Susan Light, James Normile and Leonard Licht
To explain FINRA’s new 529 Plan Share Class Initiative, which encourages broker-dealers to self-report violations.
Abstract
Purpose
To explain FINRA’s new 529 Plan Share Class Initiative, which encourages broker-dealers to self-report violations.
Design/methodology/approach
This article provides an overview of 529 plans, the various fee structures of the underlying investment funds, and guidance that broker-dealers should tailor their recommendations to the needs of the individual customer. The article discusses FINRA’s initiative for broker-dealers to self-report if they have violations in this area. It describes various supervisory failures brokerage firms may experience in connection with recommending 529 plans, eligibility for the self-reporting initiative and benefits of self-reporting.
Findings
This FINRA initiative provides an opportunity for firms to reflect on their supervisory systems and provide restitution to harmed customers. It also provides relevant fee-based investment information to customers.
Practical implications
529 plans are valuable tax-advantaged tools to encourage saving for the future educational expenses of a designated beneficiary. If brokerage firms lack reasonable supervisory procedures to recommend appropriate investments based on the length of the investment horizon, this FINRA initiative provides a unique and limited opportunity for firms to assess their supervisory systems and procedures governing 529 Plan share-class recommendations, to identify and remediate any defects, and to compensate any investors harmed by supervisory failures, while possibly avoiding fines for such conduct.
Originality/value
Expert guidance from experienced financial services regulatory and public finance lawyers.
Details
Keywords
Paul J. Maginn, Susan Thompson and Matthew Tonts
This chapter, together with those that follow, builds upon the ideas presented in the previous volume in this series (Maginn, Thompson, & Tonts, 2008). There we outlined our…
Abstract
This chapter, together with those that follow, builds upon the ideas presented in the previous volume in this series (Maginn, Thompson, & Tonts, 2008). There we outlined our vision for a ‘pragmatic renaissance’ in contemporary qualitative research in urban studies. We argued that to survive as an effective and frequently used tool for policy development, a more systematic approach is needed in the way that qualitative-informed applied urban research is conceptualised and undertaken. In opening this volume we build on these initial ideas using housing as a meta-case study to progress the case for a systematic approach to qualitative research methods. We do this to both stimulate broad debate about the ways, in which qualitative research in urban/housing scholarship might be of greater use to policymakers and practitioners, as well as to suggest a way forward in realising the ‘pragmatic renaissance’.
EVERY profession evolves its own argot, adopting or inventing terms which the initiated understand and accept. Such precision saves time and avoids misinterpretation. In a…
Abstract
EVERY profession evolves its own argot, adopting or inventing terms which the initiated understand and accept. Such precision saves time and avoids misinterpretation. In a technical subject like time and motion study such a recognised vocabulary is specially desirable.
This study demonstrated that women EMBA graduates experience broadened perspectives. They “think more broadly”, “understand more comprehensively” and report the “life changing”…
Abstract
This study demonstrated that women EMBA graduates experience broadened perspectives. They “think more broadly”, “understand more comprehensively” and report the “life changing” outcomes expected by their sponsoring organizations. The focus was on the development of women managers from specialist perspectives to a more integrated generalist perspective. Personal development, and career development literatures provided the theoretical basis for this study. Data were collected using invited essays, and semi‐structured interviews. Evidence of change appeared in the essays and the interviews. The essays indicated graduates experienced increased confidence, cognitive flexibility, and broadened perspectives. The interviews indicated: greater self‐determination, more flexible approaches to roles, greater value of self and time, more process‐oriented, increased understanding of self and others, the meaning of success was competence, and that competence was valued over political gamesmanship.
Details
Keywords
Higher Education (HE) is spinning. The systematic erosion of our academic freedom, (Docherty, 2012) means that the authors of this chapter no longer know how to navigate what is…
Abstract
Higher Education (HE) is spinning. The systematic erosion of our academic freedom, (Docherty, 2012) means that the authors of this chapter no longer know how to navigate what is on the horizon. The neoliberal agenda now driving HE is threatening how we work via, ‘a quiet ruination and decay of academic freedom’ (Docherty, 2012, p. 47). This chapter offers an autoethnography of a collaborative creative project that engaged the authors in dialogues about the effects of neoliberalism on how they teach, work, live and where they compare working in HE to hula-hooping as both demand relentless movement and activity to prevent everything from collapsing. Our story offers ideas for valuing time and space in our academic lives that are playful, creative, bonding, and suggest that by mastering hula-hooping, we have enjoyed a renewed sense of confidence with academic work and academic life.
We employ a range of styles of writing that seek to engage the reader with reflection on their own experiences. Guiding questions for any reader might be, but are by no means restricted to:
What are the effects of neoliberalism on how we work?
How much time do we give for creative play and risk-taking?
What creative methods can we adopt and develop in order to preserve our academic freedom?
How can we navigate the HE landscape effectively without succumbing to neoliberal pressures and shifts?
How can we value human experiences in academic work and in academic life?
