scholarly journals Information Technology, Privacy, and Power within Organizations: a view from Boundary Theory and Social Exchange perspectives

2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Stanton ◽  
Kathryn R. Stam
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Boundary Theory ◽  
Information Technology Professionals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Monitoring And Surveillance

Over recent years, information technology has played an increasingly important role in the monitoring and surveillance of worker behavior in organizations. In this article, we take the position that managers, workers, and information technology professionals alike see worker-related information as a valuable organizational resource and that processes of social exchange influence how this information resource is controlled. These suppositions are woven together by joining two theories, information boundary theory, a motivational framework for examining privacy at work, and social exchange theory, which provides a perspective on social networks and social power. After discussing these two frameworks and how they might be interlaced, we analyze a corpus of semi-structured interviews with 119 managers, employees, and IT professionals that explored questions of privacy, motivation, and power in six not-for-profit organizations that were undergoing technology-driven change with potential for increased monitoring and surveillance.

Residents’ attitudes toward tourism development at Al-Juhfa, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Ahmad Algassim ◽  
Akhmad Saufi ◽  
Diswandi Diswandi ◽  
Noel Scott
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Residents Attitudes

Purpose Al-Juhfa is a small village located near Rabigh City, between Makkah and Madinah, Saudi Arabia, with significant archaeological and religious resources. The purpose of this paper is to examine residents’ attitudes toward tourism development at Al-Juhfa. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative study uses purposive interviewing to recruit informants. Data was collected using semi-structured interview and open-ended questions. Eight semi-structured interviews were made and a list of open-ended questions was distributed to 134 informants. All data were analysed and no new codes were found after the answer of the first 49 informants analysed. Findings The results show that residents’ attitudes toward tourism development in general were positive with residents expecting to receive economic, social and environmental benefits. Residents were aware of potential positive and negative impacts of tourism development and appeared to balance these in developing their attitudes. Tourism was seen to empower residents and the religiosity of the community influenced their perception of tourism development. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by supporting the use of social exchange theory in this context and by recommending the inclusion of religiosity in further studies.

scholarly journals Fostering sustainability through technology-mediated interactions

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 919-943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marylyn Carrigan ◽  
Solon Magrizos ◽  
Jordon Lazell ◽  
Ioannis Kostopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Critical Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Critical Overview

PurposeThis article addresses the lack of scholarly attention paid to the sharing economy from a sociological perspective, with respect to the technology-mediated interactions between sharing economy users. The paper provides a critical overview of the sharing economy and its impact on business and communities and explores how information technology can facilitate authentic, genuine sharing through exercising and enabling conviviality and non-direct reciprocity.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a critique of the technology-mediated sharing economy, introduces the concept of conviviality as a tool to grow and shape community and sustainability within the sharing economy and then explores reciprocity and sharing behaviour. Finally, the paper draws upon social exchange theory to illustrate conviviality and reciprocity, using four case studies of technology-enabled sharing.FindingsThe paper contributes to the emerging debate around how the sharing economy, driven by information systems and technology, affects social cohesion and personal relationships. The paper elucidates the central role conviviality and reciprocity play in explaining the paradoxes, tensions and impact of the sharing economy on society. Conviviality and reciprocity are positioned as key capabilities of a more sustainable version of the sharing economy, enabled via information technology.Originality/valueThe findings reveal that information technology-mediated sharing enterprises should promote conviviality and reciprocity in order to deliver more positive environmental, economic and social benefits. The diversity of existing operations indicated by the findings and the controversies discussed will guide the critical study of the social potential of sharing economy to avoid treating all sharing alike.

Skilled migrant employees' perceptions of support from line managers

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 931-947
Author(s):  
Rosa Faaliyat ◽  
Keith Townsend ◽  
David Peetz ◽  
Susan Ressia
Keyword(s):  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Career Progression ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Line Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diverse Workforce ◽  
Skilled Migrant

