Managing Collaborative Research Networks

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrina Dimitrova ◽  
Emmanuel Koku
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Managerial Practices ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Communication Practices ◽  
Collaborative Research Networks

This paper explores how management practices shape the way dispersed communities of practice (CoPs) function. The analysis is a case study of a dispersed community engaged in conducting and managing collaborative research. The analysis uses data from a social network survey and semi-structured interviews to capture the management practices in the community and demonstrate how they are linked to the patterns of information flows and communication.This analysis is a test case for the broader issue of how distributed communities function. It shows that even highly distributed CoPs may have a dual life: they exist both online and offline, in both face-to-face meetings and email exchanges of their participants. The study examines a dispersed community engaged in conducting and managing collaborative research. The analysis uses data from a social network survey and interviews to examine its managerial practices, information exchanges and communication practices.

Managing Collaborative Research Networks

2013 ◽  
pp. 276-298
Author(s):  
Dimitrina Dimitrova ◽  
Emmanuel Koku
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Research Networks ◽  
Managerial Practices ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Communication Practices ◽  
Collaborative Research Networks

This analysis is a test case for the broader issue of how distributed communities function. It shows that even highly distributed CoPs may have a dual life: they exist both online and offline, in both face-to-face meetings and email exchanges of their participants. The study examines a dispersed community engaged in conducting and managing collaborative research. The analysis uses data from a social network survey and interviews to examine its managerial practices, information exchanges and communication practices.

scholarly journals Heard but not seen: Exploring youth counsellors’ experiences of telephone counselling

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Davidson ◽  
Gai Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Human Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Telephone Counselling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Impact

INTRODUCTION: Human service practitioners who work over the telephone are physically invisible to their clients and this invisibility shapes their work. Existing literature suggests that physical invisibility, coupled with anonymity and the immediacy of service provision are defining features of telephone counselling. However, little research has explored how telephone counsellors experience these features in any real depth.METHODOLOGY: This article reports on a case study conducted at a youth helpline in Aotearoa New Zealand. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 practitioners on their experiences of telephone counselling work. One key finding from this case study is discussed: the impact of invisibility and anonymity.FINDINGS: Findings indicate that practitioners’ experiences of delivering telephone counselling are more divergent than those presented in extant literature. While telephone counsellors face challenges delivering non-face-to-face counselling support, the physical invisibility of this medium, coupled with a supportive work environment can also provide potential benefits to counsellors.CONCLUSIONS: Counsellors’ experiences of telephone counselling work appear to be more nuanced than traditionally understood. While practitioners may experience a range of possible challenges in delivering telephone counselling, such as responding to hoax and abusive callers, they also experience benefits such feeling relaxed, and supported by colleagues and supervisors. Management practices, such as flexible rules and accessible supervision, can help practitioners manage the impact working non-face-to-face with clients. Given the ongoing popularity of telephone counselling, further research is needed on the working conditions that promote practitioner wellbeing and job satisfaction.

scholarly journals Why do Irish pig farmers use medications? Barriers for effective reduction of antimicrobials in Irish pig production

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Diana ◽  
Sylvia Snijders ◽  
Alison Rieple ◽  
Laura Ann Boyle
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Personal Action ◽  
Barriers And Challenges ◽  
Attitudinal Changes

Abstract Background In addressing the threat of antimicrobial resistance, it is critical to understand the barriers to the uptake of strategies for the reduction of antimicrobial use (AMU) in the pig industry. In several EU countries, factors such as education level, habits and social pressures are recognised as affecting farmers’ decision-making process in relation to AMU. However, there is a lack of information on the Irish scenario. The aim of this study was to investigate pig farmers’ perspectives and their behaviour towards AMU to identify potential barriers to effectively reduce AMU in Irish pig production. We conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 30 pig farmers, 5 pig veterinarians and 4 focus groups of pig farm personnel. We employed qualitative analyses to explore the objective of the study. Results Qualitative analysis revealed six convergent themes as potential barriers: perceptions about the need for AMU on farm, concept of animal welfare and associated management practices, legislation, culture, economics and standards of communication/type of advice-network. Overall, pig farmers believed that there is poor communication between stakeholders (i.e. farmers, vets and advisors) and a lack of reliable people to approach for advice. They considered themselves as operating responsibly in terms of AMU compared to their national and international colleagues and expressed the importance of a so-called ‘Irish solution’ to the problem of AMU because it was associated with what ‘has always been done’ and was therefore considered reliable and safe. Conclusions Barriers and challenges were in line with those identified in other EU countries highlighting similarities in behavioural and attitudinal patterns among pig farmers. Overall, farmers appeared to be more likely to rely on previous experiences or to wait for an imposed change (e.g. legislation) instead of taking personal action. Thus, considerable behavioural and attitudinal changes are needed to adopt a more responsible AMU in Irish pig production and to develop effective intervention strategies.

