Decolonizing Arab organizational Knowledge: “Fahlawa” as a Research Practice

Organization ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 836-856
Author(s):  
Hèla Yousfi
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Arab Country ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Situated Knowledge ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Organization Studies ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Border Thinking

This article draws attention to how management scholars “the outsiders within” who are structurally positioned within the academies of dominant powers might negotiate the complexities of producing a locally rooted and meaningful knowledge, emancipated from the U.S. hegemony while carrying organization studies in Arab countries. Drawing upon my different ethnographic journeys as a researcher, brought up in an Arab country with a Francophone intellectual mindset and studying Arab management practices, I will discuss both the potential for and the difficulties of critical engagement with a decolonizing management research agenda. Then, and building on critical border thinking tradition, I will propose the Egyptian term “Fahlawa” as a metaphor for better describing the challenges of a decolonizing research practice that privileges contestation and perpetual bricolage over formal and universal design. Finally, I will conclude by highlighting the potential of “Fahlawa” as a survival/resistance practice to theorize what is unthought and invisible in management literature and to build situated knowledge less organized by U.S. domination.

scholarly journals Grand Challenges, Feminist Answers

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 263178772110203
Author(s):  
Yvonne Benschop
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Situated Knowledge ◽  
Feminist Ethics ◽  
Organization Studies ◽  
Grand Challenges ◽  
Knowing That ◽  
Feminist Organization

Feminist organization theories develop knowledge about how organizations and processes of organizing shape and are shaped by gender, in intersection with race, class and other forms of social inequality. The politics of knowledge within management and organization studies tend to marginalize and silence feminist theorizing on organizations, and so the field misses out on the interdisciplinary, sophisticated conceptualizations and reflexive modes of situated knowledge production provided by feminist work. To highlight the contributions of feminist organization theories, I discuss the feminist answers to three of the grand challenges that contemporary organizations face: inequality, technology and climate change. These answers entail a systematic critique of dominant capitalist and patriarchal forms of organizing that perpetuate complex intersectional inequalities. Importantly, feminist theorizing goes beyond mere critique, offering alternative value systems and unorthodox approaches to organizational change, and providing the radically different ways of knowing that are necessary to tackle the grand challenges. The paper develops an aspirational ideal by sketching the contours of how we can organize for intersectional equality, develop emancipatory technologies and enact a feminist ethics of care for the human and the natural world.

Computer-facilitated Qualitative Data Analysis: Potential Contributions to Management Research

1993 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 637-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Wolfe ◽  
Robert P. Gephart ◽  
Thomas E. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Qualitative Data Analysis ◽  
Current State ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Software Programs ◽  
Effective Use

The development of software programs designed to facilitate qualitative data analysis has proltferated recently. Despite their potential to contribute much to management research, very little concerning the use of such programs has appeared in the management literature. The purpose of this paper is to review the current state of computer-facilitated qualitative data analysis [CQDA] in order to contribute to its effective use by management researchers. In an effort to achieve this purpose we discuss why CQDA programs are proliferating, describe the potential of such programs to contribute to management research, address program capabilities and features, describe CQDA applications in management research, and review issues researchers should be aware of in considering the use of C&DA.

Female labour participation and pay equity in Arab countries: commonalities and differences

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 526-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf M. Sidani ◽  
Tony Feghali
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Arab Country ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Pay Equity ◽  
Problematic Situation ◽  
Female Labour ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Labour Participation

While there is a common belief that female labour indicators in Arab countries demonstrate a problematic situation, little is understood about the varieties within countries in that region. This paper attempts to draw a segmentation of the Arab world to show how different countries differ in this regard. It looks at two specific measures: the level of female participation as a percentage of male participation (FPM), and the female earned income to male income (FIM). Statistics from 20 Arab countries generated four clusters in which those countries are classified. Female labour indicators in most countries in the Arab world show similar patterns found in other countries in their stage of development. This confirms earlier research that indicates that women's labour participation decreases as societies move away from agriculture into manufacturing, services and industry. Only four countries are identified as outliers whose labour indicators can be understood within the context of the cultural values that dominate. The implications are discussed and individual research on female labour within each Arab country is invited.