PurposeThis paper explores the experiences of non-English-speaking background (NESB) skilled employees working in Australian workplaces, their perceptions of managers' actions and how a lack of employee involvement and participation (EIP) practices and performance appraisal (PA) is perceived regarding career progression.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory research project is based on 26 semi-structured interviews with skilled migrant NESB employees based in Australia. Social exchange theory (SET) and labour market segmentation theory (LMST) are applied to help explain macro- and micro-level influences on NESB employees and their relationships with their line managers and the workforce.FindingsParticipants perceived line managers to be highly communicative and approachable; however, they indicated how a lack of EIP in decision-making and in their PA affected career progression opportunities for NESB employees. While they were satisfied overall with their jobs, the research indicated a need for improved practices and support from the broader organisation in these two identified areas.Originality/valueThere is relatively little research on how the challenges of an increasingly diverse workforce are managed, particularly from NESB employees' perspective. Therefore, this research fills a gap concerning NESB employees' experience in Australian organisations.

What are the best HRM practices for retaining experts? A longitudinal study in the Canadian information technology sector

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 416-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Renaud ◽  
Lucie Morin ◽  
Jean-Yves Saulquin ◽  
Jocelyne Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
Expert Status ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to answer the following two questions: What are the HRM practices that have a significant impact on employees’ functional retention?, and Does the impact of these HRM practices on functional retention differ based on the employee’s status as an expert or a non-expert? Our theoretical foundation rests on human capital theory and social exchange theory. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses longitudinal data that come from multiple surveys conducted on new employees within a Canadian subsidiary of an international information technology (IT) firm. Findings – Results show that four out of five HRM practices under study have a significant and positive impact on functional retention of employees regardless of their expert status: satisfaction with a respectful and stimulating work environment, satisfaction with training and development, satisfaction with innovative benefits and satisfaction with incentive compensation significantly increase functional retention of employees. Functional retention was found to be higher for experts than for their non-expert counterparts. Last, results show that expert/non-expert status play a moderating role between HRM practices and functional retention. Originality/value – In short, this study offers five main contributions to the literature: first, it focuses on retention rather than turnover; second, it goes further by examining functional retention as the dependant variable; third, it distinguishes between two categories of employees: experts and non-experts; fourth, it extends the limited literature on IT workers, HRM practices and retention; and fifth, it is based on longitudinal data whereas the overwhelming majority of published studies have been based on cross-sectional data.

Managing the Auditor-Client Relationship Through Partner Rotations: The Experiences of Audit Firm Partners

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Kate Dodgson ◽  
Christopher P. Agoglia ◽  
G. Bradley Bennett ◽  
Jeffrey R. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Exchange Theory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Client Relationship ◽  
Fresh Perspective ◽  
State Engagement ◽  
Audit Standards

ABSTRACT While current audit standards explicitly state engagement partner tenure requirements, firms have flexibility in managing the rotation process. We conduct semi-structured interviews with 20 U.S. audit firm partners who share their experiences on topics including how they identify appropriate candidate partners and what efforts they undertake to manage relationships with clients post-rotation. We investigate firms' motivation to manage the auditor-client relationship through the lens of Social Exchange Theory (SET), and we consider how likely outcomes of this rotation process map onto regulators' intent that a newly rotated partner provides a fresh perspective to the audit. Our study informs regulators and investors about the process by which engagement partners are selected for rotation, documenting that partner assignment is typically not random. Further, our finding that partner rotation is an extended process (rather than a single discrete event) has implications for audit researchers investigating the effects of partner rotation.

scholarly journals Turning a Profit through Professional Membership

10.28945/4237 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 029-039
Author(s):  
Denise A Breckon ◽  
Abidemi Fauziyyah Adebo-Adelaja ◽  
Foyeke Abimbola Daramola ◽  
Joeletta Patrick
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Professional Organization ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Professional Network ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Cost

Next Horizons is an entrepreneurial for-profit networking business group. The company operates similar to a professional organization with selective membership and membership fees. Next Horizons aims to expand its current business model by increasing its paying membership. The purpose of this case study is to systematically gather and review evidence on members’ perceived benefits of their membership in professional organizations and make recommendations to increase membership. An analysis was carried out using a systematic review to investigate how perceptions of rewards and benefits influenced the decision to join a professional organization. The review was carried out through the lens of the social exchange theory, whereby the cost of membership in a professional organization is weighed against its benefit. When the benefit outweighs the cost, individuals will choose to engage in the social exchange, which in this case is choosing to join the professional organization. Three types of membership benefits emerged: knowledge-based, intangible, and tangible benefits. The values most desired were an increase in knowledge, opportunities for collaboration, expanding a professional network, and availability of administrative space from which to collaborate. The study also noted the deterrents from joining membership; including time to participate, lack of value to career, and perception of relevance to their objectives. This case study supports the notion that the strongest benefit that members get from their respective professional organizations is the opportunity to network with their peers.

