scholarly journals The Employee Voice Behaviours in African Context: The Case of Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-135
Author(s):  
Washington Machokoto ◽  
Munyaradzi. A. Dzvimbo
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Employee Voice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
African Context ◽  
Regression Correlation

This exploratory study aimed to investigate the Employee Voice Behaviours (EVB) in the African context, and Zimbabwe was chosen as a case study. A sample of 30 volunteers was used in this study and data was collected via WhatsApp social media. The structured interviews were employed to collect data. Thus, the data was collected and placed into categories as a framework. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, multiple regression, correlation and framework. The results indicated that the majority of employees in Zimbabwe present constructive voices than destructive behaviours. The findings also established that Zimbabwean workforce remains disciplined in their organisations. The study again found that the majority of people working in organisations in Zimbabwe is neither married nor have children. Also, the majority go to church and do not consume alcohol/smoke. However, besides a small sample that could have affected the outcome, this study concludes that understanding of EVB remains elusive; therefore, more studies are required in this field. Future researchers should consider qualitative methods with larger samples to establish these variations. Besides, the current research presents significant findings that could inform policy-makers in Zimbabwean organisations.   

scholarly journals Fraud in overseas aid and the challenge of measurement

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Button ◽  
Chris Lewis ◽  
David Shepherd ◽  
Graham Brooks
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
International Development ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges of measuring fraud in overseas aid. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on 21 semi-structured interviews with key persons working in the delivery of aid in both the public and voluntary sectors. It uses the UK Department for International Development as a case study to applying more accurate measures of fraud. Findings – This paper shows there are significant challenges to using fraud loss measurement to gauge fraud in overseas aid. However, it argues that, along with other types of measures, it could be used in areas of expenditure in overseas governments and charities to measure aid. Given the high risk of such aid to fraud, it argues helping to develop capacity to reduce aid, of which measuring the size of the problem is an important part; this could be considered as aid in its own right. Research limitations/implications – The researchers were not able to visit high-risk countries for fraud to examine in the local context views on the challenges of measuring fraud. Practical implications – The paper offers insights on the challenges to accurately measuring fraud in an overseas context, which will be useful to policy-makers in this context. Social implications – Given the importance of as much aid as possible reaching recipients, it offers an important contribution to helping to reduce losses in this important area. Originality/value – There has been very little consideration of how to measure fraud in the overseas aid context, with most effort aimed at corruption, which poses some of the same challenges, as well as some very different challenges.

Exploring digital servitization trajectories within product–service–software space

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Hsuan ◽  
Marin Jovanovic ◽  
Diego Honorato Clemente
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Software Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Ecosystem ◽  
Product Service ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Mapping Exercise

PurposeThis study shows various pathways manufacturers can take when embarking on digital servitization (DS) journeys. It builds on the DS and modularity literature to map the strategic trajectories of product–service–software (PSSw) configurations.Design/methodology/approachThe study is exploratory and based on the inductive theory building method. The empirical data were gathered through a workshop with focus groups of 15 servitization manufacturers (with 22 respondents), an on-site workshop (in-depth case study), semi-structured interviews, observations and document study of archival data.FindingsThe DS trajectories are idiosyncratic and dependent on design architectures of PSSw modules, balancing choices between standardization and innovation. The adoption of software systems depends on the maturity of the industry-specific digital ecosystem. Decomposition and integration of PSSw modules facilitate DS transition through business model modularity. Seven testable propositions are presented.Research limitations/implicationsWith the small sample size from different industries and one in-depth case study, generalizing the findings was not possible.Practical implicationsThe mapping exercise is powerful when top management from different functional departments can participate together to share their expertise and achieve consensus. It logs the “states” that the manufacturer undergoes over time.Originality/valueThe Digital Servitization Cube serves as a conceptual framework for manufacturers to systematically map and categorize their current and future PSSw strategies. It bridges the cross-disciplinary theoretical discussion in DS.

