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1 – 10 of 10Kim Brown, Lara Sanderson, Rachel Spronken-Smith and Claire Cameron
This paper aims to understand the experiences of disabled doctoral students at one Aotearoa New Zealand University, identifying barriers to accessibility and meaningful…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand the experiences of disabled doctoral students at one Aotearoa New Zealand University, identifying barriers to accessibility and meaningful participation, and enabling practices.
Design/methodology/approach
This research was underpinned by the social model of disability and used an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach. A survey comprising closed and freeform questions was distributed to all doctoral students. From the 64 respondents, 12 also took part in an unstructured, narrative interview. Data were analysed using a combination of methods: descriptive statistics, thematic analysis and poetic inquiry.
Findings
Findings are presented mainly as data poetry. The poems centre on complexities faced by disabled doctoral students, and articulate challenges, enabling practices and possibilities for the future encountered by students in this study. Findings are additionally supported with quotes from narrative interviews, open-ended survey questions and descriptive data analysis.
Originality/value
The poetic inquiry approach gives voice to the collective experiences of disabled students. The poetic texts bear witness to the intersections of disability, impairment, chronic illness, neurodiversity and doctoral study, and the lives of students who navigate these intersections. These poems voice and seek to be lightning-rods for social change.
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Aneta Pieczka and Miłosz Miszczyński
The rise of app-based work in the gig economy, particularly within the food delivery sector, challenges traditional employment paradigms and raises questions about the potential…
Abstract
Purpose
The rise of app-based work in the gig economy, particularly within the food delivery sector, challenges traditional employment paradigms and raises questions about the potential for achieving meaningful work experiences. This study explores whether such work can be considered meaningful for food delivery couriers in Poland.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopts a qualitative, case-study approach, conducting 30 in-depth interviews with food delivery couriers in Poland. The study investigates how these workers perceive the meaningfulness of their work, focusing on the interplay between subjective and organisational aspects of their work.
Findings
The findings reveal that despite the precarious nature of app-based work, couriers often find meaningful experiences through perceived autonomy, gamified control and the physical demands of their job. The study highlights the dual nature of app work, where the same elements that contribute to worker engagement and a sense of independence also perpetuate exploitation and job insecurity.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s reliance on a convenience sample of 30 interviews conducted via social media may not represent the broader population of food delivery couriers. Future research should expand the sample size and include a more diverse range of participants to improve generalisability.
Practical implications
The insights from this study can inform platform designers and policymakers to create more supportive environments for gig workers. Enhancing algorithmic transparency, providing better social protections and implementing fair gamification strategies can help mitigate the negative aspects of gig work and improve job satisfaction.
Social implications
The study underscores the need for regulatory changes to ensure minimum guaranteed earnings and health and safety provisions for gig workers. By fostering a supportive and transparent work environment, the gig economy can better contribute to worker well-being and social equity.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the limited body of literature on meaningful work within the gig economy, particularly focusing on food delivery couriers in Poland. It provides new insights into how workers create and perceive meaningful work in a highly digitised and algorithmically managed environment.
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Nadin Augustiniok and Ayça Özmen
This paper acknowledges the limitations of conventional heritage conservation, where the reuse of iconic modern houses as museums or exhibits often sacrifices their original…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper acknowledges the limitations of conventional heritage conservation, where the reuse of iconic modern houses as museums or exhibits often sacrifices their original residential function. We explore four aspects of the narrative approach – significance, reversibility, expandability and craftsmanship – to assess its potential for preserving and allowing change over time in the modern house.
Design/methodology/approach
Four iconic modern houses are analysed in this study: Villa Tugendhat-Brno frozen as a museum house, Chabot Museum-Rotterdam refunctioned as an art museum, Haus Schminke-Löbau used as a guest house and Maison Guiette-Antwerpen still in use. Employing aspects of the narrative approach (Walter, 2020a, b), the analysis evaluates recent heritage management practices in preserving the building’s multifaceted history and associated perspectives.
Findings
The narrative approach in heritage conservation values the evolving significance of cultural heritage by recognising different perspectives and preserving the traces of past changes. It promotes sustainability by enabling adaptive reuse while preserving historical integrity by respecting past and future heritage. Despite its obvious weaknesses, such as potential subjectivity, the dilution of valuations and the loss of historic fabric, it particularly responds to the ephemeral nature and challenges of modernity.
Originality/value
The cross-case analysis of practical conservation approaches, encompassing varied strategies for conservation and adaptive reuse, offers valuable insights for theorizing the significance of modernist architecture for both the present and future.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyze the prejudice and discrimination constructs through the lens of a transcendent knowledge concept.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the prejudice and discrimination constructs through the lens of a transcendent knowledge concept.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper seeks to demonstrate that Spiritism or Spiritist Doctrine (SD) – regarded here as a source of transcendent knowledge – offers compelling arguments and provides suitable explanations (i.e. transcendent ontology) in relation to the issue of discrimination
Findings
Overall, this paper contributes to a better understanding of diversity and inclusive perspectives by examining the antecedents and consequences of discrimination through the insightful lens of SD tenets. In this sense, the findings suggest that the discriminators and prejudiced people may ironically pass through – as a result of the law of cause and effect – the same hard situations (i.e. ordeals or nightmares) – even though in their future lives – that they impose in their current victims to forcefully open their minds, support universal values, enhance their own feelings and spiritual intelligence.
