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1 – 10 of over 6000
Article
Publication date: 30 April 2024

Sarah Dodds, Nitha Palakshappa, Sandy Bulmer and Sarah Harper

The purpose of this study is to examine well-being messaging on Instagram to understand what constitutes transformative social media advertising with potential to enhance consumer…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine well-being messaging on Instagram to understand what constitutes transformative social media advertising with potential to enhance consumer lives and create change at a community and societal level.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel-phased approach using transformative advertising research and positive psychology is adopted for an in-depth examination of Lululemon, a well-being brand advocate. The study combines secondary case data, analysis of brand messaging on Instagram, interviews with brand followers, and six months of Instagram posts consumer responses.

Findings

Four themes – inspiring personal journeys and potential, encouraging mindfulness and gratitude, supporting connection and community and advancing diversity and equity – are used to develop a typology of well-being advertising message elements on Instagram.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the call for research on transformative advertising by establishing that Instagram is a powerful platform for well-being messages, particularly from brands committed to social issues. Practical implications for brands and avenues for future research are provided.

Details

Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0736-3761

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 14 February 2023

Markus Filter and Chris D. Pentz

This study contributes to the scant research on dealcoholised wine from a consumer behaviour perspective by providing insight and reporting on the attributes that South African…

1182

Abstract

Purpose

This study contributes to the scant research on dealcoholised wine from a consumer behaviour perspective by providing insight and reporting on the attributes that South African Generation Y consumers prefer when purchasing dealcoholised wine.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-phased research approach was adopted, involving a main quantitative phase, preceded by a qualitative phase. Data were gathered from 626 South African Generation Y respondents by means of a questionnaire. The best–worst scaling method was applied to 13 selected dealcoholised wine attributes, to measure the level of importance of each attribute. To gain more insight on the data, the best-worst scaling scores were further standardised to a probabilistic ratio scale.

Findings

“Taste”, “price” and “I have tried it before” were the most important attributes that respondents considered when purchasing dealcoholised wine. Furthermore, “taste” was by far the most important of all the attributes. The attributes of “back label”, “attractive front label” and “brand name” were identified as the least important by the respondents, suggesting that they did not consider the visual elements of a bottle of dealcoholised wine as particularly important in their purchasing decision.

Originality/value

The findings of this pioneering study contribute to the lack of knowledge about dealcoholised wine from a consumer behaviour and marketing perspective, and provide insights and strategies that can be used by stakeholders to enhance the dealcoholised wine market in South Africa.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 10 November 2023

Tom Pfefferkorn, Julian Randall and Florian Scheuring

This chapter explores the impact of equality, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI) on internal change agents’ (ICAs) personal and professional development. We have surveyed 117 ICAs…

Abstract

This chapter explores the impact of equality, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI) on internal change agents’ (ICAs) personal and professional development. We have surveyed 117 ICAs that undergo a four-year digital development programme at Edinburgh Business School (EBS). Our survey design draws from expectancy, surprise, sensemaking, and attribution theories to test four hypotheses using Spearman’s rank. We found that diversity features such as gender, age, sector affiliation, work experience, management responsibility, and programme stage do not strongly impact ICAs’ experience of personal and professional development. Surprisingly, some diversity features had a modest or moderate impact on ICAs’ experience of personal and professional development. This disconfirmed our basic assumption about the effectiveness of inclusivity practices in the digital development programme at EBS. We conclude that future research should further investigate the impact of evaluation on ICAs’ personal and professional development and how we can secure it in a digital Business School context.

