Career success – the perception of Open Distance Learning library middle managers

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 379-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janette Raubenheimer ◽  
Patrick Ngulube
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
Career Success ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Middle Managers ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Paper Form ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain original evidence of the perception of Open Distance Learning (ODL) library middle managers towards the meaning of career success from the perspective of the individual. Design/methodology/approach This quantitative research study was conducted with the help of a survey questionnaire designed by the first researcher. Findings Results revealed that career success no longer only relates to criteria such as the hierarchical position or progression through high ratings obtained during performance appraisal. A high premium is placed by ODL library middle managers on other success criteria identified in the literature, such as the positive effect of their work on the institution, success achieved through a focus on work life and home life balance and personal recognition due to competence. Research limitations/implications The research findings presented in this paper form an important part of a comprehensive study on ODL library middle management development but is limited to the only ODL library in South Africa. Practical implications The paper provides current perceptions of ODL library middle managers to be considered during career path planning. Originality/value The paper provides the first findings of an overview of the perception of South African ODL library middle managers towards the meaning of career success. The study is timely as the number of ODL institutions is growing. The target population to benefit from this study is ODL library practitioners.

The inevitability of digital transfer

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 224-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lale Özdemir
Keyword(s):  
Major Change ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transfer Rule ◽  
National Archives ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Public Bodies

Purpose This paper aims to assess how prepared public bodies are for the transfer of born-digital records to the National Archives (TNA) of the UK in line with the reduction in the transfer rule from 30 to 20 years. Design/methodology/approach The change in the transfer rule means that records of UK public bodies will be transferred to TNA for permanent preservation at 20 years as opposed to 30 years old. This move, which has been described as a major change that is going to be introduced in a manageable and affordable way (20-year rule, The National Archives), will inevitably witness the transfer of born-digital records to the archives much earlier than would have been the case if the change in the transfer rule had not been made. This paper reports on research carried out in the winter of 2017 on the extent to which UK public bodies are prepared for the transfer of born-digital records to TNA. Research was based on a survey of 23 public bodies which included ministries, charities and non-departmental public bodies. The target population was predominantly public bodies that had the highest level of transfer of records to TNA. The justification for this lies in the fact that these bodies, amongst others, transfer the most records to TNA, thus it would be interesting to gain an insight into how prepared these relatively larger public bodies are with regard to born-digital transfer. The remaining public bodies were chosen randomly amongst non-ministerial departments. The primary areas under analysis are plans of public bodies for the transfer of born-digital records, processes for transfer to be undertaken such as selection, appraisal etc., the use of technology in sensitivity review and the trigger date for the transfer of records. Findings An analysis of the research findings found that while a few UK public bodies surveyed had transferred datasets within the framework of the TNA Government Datasets (NDAD) initiative or as part of an inquiry, only one public body had transferred other born-digital records to TNA. The findings also reveal that most public bodies are yet to plan for, or to adjust, their current archival processes to take into account the different mind-set and skills required for the transfer of born-digital records. The level of preparedness is therefore limited primarily because public bodies have yet to undertake a transfer of born-digital records to the archives. The research findings also revealed that public bodies had not as yet made adjustments or changes to current practice to take into account the issues relating to the processing of born-digital records prior to transfer. Research limitations/implications The findings of the research at hand are based on a survey submitted electronically to twenty-three public bodies with the aim of assessing how prepared they are for the transfer of born-digital records to the National Archives (TNA). The survey was sent to 27 public bodies with responses received by 23 public bodies. The survey sent to these bodies comprises eight questions that were deemed to be important in the current digital landscape with regard to the processes involved in the transfer of records, beginning from their creation. Thus, an element of subjectivity exists with regard to the outcome of the research, as the public bodies chosen were guided in prioritising any issues about digital transfer through the questions posed. The research carried out is also limited in that it focuses primarily on ministerial departments (14 of the 23 surveyed) and also constitutes a very small sample of UK public bodies overall. However, the originality of the data obtained through the study carried out by far outweighs the limitations of the research methodology. Originality/value This paper highlights that the transfer of born-digital records through original research amongst the 23 public bodies surveyed is not widespread, and that processes and procedures specifically for the management of processes for born-digital records are yet to be implemented. The study concludes that long-term planning for the transfer of born-digital records is yet to be undertaken and that public bodies are more likely to deal with the issue when their digital records are closer to reaching the point of transfer.

Early career values and individual factors of objective career success

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Giraud ◽  
Alain Bernard ◽  
Laura Trinchera
Keyword(s):  
Career Success ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Individual Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Career Values ◽  
Business Graduates ◽  
Business Market ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Individual ◽  
First Job

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the early career values and individual factors of objective career success among graduates from a top-tier French business school. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a quantitative analysis of 629 graduates classified in three job markets according to income: the traditional business market, the alternative market and the high-potential business market. The graduation dates span a period of 12 years before the 2008 Recession. Findings The findings suggest that membership of each job market is associated with distinct early career values (when choosing/leaving the first job). Moreover, the authors confirm that the presence of a mentor, international experience, job-hopping and gender, all affect objective career success. Practical implications The paper discusses implications for business career development and higher business education. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in the identification of the individual factors of objective career success among French business graduates and the links between objective career success and early career values.

