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1 – 10 of 74This study explores the social conditions for sustainability practices, addressing the processes whereby associational gardening practices in a highly segregated context may or…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the social conditions for sustainability practices, addressing the processes whereby associational gardening practices in a highly segregated context may or may not create connections and capacities across urban social divides.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on organizational ethnographic fieldwork, the article explores urban gardens as potential meeting places in a segregated city, Gothenburg, focusing on collectively organized gardening projects in different socioeconomic and socio-spatial settings.
Findings
The study identifies the unintentional encounters embedded in the immaterial act of gardening, that is, digging, planting and actual gardening practices regardless of the harvest. Such practices were found to be important for social sustainability practices beyond the continuous reproduction of silos, at least in multicultural settings. Nevertheless, many urban gardeners create a green living room for themselves and their neighbours, and engagement with those outside their silos often becomes more of a symbolic act of global solidarity, especially in more culturally homogeneous areas.
Originality/value
The article fills a gap in the research by focusing on the social conditions for sustainability practices in urban segregated areas. By showing how gardening practices often reproduce cultural similarity, the study highlights the importance of revealing practices and places that facilitate unintentional social “bonus” interactions that nonetheless occur in two of the gardening environments studied. Unintentional encounters are identified as important dimensions of social sustainability practices.
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Patrik Ström and Brita Hermelin
The circular economy (CE) has been endorsed as representing a model that is able to achieve environmental protection through decreased use of raw materials, together with changing…
Abstract
Purpose
The circular economy (CE) has been endorsed as representing a model that is able to achieve environmental protection through decreased use of raw materials, together with changing economic values and social inclusion thanks to its demand for a wide variety of skill profiles. This has motivated many policy initiatives to support the implementation of the CE. The purpose of this study is to follow such policy initiatives in three geographically anchored industry-specific networks.
Design/methodology/approach
The study contributes to the research debate on the CE through a spatial approach with a focus on how the implementation of the CE is conditioned by spatial and regional contexts. The authors investigate three different networks in Sweden for CE with different locations and industrial profiles.
Findings
The findings reveal the difficulty that exist in relation to the implementation of the CE. The network and support functions in combination with private industry are vital. The risk of sustaining an uneven regional economic development is evident.
Originality/value
Although research on the development of the CE has proliferated, geographical approaches to this development are comparably rare to date. The authors seek to contextualise the strategy development and policy implementation of a CE policy.
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Viktor Elliot, Jonas Floden, Conny Overland, Zeeshan Raza, Miroslaw Staron, Johan Woxenius, Abhinayan Basu, Trisha Rajput, Gerardo Schneider and Gunnar Stefansson
The purpose of this paper is to study current practices in adopting blockchain technology amongst export companies in West Sweden and to capture their CEOs’ knowledge of and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study current practices in adopting blockchain technology amongst export companies in West Sweden and to capture their CEOs’ knowledge of and attitudes towards blockchains.
Design/methodology/approach
Factors enabling or hindering the adoption of blockchains were identified from a comprehensive literature review and a survey of 72 chief executive officers (CEOs) of export-oriented firms in West Sweden, all with turnovers exceeding €2m, regarding their knowledge of and attitudes towards blockchains.
Findings
Blockchain technology is not currently perceived to provide benefits that would outweigh the costs of introducing it into West Sweden’s export firms. Nevertheless, the findings suggest that such technology, though currently too immature to meet today’s industrial requirements, could experience more widespread use if certain key factors (i.e. lower cost, traceability, improved security or trustworthiness and new blockchain-enabled business models) are prioritised.
Research limitations/implications
Answered by 72 CEOs, the survey achieved a response rate of 6%, meaning that the findings are only exploratory. Even so, they offer new insights into CEOs’ attitudes towards blockchain technology.
Practical implications
The CEOs reported comparatively limited knowledge of and experience with implementing blockchains, the lack of which has hampered their large-scale implementation in multi-actor supply chains.
Social implications
Negative sentiment amongst CEOs towards blockchain technology may lower on-the-job satisfaction amongst tech personnel aspiring to develop and implement blockchain applications in their firms.
Originality/value
Knowledge of and attitudes towards blockchain technology amongst top-level managers, as well as about factors enabling or hindering its adoption, guide managers in crafting strategies for implementing blockchains in their organisations and maximising the benefits therein. Unlike past studies focussing on technological aspects or views of experts and middle-management, the study was designed to capture the views of CEOs.
