Reports on a study comparing the performance of four digital reference services: Ask Bob; Ask a Librarian; Ask Zach and IPL Youth Ask a Question. Posing as a primary seven pupil…
Abstract
Reports on a study comparing the performance of four digital reference services: Ask Bob; Ask a Librarian; Ask Zach and IPL Youth Ask a Question. Posing as a primary seven pupil in a Scottish school (aged 10 to 11), ten questions were submitted to each of the four services. Findings show a varying degree of quality in the services used. The results certainly suggest that improvements in the design of the question form and services geared towards certain sections of society, such as children in particular, would improve the nature of the service offered. Enhancements would exploit the potential to provide instruction in information searching as well as encourage greater use of the Web.
Details
Keywords
Pawel Korzynski, Caroline Rook, Elizabeth Florent Treacy and Manfred Kets de Vries
The authors investigated how personality traits are associated with workplace technostress (perception of stressors related to the use of information and communication…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors investigated how personality traits are associated with workplace technostress (perception of stressors related to the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected 95 self-rated and 336 observer-rated questionnaires using the personality audit and a shortened version of the technostress scale. To analyze relationships between personality dimensions and technostress, the authors applied partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
This study shows that in line with previous studies, self-esteem is negatively related to levels of technostress. Contrary to our expectations, conscientiousness is positively related to technostress. Finally, the gap between a person's self-ratings and observer ratings in all personality dimensions is positively associated with technostress.
Practical implications
The authors showed that the experience of technostress varies significantly amongst individuals. By taking personality differences into account when allocating responsibilities and creating guidelines for ICT use at work, technostress could be addressed. Instead of setting organization-wide norms for availability and use, the authors suggest it would be more effective to acknowledge individual needs and preferences.
Originality/value
This study contributes to current technostress research by further examining antecedents and by focusing on the role of personality. In addition, the authors examined how differences in “self” and “observer” ratings of personality characteristics may point to variations in the way individuals experience technostress. The authors outlined concrete best practice guidelines for ICTs in organizations that take interindividual differences into account.
Details
Keywords
Leyland F. Pitt, A. Caroline Tynan and Deon Nel
Considers the relationship between the perceived quality of discussionwithin a group and that group′s performance on a marketingdecision‐making game. Reviews the relevant…
Abstract
Considers the relationship between the perceived quality of discussion within a group and that group′s performance on a marketing decision‐making game. Reviews the relevant literature and discusses an instrument for the measuring of perceived quality of discussion within a decision‐making group. Evaluates the structural ramifications of the instrument with relevance to a study of 95 MBA students playing a marketing decision‐making game in groups. It was found that, with one exception, the instrument maintained its underlying structure as a measure of perceived quality of discussion within a group. With regard to the faculty of the behavioural variables within the instrument to predict overall unidimensional perceived quality of discussion within a decision‐making group, it was found that, while significant prediction was still maintained, fewer behavioural variables were significant in the regression model. No relationship was found between the perceived quality of discussion in a decision‐making group and the profit achieved by that group.
Details
Keywords
Iain Davies, Caroline J. Oates, Caroline Tynan, Marylyn Carrigan, Katherine Casey, Teresa Heath, Claudia E. Henninger, Maria Lichrou, Pierre McDonagh, Seonaidh McDonald, Sally McKechnie, Fraser McLeay, Lisa O'Malley and Victoria Wells
Seeking ways towards a sustainable future is the most dominant socio-political challenge of our time. Marketing should have a crucial role to play in leading research and impact…
Abstract
Purpose
Seeking ways towards a sustainable future is the most dominant socio-political challenge of our time. Marketing should have a crucial role to play in leading research and impact in sustainability, yet it is limited by relying on cognitive behavioural theories rooted in the 1970s, which have proved to have little bearing on actual behaviour. This paper aims to interrogate why marketing is failing to address the challenge of sustainability and identify alternative approaches.
Design/methodology/approach
The constraint in theoretical development contextualises the problem, followed by a focus on four key themes to promote theory development: developing sustainable people; models of alternative consumption; building towards sustainable marketplaces; and theoretical domains for the future. These themes were developed and refined during the 2018 Academy of Marketing workshop on seeking sustainable futures. MacInnis’s (2011) framework for conceptual contributions in marketing provides the narrative thread and structure.
Findings
The current state of play is explicated, combining the four themes and MacInnis’s framework to identify the failures and gaps in extant approaches to the field.
Research limitations/implications
This paper sets a new research agenda for the marketing discipline in quest for sustainable futures in marketing and consumer research.
Practical implications
Approaches are proposed which will allow the transformation of the dominant socio-economic systems towards a model capable of promoting a sustainable future.
Originality/value
The paper provides thought leadership in marketing and sustainability as befits the special issue, by moving beyond the description of the problem to making a conceptual contribution and setting a research agenda for the future.
Details
Keywords
Roger David Hall and Caroline Ann Rowland
In a turbulent economic climate, characterized by pressures to improve productivity and reduce costs, leadership and performance management have a more central role in helping to…
Abstract
Purpose
In a turbulent economic climate, characterized by pressures to improve productivity and reduce costs, leadership and performance management have a more central role in helping to ensure competitive advantage. The purpose of this paper is to explore current demands on leaders; and endeavours to explore linkages between management education and agile leadership.
