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1 – 10 of 394Simon Gérard, David Legg and Thierry Zintz
The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-level mechanisms of institutional formation and change and, in particular, how this occurs through the interplay of multi-level…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-level mechanisms of institutional formation and change and, in particular, how this occurs through the interplay of multi-level mechanisms? This is answered with a processual analysis of the International Paralympic Committee which is the international governing body of sports for people with an impairment.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a case-study approach based upon archival records, collected in relevant national and international sport organizations. More than 2,700 pages of archives were gathered, some of them being accessible to researchers for the first time. Embargo was also successfully lifted on recent and sensitive documents.
Findings
This study highlights multi-level mechanisms involved in institutional change processes triggered by a shifting institutional logic at the organizational field level. This paper also shows how field logic shifted at the moment of alignment between the societal, field and organizational levels. Moreover, it underlines how societal discourses influenced processes of institutional change by shaping the range of organizational actions available at the organizational and field levels.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a rare account of institutional change processes in which interplay between the societal, field, and organizational levels is analyzed. Furthermore, this paper provides a longitudinal investigation of an under-researched empirical setting, the Paralympic movement. Finally, this study integrates insights from the disability studies’ research field, which significantly deepens this analysis.
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Claudio Feijoo and Claire Milne
The purpose of this paper is to introduce to the concepts related with universal service and the papers in the special issue about “Re‐thinking universal service in the digital…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce to the concepts related with universal service and the papers in the special issue about “Re‐thinking universal service in the digital era”.
Design/methodology/approach
This special issue aims to provide support to the policy process with regard to universal service in a digital context. The papers in the issue highlight developments that are shaking up the current universal service model. They consider universal service from a set of different dimensions, encompassing both demand and supply side considerations. Also a comparative outlook draws lessons from a representative set of existing regulatory models.
Findings
The paper finds that the foundations and concept of universal service are experiencing a profound transformation as we enter into a new phase of information society development. A new set of policy goals and tools is the main consequence of this change.
Originality/value
The paper presents a timely account of the universal service policy debate.
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Divine Kwaku Ahadzie, Richard Opoku, Stephen Nana Opoku Ware and Henry Mensah
The use of air-conditioners (ACs) is on the increase in the developing world, with exacerbating compounding effect on carbon footprints. With this development, there is the…
Abstract
Purpose
The use of air-conditioners (ACs) is on the increase in the developing world, with exacerbating compounding effect on carbon footprints. With this development, there is the expectation that developing countries would begin to appreciate and understand occupant behaviours in the use of ACs towards combating climate change, especially as building energy consumption is heavily influenced by the behaviour of its occupants. This study aims to identify occupant behaviours that leads to efficient use of ACs in public buildings so that these can be factored into developing guidelines for improving energy efficiency in buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), survey questionnaire was used to collect data in office buildings in Kumasi, Ghana. Partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis was employed for the analysis.
Findings
Switching on fan(s) as alternative to ACs has a path coefficient of 0.527, suggesting that it will have the most positive impact on energy consumption as far as AC use is concerned. The second occupant behaviour with a positive impact on energy consumption for AC use is opening windows for natural ventilation accounting for 0.351 significant path coefficient. Wearing of light or heavy clothing as a means of conserving energy achieved 0.174 impact coefficient while occupant behaviour of switching off ACs when leaving the room came last in the ranking, with an impact coefficient of 0.146. TBP is validated in this model, given that all the four occupant behaviours had their perceived behavioural control (PBC) having less impact on the behaviour compared to the behavioural attitude (BA) and the subjective norm (SN).
Research limitations/implications
This research focused on public buildings used as offices, and the findings may not be applicable to private company buildings and also residential properties. Given that Ghana and, for that matter, many developing countries rely heavily on thermal plant for electricity generation, the climate change implications of the findings are discussed.
Practical implications
It is recommended that behaviours of occupants should be considered and factored in building energy predictions to bridge the energy performance gap. Subsequently, project managers, designers and energy consultants are encouraged to provide fans and openable windows in offices, even if there is going to be an air-conditioning provisions.
Originality/value
Originality emanates from the paper being at the forefront of helping to understand occupants' behaviour in the use ACs and associated climate change implications in a developing country context. One of the new variables introduced, switching on fans as an alternative to ACs, achieved the highest path coefficient and has important implication for occupant behaviour in the use of ACs in the literature.
