Vulnerability in in-vitro fertilisation transformative services: an interplay of individual and institutional factors

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nichola Robertson ◽  
Yelena Tsarenko ◽  
Michael Jay Polonsky ◽  
Lisa McQuilken
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the factors driving and mitigating the experienced vulnerabilities of women undergoing the transformative service of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), and how this influences women’s evaluations and intentions. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual framework was tested using quantitative data collected via an online survey of Australian women who have undergone IVF treatment. Hayes’ PROCESS macro was used to analyse the data. Findings The results indicate that women’s persistent goal-striving alongside their perceived personal sacrifices influence the association between their need for parenthood and their experienced vulnerability. Institutional factors such as IVF clinic technical and interpersonal quality influence these consumers’ IVF experience evaluations and word-of-mouth (WoM) intentions. Research limitations/implications This study’s results are limited to women who are undergoing IVF treatment. Further empirical work is needed to deepen the understanding of the role played by partners and other family members in women’s IVF experiences. Practical implications IVF clinics can reduce women’s experienced vulnerability by encouraging women who have a good probability of succeeding to persist in the pursuit of the goal of conceiving a child via IVF. This can be achieved by enabling and empowering them so that they give themselves the best chance during treatment, thus facilitating their control. Managing the expectations of those women with a lower probability of success is also recommended. The importance of the technical and interpersonal quality delivered by IVF clinics in influencing the positive evaluations and behavioural intentions of women experiencing vulnerabilities is further highlighted. Originality/value This study contributes to the transformative service research literature by: examining the IVF transformative experience, which has been largely overlooked; focussing on the intersection of transformative services and consumers experiencing vulnerability, which is an emerging research area; and testing a framework quantitatively that intermingles individual and institutional factors as antecedents and consequences of consumers’ experienced vulnerabilities, advancing the existing conceptual and qualitative work.

Value co-creation activities in retail ecosystems: well-being consequences

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Gardiazabal ◽  
Constanza Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Ecosystem Level ◽  
Turn Over ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the well-being consequences of value co-creation activities at an ecosystem level, focusing specifically on the micro and meso levels. This study is performed in a retail ecosystem, a highly relevant context where individuals spend a considerable amount of time and resources, but where well-being is usually not deemed as a relevant outcome. Design/methodology/approach The investigation analyzes qualitative data from micro and meso level actors of a retail ecosystem. At the micro-level, in-depth interviews performed with customers, employees and suppliers were assessed. The meso level analysis included most of the actors embedded in the retail ecosystem: employees’ headquarters, suppliers’ headquarters, nearby competitors, family, other retail outlets and external employees. Findings This study is one of the first in the transformative service research area to analyze well-being from a retail ecosystem perspective. Hence, this analysis broadens the literature on transformative service by considering supermarket retailing, an everyday service context that is not assumed to generate well-being outcomes. Results reveal that actors who spend more time or have fewer options available for them in the retail ecosystem see their well-being deeply affected. It also extends the conceptualization of value co-creation to a retail ecosystem, a specific ecosystem, which differs from previous studies that focus mostly on health-care ecosystems. Research limitations/implications Although useful to understand new insights, a limitation of this investigation is that it is based upon a single qualitative study. Practical implications The study portrays how activities happening within a business context have consequences beyond traditional measures such as loyalty or turn-over. It proposes specific value co-creation actions to be performed by employees, suppliers and customers to promote positive well-being consequences for the micro and meso level retail ecosystem. Social implications Retail ecosystems are usually not deemed as relevant when trying to understand societal well-being outcomes. This study empirically depicts that all services, even the ones without transformative goals, need to be aware of the impact they have on societal well-being. Originality/value This paper provides a novel conceptualization of well-being effects in a retail ecosystem. Specifically, this is the first study in the transformative service research literature to identify the micro and meso level well-being consequences of value co-creation activities within a retail ecosystem.

scholarly journals Share experiences: receiving word of mouth and its effect on relationships with donors

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa M. Sundermann
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
The Impact

