bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individualism‐collectivism and job satisfaction between Malaysia and Australia
Authors: Noordin Fauziah , Jusoff Kamaruzaman
Published: February 2010

Purpose

One of the main issues that many organizations will face in the coming years is the management of increasing diversity in the workforce. The purpose of this paper is to examine the levels of individualism and collectivism of managers in two different cultural environments, that is, Malaysia and Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by questionnaire from middle managers in a total of 18 organisations in Malaysia and ten organisations in Australia. Individualism‐collectivism was measured using Singeliset al.'s 32‐item scale. The items in the scale are designed to measure the horizontal and vertical aspects of individualism‐collectivism. The items were answered on seven‐point scale where 1 indicates strong disagreement and 7 indicates strong agreement. In addition, the seven‐item job satisfaction measure, which is part of the Survey of Organizations questionnaire developed by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, was used.

Findings

The study reveals the existence of differences between Malaysian and Australian managers on the level of vertical individualism, horizontal collectivism, and vertical collectivism. In addition, the Australian managers appear to have a significantly higher level of job satisfaction than their counterpart in Malaysia.

Research limitations/implications

Overall, the findings of the present study suggest that there have been significant shifts in value classifications in Malaysia since Hofstede conducted his original study. This finding underscores the fact that, although a nation's work‐related values and attitudes are deep‐seated preferences for certain end states; they are subject to change over the years as external environmental changes shape a society. Therefore, researchers and practitioners should use caution before attempting to use work‐related values and attitudes to understand human behaviours in organizations.

Practical implications

The results of this study may be of interest and assistance to managers of multinational and international organizations who need to manage in global contexts and, therefore, need to understand cultural‐driven differences in personal and interpersonal work‐related conditions between and across nations.

Originality/value

The results of this study provide empirical corroboration of the theoretical perspectives of Singeliset al.on individualism‐collectivism and horizontal and vertical dimensions of individualism and collectivism respectively. In addition, they may be of interest and assistance to managers of multinational and international organizations who need to manage in global contexts and, therefore, need to understand cultural‐driven differences in work attitudes of employees between and across nations. Finally, the study's findings contribute to a growing body of research that illustrates the need to take a multidimensional approach to the study on individualism‐collectivism.
Social responsibilities of MNCs in downsizing operations
Authors: Mäkelä Hannele , Näsi Salme
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the social aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by studying a case of organizational downsizing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a theoretical framework consisting of stakeholder theory and legitimacy theory together with the concept of social contract. Textual analysis methods are used to analyse and interpret the empirical data, which consist of mass media articles.

Findings

The main finding is that key stakeholders, especially employees and their representatives and the multinational corporation (MNC) itself perceive social aspects of CSR differently. The economic dimension dominates the social aspect in the corporate representatives' argumentation. Accounting information is used as a rhetorical tool to legitimise the downsizing actions rather than for purposes of accountability and transparent informative content.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on a detailed analysis of a specific context. This may limit the wider applicability of the findings. Even so, it adds insights to the academic literature on the varying conceptions of the social responsibilities of corporations, perceived not only by the firm itself, but also by different stakeholders.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on CSR by investigating understandings of corporate social responsibility in a case where the economic and social responsibilities of a firm are publicly debated. The study also links the theoretical debate on corporate social responsibility to a context with a complex range of political and social factors affecting the construction of the social and economic responsibilities of a firm.
Strategies for dealing with standard‐setting resistance
Authors: Jeppesen Kim K.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to an understanding of how auditing standard setting is adapted to changing patterns of resistance at various stages of its development.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is conducted as a longitudinal single case study of the auditing standard‐setting activities of the Danish professional body 1970‐1978. The case is based on extensive interviews with members of the standard‐setting board at that time, supplemented with documentary studies.

Findings

The paper identifies and discusses five general measures to deal with the immanent resistance to auditing standard setting: alignment of interests, representation, due process, soft texts, and reference to ideology. It concludes by analyzing how these strategies are adapted to changing patterns of standard‐setting resistance at various stages.

