Devin Cowan, Christina Burton and William Moreto
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of interpersonal relations on the implementation of an intelligence-led initiative within a rural, conservation setting.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of interpersonal relations on the implementation of an intelligence-led initiative within a rural, conservation setting.
Design/methodology/approach
The data for this study are gathered from semi-structured interviews (n = 79) and field observations within five study sites that are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Findings
The findings suggest that while law enforcement and community conservation rangers viewed intelligence operations to be necessary, there was general discontent and distrust toward intelligence rangers. This was largely due to the actuarial and perceived activities, roles and responsibilities of intelligence rangers and the belief that intelligence rangers reflected more of an internal affairs unit rather than one focused on intelligence gathering.
Research limitations/implications
The credibility of the data provided by respondents can be called into question; however, extensive efforts were made to establish rapport to help alleviate these hazards.
Practical implications
Findings from the current study highlight the importance of considering and managing interpersonal relations when implementing intelligence-led initiatives.
Originality/value
The current study is unique in that it examines crime in a non-traditional setting (a developing country, Uganda), with a non-traditional crime type (wildlife crime). Additionally, literature examining the impact of interpersonal relations on intelligence-led policing is limited.
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Alan Coetzer, Janice Redmond and Jalleh Sharafizad
The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of factors that impinge on managerial decision‐making processes regarding employee access to structured training and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of factors that impinge on managerial decision‐making processes regarding employee access to structured training and development (T&D) opportunities that are at least partially funded by the firm.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi‐structured interviews incorporating the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) were conducted with 14 managers of medium‐sized enterprises based in Perth, Western Australia. The interviews explored decisions managers have actually made regarding employee access to T&D and yielded 42 useable critical incidents that served as the unit of analysis.
Findings
There were three key findings: first, employee access to T&D was initiated primarily by managers; employees did not exhibit developmental proactivity. Regulatory requirements and performance deficits were the main factors triggering T&D. Second, decisions regarding employee access to T&D were influenced by a wider range of factors than the decision making factors that commonly feature in literature that discusses “barriers” to T&D in SMEs. Third, decision makers tended to neglect the evaluation phase of the decision making process and engaged in post‐decisional justification.
Research limitations/implications
The study holds a number of lessons that are based on an analysis of the authors' experiences of using the CIT. The lessons are potentially important for researchers who will be using the technique to study similar topics in the years ahead.
Originality/value
This study addresses the lack of research into factors that affect managers' decisions when they consider providing employee access to firm‐sponsored structured T&D opportunities. It also assesses the effectiveness of the CIT as a tool for studying managerial decision‐making processes regarding employee access to T&D opportunities.
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Esti Dwi Rinawiyanti, Huang Xueli and Sharif N. As-Saber
This study aims to investigate the integration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) at a functional level and examine its impact on company performance.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the integration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) at a functional level and examine its impact on company performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data from 435 Indonesian manufacturing companies, 11 hypotheses were tested on direct, indirect and total effects of the relationship between functional CSR integration and its impact on company performance. The stakeholder and contingency theories were applied.
Findings
The findings of this study reveal that functional CSR integration has a significant impact on customer, employee, operational and financial performances. The findings show that the relationship between functional CSR integration and financial performance can be mediated by customer, employee and operational performances. The results of this study also highlight that functional CSR integration has a stronger total effect on both customer and financial performances in environmentally non-sensitive industries than in environmentally sensitive ones.
Research limitations/implications
This study expands the prior studies by providing a theoretical framework for the relationship between CSR integration and company performance, as well as testing the framework using quantitative research.
Practical implications
The findings can encourage managers to effectively integrate CSR into business functions to achieve superior social and financial performance, particularly in a developing country context.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to empirically investigate the performance implications of integrating CSR into business functions and reveals new findings on how such integration can substantially improve company performance.
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Beverley Webster, Elizabeth Walker and Alan Brown
This purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of on‐line training by small businesses in Australia. It explores the relationship between the owner's acceptance and use of…
Abstract
Purpose
This purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of on‐line training by small businesses in Australia. It explores the relationship between the owner's acceptance and use of the internet, and their current participation in training opportunities.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of small businesses which had participated in an Australian government scheme aimed at improving the participation of this business sector in training, were surveyed using a mailed questionnaire. The scheme provided training vouchers to businesses to fund training activities for the owner managers.
Findings
Findings suggest that business characteristics can affect the participation in training, with those having plans more likely to engage in training. The use of the internet for training has improved accessibility for small businesses and offers some potential as a delivery medium, however, the findings also highlight the lack of e‐literacy of many small business owners.
Research limitations/implications
Given the increasing importance of small business in Australia, it is necessary to continuously promote and encourage the role of training and skills development for owners and their employees. This study highlights a relationship between growth and the need for training, however, acknowledges that many small business owners are reluctant to participate in skill development and training.
Originality/value
This paper highlights the need for small business owners and their staff to recognise their training needs, and to have a broader understanding of the importance of their training and development needs.
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Noel Scott, Brent Moyle, Ana Cláudia Campos, Liubov Skavronskaya and Biqiang Liu
Pattanee Susomrith and Alan Coetzer
This paper aims to investigate barriers to employee participation in voluntary formal training and development opportunities from the perspective of employees in small engineering…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate barriers to employee participation in voluntary formal training and development opportunities from the perspective of employees in small engineering businesses.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory qualitative methodology involving data collection via site visits and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 employees in five small engineering businesses was used. Interviews explored the role of developmental proactivity and employees’ perceptions of conditions in the immediate work environment and industry sector that represent barriers to their participation in formal training and development. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings
Three key findings are as follows. First, proactive behaviour regarding access to external training and development is muted in small business settings because of strong resource allocation norms. Second, factors in the internal work environment rather than the industry sector constitute the major barriers to training and development. Third, owner-managers and employees appear to have significantly differing perspectives of barriers to training and development.
Research limitations/implications
The findings suggest avenues for future research. These include examining how workplace norms influence employee behaviour with regard to accessing formal training and development and investigating the learning strategies that employees use to compensate for a lack of access to training and development.
Originality/value
Research into relatively low levels of employee participation in formal training and development in small businesses is deficient because it predominantly involves surveys of owner-managers’ opinions. This study is novel because it seeks to generate new insights not previously articulated by employees. The study yielded four propositions that have practical and research implications.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of an informal online discussion forum (ODF) to encourage voluntary participation and promote double-loop learning by small…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of an informal online discussion forum (ODF) to encourage voluntary participation and promote double-loop learning by small business owners (SBOs).
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative methodology was used where data gathered from three sources, the ODF posts, in-depth interviews with participants and a focus group with non-participants. These were analysed to evaluate learning of SBOs in an ODF.
Findings
This research provides evidence that an ODF for SBOs supports double-loop learning; however, participation could not be assumed simply by the online availability of the discussion resource.
Research limitations/implications
Few SBOs participated in the ODF which is consistent with research finding SBOs are a difficult group to engage in learning. Four forms of data were analysed to strengthen results.
Practical implications
Caution should be exercised when considering investment in e-learning for SBOs.
Originality/value
Evidence showing e-learning through an informal voluntary ODF can promote deep learning for SBOs.