Minding the Time: A Critical Look at Longitudinal Design and Data Analysis in Quantitative Public Management Research

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin M. Stritch
Keyword(s):  
Public Management ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Public Employees ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
The Many

Public management scholars are looking to longitudinal research designs and data to help overcome the many limitations associated with cross-sectional research. However, far less attention has been given to time itself as a research lens for scholars to consider. This article seeks to integrate time as a construct of theoretical importance into a discussion of longitudinal design, data, and public management research. First, I discuss the relative advantages of longitudinal design and data, but also the challenges, limitations, and issues researchers need to consider. Second, I consider the importance of time as a theoretical construct of interest in the pursuit of longitudinal public management research. Third, I offer a brief look at the use of longitudinal design and panel data analyses in the current public management literature. The overview demonstrates a notable absence of public management research considering the attitudes, motives, perceptions, and experiences of individual public employees and managers. Finally, I consider why there are so few longitudinal studies of public employees and point out the issues public management researchers interested in individual employee-level phenomena need to consider when advancing their own longitudinal research designs.

Reviewing the “Valley of Death” between management research and management practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 926-953
Author(s):  
Jesús De Frutos-Belizón ◽  
Fernando Martín-Alcázar ◽  
Gonzalo Sánchez-Gardey
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Management Science ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practice Gap ◽  
Valley Of Death

Purpose The knowledge generated by academics in the field of management is often criticized because of its reduced relevance for professionals. In the review of the literature, the authors distinguish between three streams of thought. The review of the literature and the understanding of the research streams that have been addressed by the academic–practitioner gap in management has allowed to clarify that what truly underlies each of these approaches is a different assumption or paradigm from which the management science focusses. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews the main approaches that have analysed this topic, drawing a number of conclusions. Findings The knowledge generated by academics in the field of management is often criticized because of its reduced relevance for professionals. In the review of the literature, the authors distinguish between three main perspectives. The review of the literature and the understanding of the research streams that have been addressed by the academic–practitioner gap in management has allowed us to clarify that what truly underlies each of these approaches is a different assumption or paradigm from which the management science focusses. To represent the findings of the literature review in this sense, the authors will present, first, a model that serves as a framework to interpret the different solutions proposed in the literature to close the gap from a positivist paradigm. Subsequently, they question this view through a reflection that brings us closer to a more pragmatic and interpretive paradigm of management science to bridge the research–practice gap. Originality/value In recent studies, researchers agree that there is an important gap between management research and practice, which may bear little resemblance to each other. However, the literature on this topic does not seem to be guided by a rigorously structured discourse and, for the most part, is not based on empirical studies. Moreover, a sizeable body of literature has been developed with the objective of analysing and contributing solutions that reconcile management researchers and professionals. To offer a more systematic view of the literature on this topic, the paper classifies previous approaches into three different perspectives based on the ideas on which they are supported. Finally, the paper concludes with some reflections that could help to reorient the paradigm from which the management research is carried out.

Project Management: A Cultural Literary Review

2005 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan Henrie ◽  
Andres Sousa-Poza
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Project Management Professionals ◽  
Management Professionals

This paper describes the methodology and results of content analysis research on culture within the leading project management peer review journals and recent published project management books. A review of 770 journal articles and 93 books was conducted, extending four earlier project management literature reviews while focusing on culture within project management. Emerging from this research are three primary themes: (1) knowledge and awareness of culture is important for project management professionals, (2) the percentage of culture-related articles remained fairly constant with earlier research, and (3) empirical-based project management research continues to be limited.

scholarly journals The use and misuse of structural equation modeling in management research