Details

Contemporary Approaches in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Strategic and Technological Perspectives
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-089-2

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 January 2024

Mohammad Alhusban, Faris Elghaish, M. Reza Hosseini and Mohammad Mayouf

Previous studies have established to a great extent that regulatory frameworks and, in particular, procurement approaches – that are common in a particular context – have a major…

Abstract

Purpose

Previous studies have established to a great extent that regulatory frameworks and, in particular, procurement approaches – that are common in a particular context – have a major impact on the success of building information modelling (BIM) implementation in construction projects. Despite the close links between these two concepts, research on the effect of procurement approaches on BIM implementation is scarce. To address this gap, this paper aims to investigate the barriers that affect BIM implementation through the lens of procurement approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method approach was adopted using a questionnaire survey (n = 116) and interviews with key stakeholders (n = 12) in Jordan. The outcomes of the quantitative parts were augmented with findings from interviews.

Findings

It was revealed that the deployment of unfavourable construction procurement approaches represents a major hurdle towards BIM implementation. Though essential for enhancing BIM implementation, it is revealed that a fundamental change from the common design-bid-build (DBB) to more collaborative procurement approaches remains infeasible in view of the realities that govern the construction industry.

Research limitations/implications

It was revealed the deployment of unfavourable construction procurement approaches represents a major hurdle towards BIM implementation. Though essential for enhancing BIM implementation, it is revealed that a fundamental change from the common DBB to more collaborative procurement approaches remains infeasible given the realities that govern the construction industry.

Originality/value

As the first of its kind, a set of recommendations for establishing supportive, workable procurement that does not deviate significantly from common procedures and practices is presented. Rather than advocating a shift to procurement approaches that are aligned with BIM, the findings offer novel insight into the necessity of developing a framework within the boundaries of the current and widely adopted procurement approaches to address the identified construction procurement issues and facilitate BIM implementation.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 January 2024

Ranjit Roy Ghatak and Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes

The research explores the shift to Quality 4.0, examining the move towards a data-focussed transformation within organizational frameworks. This transition is characterized by…

Abstract

Purpose

The research explores the shift to Quality 4.0, examining the move towards a data-focussed transformation within organizational frameworks. This transition is characterized by incorporating Industry 4.0 technological innovations into existing quality management frameworks, signifying a significant evolution in quality control systems. Despite the evident advantages, the practical deployment in the Indian manufacturing sector encounters various obstacles. This research is dedicated to a thorough examination of these impediments. It is structured around a set of pivotal research questions: First, it seeks to identify the key barriers that impede the adoption of Quality 4.0. Second, it aims to elucidate these barriers' interrelations and mutual dependencies. Thirdly, the research prioritizes these barriers in terms of their significance to the adoption process. Finally, it contemplates the ramifications of these priorities for the strategic advancement of manufacturing practices and the development of informed policies. By answering these questions, the research provides a detailed understanding of the challenges faced. It offers actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers implementing Quality 4.0 in the Indian manufacturing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing Interpretive Structural Modelling and Matrix Impact of Cross Multiplication Applied to Classification, the authors probe the interdependencies amongst fourteen identified barriers inhibiting Quality 4.0 adoption. These barriers were categorized according to their driving power and dependence, providing a richer understanding of the dynamic obstacles within the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework.

Findings

The study results highlight the lack of Quality 4.0 standards and Big Data Analytics (BDA) tools as fundamental obstacles to integrating Quality 4.0 within the Indian manufacturing sector. Additionally, the study results contravene dominant academic narratives, suggesting that the cumulative impact of organizational barriers is marginal, contrary to theoretical postulations emphasizing their central significance in Quality 4.0 assimilation.

Practical implications

This research provides concrete strategies, such as developing a collaborative platform for sharing best practices in Quality 4.0 standards, which fosters a synergistic relationship between organizations and policymakers, for instance, by creating a joint task force, comprised of industry leaders and regulatory bodies, dedicated to formulating and disseminating comprehensive guidelines for Quality 4.0 adoption. This initiative could lead to establishing industry-wide standards, benefiting from the pooled expertise of diverse stakeholders. Additionally, the study underscores the necessity for robust, standardized Big Data Analytics tools specifically designed to meet the Quality 4.0 criteria, which can be developed through public-private partnerships. These tools would facilitate the seamless integration of Quality 4.0 processes, demonstrating a direct route for overcoming the barriers of inadequate standards.

