We can't help feeding the monster: the social handling of uncertainty in an environment of high-risk and fast-paced change

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-100
Author(s):  
Øyvind R. Haugen ◽  
Jens Preil

In this article the authors present a case study that they conducted in the research and development organisation of a global pharmaceutical company. The aim of the study was to explore the social handling of uncertainty in a business environment characterised by high-risk and fast-paced change. The authors present a new methodological approach in which they combine grounded theory and depth hermeneutic analysis to gain access to the social reality of the organisation. The creation of work role identities and social imaginaries were the two main variables emerging from the data. The authors discuss how certain coping strategies against anxiety and emotional distress affect the design and execution of work processes. Furthermore, they explore to what extent social-scientific research methods can be applied to study the unique observations and interpretations made by the organisation's members, and how this knowledge can inform the development of organisations and management of change processes.

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-363
Author(s):  
Tarcísio Staudt ◽  
Carla Joseandra Dillenburg ◽  
Jucelaine Bitarello

ABSTRACTThe objective is to identify the relationship of managers and employees the forms of recognition of Spiritual Capital as part of the integral being in the workplace. Thus, we described the spiritual evolution of man through the ages, we discuss theories about the whole being, identify and analyze the values that constitute the Spiritual Capital, showing its relevance in the business environment in two ways: the reflections generated by the formation of a team spirit high, and the values and principles that guide the actions of managers and employees. The research is characterized as qualitative descriptive exploratory design, whose basis was made by the literature review. The case study was conducted at the Agency for Post Franchised Rua Grande, located in São Leopoldo / RS. We used the methodology of content analysis, using the technique of speech analysis performed by guiding tours of interviews with two managers and a non-probability sample of ten employees. In the analyzed company, identified as a factor of greater relevance to management integration with your staff, creating involvement and complicity in the team. Leaders seek personal satisfaction and professional staff as well as realize the extent of the social issues of particular employees by making the work environment supportive. The methodology applied by management contributes to the formation of the integral, since it gives employees freedom of action, stimulating their potential and enhancing their qualifications. The agency has an integrated team, strengthened by the values and purposes guiding spirituality.RESUMOO objetivo é identificar nas relações de gestores e funcionários as formas de reconhecimento do Capital Espiritual como elemento do ser integral no ambiente de trabalho. Desta forma, descrevemos a evolução espiritual do ser humano através dos tempos; abordamos teorias sobre o ser integral; identificamos e analisamos os valores que constituem o Capital Espiritual, demonstrando sua relevância no ambiente empresarial sob dois aspectos: os reflexos gerados pela formação de uma equipe espiritualmente elevada, e, os valores e princípios que norteiam as ações dos gestores e funcionários. A pesquisa caracteriza-se como qualitativa com delineamento descritivo-exploratório, cujo embasamento deu-se através da revisão bibliográfica. O estudo de caso foi realizado na Agência de Correios Franqueada Rua Grande, situada na cidade de São Leopoldo/RS. Utilizou-se a metodologia de análise de conteúdo, através da técnica de análise de discurso realizada por meio de roteiros norteadores de entrevistas aplicadas aos dois gestores e em uma amostra não-probabilística de dez funcionários. Na empresa analisada, identificamos como fator de maior relevância a integração da gestão com seu quadro funcional, criando envolvimento e cumplicidade na equipe. Os líderes buscam a satisfação pessoal e profissional dos funcionários, bem como percebem a extensão social das questões particulares dos colaboradores tornando o ambiente de trabalho solidário. A metodologia aplicada pela gestão contribui para a formação do ser integral, visto que proporciona aos funcionários liberdade de ação, estimulando suas potencialidades e valorizando suas qualificações. A agência conta com uma equipe integrada, fortalecida pelos valores e propósitos norteadores da espiritualidade.


