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1 – 10 of 530This paper focuses on the problem of knowledge that is difficult to share because it cannot be articulated: intractably tacit knowledge. It offers knowledge sharing between…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper focuses on the problem of knowledge that is difficult to share because it cannot be articulated: intractably tacit knowledge. It offers knowledge sharing between relatives or friends, a nepotistic practice, as a potential solution.
Design/methodology/approach
Analysis of a US Supreme Court decision in favor of a nepotistic hiring practice provides insights into how such a nepotistic approach can facilitate the sharing of intractably tacit knowledge. The paper builds on this analysis to articulate the conditions under which nepotistic selection can be useful to managers.
Findings
The US Supreme Court decided in favor of a nepotistic hiring practice based on its potential effectiveness in selecting and developing river pilots. Such a nepotistic approach is problematic, but it can be valuable in a very specific and narrow application, i.e., when organizations need to transfer intractably tacit knowledge. A nepotistic approach should thus be employed only if the benefit of sharing intractably tacit knowledge exceed the cost of nepotism. Organizations should enhance the benefit by ensuring effective knowledge transfer and reduce the cost by mitigating the discrimination and inequity that nepotism enhances.
Originality/value
While much has been written on tacit knowledge, the portion of tacit knowledge that cannot be articulated has been ignored in some studies and neglected in others. Managers responsible for the sharing of such knowledge need guidance. This paper explores an unusual solution: nepotistic selection.
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Benjamin C. Powell, Joan M. Donohue, Xiaoya Liang and Jeremy B. Fox
This study aims to provide an exploratory analysis of a broad range of factors that may help to explain the rapid growth of Chinese private owned enterprises (POEs).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide an exploratory analysis of a broad range of factors that may help to explain the rapid growth of Chinese private owned enterprises (POEs).
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis in this study takes advantage of an archival dataset constructed by the third author from proprietary data collected for a practitioner conference in China.
Findings
Consistent with research on entrepreneurs in Western economies, the individual characteristics of the Chinese founders showed weak correlations with sales growth, but measures of founder motivation did correlate with sales growth. While the results for company characteristics were also weak, most of the factors related to company governance, strategy, competitive advantage, and stakeholder trust all showed significant correlations with the POE's rates of sales growth.
Practical implications
The motivations of Chinese founders appear to matter more than their traits in explaining their ability to grow sales. Solid structure, strategy, and competitive advantages are important also. Building trust with stakeholders may facilitate growth by helping Chinese POEs bridge the institutional voids that they face.
Originality/value
The rapid growth of the Chinese economy and of Chinese POEs offers a unique content in which to study factors that may affect growth rates. However, obtaining reliable data on Chinese POEs is difficult; this study uses a proprietary dataset to offer a rare glimpse into the factors that may affect the sales growth rates of Chinese POEs.
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Sara Shostak and Jason Beckfield
This chapter compares interdisciplinary research that engages genomic science from economics, political science, and sociology. It describes, compares, and evaluates concepts and…
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter compares interdisciplinary research that engages genomic science from economics, political science, and sociology. It describes, compares, and evaluates concepts and research findings from new and rapidly developing research fields, and develops a conceptual taxonomy of the social environment.
Methodology/approach
A selection of programmatic and empirical articles, published mostly since 2008 in leading economics, political science, and sociology journals, were analyzed according to (a) the relationship they pose between their discipline and genomic science, (b) the specific empirical contributions they make to disciplinary research questions, and (c) their conceptualization of the “social environment” as it informs the central problematique of current inquiry: gene-environment interaction.
Findings
While all three of the social science disciplines reviewed engage genomic science, economics and political science tend to engage genomics on its own terms, and develop genomic explanations of economic and political behavior. In contrast, sociologists develop arguments that for genomic science to advance, the “environment” in gene-environment interaction needs better theorization and measurement. We develop an approach to the environment that treats it as a set of measurable institutional (rule-like) arrangements, which take the forms of neighborhoods, families, schools, nations, states, and cultures.
Research/implications
Interdisciplinary research that combines insights from the social sciences and genomic science should develop and apply a richer array of concepts and measures if gene-environment research – including epigenetics – is to advance.
Originality/value
This chapter provides a critical review and redirection of three rapidly developing areas of interdisciplinary research on gene-environment interaction and epigenetics.
