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Article
Publication date: 28 March 2023

Dmitri Williams, Sukyoung Choi, Paul L. Sparks and Joo-Wha Hong

The study aims to determine the outcomes of mentorship in an online game system, as well as the characteristics of good mentors.

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to determine the outcomes of mentorship in an online game system, as well as the characteristics of good mentors.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of anonymized survey measures and in-game behavioral measures were used to power longitudinal analysis over an 11-month period in which protégés and non-mentored new players could be compared for their performance, social connections and retention.

Findings

Successful people were more likely to mentor others, and mentors increased protégés' skill. Protégés had significantly better retention, were more active and much more successful as players than non-protégés. Contrary to expectations, younger, less wealthy and educated people were more likely to be mentors and mentors did not transfer their longevity. Many of the qualities of the mentor remain largely irrelevant—what mattered most was the time spent together.

Research limitations/implications

This is a study of an online game, which has unknown generalizability to other games and to offline settings.

Practical implications

The results show that getting mentors to spend dedicated time with protégés matters more than their characteristics.

Social implications

Good mentorship does not require age or resources to provide real benefits.

Originality/value

This is the first study of mentorship to use survey and objective outcome measures together, over time, online.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 18 May 2023

Adam Biggs, Greg Huffman, Joseph Hamilton, Ken Javes, Jacob Brookfield, Anthony Viggiani, John Costa and Rachel R. Markwald

Marksmanship data is a staple of military and law enforcement evaluations. This ubiquitous nature creates a critical need to use all relevant information and to convey outcomes in…

Abstract

Purpose

Marksmanship data is a staple of military and law enforcement evaluations. This ubiquitous nature creates a critical need to use all relevant information and to convey outcomes in a meaningful way for the end users. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how simple simulation techniques can improve interpretations of marksmanship data.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses three simulations to demonstrate the advantages of small arms combat modeling, including (1) the benefits of incorporating a Markov Chain into Monte Carlo shooting simulations; (2) how small arms combat modeling is superior to point-based evaluations; and (3) why continuous-time chains better capture performance than discrete-time chains.

Findings

The proposed method reduces ambiguity in low-accuracy scenarios while also incorporating a more holistic view of performance as outcomes simultaneously incorporate speed and accuracy rather than holding one constant.

Practical implications

This process determines the probability of winning an engagement against a given opponent while circumventing arbitrary discussions of speed and accuracy trade-offs. Someone wins 70% of combat engagements against a given opponent rather than scoring 15 more points. Moreover, risk exposure is quantified by determining the likely casualties suffered to achieve victory. This combination makes the practical consequences of human performance differences tangible to the end users. Taken together, this approach advances the operations research analyses of squad-level combat engagements.

Originality/value

For more than a century, marksmanship evaluations have used point-based systems to classify shooters. However, these scoring methods were developed for competitive integrity rather than lethality as points do not adequately capture combat capabilities. The proposed method thus represents a major shift in the marksmanship scoring paradigm.

Details

Journal of Defense Analytics and Logistics, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2399-6439

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 30 October 2023

Matthew J. Spaniol and Nicholas J. Rowland

Scenarios are cognitive aids for thinking about the future in a sustained and disciplined manner. Because scenarios must be facilitated, scenarios must be considered in the…

Abstract

Scenarios are cognitive aids for thinking about the future in a sustained and disciplined manner. Because scenarios must be facilitated, scenarios must be considered in the context of their practice. In the strategic management literature, there has been a considerable conversation on the practical difference between “hot” and “cold” cognition. Thinking in this conventional literature demonstrates how the facilitators of scenario planning workshops establish and channel the productive cognition of their clients away from hot cognition and toward cold cognition. But how? As a thought experiment, we examine whether the sociological concept of “emotional labor” helps explain the cognition management of clients by facilitators during scenario planning. We end by considering how a deeper practical understanding of emotional labor might help facilitators identify mechanisms and adapt their tools to better manage the cognitive-affective dimensions of scenario planning in practice.

Article
Publication date: 21 November 2023

Josef Schindler, Andreas Kallmuenzer and Marco Valeri

The aim of this paper is to improve the understanding of strategies for how established companies can respond to disruptive innovation, handle increasing complexity, facilitate…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to improve the understanding of strategies for how established companies can respond to disruptive innovation, handle increasing complexity, facilitate entrepreneurial culture and processes and successfully manage organizational ambidexterity.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative multiple-case study was conducted to explore successful practices of innovation ambidexterity (IA) and their organizational design, entrepreneurial culture and mindset, processes and leadership. Two internationally established firms that have launched and established IA programs provided deep insight, revealing their strategy and learning on the path toward effective IA.

