bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employees' feelings about more meetings
Authors: Allen Joseph A. , Sands Stephanie J. , Mueller Stephanie L. , Frear Katherine A. , Mudd Mara , Rogelberg Steven G. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify how employees feel about having more meetings and what can be done to improve employees' feelings about their work meetings.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from three samples of working adults. The first was a convenience sample recruited by undergraduate students (n=120), the second was a stratified random sample from a metropolitan area in the southern USA (n=126), and the third was an internet‐based panel sample (n=402). Constant comparative analysis of responses to open‐ended questions was used to investigate the overarching research questions.FindingsIt is found that employees enjoy meetings when they have a clear objective, and when important relevant information is shared. Consistent with conservation of resources theory, most employees are unhappy with meetings when they reduce their work‐related resources (e.g. meetings constrain their time, lack structure and are unproductive).Practical implicationsThe data suggest that meetings appear to be both resource‐draining and resource‐supplying activities in the workplace. Researchers and managers should consider overtly asking about how people feel about meetings, as a means of identifying areas for future research inquiry and targets for improvement in the workplace generally.Originality/valueThe paper describes one of the few studies on meetings that ask the participants overtly what their feelings are regarding their workplace meetings. Additionally, the paper illustrates the usefulness of qualitative data analysis as a means for further understanding workplace activities viewing respondents as informants.
Technological imperatives in the internationalization process
Authors: Sedoglavich Vesna 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically examine how a firm's leading‐edge technology affects the way international business is conducted.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the issues faced by high‐tech, small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from New Zealand in the internationalization process. Since the research is anchored within a realism framework, case studies and semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were applied.FindingsThe research suggests that current foreign activities result in a stream of indicators closely related to the firm's technology, which are instrumental in shaping and driving future international activities. The paper demonstrates that firms tend to be influenced by the entry decisions made by other firms in the same/similar industry targeting the same market; and that a firm's technological capabilities and the advantages of specialized knowledge act as the constraints in the development of the firm's future international strategy.Practical implicationsThe paper helps to increase the understanding of how lack of foreign market knowledge can be perceived as an obstacle to carrying out international business.Originality/valueThe paper presents the internationalization process as a dynamic process in an approach which is an extension of past thinking. However, past research has been motivated by generalizing findings across firms, to understand shared patterns in the process of internationalization. This approach overlooks the unique distinctiveness of firms in different sectors and contexts where idiosyncratic behavior is the norm rather than the exception to the rule.
Outside, inside: gender work in industrial relations
Authors: Ledwith Sue 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the role and experiences of women working in the industrial relations (IR) academy and to explore the recent claim that the subject of industrial relations has “been very receptive to the contributions of feminist analysis”.Design/methodology/approachAn examination is made of the liminal position of women IR scholars in the IR academy and their concern for feminist and gender analysis. Parallels are drawn with IR and trade unions, focusing mainly on Britain, which also occupy, simultaneously, insider and outsider spaces. This approach draws on the relevant literature and is then tested through a questionnaire survey of women scholars working in the field, the author included, together with interviews and interactive discussions about the findings.FindingsGender politics remain highly contested in the IR academy, with women and their work experiencing considerable marginalisation and exclusion. Nevertheless women IR scholars display a high level of commitment to the field, especially its emphasis on policy and practice. The conclusion is that so far, a “gender turn” has yet to occur in the field in the way that women's studies is claimed as being part of a new knowledge movement.Research limitationsA limitation of the study is a relatively low response rate to the questionnaire, with a bias towards older, more senior women academics.Originality/valueFor probably the first time the role and experiences in the IR academy of women researchers/ academics are examined and published. The study reveals that the exclusion and sexism experienced there closely reflect the gender and diversity analyses in the IR field.