scholarly journals Online Learning in the Era of Pandemic: Solution or Disaster?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-115
Author(s):  
Dhion Meitreya Vidhiasi
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Professional School ◽  
Teaching Approaches ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Offline Learning ◽  
Information Skills

The change in life continues to change quickly. The 4.0 industry has been examined, marking a development in IT, including the Internet, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. Everyone was not distinguished from technology by the development of IT in the 21st century. Different opinions from various parties to online learning come from face-to-face shifting paradigms. This sort of learning paradigm has multiple advantages and disadvantages to reach the aim of learning itself. This study seeks to assess the perspective of learners of online learning in this context in a COVID-19 pandemic. The study focuses on students of the English conversation of Akademi Maritim Nusantara Cilacap. The instruments used are semi-structured interviews. The researcher asked the students about the Covid-19 outbreak via the WhatsApp service. The research design employed in this research was a case study. The online study is unbelievably advantageous in the heart of the pandemic. AMN Cilacap has selected the Google Classroom Service as its Learning Management System. They will receive new terminology, knowledge, and technical skills. Thus, when they graduate in the future, students will no longer have problems using their primary app for education. Online learning is more effective than offline learning for a particular objective, information, skills, and students. Combining the benefit of online and offline teaching approaches known as combined learning will help overcome the potential limitations of online learning in the professional school of AMN Cilacap. But a mix of online and offline learning, notwithstanding the volatility of online, may be the best option to maximize its worth.

scholarly journals Strengthening the Effectiveness of Aid Delivery in Teacher Education: A Fiji Case Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Donasiano Kalou Ruru
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Development ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
National Development ◽  
International Aid ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Aid Effectiveness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Paris Declaration ◽  
The Pacific

<p>As a result of increasing development challenges and higher aid allocations to the Pacific, questions of aid effectiveness have become increasingly important. Efforts to professionalise aid delivery tools have been accompanied by debates over whether delivery tools are effective and compatible with more democratic and empowering relationships with beneficiaries. My research examines the effectiveness of international aid to teacher development, using the AusAID funded projects at Lautoka Teachers' College as a case study and the Fiji College of Advanced Education as background study. The conditions governing aid delivery mechanisms are explored, including logical frameworks, participatory processes, and financial probity. These conditions have been drawn from the 'Paris Declaration of Aid Effectiveness' and each is considered to be critical if aid effectiveness is to be enhanced and the investment sustained. Based on participatory research methodology, carried out through 'talanoa sessions', semià à ¢ structured interviews, and analysis of programme documents, the study explored the extent to which aid programmes and management practices are constrained by donor conditions, succeed in meeting their stated aims, and what sort of unintended consequences are generated. Further, the research identified how aid can best improve future aid to the Fiji education system through its delivery, impact and sustainability for national development, as laid out in the Pacific Principles of Aid Effectiveness The study also highlights the growing convergence between the 'aid donors' interests' and 'aid recipients' needs'. The debate on this relationship is necessary to reinvigorate thinking on the effectiveness of aid delivery for Fiji. The study draws up a practical framework, an aid bure designed as a heuristic device to assess the effectiveness of aid delivery for Fiji. The model may also be relevant to the wider Pacific context, and contribute to the global quest for a concrete guide to best practice which above all will continue to foster more sensitive, effective and enduring links between recipient countries and international aid donors.</p>

scholarly journals Motivators of MBWA and Communicational Factors behind Them: A Case Study on a Korean Shipyard

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Yeo Kwon ◽  
Hun Park ◽  
Hyuk Hahn ◽  
Ilhyung Lee ◽  
Taehoon Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Upward Communication ◽  
Organizational Theories ◽  
Management By Walking Around ◽  
Research Analysis

This study was conducted with a team of senior managers at a Korean shipyard in an effort to elicit particular motivators for implementing management by walking around (MBWA). To identify the key motivators and communication issues associated with them, a theoretical framework was produced based on the key tensions of social psychology of communication and upward communication as well as modern organizational theories. For this qualitative research analysis, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face with the executives; the data were then supplemented by five field observations during MBWAs at the shipyard. Coding frame was used to organize modal salient themes for thematic analysis. The organizational and individual motivators identified were then analyzed in-depth to elicit communicational factors underlying these motivators. While identifying 10 salient motivators as organizing themes, the research concludes that MBWA is a contingent management strategy intended to promote upward communication within organizations.

