Lisa Kammerlocher, Juliann Couture, Olivia Sparks, Matthew Harp and Tammy Allgood
The purpose of this article is to describe the rapidly changing learning landscapes academic libraries are facing using a case study of Arizona State University. Flexible…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to describe the rapidly changing learning landscapes academic libraries are facing using a case study of Arizona State University. Flexible, adaptable and low‐cost solutions are available for libraries who find themselves in a diverse learning landscape coupled with economic challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
This case study provides details of the processes for implementing low‐cost alternatives to creating, managing and disseminating learning objects.
Findings
Low‐cost solutions can give libraries an important information literacy presence within the university learning landscape. Locally managed learning object repositories can be implemented with minimal fuss and facilitate faculty and student in a wide range of academic programs access to library learning content.
Practical implications
How to manage learning content in a local learning objects repository to maximize access, use and reuse for faculty, students and librarians. This article describes an option for implementing a learning object repository with few fiscal and personnel resources.
Originality/value
Online information literacy on a budget is within reach for many academic libraries by tapping into the potential of free or low‐cost web resources for creating and managing learning content.
Details
Keywords
Isaac Ewusie, Oliver Tannor, Albert Agbeko Ahiadu and Olivia Kwakyewaa Ntim
This paper aims to explore the psychological, emotional and equity implications of compulsory acquisition, evaluate the adequacy of compensation in mitigating those consequences…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the psychological, emotional and equity implications of compulsory acquisition, evaluate the adequacy of compensation in mitigating those consequences and assess the sustainability of cash compensation for future generations.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach was operationalised to investigate the experiences of 40 project-affected persons (PAPs) four years after a compulsory acquisition project in Ghana’s New Akrade-Mpakadan region for the construction of a railway line. These perspectives were analysed through descriptive statistics and thematic analyses using the NVivo software. Figures and a holistic framework were adopted to report the identified issues.
Findings
Overall, only 25% of PAPs received formal communication prior to the acquisition, and only 10.3% have been fully compensated four years later. Despite the acquiring body initiating the marking of properties and compensation assessment in 2019, no payments were made until 2021. This induced emotional responses of distress, loss, uncertainty, stress and sadness, which was further exacerbated by feelings of hopelessness because there was no platform to voice concerns or pursue arbitration. Although PAPs were only offered compensation in the form of single monetary payments, a third would have preferred re-settlement.
Research limitations/implications
By exploring the emotional and psychological effects of compulsory land acquisition, the study adds a new dimension to understanding its consequences. This may spark more interest, debate and discourse amongst researchers and policymakers and lead to the creation or enhancement of existing policy and legal measures to address the needs of PAPs in compulsory acquisition projects in developing countries.
Originality/value
The financial consequences of eminent domain are well documented, but this study explored the psychological, emotional and equity implications of the practice under conditions of weak regulatory frameworks. The adequacy of single lump-sum compensations was also explored to highlight preferred alternatives to ensure fairness for generations unborn.
Details
Keywords
Olivia Scheibel, Oleksiy Osiyevskyy and Amir Bahman Radnejad
Scholars have extensively studied the concept of strategic entrepreneurship (SE), shedding light on its antecedents, dynamics and outcomes. However, a notable gap exists in…
Abstract
Purpose
Scholars have extensively studied the concept of strategic entrepreneurship (SE), shedding light on its antecedents, dynamics and outcomes. However, a notable gap exists in understanding the reliability of its performance implications, which explains the inherent risks as well as the possibility of yielding outliers (instances of exceptionally high or low performance). Addressing this gap, this study aims to present a detailed analysis of the implications of SE for the variance of resulting performance distribution.
Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual study uses the deductive theory-building approach to dissect the four dimensions of SE (entrepreneurial mindset, entrepreneurial leadership and culture, managing resources strategically and applying creativity and developing innovations) as presented by Ireland et al.’s (2003) model, offering theoretical propositions on how each of them influences the variability of resulting performance distribution.
Findings
This study demonstrates that the strategic entrepreneurship (SE) dimensions have distinct impacts on the reliability/variability of performance outcomes, acting as boosters or attenuators in the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) context.
