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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2000

Don Ellithorpe and Scott Putnam

Major segments of the U.S. economy are affected by weather. With the emergence of weather derivatives, exposure to weather‐related risk has evolved from being merely accepted. As…

548

Abstract

Major segments of the U.S. economy are affected by weather. With the emergence of weather derivatives, exposure to weather‐related risk has evolved from being merely accepted. As a result, weather risk management strategies are increasingly being adopted in strategic decision‐making by senior management. Weather derivatives enable managers to focus on core operating risks by trading away those business exposures related to temperature, precipitation, snow level, etc. These contracts offer a unique opportunity to discretely trade a new category of risk, which was previously considered to be an inevitable cost of doing business. This article describes the weather derivatives market and its contracts and outlines the principles of pricing and risk analysis in weather markets. In closing, the article discusses the application of these products for portfolio and business risk management using illustrative examples from the energy markets.

Details

The Journal of Risk Finance, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1526-5943

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Article
Publication date: 4 May 2012

Youngjin Bahng and Doris H. Kincade

The influence of weather on business activities and human behaviour has been explored in several fields (e.g. finance and psychology), but little research about weather and retail…

4245

Abstract

Purpose

The influence of weather on business activities and human behaviour has been explored in several fields (e.g. finance and psychology), but little research about weather and retail sales is found in the retail or fashion literature. The purpose of the study is to analyse the relationship between temperature, one aspect of weather, and retail sales of seasonal garments.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers collected sales data from a retailer of branded women's business wear in the Seoul‐Kyunggi area in South Korea. Along with the sales data for seasonal basic styles, corresponding daily and weekly average temperature data were collected and evaluated. The analysis for the study was drawn using descriptive statistics including graphical evaluations, correlation analysis and paired samples t‐test. Interviews with the retailer's merchandisers were used to supplement interpretation of the statistical data.

Findings

Results of this study provide strong evidence that fluctuations in temperature can impact sales of seasonal garments. During sales periods when drastic temperature changes occurred, more seasonal garments were sold. However, the temperature changes from day to day or week to week did not affect the number of garments sold for the whole season. Of the seasonal garments expected to sell within the same season, the selling periods of each product category differed depending on type of fabric and design. For some seasonal garments, the actual sales dates were one week to two weeks in variance from the merchandisers' forecasts.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations in the sample (i.e. product category) and location of stores (i.e. geographic region) prevent the generalization of results to all seasonal garments or retailers. In spite of these limitations, this study can be a pilot study that supports the significant relationship between temperature and sales of seasonal basic products by quantifying the temperature effects on sales of particular products. Therefore, future studies are needed to establish generalized conclusions with a larger sample.

Originality/value

As little academic research is available about weather's effect on sales of garments, the present study contributes to the field of clothing and retail distribution by providing evidence of significant relationships between temperature and sales of seasonal clothing.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 40 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Daniel Wolfgruber

The purpose of this article is to investigate the communicative constitution of organizational inclusion and/or exclusion through humorous acts at the expense of members of…

2940

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to investigate the communicative constitution of organizational inclusion and/or exclusion through humorous acts at the expense of members of minorities and/or historically disadvantaged groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Semistructured interviews with 84 employees in Austria and Germany dealing with their experiences regarding diversity and inclusion (D&I) at work were conducted and analyzed in two steps. First, a thematic text analysis was performed to structure the content and identify relevant themes and anecdotes for further analysis. Second, a ventriloquial analysis sought to identify the physically absent yet present voices in these anecdotes.

Findings

The interviews revealed that jokes and quips mostly target colleagues of observable foreign origin. The analysis further identified three themes that show that disparaging humor can simultaneously reinforce inclusion/exclusion across hierarchies and create boundaries within teams – but in different ways. The findings also indicate that above all prejudices “participate” in such events and that in most cases the collective is invoked to increase the joke's “authority”.

Originality/value

This research is the first one that investigates humor in the context of D&I through a communicative constitution of organization (CCO) lens, which facilitates studying the constitutive character of humorous communication in terms of inclusion and exclusion. Moreover, this is one of the first empirical humor studies to draw on established theory-driven concepts of inclusion-exclusion in its analysis.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 42 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 26 July 2024

Matthew Harrison, Jess Rowlings and Daniel Aivaliotis-Martinez

Free Access. Free Access

Abstract

Details

Press B to Belong
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-927-7

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Article
Publication date: 6 November 2023

Antin Mary Siluvai, Hesil Jerda George and Satyanarayana Parayitam

This study aims to assess the negative aspect of social media use among college students in India. A conceptual model showing the relationship between excessive social media use…

266

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to assess the negative aspect of social media use among college students in India. A conceptual model showing the relationship between excessive social media use (ESMU) and academic performance of college students has been developed and tested. Further, the moderating role of psychological well-being and avoidance strategies were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was developed, and data was collected from 557 college students from higher educational institutions in southern India. First, the psychometric properties of the measures were tested using the Lisrel software for covariance-based structural equation modeling. Second, the structural model was tested by using PROCESS macros.