Findings

The findings show that accepting and managing the inherent complexity increases within an ambidextrous organization strategy is a decisive factor in achieving effective IA. As a result, segmenting small organizational units and granting them extensive autonomy is proposed for managing the complexity of an organization while increasing its effectiveness. Furthermore, it is shown that this helps foster entrepreneurial culture, mindsets and processes as additional mediators for achieving effective IA. Coaching, empowerment and trust were identified as key factors of ambidextrous leadership values that encourage entrepreneurial behavior and decision-making.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors knowledge the first study connecting the research fields of complexity management, organizational ambidexterity theory and entrepreneurial culture while applying the fundamentals of systems theory to propose a practical management framework for successfully responding to disruptive innovation.

Article
Publication date: 2 August 2022

Yiqi Li, Nathan Bartley, Jingyi Sun and Dmitri Williams

Team social capital (TSC) has been attracting increasing research attention aiming to explore team effectiveness through within- and cross-team resource conduits. This study…

Abstract

Purpose

Team social capital (TSC) has been attracting increasing research attention aiming to explore team effectiveness through within- and cross-team resource conduits. This study bridges two disconnected theories – TSC and evolutionary theory – to examine gaming clans and analyzes mechanisms of the clans' TSC building from an evolutionary perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This research draws longitudinal data from a sample of gaming teams (N = 1,267) from anonymized player data from the game World of Tanks spanning 32 months. The authors explored teams' evolutionary patterns using hidden Markov models and applied longitudinal multilevel modeling to test hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that teams of different sizes and levels of evolutionary fitness vary in team closure and bridging social capital. The authors also found that larger teams are more effective than smaller ones. The positive association between team-bridging social capital and effectiveness is more substantial for smaller teams.

Originality/value

This research advances the theoretical development of TSC by including the constructs of teams' evolutionary status when analyzing strategic social capital building. Adding to existing literature studying the outcome of TSC, this research also found a moderating effect of team size between TSC and effectiveness. Finally, this study also contributes to a longitudinal view of TSC and found significant evolutionary patterns of teams' membership, TSC, and effectiveness.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2023

Simone Sartori and Sidnei Vieira Marinho

The main objective of this research was to combine the integration between two fields of knowledge – future-oriented technology analysis (FTA) and games. This study aims to…

Abstract

Purpose

The main objective of this research was to combine the integration between two fields of knowledge – future-oriented technology analysis (FTA) and games. This study aims to capture the stakeholders’ actions and decision-making in a procedural, interactive and collaborative way to find a vision of the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework was designed from a literature review on the related research topics, exploring elements and methods, also how we brought the two fields together. The framework was structured in four steps: exploring – deciding – matching – evaluating. For each phase, deep reflections were described to understand the current situation, identify essential future issues and provide recommendations for action.

Findings

One attractive aspect of the FTA-games is the characteristics of each field but combined made it possible to evaluate future developments and trends. The elements present in games can boost FTA activities through interaction, engagement, experiences, collaboration and motivation, among other elements. Systematically, we seek to ensure traceability by identifying challenges, solutions, execution and results achieved and using tools and elements that make prospecting practical.

Originality/value

This article systematizes the connection between two fields in the form of a framework. At each stage of the framework, participants and strategists are challenged to seek solutions to future challenges, allowing these participants to engage in a common cause and make actions tangible. Game elements can be shaped to explore new avenues in FTA activities, as they are used in games in specific subject domains. These fields tend to be fragmented and are not integrated.

Details

foresight, vol. 25 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 September 2023

Harpreet Singh Bedi, Sandeep Vij and Rayees Farooq

The aim of this paper is to provide a unique perspective on entrepreneurship by examining how different ways of understanding entrepreneurial orientation (EO) affect business…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide a unique perspective on entrepreneurship by examining how different ways of understanding entrepreneurial orientation (EO) affect business performance (BP). The study uses a five-dimensional approach to understand EO’s relationship with BP.

Design/methodology/approach

A personal survey of key informants (who have decision-making power in their firm), one each from 550 North Indian firms has been conducted. The hypotheses were tested using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that both uni-dimensional and multi-dimensional conceptualizations of EO are equally valid and have a significant impact on BP. The study highlights the contextual nature of the relationship between EO and BP.

Practical implications

This study supports a comprehensive five-dimensional approach to EO, benefiting researchers and management practitioners. It validates an integrated measurement of BP and advances entrepreneurship theories, enabling broader generalizations for improved decision-making and strategy development.