Research limitations/implications

The paper discusses auditing standard setting only. Although resistance to accounting standard setting may be dealt with in the same way, the patterns of resistance are most likely different and the adaptation strategies may therefore also be different.

Practical implications

Presenting insight into the processes of auditing standard setting, the paper is of interest to anyone involved in the process, either as developers or as users.

Originality/value

The paper supplements previous studies of standard setting by applying the Actor‐Network Theory approach to auditing standard setting, thereby outlining a new general framework for the study of standard setting.
Financial black holes
Authors: Shaoul Jean , Stafford Anne , Stapleton Pam
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine empirically whether the system of public expenditure reporting is capable of delivering financial accountability, focusing on the UK government's use of private finance for roads.

Design/methodology/approach

Publicly available documents from the public and private sector partners for 11 roads contracts are examined, together with a publicly provided bridge paid for via tolls as a comparator.

Findings

Reporting by both public and private sectors is limited and opaque, such that accountability to the public is inadequate. The evidence also shows that the scale of the additional expenditure generated by private finance warrants greater disclosure and scrutiny than is currently the case.

Research limitations/implications

These findings, which occur in the roads sector where projects are large and visible, are likely to be replicated elsewhere in the public sector. Accountability issues may be even more problematic in public bodies where reporting is more diffuse. Furthermore, the proliferation of other forms of private finance increases the problems of reporting clear financial information, the lack of which not only makes informed public debate about public and fiscal policy impossible but also may lead to the wrong policy choice.

Originality/value

There has been little ex post facto examination as to whether extant reporting requirements permit understanding and scrutiny of the cost of private finance. The paper presents a desired list of annual disclosure, highlighting an information gap.
Accountability, narrative reporting and legitimation
Authors: Samkin Grant , Schneider Annika
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how a major public benefit entity in New Zealand uses formal accountability mechanisms and informal reporting to justify its existence. The paper is premised on the view that the accountability relationship for public benefit entities is broader and more complex than the traditional shareholder‐manager relationship in the private sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This longitudinal single case study of the Department of Conservation (DOC) spans the period from its establishment in 1987 to June 2006. It involves the detailed examination of the narrative disclosures contained in the annual reports, including the Statement of Service Performance, over the period of the study. A number of controversial items that appeared in the printed media between 1 April 1987 and 30 June 2006 were traced through the annual reports to establish whether DOC used impression management techniques in its annual reports to gain, maintain and repair its organisational legitimacy.

Findings

The analysis found that the annual report of a public benefit entity could play an important legitimising role. Using legitimacy theory, it is argued that assertive and defensive impression management techniques were used by DOC to gain, maintain and repair its organisational legitimacy in the light of extensive negative media publicity.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to examine the relationship between narrative disclosures in annual reports and legitimacy in the public sector. The paper provides a valuable contribution to researchers and practitioners as it extends the understanding of how public benefit entities can make use of the narrative portions of the annual report when pursuing organisational legitimacy.
The pros and cons
Authors: Butt Maggie
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This poem aims to reflect the almost universal embrace of over‐work culture, complaining about its negative aspects and – with some surprise – acknowledging its positive qualities.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a free verse poem structured in five triplets, perhaps to echo the five working days of the week. Each triplet takes a different image for work, cold water, a ship, the Minotaur, astronauts' boots, bread and gravy, and sets them against one another as the demands of working lives may be set against one another. The simplicity of the language reflects the everydayness of work itself.

Findings

The “turn” in line 12 (as with a sonnet, though this is not a sonnet) brings us to the ending, the positive, distracting aspects of work. It was not known until well into the writing and drafting process that the poem would turn in this way and celebrate both positive and negative aspects. The title followed this final turn of angle.

Research limitations/implications

Having to go to work is a mixed blessing.

Originality/value

The poem is unique in its form, the choice of language, and the range of images chosen to represent (and exaggerate) the impact of work on people's lives.
Adam, Inc.
Authors: Hazelton James
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This poem aims to explore corporate ideology.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a fictional poem.

Findings

The poem suggests that a capitalist perspective diminishes social and environmental possibility.

Research limitations/implications

The poem invites renewed reflection on the influence of corporate values.