Visibility and voice in organisations
Authors: Colgan Fiona , McKearney Aidan 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe paper aims to focus on the activism of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people and their allies within work organisations. Specifically, it explores whether LGBT trade union groups and company employee network groups provide mechanisms for visibility, voice and activism for LGBT employees within UK organisations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on in‐depth interviews with 149 LGB employees within 14 UK case study organisations. These took place within four local authorities, three fire and emergency services, two national voluntary sector organisations and five private sector organisations between 2004‐2006. In addition, 55 in‐depth interviews with management, trade union and LGBT company employee network group representatives within the organisations plus analysis of company and trade union web sites and publications provided information on organisation policy and practice. Interviews were conducted using a semi‐structured interview schedule and the data collected were coded and analysed with the assistance of Nvivo software.FindingsThis paper outlines the history of LGBT trade union groups and company employee network groups within the UK. It found that both LGBT trade union groups and company employee network groups have provided important and at times complimentary mechanisms for visibility, community and voice for LGBT employees. However, the paper recognised that LGBT company network groups were relatively “new actors” within the case study organisations and suggests that some early gains may have been those which companies were willing to concede. It concludes that more research will be needed to see whether both LGBT trade union and company employee network groups can maintain their momentum during a time of economic recession as equality and diversity budgets are squeezed.Originality/valueA decline in trade unions and increasing non‐unionisation despite labour movement revitalisation campaigns has meant that there is growing interest in whether employee network groups can provide meaningful avenues for “employee voice” in both unionised and non‐unionised workplaces. The paper addresses a gap in knowledge by focusing firstly on LGBT activism in the workplace and secondly on the rationale for and development of LGBT trade union and company employee network groups as mechanisms for “employee voice” for LGBT employees.
Inclusion of a diverse workforce in the UK: the case of the EU expansion
Authors: Hopkins Benjamin 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this research paper is to examine the integration of an increasingly diverse workforce in the UK following the EU expansion of 2004 to incorporate the accession countries of Central and Eastern Europe, at a time of increased migration from other areas of the EU such as Portugal.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents data from five case study companies. The key methods of data collection were 88 semi‐structured interviews coupled with lengthy time spent on observation at each company, leading to an ethnographically‐informed method.FindingsThe key contribution of this paper is to analyse the relationships between migrant workers and the British workers they work alongside in the context of the EU expansion. It shows how low levels of English language skills lead migrant workers into low skilled roles, and that in the workplace this leads to hostility from British workers. However, as migrant workers had mainly sought employment through an agency, the case study companies actually accentuated differences between workers, and this paper examines why they act in this manner, and analyses the effects this has on workplace relations.Originality/valueThis paper provides an original contribution to the equality and diversity literature as it analyses workplace relations in the context of the EU expansion of 2004. In addition to providing new empirical data for academics, it will also be of value for policy makers, particularly with regard to legislation relating to agency work, and also to management practitioners who have a diverse workforce.
Relationship between intangibility and perceived risk: moderating effect of privacy, system security and general security concerns
Authors: Vinhal Nepomuceno Marcelo , Laroche Michel , Richard Marie‐Odile , Eggert Axel 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the association between intangibility and perceived risk using a sample of North American households. This relationship is explored within two purchase environments, namely online and offline. The authors also investigated the moderating effects of privacy, system security and general security concerns when purchasing in an online environment.Design/methodology/approachThe survey was delivered to 156 households in a small town in the Midwest and collected upon completion.FindingsThe perception of risk is increased when two negatively loaded pieces of information are processed simultaneously (i.e. product intangibility and privacy concern). Furthermore, system security was identified as the most relevant concern in e‐commerce.Research limitations/implicationsThe representativeness of the sample is limited. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.Originality/valueThe results provide interesting insights about the generalizability of previous findings based on student samples, and show the importance of privacy concerns, system security concerns, general security concerns for those purchasing in online environments.
Brand communities for mainstream brands: the example of the Yamaha R1 brand community
Authors: Felix Reto 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand consumers' product use, practices, identity, and brand meanings in the context of a brand community dedicated to a mainstream Japanese motorcycle brand.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was used in the form of netnography (i.e. ethnography adapted to the study of online communities).FindingsOn the product level, consumers experience multiple conflicts and negotiations of meaning related to the use of the product. These findings are reproduced on the brand level, where members of the brand community present a more differentiated look on the brand, accompanied by lower levels of admiration and identification with the brand, as in previous reports of brand communities for brands such as Apple, Jeep, or Harley‐Davidson. The results suggest that consumers for mainstream brands may be more prone to multi‐brand loyalty instead of single‐brand loyalty.Practical implicationsMarketers should monitor motivations, attitudes, and decision‐making processes on both the product and the brand level. Further, non‐company‐run online communities such as the Yamaha R1 forum bear the risk of community members transmitting brand information in a way not desired by the company. Thus, marketers should consider sponsoring an entire discussion website, a forum, or part of a forum.Originality/valueWhereas previous studies on brand communities have concentrated predominantly on highly admired and differentiated brands, such as Apple or Harley‐Davidson, this study investigates consumer practices, identities, and negotiations of meaning on both the product and brand level for a less differentiated mainstream brand.
