The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of dilemmas that emerge at the theoretical and practical interfaces of ethnographic fieldwork and feminist advocacy. This is…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of dilemmas that emerge at the theoretical and practical interfaces of ethnographic fieldwork and feminist advocacy. This is done by examining the researcher’s role in the field and the complex relationships between the researcher and the researched.
Design/methodology/approach
Critical self-reflections and autoethnographic analyses of fieldwork experiences in the author’s home country in South Asia are used to explore these dilemmas.
Findings
Using situated examples from a typical organisational setting involving both the oppressive and the oppressed, the researcher’s participant observation is found to be conflicted between critical participation and critical observation. Conscious and/or unconscious critical participation through enactment of feminist ethics by combining researcher and advocacy roles allows a route to assuage these conflicts. Practical strategies used to accomplish this are also discussed.
Research limitations/implications
Although the practical strategies discussed in this paper are culturally and organisationally specific and hence limited by them, it is hoped that suitable variants will emerge for readers from their discussion. Further research is needed to investigate the variety of ways in which the researcher-advocate positionality proposed in this paper can be strategically adopted conditional on cultural and organisational contexts, feminist research questions, and researchers’ abilities and constraints.
Practical implications
This paper seeks to shed light on the dilemmas of feminist ethics faced by critical feminist researchers conducting ethnographic fieldwork. It also discusses ways to enable researchers to circumvent these dilemmas in both epistemologically productive ways by collecting rich data and in ontologically enriching ways by allowing some enactment of feminist ethics. To this end, a positionality of the feminist researcher-advocate is conceptualised that does not enforce constraints of extreme positionalities of either a conventional ethnographer or an action researcher.
Social implications
Besides illustrating the need to stretch beyond traditional boundaries of participant observation, the researcher-advocate positionality also allows feminist researchers to make small, but directly tangible impact towards gender equality in their field setting. Implications for researchers’ emotional, and cognitive safety are also discussed especially when they identify with one or more minority identities.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to discussions on the theory of methods by highlighting the benefits of enacting feminist ethics as a way of critical participation in research settings.
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Mst Tania Parvin, Regina Birner and Ashrafun Nahar
The purpose of this study is to empirically estimate the impact of a government microcredit program on the handloom weavers to promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to empirically estimate the impact of a government microcredit program on the handloom weavers to promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from 311 handloom weavers from the Sirajganj District of Bangladesh from July to December 2015 using a multistage sampling technique. The analysis was conducted using a two-stage least squares regression model incorporating instrumental variables to control for the probable endogeneity problem associated with the study.
Findings
This study finds that government microcredit had no significant impact on borrowers' investment in their business, whereas credit received from multiple sources other than government credit had a significant negative impact. Additionally, literacy level, household assets and the number of operational handloom units positively affected investment, while the number of non-operational handloom units and distance negatively affected the investment.
Research limitations/implications
This study's findings are more specific for the selected case and may not be generalizable to all kinds of SMEs.
Practical implications
The policy implications are targeted at increasing loan size based on the number of operational handloom units to improve the performance of government and other microcredit programs to facilitate the growth of SMEs in Bangladesh.
Originality/value
This study specifically focuses on estimating the financial performance of government microcredit programs for SME development within the handloom industry, which has not been sufficiently explored in the literature.
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Tania Barboza and Angela Da Rocha
This study aims to investigate whether firms involved in a major corruption scandal, with broad ramifications across several emerging and advanced markets, design the content of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate whether firms involved in a major corruption scandal, with broad ramifications across several emerging and advanced markets, design the content of their corporate codes of conduct to either improve corporate ethical standards and practices or merely manipulate the impression of stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts an impression management perspective. It uses content analysis techniques to examine the codes of conduct adopted by seven Brazilian engineering and construction multinationals accused of corruption. The analysis covered five major themes: (1) forms of corruption, (2) values or principles, (3) interested parties, (4) procedures and routines and (5) punitive action.
Findings
The study provides detailed evidence that the codes of conduct adopted by these firms are mere artifices that aimed at meeting legal requirements but do not target the relevant corporate audience involved in grand corruption. At best, such a code may impede petty and bureaucratic corruption.
Originality/value
This research contributes to improving the understanding of how Latin American multinationals adopted codes of conduct after a major scandal and how they failed—at least to some extent—to design codes complying with established corporate governance principles. It shows that management manipulated the impression of stakeholders by selectively adopting or omitting certain terms, examining or concealing various issues and addressing mainly petty crimes rather than grand corruption. It also identifies areas where Western ethical values conflict with established practices and cultural norms in Latin America.
