The purpose of this paper is to reflect on unconsidered ethical implications of an allegedly strictly commercial decision.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on unconsidered ethical implications of an allegedly strictly commercial decision.
Design/methodology/approach
Fictional poem.
Findings
Meditation on how we may ignore an ethical issue if profit is enhanced by so doing.
Research limitations/implications
Stimulate thought on the implications of unconstrained profit maximisation.
Originality/value
An individual comment and a questioning of deception as a tool of profit maximisation.
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The purpose of this paper is a reflection on how the aridity of economic speeches, lectures and presentations usually conceals an underlying human drama, often a tragedy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is a reflection on how the aridity of economic speeches, lectures and presentations usually conceals an underlying human drama, often a tragedy.
Design/methodology/approach
A fictional poem presents the reflections.
Findings
Meditation on how economic policies cannot be divorced from their social context despite their often bland and “distancing” forms of expression.
Research limitations/implications
The paper stimulates thought on the economic and social consequences of decisions, including those individuals with whom we are in direct contact.
Originality/value
The poem is an individual comment on the “realities” behind economic decisions and how ignorance or considerations of personal safety constitute weak moral defences.
Bruno Dyck, Frederick A. Starke and Jade B. Weimer
The purpose of this paper is to describe the role of management in first century Palestine, and point to implications this has for subsequent management scholarship, especially…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the role of management in first century Palestine, and point to implications this has for subsequent management scholarship, especially Weber's widely accepted argument that contemporary management theory and practice is grounded in a Judeo‐Christian ethic.
Design/methodology/approach
The literature on the role and activities of managers in first century Palestine is reviewed and used to evaluate management scholarship that draws on biblical writings from this era.
Findings
Managers played an increasingly important role in all aspects of social life in first century Palestine, and functioned as go‐betweens amongst households that were embedded in a web of patron‐client relationships. Based on analysis the paper contends that it seems unlikely that the core features of the Protestant Ethic would have been a prominent part of the Judeo‐Christian ethic in first century Palestine. The paper's contention is consistent with the observation that in first century Palestine, the hallmarks of the Protestant Ethic – such as “calling,” “rationalization” and “spiritual (vs political) salvation” – would have been welcomed by the social elite but would have been perceived as a threat by the poor, whereas the historical record indicates that first century exemplars of the Judeo‐Christian ethic were instead welcomed by the poor and perceived as a threat by the elite.
Research limitations/implications
The paper questions whether the hallmarks of the Protestant Ethic as described by Weber represent a plausible interpretation of the biblical record. The paper also provides a basis for challenging common assumptions in the literature that contemporary management theory is based on a biblical Judeo‐Christian ethic.
Practical implications
This paper may facilitate a more accurate interpretation of historical texts as they relate to management, and inform the study and development of alternative ways of managing.
Originality/value
The research described here provides a foundation for examining aspects of Weber's widely accepted thesis, as well as the writings of modern scholars.
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Theresa Obuobisa-Darko, Frank Ohemeng, Emelia Amoako Asiedu and Kenneth Parku
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) work environment for employees. This environment has created a situation…
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) work environment for employees. This environment has created a situation that has brought fairness into the fore, especially with respect to how employees should be managed to ensure that organisations function smoothly. This is more important in the public sector, which has become the focal point for policy development and programme implementation to meet the exigencies of the time. At the same time, ensuring organisational fairness, demands that leadership is conscious about the needs of employees and to treat them fairly. What sort of leadership then is needed in such an environment? The chapter advocates for responsible leadership as better leadership style in enhancing organisational fairness in this environment.
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Jodi Oakman and Timothy Bartram
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether occupational health and safety (OHS) management used to manage musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the aged care sector reflects…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether occupational health and safety (OHS) management used to manage musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the aged care sector reflects contemporary research evidence of best practice to reduce the incidence of these disorders.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 58 interviews were conducted with managers and supervisors in the aged care sector across four organisations in Australia. Policies and procedures relating to MSDs were reviewed for each organisation.
Findings
Policies and procedures for managing MSDs do not reflect contemporary evidence, which supports a complex aetiology, related to a range of physical and psychosocial workplace factors. Despite strong evidence that psychosocial factors contribute to MSD development, these were not included in the policies and procedures reviewed. Findings from the interviews management practices including leadership and various components of HRM were functioning well but fragmentation was evident due to the challenging nature of the aged care sector.
Practical implications
To address the significant burden of MSDs in the aged care sector, policies and procedures need to include coverage of psychosocial and physical workplace factors. The development of systematic and integrated OHS management at the workplace level may play an important role in the effective management of MSDs.
Originality/value
This study offers insights into the previously unexplored area of MSD risk management and the role of management practices such as HRM in the aged care sector.
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Jennifer L. Kent and Melanie Crane
Transport shapes the health of urban populations. It can support healthy behaviours such as participation in regular physical activity and access to community connection…
Abstract
Transport shapes the health of urban populations. It can support healthy behaviours such as participation in regular physical activity and access to community connection. Transport systems can also have major negative impacts on health. For example, through air pollution from fossil fuel-based modes of travel, the risk of injury and death from transport related collisions, and in the way sedentary modes of travelling can contribute to less physically active lifestyles.
This chapter considers the long-term impact of the pandemic on a series of well-researched transport-related health outcomes. It first describes the established connections between transport and health. It then considers the future implications of three potential pandemic-induced shifts: the increased uptake of working from home (WFH); decreased usage of public transport and increased interest in walking and cycling in the local neighbourhood. The impacts of these shifts on the transport-health nexus are then discussed, revealing both positive and negative outcomes. The authors conclude by providing policy recommendations to mitigate possible negative outcomes and strengthen the positive consequences into the future.
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Victoria P. Weale, Yvonne D. Wells and Jodi Oakman
The purpose of this paper is to explore job satisfaction, and how the work-life interface might affect job satisfaction, among residential aged care staff. The statistical package…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore job satisfaction, and how the work-life interface might affect job satisfaction, among residential aged care staff. The statistical package PROCESS was used to analyse the impacts of workplace stressors (poor safety climate, poor relationships with colleagues and poor relationships with management) and potential mediating variables that measured aspects of the work-life interface, specifically work-family conflict (WFC) and work-life balance.
Design/methodology/approach
This survey research was carried out through distribution of a paper-based questionnaire to approximately 800 permanent, fixed term and casual employees working in residential aged care. All job roles, including both direct care and support staff, were represented in the sample.
Findings
WFC and work-life balance act serially to mediate the relationships between workplace stressors and job satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
Study participants were restricted to residential aged care facilities in the metropolitan Melbourne area, Australia, limiting generalisability of the findings.
Practical implications
The work-life interface is a legitimate concern for human resources managers. Implications include need for greater understanding of the contribution of work-life fit to job satisfaction. Interventions to improve job satisfaction should take into account how workplace stressors affect the work-life interface, as well as job-related outcomes. Enhanced work-life fit should improve job-related outcomes.
Originality/value
This paper explores the potential mediating roles of WFC and work-life balance on job satisfaction and demonstrates a pathway through which the work-life interface affects job satisfaction for workers in residential aged care.