Consumers at play: negotiations of identity in a Japanese preschool

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-106
Author(s):  
Mayumi Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Pretend Play ◽  
Childhood Studies ◽  
Children’S Perspectives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Preschool Experience ◽  
Collective Construction ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The aim of this article is to explore how young children (five year olds) collectively construct pretend identities with peers in play while using and negotiating consumer knowledge and experiences. Particular attention is given to children’s collaborative transformation of objects, ideas, places and persons, as they occur in the context of pretend play. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from ethnographic fieldwork in a local preschool in Japan. Two classes of five-year-old children (both boys and girls) were observed over four months. The theoretical framework highlights the dynamic and fluid interactional sphere and conversational exchanges through which pretend identities are created, negotiated and expanded. Findings In the findings, children’s construction of pretend identities is identified in terms of three characteristic forms of interaction in play: children’s reciprocal immediacy; maintaining and challenging participation; and willingness and collaboration to expand a play theme. Children’s collective construction of pretend identities indicates that playing roles means playing rules. Originality/value Through participant observation focusing of children’s perspectives and practices, this study contributes both to childhood studies and consumption studies. It also contributes to insight into how young children in the Japanese preschool experience consumer culture in a specific socio-cultural environment and how they construct peer relationships.

Observations of food consumption in a daycare setting

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 420-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Ahn ◽  
Michelle R. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthy Eating Habits

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the behaviors and social interactions among preschool children and their teachers during food consumption at a daycare facility. Using social cognitive theory, the goal is to identify how role modeling, rules, behaviors and communication shape these young consumers’ health-related food consumption and habits. Design/methodology/approach – This study was conducted in a US daycare facility among preschool children (aged four years) over a three-month period. Qualitative ethnographic methods included participant and non-participant observation of meals and snack-time. Findings – Findings from the observations revealed that teachers’ food socialization styles and social interactions with peers cultivate children’s food consumption. In addition, commensality rules set by the childcare institution also help children learn other valuable behaviors (e.g. table manners and cleaning up). Research limitations/implications – The study was conducted in one location with one age group so the results may not be generalized to all children. As more young children spend time in preschools and daycare centers, the understanding of how these settings and the caregivers and peers influence them becomes more important. Preschool teachers can influence their young students’ food consumption through their actions and words. Training teachers and cultivating educational programs about ways to encourage healthy eating habits could be implemented. Originality/value – The paper offers observations of actual behaviors among young children in a naturalistic setting.

Flexible identities and cross-border knowledge networking

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Moore
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Identity ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Knowledge Networks ◽  
Professional Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Management ◽  
Taiwanese People ◽  
Cross Cultural Management ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This paper aims to explore and discuss the use of the flexible, discursive nature of ethnic identity as a means of facilitating the construction and use of transnational knowledge networks. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the influence of “intangibles” on international business (IB), using a case study examining how Taiwanese people in London construct and use their professional networks for knowledge management. The methodology is ethnographic, including participant-observation, interviews and archival research. Findings Taiwanese businesspeople in London used their ethnic identity for networking, not only within the Taiwanese community, but also combined different identities to network through different groups. The findings suggest that the flexible nature of identity provides a means by which knowledge networks can be constructed across borders, providing insight into the actual processes through which knowledge is transferred in IB. Research limitations/implications An identity approach can add a more nuanced analysis of real-life situations to the more traditional culture-focused approach. Greater methodological variety is needed if IB studies are to incorporate more complex perspectives on cross-cultural management, and to develop this study’s conclusions. Practical implications Managers who are aware of the complexities of ethnic identity can exploit these among themselves and their employees to seek out new sources of knowledge. Originality/value This paper provides insight into the means and processes through which transnational networks are constructed and knowledge shared across borders, and the seldom-analysed role of identity, in this case ethnic identity, in these phenomena.

Ideological dilemmas: constructing motherhood through caring consumption in Japan

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayumi Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Consumer Culture ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Meanings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sociocultural Environment ◽  
Public Facilities ◽  
Consumption Practices ◽  
Maternal Responsibility ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The aim of this article is to examine the topic of mothers' consumption, particularly how mothers of young children as primary caregivers are involved in contemporary consumer culture in Japan, by using the concepts of “caring consumption” and “ideological dilemmas”. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered from in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 mothers of young children aged between 1 and 5. Interviews were conducted either at their home or public facilities. The theoretical framework highlights a variability existing within ideology which creates a cultural space for mothering. Findings – Mothers' caring consumption is a key means through which motherhood is constituted and how ideologies surrounding mothering are enforced and enacted. They negotiate for certain products and services on behalf of their children, in the name of love, care and devotion, and in consideration of wider social networks. Consumption is part of maternal responsibility and task where a mother not only provides material and emotional support for her child but also becomes a facilitator to connect him/her to a wider social network through her consumption practices. Originality/value – This study contributes insight into how mothers of young children in Japan experience consumer culture in a specific sociocultural environment and how they construct cultural meanings of motherhood in interaction with surrounding people and a wider consumption-oriented world.

