For the love of small things: consumerism and the making of maternal identities

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jane Kehily
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Choice ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maternal Experience ◽  
Transition To Motherhood ◽  
First Child ◽  
Commercial World ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Small Things ◽  
Preparatory Work

Purpose – This paper aims to consider the increased commercialisation of motherhood and particularly the consumer practices of women as they prepare for the birth of their first child. The commercial world appears omnipresent in the lives of new mothers in Western societies. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a five-year study of motherhood in the UK, the paper focusses on women’s relationship to the marketing and consumption of everyday maternity and baby products made available to them through readership of pregnancy magazines and mainstream commercial outlets. Findings – Documenting how consumer culture features in the lives of mothers-to-be, the study identifies age and socio-economic status as key features in shaping the maternal experience and consumer “choice”. Originality/value – The paper explores the significance of consumption as preparatory work in the transition to motherhood.

Pramface girls? Early motherhood, marginalisation and the management of stigma

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jane Kehily
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Social Differences ◽  
Popular Discourse ◽  
Transition To Motherhood ◽  
Early Motherhood ◽  
First Child ◽  
Becoming A Mother ◽  
Cultural Sphere ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Late Modern

Mary Jane Kehily considers the phenomenon of young motherhood in the UK through policy and popular discourse. She looks at how women make the transition to motherhood in new times, to argues that early motherhood occupies a distinctive place within the context of late modern social change, marked by changing gender relations and women’s increased participation in the workforce. At a time when most women are delaying the birth of their first child, differences between women may be polarised and compounded by the experience of becoming a mother. She explores the way social differences between women may be played out in the cultural sphere of representations and practices of consumption. She argues that the stigmatised figure of early motherhood, configured colloquially as the marginal ‘pramface girl’ can be understood within the context of the local – community, family, biography and intergenerational perspectives.

Negotiating liminality following life transitions: reflexive bricolage and liminal hotspots

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy Kerrane ◽  
Andrew Lindridge ◽  
Sally Dibb
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Life Transitions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transition To Motherhood ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Asian Mothers ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how consumption linked with life transitions can differ in its potential to bring about ongoing liminality. By examining how consumers can draw on overlapping systems of resources, different ways in which consumers negotiate ongoing liminality following the transition to motherhood are identified. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted an interpretive, exploratory study using in-depth phenomenological interviews with 23 South Asian mothers living in the UK. The sample consisted of mothers at different stages of motherhood. Findings Following life transitions, consumers may encounter liminal hotspots at the intersection of overlapping systems of resources. The findings examine two liminal hotspots with differing potential to produce ongoing liminality. The study shows how consumers navigate these liminal hotspots in different ways, by accepting, rejecting and amalgamating the resources at hand. Research limitations/implications The research sample could have been more diverse; future research could examine liminal hotspots relating to different minority groups and life transitions. Practical implications Marketers need to examine the different ways in which consumers draw on different systems of resources following life transitions. The paper includes implications for how marketers segment, target and market to ethnic minority consumers. Originality/value Due to increasingly fluid social conditions, there are likely to be growing numbers of consumers who experience ongoing liminality following life transitions. A preliminary framework is presented outlining different ways that consumers negotiate ongoing liminality by drawing on overlapping systems of resources, broadening the understanding of the role that marketplace resources play beyond life transitions.

Managing money laundering risks in commercial letters of credit

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-168
Author(s):  
Ramandeep Kaur Chhina
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Trade Finance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Letter Of Credit ◽  
Commercial World ◽  
Proceeds Of Crime ◽  
Letters Of Credit ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the role of banks in detecting and mitigating money laundering risks in trade finance activities, especially in commercial letters of credit, and to answer the central question: do banks comply with regulations that are inadequate (if so, is more stringent regulation compatible with the commercial world of trade finance?), or are banks are in danger of non-compliance? Design/methodology/approach The relevant principles promulgated by international organisations as well as the law enacted in UK to prevent money laundering risks in commercial letters of credit was examined to assess banks’ compliance with their anti-money laundering (AML) obligations. The key provisions of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Wolfsberg Trade Finance Principles were discussed, and the extent of banks’ compliance with these provisions was highlighted by carefully analysing the steps a bank might take at various stages of the operation of a commercial letter of credit and what the banks in fact do. The paper relies heavily on the findings of the recent study conducted by the Financial Conduct Authority (UK) to analyse the actual practice followed by UK banks in controlling money laundering risks in transactions involving commercial letters of credit. Findings The paper establishes that considering the formal nature of commercial letters of credit (which makes them independent from the underlying transaction), any stringent measures to regulate trade finance activities of a bank may destroy the effectiveness of commercial letters of credit as a tool for promoting international trade. The current law and regulations together with the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group Sectoral Guidance and the Wolfsberg Principles provide the requisite legal and regulatory framework to control money laundering risks in commercial letters of credit. The paper however establishes that the majority of banks in UK currently appear to be in danger of non-compliance with the UK AML regime and certainly need to meet their AML obligations in a more serious way. Practical implications The findings may influence banks to adopt a more vigilant approach in their trade finance activities and to undertake more responsibility in ensuring compliance with the current AML law and regulations, while highlighting that their current practice may put them in danger of non-compliance. Originality/value The paper demonstrates in an exceptional way the legal and regulatory requirements for banks to prevent money laundering risks in their trade finance activities and where, in practice, the banks are falling short of compliance with these requirements. By adopting a step-by-step approach in evaluating banks’ “current-and-must have” approach to controlling money laundering risks at various stages of a commercial letter, the paper makes a valuable contribution to the study of combating money laundering in commercial letter of credit transactions.