Originality/value

The study is relevant for researchers and management practitioners. This study supports the five-dimensional conceptualization of EO and reveals the relevance of both uni-dimensional and multi-dimensional conceptualizations of EO. The study also lends support to the integrated approach of BP measurement. The results may also help to generalize entrepreneurship theories.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2023

Pintu Shah and Anuja Agarwal

The frequency and sophistication of cybercrimes are increasing. These cybercrimes are impacting government and private organizations as well as individuals. One of the…

Abstract

Purpose

The frequency and sophistication of cybercrimes are increasing. These cybercrimes are impacting government and private organizations as well as individuals. One of the countermeasures is to improve the cyber hygiene of the end-users. Serious games or game-based learning has emerged as a promising approach for implementing security education, training and awareness program. In this paper, the researchers propose a tabletop card game called Cyber Suraksha to increase threat awareness and motivate users to adopt recommended security controls for smartphone users. Cyber Suraksha provides an active learning environment for the players. This paper aims to provide the details of the design and evaluation of the game using a between-subjects design.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers have used constructive learning theory and the Fogg behaviour model (FBM) to design a tabletop card game called Cyber Suraksha. The researchers evaluated the game using a between-subjects design. The participants' responses in the control and intervention groups were collected using the risk behaviour diagnosis scale. Pearson’s Chi-Square test with a 5% significance level was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that the game is enjoyable and fun. Cyber Suraksha game effectively motivates users to adopt the recommended security control for the targeted behaviour. The results indicate that the participants in the intervention group are 2.65 times more likely to adopt recommended behaviour. The findings of this study provide evidence for the effectiveness of hope and fear appeals in improving cybersecurity awareness.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the study is limited because the sample size is small compared to the total number of smartphone users in India, and only students from computer/IT UG programs in India are used as participants in this study.

Practical implications

This study uses hope and a fear appeal to design an effective serious game. It also demonstrates using the FBM and constructive learning principles for effective serious game design. Cyber Suraksha is effective for the student group and may be tested with other age groups.

Originality/value

To the researchers' knowledge, there are no serious games for cybersecurity awareness focusing on the threats faced by smartphone users based on FBM and constructive learning theory. This research used hope along with a fear appeal to motivate smartphone users to adopt recommended security controls.

Details

Information & Computer Security, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4961

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 June 2023

Joby John and Ramendra Thakur

To reconceptualize the organizational environment in a comprehensive manner, it is important to specify not just the velocity but also other aspects of turbulent environments…

Abstract

Purpose

To reconceptualize the organizational environment in a comprehensive manner, it is important to specify not just the velocity but also other aspects of turbulent environments. Concurrently, the purpose of this paper is to also propose that organizational adaptability and, particularly, the speed of adaptations are critical to moderate the impact of turbulence in the environment on organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a conceptual methodology to fully specify turbulent environments and commensurate managerial response appropriate for such environments. Based on a perspective borrowed from the field of fluid dynamics used to specify the phenomenon of turbulence, the authors develop a conceptual model with research propositions. Four dimensions that describe turbulence in fluid flow when applied metaphorically offer a comprehensive view of the organizational environment.

Findings

An extreme, unanticipated, sudden onslaught resulting in a prolonged disrupted environment such as during the recent coronavirus crisis is best characterized as having caused turbulent environmental conditions. Management theories have addressed disruptions as high-velocity environments in the context of rapid changes in information technology. With a broadened conceptualization of the organizational environment to better capture extreme disruptions, the authors provide a comprehensive model appropriate for turbulent environmental conditions and offer research directions for scholarly pursuit.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new perspective from the physical sciences to better conceptualize organizational environments during extreme disruptions such as in turbulent environmental conditions.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 August 2023

Jagjit Singh Srai, Gary Graham, Remko Van Hoek, Nitin Joglekar and Harri Lorentz

The new geopolitical context being created by the Ukraine–Russia war highlights the need for structured approaches to planning and implementing unhooking strategies and developing…

3359

Abstract

Purpose

The new geopolitical context being created by the Ukraine–Russia war highlights the need for structured approaches to planning and implementing unhooking strategies and developing associated supply chain reconfigurations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have interviewed six supply chain executives to begin the investigation of the key supply chain risks and disruptions caused by the Ukraine–Russia war.

Findings

Initial corporate responses to the Ukraine–Russia conflict were significant, perhaps unprecedented. However, as institutional, corporate and consumer sentiment influence reconfiguration responses, the authors have identified three supply chain pathways that underpin unhooking actions.

Research limitations/implications

The authors selected respondents from each different type of supply chain interaction with the conflict zone (inbound, outbound and within), covering both components/intermediate products and finished goods. Therefore the sample size was small and designed to fit in with the spirit of the pathway initiative.

Practical implications

The authors reinforce the key role of procurement and supply chain management in not just supply but also in downstream markets that can accelerate decoupling and mitigate the associated supply chain disruptions.

Social implications

The authors observe that supply chains are increasingly being weaponized, as external institutional and consumer influences necessitate companies to unhook from conflict zones, countries, or regimes. They are becoming increasingly intertwined with foreign policy.

Originality/value

The novelty of the contribution to the associated discourse is the perspective that after decades of increasing globalization and geographic dispersion of supply chains, the unhooking effort is not limited to a firm and its internal operations but involves multiple stakeholders. For instance, the full extent of the complex linkages of supply chains, networks and relationships that touch conflict zone geographies must be considered, particularly those that are incompatible with the firm's values and aims, including those of their stakeholders.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 43 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

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