Frank J. Cavico, Stephen C. Muffler and Bahaudin G. Mujtaba
The article aims to provide a discussion of societal norms concerning “attractiveness,” the existence of appearance discrimination in employment, the presence of “preferring the…
Abstract
Purpose
The article aims to provide a discussion of societal norms concerning “attractiveness,” the existence of appearance discrimination in employment, the presence of “preferring the pretty”, and then the authors examine important civil rights laws that relate to such forms of discrimination. Finally, the authors apply ethical theories to determine whether such discrimination can be seen as moral or immoral.
Design/methodology/approach
It is a legal paper which covers all the laws related to discrimination based on look. Court cases and Americans laws related to this concept are reviewed and critically discussed.
Findings
The paper finds that appearance‐based discrimination is not illegal in the USA so long as it does not violate civil rights laws.
Research limitations/implications
This research is limited to Federal and State laws in the USA and may not be relevant in other countries as the local laws might vary.
Practical implications
Managers and employees can protect themselves in the workplace from illegal discriminatory practices.
Social implications
Employees know their rights and enhance their understanding of laws related to appearance, attractiveness, and why companies look to hire those who are considered “handsome”, “pretty” and “beautiful”.
Originality/value
This is an original and comprehensive paper by the authors.
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Sugat Chaturvedi, Kanika Mahajan and Zahra Siddique
We study the demand for skills by using text analysis methods on job descriptions in a large volume of ads posted on an online Indian job portal. We make use of domain-specific…
Abstract
We study the demand for skills by using text analysis methods on job descriptions in a large volume of ads posted on an online Indian job portal. We make use of domain-specific unlabeled data to obtain word vector representations (i.e., word embeddings) and discuss how these can be leveraged for labor market research. We start by carrying out a data-driven categorization of required skill words and construct gender associations of different skill categories using word embeddings. Next, we examine how different required skill categories correlate with log posted wages as well as explore how skills demand varies with firm size. We find that female skills are associated with lower posted wages, potentially contributing to observed gender wage gaps. We also find that large firms require a more extensive range of skills, implying that complementarity between female and male skills is greater among these firms.
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Patricia Ahmed, Rebecca Jean Emigh and Dylan Riley
A “state-driven” approach suggests that colonists use census categories to rule. However, a “society-driven” approach suggests that this state-driven perspective confers too much…
Abstract
A “state-driven” approach suggests that colonists use census categories to rule. However, a “society-driven” approach suggests that this state-driven perspective confers too much power upon states. A third approach views census-taking and official categorization as a product of state–society interaction that depends upon: (a) the population's lay categories, (b) information intellectuals' ability to take up and transform these lay categories, and (c) the balance of power between social and state actors. We evaluate the above positions by analyzing official records, key texts, travelogues, and statistical memoirs from three key periods in India: Indus Valley civilization through classical Gupta rule (ca. 3300 BCE–700 CE), the “medieval” period (ca. 700–1700 CE), and East India Company (EIC) rule (1757–1857 CE), using historical narrative. We show that information gathering early in the first period was society driven; however, over time, a strong interactive pattern emerged. Scribes (information intellectuals) increased their social status and power (thus, shifting the balance of power) by drawing on caste categories (lay categories) and incorporating them into official information gathering. This intensification of interactive information gathering allowed the Mughals, the EIC, and finally British direct rule officials to collect large quantities of information. Our evidence thus suggests that the intensification of state–society interactions over time laid the groundwork for the success of the direct rule British censuses. It also suggests that any transformative effect of these censuses lay in this interactive pattern, not in the strength of the British colonial state.
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In a world where companies create multiple brand and product features and use technology to continuously improve the appeal and delivery of their offering, a perception that high…
Abstract
In a world where companies create multiple brand and product features and use technology to continuously improve the appeal and delivery of their offering, a perception that high tech characteristics are sufficient to attract customers and build loyalty for the company is a common misconception. In reality, the emotional aspects of the customer–brand/product bond are critical and must be factored into strategic decisions. Holbrook and Batra (1987a) suggest that consumers seek emotional value and benefit from brand/product and that these emotional ties may exceed the value derived from technology. While research turns attention to investigate emotions within this brand/product relationship, questions arise regarding possible levers that can be engaged to trigger this emotional relationship. In an effort to understand this complex issue, a review of literature on emotions and strategy, framed, as value management will be discussed and the role that emotions play in the customer–brand/product bond will be addressed. In addition, this discussion moves to understand which design element can possibly meet this challenge. Is it possible that color and its established link to emotions could prove strong enough to be a strategic lever?
Hei-wai Lee and Crystal J. Scott
– The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyze the differences in organizations that choose to have a sales executive versus a marketing executive on the leadership team.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyze the differences in organizations that choose to have a sales executive versus a marketing executive on the leadership team.
Design/methodology/approach
Our study examined 315 marketing and sales executives across 246 US firms taken from the S & P 1500.
Findings
Our findings suggest that the company choice of marketing or sales executive positions is driven by its customer base, branding strategy, investment in product development, and industry. The choice of executive is also associated with its firm valuation and cash flow performance.
Research limitations/implications
Further research might want to examine companies that include both a sales and marketing executive as part of the leadership team and explore industry characteristics and customer base surrounding that decision.
Originality/value
Research has looked at the relationship between the marketing and sales functions but has rarely taken into account the performance of companies that emphasize sales and/or marketing leadership in its executive team. This paper analyzes the differences in organizations that choose among marketing versus sales executives or an executive overseeing the dual sales and marketing function.
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Kelly Ann Schmidtke, Ivo Vlaev and Karen Baber
The purpose of this paper is to assess whether the dissemination systems that hospitals use to spread information about particular safety incidents can be enhanced using…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess whether the dissemination systems that hospitals use to spread information about particular safety incidents can be enhanced using behavioural economics concepts.
