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1 – 10 of over 3000
Article
Publication date: 20 July 2012

Norberto Nuno Gomes de Andrade

This paper seeks to propose the application of future‐oriented technology analysis (FTA) to law. As law traditionally reacts after events and is resistant to change and

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to propose the application of future‐oriented technology analysis (FTA) to law. As law traditionally reacts after events and is resistant to change and transformation, the article argues for equipping legal activities with a set of tools, methods and approaches that enables them to acknowledge and anticipate the various possible futures that will guide society.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes a series of real world examples and case studies – pilot projects, research consortia and academic programmes – that are already employing FTA methodological approaches to pursue their objectives.

Findings

Based on these examples, the article explains the various benefits that the application of specific FTA methodological approaches (such as scenario‐planning, modelling techniques and backcasting) may bring to three specific legal fields: legal research, legislative drafting and law enforcement. The article also examines the prospective perils that systematically applying FTA to law may bring about. While the introduction of FTA tools and techniques to law is deemed extremely important and useful, the paper also draws attention to the problems and challenges that this entails, indicating paths for future research.

Originality/value

Future‐oriented legal studies are rare and, what is worse, the ones that exist lack proper methodology, failing to encompass the use of forecasting methods or foresight tools in the development of their studies. This paper attempts to fill the gap produced by this notorious lack of methodology in the legal analysis of the future, and presents a new methodological approach to law. It proposes the application of future‐oriented analysis (FTA) – as a common umbrella term that encompasses foresight, forecasting and technology assessment methods and tools – to the legal sphere.

Details

Foresight, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2011

Khaled Hussainey and Basil Al‐Najjar

The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of future‐oriented information in UK annual report narrative sections. The paper also investigates the association between…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of future‐oriented information in UK annual report narrative sections. The paper also investigates the association between corporate dividend policy and levels of future‐oriented information, as a proxy for information asymmetry.

Design/methodology/approach

A computer‐based‐content analysis is used to measure levels of future‐oriented information. Tobit and logit regressions are then applied in order to examine the impact of firm characteristics, and corporate governance characteristics on future‐oriented disclosure. In further tests, Tobit and logit regression models are used to investigate the association between corporate dividend policy and levels of future‐oriented information.

Findings

The authors find that firm size is the main factor affecting the firms’ levels of future‐oriented information. This variable is statistically significant in five regression models. In addition, the authors find that profitability, outsider directorships, and insider ownerships affect the levels of future‐oriented information. However, the significance of these variables depends on whether fixed effects or random effects models are used and whether year dummies are included or excluded in the analyses. Finally, the authors find a positive association between corporate dividend policy and information asymmetry (measured by the levels of future‐oriented information).

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing disclosure studies in two crucial ways. First, it offers the first evidence that levels of future‐oriented information are driven by some firm characteristics, and some corporate governance mechanisms. Second, it offers the first UK evidence of the association between corporate dividend policy and information asymmetry. The results show that dividends and information asymmetry are negatively associated.

Details

Journal of Applied Accounting Research, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0967-5426

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2023

Simone Sartori and Sidnei Vieira Marinho

The main objective of this research was to combine the integration between two fields of knowledge – future-oriented technology analysis (FTA) and games. This study aims to…

Abstract

Purpose

The main objective of this research was to combine the integration between two fields of knowledge – future-oriented technology analysis (FTA) and games. This study aims to capture the stakeholders’ actions and decision-making in a procedural, interactive and collaborative way to find a vision of the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework was designed from a literature review on the related research topics, exploring elements and methods, also how we brought the two fields together. The framework was structured in four steps: exploring – deciding – matching – evaluating. For each phase, deep reflections were described to understand the current situation, identify essential future issues and provide recommendations for action.

Findings

One attractive aspect of the FTA-games is the characteristics of each field but combined made it possible to evaluate future developments and trends. The elements present in games can boost FTA activities through interaction, engagement, experiences, collaboration and motivation, among other elements. Systematically, we seek to ensure traceability by identifying challenges, solutions, execution and results achieved and using tools and elements that make prospecting practical.

Originality/value

This article systematizes the connection between two fields in the form of a framework. At each stage of the framework, participants and strategists are challenged to seek solutions to future challenges, allowing these participants to engage in a common cause and make actions tangible. Game elements can be shaped to explore new avenues in FTA activities, as they are used in games in specific subject domains. These fields tend to be fragmented and are not integrated.