scholarly journals The career decisions of professional women with dependent children

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Woolnough ◽  
Jane Redshaw
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Career Decisions ◽  
Professional Women ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Home Life ◽  
First Child ◽  
Flexible Working ◽  
Maternity Benefits ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Organisational Factors

Purpose The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to investigate anticipated and real career decisions made by two cohorts of professional women in the UK at differing stages of the lifespan. Design/methodology/approach Career decisions made by two cohorts of professional women following the birth of their first child at different stages of the lifespan and satisfaction with these choices in retrospect were investigated. Data analysis followed a thematic approach, and comparisons between the two cohorts were made. Findings The study revealed much similarity between the two cohorts. The decisions women make regarding whether to return to work or not and the extent to which they are satisfied with their working arrangements are constrained by similar individual and organisational factors despite the 15-20 year gap. Research limitations/implications Although mothers in the UK now experience strengthened legislation concerning maternity benefits and entitlements and there have been advances in flexible working, progress in relation to supporting women in reconciling work and home life when they return to work is arguably limited. Originality/value This paper offers insights into the extent to which the career decisions made by professional women following the birth of their first child and satisfaction with these choices in retrospect have changed (or not) among two cohorts of professional women (15-20 years apart). The findings stress the importance of understanding the complex issues faced by mothers in the workforce and providing appropriate organisational support.

scholarly journals A two-nation investigation of leadership self-perceptions and motivation to lead in early adulthood: the moderating role of gender and socio-economic status

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Hoyland ◽  
Alexandros Psychogios ◽  
Olga Epitropaki ◽  
Jonathan Damiani ◽  
Sumona Mukhuty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Motivation To Lead ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Leadership ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Moderating Role

PurposeDrawing on the social-cognitive and motivational literature of leadership, the present study examines the influence of young adults' self-perceptions of leadership on their leadership self-efficacy (LSE) and motivation to lead (MTL) in their future career. The authors further examine gender and socio-economic status (SES) as important moderators of the proposed relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe present investigation consists of a two-study research design, based on data collected from young adult samples across two culturally different countries, namely the UK (N = 267) and Japan (N = 127).FindingsThe study presents evidence of self-perceptions of leadership influencing LSE and MTL. The results further support the mediating role of leader self-efficacy. Regarding the moderating role of gender, results in both samples showed that the effects of leader self-efficacy on MTL were stronger for males. SES was found to moderate the effects of leadership self-perceptions of negative implicit leadership theories (ILTs) on LSE in the UK sample and the effects of leadership self-perceptions of positive ILTs on LSE in the Japanese sample.Originality/valueThis study fills the gap of empirical research focused on early adulthood influences on leadership development. In particular, this study has a three-fold contribution, by, firstly, developing a conceptual model that examines the role of young adults' self-perceptions of leadership on their self-efficacy as leaders and MTL; secondly examining contingencies of the proposed relationships; and thirdly testing the conceptual model in two countries.

Is consumer choice a bad thing?

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 26-28
Keyword(s):  
Market Share ◽  
Consumer Choice ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Food Retailing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Discount Retailers ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Since the Millennium, one of the key trends in European food retailing has seen the rise and fall of major supermarket chains. While still immensely profitable and successful, the likes of Tesco and Carrefour have been unable to replicate early huge gains in this period as smaller, cheaper and more nimble retailers have begun to steal market share. In particular, the UK has seen two classic market phenomena with the rise of Tesco as the biggest retailer sweeping all before, only for a combination of changing buying habits and increased popularity of discount retailers to decimate the market share growth of Tesco and other major operators in the “squeezed middle”. Practical implications – Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

scholarly journals Military and demographic predictors of mental ill-health and socioeconomic hardship among UK veterans

