scholarly journals Researching a segmented market: reflections on telephone interviewing

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 786-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Lord ◽  
Nicola Bolton ◽  
Scott Fleming ◽  
Melissa Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Missed Appointments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Segmented Market ◽  
Background Detail ◽  
Sensitive Issues ◽  
Business And Management

Purpose The purpose of this paper was to review the effectiveness of telephone interviewing for capturing data and to consider in particular the challenges faced by telephone interviewers when capturing information about market segments. Design/methodology/approach The platform for this methodological critique was a market segment analysis commissioned by Sport Wales which involved a series of 85 telephone interviews completed during 2010. Two focus groups involving the six interviewers involved in the study were convened to reflect on the researchers’ experiences and the implications for business and management research. Findings There are three principal sets of findings. First, although telephone interviewing is generally a cost-effective data collection method, it is important to consider both the actual costs (i.e. time spent planning and conducting interviews) as well as the opportunity costs (i.e. missed appointments, “chasing participants”). Second, researchers need to be sensitised to and sensitive to the demographic characteristics of telephone interviewees (insofar as these are knowable) because responses are influenced by them. Third, the anonymity of telephone interviews may be more conducive for discussing sensitive issues than face-to-face interactions. Originality/value The present study adds to this modest body of literature on the implementation of telephone interviewing as a research technique of business and management. It provides valuable methodological background detail about the intricate, personal experiences of researchers undertaking this method “at a distance” and without visual cues, and makes explicit the challenges of telephone interviewing for the purposes of data capture.

Collaboration in the context of micro businesses

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Alessandro Bressan
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Collaborative Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
External Pressures ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Collaboration among businesses, particularly in the current global economic downturn, can be a key strategy contributing to their survival. This study examines the case of micro firms involved in Terracotta art in Impruneta, Italy, and the extent to which collaboration occurs among the local artisans. In doing so, the study aims to consider collaboration theory in the context of micro firms. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured, face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted among the owners and managers of ten of Impruneta's 16 Terracotta firms. Findings – Whilst much of the academic literature highlights the multiple benefits of collaborative relationships, most participants acknowledge very limited engagement in collaboration. From the comments gathered, two distinct groups emerged, one composed of members of the local Terracotta association, who to some extent collaborate with one another, and the second, the non-members, who pursue their interests individually, or marginally collaborate outside Impruneta. Further, a number of barriers preventing collaboration were identified. Practical implications – The apparent weak collaborative relationships among respondents may have ramifications for the further development of their sector, for instance, restricting innovation and marketing know-how, both of which could help address such external pressures as competition. The involvement of third parties, such as the local town hall or chambers of commerce, was suggested by several participants to help increase collaboration. Originality/value – The study focuses on micro firms, a group that, despite its relevance for many countries' economies, has received limited attention from academic research, including with regard to collaboration and collaboration theory.

scholarly journals E-counselling support during COVID-19 pandemic: analysis of learners’ feedback

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil K. Dimri
Keyword(s):  
Research Study ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Mode ◽  
Online Counselling ◽  
Online Platforms