'University is a place of imagination where anything can happen': evaluating widening participation initiatives with young children

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-245
Author(s):  
Katherine Sela ◽  
Naomi Winstone
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Sentence Completion ◽  
Widening Participation ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Children’S Perspectives ◽  
Evaluation Data ◽  
Drawing Tasks ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

There is increasing awareness of the importance of working with younger children in widening participation initiatives. While typical evaluation methods, such as feedback questionnaires, may be appropriate for collating evidence of the impact of initiatives with older children and teenagers, these tools are less appropriate for younger children. In the context of the evaluation of a campus-based creative writing programme for 9- to 10-year-old children, this paper discusses the utility of creative approaches to evaluation. Prior to and following their visit to a university campus, children completed a worksheet to gain their perspectives of university through sentence completion, comparison and drawing tasks. These methods provide insight into how children's perspectives are shaped by visiting a university campus, as well as differences between those who do and do not know someone who has attended university. We present snapshots of the evaluation data and discuss the implications for evaluation of widening participation initiatives with young children.

scholarly journals Sustainable public procurement: the Federal Public Institution’s shared system

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Cader Da Silva ◽  
Luciana Betiol ◽  
Teresa Villac ◽  
Raquel Nonato
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collective Construction ◽  
Technology Resources ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report the experience of the Federal Public Institution with sustainable public procurement through the mechanism of shared acquisitions. Design/methodology/approach The analysis adopted a qualitative approach and an empirical investigation of MPF’s experience, based on a documentary research and participant observation. Findings The results allow the authors to demonstrate the economic, environmental and social advantages of the procurement made by MPF, thus granting to this new model of acquisition governance, the adherence to the organization’s institutional mission. Research limitations/implications This is a single case study. Practical implications It is a promising path that optimizes the institution’s use of its budgetary, human, logistical and information technology resources, focusing on the quality and sustainability of public biddings. Social implications The process of collective construction, improvement of knowledge management, standardization, procedural and scale economies, and the use of sustainability criteria are the main reasons for the implementation of the sustainable shared acquisitions system in the institution. Originality/value This is a development process of a new paradigm of procurement at MPF.

“Saluting” perceived sense of coherence in people with dementia by nurses

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Lillekroken ◽  
Solveig Hauge ◽  
Åshild Slettebø
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Main Category ◽  
Content Type ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – Nurses employed in nursing homes have a unique insight into the lives of people with dementia (PwD) and into the factors that may support and possibly enhance their sense of coherence (SOC). It is currently not known precisely which factors contribute to supporting the SOC in PwD; therefore, in order to address the paucity of research in this area, the purpose of this paper is to identify and present these factors as they were perceived by nurses. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed a qualitative explorative design. Participant observation and focus group interviews were the data collection methods. The participants were nurses employed in special dementia units from two Norwegian nursing homes. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings – Data analysis highlighted a main category, with additional three generic categories. The main category, “creating order out of chaos” concerns the nurses’ explanations about how they could create order in the lives of PwD lives. This main category is subdivided into three generic categories; “establishing continuity”, “ensuring predictability” and “building confidence”. These categories were assessed as “salutary” factors that may contribute to supporting the SOC in PwD. Originality/value – This paper highlights the importance of continuity, predictability and confidence as factors that may contribute to counterbalancing the state of chaos and to supporting the SOC in PwD. The findings add a salutogenic perspective to dementia care and research.

scholarly journals Exploring strategic agency in sustainability-oriented entrepreneur legitimation

