Discussion of the theoretical underpinnings of Public Administration necessarily involves an appraisal of the legacy of mercantilism. Few movements have had more lasting influence…
Abstract
Discussion of the theoretical underpinnings of Public Administration necessarily involves an appraisal of the legacy of mercantilism. Few movements have had more lasting influence on the development of Public Administration or roused more controversy. As a philosophy originating in the Elizabethan era, its effects on the structure and form of political governance and organizations were astounding. Although sometimes cast as a relic of a bygone era, this article discusses how mercantilism and its progeny are alive and well in the twenty-first century global economy
Garry D. Coleman, C. Patrick Koelling and E. Scott Geller
This paper addresses the problem of using accuracy index values based on the squared difference between participant scores and true scores, the D2 index, at the practical level…
Abstract
This paper addresses the problem of using accuracy index values based on the squared difference between participant scores and true scores, the D2 index, at the practical level. It clarifies ambiguity existing in the literature regarding the use of these index values to evaluate the scoring accuracy of human raters (evaluators). The paper critically investigates the effect of frame‐of‐reference (FOR) training on improving the accuracy of third‐party evaluators’ scores for organisations, such as those going through the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) self‐assessment exercise. It discusses a case study where 90 individual participants took part. The scores of these participants were recorded before training was given to them (no training) and after receiving FOR training. The study showed that providing FOR training has an effect on improving the elevation accuracy index (p < 0.05) in five of the seven categories used in this exercise. An observed leniency effect was also reduced. However, no improvement in the DA was observed. Thus, the evaluators’ ability to assign an accurate overall score was improved, while the ability to discriminate between relative strengths and weaknesses did not show improvement. This implies evaluator training, particularly for heterogeneous pools of volunteers like those of corporate and state and local quality awards, should include more content on the performance dimensions.
Details
Keywords
Gregory Phillips, Dylan Felt, Megan M. Ruprecht and Lauren B. Beach
Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality have long been known to be elevated among LGBTQ+ communities and it was expected that the COVID-19 pandemic would deepen systemic…
Abstract
Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality have long been known to be elevated among LGBTQ+ communities and it was expected that the COVID-19 pandemic would deepen systemic injustices and inequities in mental health outcomes. However, it remains difficult to document inequities as surveillance systems do not typically capture LGBTQ+-inclusive data necessary to study the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ+ population health. This chapter reports on two studies designed to address this gap. The COVID-19 Impacts Study (CIS) documented the early mental health and social impacts of COVID-19 among sexual and gender minority adults, as well as adults with HIV, during the first round of shut-downs and initial economic disruptions. Subsequently, the Youth and Young Adults COVID-19 Study (YYA) measured the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health outcomes, testing/vaccination behaviors, and stigmatization experiences of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) young people. Several recommendations are discussed – including mandated collection of data on sexual orientation and gender identity in all surveillance systems, policy solutions to better address access and cost barriers, and deep and meaningful engagement that empowers communities.
Details
Keywords
Following Joseph Schumpeter's conception of innovation as ‘new innovations’, this chapter contends that innovations that transform lives in developing countries of Southern Africa…
Abstract
Following Joseph Schumpeter's conception of innovation as ‘new innovations’, this chapter contends that innovations that transform lives in developing countries of Southern Africa are not radically new and different novelties but rather ‘new combinations’ at the interface of new materialisations (creative expression) and exploitations of new opportunities (entrepreneurship). We argue that this posture is not a contestation of the reality that novelty enter the system through the development of new technologies, processes and new ways of organising, but rather such novelty is a process of recombining existing elements in new ways. I build on this argument to demonstrate that in resource-poor contexts where institutional voids frustrate entrepreneurs' potential to deploy innovation capabilities for generating groundbreaking innovation, innovations and entrepreneurship are outcomes of ‘tinkering’, improvision and refinement of unsophisticated creative ideas. Drawing on exemplars from health, education, finance and poverty alleviation interventions that support sustainable human development, I also demonstrate that high knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship (KIE) and low knowledge-intensive frugal innovations are mutually constitutive and recursive outputs of the interaction of knowledge application and innovation conversion rather than serial processes of cause and effect. Using combinative innovation, internal coupling and combinative capabilities as heuristics for understanding the entrepreneurship–innovation nexus, I provide empirical support to the view that entrepreneurial effectuation, new combinations, bricolage and improvision constitute useful cognitive arena for the conversion of entrepreneurial and innovation behaviours, practices and processes into KIE and frugal innovation outputs.
Details
Keywords
Eileen M. Van Aken, Geert Letens, Garry D. Coleman, Jennifer Farris and Dirk Van Goubergen
The purpose of this paper is to describe and illustrate an application of a tool for assessing the maturity and effectiveness of enterprise performance measurement systems.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe and illustrate an application of a tool for assessing the maturity and effectiveness of enterprise performance measurement systems.
Design/methodology/approach
Assessment elements were defined based on the literature, and the scoring approach was designed based on performance excellence frameworks such as Baldrige and EFQM. A research case application in a Belgian public sector organization is used to illustrate how the tool can be used and the types of insights generated.
Findings
The case application indicates that the tool can be used to generate useful and actionable feedback for leadership to increase the maturity of enterprise performance measurement systems. The tool can also be used to longitudinally track progress in performance measurement system effectiveness.
