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Article
Publication date: 22 August 2008

Anders Nilsson

The purpose of this paper is to explore the characteristics of situations where managers analogise, and when they change to a different decision model; examine how the analogies…

2361

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the characteristics of situations where managers analogise, and when they change to a different decision model; examine how the analogies are evoked, what characteristics they have and how they are used, and add to the understanding through taking a qualitative approach.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an illustrative case study of a new market entry attempt by a medium‐sized manufacturing firm based on interviews and analytical dialogues with management team members.

Findings

The paper finds that decision makers analogise when cause/effect‐relationships are unclear, and change decision models when the analogy has helped to formulate a theory of the nature of the problem or a recipe for handling the situation. They evoke analogies by automatic recognition, using internal and external sources, for transfer within and between domains. The use of analogy occurs in problem setting, problem solving, action and sensemaking modes.

Research limitations/implications

Misunderstandings can occur in dialogue between researchers and decision makers. Future interpretive research should consider participant observation and conceptual modelling. A computational study might incorporate situational differences, roles, and the issues identified in this study.

Practical implications

Awareness of the prevalence of analogy in decision making can help practitioners critically evaluate the analogies used and consider multiple perspectives on problematic situations.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the literature by taking a qualitative approach to analogising. The findings offer some support to prior research using laboratory and analytical approaches, while suggesting reconsiderations and offering new insights.

Details

Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5648

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Article
Publication date: 13 April 2015

Susanne Mellvig and Anders Nilsson

In the Swedish biology curriculum for upper secondary school, it is stated that teaching in ecology should include field studies. The purpose of this study was to answer whether…

968

Abstract

Purpose

In the Swedish biology curriculum for upper secondary school, it is stated that teaching in ecology should include field studies. The purpose of this study was to answer whether students increased their understanding in ecology after they had participated in a field trip, compared to traditional classroom teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

The students’ (n=64) prior knowledge of ecology was measured by questionnaires. One group of students (G1) was then exposed to a theoretical teaching strategy. A second group (G2) was directly exposed to a field study. When the groups had been exposed to the same central concepts, the knowledge of ecosystem concepts were again tested by questionnaires. In a second learning cycle, we exposed group one to outdoor ecology teaching and group two to traditional theoretical teaching. A pretest was performed, followed by the educational settings. After this second learning cycle, a second test was administered and the results were evaluated.

Findings

When our results were evaluated, no difference between traditional classroom teaching and outdoor teaching could be found. In our opinion well motivated students in general – i.e. the students included in this study – could be, to a lesser degree, motivated by changes in the learning context.

Originality/value

The method we used enabled us to study progress and achievement, this can also be easily applied to the Swedish natural science curriculum. Although our results didn’t show any differences between indoor and outdoor learning, we feel encouraged to use this method to further explore potential benefits from outdoor learning.

Details

International Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-8253

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Article
Publication date: 15 June 2012

Anders Nilsson and Peter Öhman

The purpose of this paper is to examine to what extent and in what forms loan applications from small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in a risk averse banking environment can…

1266

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine to what extent and in what forms loan applications from small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in a risk averse banking environment can be assessed defensively by lending officers (LOs). The paper also identifies triggering mechanisms behind defensive SME loan assessment behaviour and its' possible effects on the bank and the LOs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on a case study of a major Swedish commercial bank undergoing strategy and control system change during the recent financial crisis. The empirical evidence was collected through interviews with 76 LOs in three branch offices and a focus group interview session.

Findings

In a risk averse banking environment, LOs can be prone to assessing SME loan applications defensively to a noteworthy extent. Such defensiveness comes in different forms: denial of loan applications, granting of loans with collateral or high interest rates, or granting of loans only to clients with most of their financial affairs in the bank. External and internal mechanisms jointly trigger defensive loan assessment behaviour. The possible effects include fewer Type II errors and more Type I errors for the bank, while LOs avoid change and blame.

Originality/value

Overall, this study contributes to the literature by revealing triggering mechanisms, forms and effects related to the multifaceted construct of defensive loan assessment behaviour among LOs in a commercial bank, who handle applications from SMEs.

Details

Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1176-6093

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 13 April 2015

Mun Ling Lo

420

Abstract

Details

International Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-8253

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 27 April 2023

Tea Fredriksson

Free Access. Free Access

Abstract

Details

Haunting Prison: Exploring the Prison as an Abject and Uncanny Institution
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-368-8

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1998

B.H. Rudall

Gives reports and surveys of selected current research and developments in systems and cybernetics. They include: A calculus of ethics for a systemic world, Biocybernetics…

403

Abstract

Gives reports and surveys of selected current research and developments in systems and cybernetics. They include: A calculus of ethics for a systemic world, Biocybernetics, Neuroscience, Neural technology, Computational model for chocolate, Safety‐critical systems (SCSs), Scientific and technical information from Russia, Cybernetics and systems control, Automation and cybernetics, UK science research.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 August 2022

Emelie Lantz, Bengt Nilsson, Carina Elmqvist, Bengt Fridlund and Anders Svensson

The purpose of this study was to describe experiences of working as a paid part-time firefighter (PTF) in Swedish rural areas.