Residents' Support for Sustainable Tourism Development in Rural Areas

2020 ◽  
pp. 88-114
Author(s):  
Manuel Alector Ribeiro ◽  
Mayu Moritomo ◽  
Kyle Maurice Woosnam
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Reasoned Action ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Sustainable Tourism Development ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Emotional Solidarity

The present study aims to examine residents' support for sustainable tourism. Karuizawa town was selected due to the increasing number in both domestic and foreign visitors, as well as the existence of seasonal residents. Residents' participation in tourism and their support are vital for sustainable tourism. In doing so, this study primarily used the theory of reasoned action, social exchange theory, and emotional solidarity to examine residents' support for sustainable tourism. Data were collected using qualitative approach, and semi-structured interviews were adopted to explore the relationship between theoretical frameworks. Twenty participants were selected by non-probability sampling to examine differences among residents in tourism-related businesses and those who are not, and among permanent and seasonal residents. Deductive thematic analysis was chosen because of the ability to produce themes from theoretical frameworks. Lastly, an in-depth discussion, as well as theoretical and managerial implications are offered along with the limitations and avenues for future studies.

An Exploration of the Perceived Value of Information Technology Certification between Information Technology and Human Resources Professionals

2009 ◽  
pp. 386-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey G. Cegielski ◽  
Dianne Hall
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Enterprise Resource Planning ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Resource Planning ◽  
Information Technology Professionals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
It Usage

During the decade of the 1990s, many firms engaged in widespread internal dissemination of information technology (IT) in an effort to leverage the capabilities of IT into greater organizational efficiencies. Information technologies such as electronic mail, office automation applications, and enterprise resource planning systems, are a few of the most popular examples of organizational IT initiatives from the past decade. Today, the use of information technology is an integral part of the ordinary course of business and provides technologically progressive firms with heretofore-unseen opportunities. For example, Dell Computers developed and maintains a competitive advantage in the retail technology sector based partly upon the use if information technology that did not exist 10 years ago. Although business applications of information technology present firms with vast opportunity, there is a myriad of complexities associated with organizational IT usage. Generally, this paper examines one critical area: the human resource aspect of organizational IT usage. Specifically, the research presented herein answers the question “Do human resource and information technology professionals perceive information technology certification differently?” The question is of practical relevance when examined, as in this study, within the context of the candidate selection process for a firm evaluating potential hires for an information technology-related position. Initially, the current paper presents a comprehensive overview of the theoretical foundations of certification. From theory, we construct a testing methodology that utilizes, as subjects, practicing human resource and information technology professionals. An analysis of the collected data revealed a marked difference in the perception of information technology certification among the subject groups. Based on the results of structured interviews with the study participants, we present concluding explanations regarding the statistically significant differences among groups.

Social Exchange and Knowledge Sharing among Knowledge Workers: The Moderating Role of Perceived Job Security

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M. Bartol ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Xiangquan Zeng ◽  
Kelu Wu
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Job Security ◽  
Information Technology Industry ◽  
Organizational Relationships ◽  
Technology Industry

Drawing on perceived organizational support (POS) theory and employee-organizational relationship theories, this research investigated the association between POS and knowledge sharing as well as the potential moderating effects of perceived job security. Study participants were 255 information technology professionals and their supervisors working in the information technology industry in China. Findings showed that POS was positively related to knowledge sharing, and, as expected, perceived job security moderated the association. More specifically, the positive association between POS and employee knowledge sharing held only for employees who perceived higher job security from their organization. In contrast, POS was not significantly associated with knowledge sharing when employees perceived their job security to be relatively low. This latter result is consistent with contentions from employee-organizational relationships theories that limited investment by employers is likely to lead to lower contributions from employees. The findings are also congruent with arguments from social exchange theory that meaningful reciprocity is built on a history of open-ended exchanges whose development may be inconsistent with a shorter-term employment horizon.

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