scholarly journals Introducing ficto-feminism: a non-fiction, fictitious conversation with Hallie Flanagan, director of the Federal Theatre Project (1935–1939)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin S. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Public Works ◽  
Organizational Studies ◽  
Federal Theatre Project ◽  
Historical Inquiry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Fiction ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Federal Theatre

PurposeFicto-feminism is offered here as a creative method for feminist historical inquiry in management and organizational studies (MOSs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper introduces a new method called ficto-feminism. Using feminist polemics as a starting point, ficto-feminism fuses aspects of collective biography with the emic potential of autoethnography and rhizomatic capacity of fictocriticism to advance not only a new account of history in subject but also in style of writing.FindingsThe aim of ficto-feminism is to create a plausible, powerful and persuasive account of an overlooked female figure which not only challenges convention but also surfaces her lost lessons and accomplishments to benefit today's development of theory and practice.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper reviews the methodological components of ficto-feminism and speaks to the merit of writing differently and incorporating fictional techniques.Originality/valueTo illustrate the method in action, the paper features a non-fiction, fictitious conversation with Hallie Flanagan (1890–1969) and investigates her role as national director of the Federal Theatre Project (FTP) (1935–1939). The FTP was part of the most elaborate relief programs ever conceived as part of the New Deal (a series of public works projects and financial reforms enacted in the 1930s in the USA).

Striving for inclusion: evidence from China using a latent profile approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaojiao Qu ◽  
Shuming Zhao ◽  
Yixuan Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Organizational Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Profile Approach ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Latent Profile

Purpose This study aims to identify profiles of inclusion in the workplace to provide evidence-based guidance to build an inclusive organization. Design/methodology/approach Latent profile analysis (LPA), a person-centred classification analytical tool, was applied to determine the subtypes of inclusion with Mplus 7.4, using two-wave data collected from 368 employees in 8 Chinese companies. Findings Three subgroups were identified: identity inclusion group (the highest level of inclusion, 34.0%), value inclusion group (the moderate level of inclusion, 47.5%) and low inclusion group (the lowest level of inclusion, 18.5%). The findings indicate that groups with male, aged and highly educated members, as well as members from developed areas generally tend to feel more included and greater inclusion relates to more favourable outcomes and fewer detrimental consequences. Research limitations/implications As this study was conducted only in China, the results may not be generalizable to non-Chinese contexts. Practical implications The results may help organizational leaders develop a deeper understanding of the significance and the crux of inclusion. To address the duality of workforce diversity, managers can take initiatives to create an inclusive organization. To achieve inclusion, managers should pay attention to ways of improving the perceptions of inclusion among all employees. Originality/value This is among the first studies to identify the variants in inclusion in China using LPA. It reveals the subtypes and characteristics of inclusion and can serve as a starting point to explore how to realize organizational inclusion in theory and practice.

“We care about others”: discursive constructions of corruption vis-à-vis national/cultural identity in Indonesia’s business-government relations

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanti Pertiwi
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Government Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Relations ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Political Dimensions ◽  
Local Discourses ◽  
Global And Local ◽  
Discursive Constructions

Purpose This paper aims to problematize existing conceptualization of corruption by presenting alternative perspectives on corruption in Indonesia through the lens of national/cultural identity, amidst claims of the pervasiveness of corruption in the country. In so doing, the paper also sheds light on the micro-processes of interactions between global and local discourses in postcolonial settings. Design/methodology/approach The study applies discourse analysis, involving in-depth interviews with 40 informants from the business sector, government institutions and anti-corruption agencies. Findings The findings suggest that corruption helps government function, preserves livelihoods of the marginalized segments of societies and maintains social obligations/relations. These alternative meanings of corruption persist despite often seen as less legitimate due to effects of colonial powers. Research limitations/implications The snowballing method of recruiting informants is one of the limitations of this paper, which may decrease the potential diversity and lead to the silencing of different stories (Schwartz-Shea and Yanow, 2013). Researchers need to contextualize corruption and study its varied meanings to reveal its social, historical and political dimensions. Practical implications This paper strongly suggests that we need to move beyond rationalist accounts to capture the varied meanings of corruption which may be useful to explain the limited results of existing anti-corruption efforts. Social implications This study calls for a greater use of qualitative methods to study broad social change programs such as anti-corruption from the perspective of the insiders. Originality/value This paper contributes to the discussion of agency at the interplay between the dominant and alternative discourses in postcolonial settings. Moreover, the alternative meanings of corruption embedded in constructions of national identity and care ethics discussed in this paper offer as a starting point for decolonizing (Westwood, 2006) anti-corruption theory and practice.