1238

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe experiences of working as a paid part-time firefighter (PTF) in Swedish rural areas.

Design/methodology/approach

An inductive explorative design was used, based on interviews with 18 paid PTFs in Sweden. Data were analyzed using qualitative latent content analysis.

Findings

Three themes emerged from the interviews and describe paid PTFs’ experiences. The findings provide insights into how firefighters share a strong commitment, how support plays a crucial role, and how training and call-outs contribute to their experiences. Paid PTFs’ experiences are nuanced, ranging from personal limitations and challenges to satisfaction and the contrast with ordinary life.

Practical implications

The implications for fire and rescue service organizations are that they can encourage firefighters’ commitment and pride, as well as the commitment and support of their families and main employers. Further, highlighting the importance of support and facilitating flexibility when on call is crucial. Finally, acknowledging and promoting personal development and facilitating an inclusive culture are important factors for both motivation and satisfaction.

Originality/value

Paid PTFs are under-represented in the literature, despite the reliance on them in Sweden, and this study begins to address the knowledge gap. To improve retention, it is vital to understand paid PTFs work situation: what motivates them, what barriers they face, and how those challenges influence their experiences.

Details

International Journal of Emergency Services, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2047-0894

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 20 May 2024

Jonas Nilsson, Jeanette Carlsson Hauff and Anders Carlander

In modern societies, consumer well-being is dependent on choices regarding complex services, such as investments, health care, insurance and lending. However, evaluating costs of…

865

Abstract

Purpose

In modern societies, consumer well-being is dependent on choices regarding complex services, such as investments, health care, insurance and lending. However, evaluating costs of such services is often difficult for consumers due to a combination of limited cognitive resources and complexity of the service. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine to what extent three specific consequences of complexity influence consumer tendencies to make mistakes when evaluating the costs (or price) of complex services.

Design/methodology/approach

Three studies were conducted (survey: n = 153, experiment: n = 332 and conjoint analysis: n = 225), all focusing on how consumers evaluate costs in the complex mutual fund setting.

Findings

The authors find that consumers struggle with estimating and using cost information in decision-making in the complex services setting. Consumers of complex services frequently underestimate the costs over the long-term, may see costs as a signal of service quality and are susceptible to influence from presentation formats when evaluating costs.

Research limitations/implications

The study investigates mutual funds, which is one example of a complex service. In order to get a full picture of how consumers deal with costs in complex setting, future research needs to expand this focus to other types of complex services.

Practical implications

The results have implications for both marketers of complex services and policymakers. For marketers, this paper highlights that competing with a low-cost strategy may be difficult in the complex services setting as consumers may lack the ability to actually evaluate what they pay over the long term. For policymakers, increased simplification of prices may be an attractive option. However, it is important that this simplification is done in a way that increases the possibility to compare prices.

Originality/value

As complexity influences several aspects of decision-making, an understanding of how consumers evaluate costs in complex settings is dependent on taking a multidimensional research approach. This paper makes a novel contribution to the literature on pricing by showing that consumers struggle with multiple aspects when evaluating costs in complex contexts. Understanding these effects is important to policy, as well as to research on the cognitive value of simplicity that is currently gaining traction in marketing research.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 58 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2004

Rolf Johansson, Anders Robertsson, Klas Nilsson, Torgny Brogårdh, Per Cederberg, Magnus Olsson, Tomas Olsson and Gunnar Bolmsjö

Presents an approach to improved performance and flexibility in industrial robotics by means of sensor integration and feedback control in task‐level programming and task…

834

Abstract

Presents an approach to improved performance and flexibility in industrial robotics by means of sensor integration and feedback control in task‐level programming and task execution. Also presents feasibility studies in support of the ideas. Discusses some solutions to the problem using six degrees of freedom force control together with the ABB S4CPlus system as an illustrative example. Consider various problems in the design of an open sensor interface for industrial robotics and discusses possible solutions. Finally, presents experimental results from industrial force controlled grinding.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2011

Martin Löfgren, Lars Witell and Anders Gustafsson

The purpose of this study is to shed further light on the dynamics of quality attributes, as suggested by the theory of attractive quality. The study aims to investigate the…

4935

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to shed further light on the dynamics of quality attributes, as suggested by the theory of attractive quality. The study aims to investigate the existence of the life cycle for successful quality attributes and to identify alternative life cycles of quality attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on two surveys in which a total of 1,456 customers (708 in 2003 and 748 in 2009) participated in the classification of quality attributes. In particular, the study investigated how customers perceived 24 particular packaging attributes at two points in time, in 2003 and 2009.

Findings

The study identified three life cycles of quality attributes: successful quality attributes, flavor‐of‐the‐month quality attributes, and stable quality attributes. The research also extends the theory of attractive quality by identifying the reverse movement of certain quality attributes; that is, that a quality attribute can take a step backwards in the life cycle of successful quality attributes through, for instance, a change in design.

Originality/value

The paper provides empirical evidence for the existence of several alternative life cycles of quality attributes. The results of the empirical investigation increase the validity of the theory of attractive quality, which is important, given the limited amount of research that has attempted to validate the fundamentals of the theory of attractive quality.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

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