scholarly journals Can universities save us from disaster?

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Natural Science ◽  
Natural Philosophy ◽  
Social Philosophy ◽  
Political Life ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Basic Task ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to spell out the urgent need to correct structural rationality defects in academia as it exists at present, so that it may become actively and effectively engaged in helping us solve the grave global problems that confront us. Design/methodology/approach The paper spells out an argument for the urgent need to bring about a revolution in academic inquiry so that the basic aim becomes social wisdom and not just specialized knowledge, problems of living being put at the heart of the academic enterprise. Findings Natural science needs to become more like natural philosophy; social science needs to become social methodology or social philosophy; and a basic task of academia needs to become public education about what our problems are and what we need to do about them. Almost every part and aspect of academia needs to change. Research limitations/implications The implication is the urgent need to bring about an intellectual/institutional revolution in academic inquiry, so that the aim becomes wisdom, and not just knowledge. Practical implications There are substantial practical implications for natural science, social inquiry and the humanities, education, social, economic and political life. Social implications There is a need for a new kind of academic inquiry rationally designed and devoted to helping us make social progress towards as good a world as possible. The social implications are profound. Originality/value In the author’s view, bringing about the academic revolution, from knowledge-inquiry to wisdom-inquiry, is the single most important thing needed for the long-term interests of humanity.

scholarly journals Strategies for transcending the chaos of societal disruptions

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
John C. Camillus ◽  
Jeffrey E. Baker ◽  
Anushka I. Daunt ◽  
Jungyoon Jang
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Societal Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Real Options Approach ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to offer a strategic management response to societal disruptions of the magnitude triggered by the agricultural, industrial and information revolutions. These pose challenges that are much greater and different in kind than the industry-wide disruptions that businesses have learned to manage. Pandemics, climate change, biotech and artificial intelligence guarantee that such societal disruptions will be an inescapable and recurring reality. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds on the strategic management responses to wicked problems, which possess in microcosm the chaotic ambiguity that characterizes societal disruptions. Findings The authors propose a management process that affirms a sense of identity, identifies robust actions, adopts a real-options approach and uses a platform organization. Research limitations/implications The primary limitation is that the recommendations and findings are extrapolations of organizational practices in analogous situations. No examples of formal management processes specifically designed to address societal disruptions were identified. Practical implications The practical implications are significant. The specific recommendations in the paper directly address strategic management practice in organizations. Social implications The social implications are integral to the motivation of the paper as it describes the intrinsic characteristics of societal change and transformation, enabling organizations to interact with society on a dynamic basis. Originality/value While there has been growing interest and research into business and industry disruptions, the challenge of societal disruptions, which is the focus of this paper, has not been directly addressed.

The Age of No Retirement

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-164
Author(s):  
Jonathan Collie
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Healthy Life ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Era ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Thinking ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the value, often overlooked, inherent within a society where people are living longer, healthier and more productively than ever before. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a summary of the activities, achievements and objectives of “The Age of No Retirement” movement for social change since its inception on 1st October 2014. Findings – The spectacular demand for new thinking and design-led action across all sectors of society to break down the ageist stereotypes that are impeding age-neutral societal progress in the UK. Practical implications – Communities, employers, individuals – EVERYONE – can begin to harness the incredible power of the Xtra 10 (the extra ten years of healthy life expectancy that modern generations can now expect – in the middle of their lives!). Social implications – The social implications are almost limitless – for a new era of over-50 makers, designers, entrepreneurs, workers, leaders, learners, teachers, doers, intergenerational catalysts, etc., the list goes on. Originality/value – The Age of No Retirement is a design-led social enterprise that is driving new thinking in the Age space.

