Using abstract concepts in impact-focussed organisational research

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Lugosi
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Abstract Concept ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Business Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Change In Practice ◽  
Organisational Research ◽  
Context Specific

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise and examine the processes through which abstract concepts, or abstractions, can be utilised in co-creating knowledge within “impact-focussed” organisational and business research, i.e. applied research that primarily seeks to promote change in practice rather than principally aiming to make theoretical contributions to academic debates. The paper uses the abstraction “hospitality” as an empirical example and discusses the techniques used to “operationalise” this concept, i.e. make it understandable for research participants enabling researchers to use it within data generation and the creation of practical insights in organisational enquiry. Design/methodology/approach The study employed two methods: first, participant-generated photos; and second, two interactive workshops with 38 practitioners where the abstract concept “hospitality” was used to generate practical organisational insights. Findings The paper distinguishes between four stages: the elaboration of abstraction, concretisation of abstraction, probing perspectives on abstraction and exploring experiences of abstraction. It is argued that utilising specific techniques within these four stages facilitates: recognisability: the extent to which organisational stakeholders understand the content and meanings of the abstraction; and relatability: the extent to which stakeholders appreciate how the abstract concepts are relevant to interpreting their own practices and experiences. Research limitations/implications This is an exploratory study, used to develop and refine elicitation techniques, rather than to draw definitive conclusions about the applicability of specific abstract concepts. Nevertheless, reflecting on the processes and techniques used in the utilisation of abstractions here can help to operationalise them in future impact-focussed research. Originality/value The paper conceptualises the processes through which abstract concepts can be made apprehendable for non-specialist, non-academic practitioners. In doing so, it discusses how various elicitation techniques support the utilisation of abstractions in generating insights that can support the development of constructive, context-specific practices in organisations and businesses.

Stairways to heaven: implementing social media in organizations

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 741-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moria Levy
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Service Marketing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
Functional Components ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper is aimed at both researchers and organizations. For researchers, it seeks to provide a means for better analyzing the phenomenon of social media implementation in organizations as a knowledge management (KM) enabler. For organizations, it seeks to suggest a step-by-step architecture for practically implementing social media and benefiting from it in terms of KM. Design/methodology/approach – The research is an empirical study. A hypothesis was set; empirical evidence was collected (from 34 organizations). The data were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively, thereby forming the basis for the proposed architecture. Findings – Implementing social media in organizations is more than a yes/no question; findings show various levels of implementation in organizations: some implementing at all levels, while others implement only tools, functional components, or even only visibility. Research limitations/implications – Two main themes should be further tested: whether the suggested architecture actually yields faster/eased KM implementation compared to other techniques; and whether it can serve needs beyond the original scope (KM, Israel) as tested in this study (i.e. also for other regions and other needs – service, marketing and sales, etc.). Practical implications – Organizations can use the suggested four levels architecture as a guideline for implementing social media as part of their KM efforts. Originality/value – This paper is original and innovative. Previous studies describe the implementation of social media in terms of yes/no; this research explores the issue as a graded one, where organizations can and do implement social media step-by-step. The paper's value is twofold: it can serve as a foundational study for future researches, which can base their analysis on the suggested architecture of four levels of implementation. It also serves as applied research that will help organizations searching for social media implementation KM enablers.

Examining the influence of mindfulness on organizational role stress (ORS): a monitor acceptance theory perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uma Warrier ◽  
Cyril Foropon ◽  
Melinda Chehimi
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Role Stress ◽  
Role Overload ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Role ◽  
It Organization ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Personal Inadequacy

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of mindfulness on organizational role stress (ORS) based on the Monitor Acceptance Theory (MAT) perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a cross-sectional data analysis collected from 137 employees working at an Indian IT organization located in Bangalore (India). ORS and MAAS scales have been used for measuring ORS and mindfulness, respectively.FindingsOverall, the study findings have indicated a negative relationship (r = −0.588) between mindfulness (M) and ORS. First, both personal inadequacy (PI) and self-role distance (SRD) are found to be predominantly impacted by M, whereas both role erosion (RE) and role overload (RO) appear to be less affected by mindfulness. Second, SRD appears to be the highest ORS sub-dimension among IT employees. Third, building on the extant literature, it can be inferred that “no one size fits all”, ORS is both organization and context specific.Originality/valueThis study pioneers to establish empirical evidence between M and ORS. Training employees on M can help in effectively handling ORS.