Big data and knowledge management: a case of déjà vu or back to the future?

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuemei Tian
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Organizational Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Management Perspective ◽  
Big Data Technologies ◽  
Conceptual Study

Purpose Big data clearly represent an important advance in information systems theory, but to describe it as “revolutionary” is premature. Similar technological breakthroughs, from online databases to ERP, were clearly modulated by advances in the organizational domain, including matters of structure, strategy and culture and arguably big data will be similar. The purpose of this paper is to encourage discussion of the wider implications of big data for the theory and practice of knowledge management. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual study based on critical analysis of the relevant literatures including those of organizational studies and management, big data and knowledge management. Findings The literature of big data emphasizes the application of algorithms to pattern analysis and prediction, resulting in data-driven decision-making, with data being the creator of value in organizations and societies. This would appear to render obsolete previous depictions of the “data-information-knowledge” relationship and, in effect, spell the end of knowledge management. However, big data literature largely ignores the organizational dimension and, significantly, the importance of frameworks, strategies and cultures for big data. As all of these are present in the literature of knowledge management, it would seem that big data have a long way to go to catch up and qualify even as a sub-discipline. Indeed, on the evidence, big data may well have a future as a contributor to and/or an element of knowledge management. Even for this to happen, however, major advances are required across the spectrum of big data technologies. Research limitations/implications This is a position paper written as the precursor for an empirical study. Originality/value The paper offers a critical literature-based and knowledge management perspective on big data while pointing out the common thread that runs through decades of advances in information systems technologies.

scholarly journals Institutional differences and integration difficulties

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 850-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kashef A. Majid ◽  
Hari Bapuji
Keyword(s):  
Product Quality ◽  
Failure Time ◽  
Accelerated Failure Time Model ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Product Recall ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Institutional Differences ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the location of a firm’s headquarters and component sourcing impact a firm’s responsiveness in a product-harm crisis in local market.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected data on 1,251 vehicle recalls from 12 manufacturers, six in the USA, three in Germany, and three in Japan. All of the recalls occurred in the USA between 2002 and 2010. The time the product was first released into the marketplace was used as the starting point while the time the recall was initiated (if at all) was used to record the probability of the product recall over time. Specifically, a survival analysis with an accelerated failure time model was employed to examine the speed with which a product is recalled. The authors examined the impact of foreign composition using information provided by the American Automobile Labeling Act, which lists the proportion of each vehicle that is composed of domestic parts (USA/Canada) and foreign parts. Organizational characteristics (i.e. size, market share, assets, net income, and reputation) and recall size (i.e. number of affected vehicles) that might have an effect on time to recall were controlled for.FindingsThe authors found that firms headquartered outside the local market would take longer to issue a product recall than firms that were headquartered in the local market. Firm headquartered outside the local market can reduce the time taken to recall by sourcing parts from the local marketplace, rather than from abroad. Interestingly, even local firms are affected by the location of component sourcing, such that they take longer to issue a recall if they sourced parts from abroad.Originality/valueResearch in international marketing has examined the benefits of integration to firms, but has not studied the risks of integration. By highlighting the challenges of managing institutional differences and integration difficulties, the authors show that location of headquarters and the location from where components are sourced have an effect on firm responsiveness in product-harm crises. Further, the authors build on the global supply chain management literature that has shown the effect of upstream activities (i.e. foreign production) on downstream activities (i.e. product quality). Specifically, the authors show that upstream activities can not only affect product quality, but also the ability of firms to respond to those product qualities in a timely fashion.

