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1 – 10 of over 50000Colin C. Williams and John Round
This paper aims to evaluate critically the validity of rival theorisations of the hidden economy that variously read this sphere as a leftover from a previous era, a by‐product of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate critically the validity of rival theorisations of the hidden economy that variously read this sphere as a leftover from a previous era, a by‐product of a new emergent form of capitalism, a complement to formal employment or an alternative to the formal economy. Until now, the common tendency among economic theorists has been to either universally privilege one theorisation over others, or to represent each theory as valid in different places.
Design/methodology/approach
To evaluate their validity to the city of Moscow, a survey is reported involving 313 face‐to‐face interviews with inhabitants conducted during 2005/2006.
Findings
The finding is that, although each theory is a valid representation of particular types of hidden work in Moscow, no one theory fully captures the diverse nature of the hidden economy in this city, and that only by combining all of them can a finer‐grained understanding of the multifarious character of the hidden economy in this city be achieved. How these theories can be synthesised in order to develop this fuller and more nuanced understanding of the hidden economy is then outlined.
Research limitations/implications
This study reveals that all these theories are needed to more fully understand the hidden economy of Moscow. Whether this is similarly the case elsewhere now needs to be investigated.
Practical implications
The recognition of multifarious types of hidden work, each with different economic implications, reveals that different policy approaches are perhaps required towards various forms of hidden work.
Originality/value
The paper re‐theorises the hidden economy as a sphere composed of heterogeneous types of work.
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Craig R. Scott and Katie K. Kang
A contemporary view of group communication must consider hidden groups, which are those collectives that intentionally conceal key aspects of their identity at various levels…
Abstract
A contemporary view of group communication must consider hidden groups, which are those collectives that intentionally conceal key aspects of their identity at various levels (e.g., group, member, organization) from relevant audiences. This chapter reviews several general research areas and findings related to hidden groups and then briefly examines some of the theories and methodological issues relevant to hidden groups. Building on that, a multilevel framework that also considers members and broader organizational structures is offered to help distinguish various types of hidden groups.
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This article aims to examine a particular sub‐set of human information behavior that has been largely overlooked in the library and information science (LIS) literature; how…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to examine a particular sub‐set of human information behavior that has been largely overlooked in the library and information science (LIS) literature; how people are socialized to create and use information.
Design/methodology/approach
Naturalism and ethnomethodology were used as theoretical frameworks to examine what a group of fifth grade students were taught about documents, how this information was imparted to them, and how social factors were manifested in the construction and form of those documents. Two concepts are shown to be critical in the explication of students as document creators and users: the notion that there is a “stock of knowledge” that underlies human interaction (some of which relates to recorded information), and that this socialization process forms part of a school's “hidden curriculum.”
Findings
Students were socialized to be good (in the sense of being competent) creators and users of documents. Part of the role of “being a student” involved learning the underlying norms and values that existed in relation to document creation and use, as well as understanding other norms and values of the classroom that were captured or reflected by documents themselves. Understanding “document work” was shown to be a fundamental part of student affiliation; enabling students to move from precompetent to competent members of a school community.
Originality/value
This research demonstrated that people possess a particular stock of knowledge from which they draw when creating and using information. Competence in this aspect of human information behavior, while partly based on one's own experience, is shown to be largely derived or learned from interaction with others.
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Brett Crawford and M. Tina Dacin
In this chapter, the authors adopt a macrofoundations perspective to explore punishment within institutional theory. Institutional theorists have long focused on a single type of…
Abstract
In this chapter, the authors adopt a macrofoundations perspective to explore punishment within institutional theory. Institutional theorists have long focused on a single type of punishment – retribution – including the use of sanctions, fines, and incarceration to maintain conformity. The authors expand the types of punishment that work to uphold institutions, organized by visible and hidden, and formal and informal characteristics. The four types of punishment include (1) punishment-as-retribution; (2) punishment-as-charivari; (3) punishment-as-rehabilitation; and (4) punishment-as-vigilantism. The authors develop important connections between punishment-as-charivari, which relies on shaming efforts, and burgeoning interest in organizational stigma and social evaluations. The authors also point to informal types of punishment, including punishment-as-vigilantism, to expand the variety of actors that punish wrongdoing, including actors without the legal authority to do so. Finally, the authors detail a number of questions for each type of punishment as a means to generate a future research agenda.
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Ashmiza Mahamed Ismail and Christine Elizabeth Welch
Why and when people working in organisations hide their knowledge has received considerable academic attention. However, little attention has been paid to knowledge hiding in…
Abstract
Purpose
Why and when people working in organisations hide their knowledge has received considerable academic attention. However, little attention has been paid to knowledge hiding in academia itself, even though universities are known as places where knowledge is shared. This study aims to consider the dilemma faced by academics when undertaking research work: should they share or hide what they are doing?
Design/methodology/approach
Using empirical evidence drawn from 20 academics in a number of UK Business Schools, the authors carried out in-depth interviews to investigate the effects of strategic knowledge hiding (SKH) on research knowledge work. The authors argue that SKH can drive competitive individuals to establish research superiority.
Findings
The findings revealed that most respondents have, for strategic reasons, hidden their tacit and/or explicit knowledge from others during ongoing research processes, but have, at the same time, purposefully sought for knowledge from targeted colleagues.
Originality/value
The findings extend the previous literature by revealing not only the distinctive individual antecedents of SKH but also its positive outcomes. The findings illustrate a pioneering contribution of a systematic model of SKH among university business school academics.