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Manuel Sardinha, Luís Ferreira, Hermínio Diogo, Tânia R.P. Ramos, Luís Reis and M. Fátima Vaz
This study aims to investigate the tensile strength and compressive behaviour of two thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filaments produced via material extrusion (ME): TPU 95A and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the tensile strength and compressive behaviour of two thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filaments produced via material extrusion (ME): TPU 95A and Reciflex (recycled).
Design/methodology/approach
Tensile strength and compressive behaviour are assessed. The influence of extrusion temperature and infill pattern on these properties is examined, supported by thermal characterization, surface morphology analyses and a comprehensive comparison with existing literature. An analytical method is presented for estimating the solid ratio of ME parts, using an ellipse model to describe the material bead geometry.
Findings
Reciflex is generally stiffer than TPU 95A in both tensile and compressive tests. Specimens loaded orthogonally in compression tests exhibited stiffer behaviour than those loaded parallelly, and higher tensile properties were typically observed when material beads were deposited parallel to the load direction. Unlike TPU 95A, Reciflex is sensitive to extrusion temperature variations.
Social implications
By comparing recycled and virgin TPU filaments, this research addresses waste management concerns and advocates for environmentally sustainable production practices in the broadly used filament/based ME technique.
Originality/value
This study provides an extensive comparison of computed values with existing literature, offering insights into how different materials may behave under similar processing conditions. Given ongoing challenges in controlling melt flow during extrusion, these results may offer insights for optimizing the production of ME parts made with thermoplastic elastomers.
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Tânia Ferraro and Ana Cristina de Oliveira Lott
The present study aims to present the adaptation and validation of the empowering leadership questionnaire (ELQ) for a sample of Brazilian workers (N = 827).
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to present the adaptation and validation of the empowering leadership questionnaire (ELQ) for a sample of Brazilian workers (N = 827).
Design/methodology/approach
The procedures of items translation, adaptation and back-translation of the original instrument were carried out. Data collection was performed using the snowball method. Data were evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
The results showed that the factor structure was maintained as in the portuguese (from Portugal) and English versions (original). Convergent validity was tested using the ethical leadership at work questionnaire (ELW). The analyses showed that the measure has good psychometric qualities, reliability indices and convergent validity results with the ELW.
Research limitations/implications
The ELQ can still be used to identify the presence of empowering leadership (diagnostic phase) and contribute to proposing organizational interventions that lead to healthier and more productive work environments. Its convergent validity with ethical leadership suggests that managers can apply both (empowering and ethical leadership complementarily) to create quality interactions between leaders and team members that increase workers’ autonomy and allow them to respond promptly to organizational challenges.
Originality/value
Using the ELQ can represent an important tool for the theoretical and practical development of studies of empowering leadership with Brazilian samples.
Propósito
El presente estudio tiene como objetivo presentar la adaptación y validación del Cuestionario de Liderazgo Empoderador (CLE) para una muestra de trabajadores brasileños (N = 827).
Diseño/Metodología/Enfoque
Se realizaron procedimientos de traducción de ítems, adaptación y retrotraducción del instrumento original. La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo mediante el método de bola de nieve. Los datos se evaluaron con el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC).
Hallazgos
Los resultados mostraron que la estructura factorial se mantuvo como en las versiones en Portugal e inglés (original). La validez convergente se probó utilizando el Cuestionario de Liderazgo Ético en el Trabajo (CLET). Los análisis realizados mostraron que la medida tiene buenas cualidades psicométricas, buenos índices de confiabilidad y buenos resultados de validez convergente con el CLET.
Originalidad/valor
El uso del CLE puede representar una herramienta importante para el desarrollo teórico y práctico de estudios de liderazgo empoderador con muestras brasileñas.
Implicaciones de la investigación
El CLE aún puede ser utilizado para identificar la presencia de liderazgo empoderador (fase de diagnóstico) y contribuir a proponer intervenciones que conduzcan a la creación de entornos de trabajo más saludables y productivos. Su validez convergente con el liderazgo ético sugiere que los gerentes pueden aplicar ambos tipos de liderazgo, complementarmente, para crear interacciones de calidad entre líderes y miembros del equipo que aumenten la autonomía de los trabajadores y les permitan responder con prontitud a los desafíos organizacionales.
Objetivo
O presente estudo tem o objetivo de apresentar a adaptação e validação do Questionário de Liderança Empoderadora (QLE) para uma amostra de trabalhadores brasileiros (N = 827).
Design/método/abordagem
Foram realizados os procedimentos de tradução, adaptação e retroversão dos itens do instrumento original. A recolha de dados foi realizada utilizando o método bola de neve. Os dados foram avaliados com a Análise Fatorial Confirmatória (AFC).