PurposeAlthough antecedents and consequences for the sender of word of mouth (WOM) are well evaluated in many research fields, non-profit service research focusing on consequences for WOM receivers is limited. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to provide evidence for the positive effect that WOM has on commitment, trust, satisfaction and identification (relationship-related factors) and on intentional loyalty of blood donors. Furthermore, the role of the social reference group and the incentive ethics are analysed.Design/methodology/approachBlood donors of the German Red Cross Blood Donor Service were invited to take part in an online survey during May/June 2016. A total of 702 (23.74 per cent) blood donors, who first donated in 2015/2016, participated. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results provide evidence that the mere presence of receiving WOM positively influences commitment, satisfaction and identification as well as intentional loyalty. The negative moderation effect of incentive ethics was partially confirmed.Practical implicationsThis study recommends using WOM approaches to bind donors but first evaluating the exact consequences of provided WOM rewards. WOM is an effective strategy, and non-profit organizations (NPOs) should use this to strengthen their relationship with donors.Originality valueThe paper provides and tests a theoretical framework to evaluate the impact of receiving WOM on relationship-related factors and intentional loyalty. It fills a gap in current discussions about the effectiveness of WOM as a marketing strategy to strengthen donor–NPO relationships.

The prevalence and content of police discipline matrices

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 788-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Harris ◽  
Kristen Chierus ◽  
Timothy C. Edson
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Police Departments ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
National Surveys ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the prevalence of the use of discipline matrices across large US police departments, as well as to compare the structure and content of such matrices. Design/methodology/approach – The study employs a two phase approach. Phase I consisted of a brief online survey of a stratified, random sample of police departments with 100 or more sworn police officers and asked about whether or not the agency employed a discipline matrix. Phase II consisted of requesting a copy of the matrix and corresponding materials from all agencies who indicated they employed a matrix, and analyzing the content of those matrices. Findings – In total, 37 percent of responding agencies said they are using or are planning a discipline matrix, and the authors obtained a matrix from 32 police departments. The structure of the matrices and recommended discipline varied widely across these departments, indicating a lack of consensus on the development of this relatively new accountability tool. Research limitations/implications – The survey focussed on large police departments and the response rate was somewhat lower than other past national surveys. Practical implications – Discipline matrices are employed to a greater extent than is implied by the current research literature. The lack of consensus and variability in policies around matrices indicates a need for more research which could contribute toward the formation of a model policy in this regard. Originality/value – To date the prevalence of discipline matrices across US police departments was unknown, and very little was known about how they were structured or what comprised their content.

Intentions to turnover

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Cronley ◽  
Youn kyoung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Employee Characteristics ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to advance the knowledge base by testing the hypothesis that job satisfaction mediates the relationship between perceived organizational culture and intentions to turnover, and that employee characteristics moderate this relationship. Design/methodology/approach Data were drawn from a cross-sectional online survey of employees at one Area Command of The Salvation Army in the USA (N=250, 66.8 percent female, 26.4 percent African American). The study implemented two different techniques to incorporate methodological triangulation to test the mediation model: a three-step regression analysis and a bootstrapping technique in which direct and indirect effects are tested at once. Also, a conditional process analysis was used to test the moderated mediation model. Findings Results supported the hypothesized mediation relationship and showed that lower mean organizational culture scores were significantly associated with lower job satisfaction, and thus, higher intentions to turnover. Additionally, office location moderated the indirect effect of organizational culture on intentions to turnover through job satisfaction. Practical implications Findings highlight the variability in how organizational culture affects employees across the work environment. Interventions, which are subtly tuned to the variation in workplaces, may be the most effective at building strong and positive organizational cultures. Originality/value The current study extends prior empirical work by testing the hypothesis that employee characteristics moderate the mediating effect of organizational culture and job satisfaction on intentions to turnover. Results showed that work location moderated the relationship between organizational culture and job satisfaction; organizational culture had a stronger effect on job satisfaction among employees working at the administrative office compared to those in community-based centers. Findings underscore the need for leadership to create a strong culture that permeates all work sectors in order for it to be effective.

