In this article, I present an initial examination of Conservapedia; namely, the problems it identified in the Wikipedia project that made a split appear necessary and the…
Abstract
Purpose
In this article, I present an initial examination of Conservapedia; namely, the problems it identified in the Wikipedia project that made a split appear necessary and the principles it claims to follow. I then argue that Conservapedia is characterized by a “law-and-order” mindset. Finally, implications for the continued existence of Conservapedia in a polarized world are presented.
Design/methodology/approach
A content analysis of key Conservapedia documents was conducted.
Findings
The founders of Conservapedia took issue with Wikipedia over its supposed intolerance and inconsistency of thought. They developed a set of principles that attempted to reconcile open-mindedness with efficiency and an extreme point of view on certain subjects. Nevertheless, Conservapedia failed to produce a vibrant community, and its function today is more of a database of alt-right dogma controlled by a core group of supporters.
Originality/value
There has been little scholarly attention paid to the various offshoots of Wikipedia, including Conservapedia. This is unfortunate. These alternative wiki encyclopedias represent knowledge universes of their own and in an increasingly polarized world they are important phenomena to understand.
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Adams Lukman Jimoh, Salman Abdulrasaq and YA. Olawale
The level of corruption in Nigeria is very high, and this has grossly reduced the desired confidence and trust in the nation’s political leaders and political institutions. It is…
Abstract
Purpose
The level of corruption in Nigeria is very high, and this has grossly reduced the desired confidence and trust in the nation’s political leaders and political institutions. It is even worse to the extent that many of its citizens, especially in the medical profession, lecturers and other specialties, are leaving the country altogether because they have already lost hope in the country called Nigeria. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate how political trust in Nigeria is affected by perceived corruption and to ascertain how social media use functions in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Because this study is quantitative in nature, a positivist research philosophy is being used. A cross-sectional research design was used in this study. 14.1 million voters in north-central Nigeria are the study’s population, and a sample size of 385 was determined through an online sample size calculator with a 2% margin of error and a 95% confidence interval. The population was divided into smaller units for the study, and samples were selected from each unit using multistage sampling and simple random sampling techniques. An online self-administered questionnaire was used through the various social media’s platforms because of the nature of the study’s population to collect data. To examine the gathered data, descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. While inferential statistics were used to test the hypotheses through partial least squares structural equation modeling, descriptive statistics were used to analyze the respondents’ demographic data via a frequency table.
Findings
This study’s findings showed that social media use mediates the relationship between perceived corruption and political trust in Nigeria and that perceived corruption positively and significantly affects political trust in Nigeria.
Research limitations/implications
This study is not without its limitations. Therefore, the few limitations of the study range from the limited sample sample to the population of Nigeria. Also, using only the quantitative research method for the nature of this research is another major limitation of the study. And lastly, using one out of the six zones in Nigeria will make it difficult to generalize the findings of the study. However, it is then recommended that future researchers consider a larger population than the current study for proper coverage; the future study can also use both the quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Practical implications
The practical implications of understanding how social media shapes political trust among political leaders through the lens of perceived corruption in the Nigerian political system are dimensional and have implications for various stakeholders, including policymakers, political leaders, media professionals and the general public. First, for policymakers and political leaders, the findings offer insights into the importance of proactive and transparent communication on social media. Recognizing the impact of social media on shaping perceptions of corruption, political figures such as the office of the presidency, senators, governors and all other political office holders can leverage these platforms to engage people.
Originality/value
This study is innovative because it examines, through the lens of perceived corruption, how social media use influences political trust among political leaders. This approach provides a new look at the relationship between digital engagement and political attitudes.
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Luca A. Breit and Christine K. Volkmann
This study aims to enrich the field of entrepreneurial marketing (EM) by examining decision-making processes in the unique context of start-up ventures. To do so, it extends…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to enrich the field of entrepreneurial marketing (EM) by examining decision-making processes in the unique context of start-up ventures. To do so, it extends research on the distinct EM dimensions to the behavioral context by revealing how causation and effectuation principles shape entrepreneurs’ actions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study investigates EM behavior through 12 semi-structured interviews with 10 start-up founders and two founder associates in Germany. Use of established frameworks of the EM dimensions and causation/effectuation principles paves the way for an in-depth analysis. This methodology uncovers a distinct pattern of decision-making behaviors characterizing various activities within start-ups.
Findings
The findings show that causal logic prevails in start-ups’ EM, and effectual reasoning serves a complementary role. On the dimensional level, the findings reveal a predominant goal-driven focus on customer intensity and value-creation processes. Predictive logic guides opportunity focus, proactiveness and risk management, with nonpredictive behaviors providing adaptability. The principle of affordable loss is also evident in risk management. Finally, start-ups exhibit a blend of causal and effectual logic in innovativeness and resource-leveraging.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to illuminate the interplay of behavioral logics in start-up firms’ EM by exploring the nuanced principles underpinning the decision-making processes of entrepreneurs. In doing so, it advances understanding of the marketing–entrepreneurship interface and enriches decision-making literature.
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This study investigates the attitudes and perceptions toward employing persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Indian hotel industry, focusing on perspectives of senior management…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the attitudes and perceptions toward employing persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Indian hotel industry, focusing on perspectives of senior management and frontline staff. It will also provide insights that could lead to policy changes and inclusive practices in the hospitality industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Through qualitative methods, including 19 semi-structured in-depth interviews with hotel employees across Delhi NCR, Goa and Bengaluru, this research uncovered the complex and varied views on integrating PWDs into the hospitality workforce.