Findings

The results reveal that ESMU is a precursor to anxiety and academic performance. The findings also indicate that anxiety mediates the relationship between ESMU and academic performance. Psychological well-being and avoidance strategies were significant moderators in the relationship between ESMU and anxiety.

Originality/value

The multi-layered conceptual model was developed and tested in the context of a developing country (India) and investigated the effect of ESMU by college students on their academic performance and anxiety. The three-way interaction between psychological well-being (first moderator), avoidance strategies (second moderator) and ESMU influencing academic performance mediated through anxiety is studied in this research. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, such a moderated moderated-mediation in connection with social media use is a unique contribution of this study.

Details

Journal of Public Mental Health, vol. 22 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5729

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Article
Publication date: 29 July 2022

Linda Charmaraman, Catherine Grevet Delcourt, Sidrah Durrani, Jyontika Kapoor, Amanda M. Richer and Le Fan Xiao

This study aims to introduce the concept of communities of social media practice where more experienced users provide guidance to female novice users, enacting a form of…

729

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to introduce the concept of communities of social media practice where more experienced users provide guidance to female novice users, enacting a form of legitimate peripheral participation to “onboard” newcomers.

Design/methodology/approach

Through surveys with 968 early adolescents (average age was 13), the authors quantitatively explored sources and types of guidance for young social media users, popularity of conversation themes related to this guidance and how these conversations are associated with positive social media engagement. The authors qualitatively documented a case study of how a summer workshop of 17 students promotes positive social media use through a community of practice.

Findings

Although early adolescent girls reported that they more frequently talked to their parents about a wider range of social media topics, same-age peers and younger family members (e.g., siblings, cousins) were also frequent sources. Surprisingly, the authors also found that the source most strongly associated with positive social media use was the peer group. This case study of an intentional community of practice demonstrated how peers go from “peripheral” to “centered” in socializing each other for more positive social media use.

Originality/value

Unlike most prior scholarship on mediating social technology use, this study focuses on a critical developmental period (e.g. early adolescents), sources of guidance other than exclusively parents, explore the specific conversation topics that offer guidance and document an informal community of practice for girls that provides the training ground for peers and adult facilitators to codesign more positive social media spaces.

Details

Information and Learning Sciences, vol. 123 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-5348

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 24 May 2024

Amy Leigh Rathbone, Laura Clarry, Julie Prescott and Terry Hanley

The ever increasing prevalence of mental health disorders is subsequently resulting in an ever increasing burden on mental health services globally. Due to need outweighing…

224

Abstract

Purpose

The ever increasing prevalence of mental health disorders is subsequently resulting in an ever increasing burden on mental health services globally. Due to need outweighing capacity, many turn to, or are signposted to, online resources. Online mental health chatrooms are chat-based services that users can frequent to discuss their mental health, often with individuals experiencing similar issues. Most of these are moderated by volunteers. The purpose of this study was to explore the motivations for moderating, the positive and negative effects of the role and to identifying current and required pathways of support.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an online questionnaire design, disseminated via the online mental health community, 18percent. An open ended interview schedule was disseminated to eight volunteer moderators. Qualitative data was analysed using NVivo software and reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings

Moderators were motivated to engage in this role due to past experiences and to help others. The positive effects of moderating were engaging in digital altruism and improving one’s personal mental health. The negative effects were personal triggers and role specific issues such as harassment and being unable to help people in crisis situations. For further support, moderators would benefit from refresher training sessions and further professional training in which they can proactively help when a user is experiencing suicidal ideation/behaviours.

Originality/value

The research highlighted the motivations for, positive and negative effects of and the current and further pathways of support required by volunteer moderators and proffers recommendations within the discussion.