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Enrico Bracci, Cemil Eren Fırtın and Gustaf Kastberg Weichselberger
This essay focuses on an argument that challenges the notion of market reform as a desirable idea. It examines how market requirements, accounting practices, political…
Abstract
Purpose
This essay focuses on an argument that challenges the notion of market reform as a desirable idea. It examines how market requirements, accounting practices, political intervention and organizational conditions interact and create conflicts in the implementation of market reform. In our case study, we aim to elucidate the detrimental effects of expanding pricing mechanisms into areas typically untouched.
Design/methodology/approach
The essay adopts a critical perspective toward the marketization in the public sector organizations based on the authors' previous studies and observations of the reforms in Swedish schools over the last 30 years. The case is conceptualized within Callon’s framework of the sociology of worth.
Findings
The paper provides an example of market dynamics introduced without the presence of pricing and qualification mechanisms, resulting in a trial-and-error situation. In this context, we document and problematize a trend toward marketization that has had negative consequences for Swedish schools. In doing so, the paper shows how market requirements, accounting practices, political interventions and organizational conditions interact and create conflicts during the implementation of market reforms. The case shows the emergence of a new economic entity and its underlying rationale, the quantification/pricing mechanism, with a special emphasis on the role of accounting and the repercussions on subjectivities as values shift.
Originality/value
This paper follows up on the New Public Financial Management (NPFM) global warning debate on the emergence of pricing/charging mechanisms in public services. It provides a critical overview of the diffusion and relevance of accounting evaluation processes to sustain continuous reforms, despite claimed criticisms, limitations and (un)intended consequences. The paper also provides some reflections on new avenues for further research and some possible ways out for accounting studies.
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Anna Sigridur Islind, Johan Lundin, Katerina Cerna, Tomas Lindroth, Linda Åkeflo and Gunnar Steineck
Designing digital artifacts is not a linear, straightforward process. This is particularly true when applying a user-centered design approach, or co-design, with users who are…
Abstract
Purpose
Designing digital artifacts is not a linear, straightforward process. This is particularly true when applying a user-centered design approach, or co-design, with users who are unable to participate in the design process. Although the reduced participation of a particular user group may harm the end result, the literature on solving this issue is sparse. In this article, proxy design is outlined as a method for involving a user group as proxy users to speak on behalf of a group that is difficult to reach. The article investigates the following research question: How can roleplaying be embedded in co-design to engage users as proxies on behalf of those who are unable to represent themselves?
Design/methodology/approach
The article presents a design ethnography spanning three years at a cancer rehabilitation clinic, where digital artifacts were designed to be used collaboratively by nurses and patients. The empirical data were analyzed using content analysis and consisted of 20 observation days at the clinic, six proxy design workshops, 21 telephone consultations between patients and nurses, and log data from the digital artifact.
Findings
The article shows that simulated consultations, with nurses roleplaying as proxies for patients ignited and initiated the design process and enabled an efficient in-depth understanding of patients. Moreover, the article reveals how proxy design as a method further expanded the design. The study findings illustrate: (1) proxy design as a method for initiating design, (2) proxy design as an embedded element in co-design and (3) six design guidelines that should be considered when engaging in proxy design.
Originality/value
The main contribution is the conceptualization of proxy design as a method that can ignite and initiate the co-design process when important users are unreachable, vulnerable or unable to represent themselves in the co-design process. More specifically, based on the empirical findings from a design ethnography that involved nurses as proxy users speaking on behalf of patients, the article shows that roleplaying in proxy design is a fitting way of initiating the design process, outlining proxy design as an embedded element of co-design.
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Quang Evansluong, Lena Grip and Eva Karayianni
This paper aims to understand how immigrant entrepreneurs use digital opportunities to overcome the liability of newness and foreignness and how an immigrant's ethnicity can be…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand how immigrant entrepreneurs use digital opportunities to overcome the liability of newness and foreignness and how an immigrant's ethnicity can be digitally performed as an asset in business.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts an inductive multiple case study approach using social media content. The data consist of over 3,500 posts, images and screenshots from Facebook, Instagram and the webpages of seven successful Vietnamese restaurants in Sweden. Grounded content analysis was conducted using NVivo.
Findings
The findings suggest that digitalising ethnic artifacts can mediate and facilitate three digital performances that together can turn ethnicity from a liability to an asset: (i) preserving performance through digital ethnicising, (ii) embracing performance through digital generativitising and (iii) appropriating performance through digital fusionising. The results support the introduction of a conceptual framework depicting the interwoven duality of horizontal and vertical boundary blurring, in which the former takes place between the offline and online spaces of immigrant businesses, and the latter occurs between the home and host country attachment of the immigrant businesses.