What does “gender equality” mean? Social representations of gender equality in the workplace among French workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 825-847
Author(s):  
Clotilde Coron
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Equal Pay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Awareness Campaigns

PurposeThis work deals with social representations of gender equality in the workplace. Little academic work deals with the way workers define gender equality. My research also deals with the implications of this definition in terms of policy implementation.Design/methodology/approachThis work is based on a mixed-method approach. A quantitative study based on an online survey conducted in 2015 at a French company is mobilized to identify and measure the main representations of gender equality among the workers. Then, a qualitative study is used to explore these representations in depth and to examine how they influence the implementation of policy on gender equality.FindingsThis work shows that for French workers, equal pay and equal access to responsibilities are the most important dimensions of gender equality, while gender diversity and work-life balance seem less important. The representation of gender equality varies according to gender, professional field and managerial status. These variations help to understand the difficulty of implementing such policy.Practical implicationsManagerially, these results would strongly indicate that companies in France, but also in other developed countries, should consider carrying out awareness campaigns aimed at employees in order to promote a common culture and definition of gender equality. Indeed, the coexistence of various representations of gender equality partly explains the insufficient implementation—and thus the poor performance and general effectiveness of gender equality policies, both in theoretical and practical terms. Companies should also consider introducing awareness campaigns that specifically target men, who grant less importance to gender equality than women.Originality/valueThis study deals with social representations of gender equality in France, a subject which has been largely neglected or overlooked in existing fields of gender research. The international literature on gender equality shows that variations in representations of gender equality constitute a major subject for research and policies about gender, whatever the country. However, this topic still remains inadequately addressed. This research aims to strengthen such research literature dedicated to the issue of gender equality.

Scaring the bras off women

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-257
Author(s):  
Jessica Mayer ◽  
Nadia Zainuddin ◽  
Rebekah Russell-Bennett ◽  
Rory Francis Mulcahy
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Active Coping ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Avoidance Coping ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Preventative Health ◽  
Brand Congruence

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of perceived threat, brand congruence, and social support on consumer coping strategies for a preventative health service. Design/methodology/approach An online survey of 570 women aged over 50 in one Australian state was conducted (users and non-users of the service). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings A competing models approach reveals that threat on its own is associated with avoidance coping; however, when brand congruence is high, there is an association with active coping. Social support appears to have a buffering effect on threat and is associated positively with active coping and negatively with avoidance coping. Originality/value The study findings suggest that threat appeals should be used with caution in increasing participation in transformative preventative health services due to its double-edged sword effect (increasing both avoidance and active coping). When consumers have social support, this results in active coping and buffers avoidance coping. This research offers useful insights for social marketing and transformative service research.

scholarly journals VALUE study: a protocol for a qualitative semi-structured interview study of IVF add-ons use by patients, clinicians and embryologists in the UK and Australia

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e047307
Author(s):  
Sarah C Armstrong ◽  
Sarah Lensen ◽  
Emily Vaughan ◽  
Elaine Wainwright ◽  
Michelle Peate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Media Channels

IntroductionFor couples undergoing assisted reproduction, a plethora of adjuncts are available; these are known as ‘add-ons’. Most add-ons are not supported by good quality randomised trial evidence of efficacy, with some proven to be ineffective. However, estimates suggest that over 70% of fertility clinics provide at least one add-on, often at extra cost to the patient. This study has three aims. First, to undertake a survey of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinics in the UK to ascertain which add-ons are being offered and at what cost. Second, to undertake qualitative semi-structured interviews of patients, clinicians and embryologists, to explore their opinions and beliefs surrounding add-ons. Third, to review the interpretation of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority traffic light system, to better understand the information required by IVF patients, clinicians and embryologists when making decisions about add-ons.Methods and analysisAll UK IVF clinics will be contacted by email and invited to complete an online survey. The survey will ask them which add-ons they offer, at what cost per cycle and how information is shared with patients. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted in the UK and Australia with three groups of participants: (i) fertility patients; (ii) clinicians and (iii) embryologists. Participants for the interviews will be recruited via social media channels, website adverts, email and snowball sampling. Up to 20 participants will be recruited for each group in each country. Following an online consent process, interviews will be conducted via video-conferencing software, transcribed verbatim and data subjected to inductive thematic analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted by the Universities of Sheffield, Bath Spa and Melbourne. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated to regulatory bodies in the UK and Australia. A lay summary of findings will be shared via Fertility Network, UK.