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Burdett ◽  
N. T. Fear ◽  
S. Wessely ◽  
R. J. Rona
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Length Of Service ◽  
Socioeconomic Outcomes ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Background Around 8% of the UK Armed Forces leave in any given year, and must navigate unfamiliar civilian systems to acquire employment, healthcare, and other necessities. This paper determines longer-term prevalences of mental ill health and socioeconomic outcomes in UK Service leavers, and how they are related to demographic factors, military history, and pre-enlistment adversity. Methods This study utilised data from a longitudinal sample of a cohort study UK Armed Forces personnel since 2003. A range of self-reported military and sociodemographic factors were analysed as predictors of probable Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, common mental disorders, alcohol misuse, unemployment and financial hardship. Prevalences and odds ratios of associations between predictors and outcomes were estimated for regular veterans in this cohort. Results Veteran hardship was mostly associated with factors linked to socio-economic status: age, education, and childhood adversity. Few military-specific factors predicted mental health or socio-economic hardship, except method of leaving (where those leaving due to medical or unplanned discharge were more likely to encounter most forms of hardship as veterans), and rank which is itself related to socioeconomic status. Conclusion Transition and resettlement provisions become increasingly generous with longer service, yet this paper shows the need for those services becomes progressively less necessary as personnel acquire seniority and skills, and instead could be best targeted at unplanned leavers, taking socioeconomic status into consideration. Many will agree that longer service should be more rewarded, but the opposite is true if provision instead reflects need rather than length of service. This is a social, political and ethical dilemma.

Effects of parental cultural capital on purchase intention of cognac

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujie Wei ◽  
Blaise Bergiel ◽  
Lingfang Song
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Capital ◽  
Consumer Choice ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Parental Influence ◽  
Value Orientations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Willingness To Purchase

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the possibility that individual differences in consumer choice of cognac are at least partially influenced by parental cultural capital. Also examined are ten value orientations factors (e.g. hedonism and self-direction) and attitudes toward France, cognac’s country-of-origin that may affect the degree of this intergenerational influence. Design/methodology/approach The survey research measures parents’ cultural capital, value orientations and attitude toward France and purchase intention using recognized scales. Data were collected from the faculty and students of a major university located in the southeast of the USA. The sample size was 234. Findings The results confirm that parental cultural capital, consumer value orientations and attitudes toward France have significant impacts on the consumer’s willingness to purchase cognac. Adult children of high cultural capital parents are more likely to buy cognac. Practical implications The findings of this paper provide meaningful insights into intergenerational influences on consumer purchase intention of cognac and socialization theory. The paper provides several managerial implications for segmentation, targeting and positioning of cognac in the US market. Originality/value As the first of its kind, this paper introduces the parents’ cultural capital into the consumer research regarding cognac. The longer-term effects that parents can have on grown children’s consumer behavior are confirmed, suggesting that parental influence persists well into adulthood and has impact on their brand preference.

Medical treatment and best interests: judicial interpretation of values, wishes and beliefs under the Mental Capacity Act 2005

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-173
Author(s):  
Owen P. O'Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
Mental Capacity Act 2005 ◽  
Mental Capacity Act ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The prominence of the best interests principle in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 represented an important transition to a more resolutely patient-centred model regarding decision-making for incapable adults (“P”). This paper aims to examine the courts’ consideration of P’s values, wishes and beliefs in the context of medical treatment, reflect on whether this has resulted in a wide interpretation of the best interests standard and consider how this impacts clinical decision makers. Design/methodology/approach A particular focus will be on case law from the Court of Protection of England and Wales and the Supreme Court of the UK. Cases have been selected for discussion on the basis of the significance of their judgements for the field, the range of issues they illustrate and the extent of commentary and attention they have received in the literature. They are presented as a narrative review and are non-exhaustive. Findings With respect to values, wishes and beliefs, the best interests standard’s interpretation in the courts has been widely varied. Opposing tensions and thematic conflicts have emerged from this case law and were analysed from the perspective of the clinical decision maker. Originality/value This review illustrates the complexity and gravity of decisions of the clinical decision makers and the courts have considered in the context of best interests determinations for incapacitated adults undergoing medical treatment. Subsequent to the first such case before the Supreme Court of the UK, emerging case law trends relating to capacity legislation are considered.

Complementarity of capabilities across cultures

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Anning-Dorson
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Service Firms ◽  
Complementarity Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Customer Involvement ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how service firms across two different cultural contexts use their customer involvement capabilities to create competitive advantage. The study further assesses the possible complementarity effect of innovation and involvement capabilities in enhancing firm competitiveness. Lastly, the study draws on the complementarity of capabilities and social institutions to examine whether different cultural contexts explain the use of involvement capability among service firms. Design/methodology/approach The study sampled service firms from an emerging economy (India) and high-income economy (The UK), which have different cultural contexts (collectivism/individualist) to assess the hypothesized relationship. Data collection processes were adapted to the contexts to optimize reliability and relevance. Multi-group structural equation modeling was used in analyzing the data. Findings The study finds that cultural contexts explain the positive relationship between customer involvement capability and firm competitiveness such that in collectivist cultures, involvement capability is more positively related to competitiveness but negative in individualistic contexts. However, in both contexts, service firms can through capability bundling increase firm competitiveness. The study found that the complementarity effects of innovation and involvement capabilities were found to be positive in both contexts. Originality/value This study departs from previous studies by arguing that customer involvement is a complementary capability that helps exploit the potential of innovation capability of service firms. This study further demonstrates that cultural context defines the effectiveness of involvement capability in achieving firm competitiveness.

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