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David Y. Choi and Edmund R. Gray
The purpose of this paper is to examine the venture development processes (or “entrepreneurial processes”) of “sustainable” entrepreneurs, i.e. entrepreneurs who create and build…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the venture development processes (or “entrepreneurial processes”) of “sustainable” entrepreneurs, i.e. entrepreneurs who create and build profitable companies that also pursue environmental or social causes. The paper aims to find how these mission‐oriented entrepreneurs achieve their business objectives while serving their social and environmental causes.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper identifies 21 successful sustainable entrepreneurial companies in various industries ranging from apparel to biotechnology that were exemplary in their pursuit for sustainability. The paper examined their key decisions and activities in their “entrepreneurial process”, collecting most of the relevant information from published or self‐developed case studies.
Findings
The paper finds that most of sustainable entrepreneurs are an unusual breed with limited business backgrounds. Most obtain financing from non‐conventional sources and employ unorthodox, yet sound human resource management practices. They are shrewd in their marketing strategies and effective in running efficient, environmentally sound operations. Also, they find innovative methods for balancing their financial goals against their objectives of making a difference in their environment and society.
Practical implications
The paper's findings help demystify and provide some insights into how values‐oriented entrepreneurs and their companies can simultaneously meet economic, social and/or environmental objectives.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the few studies that examine the business practices of for‐profit, sustainability‐oriented entrepreneurs. It is also one of the few formal studies that identify commonalities among a relatively large and diverse sample of companies. Most important, this research suggests practical guidelines for aspiring entrepreneurs to follow as they build their sustainable business ventures.
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Shirley Druker Shitrit, Smadar Ben-Asher and Ella Ben-Atar
At times, a traditional minority group that opposes a change in the patriarchal structure is violent toward women who wish to adopt modern lifestyles. This study aims to examine…
Abstract
Purpose
At times, a traditional minority group that opposes a change in the patriarchal structure is violent toward women who wish to adopt modern lifestyles. This study aims to examine online comments regarding a shooting at a café in an Arab-Bedouin city in Israel, where women were employed as servers. The event was framed in Israeli media as an act of backlash by young men, who call themselves “The Modesty Guard.”
Design/methodology/approach
In this qualitative study, the authors collected 916 online comments that were published on five main online news sites. A thematic and rhetorical analysis of online comments was conducted.
Findings
The findings uncovered five main themes: the expression of support for Bedouin women; ideas for dealing with the Modesty Guard; blaming Bedouin tradition for the shooting; comparison of the violent behavior to a parallel phenomenon among Charedim; and criticism of the lack of treatment by Israeli security forces. The responses reflected a supportive stance toward Arab-Bedouin women, who were open to progress. Conflict discourse, however, expressed alienation and increased social-national schism between the Jewish majority and Arab-Bedouin minority groups in Israel.
Originality/value
This study sheds light on the backlash phenomenon in Negev Bedouin society. Moreover, it exposes the lack of significant supportive actions and a lack of understanding of the deep processes unfolding in this traditional society.
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Ben-Atar Ella, Ben-Asher Smadar and Druker Shitrit Shirley
Online violence has been rampant in the past decade, intensifying the victims’ suffering owing to its rapid dissemination to vast audiences. This study aims to focus on online…
Abstract
Purpose
Online violence has been rampant in the past decade, intensifying the victims’ suffering owing to its rapid dissemination to vast audiences. This study aims to focus on online gender-based violence directed against young Bedouin women who have left their male-dominated home territory for academic studies. This study examined how the backlash against these students, intended to stop changes in traditional gender roles, is reflected in offensive TikTok videos.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is based on a qualitative-thematic analysis of 77 questionnaires and 30 semistructured in-depth interviews with first-year female Bedouin students aged 18–21 years.
Findings
The backlash was widespread, with young Bedouin men using offensive videos as “proof” that women have violated codes of honor and morality. The videos exhibited four types of gender-based violence: claims of immoral behavior, aggressive captions that take the footage out of context, allegations of immodest clothing and digital photo editing that produced fabricated results. Examining participants' reactions to the videos, this study revealed two patterns of response: passive acceptance of the situation and an active approach that included reaching out to powerful Bedouin men for solutions.
Originality/value
This research enriches the literature on online gender-based violence, particularly against women in traditional societies, and suggests practical steps: developing online media literacy in traditional societies, adopting a proactive approach and nurturing social self-competence in women who have been victims of online gender-based violence.
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A. Waikar, K. Lee and M. Blalock
Several industrial tasks and workplaces involve sedentary work and/or constrained postures which impart static loads on the neck, back, shoulders and upper extremities. Examples…
Abstract
Several industrial tasks and workplaces involve sedentary work and/or constrained postures which impart static loads on the neck, back, shoulders and upper extremities. Examples of such tasks are jobs involving bending; holding loads or tools; operations which require arms to be lifted; prolonged standing or sitting; bending the head strongly downwards or upwards; and lifting the shoulders (Grandjean, 1983). These loads in turn cause musculoskeletal (physical) stress on the worker's body, which can be excessive and can result in discomfort and pain (Torner et al., 1991). In recent years, an increasing concern has emerged about such excessive musculoskeletal stress in workplaces (Grandjean et al., 1982; Ostberg and Moss, 1984). This concern has led to research in this area and subsequent recommendations for improving work stations to reduce or alleviate musculoskeletal stress. Other techniques such as using physical exercises — specifically muscular relaxation and stretching — may also be helpful in achieving this goal. It is expected that minimising this stress would result in better morale, reduced injuries and discomfort, lower absenteeism and turnover, and reduced errors, thus leading to better productivity in industry.
Abstract
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The purpose of this paper is to address what a sound warranty policy entails by identifying the key variables involved in the development of a warranty program.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address what a sound warranty policy entails by identifying the key variables involved in the development of a warranty program.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample population was composed of employees in the US division involved with high‐tech product warranties. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants.
Findings
The paper finds that the formality of the warranty policy should depend on its complexity. Differences exist between types of warranty based on the product knowledge of the buyer. Although a standardized warranty is easy to administer, as the product line diversifies, it becomes more challenging to standardize.
Research limitations/implications
This study can be expanded by examining how companies balance the cost/quality/warranty ability of the product, the techniques used to allocate warranty costs, and to evaluate multiple companies/industries, perhaps with a longitudinal focus.
Practical implications
The formality can be used to communicate the product warranty throughout the organization. Each department has a responsibility to the customer, so team members from service, product development, and marketing should plan and develop the warranty. A standardized warranty can send a clearer message to a customer about a firm's products. Simplifying front and back‐end processing and streamlining support structures can reduce costs.
Originality/value
In this paper, the identified key variable is brought out in warranty management framework. The development of this framework will satisfy a current, critical need to provide guidelines with all the steps needed to develop a warranty policy.
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Using in‐depth life history interviews, this paper examines how workingclass black workers get jobs. It also offers an analysis of the ways networks generate resource information…
Abstract
Using in‐depth life history interviews, this paper examines how workingclass black workers get jobs. It also offers an analysis of the ways networks generate resource information which then passes through a series of connections that in form those connected about available jobs, the application process, what personal information is required to get the job, employer expectations, the application process, wage rates and who will make the hiring decision. Black city residents have repeatedly had to reorganize their strategies for economic survival simultaneously evaluating what sort of information is passing through their net works about available jobs and what is re quired to get the job.
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