Author(s):  
Rodolfo Alfonso Torregrosa Jiménez ◽  
Norhys Torregrosa Jiménez

ABSTRACTaccess problems and dysfunctions of the judiciary, in all societies there are communal forms of conflict resolution. Community and institutional mechanisms for conflict resolution can provide the ability to handle conflict from the values, habits and customs of the communities and not from the mere formality of state justice inaccessible to the masses. Thus, the Settlement in Equity is one of the alternatives through which the popular sectors can get for themselves and through community leaders, a righteousness that is in accordance with the needs and responsibilities of the direct stakeholders of the community. Thus, the purpose of the research is to investigate the social representations (RS) of the concepts of fairness, justice and coexistence Community Ratings equity conciliation of a town in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. In addition, as we are interested in identifying the point of view of these users, ie, their opinions, attitudes and information, is that the theoretical and methodological approach used RS. So, be described by methods and with the support of the theoretical framework, the cognitive dimension of the RS user. Such representations are interpreted through formalization that conform segmenting in graphic forms (codes), the corpus of semi-structured interviews applied to users, considered as a continuation of separate occurrences among themselves, delimited by several characters. These occurrences are analyzed, both quantitatively and qualitatively.RESUMENPor problemas de acceso y disfunciones del aparato judicial, en todas las sociedades existen formas comunitarias de resolución de conflictos. Los mecanismos comunitarios e institucionales de solución de conflictos pueden brindar la posibilidad de tramitar los conflictos a partir de los valores, los usos y las costumbres de las comunidades y no desde la mera formalidad de la justicia estatal inaccesible para los sectores populares. Así, la Conciliación en Equidad es una de las alternativas a través de la cual los sectores populares pueden obtener por ellos mismos y a través de líderes comunitarios, una justicia que esté de acuerdo con las necesidades y responsabilidades de los actores directos de la comunidad. De este modo, el propósito de la investigación es indagar sobre las representaciones sociales (RS) de los conceptos de equidad, justicia comunitaria y convivencia de los usuarios de la conciliación en equidad de una Localidad en la ciudad de Bogotá-Colombia. Y como lo que interesa es identificar el punto de vista de estos usuarios, es decir, sus opiniones, actitudes e información, es que se usa el enfoque teórico-metodológico de las RS. Así, se describirá, a través de métodos y con el apoyo de los referentes teóricos, la dimensión cognitiva de las RS de los usuarios. Dichas representaciones son interpretadas a través de formalizaciones que se conforman segmentando en formas gráficas (códigos), el corpus de entrevistas semi-dirigidas aplicadas a los usuarios, considerado como una continuación de ocurrencias separadas, entre sí, mediante varios caracteres delimitados. Estas ocurrencias son analizadas, tanto desde el punto de vista cuantitativo como cualitativo.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e448101119780
Author(s):  
Cristiane Mansur de Moraes Souza

It is now well established in the literature that there is a need to incorporate the concept of sustainability into education at all study levels. However, there is considerable uncertainty expressed concerning how it could best be achieved and how the resilience concept would enhance this idea. This article aims to address this gap. The objective is to explore aspects of socio-ecological resilience, that underlies a university case study. The methodology is exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory. Results demonstrate that civil engagement university activities are an education approach that provides students with experiences that build skills necessary for addressing the challenges of the Anthropocene Epoch. The conclusion of the article emphasizes that the education for the Anthropocene epoch should consider the enhancement of ecosystem services by demonstrating that humans are part of the social-ecological systems; considering interdisciplinarity as a methodological approach; demonstrating the variety of potentials on participation of stakeholders by civil engagement as developing autonomy both on students and stakeholders and developing the ability for proactive attitudes. Is also enhance learning and social learning by civil engagement and participation.


Target ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Monzó-Nebot

Abstract Remarkable efforts have been made in Translation and Interpreting Studies to test the subservient habitus hypothesis formulated by Simeoni (1998) in his seminal work. In the face of increasing evidence that translators tend to reproduce a given society’s or community’s prevalent norms and contribute to the stability of such norms (Toury 1978), subversive translation practices have been reported (Delabastita 2011; Woods 2012) and indeed promoted as a way of fostering social and cultural change (Levine 1991; Venuti 1992). However, insights into how translators’ subservient or subversive habitus develop and depart from each other are still lacking. In order to shed light on this gray area, this article scrutinizes the contrasts between the habitus of professional legal translators who acquiesce to and who reject the norms governing their positions in the field. Special attention is given to those who decide to abandon the translation field. Their behavior is examined by relating habitus to forms of socialization and studying the implications of their strategies. Based on a case study drawn from interview data, this article focuses on the social practices of resistance and rebellion vis-à-vis subservience, and the impact of both on translation workplaces, work processes, and translators’ futures.