Challenges of Green Office Implementation: A Case Study in Penang, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ong Yee Sin ◽  
◽  
Nor'Aini Yusof ◽  
Atasya Osmadi ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
State Government ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Green Buildings ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Green Practices

This study was conducted in response to the lack of green office buildings in Malaysia, despite the fact that the green concept has been initiated in Malaysia for many years. The Penang State Government has taken the initiative to establish the Penang Green Council (PGC) as the first state in Malaysia, and the implementation of green offices is one of its programme initiatives. Nonetheless, green offices are still in scarcity across Penang. This study identified the challenges faced in implementing green offices. Data were collected from five green building owners using semi-structured interviews and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The outcomes revealed that the main challenges faced by green office adoption were lack of budget, lack of awareness, lack of expertise, ownership factor, and type of building. This study offers several implications for practitioners and policy makers to improve the adoption of green office in Malaysia. The results may be applied to raise awareness amongst practitioners and office owners regarding green practices in office buildings. The study outcomes may serve as reference to policy makers on enhancing the development of green buildings.

Losing a Friend

2021 ◽  
pp. 1158-1174
Author(s):  
Tamara L. Wandel
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Media Consumption ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Study Methodology

This chapter focuses on the role of social media consumption on older children and adolescents during the bereavement process of a childhood friend. Using case study methodology surrounding an 11-year-old girl's tragic death, surveys were administered to peers and semi-structured interviews with peers, counselors, and the deceased's mother were conducted in order to collect in-depth information on the opinions and feelings of those utilizing social media as they cope with loss, specifically the loss of a friend. The idea of virtual mourning is significant to explore as social media is ubiquitous for most older children and adolescents.

Skyscrapers in Santiago: 300 meters of globalization agenda

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 439-454
Author(s):  
Nestor Garza
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Main Determinant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Latin American Region ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
The One

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess alternative economic explanations of buildings’ height in Latin America and Chile, inductively producing a theory about skyscrapers’ height in emerging countries. In the quest for height, global exposure as advertising guides developers located in emerging economies, while ego-building for investors. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses mixed methods triangulation (MMT). Findings with small sample econometrics for 38 cities from 13 different countries are re-interpreted by linguistically analyzing 11 semi-structured interviews with local experts in Santiago. Findings Globalization is the main determinant of skyscrapers height in the Latin American region, its interaction with the need to portray management and technical skills of developer firms, determines a process toward over-construction. Research limitations/implications Because of small sample bias, the quantitative results are not fully reliable, but this is precisely why it makes sense to use MMT. Practical implications Santiago offers a valuable case study because, on the one hand, Chile was the first Latin American country to undertake neoliberal type reforms, as early as 1973. On the other, the tallest Latin American skyscraper is to be completed in this city by 2015. The theory developed, derived from the evidence and the perceptions, has a Global South reach and can open-up an empirical research agenda. Originality/value This paper innovates in real estate research by using MMT, not just to confirm quantitative findings, but as an inductive theory building tool. It also analyses Latin America, a region with scarce presence in the literature.

scholarly journals Nominative technique, a simple tool for assessing illegal wildlife consumption

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Davis ◽  
Brian Crudge ◽  
Jenny Anne Glikman
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Levels Of Use ◽  
Bear Bile ◽  
Collection Methods

To test the efficacy of nominative technique within a small sample, we performed a total of 179 semi-structured interviews in Luang Prabang, northern Laos, in August 2017 and April 2019, using the domestic consumption of bears in northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic (hereafter Laos) as our case study. We also assessed whether the specialised questioning technique of nominative technique could be used within qualitative data collection methods, such as semi-structured interviews. The technique theoretically ensures more accurate statements of illegal wildlife consumption behaviour, by maintaining the anonymity of an individual’s sensitive behaviour through asking about the behaviour of peers. We also directly asked about participants’ use of bear bile. Nominative technique showed that approximately 11% of the participants’ peers used bear products, with respondents’ direct admittance of using bear bile was nearly double, at 23%. Use of bear parts appears to not be sensitive in northern Laos. In addition, a strong association was found between nominative technique and direct questioning responses, which indicates that users of bear parts have social networks with higher levels of use. This lends supports to theories that use of wildlife products is directly influenced by the social group. The underreporting found through nominative technique indicates the high variability of response that can occur within small samples; however, these results show that nominative technique may be a simple, useful tool for triangulating data, assessing users’ integration into social networks of use, and assessing changes in behaviour prevalence.

scholarly journals Research articles promoted in embargo e-mails receive higher citations and altmetrics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Lemke ◽  
Max Brede ◽  
Sophie Rotgeri ◽  
Isabella Peters
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Control Design ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Research Articles ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Treatment Control ◽  
Mainstream Media ◽  
Exploratory Case Study