Originality/value

The poem draws on the story of Genesis to highlight salient aspects of capitalist culture.
Mediation: depolarizing responsibilities to facilitate reconciliation
Authors: Poitras Jean
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Parties' respective share of responsibility in a conflict is a topic that many mediators have difficulty approaching from fear of radicalizing discussions. The present paper aims to propose a strategy to help mediators facilitate parties' acknowledgement of their role in the escalation of a conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

The strategy is tested using a quasi‐experimental design using real case mediation in partnership with Commission des normes du travail du Québec (CNT).

Findings

The results indicate that it has a significant impact on the parties' acknowledgement of their share of responsibility, reconciliation and the settlement rate.

Research limitations/implications

Although the research design has good external validity, the strategy should be tested in other settings such as family mediation.

Practical implications

The results show that the parties' perceptions that they played no role in conflict escalation and that the other is responsible for the whole situation are at the heart of any conflict.

Originality/value

This study empirically tests an interesting and valuable approach to mediation.
Team identification, trust and conflict: a mediation model
Authors: Han Guohong (Helen) , Harms P.D.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The current study aims to address the relationship between trust, team identification, and team conflict. Specifically, it aims to examine whether trust in peers mediates the relationship between team identification and team conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an empirical paper based on two field studies. In Study 1, 241 employees in a USFortune500 company distributed in various and mostly R&D teams were surveyed. In Study 2, 205 employees in a health care organization in the Midwest were surveyed.

Findings

Team identification was related to lower levels of both task conflict and relationship conflict. This relationship, however, is mediated by the employees' trust in their peers.

Research limitations/implications

This finding addresses concerns about the mechanisms by which employee attitudes contribute to work behaviors.

Practical implications

This study highlights the importance of cultivating team members' sense of “we” rather than a sense of “I” in the team context, reinforced the crucial role of trust in organizational context. Further, by shedding light on the process by which teams come into conflict, our results suggest a means by which managers and organizations can work towards creating optimal levels of conflict in their work teams.

Originality/value

As far as it is known, this is the first field study that has examined the mediating role of trust between team identity and team conflict.
Group communication and conflict management in an electronic medium
Authors: Olaniran Bolanle A.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This study aims to explore the use of a Computer‐mediated Communication (CMC) system in‐group conflict management, with specific attention directed toward analyzing the task effect on conflict management patterns of groups in CMC interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Two tasks are used in experimental design to analyze interactions and conflict management patterns within e‐mail communication environment. Group composition and communication medium were kept constant. The group working relations coding system (GWRCS) was used to examine group interaction patterns that characterize the conflict management process.

Findings

The results demonstrate that task type influences the group conflict management process and the extent to which a group employs different levels of confrontiveness strategy in its interaction and conflict management patterns. Specifically, intellective task conflict is best handled by a high confrontiveness while cognitive task conflict is best handled by a moderate confrontiveness strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The study used small group size and did not take into account variation in group size. Thus, the degree to which a larger size groups might affect the results is unknown. The study showed that group effectiveness requires different conflict management and interaction patterns for different tasks even within the same communication medium.

Originality/value

The study outlined the importance of task types in conflict management within the same group and within the same communication technology. It also stressed the fact that individuals apply technology differently to negotiate conflict based on tasks.
Studying Chinese culture and conflict: a research agenda
Authors: Lin Canchu
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a research agenda for studying Chinese culture and conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

Publications on Chinese culture and conflict are searched and reviewed to identify conceptualizations of Chinese culture and key findings on conflict.

Findings

A review of the scholarly literature on Chinese culture and conflict suggests that Chinese culture has been mainly conceptualized as Confucianism and collectivism. Inadequacies of such conceptualizations and their negative effects on empirical research on Chinese culture and management and organization in China have been addressed.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations were not being able to get an exhaustive list of research publications on Chinese culture and conflict.