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orlagh Reynolds ◽  
Maura Sheehan ◽  
Rachel Hilliard
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Strategic Value ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to look at the role played by three archetypal constructs pertaining to the individual sustainability-oriented entrepreneur, namely prior knowledge, sustainability orientation and sustainability intention, in legitimation behavior and explores their strategic utility. Design/methodology/approach The author studies legitimacy-seeking behavior in the case of ten sustainability-oriented entrepreneurs. A qualitative case study approach is used, capturing evidence of legitimation behavior in the startup phase through interviews, participant observation and documentation analysis. Findings Prior knowledge and sustainability orientation appear to offer little value beyond their role as necessary factors in maintaining legitimacy. Both appear to have limited strategic value for legitimation in comparison to sustainability intention. Intention as a construct embodies the “paradox” of sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship, and learning to successfully overcome this paradox to strategically utilize intention in legitimation is crucial for these entrepreneurs. Practical implications Knowledge of these factors could assist sustainability-oriented entrepreneurs in strategically utilizing these factors as agency when dealing with diverse stakeholder expectations to achieve their enterprising goals. Strengthening knowledge on factors important for legitimacy is pertinent in supporting this shared value approach to entrepreneurship. Originality/value Little theoretical or empirical attention has been paid to the complexity of strategic legitimation behavior of sustainability-oriented entrepreneurs. This paper provides novel empirical insight into what role these archetypal factors play in legitimation behavior and how they can be strategically utilized.

scholarly journals Art collecting as consumption and entrepreneurial marketing as strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Fillis ◽  
Kim Lehman
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Art Museum ◽  
Art Collecting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Marketing ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
Consumption Practices ◽  
Biographical Approach ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThe authors adopt a biographical methodology to investigate how a privately funded art museum has risen to become a key visitor destination on the island of Tasmania, Australia.Design/methodology/approachThe authors utilise both entrepreneurship and consumption as collecting lenses to gain insight into the success of a new arts venture. In addition to biographical methodology the authors utilise in-depth interviews and participant observation.FindingsThe analysis shows what can be achieved when alternative paths to creativity and innovation are pursued. The creativity inherent in such actions does not necessarily have to be substantial. Sometimes incremental approaches to achieving something different from the norm are sufficient.Research limitations/implicationsImplications include the continued merits of adopting a biographical approach to uncovering longitudinal insight into interlinking entrepreneurship and consumption practices. This approach enables key impacting events over time to be identified as they impact on the direction taken by the art entrepreneur.Practical implicationsThere is growing evidence that administrative approaches to arts governance are limiting in their effectiveness. This paper addresses the call to be more entrepreneurial in arts governance practices.Originality/valueThere are only a limited number of papers on entrepreneurship and consumption in the arts and this research adds to knowledge in the area.

Mainland Chinese cruise passengers’ perceptions of Western service

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 601-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Li ◽  
Sheranne Fairley
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mainland Chinese ◽  
Cruise Ships ◽  
Travel Agencies ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
High Quality Service ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the service perceptions of mainland Chinese passengers on three international cruise ships. Design/methodology/approach Participant observation and casual conversations were conducted on three international cruise ships departing from Shanghai. Additionally, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 76 mainland Chinese cruise passengers over the three cruise trips. Findings The results suggest that mainland Chinese cruise passengers continually made cultural comparisons between Eastern and Western service. A preference for Western service was expressed, which passengers likened to luxury service that one would receive in China. In contrast to what they would expect to experience in China, passengers viewed cruise staff as polite and attentive, egalitarian, sincere and patient, interactive and engaged with the passengers, and committed to cleanliness. Although some passengers believed that the provision of more Chinese-speaking staff would improve the experience, most passengers did not perceive the ratio of Chinese-speaking staff to passengers to be an issue and were satisfied with the efforts of non-Chinese-speaking staff to provide high-quality service. Practical implications Understanding the service perceptions of mainland Chinese cruise passengers provides insights to cruise companies and travel agencies that service Chinese passengers. Originality/value Limited research has examined how mainland Chinese cruise passengers perceive Western service on cruise ships. This study provides insight into how to improve the service experience and enhance satisfaction of cruise passengers from mainland China.

scholarly journals Exploring the dimensions of place branding: an application of the ICON model to the branding of Toronto

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giannina Warren ◽  
Keith Dinnie
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Place Branding ◽  
City Branding ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Creative City ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the place branding dimensions of a city undergoing a concerted effort to build a distinctive brand for itself. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative, exploratory approach is adopted, applying the ICON model of place branding to the multistakeholder city branding strategy of Toronto. A combination of interviews, participant observation, content analysis and professional reflection inform the study. Findings Toronto’s emergence as a creative city with global standing has been achieved, in part, through a holistic and collaborative approach that is integrated, contextualized, organic and new. Practical implications Place and destination promoters are offered a practical application of the ICON model of place branding, informing future initiatives and offering insight into good practice. Originality/value Viewed through the lens of the ICON model, the paper provides insights into the collaborative and innovate practices that characterize effective city branding.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document