Details

Mental Health and Digital Technologies, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2976-8756

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Article
Publication date: 17 June 2021

Jacob A. Miller

The purpose of this paper is to explain the US society’s insignificant mitigation of climate change using Niklas Luhmann’s (1989) autopoietic social systems theory in ecological…

226

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the US society’s insignificant mitigation of climate change using Niklas Luhmann’s (1989) autopoietic social systems theory in ecological communication. Specifically, the author’s analysis falls within the context of Luhmann re-moralized while focusing on particular function systems’ binary codes and their repellence of substantive US climate change mitigation policy across systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The author achieves this purpose by resituating Luhmann’s conception of evolution to forgo systems teleology and better contextualize the spatial-temporal scale of climate change; reinforcing complexity reduction and differentiation by integrating communication and media scholar John D. Peters’s (1999) “communication chasm” concept as one mechanism through which codes sustain over time; and applying these integrated concepts to prominent the US climate change mitigation attempts.

Findings

The author concludes that climate change mitigation efforts are the amalgamation of the systems’ moral communications. Mitigation efforts have relegated themselves to subsystems of the ten major systems given the polarizing nature of their predominant care/harm moral binary. Communication chasms persist because these moral communications cannot both adhere to the systems’ binary codes and communicate the climate crisis’s urgency. The more time that passes, the more codes force mitigation organizations, activist efforts and their moral communications to adapt and sacrifice their actions to align with the encircling systems’ code.

Social implications

In addition to the conceptual contribution, the social implication is that by identifying how and why climate change mitigation efforts are subsumed by the larger systems and their codes, climate change activists and practitioners can better tool their tactics to change the codes at the heart of the systems if serious and substantive climate change mitigation is to prevail.

Originality/value

To the author’s knowledge, there has not been an integration of a historical communication concept into, and sociological application of, ecological communication in the context of climate change mitigation.

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Article
Publication date: 2 October 2021

Michael Mehmet, Troy Heffernan, Jennifer Algie and Behnam Forouhandeh

The purpose of this paper is to examine how upstream social marketing can benefit from using social media commentary to identify cognitive biases. Using reactions to leading…

1224

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how upstream social marketing can benefit from using social media commentary to identify cognitive biases. Using reactions to leading media/news publications/articles related to climate and energy policy in Australia, this paper aims to understand underlying community cognitive biases and their reasonings.

Design/methodology/approach

Social listening was used to gather community commentary about climate and energy policy in Australia. This allowed the coding of natural language data to determine underlying cognitive biases inherent in the community. In all, 2,700 Facebook comments were collected from 27 news articles dated between January 2018 and March 2020 using exportcomments.com. Team coding was used to ensure consistency in interpretation.

Findings

Nine key cognitive bias were noted, including, pessimism, just-world, confirmation, optimum, curse of knowledge, Dunning–Kruger, self-serving, concision and converge biases. Additionally, the authors report on the interactive nature of these biases. Right-leaning audiences are perceived to be willfully uninformed and motivated by self-interest; centric audiences want solutions based on common-sense for the common good; and left-leaning supporters of progressive climate change policy are typically pessimistic about the future of climate and energy policy in Australia. Impacts of powerful media organization shaping biases are also explored.

Research limitations/implications

Through a greater understanding of the types of cognitive biases, policy-makers are able to better design and execute influential upstream social marketing campaigns.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that observing cognitive biases through social listening can assist upstream social marketing understand community biases and underlying reasonings towards climate and energy policy.

Details

Journal of Social Marketing, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6763

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Article
Publication date: 28 January 2025

Mary Macharia and Mary Dunaway

Drawing on two competing theories, the online disinhibition effect and communication privacy management, this study explores the antecedents of cyber harassment and the mediating…

8

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on two competing theories, the online disinhibition effect and communication privacy management, this study explores the antecedents of cyber harassment and the mediating and moderating role of digital citizenship on cyber harassment among adults.

Design/methodology/approach

To ensure the quality of the data collected, participant recruitment was conducted using two panels: Qualtrics and Cloud Research. The sample comprised 262 participants who were USA residents aged between 18 and 87 years who use the Internet regularly. Additionally, the survey required a balance of participants across racial and educational levels. The survey was drawn from items for which reliability and validity indexes have been tested and confirmed in prior disparate studies.

Findings

Results show that digital citizenship is a significant moderator in the relationships between disposition to value web privacy, perceived online disinhibition and cyber harassment. Digital citizenship behavior mediates the relationship between perceived online disinhibition and cyber harassment but does not mediate the relationship between disposition to value privacy and cyber harassment.

Originality/value

The results of this study broaden the understanding of digital citizenship as a behavior modification for cyber harassment, specifically among adult Internet users. Further, we seek to bring together two streams of research that have previously been studied separately: the literature on the antecedents of perceived online disinhibition and disposition to value web privacy concerns.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

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