Marcus Nohlberg and Johannes Bäckström
This paper aims to use user‐centred security development of a prototype graphical interface for a management information system dealing with information security with upper‐level…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to use user‐centred security development of a prototype graphical interface for a management information system dealing with information security with upper‐level management as the intended users.
Design/methodology/approach
The intended users were studied in order to understand their needs. An iterative design process was used where the designs were first made on paper, then as a prototype interface and later as a final interface design. All was tested by subjects within the target user group.
Findings
The interface was perceived as being successful by the test subjects and the sponsoring organization, Siguru. The major conclusion of the study is that managers use knowledge of information security mainly for financial and strategic matters which focus more on risk issues than security issues. To facilitate the need of managers the study presents three heuristics for the design of management information security system interfaces.
Research limitations/implications
This interface was tested on a limited set of users and further tests could be done, especially of users with other cultural/professional backgrounds.
Practical implications
This paper presents a useful set of heuristics that can be used in development of management information systems as well as other practical tips for similar projects.
Originality/value
This paper gives an example of a successful user‐centred security development process. The lessons learned could be beneficial in software development in general and security products in particular.
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Johannes Stark, Julia A.M. Reif and Tom Schiebler
Storytelling is considered an effective leadership behavior. However, research on storytelling’s effects on followers is scarce and disconnected from leadership theory. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Storytelling is considered an effective leadership behavior. However, research on storytelling’s effects on followers is scarce and disconnected from leadership theory. This paper aims to explore the perspectives of both leaders and followers with a focus on interaction-based moderators and affective mediators of storytelling effects, building on transformational leadership and leader-member exchange theory.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from semi-structured interviews (N = 27 independent leaders and followers) were analyzed with a combined content-analytic and grounded theory approach.
Findings
Leaders’ intended effects of storytelling (transformation, relationship and information) evoked either positive or negative affective reactions in followers depending on how well the story met followers’ needs (need-supply fit), the adequacy of the input load transported by the story (story load) and how followers interpreted their leaders’ story (story appraisal). Followers’ positive or negative affective reactions translated into positive effects (corresponding to leaders’ intended effects) or negative effects (contradicting leaders’ intended effects), respectively. Results were integrated into an intention-perception model of storytelling.
Originality/value
Proposing an intention-perception model of storytelling, this paper explains when and why unintended effects of storytelling happen, and thus provides an alternative view to the one-fits-all approach on leaders’ storytelling advocated by popular management literature.
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Achim Oberg, Walter W. Powell and Tino Schöllhorn
We analyze the structure and the dynamics of a field, drawing on data from organizational public behavior in the digital sphere. Organizational self-representations afford rich…
Abstract
We analyze the structure and the dynamics of a field, drawing on data from organizational public behavior in the digital sphere. Organizational self-representations afford rich insights into how organizations position themselves with regard to their peers, both in terms of web page language and hyperlink affiliations. Our empirical example is the lively and important discussion of the social impact of nonprofit organizations. We follow how it has evolved from 2011 to 2018 and with what consequences. We begin with portraits of the discursive movements of powerful, individual organizations, where we observe extensive changes. These portraits show how influential organizations alter their public faces. We then analyze discourse at the field level, which is surprisingly stable even though individual organizations change their discursive and relational positions frequently. Finally, we turn to groups of organizations with similar positions and highlight their ability to integrate vocabularies of other groups. Here we observe that a lingua franca increases integration at the field level, while affording distinction with individual organizations’ positioning. We conclude with a discussion of complementary research avenues that can advance the relational and linguistic view we present in this paper.
