Corsi, Fenwick and Gramsci: How bloggers and advanced analytics are changing the National Hockey League

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 1192-1211
Author(s):  
Stephen W Sheps
Keyword(s):  
Online Community ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
The Body ◽  
National Hockey League ◽  
Antonio Gramsci ◽  
Sport Media ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The People ◽  
Advanced Analytics ◽  
And Performance

Since the early 2000s, an ever growing online community of bloggers and amateur statisticians has been developing a new set of advanced analytics and performance metrics for the National Hockey League. Many of the people who are driving innovation in this field are not data scientists but, rather, intellectually curious fans of the game, who are playing a significant role in reshaping the way the game is consumed and understood. Yet, despite the body of knowledge created online, only within the last few years have the National Hockey League and the mainstream sport media begun to take notice of these innovations. I argue that the analytics movement is being driven from the fans up, rather than from the National Hockey League and other professional leagues down, and that the drivers of this movement are examples of what Antonio Gramsci calls ‘organic intellectuals’ – the analytics camp is locked into its own ‘war of position’ against the hegemony of traditional hockey fans, coaches, management and sport media. My research explores the resistance Internet-based content creators have experienced from established hockey media personalities (‘Hockey Men’) and the National Hockey League itself, connecting this resistance to a growing trend away from evidence-based discourse in the current Western media landscape.

Business Environment as Key Driver of SME Performance

2021 ◽  
pp. 239-263
Author(s):  
Olalekan Asikhia ◽  
Vannie Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
The Body ◽  
Environmental Turbulence ◽  
Market Environment ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
And Performance

The chapter established the effects of Nigerian market environment on SMEs performance. An empirical study was conducted with survey research design of 21,444 firms and a sample size of 1,102 was arrived at scientifically. Probability sampling methods were employed. An adapted validated questionnaire, and a 0.82-0.96 reliability coefficients range was used. Inferential statistics were used to analyse the data using SPSS software version 22.0. The findings reveal that Nigerian market environment had significant negative effects on the SME performance. The different components of the Nigerian market environment have different effects on the SME performance. The results imply that the environmental turbulence could be responsible for the high failure rate of SMEs in Nigeria. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on environmental and performance management by noting the criticality of the industry market environment in facilitating organizational performance.

Zakat management

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 498-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musa Yusuf Owoyemi
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
The State ◽  
The Body ◽  
Viable Option ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The People ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
The Ideal

Purpose The purpose of this study is to look at Zakat management and the crisis of confidence in the ability of the state and zakat agencies to dispense zakat to the rightful beneficiaries as mentioned in the Quran. Confidence is a very important element between the payers and collectors of zakat and when this is lost, it affects the willingness of the payers to give zakat to the zakat collectors (state or zakat agency). This crisis of confidence led to the need to look at the legality of the payer giving zakat directly to the beneficiaries and whether this is a sin as argued in certain quarters. Design/methodology/approach Using the qualitative method by using historical, analytical and critical tools, the research examines the concept of proximity in the distribution of zakat and based on this argues that giving zakat directly to the beneficiaries is a viable option when there is a crisis of confidence between the payer and the state or zakat agency. Findings Through the analysis of the opinions of scholars, the research affirms that scholars are divided on whether to pay zakat to the state or give it directly to the beneficiaries. Based on this, the research concludes that although the ideal is to give zakat to the state or zakat agency, but there is no sin in giving zakat directly to the beneficiaries especially where there is a problem of confidence in the state and/or zakat agency. Research limitations/implications The research discussed the legality of giving zakat to the recipients of zakat directly using the historical, analytical and critical tools. This shows that the research is qualitative in nature and is library based therefore limited in scope. Basically, this research is concerned with refuting the claim that it is a sin for zakat payers to give zakat directly to the recipients especially when there is a problem of trust in zakat agencies and a crisis of confidence in the ability of these agencies to do what is right with the zakat funds. This leaves room for further research on the issue. Practical implications It is important to create confidence in zakat agencies' collection and distribution of zakat so that it will encourage more Muslims to pay their zakat and allow it to reach as many people as possible. Encouraging the creation of a vetting organization by Muslim professional accountants and others that can help in making zakat agencies transparent and trustworthy. Social implications It emphasizes the importance of trust and confidence that institutions must project for the people to do business with them. Originality/value The research contributes to the body of knowledge on zakat collection and distribution. It shows the importance of trust and confidence in zakat management and recommended ways in which trust and confidence could be built in the effective collection and distribution of zakat.

scholarly journals Future Expectations of Sovereign Vehicles

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (VII) ◽  
pp. 1666-1669
Author(s):  
Ayush Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Future Expectations ◽  
Smart Vehicles ◽  
Human Control ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The People ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Shed Light