Practical implications

The paper helps to reduce stereotypes about Chinese conflict management stemmed from previous research

Originality/value

On the basis of recognizing the importance of past research, new directions for researching Chinese culture and conflict that constitute a new research agenda have been proposed.
Task conflict, relationship conflict and agreement‐seeking behavior in Chinese top management teams
Authors: Parayitam Satyanarayana , Olson Bradley J. , Bao Yongjian
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effects task conflict has on agreement seeking behavior and interpersonal conflict. In addition, it seeks to examine the moderating role of trust on the effects of agreement seeking behavior and interpersonal conflict on the styles of handing conflict, namely, avoidance, collaboration, and third party intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a structured survey instrument, this paper gathered data from 252 senior executives from Mainland China and analyzed these using the regression technique to see how interpersonal trust between executives moderates the relationship between conflict and conflict response mechanisms. The study also investigates the relationship between task and relationship conflict as well as agreement‐seeking behavior among Chinese executives in Mainland China.

Findings

Results show that the presence of interpersonal trust among executives affects the conflict responses for the benefit of organization. The results show that task conflict in top management teams is positively related to relationship conflict and negatively related to agreement‐seeking behavior. The data support the view that intra‐group trust moderates the relationship between agreement‐seeking behavior and collaborating responses such that high‐trust groups will have greater collaboration than low‐trusting teams. Results also support that intra‐group trust moderates the relationship between agreement‐seeking behavior and third party responses such that high‐trust groups will have greater third‐party responses than low‐trusting teams.

Research limitations/implications

Self‐report measures may have some inherent social desirability bias. Despite this potential weakness, this study examines Chinese executives and therefore provides insights into top management team literature.

Practical implications

This study contributes to both practicing managers as well as to strategic management literature. This study suggests that administrators need to focus on interpersonal trust while dealing with the outcomes of task and relationship conflict.

Originality/value

Although the study is related to Chinese executives, the findings from the study, that task conflict has its affect on interpersonal conflict and agreement‐seeking behavior, contribute to the strategic decision making literature.
Learning to lead in the entrepreneurial context
Authors: Kempster Stephen , Cope Jason
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of leadership learning in the entrepreneurial context, by building a dynamic learning perspective of entrepreneurship. It draws on contemporary leadership literature to appreciate entrepreneurial leadership as a social process of becoming located in particular contexts and communities.

Design/methodology/approach

Through qualitative phenomenological interviews with nine entrepreneurs the lived experience of learning to lead is explored. The principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) are utilised to analyse the data and enable inductive theory‐building.

Findings

The findings illustrate situated leadership patterns and relationships unique to the entrepreneurial context. A number of significant structural and experiential factors are identified that both shape and restrict the development of leadership practice in small ventures. Specifically, the limited opportunities for leadership enactment and observation, the dominance of the business as the crucible for leadership learning, the influence of the family and the low salience of leadership are highlighted.

Research limitations/implications

In appreciating the leadership learning task that nascent entrepreneurs are faced with it is vital that further research delves deeper into the varying levels of “leadership preparedness” brought to new venture creation. From a policy perspective, there is significant value in enabling entrepreneurs to engage in meaningful dialogue, critical reflection and purposive action with their peers through the creation of leadership “learning networks”.

Originality/value

The research demonstrates leadership learning processes and pathways that are significantly different to those experienced by managers in the employed context. In so doing, this article represents the first systematic attempt to apply a learning perspective to the subject of entrepreneurial leadership.
Entrepreneurial intent
Authors: Engle Robert L. , Dimitriadi Nikolay , Gavidia Jose V. , Schlaegel Christopher , Delanoe Servane , Alvarado Irene , He Xiaohong , Buame Samuel , Wolff Birgitta
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the ability of Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior to predict entrepreneurial intent in 12 countries representing all ten of the global regional clusters as identified in the GLOBE project.

Design/methodology/approach

Ajzen's model was operationalized to address entrepreneurial intent and a questionnaire was developed consisting of previously used scales, as well as a new measure of entrepreneurial autonomy. A total of 1,748 usable questionnaires were collected from university business students in 12 countries.

