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1 – 8 of 8Jennifer Loh, Raechel Johns and Rebecca English
This study explored whether women could “have it all,” both at home and in the workplace. Using neoliberal feminism, mental load theory and intergenerational perspective as…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explored whether women could “have it all,” both at home and in the workplace. Using neoliberal feminism, mental load theory and intergenerational perspective as theoretical frameworks, this study explored how neoliberal ideologies which emphasized individual agency, economic empowerment and self-responsibility interact with persistent gendered expectations/norms to influence women’s experiences in navigating familial commitments and career aspirations.
Design/methodology/approach
Around 140 (N = 140) women living in Australia were recruited to participate in a qualitative, open-ended questionnaire that aimed to explore their: (1) perceptions and (2) expectations about (a) how gender roles evolved for them from youth to adulthood in various contexts, (b) how their family structures and dynamics, such as attitudes toward marriage, caregiving and/or household responsibilities, have changed and (c) what has/have influenced their career aspirations and family choices.
Findings
Results revealed a trend of women who worked hard at home and professionally. Unlike women who in the past lived more traditional lives, women in our cohort focused on their career as an important part of their identity and self-fulfillment. However, many women did report heightened mental load, stress and a lack of physical exercise in their daily lives.
Originality/value
This study revealed complex interplay between societal norms, intergenerational influences and the cognitive burdens associated with managing multiple roles. By examining these dynamics and using an integrated theoretical framework, the article aimed to holistically explain the challenges women in Australia encounter as they try to balance familial obligations with career ambitions within changing socioeconomic contexts.
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Luís Jacques de Sousa, João Poças Martins, Luís Sanhudo and João Santos Baptista
This study aims to review recent advances towards the implementation of ANN and NLP applications during the budgeting phase of the construction process. During this phase…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to review recent advances towards the implementation of ANN and NLP applications during the budgeting phase of the construction process. During this phase, construction companies must assess the scope of each task and map the client’s expectations to an internal database of tasks, resources and costs. Quantity surveyors carry out this assessment manually with little to no computer aid, within very austere time constraints, even though these results determine the company’s bid quality and are contractually binding.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper seeks to compile applications of machine learning (ML) and natural language processing in the architectural engineering and construction sector to find which methodologies can assist this assessment. The paper carries out a systematic literature review, following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, to survey the main scientific contributions within the topic of text classification (TC) for budgeting in construction.
Findings
This work concludes that it is necessary to develop data sets that represent the variety of tasks in construction, achieve higher accuracy algorithms, widen the scope of their application and reduce the need for expert validation of the results. Although full automation is not within reach in the short term, TC algorithms can provide helpful support tools.
Originality/value
Given the increasing interest in ML for construction and recent developments, the findings disclosed in this paper contribute to the body of knowledge, provide a more automated perspective on budgeting in construction and break ground for further implementation of text-based ML in budgeting for construction.
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This study aims to explore how achieving a harmonious work–life balance (WLB) can enhance the business performance of women entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Using…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore how achieving a harmonious work–life balance (WLB) can enhance the business performance of women entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Using border theory as a framework, it investigates the specific challenges and strategies these entrepreneurs use to manage their dual roles in professional and personal domains.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study uses in-depth interviews with 50 women entrepreneurs across various ages, nationalities and business types in the UAE. Purposeful sampling was used to ensure a diverse range of viewpoints.
Findings
The study finds that maintaining a WLB is crucial for the success and growth of women entrepreneurs in the UAE. A balanced work-life leads to higher job satisfaction, improved work quality and increased customer satisfaction, which collectively drive business success. Conversely, a lack of WLB results in stress, burnout and reduced productivity, negatively impacting business outcomes. Thus, WLB is essential for the well-being, efficiency and overall success of women entrepreneurs.
Originality/value
This research extends border theory by examining how women entrepreneurs, a unique workforce segment, balance their professional and personal lives in the UAE’s distinct socio-cultural context. It offers new insights into the challenges and strategies of achieving WLB, highlighting the significant role of family support and technology in this process. The study also underscores the importance of WLB for women’s entrepreneurship, contributing to broader discussions on gender, work–life integration and entrepreneurial success.
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Hanna Varvne and Mariana Andrei
To address complex societal challenges, particularly in the context of climate change, there is a growing interest in employing interdisciplinary ethnographic research (IER). This…
Abstract
Purpose
To address complex societal challenges, particularly in the context of climate change, there is a growing interest in employing interdisciplinary ethnographic research (IER). This paper examines the experiences associated with participating in IER, drawing insights from a collaboration project that integrates organization studies with energy management research.
Design/methodology/approach
Within the context of a three-year interdisciplinary collaboration, the paper focuses on the performance of an interview and the analysis thereof. It draws from this example to highlight the difficulties in translating discipline-specific language and understanding failures in IER. Including an exploration of the process of recovery, involving analyzing research results and the subsequent collaborative writing of a paper.
Findings
The primary findings revolve around the challenges inherent in ethnography as an interdisciplinary method. These challenges include language barriers between disciplines and the complexities of comprehending and learning from failures in interdisciplinary research.