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Johannes Stark and Julia A.M. Reif
Defying conventional wisdom, leaders' storytelling may have ambiguous and even negative effects on followers. Built upon transformational leadership and leader -member exchange…
Abstract
Purpose
Defying conventional wisdom, leaders' storytelling may have ambiguous and even negative effects on followers. Built upon transformational leadership and leader -member exchange theory, the intention-perception model of storytelling in leadership provides a framework to systematically explain when and why unintended effects of storytelling happen. Despite its theoretical and practical relevance, a quantitative evaluation of the model's main assumptions, and particularly of followers' perceptions of leader storytelling, is still pending.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors developed a scale to assess followers' story perceptions in study 1 (N = 79) and confirmed the scale's structure in study 2, an online cross-sectional field study (N = 60). In study 2, the authors also tested a main assumption of the intention-perception model of storytelling, that is, the relationship between followers' story perceptions and story effects, mediated via followers' affective arousal.
Findings
Data revealed that story effects indeed depend on followers' perception of the story. In particular, the better a leader's story met followers' needs (need-supply fit), the more adequate the input load transported by the story (story load), the more positive followers' appraisal of their leader's story (story appraisal) and the more positive affective reactions and positive effects of storytelling (transformation, leader -member exchange quality, and trust in the leader) followers perceived.
Practical implications
The authors provide practical insights into how leaders may improve their storytelling by tailoring their stories to the expectations and needs of their followers.
Originality/value
Taking a follower-centric perspective on a common leadership practice (i.e. storytelling), the present research provides first support for the intention-perception model of storytelling in leadership.
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Tian Ye, Anna S. Mattila and Shanshan Dai
With the recent surge of plant-based menu items, it is critical to understand how to effectively communicate such products to consumers. This study aims to examine the impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
With the recent surge of plant-based menu items, it is critical to understand how to effectively communicate such products to consumers. This study aims to examine the impact of various descriptive names on consumers’ responses to novel meat alternatives in China, one of the emerging yet unexplored markets.
Design/methodology/approach
Two studies were conducted using a single factor ([descriptive name: “Renzao Rou [artificial meat]” vs “Sushi Rou [vegetarian/vegan meat]” vs “Zhiwu Rou” [plant-based meat]) between-subjects experimental design.
Findings
Study 1 shows that “Sushi Rou” and “Zhiwu Rou,” triggering more positive name associations, led to higher future consumption intention than “Renzao Rou.” A qualitative analysis demonstrates the differences in the name associations. Study 2 replicates the naming effect and examines the role of specific product attributes. Perceived health, naturalness and novelty are the main drivers of favorable responses to “Zhiwu Rou” (vs “Renzao Rou”), whereas perceived health, taste and naturalness mediate the positive effect for “Sushi Rou” (vs “Renzao Rou”).
Practical implications
Food service operators interested in introducing meat alternatives in China should carefully choose the product name to attract specific segments. International chains should consider cultural norms when expanding to emerging markets.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to reveal the product naming effect on meat alternative products from the perspective of marketing communications. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanism driving Chinese consumers’ responses.
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Kirsi Helkala, Benjamin Knox, Øyvind Jøsok, Silje Knox and Mass Lund
The purpose of this study is to investigate how motivation – gained by understanding the purpose of specific cyber-oriented tasks – coping strategies and level of physical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate how motivation – gained by understanding the purpose of specific cyber-oriented tasks – coping strategies and level of physical conditioning can affect cognitive abilities amongst cyber officer cadets.
Design/methodology/approach
Two cognitive tests (2014 and 2015) and coping strategy questionnaires (2015) were conducted during an annual military exercise involving increased levels of stress and hardship (physical and cognitive) over a sustained two-week period.
Findings
Motivation – gained by task explanations – and the conscious use of the “control” strategy can have a positive effect on individual performance in cyber tasks.
Research limitations/implications
The participants were all young adults with higher-than-average levels of physical fitness. From the outset, all participants were highly motivated and disciplined having entered cyber officer training after successfully completing a thorough selection process.
Practical implications
The results of this study are to be better implemented to the activities at the military academy.
Social implications
The closest civilian occupational equivalent is a computer network operations (CNO)-operator. The findings could be implemented into their daily work routines.
Originality/value
Cognitive tests used in this study are based on recognized general cognitive tests. However, modifications were made to suit the cyber task context, making the test original. The cyber officer is a contemporary concept currently lacking research.