Aideen Ruttledge ◽  
John Cathcart
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
The Impact

Purpose At present, there is no research to support teachers’ use of sensory interventions in the classroom. This study aims to investigate the extent to how participation in a sensory processing training session would improve teachers’ competence, confidence and practice towards supporting children with autism. Design/methodology/approach A pilot study design with mixed qualitative and quantitative methods was used to evaluate the impact of sensory processing training on six teachers who taught at least one child with autism in a mainstream school. The Autism Education Trust Competency Framework and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were completed with participants both pre (Time 1) and post (Time 2) training session. Findings Quantitative findings presented statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in results with large effect sizes in the areas of confidence, knowledge, implementing sensory strategies, adjusting sensory environments, reviewing and reflecting. Qualitative data provided by participants corroborated this and indicated a need for further and more detailed training in the area. There was no change in the practice of teachers consulting with pupils about their sensory needs. Practical implications This study found that the attendance of teachers at sensory processing training is justified and the promotion of sensory processing training is therefore warranted. Originality/value Findings of this pilot study indicate that sensory processing training for teachers does improve competence, confidence and practice towards supporting children with autism. Review of the session to allow more detail, including consulting with the children themselves, is recommended.

Combatting economic crimes in Nigeria through whistleblowing: a shift from policy to legal framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 819-832
Author(s):  
Sirajo Yakubu ◽  
Mohammed Kyari Dikwa
Keyword(s):  
Personal Experience ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Content Type ◽  
National Assembly ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Nigerian Government ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is a holistic assessment of the impact of whistleblowing policy adopted by the Nigerian Government in fighting corruption and an evaluation of the whistleblowing and witness protection bill. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a critical analysis of the whistleblowing policy and the draft whistleblowing and witness protection bill. The paper combines both qualitative and quantitative methods. It is conducted through the study of the policy and the draft bill and the critical examination of the data released by the federal Ministry of Finance. Moreover, the personal experience of the authors in the civil service and in formulating and implementing the whistleblower policy account significantly. Findings The whistleblowing policy adopted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria is promising in controlling corruption and other economically motivated crimes. However, while efforts to give whistleblowing a legal backing will strengthen the fight against corruption in Nigeria, the National Assembly must subject the bill to rigorous debate to avoid having many lacunas in would be act. Research limitations/implications The use of whistleblowing in combatting corruption in Nigeria is still at its infancy. A policy document backs implementation of the policy – there is no legislation or case law to consider. Thus, analysis is based on the policy document, the bill, statistics from the FMF and personal experience of the authors. Originality/value There is no comprehensive study on the adoption of and efforts to give legal backing to, the whistleblowing policy adopted in Nigeria. This paper is of value to the Nigerian Government and the National Assembly considering the latest efforts to institutionalise whistleblowing in Nigeria.

Empirical behavioral analysis of project contractors' supply‐chain payment terms

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Long Chen
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Study Approach

PurposeResearchers in supply chain (SC) payment management have long sought to understand how project contractors, project owners, specialist contractors, and suppliers behave in the context of negotiating payment terms that improve contractors' SC cash flow.Design/methodology/approachUsing a single case study approach, semi‐structured interviews with contract and project managers identify behavioral patterns. An analysis of categorical experiments and Spearman's correlation tests on 118 surveys from Taiwanese project contracting corporations generalizes the case findings.FindingsThe findings suggest that payment terms of project owners, specialists, and suppliers have an important impact on contractors' working capital. The findings also reveal that contractors pass project owners' payment terms down to specialists and suppliers, suggesting that contractors' behavior depends on that of the project owners.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper generalizes the case findings via surveys, but does not assume that the reported behavior patterns apply to all business enterprises. Future research could triangulate the findings.Originality/valueThis study combines qualitative and quantitative methods to understand how the project owner‐contractor‐supplier (or owner‐contractor‐specialist) triad behaves. Particularly, it focuses on an economic sector – real estate and construction – that receives less research interest than processing or manufacturing.

