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1 – 10 of over 55000Aggeliki Tsohou, Maria Karyda, Spyros Kokolakis and Evangelos Kiountouzis
The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential of cultural theory as a tool for identifying patterns in the stakeholders' perception of risk and its effect on information…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential of cultural theory as a tool for identifying patterns in the stakeholders' perception of risk and its effect on information system (IS) risk management.
Design/methodology/approach
Risk management involves a number of human activities which are based on the way the various stakeholders perceive risk associated with IS assets. Cultural theory claims that risk perception within social groups and structures is predictable according to group and individual worldviews; therefore this paper examines the implications of cultural theory on IS risk management as a means for security experts to manage stakeholders perceptions.
Findings
A basic theoretical element of cultural theory is the grid/group typology, where four cultural groups with differentiating worldviews are identified. This paper presents how these worldviews affect the process of IS risk management and suggests key issues to be considered in developing strategies of risk management according to the different perceptions cultural groups have.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this research are based on theoretical analysis and are not supported by relevant empirical research. Further research is also required for incorporating the identified key issues into information security management systems (ISMS).
Originality/value
IS security management overlooks stakeholders' risk perception; for example, there is no scheme developed to understand and manage the perception of IS stakeholders. This paper proposes some key issues that should be taken into account when developing strategies for addressing the issue of understanding and managing the perception of IS stakeholders.
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Philip Linsley and Russell Mannion
This paper aims to utilise cultural theory of risk to provide a broad analytic framework for examining how risk is constructed within the dominant discourses around patient safety…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to utilise cultural theory of risk to provide a broad analytic framework for examining how risk is constructed within the dominant discourses around patient safety within the domain of psychiatry. It also seeks to examine notions of blame and to consider the possibility of the creation of a no‐blame culture.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical element of the paper draws on qualitative interviews with a sample of psychiatrists to explore how culture may give rise to different perceptions and responses in respect of “risky behaviour” and “safe practice”.
Findings
The paper discusses how psychiatry may be differentiated from other branches of medicine and concludes that the cultural grouping that appears to be most apposite in respect of psychiatrists is the egalitarian culture. However, changes in the NHS are resulting in the imposition of an individualistic culture on the community of psychiatrists with the effect that behaviours are being adopted as measures to avoid potential blame.
Practical implications
The paper finds that if the NHS is to improve patient safety then it must recognise that it is not possible to create a no‐blame culture and, therefore, it is more important to consider which type of culture will impact most positively on patient safety. It appears that psychiatrists are being compelled to adopt an individualistic culture when an egalitarian culture would be more advantageous for patient safety.
Originality/value
In contrast with the methodological individualism of the current safety orthodoxy which interprets risk as an objective and measurable phenomenon, the paper draws on cultural theory of risk to develop a critical perspective on current safety policy and to explore how “risky” and “safe” practices are socially constructed in the context of psychiatry.
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Philip Mark Linsley, Alexander Linsley, Matthias Beck and Simon Mollan
The purpose of this paper is to propose Neo-Durkheimian institutional theory, developed by the Durkheimian institutional theory, as developed by anthropologist Mary Douglas, as a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose Neo-Durkheimian institutional theory, developed by the Durkheimian institutional theory, as developed by anthropologist Mary Douglas, as a suitable theory base for undertaking cross-cultural accounting research. The social theory provides a structure for examining within-country and cross-country actions and behaviours of different groups and communities. It avoids associating nations and cultures, instead contending any nation will comprise four different solidarities engaging in constant dialogues. Further, it is a dynamic theory able to take account of cultural change.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper establishes a case for using neo-Durkheimian institutional theory in cross-cultural accounting research by specifying the key components of the theory and addressing common criticisms. To illustrate how the theory might be utilised in the domain of accounting and finance research, a comparative interpretation of the different experiences of financialization in Germany and the UK is provided drawing on Douglas’s grid-group schema.
Findings
Neo-Durkheimian institutional theory is deemed sufficiently capable of interpreting the behaviours of different social groups and is not open to the same criticisms as Hofstede’s work. Differences in Douglasian cultural dialogues in the post-1945 history of Germany and the UK provide an explanation of the variations in the comparative experiences of financialization.
Originality/value
Neo-Durkheimian institutional theory has been used in a wide range of contexts; however, it has been little used in the context of accounting research. The adoption of the theory in future accounting research can redress a Hofstedian-bias in accounting research.
