When does the owl of Minerva spread its wings? Shadow organizing and modes of inquiry

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-120
Author(s):  
Anders Christian Buch
Keyword(s):  
First Principles ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Ontological Commitment ◽  
Relational Thinking ◽  
Organization Studies ◽  
Process Ontology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Process Metaphysics ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
Ground Organization

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critique the metaphor of “shadow organizing” in relation to researchers’ allegedly ontological commitment to processual metaphysics. Design/methodology/approach The paper focuses on the association of “shadow organizing” with post-epistemologies that are grounded in process ontology. The investigation examines aspects of relational thinking and is guided by John Dewey and Arthur Bentley’s genealogical reconstruction of modes of inquiry. Findings Inquiry is construed in either substantialist or relational ways by researchers. By using the metaphor of “shadow organizing,” the relational aspects of organizational phenomena are prioritized for explorative purposes. Other research objectives are aided by substantialist modes of inquiry. It is the argument of the paper, however, that relational research approaches need not make commitment to process ontology, and that the relational ambitions imbued in the metaphor of shadow organizing are in fact better honored for their methodological virtues. Originality/value The paper’s original contribution consists in critiquing post-epistemological attempts to ground organization studies in ontological first principles of process metaphysics. The paper argues that the metaphor of “shadow organizing” is a promising concept that is better appreciated as a methodological move than an ontological commitment.

Bringing back the social: the way forward for children’s social work?

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 190-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brid Featherstone ◽  
Anna Gupta ◽  
Kate Morris
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Suffering ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
The Social ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to argue for the need to move away from a sole focus on assessing and dealing with individualised risk factors in order to more fully engage with and understand the social determinants of many of the harms that are manifest in families. Design/methodology/approach It draws from a number of research studies being conducted by the authors and a literature on psycho-social approaches to social suffering. Findings It highlights the evidence on the contribution of poverty and inequality to many of the problems encountered within families. It explores how hurt, shame and loss are experienced by those who are marginalised and struggling to live well and care safely for themselves and others. Practical implications It highlights the practice implications of adopting an approach that engages with both the social and the psychological and understands their inter-relationship. It offers some thoughts on how the social in psycho-social might receive the attention it deserves, a situation which does not pertain currently. Originality/value It offers an original contribution to thinking in the area of child protection where the focus is primarily on individualised risk factors. It highlights the importance of understanding the social determinants of many of the harms experienced in families and offers some pointers towards thinking and practising differently.

From service quality to experience – and back again?

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Sundbo
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Management ◽  
Service Marketing ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Experience Economy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Functional Quality ◽  
Original Contribution

Purpose – This paper aims to analyse the movement in the focus on customers within service management and marketing theories and service research that has taken place during the past three decades. The paper addresses the question: How did we, in service research, change from emphasizing quality to emphasizing experience? Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses developments in service and experience theories. Experience has come onto the theoretical agenda, both in its own right and as a concept within service marketing and management theory. Findings – Experience has increasingly been a concept that has replaced quality in service marketing theories. However, an independent experience economy paradigm has also emerged. Recently, the societal emphasis on productivity may lead back to functional quality re-emerges in theories; however, it will most likely be in a new version. Originality/value – This analysis is a profound theory-critical analysis of the actually very widely used concept experience in service theories. The analysis present an understanding of what experience means in these theories and how it relates to the quality concept. This is an original contribution to a deeper understanding of service marketing and service quality theories.

scholarly journals Navigating heutagogic learning: mapping the learning journey in management education through the OEPA model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David William Stoten
Keyword(s):  
Learning Theory ◽  
Executive Coaching ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Journey ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Conceptual Paper

PurposeThe purpose of this conceptual paper is to advocate the adoption of heutagogic principles within management education and to show how it could be implemented.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is the outcome of a review of the literature on learning theory and management education.FindingsThis paper demonstrates how heutagogic principles have been introduced in three areas: entrepreneurial education, executive coaching and e-learning.Originality/valueThis paper makes an original contribution to the discourse on heutagogy through the OEPA model that maps the heutagogic learning journey.