Practical implications
Evidence presented here (although conceptually in nature) could be somewhat integrated into training sections of diversity management. At a minimum, it may encourage the shift of attitudes, revision of embedded values and reflections about the spiritual consequences to the perpetrators of discrimination against minorities.
Originality/value
Taken as a whole, the SD tenets prompt us to understand that the acts of prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination engender suffering for their perpetrators, even in their future lives (i.e. reincarnations). Broadly speaking, the SD principles compel us to consider transcendent knowledge even in the context of organizational life.
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The COVID-19 pandemic, a sudden and disruptive external shock to the USA and global economy, profoundly affected various operations. Thus, it becomes imperative to investigate the…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic, a sudden and disruptive external shock to the USA and global economy, profoundly affected various operations. Thus, it becomes imperative to investigate the repercussions of this pandemic on the US housing market. This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a crucial facet of the real estate market: the Time on the Market (TOM). Therefore, this study aims to ascertain the net effect of this unprecedented event after controlling for economic influences and real estate market variations.
Design/methodology/approach
Monthly time series data were collected for the period of January 2010 through December 2022 for statistical analysis. Given the temporal nature of the data, we conducted the Durbin–Watson test on the OLS residuals to ascertain the presence of autocorrelation. Subsequently, we used the generalized regression model to mitigate any identified issues of autocorrelation. However, it is important to note that the response variable derived from count data (specifically, the median number of months), which may not conform to the normality assumption associated with standard regression models. To better accommodate this, we opted to use Poisson regression as an alternative approach. Additionally, recognizing the possibility of overdispersion in the count data, we also explored the application of the negative binomial model as a means to address this concern, if present.
Findings
This study’s findings offer an insightful perspective on the housing market’s resilience in the face of COVID-19 external shock, aligning with previous research outcomes. Although TOM showed a decrease of around 10 days with standard regression and 27% with Poisson regression during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is noteworthy that this reduction lacked statistical significance in both models. As such, the impact of COVID-19 on TOM, and consequently on the housing market, appears less dramatic than initially anticipated.
Originality/value
This research deepens our understanding of the complex lead–lag relationships between key factors, ultimately facilitating an early indication of housing price movements. It extends the existing literature by scrutinizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the TOM. From a pragmatic viewpoint, this research carries valuable implications for real estate professionals and policymakers. It equips them with the tools to assess the prevailing conditions of the real estate market and to prepare for potential shifts in market dynamics. Specifically, both investors and policymakers are urged to remain vigilant in monitoring changes in the inventory of houses for sale. This vigilant approach can serve as an early warning system for upcoming market changes, helping stakeholders make well-informed decisions.
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Lijia Guo, Tine Van Bortel, Chiara Lombardo, Steven Martin, David Crepaz-Keay, Shari McDaid, Oliver Chantler, Lucy Thorpe, Susan Solomon, Alec Morton, Antonis Kousoulis and Gavin Davidson
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions created a range of potential additional stressors for families, particularly for parents living with children. This study aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions created a range of potential additional stressors for families, particularly for parents living with children. This study aims to explore whether there were any differences in the mental health and emotional experiences of those living with children, and those who were not, during the pandemic and related lockdowns; and whether there were any specific risk factors associated with these mental health outcomes and emotional experiences.
Design/methodology/approach
Regression analyses of ten-wave repeated cross-sectional surveys between May 2020 and November 2021 on a total sample of 42,529 UK adults, which measured mental health with a range of pleasant and unpleasant emotional experiences. The interaction effects of living with children and age as well as marital status were tested.
Findings
During the pandemic, individuals who were living with children were more likely to feel hopeful (OR: 1.1) and grateful (OR: 1.163), less likely to feel hopeless (OR: 0.918) and lonely (OR: 0.799), while more likely to feel guilty (OR: 1.185), unprepared (OR: 1.195) and pressurised (OR: 1.14), than those not living with children. More nuanced findings and diverse emotional experiences were also found in people of different age groups and marital statuses.
Originality/value
This study has highlighted that being parents and living with children could be important factors of emotional distress, especially during the special circumstances of the pandemic and lockdowns, drawing on the large-scale national data.
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Shaun Liverpool, Ken Fletcher, Tahira Kaur Chopra, David Jay, Faye Walters and Linda K. Kaye
The number of university students seeking mental health support is rapidly increasing. To provide additional psychological support to students accessing well-being services, this…
Abstract
Purpose
The number of university students seeking mental health support is rapidly increasing. To provide additional psychological support to students accessing well-being services, this study aimed to pilot a mental health Web application (app) called Orpheus®.
Design/methodology/approach
Guided by student consultations, a multi-methods approach was adopted, including an examination of in-app data, chart reviews of routinely collected student information and interviews with mental health practitioners. Usage data were analysed descriptively. Changes in mental health outcomes were examined using means, standard deviations and reliable change indices for anxiety and depression scores. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis was conducted on qualitative data from staff interviews and student feedback.