Originality/value

This research delineates specific obstacles to Quality 4.0 adoption by applying the TOE framework, detailing how these barriers interact with and influence each other, particularly highlighting the previously overlooked environmental factors. The analysis reveals a critical interdependence between “lack of standards for Quality 4.0” and “lack of standardized BDA tools and solutions,” providing nuanced insights into their conjoined effect on stalling progress in this field. Moreover, the study contributes to the theoretical body of knowledge by mapping out these novel impediments, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced in adopting Quality 4.0.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 14 March 2023

Christine FitzGerald

Meals on Wheels (MOW) support older people to live in their own homes and communities. The purpose of this paper is to explore MOW experiences from a multi-stakeholder level to…

737

Abstract

Purpose

Meals on Wheels (MOW) support older people to live in their own homes and communities. The purpose of this paper is to explore MOW experiences from a multi-stakeholder level to inform and better equip this valuable service.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was undertaken utilising semi-structured interviews and focus groups with current, former and potential MOW service users and MOW stakeholders.

Findings

Qualitative analysis explored MOW perspectives and experiences, highlighting a lack of MOW information and awareness, the importance of a client-centred approach the multiple roles of MOW and service transition.

Originality/value

This research explores MOW from the perspective of different groups directly involved in this community service, offering unique multi-stakeholder insights to understand and guide the future of this service.

Details

Working with Older People, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-3666

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 October 2022

You Wu, Xiao-Liang Shen and Yongqiang Sun

Social media rumor combating is a global concern in academia and industry. Existing studies lack a clear definition and overall conceptual framework of users' rumor-combating…

Abstract

Purpose

Social media rumor combating is a global concern in academia and industry. Existing studies lack a clear definition and overall conceptual framework of users' rumor-combating behaviors. Therefore, this study attempts to empirically derive a typology of rumor-combating behaviors of social media users.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-phase typology development approach is adopted, including content analysis, multidimensional scaling (MDS), interpreting and labeling. Qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods are employed.

Findings

The elicited 40 rumor-combating behaviors vary along two dimensions: high versus low difficulty of realization, and low versus high cognitive load. Based on the two dimensions, the 40 behaviors are further divided into four categories: rumor-questioning behavior, rumor-debunking behavior, proactive-appealing behavior, and literacy enhancement behavior.

Practical implications

This typology will serve as reference for social media platforms and governments to further explore the interventions to encourage social media users to counter rumor spreading based on various situations and different characteristics of rumor-combating behaviors.

Originality/value

This study provides a typology of rumor-combating behaviors from a novel perspective of user participation. The typology delves into the conceptual connotations and basic forms of rumor combating, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the complete spectrum of users' rumor-combating behaviors. Furthermore, the typology identifies the similarities and the differences between various rumor-combating behaviors, thus providing implications and directions for future research on rumor-combating behaviors.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. 36 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 February 2023

Chuanlan Liu, Sibei Xia and Chunmin Lang

This study aims to discover clothing consumption shifts and explore the effect of consumer resilience in changing clothing consumption patterns or establishing new clothing…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to discover clothing consumption shifts and explore the effect of consumer resilience in changing clothing consumption patterns or establishing new clothing consumption routines after experiencing disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-phase multi-method approach was employed. The first phase of qualitative inquiry was conducted to identify clothing consumption shifts using a content mining approach on a text data sample of 17,195 tweets posted from 1 January to 30 September 2020. The second phase of the quantitative study was conducted to explore consumer resilience's effect on clothing consumption shifts based on a collected national sample of 418 respondents through an online survey.

Findings

This study identified clothing consumption changes including value shifts, style shifts and spending shifts. It was also found that resilient consumers care about a company's ethical practices and value the quality instead of the number of items in their wardrobe. Consumers spend more time wearing comfortable clothing and are used to the working-from-home lifestyle.