Supporting early learning for children under three: research and practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Mathers ◽  
Kathy Sylva ◽  
Naomi Eisenstadt ◽  
Elena Soukakou ◽  
Katharina Ereky-Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Effective Practice ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expert Review ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Early Childhood Settings

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on young children's learning at home and in early childhood settings, in order to identify key caregiving practices which support the learning and development of children under three. Design/methodology/approach – Starting with well-known reviews carried out in England, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, the authors searched the literature for evidence of the developmental needs of babies and toddlers. They then drew on the psychological and educational literatures to identify key practices supporting physical development, learning and communication, using expert review to build on the scientific research in areas where evidence was sparse. Findings – The review explores three key areas of practice: play-based activities and routines; support for communication and language; and opportunities to move and be physically active. Research limitations/implications – This review is not systematic or exhaustive, but aims to integrate current evidence within these three key areas in a succinct and accessible manner. The authors recognise that there are many other dimensions of effective practice, many of which are addressed elsewhere in this special edition, as well as myriad other influences on children's development, including social, family and environmental factors. Originality/value – Worldwide, growing numbers of children under three are experiencing non-parental care in early childhood settings. In comparison to evidence for preschool children, the literature on effective practice for under-threes is sparse. Given the urgent need for information to guide policy and practice, this paper provides a starting point and calls for a multi-source approach to strengthening the evidence base.

Factors influencing attainment of CEO position for women

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 250-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dene Hurley ◽  
Amod Choudhary
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Test Statistic ◽  
Publicly Traded ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Publicly Traded Firms

Purpose This paper aims to determine possible differences in causes or characteristics between men and women in attaining the CEO position in large publicly listed companies in the USA. Design/methodology/approach T-test statistic, correlation analyses and logit model were used to determine the role individual factors (tenure in management roles, age of CEOs, number of children, years of education) and the firm-level factor (number of employees, net income) play in determining the likelihood of having a female CEO. Findings The research results show that years of education, the number of children and the number of employees in the business play significant roles in determining the likelihood of having a female CEO. An increase in the number of children and years spent in education lower the probability of the CEO being a woman, while having greater number of employees raises the likelihood of having a woman CEO. Research limitations/implications The findings are applicable to only the largest publicly traded firms in the USA and are not applicable to mid to small publicly listed, private or non-for-profit companies or institutions. This research is a starting point for future research of women and men CEOs of small and mid-size publicly traded and non-publicly traded firms in the USA. Originality/value Prior research has shown that having children is detrimental for women in management positions; this research specifically identifies this problem for the CEO position. It also reveals that having more of education does not translate to getting to the CEO position for women.

scholarly journals Improving graduate outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugochukwu Chinonso Okolie ◽  
Elisha Nwonu Elom ◽  
Paul Agu Igwe ◽  
Michael Olayinka Binuomote ◽  
Chinyere Augusta Nwajiuba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Life Problems ◽  
Starting Point

PurposeThis study explores how the implementation of problem-based learning (PBL) in technical and vocational education training (TVET) systems of Nigerian higher education (HE) can enhance quality graduate outcomes. The study also explores the issues and challenges of PBL implementation in the TVET system of Nigerian HE.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows the assumptions of qualitative research. The authors interviewed 55 participants and had a focus group with 7 TVET postgraduate students. The 55 interviewees were drawn from TVET teachers (n = 33; 24 males and 9 females), Directors at National Board for Technical Education (n = 4; 3 males and 1 female), Directors of National Directorate of Employment (n = 5; 3 males and 2 females), Directors at the Federal Ministry of Education (n = 3 males), and industry executives (n = 10; 7 males and 3 females). Data were collected through a semistructured interview approach, transcribed and coded using NVivo 12 plus and analyzed through thematic analysis.FindingsThe results show that PBL in the Nigerian TVET system has positive implications for quality TVET graduate outcomes in that it can enable integrating theory and practice, motivate learning, improve students' self-efficacy, allow students to construct learning on their own, enhance graduate competencies and graduate employability. It also revealed six perceived possible major challenges to effective implementation of PBL in the Nigerian TVET system, which includes inadequacy of teaching and learning facilities; corruption in Nigerian education sector; recruitment of unqualified incompetent TVET teachers; difficulties in identifying real-life problems, among others. Participants offered benchmarks and actions and standards for improving the identified challenges, which formed a framework for coping with issues, challenges, and barriers to effective implementation of PBL in the TVET system of Nigerian HE (Table 1).Originality/valueThe results of this study are original and serve as an advocacy for Nigerian HE authorities to explore how PBL can be implemented in the TVET system to improve graduate outcomes. The study serves as a starting point for more research in the domain of improving the quality of TVET programs in Nigerian HE. Industry leaders and policymakers in Nigeria and other developing countries could use the findings from this study to increase HE and industry participation and partnership for quality of TVET program.