Design/methodology/approach
The current service evaluation took place within eight wards in a single acute care hospital. It was conducted as a randomized controlled trial with two groups. In the control group nothing was altered. In the intervention group ward managers received additional support to disseminate information to their nurses. Nurses were randomly selected to be surveyed during their scheduled shifts. The surveys revealed how the nurses learned about particular safety incidents and how many they remembered.
Findings
Nurses in the intervention group were more likely to learn about particular safety incidents than nurses in the control group.
Practical implications
Enhancing common dissemination systems in hospitals can increase organizational learning about safety incidents. The current study presents some means by which dissemination systems can be enhanced.
Originality/value
The current service evaluation is a unique application of behavioural economics concepts to enhance organizational learning of particular adverse safety incidents in an NHS hospital.
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Md. Habibur Rahman and Md. Shiful Islam
The purpose of this paper is to describe the present status of implementing innovative radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in university libraries of Bangladesh. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the present status of implementing innovative radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in university libraries of Bangladesh. The main obstacles of implementing this technology among university libraries and ways to overcome the obstacles are also described.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses both qualitative and quantitative approaches along with review of related literature. The present scenario of RFID implementation status of Bangladesh is shown by a survey with a structured questionnaire and reviewing related literature.
Findings
The findings show that RFID is being used in the university libraries to reduce staff stress, increase efficiency, track and locate items quickly, book drop support at any time, easier circulation, promote self-check-in check-out activities, etc. This study identifies the challenges in libraries of Bangladesh which are lack of adequate funding, unavailability of RFID accessories, lack of skilled manpower, unwillingness, erratic power supply, etc. Also, it suggests some suitable ways such as creating positive impression and attitudes, arrangement of proper training, appointment of skilled manpower and allocation of sufficient budget to overcome the existing challenges of RFID.
Originality/value
The study describes the benefits of RFID technology for libraries, and some recommendations are proposed for extensive use of this technology.
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Ashok Ashta, Peter John Stokes, Simon M. Smith and Paul Hughes
The purpose of this paper is to develop understanding of cross-cultural issues relating to the experience and implications of an elite grouping of Japanese CEOs customer value…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop understanding of cross-cultural issues relating to the experience and implications of an elite grouping of Japanese CEOs customer value orientations (CVOs) within Japanese firms operating in India. The paper underlines that there is a propensity for East-West comparisons and in contrast the argument contributes to the under-examined area of research on East Asian/South Asian comparative studies.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were employed to generate narratives that provided rich and novel insights into the lived experience of Japanese CEOs working in Indian contexts and in relation to CVO. An inductive framework was employed in order to develop a more in-depth understanding of Japanese CEO CVO in Indo-Japanese empirical settings.
Findings
The data analysis identified a number of shared themes that influence CVO practice in the Indo-Japanese context. The findings develop an awareness of cross-cultural management's (CCM) in relation to the under-explored area of the Indo-Japanese dyad.
Research limitations/implications
The paper develops CCM perspectives towards a more in-depth conceptualization of Japanese CEO perceptions on CVO practice in India. This is also of potential relevance to wider foreign investors not only Japanese businesses. The sample respondents – Japanese CEOS working in India – constitute a small and elite group. The lead author, having experience as a CEO of a Japanese firm was able to use convenience sampling to access this difficult to access group. In addition, also stemming from the convenience aspect, all the respondents were in the manufacturing sector. The study was deliberately targeted and narrowly focussed for this reason and does not claim automatic wide generalizability to other employee strata or industry; however, other sectors and employees may recognize resonance. This identified gap provides space for future studies in varying regional, national and sector contexts.
Practical implications
The paper identifies implications for CCM training and Indo-Japanese business organization design.
Social implications
Use and acceptance of the enhanced research paradigm could support diversity in research and knowledge production with implications for research, teaching and future policymakers.
Originality/value
The cross-cultural study is original in that it contributes to CCM literature by providing a rare Indo-Japanese (sic East Asian: South Asian) comparative study. It provides an uncommon granular appreciation of the interaction of these cultures in relation to CVO. In addition, it secures rare data from an elite Japanese CEOs of manufacturing sector businesses.
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Mohammed Rajik Khan and Atul Sonawane
This paper aims to present 3D finite element (FE) simulations of impact loading on a construction safety helmet over a headform to improve the ventilation slots profile in helmet…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present 3D finite element (FE) simulations of impact loading on a construction safety helmet over a headform to improve the ventilation slots profile in helmet design.
Design/methodology/approach
Impact response on headforms in three different studies considering ventilation slots of varied profiles and dimensions in helmets with rectangular elliptical and circular slots is compared and analysed. Head injury criteria (HIC) and safety regulations from past literature have been considered to evaluate the impact responses.
Findings
Simulation results show that a helmet with rectangular ventilation slots achieves a lowest peak impact force of 5941.3 N for a slot area of 170 mm2 as compared to elliptical and circular slots.
Research limitations/implications
Ventilation slots of simple geometry (rectangular, elliptical and circular) have been considered in this work. Other/complex geometry slots can also be chosen to predict its effect during impact response on a helmet–headform model. Biofidelic head–neck FE model can be developed to achieve precise results.
Practical implications
The presented work gives a clear idea to design engineers for the selection of ventilation slot profiles to design a construction safety helmet.
Social implications
Construction safety (CS) helmets are used to reduce injuries on heads of workers at construction sites in the event of free-falling objects. Rectangular ventilation slots in CS helmets as suggested in the work may reduce the risk of injury.
Originality/value
Results are found in good agreement with the past numerical simulation of impact response on a construction safety helmet over a validated biofidelic head FE model.