Sovereign vehicles are the smart vehicles of this upcoming era, expected to be driverless, competent, and collision free vehicles. To achieve this aim, automakers have begun to work in this area to understand the depth and overcome the present hurdles in order to achieve the desired end. The first challenge in this strategy would be to absorb current practices in conventional vehicles in order to transfer them to self-driving vehicles through the adoption and implementation of several emerging technologies. This encompasses the goals of autonomous vehicles as well as the challenges of implementing them. The existing Automated vehicles (AVs) controversy isn't about whether or not they should be employed; they're currently in use. Rather, such worries are increasingly focused on how developing technology will impact evolving transportation networks, our social environment, and the people who live in it, as well as whether such systems should be completely automated or remain under human control. This research adds to the body of knowledge by attempting to shed light on future prospects as well as potential roadblocks linked with AV technology. We want to address these concerns and offer some solutions to the difficulties that are currently surfacing.

scholarly journals Sports-Science Roundtable: Does Sports-Science Research Influence Practice?

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bishop ◽  
Angus Burnett ◽  
Damian Farrow ◽  
Tim Gabbett ◽  
Robert Newton
Keyword(s):  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sports Science ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Australian Association ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
And Performance

As sports scientists, we claim to make a significant contribution to the body of knowledge that influences athletic practice and performance. Is this the reality? At the inaugural congress of the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science, a panel of well-credentialed academic experts with experience in the applied environment debated the question, Does sports-science research influence practice? The first task was to define “sports-science research,” and it was generally agreed that it is concerned with providing evidence that improves sports performance. When practices are equally effective, sports scientists also have a role in identifying practices that are safer, more time efficient, and more enjoyable. There were varying views on the need for sports-science research to be immediately relevant to coaches or athletes. Most agreed on the importance of communicating the results of sports-science research, not only to the academic community but also to coaches and athletes, and the need to encourage both short- and long-term research. The panelists then listed examples of sports-science research that they believe have influenced practice, as well as strategies to ensure that sports-science research better influences practice.

scholarly journals LEARNING THROUGH TRAINING AND ITS IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE; MODERATING ROLE OF JOB SATISFACTION AMONG BANKING SECTOR EMPLOYEES OF PAKISTAN

2014 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. 60-70
Author(s):  
Samina Karim ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Effectiveness Of Training ◽  
And Performance

Performance has been largely studied by scholars in the past. Due to ever changing market standards, training sessions have become more important, and now, are more emphasized by the bank’s management. This study identifies the training sessions, conducted by different banks in Pakistan, their impact on job satisfaction, and employee performance. Sample size consists of 119 employees, working at different levels in 6 banks, and data was collected through structured questionnaire. Findings suggest that effectiveness of training is largely dependent on trainer’s quality, course design and learning experience. The results of the study will be helpful for the managers to increase the job satisfaction & performance of employees through training programs. This study, has added its humble contribution, in the body of knowledge, along with other studies conducted by other researchers in the banking sector of Pakistan. There is further need, to explore this area of study, to address job satisfaction and performance in this industry.

scholarly journals Sound, participatory monitoring and reporting for effective implementation of the results-based management approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudo G. Gwata
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
The Body ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Participatory Monitoring ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
Economic Development Policy ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

The results-based management (RBM) approach has been widely adopted across the globe in efforts, by governments and development organisations, to improve livelihoods through the achievement of sustainable development results. The Government of Zimbabwe adopted the approach in 2005 and subsequently formulated brilliant economic development policy documents and programmes. Progress towards attainment of the related goals appeared to be rather limited as was the case in most nations although, according to the literature, success with the approach has been recorded in several nations. Such success is mostly attributed to the design and execution of effective monitoring and reporting processes. This study sought to identify trends, strengths and shortcomings in performance measurement processes relating to the implementation of projects and programmes in Zimbabwe and other nations that had recorded success stories with the approach. In addition, it sought to contribute to the body of knowledge on RBM and performance management through the identification of strategies for improving performance and ultimately impact of the related initiatives. The findings showed the essence of a sound, participatory results-based monitoring and reporting function, found to be lacking in Zimbabwe, in enhancing the achievement of development results. It, therefore, concluded that the function, if effectively implemented, can significantly enhance the delivery of development results and consequently the impact of related programmes. Recommendations for improvement as well as further research to help address limitations of this study were provided.

scholarly journals Company versus consumer performance: does brand community identification foster brand loyalty and the consumer’s personal brand?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilenia Confente ◽  
Wioleta Kucharska
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Brand Loyalty ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Community ◽  
The Body ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Attitudinal Loyalty ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Personal Brand ◽  
Community Identification

