MARTIN DILLON and LAURA K. MCDONALD
The Fully Automatic Syntactically‐based Indexing of Text (FASIT) system represents the contents of a document without a full parse or semantic analysis of the text…
Abstract
The Fully Automatic Syntactically‐based Indexing of Text (FASIT) system represents the contents of a document without a full parse or semantic analysis of the text. Content‐bearing units are isolated and then grouped into quasi‐synonymous classes whose main term is used to index the document. Previous experiments with FASIT demonstrated its usefulness in an associational retrieval environment; the experiment described here explores FASIT's value as a book‐indexing system. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that this indexing approach offers the promise of being practical and effective.
The present study provides an overview of the historical as well as the global expansion of Facebook from developed countries to the developing countries. The chapter also…
Abstract
The present study provides an overview of the historical as well as the global expansion of Facebook from developed countries to the developing countries. The chapter also provides an elaboration over the features and the architectural design of this Online Social Networking service. In order to understand the worldwide usage and acceptance of Facebook, and the gradual spread of Facebook from the United States to the European countries and then to the developing world, we need to pay close attention to the evolution of Facebook in these cultures. In comparison to the developed world, Facebook was slow to spread throughout developing countries. This chapter argues that certain conditions contributed to the expansion of Facebook in these countries. The growth of mobile technology and the usage of Facebook in multiple languages accelerated the increase in its membership. Although majority of the developing countries started using Facebook later than developed countries, within a few years they soon became the nations with the highest growth of Facebook users.
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Laura Cousens, Kathy Babiak and Trevor Slack
This paper explores the adoption of a relationship marketing paradigm by the National Basketball Association. A contextualist framework was used to explore the context, content…
Abstract
This paper explores the adoption of a relationship marketing paradigm by the National Basketball Association. A contextualist framework was used to explore the context, content and processes of this change that evolved over a 17-year time period. Personal interviews were conducted with leaders of this league and over 80 documents were reviewed and content analyzed. The results of this study provide insights into relationship marketing and organizational change for sport managers.
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Laura C. Haniford and Brian Girard
This chapter explores the impact of context on the teaching of a multicultural teacher education course and illustrates what can be learned through partnering self-study…
Abstract
This chapter explores the impact of context on the teaching of a multicultural teacher education course and illustrates what can be learned through partnering self-study methodology with discourse analysis. The study described in this chapter draws on data collected at two teacher education institutions with different student demographics in two different states in the United States. By drawing on methods of discourse analysis, we explore how the differences between two classes manifested in response to a set of class readings on race and racial stereotyping in schools. Specifically, we look closely at the discursive resources available in each location to talk about issues of race and racism. Through partnering discourse analysis and self-study methodologies, we uncovered deep-seated assumptions held by each of us that resulted in a reification of issues of race and class in ways that surprised and troubled us.
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The purpose of this study is to examine the operational efficiency of restaurants in a dynamic context, over the period 2011-2014. The paper also analyzes efficiency with respect…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the operational efficiency of restaurants in a dynamic context, over the period 2011-2014. The paper also analyzes efficiency with respect to several frontiers and production technologies dependent on restaurant size. Finally, it provides a new perspective by examining financial and non-financial variables that can directly affect the efficiency of restaurant firms.
Design/methodology/approach
The study applies metafrontier data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology to investigate differences in production technologies, dynamic Tobit regression models and bootstrap procedure.
Findings
The results reveal that operational efficiency in the restaurant industry is affected by firm size, showing that large restaurants perform better than medium-sized and small restaurants Moreover, the evidence suggests a link between the efficiency index and financial variables, such as credit ratings, probability of default or bankruptcy, leverage and cash flow, as well as a link with non-financial variables, such as type of auditor.
Practical implications
The strength of restaurant firms has practical implications for managers and entrepreneurs, linked to the investment possibilities and growth potential of companies in that industry.
Originality/value
This study provides exploratory insights into operational efficiency as well as restaurant efficiency determinants. Performance and operational efficiency are key factors to restaurant firms’ survival in the economies that have been most severely affected by the financial crisis. Furthermore, this study confirms the relevance of financial and non-financial variables, which are associated with firm efficiency in this industry.
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Wendy Cukier, Suzanne Gagnon, Laura Mae Lindo, Charity Hannan and Sarah Amato
To explore how Critical Management Studies can be used to frame a strategy to effect change and promote diversity and inclusion in organizations.
Abstract
Purpose
To explore how Critical Management Studies can be used to frame a strategy to effect change and promote diversity and inclusion in organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the experience gained from a large multi-sector action research project aimed at promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in organizations, this chapter proposes a multilayer [Critical] Ecological Model.
Findings
While early critical theorists were committed to effecting change, the rise of post-modern critical theory eroded the ground on which to stand, widening the gap between theory and practice. Secondly, the chapter asserts the importance of linking empirical research and critical theory in order to advance equality seeking projects. Thirdly, the chapter provides a [Critical] Ecological model that bridges theory and action in Critical Management Studies, based partly on experience from a large community-based research project. The need for a multifaceted approach to advance equality and inclusion emerged as a way to bridge ideological differences among actors and academics committed to effecting social change.
Practical implications
By addressing directly the challenges of theoretical rifts as well as differences in research focused on micro, meso and macro levels, the chapter builds a framework to allow different stakeholders – scholars, practitioners, activists and change agents across sectors – to take action in advancing inclusion and equality as well as an understanding of interactions between levels.
Originality/value
While sharing similar goals, many approaches to change are fragmented on the level of analysis and by underlying paradigms. This chapter is unique in its focus on ways to bridge theory and practice and to develop a framework for action that accommodates equality seeking theorists and activists working on several levels.
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Madeline Burghardt, Natalie Breton, Maya Findlay, Irene Pollock, Matt Rawlins, Kathleen Woo and Cheryl Zinyk
Stay-at-home and lock-down orders issued by the Ontario government at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of many community-based programs for people…
Abstract
Purpose
Stay-at-home and lock-down orders issued by the Ontario government at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of many community-based programs for people labelled/with intellectual disabilities. L'Arche Toronto Sol Express, an interdisciplinary arts program located in Toronto, is one example of a program that rapidly changed its program delivery to an online format so that participants could remain engaged and collaborative projects could continue. Similarly, participants had to adapt to new programs with virtual formats, and to accessing programs from their own homes as opposed to gathering with others in the community.
Methods/Approach
To reflect on these changes, Sol Express members and creative facilitators together conducted a participatory research project which considered the impact of the online format on individual participants and the group as a whole. Following the principles of emancipatory and participatory research, a research team was established and focus groups were held to explore people's experiences.
Findings
Our findings suggest that while there were many difficult aspects to the pandemic, people also experienced situations of learning and growth. However, our project also points to issues of inequity in the pandemic's effects, such as the inability for technology to incorporate diverse communication methods, and concerns regarding members of the extended community who remain disengaged or ‘lost’ due to a lack of technological and personal support.
Implications/Value
Although our research focused on an arts group for people labelled/with intellectual disabilities, our findings can be applied to the broader community, especially regarding the benefits of in-person gathering and what is lost when programs are held exclusively online.