Originality/value
This study responds to calls for understanding how immigrant entrepreneurs can overcome the liability of foreignness. It offers a fresh look at ethnicity, which has been seen in a negative light in the field of immigrant entrepreneurship. This study illuminates that ethnicity can be used as a resource in immigrant entrepreneurship, specifically through the use of digital artifacts and digital platforms.
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Guanghui Qiao, Songhe Hou, Xue Huang and Qiaoran Jia
The purpose of this paper is to reveal the knowledge evolution process, research hotspots and future trends in the inclusive tourism research literature from 2008 to 2023.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reveal the knowledge evolution process, research hotspots and future trends in the inclusive tourism research literature from 2008 to 2023.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 322 papers on inclusive tourism were selected from the core collection database of Web of Science and analyzed using CiteSpace.
Findings
Over the 16-year period between 2008 and 2023 an increasing number of studies have been published concerning inclusive tourism, but the overall base is still small. Among institutions, the Massey University and University of Gothenburg take the lead in international research on inclusive tourism. Country cooperation shifted from UK-centered in 2008 to Australia, US and Spain from 2010, expanded to more nations and recently increased with China, Japan and others. The essence of inclusive tourism is inherently linked to societal and generational development, necessitating the elimination of social exclusion and inequality to achieve sustainability. The research on inclusive tourism has undergone three stages, emphasizing tourism producers, consumers and stakeholder relationships respectively. “Employment”, “sustainable development” and “quality of life” possess the potential to emerge as future research hotspots.
Originality/value
By combining literature on inclusive tourism and other overlapping concepts, CiteSpace was used to construct data and network visualizations, including a burst and dynamic analysis for the period covered by the sample. The conclusions offer researchers insights into the existing body of work in inclusive tourism research and suggest directions for future research. In practice, tourism managers can gain a deeper understanding of the needs and limitations of marginalized groups in tourism, allowing them to offer more tailored products for inclusive tourism and further enhance the development of an inclusive tourism environment.
研究目的
旨在揭示2008年到2023年包容性旅游研究文献的知识演变过程、研究热点和未来趋势。
设计/方法/途径
从Web of Science的核心数据库中筛选322篇有关包容性旅游的文章, 并使用CiteSpace进行分析。
研究发现
2008年至2023年的16年间, 发表的有关包容性旅游的研究越来越多, 但总体基数仍然较小。梅西大学和哥德堡大学在国际包容性旅游研究方面处于领先地位。国家合作从2008年的以英国为中心转向2010年的澳大利亚、美国和西班牙, 并扩展到更多国家, 最近又增加了与中国、日本和其他国家的合作。包容性旅游的本质与社会和代际发展有着内在联系, 必须消除社会排斥和不平等, 才能实现可持续发展。包容性旅游的研究经历了三个阶段, 分别强调旅游生产者、消费者和利益相关者的关系。“就业”、“可持续发展”和 “生活质量”有可能成为未来的研究热点。
原创性/价值
结合包容性旅游和其他重叠概念的文献, 利用CiteSpace构建了数据和网络可视化, 包括对样本覆盖时期的突发和动态分析。结论为研究人员提供了对包容性旅游研究现有成果的见解, 并提出了未来研究的方向。实践上, 旅游管理者可以更深入地了解旅游中边缘化群体的需求和局限性, 从而为包容性旅游提供更多量身定制的产品, 进一步促进包容性旅游环境的发展。
Objetivo
El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el proceso de evolución del conocimiento, los temas destacados de investigación y las tendencias futuras en la literatura de investigación sobre turismo inclusivo desde 2008 hasta 2023.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Se seleccionó un total de 322 artículos sobre turismo inclusivo de la base de datos de la colección principal de Web of Science (WoS) y se analizaron utilizando CiteSpace.
Resultados
En el periodo de 16 años comprendido entre 2008 y 2023 se han publicado cada vez más estudios sobre turismo inclusivo, pero la base global sigue siendo pequeña. Entre las instituciones, la Universidad de Massey y la Universidad de Gotemburgo encabezan la investigación internacional sobre turismo inclusivo. La cooperación entre países pasó de estar centrada en el Reino Unido en 2008 a Australia, EE. UU. y España a partir de 2010, ampliándose a más naciones y, recientemente, ha aumentado con China, Japón y otros países. La esencia del turismo inclusivo está intrínsecamente ligada al desarrollo social y generacional, que requiere la eliminación de la exclusión social y la desigualdad para lograr la sostenibilidad. La investigación sobre el turismo inclusivo ha pasado por tres etapas, haciendo hincapié en los productores turísticos, los consumidores y las relaciones con las partes interesadas, respectivamente. El “empleo”, el “desarrollo sostenible” y la “calidad de vida” poseen el potencial para emerger como futuros focos de investigación.