Social media's emerging importance in market research
Authors: Patino Anthony , Pitta Dennis A. , Quinones Ralph 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to investigate the use of social media as a new investigative tool in marketing research.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's approach is an analysis of the existing social marketing literature and industry practice in marketing analysis.FindingsThe market research profession has been affected by developments in social media. First, some of the traditional research methods suffer from changes in consumer communication patterns. As social media supplant communication methods such as telephony and even email, researchers have diminished capacity to reach consumer subjects. As a result, the social media have spawned a number of research techniques that overcome the problems that have started to affect the old techniques.Research limitations/implicationsThe article reviews the state of market research and its efforts to remain effective. The major new social media based market research techniques are described as well as their strengths and weaknesses. One limitation of the study is the focus on published research techniques. The study does not address proprietary techniques that may be used in practice.Practical implicationsSocial media have reduced the effectiveness of traditional market research techniques. Marketers can overcome that effect by employing some of the social media related techniques that have become available.Originality/valueTo date, few, if any, academic studies have been done that assess the impact of social media on the use of market research techniques. The study draws conclusions that may aid practitioners in maintaining successful marketing research techniques.
Online apparel retailing: roles of e‐shopping quality and experiential e‐shopping motives
Authors: Ha Sejin , Stoel Leslie 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe objectives of this paper are to: examine e‐shopping quality dimensions; explore how e‐shopping quality factors influence consumer shopping outcomes (e‐shopping satisfaction and e‐shopping intention); and test the moderating effects of consumer experiential e‐shopping motives on the e‐shopping quality – e‐shopping outcomes links within the context of online apparel retailing.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered from 298 college students in the USA using a self‐administered online survey.FindingsAmong four e‐shopping quality factors identified (privacy/security, web site content/functionality, customer service, and experiential/atmospheric), web site content/functionality and atmospheric/experiential quality have significant impact on e‐shopping satisfaction contributing to e‐shopping intention, while privacy/security and customer service have significant impact on e‐shopping intention but not on e‐shopping satisfaction. Furthermore, this study provides some support for the moderating roles that experiential e‐shopping motives plays in the e‐shopping quality – e‐shopping outcomes links.Research limitation/implicationsThis paper shows that experiential e‐shopping motives as an individual characteristic play a role in controlling the dynamics among e‐shopping quality, e‐shopping satisfaction, and e‐shopping intention. However, the data consisting of self‐reported measures from a single segment of online retail industry warrants caution in generalization in relation to common method bias.Practical implicationsThis paper entails useful implications for internet‐ and multichannel retail marketers delivering apparel/fashion goods to better understand the online consumer response process and determine effective e‐store management strategies that reflect the differing customer evaluation processes.Originality/valueThis study extends and complements the e‐tail service literature by examining whether and how experiential e‐shopping motives moderate the relationships among e‐shopping quality dimensions, e‐shopping satisfaction, and e‐shopping intention.
Governing for innovation in horizontal service cooperations
Authors: Steinicke Silvia , Marcus Wallenburg Carl , Schmoltzi Christina 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to provide insights into the role of governance mechanisms in fostering innovativeness in horizontal service cooperations.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 225 horizontal service cooperations in the logistics industry via an online survey. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the empirical data.FindingsThe choice of governance measures helps to improve the innovativeness of service cooperations. The use of formalization and balanced mutual influence, combined with cultural similarity provides the basis for the development of new or enhanced services within the cooperation. In contexts that build on equity‐based contracts, innovativeness is driven by the degree of mutual influence among partners.Research limitations/implicationsEmpirical data were collected in a single industry (logistics) and in a single country (Germany). A confirmation of the results in different service settings is therefore encouraged.Practical implicationsThis research emphasizes the importance of governance in facilitating innovation in service cooperations. By applying the right governance mechanisms in possible settings of co‐opetition, managers can foster coordination and the exchange of knowledge and diminish opportunistic behavior among parties.Originality/valueThe research is extended by developing a model based on the knowledge of service innovation, cooperation performance and governance mechanisms and by empirically testing this model.
