Search results
1 – 10 of 34Shawn M. Carraher, Jason K. Buchanan and George Puia
The decision one makes to engage in entrepreneurial activity is affected by many different motivators. The paper aims to focus on one specific motivator for entrepreneurial…
Abstract
Purpose
The decision one makes to engage in entrepreneurial activity is affected by many different motivators. The paper aims to focus on one specific motivator for entrepreneurial activity which is the Need for Achievement. The prevailing methods of studying achievement motivation will also be discussed as shall constructs related to Need for Achievement. The paper also examines the dynamics of achievement motivation. The dynamic ability of individual traits is important, if it were not one's traits would be constant and not capable of being changed or developed. Some of the main factors that can influence achievement motivation are also examined in the paper.
Design/methodology/approach
Specifically, data from 249 entrepreneurs from the USA, 220 from China, and 173 from Latvia were used in order to examine the relationships between variables related to Need for Achievement.
Findings
Goal orientation, conscientiousness, cognitive complexity, age, and gender were found to be able to account for 29.4 percent of the variance in Need for Achievement among American entrepreneurs, 45.3 percent among Chinese entrepreneurs, and 33.5 percent among Latvian entrepreneurs. Differences are found between the countries with cognitive complexity being statistically significant in the USA and China, but not in Latvia. Gender was significant in the USA and China but not in Latvia. Age was not significantly related to Need for Achievement in any of the three countries, while goal orientation and conscientiousness were significantly related to Need for Achievement in all three countries. Finally, the implications of this research as well as areas that need to be considered for future research are discussed.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is limited to entrepreneurs of small to medium‐sized enterprises in North America, Asia, and the Baltics. The implications of the research include that Need for Achievement is important for entrepreneurs across these three very diverse cultures and that variables related to Need for Achievement vary between the countries. As Need for Achievement is related to economic development, it is important to understand the factors which might be able to influence the Need for Achievement of entrepreneurs from around the world.
Originality/value
The development of entrepreneurs is important if economies desire to have sustainable growth. Little empirical research has examined these issues with data‐sets from three continents. Even less research has examined these issues among entrepreneurs. The paper addresses these areas.
Details
Keywords
Rolv Petter Amdam, Petras Baršauskas and Alfredas Chmieliauskas
Jason Davies, Sharon Oddie and Jonathan Powls
Internet‐mediated research is becoming an increasingly viable option for forensic researchers, allowing some of the limitations of traditional approaches to be overcome. Many…
Abstract
Internet‐mediated research is becoming an increasingly viable option for forensic researchers, allowing some of the limitations of traditional approaches to be overcome. Many advantages are evident in this approach, such as the ability to access large, diverse samples and specialist groups. However, there are limitations and ethical issues that researchers need to be aware of. This paper provides an overview of internet‐mediated research for forensic researchers and practitioners, and highlights some of the ways in which this approach can be used to undertake research relevant to forensic practice. Some examples of research undertaken using this approach are provided.
Details
Keywords
Jason Martinez and Ann Jeffers
A methodology for producing an elevated-temperature tension stiffening model is presented.
Abstract
Purpose
A methodology for producing an elevated-temperature tension stiffening model is presented.
Design/methodology/approach
The energy-based stress–strain model of plain concrete developed by Bažant and Oh (1983) was extended to the elevated-temperature domain by developing an analytical formulation for the temperature-dependence of the fracture energy Gf. Then, an elevated-temperature tension stiffening model was developed based on the modification of the proposed elevated-temperature tension softening model.
Findings
The proposed tension stiffening model can be used to predict the response of composite floor slabs exposed to fire with great accuracy, provided that the global parameters TS and Kres are adequately calibrated against global structural response data.
Originality/value
In a finite element analysis of reinforced concrete, a tension stiffening model is required as input for concrete to account for actions such as bond slip and tension stiffening. However, an elevated-temperature tension stiffening model does not exist in the research literature. An approach for developing an elevated-temperature tension stiffening model is presented.
Details
Keywords
Karen Gough, Samantha Churchward, Eluned Dorkins, Jason Fee, Susan Oxborrow, John Parker and Helen Smith
The NICE Guidelines for Schizophrenia are designed to give guidance on the best practice in treatment and management of schizophrenia. These guidelines have 13 standards which…
Abstract
The NICE Guidelines for Schizophrenia are designed to give guidance on the best practice in treatment and management of schizophrenia. These guidelines have 13 standards which services can use for the purpose of audit. As schizophrenia is our service's most common diagnosis, an audit against the guidelines was undertaken. The results indicated that we met three of the standards. Recommendations have been implemented to improve practice on standards that were not met, and this has led to some creative practice development. Despite the labour‐intensive nature of the audit, the results gave a clear indication of areas where there was a need for improvement and will act as a good baseline for re‐audit.
