scholarly journals Belonging at work: the experiences, representations and meanings of belonging

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathrine Filstad ◽  
Laura E.M. Traavik ◽  
Mara Gorli
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Organizational Boundaries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Visual Method ◽  
Practice Turn ◽  
Emotional Aspects ◽  
Social Components ◽  
Affective Dimensions ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore what belonging is through the represented experience of people at work. The aim is to investigate employees’ interpretations of belonging at work and its interrelation with the material, aesthetic and emotional aspects associated to the where, the how and the when workplace is inhabited. Design/methodology/approach In line with the practice turn in social sciences, this study uses the visual method (snaplogs), which includes pictures and texts. Findings Belonging is situated in and integrated with social interactions, materiality, emotions and aesthetics. Belonging is about being part of something, the process of becoming through constant mediation between material aspects and social components, the process of experiencing boundaries and the attempt to perform, engage and participate (and find spaces for shared practices) in a workplace. Together, they constitute the situatedness, the here and now, of experiences of belonging and the perceived interpretation of being one among equals across organizational boundaries. Research limitations/implications Data were only collected at one point in time. The authors also relied on their own interpretations of pictures and texts and did not involve the informants in the analysis. Practical implications Being, becoming and belonging comprise material, social and affective dimensions. These dimensions should be addressed for employees to belong at work. Originality/value This study contributes to the belonging literature on perceived interpretations of what belonging is at work. The paper is also original in terms of the visual method used to grasp the practice representation of belonging experiences.

URL normalization and assessing website structures in higher education websites

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Website Design ◽  
Web Pages ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Website Usability ◽  
Web Resource ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Machine Reading ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to explore the character and attainment of an effective URL system by expanding the concept of URL normalization, originally connected to machine-reading access of web pages, to form a broader understanding of URL systematization that includes user-focused cognitive and practical elements. Design/methodology/approach A revised understanding of URL normalization will be used to critically analyzed URLs of main admissions pages from M1 universities, as designated by the Carnegie Foundation. Findings The study found that very few institutions implemented well-organized systems of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) and redirects and that many included unintelligible and impractical URLs that would hinder the effective use of their websites. Practical implications A broader understanding of URL systematization will result in more effective website design. URLs must serve an indexical function pointing to a unique web resource, whatever the URL's format. However, URLs should also consider human usability issues and strive to be simple, short, communicable, intelligible and ultimately useful as part of social interactions. Poorly designed URLs create frustration, if not failure, by being difficult to use, confusing or interminable. An effective URL system should also include redirects to anticipate alternate, meaningful URLs that are different from the canonical path. The framework and recommendations arising from this study are applicable to many website structures. Originality/value The expanded understanding of the concept of URL normalization and subsequent evaluation principles can be used to assess the overall coherence and completeness of the website in general, thus improving website usability.

Islam, communication and accounting

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-154
Author(s):  
UmmeSalma Mujtaba Husein
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Islamic Philosophy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Emotional Aspects ◽  
Opening Up ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore the notion of communication in accounting and in doing so elucidates the wider connotation of accounting frontiers offered in the Islamic philosophy, reflecting upon the Islamic doctrines that are indicative towards and offer a variety of implications for communication and accounting. Design/methodology/approach Drawing from the Islamic sources – Quran and other key texts – and other relevant preceding literature, the paper deliberates key Islam principles of significance and outline what they suggest for communication in accounting. Findings Islam has a profoundly embedded concern of the communicative aspect from a holistic viewpoint that is clear within its accounting implications as well. This paper illustrates the social aspects of Islamic accounting through its stance on communication, thereby opening up the more enabling potentials of Islamic accounting informed by wider and more facilitating dimensions of Islam’s teachings: Islam’s holistic approach to life; its attentiveness on society and its various groups; and its emphasis on behavioural conduct and emotional aspects. Consideration on these principles throws into questions the Western ways, develops and hones the existing stand of hegemonic positions and submits new ways forward. Research limitations/implications Aspiring organisations and larger entities such as nations who encourage the development of Islamic economy can benefit from the added accountability of entities to encompass the social and ethical responsibilities. Practical/implications The paper highlights Islamic doctrines as a basis of just and responsible accounting communication via incorporating the macro-societal elements and the behavioural communicative aspects. Originality/value The Islamic communication principles open up the inclusion of the missing behavioural aspect from accounting communication. This paper provides the necessary theoretical framework on how to include the humane side within accounting communication.