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Jerry Chati Tasantab, Thayaparan Gajendran, Jason von Meding and Kim Maund
Climate change is predicted to increase the vulnerability of urban populations to flood hazards. Against this backdrop, flood risk adaptation has become pertinent. However, in…
Abstract
Purpose
Climate change is predicted to increase the vulnerability of urban populations to flood hazards. Against this backdrop, flood risk adaptation has become pertinent. However, in Ghana, current flood risk management practice is fostered by a reactive culture. There is limited research on how communities and government agencies are engaging with flood risk adaptation in improving resilience. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse the culture of communities and agencies through the cultural theory of risk (CTR), towards understanding the flood risk adaptation in Accra, Ghana. Culture is deciphered using the beliefs held by residents and public agency officials.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative methodology, underpinned by the constructivist paradigm, was adopted to understand factors that influence flood risk adaptation in informal settlements. Data was gathered using household and institutional interviews in Glefe, Accra, Ghana.
Findings
The results show that both disaster risk management institutions and community members are deeply concerned about current and future flood risk. However, their cultural beliefs concerning flood risk and adaptation are contradictory, broadly framed by fatalist, individualist and hierarchist beliefs. The contradictory emergent beliefs contribute to a clash of expectations and create uncertainty about how to respond to flood risk, impacting the implementation of required adaptation measures. Developing a collaborative flood risk management framework and a shared understanding of adaptation approaches may be a better alternative.
Originality/value
This paper advances understanding of how culture influences flood risk adaptation in developing country context.
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Vilas Govind Waikar, Purva G. Hegde Desai and Nilesh Borde
Risk management is an emerging research area in tourism and hospitality. This paper classifies hotels based on grid (control) and group (inter dependencies) structure given by the…
Abstract
Purpose
Risk management is an emerging research area in tourism and hospitality. This paper classifies hotels based on grid (control) and group (inter dependencies) structure given by the cultural theory of risk. This paper aims to understand whether hotels grouped as per grid group structure differ on risk coping strategies such as mitigation, absorption and transfer for various hospitality risks.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary data are collected from 112 senior managers of luxury hotels using structured questionnaire aimed to capture the grid group aspect and risk management practices. Using factor scores, hotels are grouped. One-way analysis of variance is performed on these data to ascertain whether risk management practices of various types of hotels differ.
Findings
Results provide new insights into hotels grid group aspect and risk-related behaviour, revealing that hotels significantly differ on risk coping and confirming that the structure of hotel – the grid and group – does impact its risk management practices.
Research limitations/implications
The study adds to the extant literature. For the first time, the grid group structure of hotel is proposed to impact the risk coping. Second, the risk perception study is conducted at firm level and not at individual level as done in past. Third, the paper looks at all three risk management practices and not in isolation, thus taking the risk research dialogue further. The study has not considered non-luxury hotels. Second limitation is a small sample of 112 hotels.
Practical implications
The study opens up a new perspective on hotel risk management. The researchers will benefit from the newer, theoretical understanding of firm-level complex structure of risk. The hotels risk professionals can benefit from understanding grid group structure and risk coping practices.
Originality/value
The novel approach of grid group classification of hotels is developed. Risk management practices are studied across hotel types for various risks. Study enhances the understanding of risk and grid group structure with regard to managing hospitality risk.
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Chia-Yi Cheng and Shang-Ying Chen
This study aims to investigate hazards in theater venues on the performance day by combining operational risk theory with a service blueprint method.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate hazards in theater venues on the performance day by combining operational risk theory with a service blueprint method.
Design/methodology/approach
Interviews and Delphi method are applied to find the hazards, then a survey and ANOVA are followed. The study explores a profile of hazards using data from theater venues in Taiwan and examines whether employee characteristics (i.e. professional tasks, experience and working location) affect risk perception.
Findings
The study suggests a new framework represented by a 5 (types of loss events) × 6 (service systems) matrix to check operational risks. The analyses indicate two types of hazards: risk perception about performance and operations by performers and crew (RPPOPC) and audience behaviors and safety (RPABS). RPPOPC is related to the core show, but not all employees possess high RPPOPC. Seniors have relatively low RPPOPC, and frontend house employees possess insufficient RPABS. Further, front house employees, seniors and those working in municipal cities show relatively high RPPOPC in high-loss situations.
Practical implications
Managers can use the analytic framework to effectively identify operational risks in the core show operations and audience service offerings. They can promote risk perception considering employee differences and loss severity. However, the framework does not discuss the cause-and-effect relationship. Incorporating a large amount of loss experience into a risk information system would help clarify this complex relationship.