Family allowances as reverse retail discrimination
Authors: Rosenbaum Mark S. , Walsh Gianfranco , Wozniak Richard 
Published: April 2012

PurposeResearchers have explored the extent to which consumers belonging to minority, ethnic, marginalized, and sub‐cultural groups experience discrimination in retail settings. This study aims to explore the converse of retail racism – namely, reverse retail discrimination. The work shows that gay men in the USA and Turkish people in Germany often secure relational benefits, or “family allowances,” from like employees, for no reason other than that they share a socio‐collective trait.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs grounded theory methodology to put forth a framework regarding five types of family allowances. The framework emerges from two in‐depth interview studies conducted with gay and Turkish people. A third qualitative study reveals insights into how majority groups view family allowances.FindingsThis study reveals that consumers who share ethnic and sexual orientation traits with like employees obtain family allowances; these are complementary products, monetary discounts, service improvements, customer comfort, and the sharing of information. The study also reveals that consumers from majority groups realize that reverse retail discrimination exists; however, they react negatively to having their thoughts confirmed.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited in that respondents were gay men and Turkish people. Studies are needed to further develop understanding of reverse retail discrimination and to investigate the extent to which managers realize that this phenomenon occurs.Practical implicationsManagers should realize that the potential for reverse discrimination exists and that discriminatory victims may become discriminatory agents.Originality/valueThis study develops the concept of family allowances. In addition, the study expands knowledge regarding a new type of marketplace discrimination.
Understanding pro‐environmental behavior
Authors: Park Joohyung , Ha Sejin 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the differences in underlying psychological aspects regarding pro‐environmental behaviors between two distinct consumer groups: green product purchasers and green product non‐purchasers. Focusing on pro‐environmental behavior in recycling, it seeks to investigate these psychological aspects: cognitive attitude, affective attitude, social norm, personal norm, and behavioral intention.Design/methodology/approachUsing a web‐based survey, a total of 363 responses from US consumers were used for the data analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to check the measurement model, and a multiple regression and MANOVA were performed to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsCompared to green product non‐purchasers, green product purchasers exhibited significantly higher levels of cognitive attitude, affective attitude, social norm, personal norm, and recycling intention. Also cognitive attitude, social norm, and personal norm predicted recycling intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this study include the self‐reporting questionnaire and the measurement of consumers' recycling intention rather than their actual behavior.Practical implicationsThis study will provide useful information to retailers who are developing product/service offerings and operation practices to address sustainable consumption.Originality/valueThis study provides empirical evidence that certain consumer groups in relation to pro‐environmental product shopping behavior (purchasers vs. non‐purchasers) exhibit differences in the psychological formation of another pro‐environmental behavior, recycling.
The importance of integrating multiple administrative levels in capacity assessment for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
Authors: Becker Per 
Published: April 2012

PurposeCapacity assessment is increasingly identified as a vital tool for effective capacity development for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. However, most internationally supported capacity assessments focus mainly on one administrative level in their attempts to understand the current capacities and capacity needs of the system under study. This article aims to investigate the potential for discrepancies between what stakeholders on different administrative levels in Fiji express when explaining how their system for managing risk and disaster situations functions.Design/methodology/approachThe study includes semi‐structured interviews with involved stakeholders from all administrative levels in Fiji, who are asked to describe what information and assistance is given or requested between administrative levels, in everyday circumstances and in disaster situations. The data were then analysed to identify similarities and differences in descriptions.FindingsThe study illustrates that there may be substantial discrepancies between accounts on different administrative levels concerning key functions of their system.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is not claiming that this always is the case, only that there may be a possibility for it. Potentially undermining the effectiveness of ensuing capacity development activities.Practical implicationsGiven that capacity assessment is to create a coherent foundation for capacity development, the study indicates that it would beneficial to include a wider range of administrative levels in attempting to construct one comprehensive view of the current capacities and future capacity needs.Originality/valueThe research topic is novel and valuable for stakeholders in the international community active in capacity development.