Originality/value

This study explored approaches to making use of social media data for a better understanding of consumers' clothing behaviour. Also, this study attempted to explore and understand clothing consumption practices during and post the Covid-19 global pandemic, focusing on identifying shifts that might last longer for fashion businesses to explore growth opportunities.

Details

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, vol. 27 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-2026

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 March 2023

Danial Hassan and Sadia Nadeem

The study aims to highlight and understand, and bring the human agency into the debate on the theory of normative control. While, the previous literature has highlighted the…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to highlight and understand, and bring the human agency into the debate on the theory of normative control. While, the previous literature has highlighted the problem of the missing subject. However, the actual human agency in terms of agential properties has not been seriously addressed. This study is an attempt to overcome this problem of the missing subject.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-phase design inspired by retroductive inference was adopted for this study. In the first phase, abduction was used to explore the literature on normative control to highlight the forces of attraction, which may pull the employees to participate willingly within normative control systems. In the second phase, following retroductive inference, agential explanations of the forces of attraction identified in the first phase were explored by venturing into other related fields, e.g. psychology and sociology.

Findings

The study highlights four strategies used by organizations using normative control, i.e. comfort zoning, relational bonding, moral trapping and elitist appeal. These strategies rely on attractive forces. These forces of attraction pull employees to participate in the normative control system. The attractive element in the identified strategies is due to the fact that these strategies target specific agential properties, i.e. the need for comfort, sense of belonging, moral agency and pride. Overall, the findings suggest that individuals drive their concerns from culture but in relation to their capacity as needy beings for being enculturated.

Practical implications

Theoretically, this study adds conceptual strength to the explanations of normative control. It is suggested that neglect of human agency renders explanations conceptually weak. The study fills this gap in the research. Practically, this study would be beneficial for better design and implementation of normative control. Several studies have pointed out that normative control does not yield the intended results. Out of many reasons, a lack of understanding of human agency is a major cause of unsuccessful attempts to normatively control employees. This study provides some basis to understand the human subject for better design of soft systems of control.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research study that explores agential properties with reference to normative control systems. This study is important for researchers and practitioners.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. 46 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8269

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2023

Ebrahim Tavousi, Noel Perera, Dominic Flynn and Reaz Hasan

The purpose of the study is to numerically investigate the characteristics of laminar heat transfer and fluid flow in a double tube heat exchanger (DTHE) using water-aluminum…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to numerically investigate the characteristics of laminar heat transfer and fluid flow in a double tube heat exchanger (DTHE) using water-aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanofluid. The study examines the effects of nanofluid in both counter and parallel flow configurations. Furthermore, an exergy analysis is conducted to assess the impact of nanofluid on exergy destruction.

Design/methodology/approach

The single-phase method has been used for Al2O3 nanoparticles in water as base fluid in a laminar regime for Reynolds numbers from 400 to 2,000. The effects of nanoparticle volume fractions (0 to 0.1), Nusselt number, Reynolds number, heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, performance evaluation criteria (PEC) and the impact of counter and parallel flow direction have been studied.

Findings

The findings indicate that the incorporation of nanoparticles into the water enhances the heat transfer rate of DTHE. This enhancement is attributed to the improved thermal properties of the working fluid and its impact on the thermal boundary layer. Nusselt number, heat transfer coefficient, and PEC increase by approximately 19.5%, 58% and 1.2, respectively, in comparison to pure water. Conversely, the pressure drop experiences a 5.3 times increase relative to pure water. Exergy analysis reveals that nanofluids exhibit lower exergy destruction compared to pure water. The single-phase method showed better agreement with the experimental results compared to the two-phase method.

Originality/value

Dimensionless correlations were derived and validated with experimental and numerical results for the Nusselt number and PEC for both counter and parallel flow configurations based on the Reynolds number and nanoparticles volume fraction with high accuracy to predict the performance of DTHE without performing time-consuming simulations. Also, an exergy analysis was performed to compare the exergy destruction between nanofluid and pure water.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

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