Search results
11 – 20 of over 8000Christie M. Manning, Elise L. Amel, Britain A. Scott and Jacob Forsman
The purpose of this paper is to use goal setting theory to examine the efficacy of two current messages advocating carbon cuts to address climate change. There is anecdotal…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use goal setting theory to examine the efficacy of two current messages advocating carbon cuts to address climate change. There is anecdotal evidence that the common message, “We must cut carbon 80 percent by 2050” does not inspire people to take personal action or endorse policy change. Other groups offer an alternative and potentially more motivating message: cutting carbon 2 percent per year until the year 2050.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey study with 300 adults attending a regional expo and two urban street festivals compared the two messages by embedding them within two versions of a text that differed only in the phrasing of the goal (“80 percent by the year 2050” vs “2 percent per year until the year 2050”).
Findings
Participants reading about “carbon emissions cuts of 2 percent per year until the year 2050” are significantly more likely to agree with the statement “I feel like I can be a part of the solution” than participants reading “carbon emissions cuts of 80 percent by the year 2050.”
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of these findings should be tested among different samples of people and will be extended by a number of studies that further examine the parameters of framing and goal setting in the context of climate change messages.
Practical implications
These results indicate that people are drawn to climate change solution messages that have both an overall, effective roadmap and manageable, concrete steps.
Originality/value
Groups advocating for steep cuts in carbon emissions can apply the results of this research to craft more effective messages.
Details
Keywords
This case is intended to introduce undergraduate entrepreneurship students to business models via an entrepreneur who has two businesses: a used-car dealership, which he owns with…
Abstract
Synopsis
This case is intended to introduce undergraduate entrepreneurship students to business models via an entrepreneur who has two businesses: a used-car dealership, which he owns with his father, and a used-sport-bike dealership, which he solely owns. Although these businesses seem similar, there are subtle differences in business model that make the sport-bike business much more attractive. Case analysis involves a step-by-step comparison of the two firms' revenue models, cost structures, and investment needs and leaves students with two decision: first, how to best grow the sport-bike business, and second, whether to continue operating the used-car business once his father retires.
Research methodology
Primary interviews, company document review, secondary market research.
Relevant courses and levels
Undergraduate introduction to entrepreneurship.
Details
Keywords
Dandan Wang, Thomas Walker and Sergey Barabanov
The purpose of this study is to suggest an approach to regain consumer trust after negative effects of greenwashing that draws corporations and consumers into a conflicted…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to suggest an approach to regain consumer trust after negative effects of greenwashing that draws corporations and consumers into a conflicted relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collect and interpret qualitative data from in-depth interviews to develop a theoretical approach that enables the rebuilding of trust between greenwashing corporations and their consumers using the concept of psychological resilience.
Findings
This analysis indicates that the approach is an interaction between consumers with green brand loyalty and greenwashing corporations. This type of consumer demands emotional factors, functional factors and legitimate factors in the process of psychological resilience, and after greenwashing, corporations should select appropriate recovery strategies to stimulate these protective factors.
Originality/value
Previous research studied green consumer trust in the marketing field but did not explore the core of trust which was regarded as a cognitive process. This paper investigates green consumer behaviour under the perspective of psychological resilience and makes an innovative attempt to understand drivers of regaining consumer trust. Previous research works put forward a series of strategies related to regaining trust, but they did not discuss the mechanisms by which these strategies work. Using the method of grounded theory, we attempt to reveal the “black box” of consumers cognition after greenwashing and propose a strategy for regaining consumer trust.
Details
Keywords
John Paul II's views on economic systems have been construed differently by some commentators who have been seeking approval for their own views rather than searching for the…
Abstract
Purpose
John Paul II's views on economic systems have been construed differently by some commentators who have been seeking approval for their own views rather than searching for the meaning that he himself intends to convey. John Paul is labeled by many as favoring capitalism, and by others as supporting socialism. A few have been scrutinizing his statements in hopes of finding support for a “third‐way.” In this paper, John Paul is quoted at length to represent his views more accurately.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper originated in a collection of essays on the theme of John Paul II's vision of the social economy that was published by the International Journal of Social Economics in fall 1998. This author is indebted to the contributors to that collection for many insights into John Paul's vision. Eight topics are covered: consumption, distribution, capital investment, work as such, leisure, labor, development, and market economy versus command economy. This paper uses many more direct quotes than is customary in scholarly work, but there is no other way to proceed and remain faithful to John Paul's vision of the social economy.
Findings
John Paul's writings on economic affairs are significant for what they teach about the premises employed in economics. His own philosophy of the human person reinforces the four premises of personalist economics more so than the premises of the mainstream and challenges the mainstream at its foundations in the philosophy of individualism.
Research limitations/implications
John Paul speaks to a wide range of issues and questions central to economics and economic affairs. It would be presumptuous to represent this paper as a thorough examination of everything that John Paul has said, written, and means in this regard.
Practical implications
This paper attempts to highlight some of the key arguments that John Paul II has set forth on eight centrally important economic topics, comparing and contrasting his pronouncements with the views of mainstream economists on the same topics.
Originality/value
This paper draws on the insights of 20 professional colleagues specialized in range of subdisciplines in economics, holding faculty positions at major universities in the USA, Italy, and Canada, and with a strong interest in understanding the social economy. The concluding section states John Paul's vision of the social economy in terms of 13 most important arguments.