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Jonathan G. Cedarbaum, Benjamin A. Powell, D. Reed Freeman, Leah Schloss and Reed Abrahamson
To analyze the cybersecurity regulations for financial institutions issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services on February 16, 2017.
Abstract
Purpose
To analyze the cybersecurity regulations for financial institutions issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services on February 16, 2017.
Design/methodology/approach
This article summarizes the regulations’ scope and requirements including definition of Covered Entities and substantive requirements including periodic Risk Assessments, cyber policies, dedicated and trained personnel, testing, audit trails, control over Third Party Service Providers, authentication, secure disposal, encryption, and incident reporting.
Findings
The regulations go beyond federal requirements in a number of important respects.
Originality/value
This article provides a guide for regulated entities to start preparing for compliance with the new regulations from experienced lawyers with specialties in cybersecurity, privacy and communications.
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We issue a double Souvenir number of The Library World in connection with the Library Association Conference at Birmingham, in which we have pleasure in including a special…
Abstract
We issue a double Souvenir number of The Library World in connection with the Library Association Conference at Birmingham, in which we have pleasure in including a special article, “Libraries in Birmingham,” by Mr. Walter Powell, Chief Librarian of Birmingham Public Libraries. He has endeavoured to combine in it the subject of Special Library collections, and libraries other than the Municipal Libraries in the City. Another article entitled “Some Memories of Birmingham” is by Mr. Richard W. Mould, Chief Librarian and Curator of Southwark Public Libraries and Cuming Museum. We understand that a very full programme has been arranged for the Conference, and we have already published such details as are now available in our July number.
Anna Pistoni and Lucrezia Songini
This chapter intends to contribute to the debate on the determinants of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and their impact on performance measurement and communication…
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter intends to contribute to the debate on the determinants of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and their impact on performance measurement and communication systems. It aims at analyzing the relationship between the reasons why firms adopt CSR and the importance given to voluntary CSR disclosure.
Methodology
Two main categories of CSR determinants have been identified: the external ones, coming from the environment outside the firm, and the internal determinants, which are linked to some specific characteristics of the enterprise and to the objectives it pursues.
The analyzed sample consists of 120 large Italian manufacturing and nonmanufacturing enterprises. The research hypotheses concerning the relationship between external and internal determinants of CSR and CSR disclosure were verified using an independent sample t-test, evaluating the equal variances of clusters using the Levene’s test.
Findings
Main results point out that in companies giving importance to CSR disclosure, the internal drivers are more relevant than the external ones in determining the attitude toward CSR. Among the internal determinants, drivers related to company and management values and ethics are quite relevant.
Research limitations
This study is subject to the limitations that generally apply to cross-sectional survey-based research.
Originality/Value of chapter
Our research findings show that legitimacy theory represents the most relevant theory in explaining CSR disclosure practices of Italian large firms, as well as the operational implementation of stakeholder theory, such as stakeholder management. On the contrary, institutional theory only partially explains CSR disclosure, with respect to the pressures coming from financial markets.
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This paper examines the labor policies of the United Typothetae of America (UTA) from its birth in 1887 through the late 1920s and argues that labor policy differences among its…
Abstract
This paper examines the labor policies of the United Typothetae of America (UTA) from its birth in 1887 through the late 1920s and argues that labor policy differences among its members (personified by two prominent New York City-based printing employers, Theodore DeVinne and Charles Francis) created a “house divided” that not only prevented it from creating and maintaining a unified labor policy but also ultimately led to its demise as an employers' association and reconstitution primarily as a trade association. It will do so by analyzing key episodes in the UTA's labor history to show how the two competing labor philosophies – DeVinne's absolute authority & independence and Francis's stability & order – interacted with industry conditions – intense price competition, a decentralized industry structure, proprietor autonomy, the relative power of unions, and economic conditions – to impact the UTA's labor policies and its institutional survival. The UTA's experience reveals the diversity of American employers' experiences as well as the challenges that they have faced when attempting to act collectively in the industrial relations arena. Moreover, recent IR research on employers' associations around the world also reveals that, as unions have declined in power, many also are shifting their focus away from labor relations to other member services.