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nebojsa S. Davcik
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Conceptual Knowledge ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Model Specification ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The research practice in management research is dominantly based on structural equation modeling (SEM), but almost exclusively, and often misguidedly, on covariance-based SEM. The purpose of this paper is to question the current research myopia in management research, because the paper adumbrates theoretical foundations and guidance for the two SEM streams: covariance-based and variance-based SEM; and improves the conceptual knowledge by comparing the most important procedures and elements in the SEM study, using different theoretical criteria. Design/methodology/approach – The study thoroughly analyzes, reviews and presents two streams using common methodological background. The conceptual framework discusses the two streams by analysis of theory, measurement model specification, sample and goodness-of-fit. Findings – The paper identifies and discusses the use and misuse of covariance-based and variance-based SEM utilizing common topics such as: first, theory (theory background, relation to theory and research orientation); second, measurement model specification (type of latent construct, type of study, reliability measures, etc.); third, sample (sample size and data distribution assumption); and fourth, goodness-of-fit (measurement of the model fit and residual co/variance). Originality/value – The paper questions the usefulness of Cronbach's α research paradigm and discusses alternatives that are well established in social science, but not well known in the management research community. The author presents short research illustration in which analyzes the four recently published papers using common methodological background. The paper concludes with discussion of some open questions in management research practice that remain under-investigated and unutilized.

scholarly journals Research on psychosocial aspects of asthma in the Arab world: a literature review

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anas J. Al-Khateeb ◽  
Jamal M. Al-Khateeb
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Bronchial Asthma ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Psychosocial Aspects ◽  
Arab Countries

The importance of psychosocial factors in the management of bronchial asthma has long been recognized. This paper offers a review of research published in the English language related to psychosocial aspects of bronchial asthma in Arab countries. Several databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Springer Link, ERIC, and PsychInfo) were searched using the following keywords: bronchial asthma, Arab countries, Algiers, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine (West Bank, Gaza), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Sudan, Somalia; United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Thirty-two studies were conducted in 9 Arab countries. Almost all studies found were published in the last fourteen years with an apparent increasing rate in the last five years. In descending order, these studies addressed: knowledge of and attitudes toward asthma, quality of life, behavioral and emotional problems and factors related to academic achievement. The main results of the studies reviewed were: (a) physicians’, school staff’s, and parents’ knowledge of and attitudes toward asthma were generally unsatisfactory, (b) in-service asthma education programs significantly impacted parent and staff knowledge and attitudes, and asthma management practices, (c) quality of life in children and adolescents was significantly adversely affected by asthma, (d) asthma was a common cause of school absenteeism, and had a significant negative impact on academic achievement of students, and (e) students with asthma had significantly higher rates of behavioral and emotional difficulties compared to students without asthma. The paper concludes with a discussion about the implications of these results and a call for further research in this area.

scholarly journals Ethics in Research

Management ◽  
2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Wray-Bliss
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Business School ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Research Practices ◽  
Organization Studies ◽  
Institutional Review

When compared to a number of other areas of the social sciences—sociology and anthropology being perhaps the best examples—discussions and debates around research ethics in the field of management are quite limited, both in number and scope. This is likely the consequence of a number of interrelated factors. It may speak to issues of the constitution of management faculty, the frequent separation of the business school from other parts of the university, or the historic construction of what is considered to be the role of the business school and management research in society. For whatever other reasons it has occurred, one of the factors must be the relatively homogenous nature of the field of management and organization studies—a field dominated by positivist research and a broadly functionalist, managerial orientation. In any field of inquiry largely constituted by conventional epistemological and ontological approaches, assumptions about “normal science” emerge and the impetus to question and debate, or indeed to defend, the ethics of normalized research practices is diminished. For many, the field of research ethics in management remains a formal process of compliance, requiring little discussion or reflection; it is a process of following a predefined code and satisfying the ethical review committee or institutional review board of one’s institution. Understood thus, ethics in management research is seen as something akin to a hurdle to be overcome by requisite form filling at the start of a research project. This is a limited—and limiting—understanding of ethical issues in management research. As the contributions cited in this bibliography attest, issues of ethics span the entire research process—from conception, through execution, to publication, and beyond. Assumptions regarding the purpose and value of research constitute an ethical warrant, legitimizing the very conduct of research in the first place. Additionally, the constitution of the management academy itself and its process of publication, citation, and review raises a number of ethical issues and concerns. Finally, management scholarship that draws on explicitly critical theoretical traditions and nonpositivist or antipositivist research approaches has heightened the questioning of conventional research practices and assumptions—generating critiques and some defenses of research ethics in management. This article maps out a significant proportion of the work and resources in the management academy that engage with such issues and debates.

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