Details

foresight, vol. 25 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 August 2010

Toni Ahlqvist, Asta Bäck, Sirkka Heinonen and Minna Halonen

This paper seeks to discuss the outcomes of a road‐mapping research on social media project completed at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Social media refer to a

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to discuss the outcomes of a road‐mapping research on social media project completed at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Social media refer to a combination of three elements: content, user communities, and Web 2.0 technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes socio‐technical road‐mapping to study the potential transformations of social media in the virtual and physical spheres.

Findings

Road‐maps were constructed in three thematic areas: society, companies, and local environment. The results were crystallized into five development lines. The first development line is transparency and its increasing role in society. The second development line is the rise of a ubiquitous participatory communication model. The third development is reflexive empowerment citizens. The fourth development line is the duality of personalization/fragmentation vs mass effects/integration. The fifth development line is the new relations of physical and virtual worlds.

Originality/value

The study of social media has been focusing mainly on its technological aspects from the current perspective. This paper forms a future‐oriented perspective to social media in a wider societal context.

Details

Foresight, vol. 12 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 July 2020

Apeksha Hooda and M.L. Singla

The purpose of this paper is to empirically identify the themes of core-competencies required for future-oriented and sustainable e-governance practices, especially across the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically identify the themes of core-competencies required for future-oriented and sustainable e-governance practices, especially across the developing nations.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study has been conducted using the sequential mixed method research wherein the exploratory qualitative study is first carried out with the government officials involved in e-governance implementation across India to identify the themes of core-competencies. The findings of this exploratory study are then empirically tested with the 359 respondents from Group A and Group B officers of the two government departments in India using partial least square technique.

Findings

The findings suggested that to ensure the implementation of future-oriented and sustainable e-governance, it is required to develop the core-competencies. The significant core-competencies explored are, namely, process management, employee engagement, internal service quality, external service quality, citizen satisfaction, leadership, culture and technology.

Research limitations/implications

As strategic implementation of e-governance is a relatively new area of study, the present study has used the learning from core-competencies studies in the non-government sector.

Practical implications

The findings of this study underscore the need for strategic implementation of e-governance to have long-term success of e-governance. The requirement is to develop the core-competencies. These core-competencies are the key to making the government departments proactive in dealing with any future contingency without compromising on the departmental performance.

Originality/value

The present research is one of the few research studies focusing on the implementation of sustainable and future-oriented e-governance. The current study has laid the stepping stone for investigating the role of core-competencies to ensure the implementation of sustainable and future-oriented e-governance.

Details

Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 August 2019

Kamila Ludwikowska

Teachers at the tertiary level play an essential role in the expansion of quality in higher education. The issue of competence and its development has particular importance in…

Abstract

Purpose

Teachers at the tertiary level play an essential role in the expansion of quality in higher education. The issue of competence and its development has particular importance in creating the new landscape of the twenty-first century. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop validated inventory identifying future-oriented competences required for the teaching profession in the changing environment of higher education institutions (HEIs).

Design/methodology/approach

In the study, teacher competences and related teacher’s behavior were theoretically defined and underwent principal factor analysis. The survey was carried out among teachers, students and graduates of HEIs in India.

Findings

The analysis revealed future-oriented teacher competences resulting from the globalization process of the teaching profession. Testing the inventory indicated that there was a high Cronbach’s α reliability. Results show that the inventory enjoyed proper internal consistency for four dimensions as general teaching competences. The inventory with 66 items and four factors explained 47.279 percent of the total variance and indicated a strong factor model.

Practical implications

Teacher competence inventory (TCI) can be used to modernize study programs of teacher education and shift focus toward future-oriented competences required for the teaching profession in HEIs in India. Therefore, TCI could be essential to prepare teachers for the changing environment of teaching.

Originality/value

This study is an essential step in reorienting the process of teacher education toward professional development aimed at developing future-oriented competences in the teaching profession. It proposes to develop an instrument measuring teacher competences areas and related teacher behavior.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 61 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 May 2020

Apeksha Hooda and M.L. Singla

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how to strategically reengineer the government processes in e-governance to ensure the implementation of future-oriented and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how to strategically reengineer the government processes in e-governance to ensure the implementation of future-oriented and sustainable e-governance across developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has used learning from the theory of strategic intent. The present study has been conducted using exploratory sequential mixed method research. The findings of exploratory study, supported by extant literature on reengineering, core competencies and e-governance success, forms the basis for proposed research framework, which is empirically tested with 359 respondents from the two government departments in India using partial least square technique.