Expanding international business research on foreignness

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 1018-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arpita Joardar ◽  
Tatiana Kostova ◽  
Sibin Wu
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
International Business Research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present our viewpoint on the research on foreignness and provide directions for future studies. We suggest that research on foreignness can be expanded by exploring its complexity. Design/methodology/approach – This article takes the form of a viewpoint. Findings – We identify three facets of foreignness – foreignness effect (liabilities or assets) foreignness level (organizational or individual) and foreignness locus (external or internal to an entity), which have not been sufficiently examined in prior research. Originality/value – We discuss how these aspects can inform a novel research agenda in this area.

scholarly journals Social identities in the field: how fluctuating fieldworker identities shape our research

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Kirkebæk Johansson Gosovic
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Identities ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethnographic Fieldwork ◽  
Anthropological Theory ◽  
Multiple Identity ◽  
Identity Processes ◽  
Interpretation Process ◽  
At Home

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to developing the understanding and practice of fieldwork in familiar settings by expanding the literature on fieldworker identities. Design/methodology/approach Based on ethnographic fieldwork in a multinational biopharmaceutical corporation, and drawing on anthropological theory of social identities, the paper demonstrates the multiple and fluid identities that we as organizational ethnographers purposefully take on, accidentally acquire, unintentionally are ascribed with and experience during ethnographic fieldwork in familiar settings. Findings Building on these insights, and by expanding the literature on researcher identities, the paper develops a critique of the spatial and temporal notions often attached to fieldwork in familiar settings by demonstrating how outsider identities are ascribed even “at home” and how insider identities can be experienced when away. It further reflects on the ways in which these identities shape the data generation and interpretation process. Originality/value This paper argues that to properly grasp the multiple identity processes involved in a fieldwork, we must escape the spatial and temporal conceptualization of being either an insider or an outsider. Instead, the paper argues for a relational and situational perspective on being an insider and an outsider in the field and proposes to conceptualize “insider” and “outsider” as ascribed, changing and sometimes volatile social identities.

scholarly journals Bridging the relevance-ranking chasm: mission impossible?

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Zolkiewski
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
First Century ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Business Research ◽  
Business World ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Status ◽  
Business And Management ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to debate the challenges related to balancing relevance and ranking in management research. Design/methodology/approach This is a commentary on and review of challenges faced by twenty-first century management academics. Findings There is a chasm between managerial relevance and current managerial research; however, with academic buy-in, there are ways in which the chasm can be crossed. Research limitations/implications The implications of this are wide reaching for management researchers. They are challenged to consider different methodologies, strategies and dissemination avenues for their research. Practical implications Researchers need to consider not only collaboration with practitioners, as they pursue solutions to managerial problems, but also more inter-disciplinary research that addresses the wicked problems of management in practice. Social implications Solving the challenge of managerial relevance of business research has the potential to allow the contribution of business academia to be fully appreciated by practitioners. Originality/value The value of this thought-piece is that it challenges business and management academics to challenge the status quo and fight to make their research relevant to and valued by the business world.

Something borrowed, something blue: reflections on theory borrowing in educational administration research

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 749-760
Author(s):  
Izhak Berkovich
Keyword(s):  
Educational Administration ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Education Administration ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Middle Ground ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Improve Theory

PurposeThe practice of theory borrowing from other research fields is common in interdisciplinary and applied research. Nevertheless, educational administration researchers seldom discuss this phenomenon and its complexities in depth.Design/methodology/approachThis essay provides an overview of what has been written about the practice of theory borrowing.FindingsAfter presenting the criticism on misusing theory borrowing, it outlines several recommendations to improve theory borrowing in education administration research by domesticating it through conceptual blending.Originality/valueThe purpose of this essay is to motivate educational administration scholars to reflect on the practice of theory borrowing. The guidelines offered here for promoting conceptual blending serve as a middle ground for mitigating a key problem of theory borrowing.