Findings

The results suggest that Ajzen's model of planned behavior, as operationalized in this study, does successfully predict entrepreneurial intent in each of the study countries, although as foreseen by Ajzen, the significant contributing model elements differ by country as does the percent of the variance explained by the model, although one model element, social norms, was a significant predictor of entrepreneurial intent in each country.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to provide insight to the role of cognition in the entrepreneurial process by examining a model of planned behavior in countries representing all global regional culture clusters. The paper also provides guidance for future entrepreneurial research and individual development of entrepreneurs.
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic female business owners
Authors: Davidson Marilyn J. , Fielden Sandra L. , Omar Azura
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the positive and negative effects of gender and ethnicity in relation to discrimination and the problems encountered in accessing social support (including emotional and instrumental support).

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were collected through in‐depth interviews with 40 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) female small business owners based in north west England. The main aims and objectives of the study were to: investigate the discriminatory experiences of BAME female small business owners related to their gender and ethnicity; and to identify the forms (formal and informal) and types (emotional/instrumental) of social support available in relation to their entrepreneurial activities that enabled them to cope with and overcome, the discrimination they may encounter.

Findings

Over half of the respondents in the study had experienced discriminations because of their gender, ethnic background or both. This was attributed to a number of factors, including stereotypical images of specific ethnic cultures, religions and practices. Many respondents reported difficulties in accessing different types of formal social support, e.g. formal business and financial support. Informal support by respondents' families was reported as a key source of both emotional and instrumental.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is just a starting point for this area of research and, because the sample covers women from a variety of BAME backgrounds, it is not possible to generalize the findings to the wider population of BAME women. However, it does give an indication of what issues need to be considered in the provision of instrumental support for BAME women small business owners.

Practical implications

The paper shows that a key element in the development of a strategy for addressing the needs of the BAME female small business owners is the necessity to appropriately re‐design mainstream business support systems and financial services, in order to provide these women effective access to formal social support.

Originality/value

The experiences of BAME small business owners have received little attention and this paper offers a unique insight into the relationship between social support, gender, ethnicity and business ownership.
The evolution of sovereign wealth funds: Singapore's Temasek Holdings
Authors: Ng Wilson
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Where there has been little in‐depth understanding of sovereign wealth funds, the purpose of this paper is to describe the complex nature of one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, Temasek Holdings (“Temasek”), whose “active” investment strategy has been emulated by a number of other funds.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws mainly on public data in developing a case history of Temasek.

Findings

Based on this data, the paper suggests how the firm's underlying strategy seems to be about pursuing the national interests of its sovereign shareholder in both a commercial and non‐commercial manner.

Research limitations/implications

Consistent with a case‐based approach, the paper presents a single example of a sovereign wealth fund.

Practical implications

The aggressive manner in which Temasek has built up its international portfolio coupled with the mixed impact of its “active” investment strategy raise a number of issues about the nature of an important sovereign wealth fund.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is in its cogent, insightful picture of the development of a sovereign wealth fund that was a pioneer of this phenomenon.
The politics of sovereign wealth fund investment: the case of Temasek and Shin Corp.
Authors: Lhaopadchan Suntharee
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the political aspects of sovereign wealth fund investment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a case study approach, bringing together various news articles and reports from around the world to build a picture of the key events surrounding the Temasek acquisition of Shin Corp.

Findings

The paper finds that the deal between Temasek and Shin Corp. was complex as foreign ownership is limited in Thailand. To add further controversy to the deal, the ultimate owner of Shin Corp. was former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Consequently, the controversy surrounding the deal and sensitive nature of the sale caused significant political turmoil in Thailand, and in some measure contributed to the military coup that finally ousted Thaksin Shinawatra.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a case study and as such is illustrative.

Practical implications

The case highlights the potential fallout from sovereign wealth fund investment as a result of acquiring strategic assets.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, the paper presents the first discussion of this important issue.
The next stage of sovereign wealth investment: China buys Africa
Authors: Doriye Elirehema
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight a number of issues surrounding the sovereign wealth investment activities of the Chinese Government in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a case study approach, bringing together various news articles and reports from around the world to build a picture of China's investment activities.