Originality/value
The contribution lies in its exploration of abductive reasoning in IER, shedding light on the complexities and opportunities associated with interdisciplinary collaboration in the making. By emphasizing the importance of going into the field before negotiating common ground, the approach presented provides a unique perspective that not only addresses challenges but also facilitates the development of involved disciplines and scholars through self-reflection.
Highlights
The paper shows the importance of both expertise and experience knowledge in interdisciplinary ethnographic research.
By using different writing styles, the importance of language and translations between disciplines is exemplified.
The paper provides an example of how to engage in abductive reasoning in interdisciplinary ethnographic research.
The paper calls for a broad understanding of failure and success in interdisciplinary ethnographic research.
The paper shows the importance of both expertise and experience knowledge in interdisciplinary ethnographic research.
By using different writing styles, the importance of language and translations between disciplines is exemplified.
The paper provides an example of how to engage in abductive reasoning in interdisciplinary ethnographic research.
The paper calls for a broad understanding of failure and success in interdisciplinary ethnographic research.
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Guido Grunwald, Ali Kara and John E. Spillan
The purpose of this study is to identify challenges and derive options for stakeholder engagement of project partnerships for sustainable innovations in higher education…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify challenges and derive options for stakeholder engagement of project partnerships for sustainable innovations in higher education institutions (HEIs).
Design/methodology/approach
Guided by Donabedian’s structure-process-outcome (SPO) model, our conceptual exploration focuses on understanding stakeholder experience and identifying stakeholder engagement options in different project phases. This research includes empirical data on sustainability expectations towards HEIs collected from 239 business students from the USA and Germany. The Kano method and factor analysis were used for data analysis.
Findings
This research suggests that balancing differences in stakeholder types and priorities, identifying and fulfilling key stakeholder expectations and addressing their resource limitations play a crucial role in the partnership’s structure stage. Adjustments for timing and forms of engagement, based on the stakeholder types and their expectations, are necessary during the process stage. Attaining stakeholder consensus on goal achievement and fostering trust and long-term commitment for sustainability are vital tasks in the outcome stage.
Practical implications
HEIs are advised to identify and assess stakeholders according to their anticipated inputs and contributions to the expected project outputs. They should consider adopting minimal thresholds of involvement and actively engaging key stakeholders, students, by demonstrating direct sustainability impacts.
Originality/value
This conceptual study adds value by enhancing the understanding of sustainable project partnerships in HEIs through the adoption of concepts from open innovation, service management and relationship management research. It illuminates the significance of stakeholder engagement and experience, including the management of expectations, thereby supporting HEIs in effectively implementing sustainability initiatives.
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The study aims to analyze research trends and hotspots in the field of food and nutrition literacy to inform evidence-based policymaking, and promote the health and well-being of…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to analyze research trends and hotspots in the field of food and nutrition literacy to inform evidence-based policymaking, and promote the health and well-being of the general population.
Design/methodology/approach
The Scopus database was used to retrieve relevant research articles using specific keywords related to food or nutritional literacy.
Findings
The analysis included 341 research articles, predominantly authored by scholars from the USA. Growth pattern of publications indicated recent evolution of the food and nutrition literacy concepts. The research hotspots identified included the development of tools to assess literacy, assessing food and nutritional literacy competencies among school children and adolescents and finally, cross-sectional survey studies on various international cultures to assess food and nutritional literacy. The top cited articles in the field focused on the operational definition and difference between nutrition literacy and food literacy.
Research limitations/implications
The findings underscore the need for comparative studies across countries, and advocacy for policy change to advance food and nutrition literacy among school students and vulnerable populations.
Practical implications
Policymakers, public health officials and practitioners can use the research findings to inform the development of evidence-based policy frameworks and interventions aimed at addressing the gaps in food and nutrition literacy.
Social implications
By promoting and advocating for policy reforms, and addressing gaps in food and nutrition literacy, the study contributes to fostering global future public health.
Originality/value
The study provides insights into the evolving research landscape on food and nutrition literacy, emphasizing the growing scholarly interest in understanding the concept and its public health impact.
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Based on Indian conceptualisation of workplace spirituality, this study aims to examine the linkage between four dimensions of workplace spirituality (swadharma, authenticity…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on Indian conceptualisation of workplace spirituality, this study aims to examine the linkage between four dimensions of workplace spirituality (swadharma, authenticity, lokasangraha and sense of community) and work-to-family (WTF) enrichment. It also explored the mediating effect of psychological and social capital and the moderating effect of gratitude.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 387 women employees of Indian hospitality industry was collected in three waves. The collected data were analysed in three stages. Firstly, reliability, validity and multicollinearity were assessed using appropriate statistical measures like Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability and average variance explained. Secondly, the relationship between four dimensions of workplace spirituality and WTF enrichment were examined using correlation and hierarchical regression. Several demographic variables like marital status, age, experience and income level were controlled. Thirdly, the moderating effect of gratitude and mediating effects of psychological and social capital were analysed using PROCESS macro.
Findings
The results showed adequate reliability and validity estimates. Also, four dimensions of Indian workplace spirituality were significantly related to WTF enrichment with these dimensions of workplace spirituality collectively explaining 46.8% variations in WTF enrichment. The results also concluded significant meditating effect of psychological and social capital. It also asserted significant moderating effect of gratitude.
Originality/value
The study is based on longitudinal data collected to test seven hypotheses of the study.
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