scholarly journals The denial of limits and interior aspects of descent

foresight ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 527-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Slaughter
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
It Infrastructure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Limits To Growth ◽  
The Social ◽  
Economic Indices ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purposes of this paper are as follows. Part one examines the role of denialism in the context of proposals advanced through the much-abused Limits to Growth (LtG) project. Part two uses three sets of criteria (domains of reality, worldviews and values) to characterise some of the interior human and social aspects of the “denial machine.” It uses these criteria to address some vital, but currently under-appreciated “interior” aspects of descent. (N.B. A succinct “primer” or overview of the concept and underpinning rationale for notions of “descent pathways” is provided in the introduction to this special issue.) Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on a number of authoritative sources that track the dimensions of global change and, specifically, the ways that humanity is tracking towards Dystopian overshoot-and-collapse futures. The significance of the LtG project is assessed in this context. Part two employs the criteria noted above to identify and open out the centrality of the human and cultural interiors. Findings – Responses to the LtG project are shown to have deprived humanity of the clarity and will to respond effectively to the emerging global emergency. The rise of climate change denialism has followed suit and made effective responses increasingly difficult. A new focus, however, on some of the dynamics of reality domains, worldviews and values, clarifies both the nature of the problem and prefigures a range of solutions, some of which are briefly outlined. Research limitations/implications – This is primarily a conceptual paper that suggests a range of practical responses. For example, re-purposing parts of the current information technology (IT) infrastructure away from financial and economic indices to those tracking the health of the planet. Also translating the case put forward here for a new generation of Institutions of Foresight (IoFs) into real-world start-ups and examples. Further research is needed into the uses and limitations both of positive and negative views of futures. It is suggested that the latter have more value than is commonly realised. Practical implications – In addition to those stated above, the practical implications include new uses for IT infrastructure based on worldcentric – rather than financial and economic worldviews; designing and implementing a new generation of IoFs; and finding new ways to inform the public of impending Dystopian outcomes without exacerbating avoidance and depression. Social implications – The social implications are profound. Currently, humanity has allowed itself to “tune out” and ignore many of the well-founded “signals” (from the global system) and warnings (from those who have observed and tracked real-world changes). As a result, it has outgrown the capacity of the planet to support the current population, let alone the 10 billion currently projected by the United Nations (UN). Something must give. Applied foresight can provide essential lead time to act before human actions are overwhelmed by forces beyond its control. Originality/value – The paper draws together material from hitherto disparate sources to assess the LtG project. It also deploys key concepts from an integral perspective that shed new light on human and cultural forces that determine how people respond to the prospect of Dystopian futures. In so doing, it provides insight into why we are where we are and also into some of the means by which humanity can respond. Specifically, it suggests a shift from collapse narratives to those of descent.

Hard versus soft leadership? Examples and illustrations

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 174-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Paper ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Organizational Productivity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Excellence ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this research paper is to explore soft leadership to achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach The paper elaborates with 11 Cs that constitute soft leadership – character, charisma, conscience, conviction, courage, communication, compassion, commitment, consistency, consideration and contribution. It differentiates between hard and soft leadership. Findings It concludes that exploring soft leadership helps greatly for the leaders to satisfy all stakeholders to achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness. Practical implications It unfolds that soft leadership can work for any company and country regardless of its size or budget. Social implications The social implications of this research suggests that stakeholders of both profits and nonprofits must reap the rewards of soft leadership. Originality/value It emphasizes that soft leadership creates a resourceful environment to enhance employee engagement to achieve organizational productivity and performance.

Russian way to the knowledge-based society

foresight ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey B. Kulikov
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Russian Society ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Government ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the modeling of industrial–postindustrial transition in Russian society. The very special part of this process concerns the relations between lordship and bondage. The relations between Lordship and Bondage in a context of so-called Master–Slave dialectic can elucidate a way to the knowledge-based society as a kind of modern capitalistic society. Design/methodology/approach An author uses a complex of methods. He applies a phenomenological approach, mixed with the dialectics and analytical approach. Phenomenological approach presupposes the neediness of attention on a work of the conscious actions within formation of the social experiences. The modification of dialectics helps to make the comprehension of the history of social relations as a game of forces in self-consciousness, which nowadays bases on the attitudes between leaders and led people. A variant of analytic methodology helps to understand each problem as a puzzle. Findings As a result, author finds a spirit of the processes within development of knowledge-based society and innovative economy depends on so-called Master–Slave dialectic. In Europe, Master–Slave dialectic caused the leading role of scientists. In Russia, scientists depended on the Government and played secondary role in economy. Research limitations/implications Research is the philosophical treatise, which demonstrates the speculative evaluation of industrial–postindustrial transition in Russian society. Practical implications Practical implications is the constructing the prognosis of the development of the Russian society. Social implications Research can help to improve the understanding of the mechanisms of leadership in society. Originality/value Originality of the paper is the reconstruction of social forms, which caused the social progress in Russia.

Debunking myths about soft leadership and exploring it to achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 362-366
Author(s):  
M.S. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Excellence ◽  
The Social ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to debunk myths about soft leadership. Design/methodology/approach The paper distinguishes soft leadership from other leadership styles. Findings It calls for companies exploring this new leadership perspective to achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness; and countries to achieve peace and prosperity. Practical implications This new leadership perspective can be adopted by leaders for companies and countries. Social implications The social implications of this research suggests that leaders can improve employees’ performance and productivity by treating them as partners. Originality/value It defines and explains soft leadership with four OB models. It unfolds that it is the age of partnership, not followership. It unveils that employees prefer to work in an egalitarian set up. They appreciate leaders with an integrative, participative, collaborative, and relationship-oriented leadership mindset.