PurposeThis research study aimed to collect feedback from the learners on the usefulness and effectiveness of the online counselling sessions organised during COVID-19 lockdown through online platforms to provide academic support to the learners.Design/methodology/approachThe link of a questionnaire designed in a Google Form sent to IGNOU learners of the January 2020 session enrolled under the jurisdiction of IGNOU Regional Centre (RC) Chandigarh through email as well as SMSs. Total responses received were 487, out of which 445 responses were complete, roughly 8% of the total registered learners during the January 2020 session. The questionnaire contained questions on a cross-section of online counselling issues, besides questions on the learners' profile.FindingsMajority of the learners were satisfied with the input provided while organising online counselling sessions during COVID-19 lockdown in India. A significant proportion of learners (88%) used smartphones for attending counselling sessions. Facebook page of the RC rated as a relatively better option than other online platforms. However, more than 50% of learners faced Internet connection problems and found them a significant hurdle for smooth viewing of online counselling sessions. The proportion of learners who encountered difficulties in handling electronic devices was insignificant. The learner's feedback on many attributes such as usefulness and effectiveness of the online counselling sessions, interaction with the academic counsellors, e-content used in the counselling was significantly positive. A significant proportion of the learners have reported that face to face counselling could be replaced with online sessions in future, considering its flexibility in terms of place and schedule of learning and availability of recording of such sessions.Research limitations/implicationsThe research study was conducted under Chandigarh region of IGNOU which has a predominantly urban population. Thus the results of the study are limited to Chandigarh region and the region with similar socio-economic settings. This certainly limits the scope of the study.Practical implicationsThe study certainly provides valuable feedback to the ODL policymakers to consider replacing face-to-face counselling with an online mode in a phased manner. Online counselling options will be highly cost-effective, easily manageable, and provide flexibility for learners and resource persons, resulting in addressing learners' non-attendance related issues in the face-to-face counselling sessions.Social implicationsIn the analysis of our finding it is clearly stated that the Internet connectivity and availability of electronic devices is an important issue to provide online counselling support to socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Therefore, the research study also identifies such social issues as a major challenge for providing online counselling support to the learners.Originality/valueThis is an original empirical research study and data collected is used in the analysis for the first time. This analysis is based on the feedback gathered from the learners registered at IGNOU RC Chandigarh during the January 2020 session. The data and derived results not used in any other study.

scholarly journals Exploring innovation perceptions and practices among micro and small craft breweries

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Alessandro Bressan ◽  
Nikolaos Sakellarios
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Innovation Adoption ◽  
Brewing Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Craft Beer ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Small Craft ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how micro and small craft brewery operators perceive and operationalise innovation. Moreover, in adopting the theory of innovation, the study addresses two under-researched areas, namely, innovation among micro and small firms and innovation in the context of the emerging craft brewing industry. Design/methodology/approach The perspectives of 163 craft brewery operators located in Italy, Spain, and the UK were gathered through online questionnaires. In total, 24 face-to-face and telephone interviews with operators from the three nations complemented the data collection process. Thus, in total, 187 operators participated. Findings Development of new craft beer styles, new recipes, exploring with various ingredients, improving quality, or involvement in social media and culinary tourism were predominant forms participants perceived innovation. Various differences regarding innovation adoption were noticed, particularly based on participants’ country and on their role at the brewery. Furthermore, associations between the findings and the dimensions of the theory of innovation were confirmed. Originality/value This study is original, in that it represents a first effort in comparing perceptions of craft brewery operators across various countries. This comparison identifies ways in which craft brewery operators could maximise the potential of their firms. For example, the manifested interest in innovating through new craft beer recipes, or blending gastronomy and craft beer underlines alternative forms of adding value to craft brewing production. Importantly, some of these innovating practices differ based on participants’ country; such differences could also be considered by craft brewery operators.

Shariah governance practices at Islamic fund management companies

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-325
Author(s):  
Amiratul Nadiah Hasan ◽  
Aisyah Abdul-Rahman ◽  
Zaleha Yazid
Keyword(s):  
Fund Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Framework ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
Shariah Governance ◽  
Governance Processes ◽  
A Company