Resultados
Os resultados mostraram que a estrutura fatorial se manteve como nas versóes portuguesa e inglesa (original). A validade convergente foi testada com a aplicação do Questionário de Liderança Ética no Trabalho (QLET). As análises realizadas mostraram que a medida possui boas qualidades psicométricas, bons índices de confiabilidade e bons resultados de validade convergente com o QLET.
Originalidade/valor
A utilização do QLE pode representar uma importante ferramenta para o desenvolvimento teórico e prático dos estudos da liderança empoderadora com amostras brasileiras.
Implicações da pesquisa
O QLE ainda pode ser utilizado para identificar a presença da liderança empoderadora (fase diagnóstica) e contribuir para proposição de intervenções que levem a criação de ambientes de trabalho mais saudáveis e produtivos. Sua validade convergente com a liderança ética sugere que os gestores podem aplicar os dois tipos de liderança, complementarmente, de modo a criar interações de qualidade entre líderes e liderados que aumentem a autonomia dos trabalhadores e permitam que respondam prontamente aos desafios organizacionais.
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Donata Tania Vergura, Cristina Zerbini, Beatrice Luceri and Rosa Palladino
The research carried out a bibliometric analysis of the literature on environmental sustainability from a demand perspective by analyzing the scientific contributions published in…
Abstract
Purpose
The research carried out a bibliometric analysis of the literature on environmental sustainability from a demand perspective by analyzing the scientific contributions published in the last twenty years.
Design/methodology/approach
A bibliometric analysis was carried out to outline the scientific studies development, identifying the most discussed topics and those that would require future research. In total, 274 articles published between 1999 and 2021 were collected through the Web of Science database and analyzed with the SciMAT software.
Findings
By systematizing the literature results, the study revealed a steady growth in the number of publications and in the research areas, highlighting a substantial evolution of the research topic.
Research limitations/implications
The study contribute for conceptual, methodological and thematic development of the topic, systematizing the results of existing studies and providing useful indications for the promotion of sustainable consumer habits.
Originality/value
The study attempts to bridge the gap in current literature by offering a holistic view on the role of consumer behavior in pursuing sustainability goals, identifying both the most treated areas and the emerging ones that can represent opportunities for future research.
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Jane L.Y. Terpstra Tong, David A. Ralston, Olivier Furrer, Charlotte M. Karam, Carolyn Patricia Egri, Malika Richards, Marina Dabić, Emmanuelle Reynaud, Pingping Fu, Ian Palmer, Narasimhan Srinivasan, Maria Teresa de la Garza Carranza, Arif Butt, Jaime Ruiz-Gutiérrez, Chay Hoon Lee, Irina Naoumova, Yong-Lin Moon, Jose Pla-Barber, Mario Molteni, Min Hsu Kuo, Tania Casado, Yusuf M. Sidani, Audra Mockaitis, Laurie Milton, Luiza Zatorska, Beng Chia Ho, Modestas Gelbuda, Ruth Alas and Wade Danis
We examined the attitudes of millennial-aged business students toward economic, social and environmental corporate responsibility (CR). Currently, these individuals are of an age…
Abstract
Purpose
We examined the attitudes of millennial-aged business students toward economic, social and environmental corporate responsibility (CR). Currently, these individuals are of an age that they have entered the workforce and are now ascending or have ascended into roles of leadership in which they have decision-making power that influences their company’s CR agenda and implementation. Thus, following the ecological systems perspective, we tested both the macro influence of cultural values (survival/self-expression and traditional/secular-rational values) and structural forces (income inequality, welfare socialism and environmental vulnerability) on these individuals’ attitudes toward CR.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a multilevel study of 3,572 millennial-aged students from 28 Asian, American, Australasian and European societies. We analyzed the data collected in 2003–2009 using hierarchical linear modeling.
Findings
In our multilevel analyses, we found that survival/self-expression values were negatively related to economic CR and positively related to social CR while traditional/secular-rational values was negatively related to social CR. We also found that welfare socialism was positively related to environmental CR but negatively related to economic CR while environmental vulnerability was not related to any CR. Lastly, income equality was positively related to social CR but not economic or environment responsibilities. In sum, we found that both culture-based and structure-based macro factors, to varying extents, shape the attitudes of millennial-aged students on CR in our sample.
Originality/value
Our study is grounded in the ecological systems theory framework, combined with research on culture, politico-economics and environmental studies. This provides a multidisciplinary perspective for evaluating and investigating the impact that societal (macro-level) factors have on shaping attitudes toward businesses’ engagement in economic, social and environmental responsibility activities. Additionally, our multilevel research design allows for more precise findings compared to a single-level, country-by-country assessment.
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Ibrahim Nandom Yakubu, Ayhan Kapusuzoglu and Nildag Basak Ceylan
This study seeks to empirically examine the influence of corporate governance on corporate performance in Ghana.
