Stephanie Borgert Baird, Kerri S. Kearney and Alissa Nephew
Many doctoral students apply theoretical frameworks to writing assignments as part of their academic coursework and, later, in the practice of analyzing and reporting research…
Abstract
Purpose
Many doctoral students apply theoretical frameworks to writing assignments as part of their academic coursework and, later, in the practice of analyzing and reporting research. However, students often struggle to effectively apply theoretical frameworks to their writing processes. Thus, as one way of contributing to the writing pedagogies of doctoral-level instructors, the purpose of this study is to explore doctoral students’ learning experiences with analyzing and reporting organizational data using theoretical frameworks.
Design/methodology/approach
This study examines the perspectives of 29 doctoral students through analytical papers and reflections, letters and interviews.
Findings
Five themes within the context of current literature on writing were identified. These included students experiencing discomfort, even fear, about writing; students needing to write and receive honest feedback to learn how to write; the need for an instructional process that moves from conceptual to detailed instructions; understanding that writing has conceptual and skills implications that cannot be achieved in a single class; and the analytical writing process contributes to an understanding of the complexity of holding a doctoral degree.
Practical implications
The findings demonstrate the importance of helping doctoral students gain confidence and improve writing with theoretical frameworks, which can be accomplished with structured formats, through repetition and from instructor feedback.
Originality/value
This study offers unique insights into the challenges that doctoral students face when writing through theoretical frameworks and how instructors can interact with and potentially improve students’ writing skills and abilities.
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Ralph Bathurst and Anne Messervy
Bill Clinton is exemplary of a new conception of leadership appropriate for the 21st century. In spite of his sexual proclivities (for which he received harsh criticism and…
Abstract
Bill Clinton is exemplary of a new conception of leadership appropriate for the 21st century. In spite of his sexual proclivities (for which he received harsh criticism and impeachment proceedings) Clinton’s physicality signals an end of a Gnostic view of leadership that separates the knowing head from the rest of the body. We propose that 20th century manifestations of leadership are no longer appropriate for this age, and we illustrate this idea with the ‘reality’ television series Undercover Boss. Further, by exploring artist Peter Robinson’s installation The End of the Twentieth Century we claim that Clinton’s call for inclusivity, a ‘both–and’ approach that characterizes his late- and post-Presidential rhetoric, opens possibilities for alternative constructs that place the body at the heart of leadership. Our exploration of Clinton’s physicality is through his speech to the APEC business leaders in 1999, his commentary on the movie documentary The Hunting of the President and his speech to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. In each of these he reaches out to his audiences through physical and verbal gestures. He pleads for tolerance and understanding so that people may find commonalities among their flaws and differences. Through enacting the physical ‘doing’ of leadership in these instances, Bill Clinton offers an exemplar of re-locating leadership within its physical context.
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Popular accounts of the labor movement suggest that unions have become weak organizations. There are, however, trends that indicate laborʼs political power has not waned in recent…
Abstract
Popular accounts of the labor movement suggest that unions have become weak organizations. There are, however, trends that indicate laborʼs political power has not waned in recent years. Using data from multiple sources, the results in this study indicate: (1) despite declines in union density, the percentage of union households has remained steady for two decades; (2) unions continue to produce a strong Democratic vote from its membership, even from its white male members; (3) unions are among the top campaign contributors and spenders in American elections; (4) unions hold significant influence among congressional Democrats and have made gains at the state and local level; and (5) public opinion of labor unions has remained consistently positive for several decades.
Christine Byrch, Kate Kearins, Markus Milne and Richard Morgan
The purpose of this paper is to explore the meaning of sustainable development held by New Zealand “thought leaders” and “influencers” promoting sustainability, business, or…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the meaning of sustainable development held by New Zealand “thought leaders” and “influencers” promoting sustainability, business, or sustainable business. It seeks to compare inductively derived worldviews with theories associated with sustainability and the humanity‐nature relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Worldviews were explored through a cognitive mapping exercise. A total of 21 thought leaders and influencers constructed maps of their understanding of sustainable development. These maps were analysed to reveal commonalities and differences.
Findings
Participant maps illustrated disparate levels of detail and complexity. Those participants promoting business generally emphasized the economic domain, accepting economic growth and development as the key to sustainable development. An emphasis on the environmental domain, the future, limits to the Earth's resources, and achievement through various radical means, was more commonly articulated by those promoting sustainability. Participants promoting sustainable business held elements of both approaches, combining an emphasis on the environmental domain and achievement of sustainable development by various reformist means.