Jason Davies and Claire Hepworth
Ensuring the validity of individual responses to psychometric tests is important in a wide range of psychology practice and research. This study compares a number of methods for…
Abstract
Ensuring the validity of individual responses to psychometric tests is important in a wide range of psychology practice and research. This study compares a number of methods for detecting test faking on a measure not designed with explicit validity checks. A total of 270 students took part in two related studies, one using a standard ‘pencil and paper’ test presentation and the other a computer‐based presentation. Techniques such as responses to specific test items and speed of responding may be useful for assessing the validity of responses. The implications are that such procedures may offer methods for identifying faked responding in a range of psychometric instruments where previously this has not been possible.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this study is to explore how change recipients emotionally resist information and communication technology (ICT)-induced organizational change in practice…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore how change recipients emotionally resist information and communication technology (ICT)-induced organizational change in practice stage-by-stage.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a qualitative case study methodology, this paper integrates Kübler-Ross grief model into a hypothetical change initiative in a critically acclaimed feature film, Up in the Air. The unit of analysis is the main character, Ryan Bingham. As a change recipient, Bingham's emotional reactions are analyzed stage-by-stage.
Findings
The study concludes that emotional resistance to ICT-induced organizational change progresses through the five stages in line with Kübler-Ross model. Even though the focus in Kübler-Ross model is on death and dying, the stages in the model are remarkably similar to the reactions of a change recipient. It is also found that the film is an appropriate instrument to demonstrate the complicated reality and intricate details of resistance, providing abundant content for the analysis of psychological components of resistance.
Practical implications
The exploration of stages of emotional resistance may act as a guideline for leaders to follow throughout a change process. The study is expected to prepare the leaders for the reactions of change recipients so that they can deliver strong leadership throughout periods of change.
Originality/value
The originality of the study lies in the fact that it provides an opportunity to advance the understanding of the abstract concept of resistance, bridges the widely-discussed research-practice gap and analyze emotional resistance stage-by-stage by integrating Kübler-Ross model to a hypothetical change initiative.
Details
Keywords
Jonathan Winterton and Jason J. Turner
The purpose of this paper is to understand the concept of graduate work readiness (GWR) from a stakeholder perspective. The research attempts to pull together the various…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the concept of graduate work readiness (GWR) from a stakeholder perspective. The research attempts to pull together the various multidisciplinary themes from the literature into a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between graduates and the labour market, considering the international dimension of what is a global phenomenon.
Design/methodology/approach
The critical review is divided into four distinct sections, the first is to contextualise the concept of GWR and graduate employability taking into account recent academic discussion, particularly in the EU and ASEAN; second, to explore the different perspectives of stakeholders in the “triple helix” of universities, governments and the corporate world; third, critically to assess the arguments that educational provision is poorly aligned with labour market needs; and finally, to investigate the implications of the fourth industrial revolution for graduate jobs and skills and propose an agenda for future research.
Findings
Despite the apparent consensus between stakeholders over the central importance of graduate employability, there is considerable diversity in how each imagines GWR is best assured.
Research limitations/implications
Any review is limited by the extant literature and whilst it is not uncommon that most research has been done in North America, Western Europe and Australasia, this is a serious limitation. GWR is a global concern and this review shows the need for more research that extends beyond the dominant geographical focus and its attendant paradigms. The implication is that geography is important and local research is needed to develop solutions that fit specific cultural, economic and institutional contexts.
Practical implications
The paper highlights the need to reconcile different stakeholder perspectives on GWR and ensure that they work together on shared agendas to improve graduate transition to the labour market. At the same time, the profound changes being brought about by the fourth industrial revolution suggest that more attention should be paid to the employability of existing employees.
Originality/value
This review should prove useful to both academics and practitioners because it emphasises the need to treat GWR as a concept that varies according to context and stakeholder interests, rather than a homogeneous phenomenon.
Details
Keywords
Jason Paul Mika, Nicolas Fahey and Joanne Bensemann
This paper aims to contribute to indigenous entrepreneurship theory by identifying what constitutes an indigenous enterprise, focussing on Aotearoa New Zealand as a case.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contribute to indigenous entrepreneurship theory by identifying what constitutes an indigenous enterprise, focussing on Aotearoa New Zealand as a case.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper combines policy (quantitative survey) and academic research (qualitative interviews) to answer the same question, what is an indigenous enterprise in Aotearoa New Zealand?
Findings
The authors found a degree of consistency as to what counts as an indigenous enterprise in the literature (e.g., identity, ownership, values), yet a consensus on a definition of Maori business remains elusive. They also found that an understanding of the indigenous economy and indigenous entrepreneurial policy are impeded because of definitional uncertainties. The authors propose a definition of Maori business which accounts for indigenous ownership, identity, values and well-being.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation is that the literature and research use different definitions of indigenous enterprise, constraining comparative analysis. The next step is to evaluate our definition as a basis for quantifying the population of indigenous enterprises in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Practical implications
The research assists indigenous entrepreneurs to identify, measure and account for their contribution to indigenous self-determination and sustainable development.
Social implications
This research has the potential to reconceptualise indigenous enterprise as a distinct and legitimate alternative institutional theory of the firm.
Originality/value
The research challenges assumptions and knowledge of entrepreneurship policy and practice generally and the understanding of what is the nature and extent of an indigenous firm.
Details