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the Shariah governance practices of Islamic fund management companies (IFMCs) in Malaysia, with the principal goal of reviewing the need for a comprehensive Shariah governance framework for the Islamic fund management industry. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted using a qualitative approach via 14 semi-structured interviews with three companies (i.e. Company A, Company B and Company C) involving face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews and emails. Data from the interviews were recorded and later analysed using content analysis. Findings The study finds that Shariah governance processes among the IFMC examined are well-managed; and the current regulations issued by the regulators are sufficient to ensure the Shariah compliance of Islamic fund management industry. In spite of the absence of a comprehensive Shariah governance framework for the industry, most Shariah functions (i.e. Shariah risk management, Shariah review and Shariah audit) are performed by the parent company, except for Shariah research. Nevertheless, Shariah research is not an important function in Islamic fund management because the investment instruments are generally selected from a predetermined list of Shariah-compliant investment options. Practical implications The study offers an overview of Shariah governance practices in the Islamic fund management industry to policymakers and practitioners for the future development of Shariah governance practices among IFMC. Originality/value This is the first paper to study Shariah governance practices in the Islamic fund management industry in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Fragmented time and domiciliary care quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-51
Author(s):  
Carol Atkinson ◽  
Sarah Crozier
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Domiciliary Care ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the marketization of domiciliary care, its consequences for employment practice, specifically fragmented time, and the implications for care quality. Design/methodology/approach Focus groups and face-to-face or telephone interviews were conducted with care commissioners, service providers and care workers across Wales. There were 113 participants in total. Findings These demonstrate fragmented time’s negative consequences for service providers, care workers and, ultimately, care quality. Research limitations/implications No care recipients were interviewed and care quality was explored through the perceptions of other stakeholders. Social implications For policy makers, tensions are evidenced between aspirations for high-quality care and commissioning practice that mitigates against it. Current care commissioning practices need urgent review. Originality/value The research extends the definition of fragmented time and integrates with a model of care quality to demonstrate its negative consequences. Links between employment practice and care quality have only previously been hinted at.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial CSR, managerial role and firm resources: a case study approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Ian Patrick Austin
Keyword(s):  
Role Theory ◽  
Firm Resources ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Outcomes ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this study is to contribute to the extant body of the entrepreneurship and business management literature, investigating corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its implications for firms’ competitiveness. The cases of four different firms are examined through the lens of the resource-based view of the firm and role theory. Design/methodology/approach Face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with the owners and managers of four model firms identified in Western Australia. Findings While financial outcomes clearly stand out as the end goal for engaging in CSR-related practices, the importance of firm managers’ entrepreneurial role emerges in using existing resources to exploit business opportunities to ultimately achieve competitiveness, benefit the organisation, the community and society. Management’s ability to reconcile financial objectives and CSR practices give rise to the notion of entrepreneurial CSR. Originality/value The study demonstrates that management’s entrepreneurial drive, skills, knowledge, expertise or strategic strengths can identify substantial opportunities. Furthermore, the investment of resources to develop socially responsible products and services can help achieve CSR and the firm’s bottom line. Finally, learning about participants’ motivations for engaging in CSR could identify areas, concepts and directions to be considered by entrepreneurs, compared/contrasted to previous research or even operationalised by enterprises of different sizes elsewhere.

Patterns of participation in the Grow parenting program

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melina Czymoniewicz-Klippel ◽  
Ryan Chesnut ◽  
Jennifer DiNallo ◽  
Daniel Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Parenting Program ◽  
Parenting Programs ◽  
Online Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Technologies ◽  
The Face

Purpose Employing brief, low-intensity, face-to-face parenting programs can result in improvements in parenting and child behavior; however, their usefulness is often limited by low participation rates. Online technologies are increasingly presented as a panacea for promoting program reach in a cost-effective way. The extant literature, however, provides limited guidance on issues around the implementation of online parenting programs. Grow is a universal, health-promoting parenting program that targets families with 5–10 year olds and was developed for face-to-face delivery and then adapted for a web-based format. The purpose of this paper is to present implementation results from feasibility proof of concept studies of Grow Face-to-Face and Grow Online and explores issues regarding mode of delivery and parent participation. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from participants using attendance records, end-of-module/session surveys and semi-structured, in-depth interviews, and were examined using descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis. Findings Findings suggest that, compared to the online implementation, recruitment was more difficult for the face-to-face implementation. Conversely, retention in the online program was poorer than in the face-to-face program. Participants from both programs self-reported high levels of engagement and satisfaction. Parents who completed Grow Online expressed a desire for more interpersonal interactions, which suggests a possible need for hybrid programs that combine online technologies with traditional face-to-face modes of delivery. Originality/value These findings challenge the idea that the internet can fully address barriers to parenting program participation by showing that while parents may sign up more readily for an online program, they may struggle to complete all modules. This is problematic as program dosage can influence parent and child outcomes.