Research limitations/implications
This study identified the range of worldviews expressed by 21 thought leaders and influencers across three main domains only – promoters of sustainability, business or both. Extending this sample and exploring how these and other views arise and are represented within a wider population could be the subject of further research.
Practical implications
Such divergence of opinion as to what connotes sustainable development across even a small sample does not bode well for its achievement. The elucidation of the worldview of promoters of sustainable business points to the need to consider more carefully the implications of environmentalism, and other aspects of sustainability, integrated into a business agenda.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to empirical research on environmental worldviews which has barely penetrated discussion of sustainability within the management and business literature. It shows cognitive mapping to be an effective technique for investigating the meaning of a conceptual theme like sustainable development.
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A Selection of Equipment of Use in the Production and Maintenance of Aircraft, Missiles, Space Vehicles and their Components. To enable information on the correct application of…
Abstract
A Selection of Equipment of Use in the Production and Maintenance of Aircraft, Missiles, Space Vehicles and their Components. To enable information on the correct application of feeds and speeds for tungsten carbide tip cutters to be available quickly, the Anstey (Leicestershire) machine tool and tungsten carbide tool and cutter manufacturing firms within the Marwin Group have produced a slide rule calculator which is to be issued to customers. Companies in the Group include Marwin (Anstey) Ltd., Marwin Machine Tools Ltd., Marwin Engineering Ltd. and Marwin Designs Ltd.
Kerri Davies and Gemma Honeyman
Families of those with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour often do not receive the practical support, training and information they need. As a result living with…
Abstract
Purpose
Families of those with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour often do not receive the practical support, training and information they need. As a result living with a child with behaviour described as challenging can be a profoundly hard and isolating experience. This paper aims to discuss the impact of challenging behaviour on families who have a child with intellectual disabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
The experiences of three families are used to highlight the impact of challenging behaviour and this is supported by existing literature.
Findings
Difficulties families experience include physical and mental health problems, sleep disturbance, social isolation, financial hardship and unemployment. Strategies families use to overcome difficulties are explored including seeking information and practical support and building family resilience. Positive aspects of living with a child whose behaviour is described as challenging is a topic that is often neglected in the academic literature, but caring can result in becoming a stronger family unit, increased personal growth and forming new friendships.
Practical implications
The paper concludes with practical implications for professionals supporting families who live with a child whose behaviour is described as challenging. Families need information, training and practical support to fulfil their caring role effectively while maintaining the wellbeing of the family unit.
Originality/value
The paper stresses that all have a role to play in supporting families, all can make a positive difference, and that people must be more proactive in identifying and meeting the needs of families.
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Kerry Lee, Ghada Hebaishi and John Hope
The New Zealand Ministry of Education identified that teachers need to be confident they have the support of their school management team before they embrace twenty-first century…
Abstract
Purpose
The New Zealand Ministry of Education identified that teachers need to be confident they have the support of their school management team before they embrace twenty-first century teaching and learning in enterprise education (Ministry of Education, 2013b). The purpose of this paper is to outline an interpretive case study which investigated the views held by the management of a New Zealand secondary school, well known for enterprise education.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used semi-structured interviews to investigate what aspects were deemed important by senior management and whether they saw themselves as pivotal in the success of enterprise education.
Findings
The management team believed their role to be pivotal and that nine aspects were necessary for a successful enterprise programme.
Originality/value
It is anticipated that the results from this interpretive case study will assist others in their planning, development and success of future quality enterprise education programmes.
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Eira Wyn Patterson, Kerry Ball, Jessica Corkish and Isabella May Whittick
The purpose of this paper is to synthesise current literature on the conceptualisation of rigour within qualitative studies and to identify factors which contribute to the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to synthesise current literature on the conceptualisation of rigour within qualitative studies and to identify factors which contribute to the enhancement of rigour for the practical implementation of qualitative research.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents an interpretivist stance in line with a qualitative approach to research. A systematic review method was adopted to provide a structured and rigorous selection of relevant literature. Data was analysed using a thematic synthesis method, as outlined by Thomas and Harden (2008).
Findings
The results of the thematic synthesis identified seven descriptive themes in the literature: conceptualising rigour, conceptualising truth and value in knowledge generation, participant trust and communication of truth, rigour in research design and implementation, subjectivity, reflexivity and researcher identity, reader confidence and transparency and strategies for enhancing rigour. These descriptive themes were further developed into three analytical themes: ethical co-construction, methodological alignment and multi-perspective interpretation.
Originality/value
This paper presents an interdisciplinary exploration of the concept of rigour in qualitative research. The themes identified are applicable across fields and provide an original application of thematic synthesis.