Findings

The paper finds that the reach of the Chinese Government is expanding rapidly beyond the narrow investments made thus far by China Investment Corporation. Through a wide‐ranging programme of investment through Chinese State Owned Enterprises the Chinese Government is securing substantial amounts of oil, mineral and arable land, with much of this coming from Africa.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a case study and as such is illustrative.

Practical implications

The current focus of the debate on sovereign wealth needs to be widened to take account of the other ways in which sovereign wealth is being invested.

Originality/value

This paper is believed to be the first to discuss this important issue.
Be careful what you wish for: the stock market reactions to bailing out large financial institutions
Authors: Brewer Elijah , Klingenhagen Ann Marie
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the implicit subsidies received, in the form of stock market returns, from the perception that large banking organizations are too big to fail, and implications for financial regulation.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis focuses on the responses of stock prices of various size groups of banking organizations to announcement of government capital injections to banks (troubled assets relief program) during the 2008 financial crisis, and summarizes responses of regulatory authorities to the crisis.

Findings

The paper finds positive and statistically significant stock return reactions both for a portfolio of the large banking organizations that are part of the initial capital injection plan and a portfolio of the large banking organizations that are not part of the initial capital injection plan, implying a too‐big‐to‐fail (TBTF) effect, especially for the latter group of institutions.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on a short time frame of stock price reactions to specific events, for the largest US banks. Further examination of longer‐term stock price effects on US as well as foreign banks may be of interest.

Practical implications

The results have implications for the manner and scope of financial regulatory actions and changes in regulators' approaches to systemic risk and individual bank regulation.

Originality/value

The paper examines TBTF bank subsidy effects in response to a rapidly unfolding financial crisis. These have implications for longer term responses, particularly in the regulatory sphere.
Media perceptions of public relations in New Zealand
Authors: Sterne Graeme David
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe media perceptions of public relations in New Zealand and to explore the reasons behind these perceptions with a view to identifying what public relations practitioners and Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) can do to improve the perceptions and build a better working relationship given the key nature of the public relations‐media relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 30 editors, news managers, business editors and senior news reporters from a full range of New Zealand's radio, television, print and online media were interviewed in late 2007. Maori and Pacific Island media were also included in order to gather perspectives from the non‐mainstream.

Findings

Media perceptions of public relations in New Zealand are largely (but not exclusively) negative. The relationship has four faces – sworn enemies; traditional rivals; close collaboration; and being in a different place (not connecting). Antagonism from media practitioners is largely based on experiences with public relations practitioners but also on self created identities. Variations are due to power differentials such as self and other definition, realities in the media landscape, and perceived misalignment of interests.

Research limitations/implications

This study only looks at the relationship from a media persective. A similar study of public relations practitioner perspectives would be the sensible next step. Further investigation of ethnic models of media and public relations are needed because they have not been done before and they may produce fresh ways of understanding and framing public relations.

Practical implications

This study argues that outright media hostility is hypocritical and unhelpful but that professional rivalry is healthy. Public relations practitioners in New Zealand need to improve their treatment of the media at a relational level and learn how to relate to other cultures more effectively. This is crucial because the strongest influence on media perceptions of public relations is the behaviour of public relations practitioners.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the perceptions of senior media in New Zealand. It demonstrates the array of perceptions and reveals that ethnic media feels disconnected from mainstream public relations. This study explains why this is and suggests some practical steps to take to remedy this rift. It also identifies more general measures public relations practitioners need to take to improve the crucial public relations‐media relationship.
Managing from the middle
Authors: Reber Bryan H. , Pētersone Baiba , Berger Bruce K.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the opinions of newsletter editors in the Sierra Club in an effort to understand the roles an editor and newsletter content play in building relationships in an activist setting. There are two goals: to examine editorial decision making in an activist organization; and to examine the role of interpersonal interaction as part of an organizational‐public relationship (OPR).

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews with 14 Sierra Club newsletter editors examined issues related to newsletter content choice, issue frames, sources, and mission.

Findings

The findings illustrate normative practices for grassroots gatekeepers. Editors saw their role as facilitating relationship building and activism among members. This has theoretical implications for OPR theory by suggesting a new facilitative relationship type.