Details
Keywords
Beck discusses the need to improve library and information services for the deaf community. The technological support available to libraries to serve the deaf is identified and…
Abstract
Beck discusses the need to improve library and information services for the deaf community. The technological support available to libraries to serve the deaf is identified and described. Turnkey systems are found to be lacking in applications devoted to those who cannot hear or who are hard of hearing. Other technologies, like captioned videos, TDDs, and assistive listening systems, are examined for levels of service and excellence as well as cost. Examples of technology in transition and for the future are offered, along with experiments on speech and sound. These include inner ear implants, the “data glove” experiments, and tactile translators. Technological conflicts that may arise due to one person having multiple disabilities are presented with a discussion on the prevention of dangerous or difficult situations. Possible difficulties and ways to handle opposing technologies are examined briefly. Appropriate sections of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Guidelines are grouped with the technologies that aid compliance. Additional laws are mentioned where their inclusion is appropriate. Suggested guidelines for serving the deaf/disabled community are offered for librarians working in all library types.
Susan D. Sampson, Bonita Lynn Betters-Reed and Tessa G. Misiaszek
The case is set in the Fall of 2008 as Susan Schor, Chief Culture Officer, at EILEEN FISHER Inc. is meeting with the other two members of the Facilitating Leader Team, Jim…
Abstract
Synopsis
The case is set in the Fall of 2008 as Susan Schor, Chief Culture Officer, at EILEEN FISHER Inc. is meeting with the other two members of the Facilitating Leader Team, Jim Gundell, Vice President of Retail and e-Commerce and Jonci Coukier, Vice President of Design and Merchandising Processes, as well as founder, Eileen Fisher. Faced with significant projected financial loss in 2009, Susan reflected on the evolution of the company as influenced by her perspective with her organizational behavior expertise and collaborative leadership that embraced a values-based culture. Stories, voices and structures are examined in this retrospective view as Dr Schor sets the stage for how this example of best practice leadership will tackle the challenge at hand.
Research methodology
The research for this case was conducted over an 18-month period with over 40 interviews, extensive observation of the various teams at EILEEN FISHER Inc., and review of corporate communications, publications and other secondary sources. This case focuses on stories and voices that explain the unique leadership of EILEEN FISHER. The use of extensive quotes allows for an authentic “hearing” of the experiences and values as well as allowing the students to better understand the nature of qualitative data. Some of the discussion questions are posed as experiential exercises as this method allows the students to better relate to understand and apply values concepts.
Relevant courses and levels
Graduate and undergraduate organizational behavior, leadership, retail management and ethics.
Details
Keywords
Barbara Probst and John Bucholtz
Thematic coding is a common form of qualitative analysis, yet identification of “codes” can limit understanding by directing the researcher to formulated categories rather than…
Abstract
Purpose
Thematic coding is a common form of qualitative analysis, yet identification of “codes” can limit understanding by directing the researcher to formulated categories rather than inviting exploration of what else the data may be trying to convey. Since categorization is an essential component of language and can scarcely be avoided, the purpose of this paper is to propose a polyphonic approach as a way to add texture and nuance. In polyphonic coding, text is coded several times along various dimensions of interest; these independently coded versions are then superimposed to identify patterns and relationships, allowing a multi-lensed view of the data as both forest and trees.
Design/methodology/approach
Polyphonic coding is applied to a specific interview in order to illustrate how the method can be utilized in a three-step process: in vivo coding from several independent perspectives (role, relational movement, and vocal mannerism), merging the perspectives, and “plugging in” to theory.
Findings
Polyphonic coding reveals relationships among the perspectives that point to an over-arching theme (in the example used) of a struggle for control.
Research limitations/implications
This approach offers a way to code verbal, tonal, and somatic data as a means of understanding the construction and negotiation of identity in the relational context of qualitative research.
Practical implications
This approach promotes a flexible, expanded use of data analysis software.
Originality/value
The metaphor of a musical motet is used to describe a multi-faceted approach to qualitative analysis that can help to mitigate some of the pitfalls of typical thematic coding.
Details
Keywords
Susan Elizabeth Taylor, Susan Balandin, Erin Wilson and Kevin Murfitt
The purpose of this paper is to review published research on retail customer service communication with people with complex communication needs (CCN) and impacts on their social…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review published research on retail customer service communication with people with complex communication needs (CCN) and impacts on their social inclusion.
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers searched electronic databases EBSCOHost and Web of Science and found no studies on retail customers with CCN. The search was expanded with the intention of exploring factors affecting people with disability as a group and to locate the experience of people with CCN within findings. Studies found were reviewed by the first author and two external reviewers.
Findings
Twelve articles met the broadened inclusion criteria. Analysis using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) found the literature demonstrated some environmental and personal factors that are likely to construct disability in the retail environment for people with CCN. The authors proposed further research to further explore ICF factors not identified in research and to establish links with social inclusion.
Research limitations/implications
Further research is needed to understand the role of retail customer service communication in the social inclusion of people with CCN.
Social implications
The social inclusion of people with CCN will be assisted by findings on good practice customer service communication.
Originality/value
Shopping is rarely considered in social inclusion research. This review discovered an absence of research into the impact of retail customer communication on inclusion of customers with CCN and proposed a framework for further enquiry.