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Zhining Wang, Di Song, Shuang Ren, Benjamin D. Rosenberg and Shaohan Cai
Based on the conservation of resources theory, the authors propose a research model depicting the positive relationship between team reflexivity and work-to-family enrichment via…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the conservation of resources theory, the authors propose a research model depicting the positive relationship between team reflexivity and work-to-family enrichment via the mediation of thriving at work, with the moderation of transformational leadership. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned idea.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected data from 367 employees in 79 teams at three time points. The authors test the model by using a multilevel moderated mediation analysis.
Findings
Results of this paper indicate that thriving at work partially mediates the relationship between team reflexivity and work-to-family enrichment. Furthermore, transformational leadership enhances the positive relationship between team reflexivity and thriving at work.
Practical implications
Organizations are advised to encourage employees' involvement in team reflexivity, facilitate their thriving at work and raise managers' awareness of work-family issues. Exemplary measures include nurturing open communication and providing training programs that encourage positivity in the workplace. By doing so, organization could strengthen the relationship between team reflexivity and work-to-family enrichment.
Originality/value
This research demonstrates the positive relationship between team reflexivity and work-to-family enrichment, deepening theoretical understanding of the antecedents of the construct. The findings of moderated mediation analysis shed light on the mechanism through which team reflexivity affects work-to-family enrichment, and the role that transformational leadership plays.
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Matthew O. Hunt, Pamela Braboy Jackson, Samuel H. Kye, Brian Powell and Lala Carr Steelman
The chapter revisits and updates an earlier analysis to assess the extent to which sociological social psychology’s treatment of race has changed since 2000, and evaluates the…
Abstract
Purpose
The chapter revisits and updates an earlier analysis to assess the extent to which sociological social psychology’s treatment of race has changed since 2000, and evaluates the degree to which issues of intersectionality and sexuality are engaged in social psychological scholarship.
Design/methodology/approach
The chapter provides a content analysis of articles published between 2000 and 2012 in Social Psychology Quarterly, a leading journal in sociological social psychology, and of chapters published in two influential handbooks in social psychology.
Findings
It documents a notable increase in the percentage of articles in Social Psychology Quarterly in which race/ethnicity is referred to, included in the analysis, or seriously engaged. Patterns vary by methodological approach used in these articles. Social psychological attention to intersectionality and sexuality, as measured by the percentage of articles that broach these topics, is minimal.
Research limitations/implications
This chapter restricts its analysis to the leading journal in sociological social psychology, but still demonstrates that there is potential for greater movement toward the incorporation of race/ethnicity, intersectionality, and sexuality in social psychological scholarship.
Originality/value
It calls attention to core topics in sociology that would benefit from greater scholarly engagement by social psychologists.
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Katrina Levine, Ashley Chaifetz and Benjamin Chapman
Medeiros et al. (2001) estimate 3.5 million cases of foodborne illness in the USA annually are associated with inadequate cooking of animal foods or cross-contamination from these…
Abstract
Purpose
Medeiros et al. (2001) estimate 3.5 million cases of foodborne illness in the USA annually are associated with inadequate cooking of animal foods or cross-contamination from these foods. Past research shows home food handling practices can be risk factors for foodborne illness. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the communication of food safety guidance, specifically safe endpoint temperatures and cross-contamination risk reduction practices, in popular cookbook recipes.
Design/methodology/approach
Recipes containing raw animal ingredients in 29 popular cookbooks were evaluated through content analysis for messages related to safe endpoint temperature recommendations and reducing cross-contamination risks.
Findings
Of 1,749 recipes meeting study criteria of cooking raw animal ingredients, 1,497 contained a raw animal that could effectively be measured with a digital thermometer. Only 123 (8.2 percent) of these recipes included an endpoint temperature, of which 89 (72.3 percent) gave a correct temperature. Neutral and positive food safety behavior messages were provided in just 7.2 percent (n=126) and 5.1 percent (n=90) of recipes, respectively. When endpoint temperatures were not included, authors often provided subjective and risky recommendations.
Research limitations/implications
Further research is needed on the effect of these results on consumer behavior and to develop interventions for writing recipes with better food safety guidance.
Practical implications
Including correct food safety guidance in cookbooks may increase the potential of reducing the risk of foodborne illness.
Originality/value
Popular cookbooks are an underutilized avenue for communicating safe food handling practices and currently cookbook authors are risk amplifiers.
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