Organizational access in qualitative research

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Nathan Alexander ◽  
Anne D. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Organization Studies ◽  
Management Journal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
Gain Access ◽  
Administrative Science

Purpose While organizational access is central to much qualitative research, little is known about how researchers secure it. The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic assessment of this critical methodological step. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review was conducted to establish how researchers gained access to organizations for qualitative research. Access type was identified and explanatory indicators were inductively developed to illuminate how access was obtained in a sample of 216 qualitative articles published in Administrative Science Quarterly and Academy of Management Journal between 1986 and 2013. A supplemental review of 306 articles published in Organization Studies over the same period augmented the primary analysis with a broader view of published accounts of access. Findings Learning prior to entering organizations, researchers’ backgrounds, organizational insiders, and outside contacts facilitated access. The role of these factors, which served as indicators of legitimacy, varied with the type of access. In addition, the authors found that many articles provide little information about how the researchers gained access, regardless of a publication’s domicile. Originality/value This study furthers the understanding of how researchers gain access to organizations to conduct qualitative research and discusses the implications of the limited access accounts in published studies. In addition, this research provides practical guidance for authors, editors, and reviewers.

Improving responses to juvenile burglary offenders

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 94-106
Author(s):  
Jeffrey J. Roth ◽  
Mari B. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Restorative Justice ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Justice Research ◽  
Adult Court ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
Education And Employment

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to make evidence-based recommendations for improving the responses of criminal justice agencies to juvenile burglary offenders. Design/methodology/approach The paper first analyzes what is known about factors relevant to young offenders’ initiation into burglary and subsequent persistence in that offense. It then evaluates research regarding juvenile justice interventions that can mitigate those factors in order to prevent youth from becoming involved in burglary or to encourage desistance in juvenile burglars. Findings Effective early intervention with juvenile burglars is vital, as burglars often begin committing this crime in their early teens and quickly develop expertise in the offense. Evidence supports the importance of positive mentoring, substance abuse programs, some forms of restorative justice and multi-modal interventions with education and employment components, while waiving these youth to adult court appears to offer little benefit over less punitive approaches. Originality/value This work delivers an original contribution by providing an analysis of existing burglary and juvenile justice research that may be useful to policymakers, law enforcement and other justice practitioners.

scholarly journals Unlearning towards an uncertain future: on the back end of future-driven unlearning

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 454-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus F. Peschl
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Learning Systems ◽  
Specific Result ◽  
Organization Studies ◽  
Innovation Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Uncertain Future ◽  
Forms Of Knowledge

Purpose While many approaches in the field of unlearning aim at describing, understanding or explaining the “what” and/or “how” of unlearning, this paper aims to focus on the “where-to” and the goal of unlearning. In many cases, unlearning starts off with a specific result or goal in mind. This paper suggests that such an approach has to be challenged in the context of a highly complex and uncertain world and to introduce a mode of unlearning following a strategy of future-oriented open-endedness. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper draws on (both theoretical/philosophical and empirical) interdisciplinary evidence from a wide variety of fields, such as organization studies, organizational (un)learning, systems theory, cognitive science and innovation studies. Findings It turns out that open-endedness in unlearning processes plays a central role, especially if we are confronted with high levels of uncertainty and complexity. In such an environment, following a strategy of co-becoming with an unfolding environment and with an emergent goal seems to be more promising than aiming at a preconceived (un-)learning goal. Originality/value The unlearning literature provides various approaches to what unlearning is and how it can be executed. However, understanding the actual goals and outcomes of unlearning and how these goals are identified and determined is a rather under-researched field. In many cases, they are preconceived in advance finding their realization in new forms of knowledge, assumptions, belief systems, values or routines. This paper challenges this strategy and addresses the gap of how it is possible to unlearn toward an uncertain future. This has an impact on the process of unlearning itself; it has to be reframed and understood as an open-ended strategy for identifying emerging future potentials, purposes and goals in a process of co-becoming with an unfolding future.