Canadian think tanks and business research: an annotated Bibliography

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Jones
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Annotated Bibliography ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Think Tanks ◽  
Business Research ◽  
Think Tank ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Canadian Perspective

Purpose The purpose of this annotated bibliography is to examine Canadian think tanks and their use for business research. This bibliography is aimed at business researchers, both academic and professional, entrepreneurs and librarians interested in exploring open access think tank publications. Design/methodology/approach The author chose prominent think tanks from across Canada in terms of relevance to business and economics. The organizations were selected based on open access options, ease of use, currency and geographical focus to optimize research areas. Findings Most of the organizations that were examined, emphasized current issues broadly applicable to Canadian business research. The think tanks differed in style and focus, yet all had appropriate applications for business research. Originality/value This annotated bibliography presents a unique Canadian perspective on business research by focusing on reputable open access resources.

How and why managers use conceptual devices in business-to-business research

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 633-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars-Johan Åge
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Research ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Equal Footing ◽  
Business To Business ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This study aims to analyze how and why managers adopt and use business-to-business (B2B) research. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through participant observations, focus groups and interviews in three organizations that had used a certain conceptual model from B2B research. Findings – The study suggests that managers use B2B research in an action-oriented, flexible and dynamic manner. Such conceptual or translational use is characterized by managers’ creative translation of the research to match the problems they are facing at that particular time. Research limitations/implications – This study suggests that researchers and managers are on equal footing, and can contribute to one another in an active and creative way. Practical implications – Through translating research into their specific context, managers can find a new spectrum of research usage in their organization, but can also contribute to research in an interactive and creative way. Originality/value – This study gives empirical examples for how and why a certain piece of B2B research has been used by managers in three organizations. Moreover, this study contributes to existing models relating to marketing use by giving examples of the active translation process in which managers adopt the research to their specific challenges.

scholarly journals The changing face of homicide research: the shift in empirical focus and emerging research trends

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Ioannou ◽  
Laura Hammond
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Criminal Psychology ◽  
School Shootings ◽  
Child Homicide ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Juvenile Homicide ◽  
Opening Up

Purpose – Homicidal behaviour is influenced by a complex interaction of behavioural, situational and environmental factors that raise many challenging psychological questions. A large and continually growing body of research has explored the crime of homicide, its epidemiology, victims and perpetrators. The area is developing rapidly, opening up new avenues of study. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This special issue of the Journal of Criminal Psychology brings together an exciting array of papers on homicidal behaviour, examining a wide range of issues including juvenile homicide perpetrators, school shootings, child homicide, homicide-suicide and differences in offence behaviours and victim characteristics between hard-to-solve one-off homicides and serial homicides. Findings – The range of papers included in this special edition cover a wide range of aspects of homicidal behaviour, reflecting the importance of – and the need for – applied research moving away from examining general homicide to specialised research focusing on subtypes of homicide and subgroups of homicide offenders. A research agenda is proposed. Originality/value – This editorial gives an introduction to the themes explored in this special issue and provides an overview of the selected papers.

Cost vs credibility: the student sample trap in business research

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 652-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Ford
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Business Research ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Cross Cultural Research ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Internal And External Validity

Purpose This paper focuses on the problems inherent in the use of student samples in business research. Design/methodology/approach The subject is examined through the opinions of prior researchers, and the pros and cons are presented. The issues of internal and external validity are discussed, and the dangers of theory development without proper application are highlighted. Findings Business researchers are cautioned, especially in the case of scale development and cross-cultural research, to avoid the use of student samples. Originality/value While this subject has been the source of debate for many years, business researchers are still regularly using student samples for their research. The dangers are too great to simply be ignored because the price is right.

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