The communication consultant: an important translator for communication management

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara von Platen
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Communication Management ◽  
Organizational Boundaries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Public Sector Organizations ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Empirical Material

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to put forward a theoretical model which conceptualizes and clarifies the function and skills of communication consultants in terms of translation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper combines theoretical underpinnings from Scandinavian institutional theory with empirical examples from an interview study with ten senior communication managers in Swedish public sector organizations. Findings – Communication consultants are explained to perform varying translator functions ranging from a neutral transcoder to a freely interpretive translator and sensegiver. These functions are enacted as the consultant span organizational boundaries and contexts inside and outside the organization. The consultants are apt to carry out these tasks due to their translator expertise which resides in, e.g. multicontextual knowledge and bilingual skills, something which their clients lack. Research limitations/implications – The scope of the empirical material is limited to public organizations and a Swedish setting, and may therefore not be valid in other cultural contexts. Practical implications – The model highlights the intersecting work of communication consultants and their clients and thus raises questions concerning the legitimacy and core responsibilities of communication managers. The paper also argues that managers and consultants need to develop their translator skills, and that higher education in communication and PR should prepare students for professions where translator skills may be of great importance. Originality/value – The functions and tasks of communication consultants is a neglected area in communication research. By providing a comprehensive and pragmatic framework for communication consultants work as translation, the present research adds knowledge about the essential functions these actors perform and how they contribute to communication management as well as to organizational performance.

Embodied “inter-practice” in organizations – the contribution of Merleau-Ponty to carnal organizational practices and studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1449-1469
Author(s):  
Wendelin Küpers
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Lived Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relational Approach ◽  
Organizational Contexts ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Phenomenological Point

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to develop a critical and extended understanding of practices in organizations from a phenomenological point of view. It explores the relevance of Merleau-Ponty's advanced phenomenology and ontology for understanding the role of the lived body and the embodiment of practices and change in organizational lifeworlds.Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature review and phenomenology, the role of embodied and relational dimension, the concept of an emergent and responsive “inter-practice” in organizations is developed systematically.FindingsBased on the phenomenological and relational approach, the concept of (inter-)practice allows an extended more integral and processual understanding of the role of bodily and embodied practices in organizational lifeworlds as emerging events. The concept of inter-practice(ing) contributes to conceiving of new ways of approaching how responsive and improvisational practicing, related to change, coevolves within a multidimensional nexus of organizations.Research limitations/implicationsSpecific theoretical and methodological implications for exploring and enacting relational practices as well as limitations are offered.Practical implicationsSome specific practical implications are provided that facilitate and enable embodied practices in organizational contexts.Social implicationsThe responsive inter-practice is seen as embedded in sociality and social interactions and links to sociocultural and political as well as ethical dimensions are discussed.Originality/valueBy extending the existing discourse and using an embodied approach, the paper proposes a novel orientation for reinterpreting practice that allows explorations of the emergence and realization of alternative, ingenious and more suitable forms of practicing and change in organizations.

Co‐creation of meaning as a prerequisite for market‐focused strategic flexibility

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1283-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catharina Gylling ◽  
Richard Elliott ◽  
Marja Toivonen
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Strategic Flexibility ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Chain ◽  
Shared Meanings ◽  
Practice Turn ◽  
Narrative Process ◽  
Common Understanding ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeIn this paper the authors aim to introduce the perspective of shared meanings as a prerequisite for the formation of market‐focused strategic flexibility.Design/methodology/approachThe authors apply the ideas of co‐creation of meaning, which derive from research into the narrative process of strategy and the practice turn of strategy. The authors' view is illustrated with a case example from a Finnish property rental company. Using action research methodology, data were collected through interviews and workshops from the company, from its clients and from its subcontractors.FindingsThe case presented here shows that the lack of common understanding may lead to poor service quality even though the provider aims at meeting clients' needs. On the other hand, the results confirm that developing a shared understanding is possible in business practice. A common lexicon and the conscious use of human narrative capability facilitate the achievement of this goal.Research limitations/implicationsSince the empirical results are based on one case, the possibility for generalisations is limited. However, the study highlights important aspects of strategic flexibility that are worthy of further research.Practical implicationsThe study shows that flexible market orientation needs shared meanings between all the relevant actors in a service chain. The study also suggests some ideas on how the co‐creation of meaning can be promoted in practice.Originality/valueLinking the perspectives of co‐creation of meaning and market‐focused strategic flexibility is a new approach. The paper illustrates these topics in a subcontracting chain, whereas earlier studies have usually focused on companies.