AbstractIn order to be able to provide thorough and timely coverage on the most recent scientific research, science journalists frequently rely on embargoed information sent to them by publishers of scientific journals. In such embargo e-mails, publishers purposefully bring selected upcoming releases to the journalists’ attention a few days in advance of their publication. Little is known on how this early highlighting of certain research articles affects their later citations or altmetrics. We present an exploratory case study with the aim of assessing the effects of such promotion activities on scientific articles’ bibliometric and altmetric indicators. In a treatment–control design, we analyze citation counts and eight types of altmetrics of 715 articles published between 2016 and 2017 whose DOIs have been mentioned in embargo e-mails and compare these to articles from the same journal issues that have not been highlighted in embargo e-mails. Descriptive statistics and Mann–Whitney-U tests reveal significant advantages for promoted articles across all regarded metrics three to four years after their publication. Particularly large differences can be seen regarding numbers of mentions in mainstream media, in blogs, on Twitter, and on Facebook. Our findings suggest that scholarly publishers exert significant influence over which research articles will receive attention and visibility in various (social) media. Also, regarding utilizations of metrics for evaluative purposes, the observed effects of promotional activities on indicators might constitute a factor of undesirable influence that currently does not receive the amount of consideration in scientometric assessments that it should receive.

scholarly journals Researching intimacy through social media: A cross-platform approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (60) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Cristina Miguel
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Cross Platform ◽  
Media Interaction

This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of how to study the way people build intimacy and manage privacy through social media interaction. It explores the research design and methodology of a research project based on a multi-sited case study composed of three different social media platforms: Badoo, CouchSurfing, and Facebook. This cross-platform approach is useful to observe how intimacy is often negotiated across different platforms. The research project focuses on the cities of Leeds (UK) and Barcelona (Spain). In particular, this article discusses the methods used to recruit participants and collect data for that study - namely, participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and user profiles analysis. This cross-platform approach and multi-method research design is helpful to investigate the nature of intimacy practices facilitated by social media at several levels: online/offline, across different platforms, among different types of relationships, within both new and existing relationships, and in different locations

Comparing formal and informal social protection: a case study exploring the usefulness of informal social protection in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Zahid Mumtaz ◽  
Peter Whiteford
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Global South ◽  
Religious Institutions ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Household Level ◽  
The Poor

Abstract In most global south countries, various informal institutions provide welfare to a large segment of the neglected, poor and vulnerable populations through informal social protection. Despite being a major source of welfare in the global south, the usefulness of informal social protection at the household level remains an under-researched area. In this exploratory study, we have determined the usefulness of informal social protection provided through religious institutions, such as madrassas and compared it with formal social protection at the household level utilising the case study of a lower-income country such as Pakistan. A mixed methodology of data collection comprising a survey and semi-structured interviews in 14 different cities of Pakistan of the poor and eligible households for receiving formal social protection was conducted for the research. The results suggest the coverage of informal social protection provided by madrassas is greater than formal social protection. The poor and vulnerable population value and considers it more useful than formal social protection. We conclude that integrating informal and formal social protection would help improve the effectiveness of social policies in developing and less developed countries.

Financial support services for beekeepers: a case study of development interventions in Fiji's Northern Division

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordanna Hinton ◽  
Cooper Schouten ◽  
Kerrie Stimpson ◽  
David Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Support Services ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
The Pacific

PurposeThis paper analyses financial support services (loans and grants) from the perspective of beekeepers in Fiji's Northern Division.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method, case study approach was used with key informant interviews, focus groups, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires.FindingsFinancial support was found to be an appropriate intervention. While beekeepers have access to loans, matching grants or small business grants to assist the establishment and growth of their activities, the appropriateness of these services varies based on the experience and skill of beekeepers. Capacity building was an important shortcoming in all financial services. It is recommended beekeeping clients undertake outcome-based, practical and/or mentorship-styled training to ensure beekeepers have the appropriate skills to maintain a viable enterprise.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited by a small sample size. Further research is needed to understand long-term impacts of financial support services and the availability and appropriateness of these within and between regions.Social implicationsRecommendations are provided to encourage effective financial support for beekeepers to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their activities. This can impact beekeepers' livelihoods by increasing household income and income security.Originality/valueThere is a paucity of literature on the effectiveness of financial interventions to support beekeeping enterprises. This is the first study to compare financial support services from the perspective of beekeepers in the Pacific region.

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