Ferries as travelling landscapes: tourism and watery mobilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-334
Author(s):  
Eva McGrath ◽  
Nichola Harmer ◽  
Richard Yarwood
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Material Structure ◽  
Place Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
South West ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
Mode Of Transport ◽  
South West England

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the use of small river ferries as an under-researched but novel mode of travel which enhances and brings new dimensions to tourist experiences of travelling landscapes. Design/methodology/approach The study used a mixed methods approach including participant observation, a survey and interviews with ferry users and staff at one river crossing in South West England. Findings The ferry attracts tourists as a different and practical mode of transport. The river crossing provides an experience of being on water, and the material structure of the ferry significantly shapes on-board interactions whilst providing new perspectives of place. Research limitations/implications This article draws on data collected for a study of ferry crossings conducted at three sites in Devon and Cornwall, England, using multiple methods. The material presented in this article focuses on one site and draws on four interviews, twelve reflection cards and observations. Social implications The research highlighted the extent to which the ferry is dependent on tourist use. At the same time, it reveals the extent to which the crossing enriches the tourist experience and celebrates a ferry’s contribution to local place-making. Originality/value The majority of research on ferry crossings focuses on commuter experiences, marine crossings and larger passenger vessels. This article makes an original contribution to literature on ferries, as it offers a perspective on tourist experiences of river ferry crossings, reveals how the ferry structure influences interrelations on-board and provides distinctive insights into place through a focus on movement across water.

Crowdsourcing to manage service gaps in service networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1497-1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Blair ◽  
Thomas Martin Key ◽  
Matthew Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate and conceptualize how crowdsourcing can be implemented as a potential means to address gaps in service quality within service networks and to provide guidance to marketing practitioners on the use of crowdsourcing within service networks. Design/methodology/approach This paper conceptualizes how crowdsourcing can be used to address service quality gaps in service networks and provides propositions regarding the effects of crowdsourcing on service quality gaps. Findings Conceptual paper with a literature review, suggested a model for service quality gaps in service networks and propositions regarding the effects of crowdsourcing to manage service quality gaps. Research limitations/implications This research contributes to the literature on crowdsourcing by theorizing how crowdsourcing impacts service quality in service networks. Practical implications Considerations for managers implementing crowdsourcing strategies and activities within service networks are provided. In particular, implications with regard to forming the crowd, developing the most appropriate approach and integrating value into the firm are discussed. Originality/value This paper offers an original contribution linking crowdsourcing to service quality.

Bounded becoming: insights from understanding projects in situation

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviane Sergi
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Software Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Process Ontology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Software Development Project ◽  
Specific Practice ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Over Time

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest a situated conception of projects, in order develop finer understanding of how these endeavors emerge and unfold over time. The author proposes that these understandings should be rooted in a process ontology, conceive action as situated and focus on actual practices as they are performed by all project actors. Taken together, these dimensions can renew how one views and approaches projects and their management.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is illustrated with examples taken out of a study of a software development project, conducted in the ethnographic tradition.FindingsThe examples expose how a specific practice, planning, was accomplished differently depending on the moment and was affected by different circumstances and constraints. The paper also discusses how preferring a processual worldview is especially befitting projects. As endeavors instigated to create or to make something happen, projects are perpetually changing and in movement; it is therefore relevant that their conceptualization takes fully into consideration their intimate nature.Originality/valueThe originality and value of the paper lie in the combination of perspectives, which can be both useful in theorizing projects differently, and in enhancing practitioners' reflexivity. This combination, it is argued, can address a wide array of issues in the context of projects, can favor localized reflection on project management prescriptions and tools, and can help practitioners to sharpen their sensitivity to their own practice.

Analysis of readiness factors for Industry 4.0 implementation in SMEs using COPRAS

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M. Sriram ◽  
S. Vinodh
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Practical Relevance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
Manufacturing Competitiveness ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the readiness factors for Industry 4.0 deployment in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using complex proportionality assessment (COPRAS) methodology.Design/methodology/approachIndustry 4.0 is vital for ensuring manufacturing competitiveness of SMEs. In order to facilitate Industry 4.0 adoption in SMEs, readiness factors need to be analysed. In this viewpoint, this article presents the analysis of readiness factors using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool COPRAS.FindingsThe priority of ranking of 15 readiness factors is obtained. The prioritized readiness factors would enable the smooth adoption of Industry 4.0 in SMEs.Practical implicationsThe study has been done based on inputs from industry practitioners and hence the results have practical relevance.Originality/valueThe analysis of readiness factors for Industry 4.0 in SMEs using COPRAS is the original contribution of authors.

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