Originality/value
The study uniquely links each component of SE with outcome variability in VUCA environments, thereby shifting the focus from traditional performance metrics to outcome variability. This approach complements the existing body of knowledge on the performance implications of the SE construct by integrating a previously neglected critical perspective on the reliability of resulting performance distribution. These insights allow subsequent investigation of SE’s outcomes, including explaining the likelihood of obtaining positive outlier performance or firm failure.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this study was to gather insights from sport marketing professionals and identify key opportunities, challenges and knowledge that sport marketing educators and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to gather insights from sport marketing professionals and identify key opportunities, challenges and knowledge that sport marketing educators and researchers could utilize in developing curriculum and research agendas.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was used, and data were collected through in-depth interviews with 15 sport marketing professionals. Participants were asked questions related to the knowledge, skills and experiences that they believe are important for students to have to be successful in the industry, as well as the types of research that would be most useful in their day-to-day work.
Findings
Industry professionals noted collaboration, transformation in digital marketing, data and analytics and experiential marketing as key trends facing the industry today. The findings suggest that sport marketing curriculum should focus on soft skill development such as communication, relationship building and empathy alongside hard skill development such as data analysis and storytelling. As well, findings show research areas where scholars can aid practitioners with a focus on consumer insights, technology, measuring ROI and experiential marketing.
Originality/value
With these findings, educators and scholars can better prepare students for successful careers in industry and contribute to the ongoing advancement of the scholarly field. This study serves as a starting point for further research in this area, and it is hoped that it will spark continued collaboration between academia and industry.
Details
Keywords
Christopher Raymond and Paul R. Ward
This chapter explores theory and local context of socially constructed pandemic fears during COVID-19; how material and non-material fear objects are construed, interpreted and…
Abstract
This chapter explores theory and local context of socially constructed pandemic fears during COVID-19; how material and non-material fear objects are construed, interpreted and understood by communities, and how fears disrupt social norms and influence pandemic behavioural responses. We aimed to understand the lived experiences of pandemic-induced fears in socioculturally diverse communities in eastern Indonesia in the context of onto-epistemological disjunctures between biomedically derived public health interventions, local world views and causal-remedial explanations for the crisis. Ethnographic research conducted among several communities in East Nusa Tenggara province in Indonesia provided the data and analyses presented in this chapter, delineating the extent to which fear played a decisive role in both internal, felt experience and social relations. Results illustrate how fear emotions are constructed and acted upon during times of crisis, arising from misinformation, rumour, socioreligious influence, long-standing tradition and community understandings of modernity, power and biomedicine. The chapter outlines several sociological theories on fear and emotion and interrogates a post-pandemic future.
Details
Keywords
Manjeet Kharub, Michael Sony, Himanshu Gupta and Olivia McDermott
The aim of this study is to explore the concept of operational excellence (OPEX) in the context of African businesses. It seeks to identify the main themes, topics and trends…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to explore the concept of operational excellence (OPEX) in the context of African businesses. It seeks to identify the main themes, topics and trends within the OPEX discourse and to uncover emerging areas and potential directions for future research. By emphasizing the unique challenges and opportunities in African markets, this study aims to broaden the understanding of OPEX and its applicability in diverse business environments.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses. Using topic modeling and text analytics, the study examines a range of scholarly literature and social media content. The methodology involves a meticulous extraction and analysis of data from peer-reviewed journals, alongside an exploration of themes emerging from social media, blogs and forums. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of OPEX trends in both academic and practical contexts.
Findings
The study reveals that OPEX in African businesses is intricately linked with innovation, strategic leadership, cultural dynamics, global market integration and data analytics. Key findings include the importance of integrating cultural understanding into operational strategies, the role of adaptive leadership in navigating the African market and the necessity of aligning operational processes with global trends, innovations and data-driven insights. The research also highlights the unique challenges African firms face, such as balancing local and global business practices, leveraging cultural diversity for competitive advantage and harnessing the power of data analytics for OPEX.
Originality/value
This research contributes original insights into the understanding of OPEX in African business contexts, an area that has been relatively under-explored in existing literature. It offers a novel perspective by integrating academic and practical viewpoints, thereby providing a more holistic understanding of OPEX. The findings have significant implications for both business leaders and researchers, offering strategic directions for firms operating in or with African markets and suggesting new avenues for academic inquiry in the field of OPEX.