Capitalizing on women’s entrepreneurial alertness

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-272
Author(s):  
Héctor Montiel-Campos
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Middle Managers ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Job Complexity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Alertness ◽  
Established Firms ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how human, social and psychological capital influences women’s entrepreneurial alertness and discover if these influences are moderated by job complexity. Design/methodology/approach This is a quantitative research study using a purposive sampling method where data are gathered from a self-report survey. The hypotheses are tested using a sample of 274 female middle managers using a hierarchical moderated regression analysis. Findings The results support that women’s human and psychological capital are positively related to each dimension of their entrepreneurial alertness, and that these relationships are moderated by job complexity. Results also indicate that women’s social capital is not related to their entrepreneurial alertness. Research limitations/implications The most important limitation of this study is that it only considers women who work as middle managers in established firms without considering the specific responsibilities or duties that influence their entrepreneurial alertness and thus generalizability for other contexts may be limited. Practical implications The results show that entrepreneurial alertness represents a capability that can be learned and improved and may offer guidance to aspiring women middle managers in how to mindfully discover opportunities with business potential. Originality/value This study adds new empirical evidence that contributes to a better understanding of how women, within the context of established firms, enhance the occurrence of entrepreneurial behavior by being alert to entrepreneurial opportunities.

Seeing the big picture in services marketing research: infographics, SEM and data visualisation

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 613-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Ashman ◽  
Anthony Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Journal Editor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Worked Example ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to present a way to make structural equation modelling (SEM) studies more accessible and impactful. This paper suggests that authors service readers by translating their work into an infographic that clearly and artfully illustrates the essence of a paper’s contribution. Design/methodology/approach – Through the presentation of a worked example, this paper outlines four service components needed to create a visually striking, yet informative, infographic. Findings – This paper contends that authors who follow this approach will improve the marketability of their research without oversimplifying or “dumbing down” its insights. Research limitations/implications – Until a journal editor insists that modellers undertake some translation of their results as a pre-requisite to publication, this paper is unlikely to herald a revolution in how quantitative work is communicated. Practical implications – This fresh thinking can offer a way for practicing managers, and other marketing researchers unfamiliar with SEM’s peculiarities, to comprehend the findings of such studies. Originality/value – This paper contributes to a nascent body of research on how to effectively disseminate research findings to a broader audience through adopting a service arts perspective and presents an interpretive view of quantitative research never seen before in the pages of this journal.

scholarly journals Persuasion Principles Index: ready for pretesting advertisements

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 317-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kesten C. Green ◽  
J. Scott Armstrong ◽  
Rui Du ◽  
Andreas Graefe
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Weighting Scheme ◽  
Simple Theory ◽  
Behavioral Data ◽  
Advertising Effectiveness ◽  
Index Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Index Model ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Individual

Purpose – This paper aims to respond to issues posed in the four commentaries on Armstrong, Du, Green and Graefe (2016, this issue) regarding the immediate usefulness of that paper’s test of advertisements’ compliance with persuasion principles, and regarding the need for further research. Design/methodology/approach – This paper addresses commentators’ concerns using logic, prior research findings and further analyses of the data. Findings – The superiority of the index method remains when a simple, theory-based, alternative weighting-scheme is used in the index model. Combinations of three unaided experts’ forecasts were more accurate than the individual forecasts, but the gain was only one-third of the gain achieved by using the Persuasion Principles Index (PPI). Research limitations/implications – Replications and extensions using behavioral data and alternative implementations of the index method would help to better assess the effects of judging conformity with principles as a means of predicting relative advertising effectiveness. Advertisers can expect more accurate pretest results if they combine the predictions of three experts or, even better, if they use tests of compliance with persuasion principles, such as the PPI. The PPI software is copyrighted, but is available now and is free to use. Originality/value – New analysis and findings provide further support for the claim that advertisers who use the PPI approach proposed by Armstrong, Du, Green and Graefe (2016, this issue) to choose among alternative advertisements will be more profitable than those who do not.

Joining up care around the individual – lessons from Vancouver

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-38
Author(s):  
John P. Sloan
Keyword(s):  
Frail Elderly ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Frail Elderly People ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Individual ◽  
And Function ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe lessons learned from a homecare practice for frail elderly people. Design/methodology/approach – It is strictly a description of a point of view in respect of care of frailty designed to avoid institution. Findings – Generally, frail elderly patients choose care focused on comfort and function as opposed to the traditional systematic healthcare goals of rescue and prevention. This choice should be respected. Research limitations/implications – There are no formal research findings. Practical implications – Cost-saving as well as improvement in care is possible through team-based relationship-oriented homecare of the frail elderly where that care emphasizes comfort and function. Originality/value – This paper is authored by Dr John Sloan and is entirely original.