Research limitations/implications
The current paper represents the pilot application of the tool. Future work is needed to further test and refine the tool, refine the assessment process, and collect additional assessment data in other organizations.
Originality/value
This tool provides a more holistic yet detailed assessment of performance measurement systems. It assesses measurement system design quality, as well as implementation/use Specific feedback on process gaps can be used to detect and address problem areas, providing value for practitioners. The tool provides researchers with a standard, structured approach for collecting and codifying detailed observations and artifacts when studying measurement systems.
Details
Keywords
Yanqiu Rachel Zhou and William D. Coleman
This paper aims to examine the impacts of immigration processes on the HIV risk faced by mainland Chinese immigrants in Canada.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the impacts of immigration processes on the HIV risk faced by mainland Chinese immigrants in Canada.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawn from a larger qualitative study on the vulnerability to HIV of recent immigrants to Canada, the data presented were collected through individual, face‐to‐face, semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews with 34 mainland‐Chinese immigrant adults who perceived themselves as facing sexual health risks (including HIV infection) through engaging in unsafe sex.
Findings
Immigration processes have not only exposed these immigrants to a HIV risk that they did not face in China; they have also compromised their capacity to effectively respond to it. In light of various settlement difficulties, HIV risk is neither the only nor the most urgent challenge that they have faced in their post‐immigration lives.
Research limitations/implications
The HIV risk under discussion must be understood by situating it in the processes of immigration, settlement, and transnational connections, all of which have shaped not only the dynamics of HIV risk but, also, these individuals' capacities to respond to that risk. Owing to its small‐size purposive sample, the results of this study may not be generalizable for Chinese immigrants in Canada as a whole.
Practical implications
Greater attention should be given to the intersections between immigrants' vulnerability to HIV and settlement processes and to holistic approaches that take into account the changing contexts and dynamics of HIV risk.
Originality/value
This exploratory study will contribute to knowledge of the HIV risk Chinese immigrants in Canada face – a little‐known topic.
Details
Keywords
Nuno R.P. Costa, António R. Pires and Celma O. Ribeiro
The purpose of this paper is to focus the application of design of experiments (DOE) using industrial equipments, reinforcing idea that non‐statistical aspects in planning and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus the application of design of experiments (DOE) using industrial equipments, reinforcing idea that non‐statistical aspects in planning and conducting experiments are so important as formal design and analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
Two case studies are presented to illustrate typical industrial applications and difficulties. Supported on these case studies and literature, this paper presents guidelines to planning, conducting and analysis involving technical and organizational aspects.
Findings
Solving problems in industry, including in companies recognized as competent in the respective industrial sector, is not just a question of applying the right technique. Ceramic industry case study illustrates how important are non‐statistical issues in DOE application. Paint industry case study illustrates the strong relationship of the results with incorporating presented guidelines into practice. Moreover, both case studies consolidating a fundamental advantage of DOE: experimentation provides more knowledge about products, processes and technologies, even in unsuccessful case studies.
Research limitations/implications
Unsuccessful cases studies are very useful for identifying pitfalls and others limitations. This paper highlight difficulties aroused from non‐statistical aspects, although it is possible to find unsuccessful case studies due to statistical issues also. So, papers illustrating inadequate application of statistical techniques are welcome.
Practical implications
Successful DOE implementation depends on statistical and non‐statistical aspects. Although none of them shall be neglected, technical skills and technological knowledge about processes and products, management understanding of potential possibilities of statistical techniques and statistical fundamentals and knowledge about techniques of DOE must be ensuring to successful case studies in industrial setting.
Originality/value
This paper highlights non‐statistical aspects instead of the statistical ones. Tob overcome difficulties structured guidelines were designed to support DOE application in industrial setting.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to undertake an inquiry into the way academic entrepreneurialism manifests itself in the changing discourses of the notion of “scholarship”. It…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to undertake an inquiry into the way academic entrepreneurialism manifests itself in the changing discourses of the notion of “scholarship”. It particularly examines the contexts, rationales, definitions and implications of the discursive field of the “scholarship of application”. The global trend of academic entrepreneurialism profoundly affects the organisation of higher education institutions and academic life. Particularly, the form of scholarship has been undergoing subtle but constant transformation. The emergence of knowledge economies worldwide influences the practices and goals of traditional academy and illustrates commitment for fundamental knowledge and the new economies emphasise the results and impacts brought by applied knowledge. Alongside the “scholarship of discovery”, the “scholarship of application” is given attention.
Design/methodology/approach
By reviewing the related literature, this paper articulates the definitions and dimensions of the “scholarship of application”. In addition, the impacts brought about by the concerned academic and policy discourses will be discussed.
Findings
This paper finds that the emergence of the discursive field of the “scholarship of application” – as well as the discussions and actions in response to it – coincide with the intense neoliberal changes that affected traditional academia in the 1990s. It is argued that the emergence of and subsequent responses to the discursive field of the “scholarship of application” resulted in transforming purposes and practices of academic life. The discursive field of the “scholarship of application” also impacts on the concerned academic and policy discourses.
Originality/value
To sustain the advancement of the scholarship of application, this paper implies the need to develop practices, cultivate culture as well as formulate prestige and reward mechanisms inherent to the existing higher education systems.