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The growth of Asian enterprises has been a much commented on feature of the small business population. While academic research has sought to identify the key success factors for…
Abstract
The growth of Asian enterprises has been a much commented on feature of the small business population. While academic research has sought to identify the key success factors for this entrepreneurial minority, little study has been undertaken of the role female Asian entrepreneurs and Asian women working in “family” businesses play. This article features interview evidence gathered from both Asian women entrepreneurs in their own right and Asian women working in family enterprises, and seeks to provide a clearer picture of the roles, responsibilities and relationships of these two groups. In addition, the study is methodologically novel in so far as the researcher (an Asian female from a “typical” family business background) has taken care to observe the cultural proprieties often noted within this particular group. Hence, the data are arguably more authentic than previous studies undertaken by “distant” researchers.
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Md. Zahidul Islam, M. Muzamil Naqshbandi, Makhmoor Bashir and Nurul Amirah Ishak
This study aims to develop a framework that demonstrates the role of social capital in alleviating knowledge hiding behaviour in organisations while also considering the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop a framework that demonstrates the role of social capital in alleviating knowledge hiding behaviour in organisations while also considering the moderating roles of perceived organisational politics and the perceived value of knowledge in this process.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a systematic literature review of research papers on the topic of knowledge hiding to develop a framework for mitigating knowledge hiding.
Findings
This paper conceptualises social capital into three interrelated dimensions (e.g. structural, cognitive and relational). Based on the findings of the review, all the three social capital dimensions can potentially mitigate an individual’s propensity towards knowledge hiding. Additionally, the paper integrates two potential moderators: perceived organisational politics and perceived value of knowledge, which could undermine the outcomes of social capital in mitigating knowledge hiding.
Research limitations/implications
Although the proposed framework may provide preliminary insights to practitioners and scholars, one of its key limitations is that it is conceptual. Future empirical research is needed to validate the proposed framework.
Originality/value
Existing research has focused on studying the antecedents and consequences of knowledge hiding. However, scant scholarly work explores how such behaviour can be mitigated. This paper addresses this gap and contributes to understanding how organisations can alleviate the prevalence of knowledge hiding by developing their social capital and by focusing on contextual factors.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-level (individual, interpersonal and firm) consequences of top-down knowledge hiding in firms.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-level (individual, interpersonal and firm) consequences of top-down knowledge hiding in firms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a multiple case study methodology by studying nine United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based firms. Furthermore, 26 semi-structured interviews with managers based in 9 different firms are undertaken.
Findings
Based on the qualitative interviews and comprehensive data analysis, four individual, one interpersonal and two firm-level consequences emerged. In addition, the consequences of top-down knowledge hiding are not multi-level, but multi-faceted too.
Research limitations/implications
This study has some limitations. First, the results of this study are not generalizable to a broader population. Second, this study explores behavioral patterns with respect to UAE culture only.
Practical implications
Firms can use the findings from this study to understand the multi-level and multi-faceted consequences of top-down knowledge hiding in firms. Also, this study provides some constructive guidelines to firms/senior management to mitigate the consequences of knowledge hiding in firms.
Originality/value
This study contributes to knowledge hiding literature by revealing multi-level and multi-faceted consequences of top-down knowledge hiding in firms.
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Atif Saleem Butt and Ahmad Bayiz Ahmad
The purpose of this paper is to explore how firms can mitigate knowledge hiding behavior among their managers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how firms can mitigate knowledge hiding behavior among their managers.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a multiple case study methodology by studying nine UAE based firms. Furthermore, 26 semi-structured interviews with senior managers are undertaken.
Findings
Based on the qualitative interviews and comprehensive data analysis, results unveil six strategies that firms can opt for in order to mitigate knowledge hiding behavior among managers (reducing chain of command, developing informal interaction among managers, introducing and implementing incentive policy, initiating easy performance appraisal, encouraging higher interdependency among managers and introducing open space work stations).
Research limitations/implications
This study has some limitations. First, the results of this study are not generalizable to a broader population. Second, this study explores behavioral patterns with respect to United Arab Emirates culture only. Second, the results presented in this study should be tested.
Practical implications
Firms can use the findings from this study to understand strategies that can help them to mitigate the knowledge hiding behavior of managers.
Originality/value
This study contributes to knowledge hiding literature by revealing strategies, which discourages knowledge hiding behavior in firms.
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Public relations (PR) research has given little space to the opinions, innovations and experiences of those working in marginalised or ‘dirty’ roles or occupations. To ensure that…
Abstract
Public relations (PR) research has given little space to the opinions, innovations and experiences of those working in marginalised or ‘dirty’ roles or occupations. To ensure that the worlds of these ‘others’ are represented this chapter explores the lives and work of women working in PR and communication roles in the ‘adult’ industry (worth an estimated $15 billion worldwide). Tibbals notes that ‘the voices and experiences of women working in the adult film industry are often overlooked’ (2013, p. 21) and dismissing a highly profitable but ‘dirty’ sector is to overlook and denigrate the people who work in it and the experiences and knowledge created therein. To explore my research questions I gathered informal interview data from women working in PR and combined this with published literature which recorded the lives of women who carried out PR and communications roles in the adult industry. My research demonstrates that high quality PR work is carried out within the adult industry and that the industry attracts women from diverse backgrounds, many of whom progress quickly within a meritorious environment. Nonetheless, these women often feel difficulty in explaining or justifying their work to family and friends and have strategies to avoid discussing their work to those outside the industry. They also have to work within a media environment where adult industry issues are not well or correctly reported.
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