scholarly journals Social Networks and Supply Chain Management in Fish Trade

SAGE Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402093181
Author(s):  
Carmen Pedroza-Gutiérrez ◽  
Juan M. Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
The Relationship

This study aims to construct a theoretical framework to analyze the elements of the network structure and the relationship system within the seafood supply chain. The scope of the investigation is to evaluate how these elements influence the flow of products and the efficiency of the seafood supply chain and why these social interactions can create value and enhance competitive advantage. The model combines the resource- and knowledge-based view and the social network analysis applied to seafood supply chains. To demonstrate the application of the model, two theoretical examples and a real case study of the Mercado del Mar in Guadalajara, Mexico, are used. Primary data are obtained from semi-structured interviews, social network analysis metrics, and qualitative analysis. Findings are based on the analysis of theoretical examples and must be considered with caution. Nevertheless, the observations in the examples and case study provide new arguments to the relationship between the pattern of interrelationship and the efficiency of a supply chain. This study emphasizes the necessity of combining quantitative and qualitative analyses to understand and explain real-life supply networks.

scholarly journals Communication Practices and Social Tie Formation: A Case Study of Recreational Lifestyle Sports Cultures

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veera Ehrlén
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Meanings ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Communication Practices

This case study examines contemporary recreational sports practitioners’ communication practices and social tie formation from the perspective of two lifestyle sports disciplines: climbing and trail running. Online survey results from 301 climbers and trail runners from Finland indicate that computer-mediated communication (CMC) has established its place in recreational lifestyle sports cultures; however, it has not done it at the expense of face-to-face (FtF) communication. Online interaction produces weak social ties with instrumental and informative value, but physical location is essential in establishing ties with emotional and appraisal value. This paper argues that it is the sports subculture and individual practitioners’ needs that define how interaction is realized, and what importance different online and off-line communication practices have. Besides studying communication practices, this case study explores the social meanings practitioners attribute to their social contacts.

Information culture: a perspective from Mainland China

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-125
Author(s):  
Zhiying Lian ◽  
Gillian Oliver
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Organizational Setting ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Information Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Concept Of Information ◽  
Chinese And English

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of information culture in Mainland China and apply the information culture framework to an organizational setting. Design/methodology/approach The foundation for the research is provided by a review of Chinese and English language literature and a case study of a university library was conducted, involving semi-structured interviews. Findings The information culture framework facilitated identification of factors not recognized in previous information culture research, including uniquely Chinese factors of egocentrism, guanxi (relationships), mianzi (face), hexie (harmony) and renqing (mutual benefit). A further finding highlighted the profound differences between archives and library institutions in China. Originality/value The paper provides the first step toward further exploring features of Chinese organizational culture which will not only influence information management practices but also highlight the issues relating to collaboration between libraries and archives in China.

A Framework for Improving Knowledge Management Practices in Namibian Software Companies

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 1650003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Ejehiohen Iyawa
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Software Developers ◽  
Management Framework ◽  
Software Developer ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Software Companies ◽  
Km Strategy

Software development (SD) companies employ, train and provide software developers with the platform to improve their skills. Unfortunately, these investments are lost when a software developer resigns from the company or is not physically available to carry out work activities. This is a major problem experienced in Namibian SD companies. This paper investigates how knowledge is transferred and retained by software developers in Namibian SD companies. Using a case study approach, five software developers were purposively selected from five software companies in the city of Windhoek, Namibia. Data were collected using structured interviews. The findings revealed that Namibian SD companies do not have a formal knowledge management (KM) strategy in place, management is not involved in KM practices and experienced software developers are not willing to participate in the KM process as a result of job insecurities. The findings also revealed that knowledge gaps are created in Namibian SD companies when an experienced software developer resigns from the company, and this consequently hampers the SD process. Based on the findings, the study therefore proposes a knowledge management framework (KMF) for Namibian SD companies, which incorporates the needs of each software developer as well as the needs of the SD company to create an effective KM for Namibian SD companies. The KMF for Namibian SD companies were presented to five experts in the field of Software Engineering. The experts validated the KMF for Namibian SD companies and found it useful within the context of Namibian SD companies. The KMF for Namibian SD companies is expected to improve the way KM processes are carried out in Namibian software companies, providing a realistic approach to improving KM practices.

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