Details
Keywords
Increasing diversity in higher education (HE) – or widening participation (WP) – is now a concern worldwide (Billingham in this volume, Chapter 1; Bowes, Thomas, Peck, & Nathwani…
Abstract
Increasing diversity in higher education (HE) – or widening participation (WP) – is now a concern worldwide (Billingham in this volume, Chapter 1; Bowes, Thomas, Peck, & Nathwani, 2013; Shah, Bennett, & Southgate, 2016). However, we all know that access to HE is not sufficient; access needs to be accompanied by success – staying on the course, gaining a good degree and securing graduate-level employment. In this chapter, it is argued that in order to equalise student outcomes a ‘whole institution approach’ (WIA) is required. Evidence is drawn from two studies (each led by the author): one focussing on improving student retention and success in HE, which concluded that a WIA is required (Thomas, Hill, O’ Mahony, & Yorke, 2017, pp. 133–135). The second commissioned by the Office for Fair Access to better understand a WIA to WP (Thomas, 2017). The chapter discusses three key findings: the importance of both cultural and structural change; the role of evidence and the need for a deliberate process of change. These findings are illustrated with examples.
Details
Keywords
Jamal A. Al‐Khatib, Avinash Malshe, John J. Sailors and Irvin Clark
The purpose of this paper is to compare the antecedents of opportunism and its effect on unethical negotiation tactics among US and Belgian managers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare the antecedents of opportunism and its effect on unethical negotiation tactics among US and Belgian managers.
Design/methodology/approach
Samples of managers in both countries are surveyed and cross‐country analysis using multi‐group structural equation modeling is conducted.
Findings
Across both countries, deceitful tendencies and relativism are found to be significant predictors of opportunism, which in turn predicts receptiveness to unethical negotiating tactics; however, Belgian managers were found to have higher levels of these constructs, possibly indicating a greater propensity to engage in unethical behaviors than US managers.
Research limitations/implications
The current research is limited by the relatively small size of the Belgian sample, differences in data collection method, and the lack of additional contextual measures, which may influence the managers' responses.
Practical implications
The finding that the same structural relationships hold across the US and Belgium samples provides insights for both groups of managers engaged in negotiations.
Originality/value
The paper offers a comparative perspective on US and Belgian managers and establishes the validity and applicability of frequently used ethics scales in Belgium, a country infrequently studied in this context.
Details
Keywords
Natalia A Kravchenko, Svetlana A Kuznetsova, Almira Yusupova, Thadavillil Jithendranathan, Lorman L Lundsten and Arkady Shemyakin
– The purpose of this paper is to conduct comparative research of small innovative entrepreneurship under different types of institutional environment in Russia and the USA.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct comparative research of small innovative entrepreneurship under different types of institutional environment in Russia and the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was administered among small innovative firms in the State of Minnesota (USA) and Novosibirsk Oblast (Russia). Mann-Whitney test for median differences adjusted for multiple comparisons using Benjamini-Hochberg procedure is used to establish statistically significant dissimilarities between Siberian and Minnesotan populations.
Findings
The results indicate that there are significant differences in the challenges faced by the Russian and American firms. The most important among them are the lack of legal structure for innovation and availability of qualified staff in Russia.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to two regions with comparable economic and geographic environments.
Practical implications
It is indicated in the results that significant changes in institutional business environment are necessary for the future development of innovative entrepreneurship in Russia.
Originality/value
This study is the first of its kind to compare the challenges facing small innovative entrepreneurship in Russia and the USA.
Details
Keywords
Ursula Thomas and Janet Strickland
This lesson integrates social studies, reading, language arts, and technology. Students are involved in reading historical fiction, examining authentic documents, and completing a…
Abstract
This lesson integrates social studies, reading, language arts, and technology. Students are involved in reading historical fiction, examining authentic documents, and completing a WebQuest activity. Ten strategies for reading the Notable Book are explained in detail in the Appendix.
David P. Brennan and Lorman Lundsten
Five small Minnesota towns are examined one year after the arrival of six large discount stores. Three hundred consumers were surveyed to determine reasons for store choice and…
Abstract
Five small Minnesota towns are examined one year after the arrival of six large discount stores. Three hundred consumers were surveyed to determine reasons for store choice and how the new discounters affected shopping. Findings indicate that consumers shop at discounters for low prices and large variety and specialty stores for the unique items they cannot find elsewhere. They shop at the new discounters more and the existing stores less. Specialty stores need to differentiate themselves from discounters by increasing product assortments in the key categories carried, upgrading quality with branded merchandise not available to discounters, and maintaining good in‐stock positions.
Details
Keywords
William Brendel, Sarah Hankerson, Sangwon Byun and Birdie Cunningham
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of regular mindfulness meditation practice on five personal qualities that an extensive literature review deems critical for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of regular mindfulness meditation practice on five personal qualities that an extensive literature review deems critical for successful leadership in an age of rapid organizational change and uncertainty.
Design/methodology/approach
In this eight-week study, the authors investigated whether a weekly, 45-minute mindfulness practice routine (n=20) would significantly improve five leadership qualities when compared with a weekly, three hour graduate level leadership course (n=21), which in contrast incorporated theoretical instruction, skills practice, and experiential learning. Both samples included organizational leaders throughout the Minneapolis/St Paul area.
Findings
Results of a pre-post survey confirmed that when compared with participants in the leadership course condition, participants in the mindfulness practice condition demonstrated a significant increase in promotional regulatory focus and a significant reduction in trait anxiety and stress. No significant changes were seen for resilience or tolerance for ambiguity. This study also uncovered significant inter-correlations between scores on trait anxiety and a number of variables, most notably promotional regulatory focus. Implications exist for numerous bodies of research concerning leadership, well-being and the leadership development programs they influence, which include leadership psychology, organization development, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Originality/value
This is the first study of its kind (to date) to investigate the impact of mindfulness practice on leadership qualities, which according to research, are critical to leadership performance.
Details