scholarly journals A resource based approach in the context of the emerging craft brewing industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 560-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Alessandro Bressan ◽  
Nikolaos Sakellarios
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Word Association ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Resources ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Financial Infrastructure ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the perceived resources, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats from the perspective of micro and small brewery owners, managers and brewing masters operating in three countries. To this end, the study adopts the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm, complemented by a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis. Design/methodology/approach The research provides a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected from craft breweries in Italy, Spain and the UK. In all, 165 valid responses were obtained from an online questionnaire, and an additional 24 face-to-face and telephone interviews with craft brewing operators in these three countries were conducted to further enrich the data. Independent samples t-test and Scheffé post hoc were used to analyse part of the quantitative data, while content analysis and word association were used for the qualitative component. Findings Product quality and uniqueness of product emerged as important perceived resources and strengths, suggesting an alignment with some of the resource-related attributes postulated by the RBV, such as valuable, rare and (un)substitutable. Other elements, such as natural and sustainable resources, including water quality and the current and future involvement in growing or sourcing raw products locally emerged as key resources, and are suggested as additional attributes. These strategic and tangible resources are however challenged by perceived weaknesses, particularly lack of financial, infrastructure and commercialisation resources, as well as threats from competition. Originality/value The exploratory study focuses on craft brewing from the perspective of micro/small operators. This industry has received very limited attention from the literature. The use of the RBV, with the potential to increase understanding of an emerging industry, and develop the theory further in this domain, adds to the originality and value of this research.

Supply chain interfaces between a port utilizing organisation and port operator

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilek Demirbas ◽  
Helen Flint ◽  
David Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This research revolves around understanding the interfaces of ports in supply chains. The main aim of the research is to explore the role of ports within supply chains. Design/methodology/approach – Collecting information representative of the range of experiences, perspectives, perceptions and the behaviours of managers relevant to the research was obtained through purposeful sampling. The data for this paper is derived from a literature review of research papers and studies in addition to conducting seven face-to-face and one telephone interviews. Findings – The responses were analysed utilising themes and presenting summaries of transcripts in tabulated form to ease clarification. The findings reveal that integration between ports and organisations resembles other industries and therefore enhances the scope of ports within supply chains and the adaption of best practice techniques. Research limitations/implications – Although in depth case studies were conducted the limitations are within the breadth of interviews undertaken. Practical implications – The findings reveal that integration between UK ports and organisations resembles other industries and therefore enhances the scope of ports within supply chains and the adaption of best practice techniques. Originality/value – The originality value of the research is the exploration of the on-going role of ports within operational supply chains.

Factors driving the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kofi Agyekum ◽  
Emmanuel Adinyira ◽  
Godslove Ampratwum
Keyword(s):  
Green Building ◽  
Green Buildings ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Code Of Practice ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Analysis Application ◽  
Qualitative Responses ◽  
Green Certification

PurposeSustainability has become a topical issue in many countries, with emphasis on green buildings. Though Ghana has recently adopted green buildings, there is lack of its speedy implementation. There is little literature on the adoption of green certification of buildings, especially in a developing country like Ghana. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that drive the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts face-to-face and telephone interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide among ten built environment professionals. Qualitative responses to the interview are thematically analysed using Nvivo 11 Pro analysis application software.FindingsThe findings suggest that “observability of the benefits of green certified buildings”, “commitment of Government to green building initiatives”, “incorporating green certification of buildings into the code of practice of professional bodies”, “green building certification incentives”, “public acknowledgement of the green building concept”, “policies and regulations to enforce the adoption of the concept” and “effective communication and source of information on the concept” are the factors that drive the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the understanding of the factors that drive the adoption of green building certification in Ghana. With these findings, stakeholders and industry practitioners can make informed decisions regarding how they can put in place strategies to ensure the effective adoption of green certification of buildings. Though this study was conducted within the context of Ghana, its findings and implications can be useful to policy makers, stakeholders and practitioners in other developing countries.

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