Design/methodology/approach
Taking a grounded theory approach, this paper uses the concepts of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) to investigate the impact on desired attributes of leaders and the extent to which this is underpinned by current management education programmes. It draws on the VUCA model of agile management to examine current practices and experiences and considers future trends. Empirical research includes case studies and analysis of management syllabuses.
Findings
Syllabuses do not reflect the attributes that organizations expect leaders to possess and are content driven rather than process focused. VUCA is not yet mainstream in academic thinking.
Practical implications
There is a disparity between the output of business schools and the expectations of organizations. This may affect productivity. It is suggested that the use of live consultancies may provide a more beneficial management development experience.
Originality/value
This research opens an international debate that seeks to assess the relevance of current management education to the needs of organizations for agile, high-performing leaders.
Details
Keywords
Pierre Chenet, Caroline Tynan and Arthur Money
Focuses on the service performance gap, which occurs when service is not performed according to the standards set. It attempts to define the antecedents of the gap. The research…
Abstract
Focuses on the service performance gap, which occurs when service is not performed according to the standards set. It attempts to define the antecedents of the gap. The research is set in the European airline industry with a theoretical framework based on service quality and the trust‐commitment theory of relationship marketing. With support from a literature review on exchange theory, equity theory, role theory and the trust‐commitment theory of relationship marketing, 18 hypotheses are advanced to develop and test an alternative to the original model by Parasuraman et al. Data were collected from two European airlines. A postal survey of 600 customer contact employees produced 193 respondents, an overall response rate of 32 per cent. The empirical investigation involved the use of structural equation modelling to estimate the proposed model. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the measurement instrument. The study offers some support to the work of Parasuraman et al., in another industrial context. It extends their findings by proposing an alternative model, which shows that the service performance gap is influenced both directly and indirectly by a significant number of critical factors including trust, commitment and co‐operation.
Details
Keywords
Nathalie Spielmann, Barry J. Babin and Caroline Verghote
This paper aims to propose a personality-based approach to measure Millennial consumers’ wine evaluations. Past personality-based measures (brand personality, country personality…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a personality-based approach to measure Millennial consumers’ wine evaluations. Past personality-based measures (brand personality, country personality and product personality) each presents their own issues when it comes to measuring wine perceptions, especially those of neophyte wine consumers. This paper proposes a new, holistic and tailored measure to gauge the personality dimensions Millennials perceive in wine.
Design/methodology/approach
Multiple studies were conducted in France. Items from former personality scales were combined and condensed. An exploratory factor analysis (n = 318) followed by a confirmatory factor analysis (n = 236) across wines from different regions were conducted. Predictive validity tests relating the dimensions of wine personality to key consumer outcomes were also conducted. Finally, face validity tests with real wines were conducted (n = 190).
Findings
The results suggest two dimensions of wine personality for Millennial consumers: a social and a philosophical dimension. The nine-trait structure is stable across origins and each dimension can be related to quality and value perceptions, attitudes and purchase intent. The findings suggest a new way for managers to gauge the way their wine offering is received by Millennial wine consumers.
Originality/value
The initial personality structure, uncovered across the multiple studies, suggests a parsimonious way to understand how an important wine segment, Millennials, perceives wines. The measure includes brand, product and origin perceptions and thus proposes a holistic way of understanding young consumers’ perception of wine personality.
Details
Keywords
Woopies (Well Off Older People), otherwise recognised as matureconsumers who are reasonably prosperous, have been largely ignored as amarket segment so far. As their numbers…
Abstract
Woopies (Well Off Older People), otherwise recognised as mature consumers who are reasonably prosperous, have been largely ignored as a market segment so far. As their numbers increase, which they will do into and beyond the foreseeable future they will become an even more significant segment. Their views on money, holidays and transport are examined, and it is concluded that these people have specific needs which are not at present being met.
Details
Keywords
Older consumers, that is, those people nearingor at retirement age, are increasingly beingrecognised as an important market segment. Thissegment is reviewed and some ways for…
Abstract
Older consumers, that is, those people nearing or at retirement age, are increasingly being recognised as an important market segment. This segment is reviewed and some ways for the marketer to approach it are suggested.
Details
Keywords
Anne-Karen Hueske and Caroline Aggestam Pontoppidan
During the last two decades, there has been increasing emphasis on higher education institutions as agents promoting and advancing sustainability. This chapter addresses how…
Abstract
During the last two decades, there has been increasing emphasis on higher education institutions as agents promoting and advancing sustainability. This chapter addresses how sustainability is integrated into management education at higher education institutions. It is based on a systematic literature review that teases out governance, education, research, outreach and campus operations (GEROCO) as key elements for embedding sustainability in management education. In addition, it identifies the important role of having an overall governing strategic direction that serves to anchor sustainability. The chapter highlights that sustainability and responsible management education initiatives are interconnected and are complex to embed through the university system.