The road to facility management

Facilities ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 46-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dore Steenhuizen ◽  
Inês Flores-Colen ◽  
A.G. Reitsma ◽  
Pedro Branco Ló
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Facility Management ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Study ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Study Programme ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into facility management in Portugal as well as in Europe and what a facility management study programme must entail in Portugal in order to implement this. Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the mixed-methods approach. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used based on extensive literature research of the subject. Semi-structured interviews were held with ten professionals from the FM field. The quantitative method was in the shape of a questionnaire sent to 40 professionals in Europe. Findings – The results show that Portugal is not on the same level as the rest of Europe when it comes to FM. Also, FM is rather of a technical nature and lacks service orientation and managerial elements. Moreover, Portugal should first focus on creating awareness about the field of FM and provide FM study programmes accordingly. Research shows that this could be a lengthy process. Originality/value – Currently there is no facility management study programme offered in Portugal. However, by gaining insight into this field and how facility management is of great added value to the market, a step closer to implementing a study programme is taken.

scholarly journals Egyptian small and medium sized enterprises’ battle against COVID-19 pandemic: March – July 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeinab Abbas Zaazou ◽  
Doaa Salman Abdou
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Egyptian Government ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The impact of COVID-19 outbreak freeze economic actors and hold innovative startups. This triggered the researchers to investigate the effect of the pandemic on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Egypt and how do these start-ups deal on the whole with this serious situation. Design/methodology/approach The research in hand used both qualitative and quantitative methods. It started first with semi-structured interview questions addressed to a number of participants, then a quantitative study took place, ending with conclusion and recommendations. Findings There is an agreement among all participants that entrepreneurs should always be flexible and seek for investments in innovation. However, there is a discrepancy among participants’ opinions regarding the measurements taken by the Egyptian Government post the pandemic outbreak. Research limitations/implications The field study results and the exploratory research results would have come out more accurate if it was not confined only to geographical limitation (Cairo Governorate). Practical implications The research in hand suggests that practical measurements should not only provide first aid to start-ups by alleviating the pressure caused by constrained cash flow but also consider long-term measures embedded in and supported by the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem to ensure start-ups rapid recovery and growth. Social implications SMEs attribute to social and economic change and have an impact on the local public and social services sector as a result of the business’s activities. Originality/value This study first illustrates the challenges entrepreneurs are facing because of the pandemic, then it presents how entrepreneurs are dealing with the effects of the crisis.

Do institutions matter in Latin America?

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Kallas ◽  
Carlos A. Caldeira ◽  
Rodrigo Bandeira-de-mello ◽  
Rosilene Marcon
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Missing Values ◽  
Institutional Changes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Return On Equity ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Sample Classification ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effects of institutional changes on business landscapes and companies performance in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach – The authors have developed a multiple empirical strategy, including qualitative and quantitative methods. As a qualitative method, we used business landscapes to describe how clustered firm performance varies across industries. We collected return on equity (ROE) and equity data from Brazilian listed companies in a 24-years range, and compared three different 8-years institutional periods. As a quantitative method, the authors compared variance across periods and developed a panel analysis assuming fixed and random effects models. Findings – The main results indicate that ROE differences among institutional periods in Brazil are relevant, indicating that there is an important institutional effect on performance and the impacts of those institutional effects may be different across industries. The impact of institutional changes seems to be considerable in understanding industry and firm performance. In addition, the improvement of the institutional framework increases the variance of firm performance around the mean. Research limitations/implications – The limitations are related to the sample, classification treatment for missing values and outliers. Practical implications – Managers should consider that institutional settings affect industries in a different manner when developing their strategies. Originality/value – Despite the fact that the importance of industry, firm and time effects has been empirically examined, there is still an empirical gap concerning if and how institutional changes affect industries and the configuration of business landscapes.

scholarly journals An exploratory assessment of the educational practices during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibhash Kumar ◽  
Ashima Verma
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Academic Motivation ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Online Mode ◽  
Academic Amotivation ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to address the state of teaching-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic by assessing the pedagogies used, evidence collected, best practices used and technologies used for instruction by the academics in higher education institutions (HEIs). This study also analyses the impact of online academic motivation (OAM) and online academic amotivation of the teachers on the online student engagement (OSE) during the emergency remote teaching (ERT) period. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a mixed methodology by incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods for analysis. Data used in this study have been drawn from a pool of educationists teaching in various HEIs in different parts of India (n = 900). Sentiment analysis, project map and mind map have been used to analyze the teachers’ experiences in the new teaching environment. Further, this study uses exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis to measure and validate the study’s scales. Findings The combination of empirical and qualitative analysis captured the ERT model followed by the teachers. The overall experience of teachers regarding the online mode of teaching-learning is moderately positive. This study reports a direct positive and significant impact of teachers’ motivation on perceived student engagement in the online mode. Originality/value This research proposes and validates scales to measure perceived OSE and the teachers’ OAM. This study also establishes an impact assessment of the teachers’ motivation levels on the students’ engagement from an educator’s perspective.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF RESIDENTIAL CARE CULTURE ON QUALITY OF LIFE OF CARE LEAVERS