Originalidad/valor
A partir de la integración de la literatura sobre turismo inclusivo y otros conceptos superpuestos, se utilizó CiteSpace para visualizar los datos y redes, incluido análisis de ráfagas y dinámico para el periodo muestral. Las conclusiones ofrecen a los investigadores una visión de las contribuciones académicas en turismo inclusivo y sugieren direcciones para futuras investigaciones. En la práctica, los gestores turísticos pueden adquirir un conocimiento más profundo de las necesidades y limitaciones de los grupos marginados en turismo, permitiéndoles ofrecer productos más adaptados al turismo inclusivo y seguir mejorando el desarrollo de un entorno turístico inclusivo.
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Emma Oljans, Tecklah Usai, Doroth Chinofunga and Martin Mickelsson
The paper aims to explore how values and knowledge are expressed in student’s discussions about food and health.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to explore how values and knowledge are expressed in student’s discussions about food and health.
Design/methodology/approach
Food practices present a complex phenomenon extending beyond biomedical descriptions, including social dynamics of food in families and communities. Contextual conditions of social groups and settings have significant impacts on food choices and practices. Although values constitute a central part of educational goals, deliberate values education remains an often-neglected area, with a tendency in both curricula and educational practice to focus on knowledge and overlook how values intersect with knowledge. The paper utilises group interviews supported by participant observations to study the food and health practices as expressed in students' discussions.
Findings
The paper’s findings show how values are expressed together with knowledge as value-knowledges around food and health within the social contexts of family, cultural identities and peer relationships. While moving through their lives, students draw on and utilise biomedical, social-cultural and sensory value-knowledges, simultaneously considering the nutrition and taste of foods, the value of connecting with family and peers in cultural settings as well as getting enough food to feel satiated.
Originality/value
The paper presents an original approach around the necessity to consider and integrate cultural identities in discussions and education about food and health to empower students and their communities in a way that is socially just and equitable. This involves shifting discussions of health education away from students as (ir)rational obstacles but rather as partners in co-creating knowledge for sustainable food and health equity.
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This study aims to investigate the impact of bureaucratic culture on the formulation and content of digital transformation strategies in Swedish local governments.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of bureaucratic culture on the formulation and content of digital transformation strategies in Swedish local governments.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a qualitative content analysis method to examine strategy documents from local governments in Sweden. The analysis is focused on identifying concepts related to the definition of digital transformation strategy, organizational culture and agility. Relevant themes and insights were extracted using concept-driven coding.
Findings
The research uncovered a significant influence of bureaucratic culture on the content of strategy documents, which manifests through a strong status quo bias. This bias leads to a cautious approach toward digital innovation, limiting strategies to incremental improvements and maintenance of existing processes.
Research limitations/implications
The findings highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of how organizational culture affects digital transformation. The study suggests avenues for further research, particularly in exploring mechanisms to balance bureaucratic stability with digital agility.
Practical implications
The research proposes recommendations for policymakers and public sector managers, advocating for an approach incorporating cultural awareness to foster a more conducive environment for digital transformation within bureaucratic settings.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the field by revealing the nuanced role of bureaucratic culture in shaping digital transformation strategies within the public sector. It offers a unique insight into the Swedish context.
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Chiara Rinaldi, Massimo Giovanardi, Andrea Lucarelli, Wilhelm Skoglund and Annelie Sjölander Lindqvist
This study investigates the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Network as a global spatial brand and explores the tensions that emerge when this global brand is appropriated…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Network as a global spatial brand and explores the tensions that emerge when this global brand is appropriated locally.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on case study research that uses critical discourse analysis to identify the implications of a transferable learning capacity.
Findings
This paper identifies three different types of tensions in place brand management that emerge during the local appropriation of global brands: tensions inherent in multi-scalarity, tensions associated with integrating governance and strategy-related tensions.
Originality/value
This study advances the theoretical understanding of the spatial complexity inherent in place brand management practices by focusing on the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Network as a global brand in a Scandinavian context.
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