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David W. Taylor and Richard Thorpe
Applying social concepts to the social relations that the entrepreneur maintains, this research seeks to identify the impact of these relationships, and the learning that might…
Abstract
Applying social concepts to the social relations that the entrepreneur maintains, this research seeks to identify the impact of these relationships, and the learning that might result from them, on the decision‐making process. A social and conversational model of experiential learning is put forward, where learning and influence are seen to emerge as part of an ongoing negotiated process. This argument complements Kolb's “fundamentally cognitive” theory of experiential learning, by challenging the view that the learner should be viewed as an “intellectual Robinson Crusoe”, and stating that even when an individual reflects and theorises their thoughts have a social character. Data were collected using critical incident technique through one‐to‐one in‐depth interviews over several weeks. The paper goes some way to confirm the importance of networks in the business development process, helping further to define how networks exist. The learning identified, is understood therefore as part of an ongoing negotiated process within a complex network of domestic, voluntary, commercial and professional relations.
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Gerard P. Hodgkinson, Kristian J. Sund and Robert J. Galavan
This book comprises the second volume in the recently launched New Horizons in Managerial and Organizational Cognition book series. Volume 1 (Sund, Galavan, & Huff, 2016)…
Abstract
This book comprises the second volume in the recently launched New Horizons in Managerial and Organizational Cognition book series. Volume 1 (Sund, Galavan, & Huff, 2016), addressed the topic of strategic uncertainty. This second volume comprises a collection of contributions that variously report new methodological developments in managerial and organizational cognition, reflect critically on those developments, and consider the challenges that have yet to be confronted in order to further advance this exciting and dynamic interdisciplinary field. Contextualizing within an overarching framework the various contributions selected for inclusion in the present volume, in this opening chapter we reflect more broadly on what we consider the most significant developments that have occurred over recent years and the most significant challenges that lie ahead.
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Harikrishnan Ramiah, Tun Zainal Azni Zulkifli and Noramalia Sapiee
The purpose of this paper is to design and realize a low‐phase noise, high‐output power, and high‐tuning range, fully integrated source injection parallel coupled (SIPC)‐based…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to design and realize a low‐phase noise, high‐output power, and high‐tuning range, fully integrated source injection parallel coupled (SIPC)‐based inductor‐capacitor (LC)‐quadrature voltage controlled oscillator (QVCO) covering WiMAX frequency range in 0.18‐μm deep submicron CMOS technology.
Design/methodology/approach
A pMOS based‐SIPC LC‐QVCO topology is realized with the center frequency of 2.58 GHz. On chip spiral inductor is integrated with substantial quality factor, Q coupled with underlying pattern ground shield (PGS) shielding. An enhanced tuning range is achieved by integrating the diode connected MOS‐based varactors. The CMOS‐based autonomous SIPC LC‐QVCO circuit was characterized for its output phase noise, tuning range and power spectrum response via wafer probing, utilizing a signal source analyzer (Agilent E5052 A).
Findings
A quadrature oscillator catering to the needs of local oscillator (LO) generation covering the frequency range of WiMAX is realized. The parallel coupled architecture adapts direct source coupling, bypassing the LC resonator tank and relaxes the close in phase noise up‐conversion. The design consumes 2.19 mm2 of active chip area and measures a phase noise of −114.34 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz of offset frequency with 2.67 GHz of output frequency at 0.9 V of input tuning voltage. The corresponding output power measures to be −10.1 dBm, well suited for mixer hard switching. The design is realized in one poly, six metal 0.18‐μm standard CMOS technology.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to convergence discrepancy in the analysis, a diode‐connected MOS varactor is adapted in contrary to the accumulation mode MOS varactors with superior tuning range.
Practical implications
The designed SIPC LC‐QVCO is of need in the generation of low‐phase noise, highly matched quadrature LO generation covering the WiMAX frequency range. The adapted parallel coupling also relaxes the voltage headroom limitation.
Originality/value
This paper shows how a fully integrated CMOS‐based SIPC LC‐QVCO architecture is adapted with low‐output phase noise and low voltage headroom consumption covering the WiMAX frequency range.
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Anne Sigismund Huff, Frances J. Milliken, Gerard P. Hodgkinson, Robert J. Galavan and Kristian J. Sund
This book on uncertainty comprises the initial volume in a series titled “New Horizons in Managerial and Organizational Cognition”. We asked Frances Milliken and Gerard P…
Abstract
This book on uncertainty comprises the initial volume in a series titled “New Horizons in Managerial and Organizational Cognition”. We asked Frances Milliken and Gerard P. Hodgkinson, two well-known scholars who have made important contributions to our understanding of uncertainty to join us in this opening chapter to introduce this project. The brief bios found at the end of this volume cannot do justice to the broad range of their contributions, but our conversation gives a flavor of the kind of insights they have brought to managerial and organizational cognition (MOC). The editors thank them for helping launch the series with a decisive exploration of what defining uncertainty involves, how that might be done, why it is important, and how the task is changing. We were interested to discover that all five of us are currently involved in research that considers the nature and impact of uncertainty, and we hope that readers similarly find that paying attention to uncertainty contributes to their current projects. Working together, we can advance understanding of organizational settings and effective action, both for researchers and practitioners.
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