Findings
A total of 26 students registered an account with 39 completed app visits. On 37 of the 39 (94.9%) occasions, students reported reductions in the intensity of unwanted negative emotions. Statistically significant reductions in the average pooled anxiety and depression scores were observed. Of the 15 students who completed pre- and post-routine outcome measures, between 20% and 60% showed reliable and meaningful symptom improvements. Students reported that the app was helpful and easy to set up and use, with no adverse events. Practitioners highlighted barriers and facilitators related to the technology features, situational contexts and individual differences.
Originality/value
Integrating Orpheus in real-world settings resulted in promising implementation processes, potential for future uptake and positive outcomes. However, ongoing research, staff training and app testing are needed to further improve the implementation processes for digital mental health interventions.
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Soila Lemmetty and Elina Riivari
Meaningfulness at work means experience of work as important, satisfying and valuable. It is a key factor in promoting individual growth, strengthening the belief in one's own…
Abstract
Purpose
Meaningfulness at work means experience of work as important, satisfying and valuable. It is a key factor in promoting individual growth, strengthening the belief in one's own abilities and supporting a sense of belonging and commitment to the organization. In this paper, we explore managers' perceptions of meaningful work in the future, focusing on managers' talk about meaningful work and its promotion in their organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
The data for the study consists of 25 stories of future working life collected from Finnish managers in spring 2022, using the empathy-based method.
Findings
From managers' stories of future working life, we identified two overarching perception categories of meaningful work: (1) Perceptions of contexts underlining the experience of meaningfulness: evolving technologies, developing expertise and demands and change in working life values and (2) Perceptions of management practices determining meaningful work: leader-centered, distant and technical management practice versus participatory and interactive management practice.
Originality/value
The research produces a new and detailed understanding of the ways in which managers talk about decreasing and increasing meaningfulness at work and management practices related to it. As the research is qualitative in nature and based on a small dataset, its results cannot be generalized. Instead, it strengthens and sharpens the previous understanding of meaningful work and the future of work.
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Villy Abraham, Lior Solomovich, Noa Barnea-Levy and Josef Cohen
The present study explores the possible ramifications of insomnia and sleep quality on attitudes and expectations from a hotel accommodating guests suffering from insonia and poor…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study explores the possible ramifications of insomnia and sleep quality on attitudes and expectations from a hotel accommodating guests suffering from insonia and poor sleep quality.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study adopts a quantitative dominant (QUAN + qual) concurrent mixed methods design. 20 participants (11 women and nine men) aged 22 to 80 participated in the qualitative research. Purposeful sampling (n = 369) was employed to solicit participants for the quantitative phase of the study.
Findings
Findings suggest that subjective norm influence is significantly associated with service quality expectations and intentions to visit a hotel accommodating sleep-deprived individuals. Hotels accommodating such guests possess a substantial competitive advantage.
Research limitations/implications
While our study provides valuable insights, it is essential to note that the data was collected from a single country. Therefore, caution should be exercised when generalizing the findings to hotel guests from other countries. This highlights the need for future research to explore cross-cultural aspects of sleep disorders and their impact on the interaction between hotel service providers and guests.
Practical implications
The study results underscore the importance of understanding and addressing the unique needs of travelers’ with sleep disorders. They also emphasize the added benefit of better accommodating other guests who do not necessarily suffer from the disorder to enjoy substantially more sleep.
Originality/value
The extant tourism literature focuses on neurological disorders. However, the possible ramifications of insomnia and poor hotel sleep quality on travel, guest preferences, expectations and choices were mostly overlooked.
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Early childhood education (ECE) workers (educators and caregivers) play an important role in fostering an effective learning environment for children. However, the alarming…
Abstract
Purpose
Early childhood education (ECE) workers (educators and caregivers) play an important role in fostering an effective learning environment for children. However, the alarming turnover in this profession has made it incredibly difficult for ECE programs and employers to retain and support this segment of the workforce. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative inquiry is to answer how early childhood workers experience workplace thriving.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees of a community-funded childhood education and care program. A stratified random sampling technique was used to interview the employees who (i) had successfully completed the probationary period; (ii) qualified as ECE workers based on their job description or the human resources coordinator’s assessment. Interviews were conducted till the point of data saturation. Thematic analysis revealed how ECE workers professionally thrive at multiple levels.
Findings
The findings were clustered into five broader spheres in alignment with the social-ecological framework. The personal sphere showcased workers’ passion, work meaningfulness, value system and skill transferability. The microsystems included children, parents, workplace friends and managers as influencing actors. In the mesosystems, leadership processes and managerial support emerged as salient factors. The exosystems captured organizational objectives, job characteristics and work environment. Finally, in the macrosystems, industrial norms, labor market dynamics, and community-building informed workplace thriving of this population.
Originality/value
The current research applies the social-ecological lens to analyze the factors that help ECE workers professionally thrive. The social-ecological framework not only identifies multi-level recommendations but also the human resource management (HRM) interventions at the levels that need the most attention. The current research is among the first to analyze ECE workers’ professional thriving from an HRM viewpoint.
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