Are Malaysian Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibilities effective? A stakeholders’ view

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruna Babatunde Jaiyeoba ◽  
Abideen Adeyemi Adewale ◽  
Mahmud Oluwaseyi Quadry
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Responsibilities ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) using data collected from stakeholders in Malaysia. While Islamic scholars have developed the Islamic CSR from the Qur’anic verses, the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and from the western ideologies, the focus of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of the developed Islamic CSR practices. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research design was adopted for this study. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and other analyses are performed on the data collected from 193 stakeholders in Malaysia. Findings Based on the data collected and analyzed, the results show that stakeholders view the Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSRs as effective. Research limitations/implications This study investigates the effectiveness of Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSR based on the survey data collected. However, future studies could explore this in greater depth using mixed methods. Practical implications The research findings have great implications for researchers. Since this study is among the few research studies that investigate the effectiveness of Islamic CSR, the researchers have paved ways for further investigation in this area. In addition, the study encourages the Malaysian Islamic banks and other Islamic financial institutions to contribute more to the society. Originality/value The study examines the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ CSR and contributes to the growing discussions on the Islamic CSR. The study has opened up this area for further investigations by other researchers.

Creating communities of professionalism: addressing cultural and structural barriers

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Murphy
Keyword(s):  
School Improvement ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The One

Purpose – The goal of this narrative synthesis is twofold. The purpose of this paper is to understand the barriers and constraints that hinder or prevent the growth of professional community. The author also want to form an empirical understanding of how educators can be successful in meeting these challenges. In both cases, the author wish to grow this knowledge in the complexity of schooling and the rapids of continuous school improvement. The conceptual architecture for the review is a mixture of research on change and implementation, school improvement, and community. Design/methodology/approach – The paper can best be described as an integrative review or a narrative synthesis – an interpretation of the literature (Vescio et al., 2008), a method that is especially useful when combing qualitative and quantitative research findings. The author follow guidance from Hallinger in explaining the construction of the paper. The goal is to explore the broadest landscape possible to distill knowledge and understanding on the one hand and provide usable material on the other. In the words of Battistich, the aim is “to develop integrative explanatory concepts that provide people with a useful framework for considering action under particular circumstances.” Findings – The paper concludes that there are dynamic cultural and well-entrenched structural barriers that make the realization of professional community problematic. Some of these elements are visible. Many others are deeply buried in the meta-narrative of school improvement. The author also finds that absent direct attention to these conditions, efforts to nurture professional community in schools will be seriously handicapped. Research limitations/implications – Narrative syntheses offer the hope of deep understanding of domains of school improvement. They permit the inclusion of findings garnered from an array of methodologies. At the same time, this mode of investigation lacks the precision associated with more structured methods of knowledge accumulation. Even when done well, it places considerable responsibility on investigators in making sense of findings. Originality/value – By examining research from a wide area of domains, the author is able to construct a comprehensive map of the world of bringing professional community to life in schools for researches, policy actors, developers, and practitioners.

Providing therapeutic community initiatives for individuals on opioid substitution treatment

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-86
Author(s):  
Carolyn Stubley ◽  
Garth Popple
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Community ◽  
Substitution Treatment ◽  
Completion Rates ◽  
Opioid Substitution Treatment ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Opioid Substitution

Purpose Developing therapeutic community (TC) programs in Australia for individuals on opioid substitution treatment (OST) has been a process spanning 16 years for the We Help Ourselves (WHOS) organization. Supported reduction of OST and stabilization services for those remaining on OST are offered to this population and continue to break down barriers of discrimination in offering the same services to all drug using populations. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A number of research projects have been undertaken with the WHOS Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) TC services profiling clients accessing the services; looking at health benefits whilst in the programs; looking at retention and completion rates and conducting an evaluation post-treatment for one of the two programs currently being offered. Findings The excerpts from the research findings are presented identifying the complexity of individuals accessing WHOS services; highlighting the benefits for individuals on OST and assessing the effectiveness of the TC model for the client groups. Originality/value Working with multiple complex needs clients on OST in a residential TC environment offers many challenges and opportunity to work with an array of issues that present before during and after the residential stay. Provision of a history and overview of the WHOS OTP TC services and recent enhancements to these programs highlight a continuum of care for the individual on OST.

Service branding: suggesting an interactive model of service brand development

Kybernetes ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 1209-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Skaalsvik ◽  
Bjørn Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Content Type ◽  
Service Employees ◽  
Interactive Model ◽  
Customer Involvement ◽  
Service Leadership ◽  
Brand Development ◽  
Service Brand ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest an interactive model of service brand development. Design/methodology/approach – The design employed in the research represents a holistic and systemic approach to services branding and the methodology employed is conceptual desk research. Findings – The research findings encompass an interactive model of service brand components grounded on a systemic perspective. By building on services brand theory, three key actors constitute the components of the model, namely service leadership, service employees and customers. The findings also state how successful service branding may be obtained at the level of the individual service enterprise. Practical implications – The paper outlines a set of practical implications. For example, successful service brand development is obtained through a high degree of service orientation, customer involvement, an involvement model of service leadership and a motivated, committed and empowered workforce, particularly those employees at the frontline. Originality/value – The originality and value of the research rests on using systemic thinking in the development of an interactive model of services brand development

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