Originality/value
This study contributes to hazard mitigation in the performing arts sector, both in the peripheral services for customers and in the core show services.
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Linda C. Ueltschy, Robert F. Krampf and Peter Yannopoulos
Perceived consumer risk is explored in relation to online (Internet) purchasing using a cross‐national sample (N=562) from the United States, Canada and U.K. Objectives of the…
Abstract
Perceived consumer risk is explored in relation to online (Internet) purchasing using a cross‐national sample (N=562) from the United States, Canada and U.K. Objectives of the study are to determine if experience in online purchasing reduces perceived risk, if perceived risk varies across product/service categories and if certain types of risk are more important in purchasing certain products/services. Lastly, does national culture affect perceptions of risk? Results are discussed and suggestions are offered to managers on how to reduce perceived risk, thus increasing online purchasing in the three countries examined.
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Dilek Borekci, Yasin Rofcanin and Meral Sahin
The central goal of this research is to understand the effects of organizational culture and organizational resilience over the riskiness versus non-riskiness categorization of…
Abstract
Purpose
The central goal of this research is to understand the effects of organizational culture and organizational resilience over the riskiness versus non-riskiness categorization of subcontractors. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilizes multiple sources of data collected in two different time setting. At time one, data were collected from the subcontractors (n=50) of a leading services providing company in Turkey. In order to validate these findings, second wave of data collection was followed one year later. This time, the data were collected from the subcontractors (n=59) of another services providing company in Turkey. Cluster approach was applied.
Findings
Results from the cluster analyses revealed interesting insights. Subcontractors that were characterized by high-performance orientation, high uncertainty avoidance and high future orientation were categorized as non-risky. Therefore, the hypotheses found support. Furthermore, in terms of the organizational resilience dimensions, subcontractors having high structural reliance, organizational capability and processual continuity were also categorized as non-risky. The validation study carried out with different subcontractors also revealed the same patterns of findings.
Research limitations/implications
This study revealed that organizational culture and organizational resilience carry critical implications during the subcontractor selection process. Focal companies that seek to expand their work with subcontractors should seek cultural fit and resilience.
Originality/value
This study is the first study to examine the effects of organizational culture and organizational resilience over subcontractor riskiness in the same framework. Furthermore, data were collected from different sources, in two different times and using different approaches.
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This paper investigates how outcomes-based performance management (PM) regimes operate in the partnerships known as social impact bonds (SIBs), which bring together partners from…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates how outcomes-based performance management (PM) regimes operate in the partnerships known as social impact bonds (SIBs), which bring together partners from the public, private and third sectors. The findings are analysed in the light of the different cultural world views of the partners.
Design/methodology/approach
Published evaluations of 25 UK SIBs were analysed by a qualitative multiple case study approach. This study of secondary sources permitted the analysis of a wide range of SIB partnerships from near contemporary accounts.
Findings
Outcomes frameworks led to rigorous PM regimes that brought the cultural differences between partners into focus. While partnerships benefitted from the variety of viewpoints and expertise, the differences in outlook simultaneously led to strains and tensions. In order to mitigate such tensions, some stakeholders conformed to the outlooks of others.
Practical implications
The need to achieve a predefined set of payable outcomes embeds a “linear” view of intervention and effect on the SIB partners and a performance regime in which some partners dominate. In designing accountability systems for partnerships such as SIBs, commissioners should consider how the performance regime will affect the interests of all stakeholders.
Originality/value
This study adds to the cultural theory literature which has rarely considered three-way partnerships embodying hierarchical, individualist and egalitarian world views and how performance regimes operate in such partnerships. Three-way partnerships are thought to be rare and short-lived, but this empirical study shows that they can be successful albeit over a predefined lifespan.
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Systems thinking is holistic, that is it deals with wholes ratherthan parts and is relevant to tackling ill‐structured“messy” problems. Reviews the literature on risk to…
Abstract
Systems thinking is holistic, that is it deals with wholes rather than parts and is relevant to tackling ill‐structured “messy” problems. Reviews the literature on risk to identify the techniques and concepts used in the management of risk and the identification of potential failures. The majority of the concepts identified are found to be systematic and reductionist. Also identifies related concepts not used in the techniques which are found to be more holistic. Classifies the concepts according to their use and holistic qualities. Briefly describes a systems approach to failures. As risk is associated with uncertainty and ill‐structured problems, suggests that systems thinking could be a valuable aid to risk management.
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