2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-87
Author(s):  
Erin Gibson

This study forms an introduction to the archaeology of movement and interaction—a social approach to Mediterranean landscapes that prioritises the landscape beyond sites. The archaeology of movement and interaction applies systematic survey methods to the material culture of roads and paths. While this research fits within the context of off-site and siteless survey, its focus lies in understanding the social relationships and daily activity of people in the past. In this study, I outline the theoretical background and methodological approach used to survey roads and paths in an attempt to encourage Mediterranean regional survey projects to assess, consider and/or adopt these techniques. The underlying premise is that the material culture of roads and paths embodies the experiences and social relationships in which they were constructed, used and maintained. I draw upon a case study from the high mountains of Cyprus to illustrate the archaeology of movement and interaction and to stimulate further discussion of this topic of research


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 159-170
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Miller ◽  
JungHwan Kim ◽  
Doo Hun Lim

Purpose This study aims to explore how employees’ emotions after downsizing impact their learning that they partook in after the downsizing event. Design/methodology/approach The methodological approach was a qualitative case study. Nine employees, considered layoff survivors in a downsized organization, participated in semi-structured interviews. For data analysis, authors performed an initial, focused and axial coding. Findings The findings highlight three themes: “resilience,” “loyalty” and “moral support.” These themes show the empathy that layoff survivors experienced and the impact the layoff had on their commitment to the organization, as well as the social learning that occurred after downsizing. Practical implications Downsized organizations need to consider the emotions of employees who survive layoffs and how layoffs impact their behavior at work, particularly their learning behavior. Organizations need to understand how to positively impact layoff survivors’ emotions to influence the survivors’ willingness to learn and implement the changes within the organization. Providing outlets for survivors to network within the company, as well as meaningful opportunities, is one of the few ways of addressing employees’ emotions and ensuring they will be encouraged to change with the organization. Originality/value Research that explores how emotions resulting from an organizational downsize impact employees’ learning is minimal. Although much of the downsizing research does explore layoff survivors’ experiences after a downsizing, it does not address the emotional factors or the learning experiences. This study seeks to fill this gap.


2013 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 154-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesper Dammeyer ◽  
Simo Køppe

Abstract Research in social interaction and nonverbal communication among individuals with severe developmental disabilities also includes the study of body movements. Advances in analytical technology give new possibilities for measuring body movements more accurately and reliably. One such advance is the Qualisys Motion Capture System (QMCS), which utilizes optical markers to capture body movements. The aim of this study was to explore the practicality of measuring body movements in the nonverbal communication of a child with severe developmental disabilities. A preliminary case study has been undertaken. The social interaction between a boy with developmental disabilities and his teacher was analyzed (1) using observer ratings on psychological aspects of the social interaction and (2) measuring body positions, velocity, and angles of body movements using the QMCS. Associations between observer ratings and measured body movements were examined. This preliminary case study has indicated that emotional response and attention level during the social interaction corresponded with local, synchronized movements and face-to-face orientation. Measurement of motor behavior is suggested as being a potentially useful methodological approach to studying social interaction and communication development.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sarah Turner McGowen

Discourse strongly influences the ways in which ideologies are formed, maintained, and contested, thus the dialogue surrounding political sex scandals may shape the ways in which individuals negotiate their own beliefs and behaviors. Research into political sex scandals is further complicated by the changing nature of interactions within a new media environment, involving numerous voices and perspectives. This research project attempts to look closely at this phenomenon, discovering the cultural discourses surrounding political sex scandals and critiquing the assumptions made therein. The first chapter will explain the importance and significance of the study of political sex scandals. The second chapter will then review the extant literature surrounding the study of political sex scandals, as well as covering gender and sexuality and new media theories. The third chapter describes the multi-methodological approach for the study, detailing a case study for this project. The fourth chapter reviews the rhetorical strategies employed in the political sex scandal, Weinergate. The fifth chapter describes the content analysis of messages about Weinergate sent through the social media website Twitter. The sixth chapter critiques the ideological messages surrounding the Weinergate scandal, specifically as they relate to sex, sexualities, and gender roles. The seventh and final chapter discusses limitations of this project and suggestions for future research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nonhlanhla Ignatia Ndlovu ◽  
Pumela Msweli

The authority of South Africa is in the midst of a profound economic crisis precipitated by high levels of unemployment and inequality, marked by political shifts unprecedented in scope subsequent to the 2016 local government elections. The recent election outcomes reveal disturbances in the social, political and economic systems of the country. These disturbances have been precipitated by low economic growth trajectory and poor investment in service delivery infrastructure. The central thesis of this paper is that in addressing the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment, a symptomatic approach of addressing social ills and service delivery will not work. This paper draws from institutional theory as a sense-making mechanism to produce a scientific approach to integrated service delivery. Using the tenets of the critical reflecting methodological approach, institutional theory is deconstructed to provide an understanding of how to operationalize integrated service delivery across functions in a scientific fashion. Keywords: service delivery, institutional theory, poverty, inequality and unemployment. JEL Classification: L8, J64, J71, I32


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