Findings
Our investigation revealed a variety of perceptions after organising them into 18 sub-themes distributed across seven main themes. Results indicated that while senior managers often viewed PWD inclusion positively, citing benefits like enhanced loyalty and corporate social responsibility contributions, frontline staff expressed concerns about operational and service quality challenges. The findings also highlight the need for comprehensive training and support systems to integrate PWDs successfully.
Originality/value
This research contributes new insights into the dynamics of disability employment within a high-interaction service sector, advocating for policy changes and inclusive practices. It suggests practical measures for promoting inclusivity and diversity in hotel operations, marking a significant step forward in understanding and advancing workplace inclusivity in developing economies.
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Hilary Yerbury and Maureen Henninger
This paper considers the implications of not knowing – hypocognition – the lack of a cognitive or linguistic representation of a concept, algorithms, held by librarians…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper considers the implications of not knowing – hypocognition – the lack of a cognitive or linguistic representation of a concept, algorithms, held by librarians responsible for programs of information literacy in universities in NSW, Australia.
Design/methodology/approach
A practice-based study of university librarians and their role in the development of algorithmic literacy, using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, showed that they had limited socio-technical knowledge of algorithms.
Findings
Not knowing led most participants to anthropomorphise algorithms, including those found in search engines such as Google, sometimes explaining them as something mysterious, although they were aware that the algorithms were gathering data about them and their online interactions. Nonetheless, they delegated responsibility for online activities. These online interactions were not presented in system terms, but often could be interpreted as examples of Goffman’s civil inattention, a social norm used in interactions with strangers, such as fellow passengers. Such an understanding prevented the development of robust algorithmic literacy.
Social implications
With technologies disrupting social norms, algorithms cannot be considered strangers who understand such civility; instead, metaphorically and practically, they rudely rummage through wallets and phones. Acknowledging the implications of the reliance on socio-cultural understandings of algorithms and their anthropomorphic representations for explaining online system-based interactions can present new ways for developing algorithmic literacy.
Originality/value
This study suggests that the links between hypocognition and the anthropomorphising of algorithms can undermine the development of knowledge and skills in information and digital literacies.
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Surajit Bag, Muhammad Sabbir Rahman, Gautam Srivastava and Santosh Kumar Shrivastav
The metaverse is a virtual world where users can communicate with each other in a computer-generated environment. The use of metaverse technology has the potential to…
Abstract
Purpose
The metaverse is a virtual world where users can communicate with each other in a computer-generated environment. The use of metaverse technology has the potential to revolutionize the way businesses operate, interact with customers, and collaborate with employees. However, several obstacles must be addressed and overcome to ensure the successful implementation of metaverse technology. This study aims to examine the implementation of metaverse technology in the management of an organization's supply chain, with a focus on predicting potential barriers to provide suitable strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) was used to test the model. In addition, artificial neural network modeling (ANN) was also performed.
Findings
The CB-SEM results revealed that a firm's technological limitations are among the most significant barriers to implementing metaverse technology in the supply chain management (SCM). The ANN results further highlighted that the firm's technological limitations are the most crucial input factors, followed by a lack of governance and standardization, integration challenges, poor diffusion through the network, traditional organizational culture, lack of stakeholder commitment, lack of collaboration and low perception of value by customers.
Practical implications
Because metaverse technology has the potential to provide organizations with a competitive advantage, increase productivity, improve customer experience and stimulate creativity, it is crucial to discuss and develop solutions to implementation challenges in the business world. Companies can position themselves for success in this fascinating and quickly changing technological landscape by conquering these challenges.
Originality/value
This study provides insights to metaverse technology developers and supply chain practitioners for successful implementation in SCM, as well as theoretical contributions for supply chain managers aiming to implement such environments.
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Zhi Yang, Shengmei Wu and Zhihui Huang
This study explores the relationship between copreneurship, a unique type of start-up established by cohabiting couples and innovation risk propensity. There is a growing debate…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the relationship between copreneurship, a unique type of start-up established by cohabiting couples and innovation risk propensity. There is a growing debate in research regarding whether copreneurships differ from other types of start-ups and whether they lead towards risky behaviours in the context of firm-level strategic decisions. Building on upper echelons theory and household decision-making theory, this study attempts to uncover how copreneurs’ risk propensity affects corporate innovation in successful enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
Information on firms co-founded by cohabiting couples was manually collected from the prospectuses of Growth Enterprise Market (GEM)-listed family firms in China. Data from 306 family firms listed between 2009 and 2018 and zero-inflated Poisson regression were used to test the theoretical model. An instrumental variable approach was used to address endogeneity, and propensity score matching was applied for robustness testing.
Findings
The results indicate that copreneurships engage in more breakthrough innovation activities than other types of family firms after achieving entrepreneurial success (i.e. successfully completing an initial public offering [IPO]). This relationship is affected by characteristics of copreneurs at three levels, namely individual, household and firm: copreneurs’ educational background (master’s in business administration [MBA] education experience), household decision-making negotiations (copreneurs’ age difference) and firm decision-making autonomy (copreneurs’ duality), respectively. The evidence shows that an MBA education and duality within the firm increase the number of breakthrough innovations, whereas age difference has no significant influence.
Originality/value
This study provides a dynamic perspective on the role of copreneurs in the post-IPO phase, highlighting their intrinsically high risk propensity relative to other types of family firms and its relationship with firm-level innovation. It offers practical implications for policymakers, venture capitalists, educators and human resource managers in supporting copreneurial ventures.