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to empirically examine the influence of corporate governance on corporate performance in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs data from 30 listed firms spanning from 2008 to 2018 and applies the generalized method of moments technique. The authors use economic value added, shareholder value added (SVA) and economic margin (EM) as measures of corporate performance.
Findings
The findings reveal that the presence of both inside directors and outside (nonexecutive) directors significantly improves corporate performance, lending credence to both the stewardship theory and the agency theory. The inclusion of women on the corporate boards and frequent meetings of the board reduce the economic profits of firms. The authors find that CEO duality impedes corporate performance, supporting the presumption of the agency theory. The study further reveals that audit committee size and ownership concentration positively drive the performance of quoted firms in Ghana.
Originality/value
Prior studies on corporate governance and firm performance nexus have chiefly adopted traditional accounting-based performance measures such as return on assets and return on equity to evaluate firm performance. However, these indicators are critiqued for being historic and fail to consider firms' cost of equity. In light of the shortcomings of the accounting-based proxies, this study takes a unique direction by using value-based metrics, which are considered superior measures of performance. Besides, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this study provides a first attempt to investigate the link between corporate governance and firm performance using SVA and EM as performance indicators.
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Green investment funds are still imperative in clarifying the fundamental components of their relationship to sustainability. This study aims to investigate the impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
Green investment funds are still imperative in clarifying the fundamental components of their relationship to sustainability. This study aims to investigate the impact of different factors, such as green product design and innovation, green product entry barriers and green environmental awareness, on the success of green investment funds projects to finance environmentally friendly products. The research also investigates how green investment funds facilitate these factors to encourage environmentally sustainable business.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used a questionnaire to collect insights from 210 green entrepreneurs in Asia, Africa, Europe and America. The data were then investigated using statistical tools, such as quantitative analysis of green entrepreneur surveys collected from various industries. The relationship between green product design and innovation, barriers to entry, environmental awareness and green entrepreneurship performance was investigated using partial least squares structural equation modelling, with green investment funds as a mediator.
Findings
The results indicate that every construct/variable included in the study supported the success of the sustainable business. The observation was made that the development phase tends to diminish the positive relationship between the success of green investment funds and green product codesign strategies. Implementing green product design and innovation improves the success of a green firm. Also, the progress of such companies might be hindered by entry barriers, and corporate performance is improved by environmentalism. This study found the role of green investment funds in promoting product innovation and positive environmental outcomes while reducing barriers to entry.
Significance of the study
Given these results, this work provides a theoretical explanation. Also, it gives doable recommendations for more successful green investment funds of environmentally friendly goods. The analysis emphasises the need for green product innovation and investment funds to mitigate entry obstacles. Corporate entities, investors and lawmakers receive pragmatic guidance on sustainable business practices.
Originality/value
This research, unique because of its multidisciplinary methodology and theoretical advances, examines the relationship between business, finance and sustainability. It provides valuable insights for academics, professionals and decision-makers, enhancing the understanding of green investment and entrepreneurship and offering practical global sustainable economic growth strategies. This paper investigates the impact of green investment funds on product innovation, entry obstacles, environmental consciousness and the success of green entrepreneurs. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is one of the limited numbers that models these features, enhancing the precision of green project success information.
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Sergio Evangelista Silva, Luciana Paula Reis, June Marques Fernandes and Alana Deusilan Sester Pereira
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a multi-level framework for semantic modeling (MFSM) based on four signification levels: objects, classes of entities, instances and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a multi-level framework for semantic modeling (MFSM) based on four signification levels: objects, classes of entities, instances and domains. In addition, four fundamental propositions of the signification process underpin these levels, namely, classification, decomposition, instantiation and contextualization.
Design/methodology/approach
The deductive approach guided the design of this modeling framework. The authors empirically validated the MFSM in two ways. First, the authors identified the signification processes used in articles that deal with semantic modeling. The authors then applied the MFSM to model the semantic context of the literature about lean manufacturing, a field of management science.
Findings
The MFSM presents a highly consistent approach about the signification process, integrates the semantic modeling literature in a new and comprehensive view; and permits the modeling of any semantic context, thus facilitating the development of knowledge organization systems based on semantic search.
Research limitations/implications
The use of MFSM is manual and, thus, requires a considerable effort of the team that decides to model a semantic context. In this paper, the modeling was generated by specialists, and in the future should be applicated to lay users.
Practical implications
The MFSM opens up avenues to a new form of classification of documents, as well as for the development of tools based on the semantic search, and to investigate how users do their searches.
Social implications
The MFSM can be used to model archives semantically in public or private settings. In future, it can be incorporated to search engines for more efficient searches of users.
Originality/value
The MFSM provides a new and comprehensive approach about the elementary levels and activities in the process of signification. In addition, this new framework presents a new form to model semantically any context classifying its objects.