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Lukšík ◽  
Lucia Hargašová
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Care Leavers ◽  
Material Conditions ◽  
The Impact

The quality of life of young adult residential care leavers is influenced by several factors. The impact of the residential care environment can be conceptualised as organisational culture. In our empirical study we explored how organisational culture affects the quality of life of care leavers. The research was conducted using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods in 8 selected residential care facilities in Slovakia, and among 39 young care leavers. Data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using methods associated with grounded theory, and data obtained via questionnaires were analysed using statistical methods. The results show that adequate material conditions, adherence to facility rules, the space to act independently, responsive care, support in planning for the future, mutual assistance, and social support from peers and others are all likely to contribute to a higher quality of life for care leavers.

The impact of corruption on travelers’ perceptions and preferences

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 795-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Papathanassis
Keyword(s):  
Research Methodology ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Online Reviews ◽  
Destination Image ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to explore and model tourists’ perceptions of corruption-related holiday incidents and their impact on travel preferences and behavior. Design/methodology/approach This research methodology reflects an exploratory-sequential, mixed-method design, comprising a content analysis of 205 online reviews, followed by a survey of 268 respondents. Findings According to the data collected and analyzed, exposure to corruption appears to be more than an exception for holidaymakers. Moreover, tourists often associate corruption with a wide spectrum of incident types; those ranging from personal integrity threats to service delivery failures and heritage/attraction mismanagement. The impact of such incidents on travel preferences and behavior of tourists is highly dependent on the perceived competence, effectiveness and professionalism of local (destination) public services and authorities. Practical implications Recommendations for destination stakeholders include the need to enable and take ownership of tourists’ complaints and the importance of recognizing the role of heritage attractions as corruption-related symbols and destination image carriers. Originality/value This paper attempts to establish the connection between corruption and tourism externalities within the context of the recent “over-tourism” debate. In exploring tourism-corruption, the authors adopt a “micro-behavioral” perspective, which represents a novelty in the related macro/systemic-level approach, characterizing the predominant research in this area. Moreover, in terms of research methodology, both qualitative and quantitative methods are combined. This is an ambitious and challenging research design, demonstrating the synergies between the two paradigms and contributing to the completeness of the paper.

Are customers satisfied? Study of the problems currently prevailing in the plus size women’s wear market in Sri Lanka

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niromi Seram ◽  
Kethmini Kumarasiri
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Women's Clothing

Purpose Plus size clothing is becoming a fashion trend worldwide due to the body positivity movement sparked off by the growing obesity rates and fat shaming incidents reported around the world. Although the problems relating to plus size clothing in the global context have been addressed, thereby establishing certain norms in the market, none of this work has proved helpful in assessing the level of customer satisfaction in the Sri Lankan plus size market. In view of this lacuna, this paper aims to probe customer preferences and identify the problems currently prevailing in the plus size women’s wear fashion market in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered through both qualitative and quantitative methods. For this purpose, visits were made to several fashion outlets in the Colombo area offering plus size clothing to observe the available product categories, size ranges, fabrics, finishing methods and designs at each outlet. A closed-ended questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the perception of the customers on the current plus size fashion market. Semi-structured interviews with designers working at selected Sri Lankan fashion brands that catered to the plus size market were carried out to acquire an understanding of the current plus size fashion industry from the garment manufacturer’s perspective and to learn about the current construction techniques in the industry. Findings The results indicated that 55.6% of the plus size women who participated in the survey were either dissatisfied or only moderately satisfied with the current products available in the Sri Lankan market. The major cause for the dissatisfaction was the inability to find well-fitting clothes to suit their body proportions and the unavailability of trendy, fashionable clothes. Ideally, they preferred fashionable, comfortable, well-fitting and good quality garments. Unavailability of standardized sizing methods and lack of up-to-date information on the female body were identified as the main issues in the Sri Lankan plus size women’s wear market. Therefore, the necessity for a standardized size chart for plus size women based on Sri Lankan anthropometric data was emphasized by designers. Originality/value The findings will be useful for the Sri Lankan apparel producers as well as retailers as they will have a better understanding of not only the fit and aesthetic preferences but also the overall shopping preferences of plus size women. This will help them to develop marketing strategies to cater to this Sri Lankan niche market segment, as currently there is no documented information on plus size Sri Lankan women’s clothing preferences.

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