Research limitations/implications

As all qualitative research, the findings of this study are not generalizable. This study is further limited because it focuses on a single organization and one communication channel.

Practical implications

Most editors suggested that content selection was based on the expertise of the editor or an editorial or executive board. This provides strategic communication opportunities for both the national and the grassroots organization, if the editorial decision making model is identified by strategists.

Originality/value

Mid‐level gatekeepers, such as newsletter editors, are an important public to study because of their potential impact on key publics. This paper provides both practical and theoretical implications. Practical implications include insights into how some activist gatekeepers make decisions and into information salience.
Enhancing the quality of organizational communication
Authors: Marques Joan F.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This article aims to introduce practical based criteria for effective organizational communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The subject scope for this article is corporate communication. The study is based on literature reviews and a qualitative study, entailing the basic principles of the phenomenological approach, with 20 subjects.

Findings

Four additional criteria for effective corporate communication surfaced: responsible; professional; concise; and sincere.

Research limitations/implications

The studies reviewed, although in‐depth, apply to a small sample in one metropolitan environment, which makes generalization among different cultures riskier.

Practical implications

Organizational managers may use these findings to reflect on their communication strategies and improve them, where necessary, on the basis of the findings of this study.

Originality/value

The paper's value lies in the four additional criteria found as a result of reflections from members of the corporate workforce, after having been exposed to a course on organizational communication, and therefore, existing criteria in literature. The additional criteria may be considered important for corporate workers, and should therefore not be ignored by managers.
What they can do versus how much they care
Authors: Kim Sora , Rader Scott
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a typology of corporate communication strategy; to investigate whether the typology is present among Fortune 500 corporations; and to explore whether there is a dominant strategy and industrial differences among them.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis of all 2008 Fortune 500 corporate web sites was undertaken.

Findings

This paper finds that there are three corporate communication strategies used to affect publics' corporate associations: corporate ability (CAb) strategy; corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy; and a hybrid strategy. The results demonstrate that a majority of corporate public relations for Fortune 500 companies emphasize a CAb communication strategy over a CSR or hybrid strategy, whereas the top 100 Fortune 500 corporations focus on a CSR strategy over the other two strategies. Industrial differences are also found in adopting different corporate strategy among the companies.

Originality/value

The applied value of this research it is that provides convincing and realistic insights about contemporary corporate communication strategy and a valuable set of communicative directives to public relations practitioners managing corporate‐context communications with stakeholders since it explores dominant corporate strategy among Fortune 500 companies.
Cultural issues in crisis communication
Authors: Wertz Emma K. , Kim Sora
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the crisis messages framed by the media coverage and the message strategies during the US E. coli spinach crisis and Korea's rotten dumpling crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis was used to extend a cultural analysis of the crisis messages framed by the media coverage regarding the sources of information and the message strategies used by these sources.

Findings

Korea used a more aggressive message strategy than was expected.

Practical implications

Conscientious public relations practitioners can use this kind of information as they work to better understand how culture affects the way the media frame issues, through the messages they present to publics, and the effect these frames have on an organization's key stakeholders and publics.

Originality/value

Situations like this allow crisis communicators and public relations professionals to investigate messages created during a crisis situation and messages that are conveyed – through the media – to key stakeholders. Doing so allows for a better understanding of where information and communication gaps occur during a crisis – providing an opportunity for public relations practitioners to assist in filling them.
Guest Editor's introduction
Authors: Salling Olesen Henning
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to outline the historical and conceptual context in which the research into workplace learning as a research field is emerging.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper in an essayistic knowledge sociology perspective parallels developments in the nature of work and the growing interest in human resources, and hence learning. It confronts the general stereotypes of work with the actual multiplicity of different work domains.

Findings

The actual sample of articles is characterized briefly, drawing attention to the epistemological value of concrete studies of different learning experiences in different types of work.