Findings

The findings of this study suggested that it is needed to reengineer the government processes with a view to develop the core competencies to ensure the long-term success of e-governance implementation in terms of future-orientation and sustainability. The reengineering transformations are found to have significant positive effect on the core competencies development that, in turn, has a positive effect on the success of e-governance.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study is the small sample size of qualitative and quantitative study owing to the missing willingness of government officials to respond to the research instruments.

Practical implications

The findings of this study would help e-governance practitioners to focus on the key strategic areas which will ensure the long-term success of e-governance and make the same valuable for the current and upcoming generations.

Originality/value

This study made an original contribution to e-governance literature by developing and validating a theoretical model for empirically assessing the strategic effect of business process reengineering changes on e-governance success (in terms of future orientation and sustainability) through mediating variable, core competencies.

Details

Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 November 2014

Christian Kuklinski, Roger Moser and Thomas Callarman

This paper aims to examine from an information processing perspective how Delphi-based analyses can be used to overcome some challenges of dynamic business environments in…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine from an information processing perspective how Delphi-based analyses can be used to overcome some challenges of dynamic business environments in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Delphi-based, future-oriented approach utilizing scenario planning methodology based on real-time expert-panel data.

Findings

Delphi-based analyses can indeed serve as an information processing aid to reduce uncertainty and equivocality in an emerging market.

Originality/value

A multistage analysis approach integrating the political, economic, socio-cultural and technological-stakeholder framework to support and better structure managers’ information processing in an emerging market.

Details

Journal of Indian Business Research, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4195

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2023

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Firms seeking to anticipate potential trends and challenges in order to develop effective strategies can combine future-oriented technology analysis (FTA) with games. Game elements can strengthen FTA as players are able to engage in collaborative experimentation to better understand the present situation and explore potential solutions to future challenges.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Details

Strategic Direction, vol. 39 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0258-0543

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 September 2018

Ardeshir Sayah Mofazali and Katayoun Jahangiri

The human efforts to be prepared better for the future challenges of natural disasters go back ages. Natural disasters occur when a natural event, such as an earthquake, triggers…

Abstract

Purpose

The human efforts to be prepared better for the future challenges of natural disasters go back ages. Natural disasters occur when a natural event, such as an earthquake, triggers the social vulnerability. These natural disasters kill thousands of people worldwide annually and cause economic losses in millions of dollars. Moreover, the global cost of natural disasters has increased substantially, and mega-disasters occur when the need for recovery truly becomes national or international. There are several trends in nature and society, which suggest that this pattern may continue, with mega-disasters occurring more frequently in the future. In the past 100 years, the number of disasters and the number of people affected by these disasters have exponentially up surged. Thus, there is no other way to improve preparedness in a meaningful or diverse future-oriented manner.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses on how to design and customize a conceptual foresight model in “disaster risk management” in Iran, and offers an executive model to help decision-makers in disaster management, through which an appropriate practical framework for the implementation of foresight has been developed.

Finding

The model has presented a possible framework for implementing a foresight practice within the context of disaster management. This paper particularly addresses different elements of a customized model, developed through a substantial literature review and comparative study for defining the suitable model in the disaster management context. The final model is validated using two rounds of the Delphi method, with the participation of national disaster management experts, practitioners and scientists.

Research limitations/implications

Although the whole model could be used all around the world, the main source of data validating the proposed model is limited to the expert’s opinions in a developing country (I. R. Iran.) and the geographical conditions of Iran are considered as a core of attention in response to natural disasters. Based on the indicators for choosing Delphi participants and experts, only 43 qualified experts are selected to validate the model. The main focus of this research is on natural disasters issues.

Practical implications

This study showed that while there has been a scattered global effort to recognize the increasing uncertainties in diverse disciplines, very little work in academic foresight has been undertaken to identify how it could be implemented. In particular, a series of factors in foresight processes is identified based on the comparative study and some additional elements are added to precisely identify the disaster management context and the most suitable model for national foresight implementation in disaster management.

Originality/value

The main value of this research paper is to clarify the exact relationship between the two interdisciplinary fields; the relationship between the key concepts of “futures studies” and “disaster management” has been thoroughly established. Also, a specific conceptual model for enriching the “pre-foresight” stage and selecting a proper “foresight approach” in “disaster management” is provided. This model has been validated through two rounds of the Delphi method. Finally, a cumulative framework of foresight patterns that includes the new model is presented to be applied in areas especially related to “natural disaster management”.

Details

foresight, vol. 20 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

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