The professional basis of development work: suppose the person you are assisting to learn decides to leave the organization

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-5
Author(s):  
Ian Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Personal Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Development Work ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Development Professionals ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to challenge some assumptions about development work. It raised moral and ethical dilemma facing learning and development professionals. Design/methodology/approach – The article draws on personal experience and theory. It also uses an extract from Sainsbury’s case study. Findings – Learning and development professionals need to consider their role in relation to people with whom they work. Practical implications – The article provides practical advice based on real examples. Social implications – The article is clear about the social implications of one aspect of learning and development work, namely, where the activities of learning and development may cause a person to leave the organization. Originality/value – It appears to be a unique analysis of a real issue, namely, what should learning and development professionals do if a person wants to leave the organization as a result of their learning.

In plain sight – developing strategic responses to corporatised organised crime

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 619-633
Author(s):  
Kenneth Murray
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Organised Crime ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Strategic Responses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ability To Act ◽  
Commercial Markets ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to consider the ways organised crime exerts influence in legitimate commercial markets through its ability to act through corporate vehicles. Discussion of weaknesses in company registration procedures and the criminal justice system that enable this to happen. Development of strategic rather than tactical responses is proposed to counter it. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents case studies based on practitioner experience and discusses points that arise. Findings This paper considers the extent to which the problem represents a threat to the well-being and competitiveness of domestic commercial markets and how these threats can be most effectively addressed. Research limitations/implications This is a point of view paper authored by a practitioner with professional expertise in the field. Practical implications There is a need to develop strategic cross-agency responses to this problem. This will develop better levels of precautionary awareness of how these influences can establish footholds in commercial markets and provide a sounder basis for taking effective measures to contain and counter their influence. Social implications The social implications relate to the distorting influence of money derived from crime being deployed in legitimate spheres. Originality/value The originality/value of this paper is to raise awareness and re-invigorate discussion on the influence of organised crime in legitimate commercial markets.

scholarly journals Antecedents of women managers’ resilience: conceptual discussion and implications for HRM

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naznin Tabassum ◽  
Sujana Shafique ◽  
Anastasia Konstantopoulou ◽  
Ahmad Arslan
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Women Managers ◽  
Career Progression ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Developmental Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to provide a framework with the antecedents of women managers’ resilience in SMEs. Design/methodology/approach This developmental study uses a comprehensive literature review and a set of propositions to identify the antecedent of women managers’ resilience and develops a conceptual framework for resilience. Findings The results indicate that in addition to personal resilience traits, interactive engagement with the work environment, career adaptability and positive human resource management (HRM) interventions are the main antecedents of women managers’ resilience. Research limitations/implications This paper contributes to theory by providing a new perspective on the study of resilience as a process at the organisational level and as a trait at personal level. It contributes to the women employee-centric resilience discussion in HRM literature and explores the relationship between resilience and women managers’ career progression. This is a developmental study, and despite the strengths of the undertaken approach, there are a number of limitations due to the lack of empirical evidence. Therefore, future research activities should focus on validating the framework and determining any potential boundaries of this resilience framework. Practical implications The study reveals a number of practical implications leading to a recommended resilience toolkit for HR managers of organisations to develop and promote resilience in their women managers and aspiring managers. Social implications The social implications of this study include the social relationships within the work-setting, better employee engagement and interaction with the work environment and flexible career progression pathways. Originality/value The paper is based on rich conceptual and theoretical discussion that identifies the key antecedents of women managers’ resilience. The study also conceptually establishes the moderating relationship between women managers’ resilience and work stress and burnout.

Microeconomics of corruption based on behavioural economics

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicente Humberto Monteverde
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Behavioural Economics ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Field ◽  
The Social ◽  
Behavioural Sciences ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish a microeconomics model of corruption based on the behavioural sciences. Design/methodology/approach The methodology is a practical exploration, first in the convergence of the economics of corruption and the behavioural sciences; based on these conclusions, the microeconomic model of corruption is formulated. Findings The paper concludes in a model of the microeconomics of corruption. Research limitations/implications There are no limitations in the model. Practical implications The practical implications are calculating the rent for corruption in the different scenarios. Social implications The social implications are knowing the income from corruption. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is original, and there is no microeconomics model of corruption formulated in the academic field, only in this work.

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