Originality/value

The perspective of the editorial is mainly to spur the reflection of researchers in the field to the interrelation between theoretical issues and practical engagement in learning enterprises.
When is it OK to learn at work? The learning work of organisational practices
Authors: Scheeres Hermine , Solomon Nicky , Boud David , Rooney Donna
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of “learning” through what we have termed “integrated development practices”. These are common organisational practices that both enhance organisational effectiveness and contribute to organisational and employee learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the ways in which learning and being a learner were talked about and enacted with regard to one of the integrated development practices identified in a study of four different organisations – safety practices, and how learning and being a learner regarding safety were legitimate in one of the organisations. Data are drawn from semi‐structured interviews with members of a variety of workgroups in one major division of the organisation.

Findings

Interviewees' responses reflected that learning was fully embedded as an accepted part of a necessary function of the organisation. This use of a learning discourse is discussed in the light of findings from an earlier study on informal learning at work that suggested that learning and the identity of being a learner were sometimes resisted in the everyday culture of work.

Originality/value

Using the theorisations of practice of Schatzki and the lifelong education framework of Delors the paper discusses the implications of these findings to examine when it is acceptable to articulate learning as part of work and be identified as a learner at work.
Practice‐based innovation: a learning perspective
Authors: Ellström Per‐Erik
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the idea of practice‐based innovation and to propose a framework that can be used to conceptualize and analyze practice‐based innovation processes in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument is driven by conceptual analysis and theoretical synthesis based on theory and research on innovation, organizational change, individual and organizational learning.

Findings

The proposed framework portrays practice‐based innovation as a cyclical process of adaptive and developmental learning driven by contradictions and tensions between explicit and implicit dimensions of work processes.

Originality/value

The paper adds to previous research through its focus on practice‐based innovation and the conceptualization of this notion in terms of learning in and through everyday work. It thus creates connections between innovation research and research on workplace learning.
Learning and recognition in health and care work: an inter‐subjective perspective
Authors: Liveng Anne
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of recognition in learning processes among female nurses, social and health care assistants and occupational therapists working with people with dementia and other age‐related illnesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights the need to experience recognizing learning spaces among social and health care workers dealing with elderly care. Such learning spaces are crucial/imperative in order to come to terms with emotionally stressing experiences from daily work, and in order to be prepared for future challenges, such as new tasks or patients with a complex diagnosis. Drawing on Nordic research into health and care work, it is argued that, particularly in work fields which are mentally loaded or which are not held in high esteem culturally, this condition seems to be important.

Findings

The main argument is that learning is related to recognition – especially when it comes to groups of professionals, who are low ranked in the workplace hierarchy and therefore seldom experience recognition in their daily work. According to interviews with members of the mentioned professional groups, learning spaces, in which the medical and professional hierarchies are suspended, promote learning processes.

Originality/value

Axel Honneth's critical theory of recognition is used as the theoretical framework for understanding more generally the relational nature of human learning processes and the need for recognizing contexts. The paper concludes that this need is particularly imperative in health and care work for the elderly, but may also promote learning more generally.
Exploring internal segregation in the South African medical profession
Authors: Wildschut Angelique
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the motivations underlying the specialisation choices of six female specialist doctors working in Cape Town, South Africa and to investigate whether the specific gender work identity associated with that specialism resulted in their motivation to enter it.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology comprised conducting semi‐structured interviews, where female medical doctors were asked to provide an account of their general experiences as medical doctors in a male‐dominated profession, as well as a more specific question related to their choice of specialisation.

Findings

These female medical specialists entered these so‐called soft specialisms mainly for three reasons: so‐called female‐friendly characteristics; exposure to, not necessarily fuelled by interest in, certain specialisms; and so‐called male characteristics.

Originality/value

The importance of such research is threefold as it has practical, social, and economic implications. The practical implications are evident in that a better understanding of the perceived gendered work identities has the potential to impact better retention and recruitment. The social implication is also important, as unchallenged gendered trends serve to perpetuate gender unequal outcomes in the wider society, which can be constraining or discriminatory. Lastly, an aspect which is not always considered is the fact that gender inequality is economically inefficient. The scientific value is found in the space it provides for reconsidering the relevance of the use of the terms “soft and hard” specialisms to explain the drivers of internal segregation in the medical profession.