A comparative study of reciprocity in international physician licensing

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-283
Author(s):  
Vivek Pande
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
International Mobility ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Research And Policy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the international mobility of physicians by comparing the regulations governing the practice of foreign physicians in the USA and eight other countries. Design/methodology/approach – This is a comparative study of the regulations governing the practice of foreign physicians in eight countries: China, India, the Philippines, the UK, Germany, Denmark, Israel and Australia. Their requirements are then contrasted with the USA’s requirements for foreign physician licensure to evaluate the extent of reciprocity among these countries. We conclude the paper by outlining some recommendations to increase the international mobility of physicians in the future. Findings – The results indicate that licensure for US physicians to practice in the nations above ranges from impossible (India), to difficult (China), to moderately difficult (the UK, Germany and Denmark), to easy and completely reciprocal (Australia, Israel and the Philippines). Originality/value – The results and recommendations in this study are a valuable starting point for further research and policy changes that will ensure a more reciprocal relationship between the USA and other countries, in terms of opportunities for international medical practice.

Bringing formative classroom assessment to schools and making it count

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmund W. Gordon ◽  
Michael V. McGill ◽  
Deanna Iceman Sands ◽  
Kelley M. Kalinich ◽  
James W. Pellegrino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Classroom Assessment ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
District Leaders ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
School District Leaders ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Current Assessment

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to present alternative views on the theory and practice of formative assessment (FA), or assessment to support teaching and learning in classrooms, with the purpose of highlighting its value in education and informing discussions on educational assessment policy. Methodology/approach – The method used is a “moderated policy discussion”. The six invited commentaries on the theme represent perspectives of leading scholars and measurement experts juxtaposed against voices of prominent school district leaders from two education systems in the USA. The discussion is moderated with introductory and concluding remarks from the guest editor and is excerpted from a recent blog published by Education Week. References and author biographies are presented at the end of the article. Findings – While current assessment policies in the USA push for greater accountability in schools by increasing large scale testing of students, the authors underscore the importance of FA integrated with classroom teaching and learning. They define what formative classroom assessment means in theory and in practice, consider barriers to more widespread use of FA practices and address what educational policy makers could do to facilitate a FA “work culture” in schools. Originality/value – The commentators, representing scholar and practitioner perspectives, examine the problem in a multi-faceted manner and offer research-based, practical and policy solutions to the observed issues in FA. Dialogue among stakeholders, as presented here, is a key first step in enacting assessment reforms in the directions discussed.

Environment is free; but it’s not a gift

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keivan Zokaei ◽  
Ioannis Manikas ◽  
Hunter Lovins
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Operations Management ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Lean And Green ◽  
Quality Movement

Purpose This paperaims to review how the field of lean and green has been evolving. Authors draw parallels between the fields of sustainability and quality management. The paper’s title is borrowed and modified from Crosby’s seminal book: Quality is Free. Design/methodology/approach The paper starts with a review on how early lean researchers in the late 1980s draw upon benchmark studies, looking at Toyota versus other auto manufacturers to demonstrate that quality is free. Similarly, the authors carry out a benchmark to show how the same argument is valid about Toyota’s environmental performance and how Toyota’s concept of Monozukuri can be exploited as proof for the environment is free movement. The paper concludes with an attempt to address the gap between theory and practice in the field of lean and green. Findings The starting point for creating a lean and green business system is the understanding that there is no trade-off between lean and green, that lean and green should be brought together in a symbiosis, as Toyota have done with Monozukuri approach. This requires a coherent strategy that is well developed, and well deployed across all levels of business. The bottom line remains that environment is free, but it is not a gift. Research limitations/implications The findings presented in the paper are based on arguments resulted from the review of the relevant literature. It is important to obtain feedback from a large sample of businesses regarding lean and green symbiosis to arrive at sound and valid conclusions. Originality/value This paper contributes to the fields of operations management and sustainability by proposing a change in businesses’ mind-set about sustainability. Rather than seeing environmental protection as a cost, it should be regarded as an opportunity for enhancing economic performance. In doing so, we can seek inspiration from the fields of quality management and the total quality movement.

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