Mind the gap – Assessing maturity of demand planning, a cornerstone of S&OP

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 1618-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Vereecke ◽  
Karlien Vanderheyden ◽  
Philippe Baecke ◽  
Tom Van Steendam
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Forecast Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Demand Planning ◽  
Maturity Assessment ◽  
Forecasting System

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically validate a model for assessing demand planning maturity in organisations. Design/methodology/approach The authors developed a maturity assessment model for demand planning through iterations of theoretical and empirical work, combining insights from literature and practitioners. An online survey is developed to validate the model using data from different industries. Findings The authors identify six dimensions of demand planning maturity: data management, the use of forecasting methods, the forecasting system, performance management, the organisation and people management. The empirical study indicates that demand data are well managed and organisation readiness is high, yet improvements in the forecasting system and the management of forecast performance are needed. The results show a positive relationship between the size of an organisation and its demand planning maturity. Practical implications The contribution of this work is to propose an assessment model and survey instrument for demand planning maturity. This will help the practitioner to understand the current level of maturity of the demand planning process, reflect on the desired level and develop action plans to close the gap. Originality/value There is broad literature on process maturity assessment in general and on sales and operations planning (S&OP) maturity in particular. However, there is no comprehensive model for assessing the maturity of demand planning, which is a specific and critical process within the overall S&OP process. The authors fill this gap by offering a demand planning maturity model.

Critical success factors for sustainable construction: a literature review

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 176-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Sfakianaki
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to synthesize and evaluate the available literature with respect to critical success factors (CSFs) for sustainable construction (SC). Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was undertaken to assist in the identification of the most pertinent papers from three publishers: Emerald, Elsevier and Wiley. The literature findings were assessed and presented relative to publication, author and contents as determined by review. Findings The SLR was conducted using a number of search criteria. A final set of 31 publications were detected for further examination. The characteristics in terms of publications, authors and contents of the extracted publication set were examined and discussed. A total of 35 factors were identified, distributed in five research categories. The frequency of the extracted factors within the publication set was investigated and enabled valuable quantitative and qualitative observations of current trends for SC. Interestingly, all research categories were represented in the top-counted factors, demonstrating a holistic perception of SC. Given the publication set, in most aspects, the research area examined seems to demonstrate features of an emerging field, which is not yet well established. Research limitations/implications SLR cannot ensure that all pertinent publications were identified, because it was tailored to a number of search criteria, although certain actions were taken to moderate this limitation. However, the outcome adequately identifies trends and offers valuable information and knowledge for SC and its successful implementation. Originality/value The present study presents a broad list of factors for SC, integrated from a variety of disciplines and stakeholders. The findings, therefore, provide a valuable reference for both construction professionals and practitioners attempting to implement SC. Furthermore, the list can be of use to academic scholars for further empirical work and basis for future research.

scholarly journals Value creation and destruction in social marketing services: a review and research agenda

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Zainuddin ◽  
Ross Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extant Literature

Purpose This paper aims to provide a review of the extant literature on value creation and destruction in social marketing services for social change, for the purposes of developing a research agenda for future research in this area. Creating value in social marketing services is now identified as a key focus for social marketing (Russell-Bennett et al., 2009; Domegan et al., 2013), yet work in this area is nascent and conceptual, methodological, and empirical work is needed to advance the research agenda (Zainuddin et al., 2013; 2016). Design/methodology/approach To help shape the future of research on value in social marketing services, this paper appraises the contributions of the current research literature, and identifies gaps in the current knowledge. A systematic literature review was conducted, following the PRISMA protocol for conducting and reporting systematic reviews (Moher et al., 2009). The review covers the areas of value creation in social marketing, value destruction in social marketing, dimensions of value in social marketing, and from value-in-exchange, to value-in-use, to value-in-behaviour in social change. Findings A research agenda for further work in this area is provided within the themes of 1. conceptual development, 2. broadening ontological, epistemological, and methodological foundations, 3. research contexts, and 4. measuring and evaluating value in social marketing services. Within each of these themes, a series of research questions are provided to guide further work in the four identified themes. Originality/value This paper is the first to offer a review of the extant literature on value creation and destruction in social marketing and social marketing services, and offer a research agenda for future work in this area. This paper contributes to services marketing and the development of service thinking as key component of social marketing, and the role that value creation plays in this (Russell-Bennett et al., 2013).

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