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1 – 10 of over 78000Cross‐cultural research in marketing has been dominated by survey‐based quantitative approaches; however, the assumption of prior validity required for the adoption of the survey…
Abstract
Purpose
Cross‐cultural research in marketing has been dominated by survey‐based quantitative approaches; however, the assumption of prior validity required for the adoption of the survey approach to values in cross‐cultural research has yet to be established. This paper aims to review the literature and outlines the problems of the survey‐based approach to cross‐cultural values research. These criticisms relate both to the choice of the method and its execution. The paper outlines the multiplicative effects of these problems, that threaten the validity of the survey methodology in this context, and suggests a methodological alternative.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews and synthesises the relevant literature on conceptual and methodological issues pertinent to the survey approach to values research in a cross‐cultural context.
Findings
A review of the literature suggests numerous methodological problems that threaten the validity and reliability of the survey approach to cross‐cultural values research. This review exposes a methodological gap that can be filled by a qualitative approach to the study of values in cross‐cultural research. In particular, the paper advocates means‐end methodology as offering significant strengths and addressing several of the weaknesses of the survey‐based approach to cross‐cultural values research.
Originality/value
The paper synthesises the literature on methodological issues in cross‐cultural values research, bringing together disparate criticisms which reveal the range of unresolved problems with the empirical, survey‐based approach to cross‐cultural values research; the paper also offers a suggestion for an alternative methodological approach. The means‐end approach is increasingly being used in various research areas; this paper highlights its appropriateness in a cross‐cultural context, as an alternative to predefined and culturally determined measures that limit our understanding of cross‐cultural values. Means‐end addresses many of the specific weaknesses of the survey method identified in the literature review. This discussion of methodological issues has implications for the field of cross‐cultural research more generally and suggests a critical re‐assessment of cross‐cultural methods is needed.
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Gülcin H. Sengir, Robert T. Trotter, Elizabeth K. Briody, Devadatta M. Kulkarni, Linda B. Catlin and Tracy L. Meerwarth
GM has initiated partnerships with firms and research institutions at a rapid pace. One effort of the multi‐disciplinary research team involved the construction of a relationship…
Abstract
GM has initiated partnerships with firms and research institutions at a rapid pace. One effort of the multi‐disciplinary research team involved the construction of a relationship dynamics model to assist in partnership planning and management. Earlier research on private‐sector partnerships indicated that partnership success is largely dependent upon the development and maintenance of strong, productive relationships between the partners. Therefore, modeling efforts focused on the relationship itself. To increase the likelihood that the resulting model is realistic, valid and representative, empirical data was combined with a systems‐dynamics approach, and the model is being validated with feedback from study participants.
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Jimmy Armoogum, Kay W. Axhausen and Jean-Loup Madre
This chapter summarizes some of the results from the Working Group “National Travel Surveys” in COST Action 355. All 50 presentations could not be reviewed here; thus, we focus on…
Abstract
This chapter summarizes some of the results from the Working Group “National Travel Surveys” in COST Action 355. All 50 presentations could not be reviewed here; thus, we focus on three crucial topics:
the periodicity of data collection, but also its longitudinal aspects (advantages of continuous surveying, repeated cross-sections vs. panel surveys, etc.),
new technologies for improving the efficiency and accuracy of mobility surveys (computer-assisted telephone, Web-based, interviews, GPS, GSM, RDS, etc.),
innovative approaches, exemplified by qualitative surveys combined with conventional quantitative ones, and by biographical approaches.
the periodicity of data collection, but also its longitudinal aspects (advantages of continuous surveying, repeated cross-sections vs. panel surveys, etc.),
new technologies for improving the efficiency and accuracy of mobility surveys (computer-assisted telephone, Web-based, interviews, GPS, GSM, RDS, etc.),
innovative approaches, exemplified by qualitative surveys combined with conventional quantitative ones, and by biographical approaches.
This article aims to consider the construction and use of a qualitative survey in opening relational aspects of the organisational culture within an educational institution…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to consider the construction and use of a qualitative survey in opening relational aspects of the organisational culture within an educational institution. Rather than a numeric set of metrics, the researcher's intent was to use a survey as a vehicle for thematic and hermeneutic constructions of the data that might show emergent themes that are ontological in nature. The open-ended questions in this survey were constructed in four sections: general practice and comparison, history, relational experiences, and leadership practices.
Design/methodology/approach
The context for this research was a department within a faculty of education. In addition to the process of collecting and analysing the survey data, the chairperson of the department was interviewed in terms of the quality of the data and the usefulness of the data. The quality of the data was considered in terms of the insights that might be gained from the participants' data.
Findings
The findings of the qualitative survey showed the relational nature of the department in terms of the collegiality and reciprocity of care between those in leadership and amongst the staff in general. While staff referred to the strengths of the relational culture, the growth in student numbers and staff leave staff wondering about the sustainability of a rich collegial culture. In addition, the chairperson appreciated understandings from the participants in terms of the future growth and culture of the department.
Originality/value
All too often, educational leaders are busy with data associated with the future directions of an educational enterprise. Educational leaders can make assumptions from their interactions with staff in the busyness of leadership and management tasks. This survey has opened themes that were new to the chairperson, or validated some of their hunches and assumptions. The success of the experience, findings and learning on the part of the educational leader has led to the trialling of this organisational tool in the context of an elementary primary school.