Abstract This study investigates the effect of community identification in building brand loyalty (attitudinal and behavioural) and a personal brand via social networks. The proposed model explained the main community identification antecedents and how identification can lead to enhanced company and consumer performance. This study adopts the theoretical lens of uses and gratifications theory and identifies three motivational drivers of community identification: relationship-oriented motives, self-oriented motives and brand content-oriented motives. The data were analysed with a structural equation modelling method based on a convenience sample collected through a survey. This study extends the body of knowledge about the outcomes from an active social media usage, based on a UGT perspective. It relates community identification and its drivers to loyalty. Besides, it links community identification with personal branding, which is considered as a vital outcome expected by social media users. The findings suggested that self-oriented motives represented a key driver for taking part in an online community. In addition, community identification represents to be an important antecedent to build attitudinal loyalty rather than behavioural loyalty. Consequently, community identification was also found to be a significant driver for building a user’s personal brand.

scholarly journals Strategic Thinking and Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Dairy Processing Firms in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Muthoni Mbaya ◽  
Samuel Maina ◽  
Mary Namusonge
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Strategic Thinking ◽  
The Body ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Dairy Processing ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Performance Challenges ◽  
Milk Market

The dairy sector plays a crucial role in economic growth and development of Kenya. However, many firms in the sector, especially the small and medium-sized, continue to face performance challenges such as competition from unregulated informal milk market, accessing markets and high industry barriers among others. A review of literature shows that the effect of strategic thinking on the performance of small and medium-sized dairy processing firms remains uncertain. This study sought to determine the effect of strategic thinking and performance of small and medium-sized dairy processing firms in Kenya. The study was anchored on the Leidtka Model. Positivism research philosophy was adopted. Descriptive and explanatory research designs were used. A census survey was conducted on all the small and medium-sized dairy processing firms in Kenya and primary data was collected. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used to explain data characteristics, while multiple regression was used to test the effect of the study variables on firm performance. The results showed that strategic thinking has a positive significant effect on the performance of small and medium-sized dairy processing firms in Kenya, thus it was perceived that strategic thinking aids creation of a path for what the firm wants to become through focusing on their intent, systems, timely thinking, intelligent opportunism, and hypothesis-driven research. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by filling contextual, empirical, and conceptual gaps identified earlier in literature and establishing a nexus of strategic thinking and performance of small and medium-sized dairy processing firms in Kenya. The study recommends that strategic thinking should be enhanced particularly by using research to inform their decision-making and practice quick decision-making to mitigate or exploit opportunities while thinking of possible solutions to unexpected challenges.

scholarly journals Innovation capabilities and performance: are they truly linked in SMEs?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Maldonado-Guzmán ◽  
Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes ◽  
Sandra Yesenia Pinzón-Castro ◽  
Vikas Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Body ◽  
Innovation Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose In an environment where business uncertainty is the norm, developing innovation capability in an organisation is increasingly important. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects that innovation capabilities have on the business performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the context of a regional developing and emerging economy of Mexico, in this case, Aguascalientes. Design/methodology/approach The approach of this study is quantitative. Four research hypotheses were formulated and tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). Data were collected through a questionnaire survey responded by 308 SMEs located in the Aguascalientes state of Mexico. Findings The results obtained show that innovation in products, processes, marketing and management has a positive and significant effect on the business return of Mexican SMEs. Originality/value The paper complements the limited body of knowledge currently existent in the SMEs innovation literature, particularly when compared to that of large organisations. Similar works in other settings have provided mixed results in regards to the effects that innovation capabilities have on the business performance of SMEs. Thus, this paper offers a refined understanding and validation of the relationship between innovation capabilities and business performance, especially within the context of SMEs, and insights into some of the innovation aspects that managers may consider when formulating the strategies of their organisations. Finally, it enables such relationship to be understood within a particular situation, contributing in this manner to expand the body of knowledge in the innovation field.

scholarly journals Corporate control: The root causes of reworks in the construction of projects.

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-223
Author(s):  
Mellania Maseko Chipo
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Corporate Control ◽  
The Body ◽  
Site Management ◽  
Cost Overruns ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Control

The root causes of reworks generally continue to be overlooked, despite the fact that reworks regularly cause corporate budgets to be exceeded by more than 12.4 %. Reworks is a recurring problem which companies are gradually losing control of and as a result contributes to time and cost overruns, thereby bringing adverse effects on project performance. To improve corporate performance and control it is, therefore, necessary to identify the root causes of reworks in construction projects. This article explores the root causes of reworks on construction projects with reference to South Africa. The desktop methodological approach was adopted based on scholarly articles to ascertain root causes of reworks. Following a conceptual analysis on corporates, thirty-five causes of reworks were, identified and categorized into five main categories namely client-related, design-related, site management-related, subcontractor-related and transporter-related. Client-related category had the most factors causing reworks. From this category, wrong communication was the factor identified to cause most of the reworks. Finding suggests the need for further empirical study. This finding contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying the root causes of reworks. This can eventually improve corporate control and performance by providing practitioners with an in-depth understanding of reworks.

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