Social interactions and workplace learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 31-33
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Heterogeneous Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Businesses that place strong emphasis on workplace learning become better positioned to succeed. Social interactions play a critical role in enabling the informal learning identified as an important aspect of learning overall. Leaders should therefore design tasks to enable such interaction which can become more significant still within culturally heterogeneous firms. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

scholarly journals Consumption attachments of Brazilian fans of the National Football League

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-266
Author(s):  
Bruno Melo Moura ◽  
André Luiz Maranhão de Souza-Leão
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Audience Interaction ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The National Football League (NFL), the most lucrative sports league in the world, has its second largest foreign audience in Brazil. Its Brazilian broadcasts stimulate the audience to extrapolate television reception and interact through a social media platform, seeking to integrate a collective consumption. Thus, attachments are established between consumers and league. Based on this, this study aims to analyze how the interaction in social media of the Brazilian NFL audience, during the transmissions of its games, results in consumption attachments. Design/methodology/approach The method undertaken was Netnography, commonly used to investigate cultural practices occurring in online environments. The research corpus consisted of messages posted on Twitterhashtags created by the ESPN Brazil channels to reverberate its broadcasts of the league between 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. Findings The findings of this study indicate that Brazilian audience interaction in social media establishes consumer attachment with the NFL by means of the brand elements and aspects of social life, mediated by the league. Research limitations/implications The research observed only the part of the Brazilian audience of the NFL that engages in the broadcasts of the games through social media. Practical implications The research of this study demonstrates how brands can use social media to enable social interactions that create or improve consumer attachments with them. Originality/value The study presents how a media brand imbricated in the American culture has been the target of attachment by Brazilian fans through social media interactions.

The child–brand relationship: social interactions matter

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angélique Rodhain ◽  
Philippe Aurier
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Dynamic Approach ◽  
Brand Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the child–brand relationship dynamic in interaction with the relationships children develop with their family, peers and teacher. Design/methodology/approach – In all, six classes in French primary schools are observed for six months. Among the 112 children observed, aged 10-11 years, 24 of them are interviewed twice individually and 24 others are interviewed in focus groups. Findings – A lack of coherence between parents, peers and the teacher, as well as with the child’s own desires, affects the child–brand relationship and reduces the child’s self-esteem. Based on this, this study proposes a four-case typology of child–brand relationship dynamics with two criteria: the child’s attitude toward the brand relationship (favorable and unfavorable) and the consistency of attitudes in his/her socialization spheres (peers, parents and teacher) relative to this relationship. Then, the most frequent trajectories children follow across these brand relationship cases are identified. Research limitations/implications – This study applies to branded clothes. Practical implications – From a marketer’s perspective, this study reveals that there are different qualities in child–brand relationships. The strongest one appears when the child feels free from outside pressure and when peers, parents and the teacher create a virtuous circle for brands (or at least do not contradict the child’s desires for brands). Social implications – For public policymakers, it can be useful to be aware that when peers, parents and teachers’ opinions about brands differ, this affects the child’s self-esteem. Originality/value – The study offers a dynamic approach to child–brand relationships.

Team-based global organisations: Goodbye to hierarchy-based global organising

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 16-18
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Organizational Structures ◽  
Global Teams ◽  
Organizational Boundaries ◽  
Global Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multinational Organizations ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – “Team-based organizing” is likely to become synonymous with global organizations in the future. Organizing work in teams has become the modus operandi in multinational organizations, but team-based structures could over time come to replace hierarchical organizational structures. Moreover, organizational boundaries will become fluid or dissolve completely due to the temporal and spatial nature of global teams; this globally-based activity will be spanning national, cultural and linguistic boundaries. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Consumer value creation through WhatsApp use

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-471
Author(s):  
Jorge Cruz-Cárdenas ◽  
Jorge Guadalupe-Lanas ◽  
Ekaterina Zabelina ◽  
Andrés Palacio-Fierro ◽  
Margarita Velín-Fárez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Role Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Value ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand in-depth how consumers create value in their lives using WhatsApp, the leading mobile instant messaging (MIM) application. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts the perspective of customer-dominant logic (CDL) and uses a qualitative multimethod design involving 3 focus groups and 25 subsequent in-depth interviews. The research setting was Ecuador, a Latin American country. Findings Analysis and interpretation of the participants’ stories made it possible to identify and understand the creation of four types of value: maintaining and strengthening relationships; improving role performance; emotional support; and entertainment and fun. In addition, the present study proposes a conceptual model of consumer value creation as it applies to MIM. Practical implications Understanding the way consumers create value in their lives using MIM is important not only for organizations that offer MIM applications, but also for those companies that develop other applications for mobile phones or for those who wish to use MIM as an electronic word-of-mouth vehicle. Originality/value The current study is one of the first to address the topic of consumer behavior in the use of technologies from the perspective of CDL; this perspective enables an integrated qualitative vision of value creation in which the consumer is the protagonist.

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