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Robert Detmering, Anna Marie Johnson, Claudene Sproles, Samantha McClellan and Rosalinda Hernandez Linares
This paper aims to provide an introductory overview and selected annotated bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy across all library…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide an introductory overview and selected annotated bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy across all library types.
Design/methodology/approach
It introduces and annotates English-language periodical articles, monographs, dissertations and other materials on library instruction and information literacy published in 2014.
Findings
It provides information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship and highlights sources that contain unique or significant scholarly contributions.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.
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Theresa Kwong, Hing‐Man Ng, Kai‐Pan Mark and Eva Wong
The purpose of this paper is to compare students' and faculty members' perceptions of academic integrity; their understanding of experiences pertaining to different aspects of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare students' and faculty members' perceptions of academic integrity; their understanding of experiences pertaining to different aspects of academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism); and to examine the underlying reasons behind academic integrity violations in a Hong Kong context.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed methods approach comprising quantitative and qualitative methodologies was used. First, a quantitative survey was conducted with students and faculty. Results from the survey were used to generate interview questions for an interview‐based qualitative study, which consisted of individual interviews for faculty members and focus group interview for students.
Findings
Results from both the survey and interviews showed that faculty members and students do not share a consensus on the definition of the seriousness of plagiarism and collusion. Students, in general, commit misconduct due to academic work, pressure for grades, and teachers' unclear instructions of academic integrity. Faculty members rarely report cases of misconduct to the university and handle the cases according to their own standard.
Originality/value
The topic of academic integrity has received increased attention in the past decade from college and university teachers and administrators around the world. Plagiarism is amongst the most widely studied acts of dishonesty in the area of academic behavior in universities world‐wide. Not many studies have investigated other acts of academic dishonesty and teachers' perception of academic integrity, especially in the Chinese context. The findings from this study provide useful insights for educators to implement academic honesty education programs, especially within the Chinese context, and especially in Hong Kong. The results also provide the foundations in developing an online academic integrity tutorial for the sampled institution.
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Dan Albertson and Amanda Haldy
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the organization and design of a real-life digital collection for the field of Book Arts. This paper also examines the challenges in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the organization and design of a real-life digital collection for the field of Book Arts. This paper also examines the challenges in building digital libraries for visual domains with specialized user pools.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative study was conducted. An online survey asked participants from the field of Book Arts to provide free-text descriptions of randomized visual representatives taken from the collection using open-ended question and answer boxes. Themes extracted from the survey were coded and presented using basic statistical measures.
Findings
The results of this study identified a set of specialized access points for items that were selected as being significant for Book Arts and perhaps other areas in the Fine Arts. Results informed retrieval of visual information for this domain along with user interface design and evaluation strategies. In addition, the survey used in this study demonstrated the ability to collect longer, more in-depth answers and category terms alike from the participants.
Originality/value
This study was necessary for the practical purpose of organizing a digital collection of the Book Arts, a unique collection. While similar studies have been conducted, even for collections deemed to be from the “Fine Arts”, previous studies do not agree on what is important for organizing digital collections including varying opinions of certain bibliographic access points and visual representation.
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– The purpose of this paper is to present a practical, low-tech and adaptable methodology for converting large amounts of comment data into actionable, qualitative analysis.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a practical, low-tech and adaptable methodology for converting large amounts of comment data into actionable, qualitative analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
In 2013, the Horace W. Sturgis Library of Kennesaw State University conducted the LibQUAL+ survey, receiving 1,653 open-ended comments. In a home-grown approach to comment analysis, the Sturgis Library targeted specific areas of operational significance (chat, ILL, etc.) to analyze in depth. Keywords and synonyms were identified, comments containing these terms were evaluated and a document known as a mini-report summarized the analysis for each area.
Findings
Over the summer of 2013, two librarians created 12 mini-reports. The mini-report format allowed investigators to build up their understanding of the organization incrementally and proved a valuable means of summarizing qualitative analysis and sharing it with various stakeholders.
Research limitations/implications
Not all comments are coded, and therefore, potentially valuable information is lost. By limiting focus to specific operational areas, the methodology does not capture themes that are diffused throughout the organization. Some areas of operational significance are difficult to isolate by keywords.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature on pragmatic qualitative analysis. Many existing models of qualitative analysis are resource intensive, in terms of time, technology and staff training. This paper presents a variation on a methodology that is more adaptable, allowing the researchers to explore within large pools of comment data without having to code and analyze every comment.
Clive Nancarrow, John Pallister and Ian Brace
The increasing use of Internet‐based qualitative and quantitative research is based on both “pull” and “push” factors. “Pull” factors include research clients’ demand for faster…
Abstract
The increasing use of Internet‐based qualitative and quantitative research is based on both “pull” and “push” factors. “Pull” factors include research clients’ demand for faster turnaround and low cost, while marketing research agencies’ naturally competitive endeavours represent the “push”. Attempts “to clear the e‐mist” regarding research on the Internet and examines the main types of Internet based research (qualitative and quantitative) as well as seven “sins” for Internet researchers – based on interviews with leading providers of Internet market research and IT specialists. Concludes that there is a need for both practitioners and academics to ensure their houses are kept in order and to respect the rights of respondents and clients and, just as importantly, be seen to be doing this and so keep possible interference by governments at bay.
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