Information was obtained in interviews with Richard Nagel in Winter/Spring 2022. This information was supplemented by material from secondary sources. The only information that…
Abstract
Research methodology
Information was obtained in interviews with Richard Nagel in Winter/Spring 2022. This information was supplemented by material from secondary sources. The only information that was disguised were the real names for Bob Crater, Tim Landy, Jane Tolley and Mary Nagel.
The case was classroom tested in Summer 2022. The responses from students helped to shape the writing of the case.
Case overview/synopsis
Richard Nagel, the owner of the RE/MAX Elite real estate agency in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, has just learned that one of his agents, Tim Landy, quit and left the industry. Tim was a young real estate agent and Richard had spent considerable time training him. Tim was motivated and he worked hard to prospect for business, but he showed that he was experiencing difficulty closing on his sales. Richard decided to recommend that Tim work with another agent, Bob Crater, as Bob was an experienced salesman but was not doing the up-front prospecting that Tim was doing. Richard suggested two different strategies to the two agents – a pairing up arrangement and peer-to-peer learning. The outcome that Richard envisioned was that both of the struggling salesmen would benefit from either of these strategies, but Bob refused to collaborate.
Tim’s quitting was characteristic of an ongoing problem with employee retention that Richard had been experiencing as a manager in recent years. This problem caused Richard to think about how he recruited his real estate agents, how he developed them through coaching and how he motivated them so that they would stay happy in their job and not leave. He recognized the importance of thoroughly examining his retention strategy within the next 12 months so that he could better manage the problem and strengthen the productivity of his real estate agency.
Complexity academic level
The case is intended for an undergraduate course in human resources management, as it deals directly with recruiting, coaching and retaining employees.
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The case is presented by a senior marketing major (Tim), who did a business internship in the new products area of a fictitious consumer package goods firm. The case is presented…
Abstract
The case is presented by a senior marketing major (Tim), who did a business internship in the new products area of a fictitious consumer package goods firm. The case is presented as a journal Tim kept while interning. It is based on the author’s own journal, kept while working as a business professor intern in a firm similar to that in the case. Although names have been disguised, most of the activities, practices and problems described in the case are based on the author’s internship experience. Tim is simultaneously involved in two major new product projects. First is the early exploratory research done for new vegetable‐based food products. Second is a snack product which is ready to be moved from a controlled store test to test markets. Tim is also involved in other activities: a new business committee meeting, an industry forum, and a strategic plans presentation meeting. Tim works fairly closely with the new products manager, people in other areas of the firm such as marketing research and research and development, as well as with the firm’s ad agency. The case also describes informational interviews Tim conducted with various functional managers in the company involved with new products, and it gives students a feel for all of the nitty gritty implementation details involved in new product work.
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Ann Martin-Sardesai, James Guthrie and Basil P. Tucker
This paper explores the impact of contemporary calculative practices, termed “accountingisation”, on Australian accounting academics' values. Also, it seeks to understand the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores the impact of contemporary calculative practices, termed “accountingisation”, on Australian accounting academics' values. Also, it seeks to understand the rationale underlying the development of various university performance measurement systems (PMSs), and their implementation and evaluation.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach uses accounting academics' responses to an online survey and also semi-structured interviews with senior research-related leaders in a group of Australian universities. This is supplemented by document analysis. A narrative story-telling approach explores and presents the combined data observations, over the period 2010–2018, of two characters: a “typical” accounting academic and a “typical” vice-chancellor.
Findings
The study contributes to the literature on PMSs in understanding “accountingisation”, the rationale behind the development, implementation and evaluation of performance metrics by senior management and its impact on accounting academics. It juxtaposes and unpacks the complexities and nuances of PMSs and provides empirical evidence by highlighting the perceptions of both the Australian accounting academics and senior university management. The findings demonstrate a level of discontent among accounting academics in reconciling the expectations of increased “accountingisation” within university PMSs. These are juxtaposed against the views of senior university leaders who are influential in determining PMSs.
Originality/value
This paper is novel in considering the implications of “accountingisation” in a contemporary setting, focusing on accounting academics, values and individual PMSs within business schools.
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Karl Wennberg and Henrik Berglund
This chapter takes a closer look at how social networks can affect the early development of new ventures. The dynamic role of social networks is discussed and exemplified by two…
Abstract
This chapter takes a closer look at how social networks can affect the early development of new ventures. The dynamic role of social networks is discussed and exemplified by two longitudinal cases that illustrate the radically different ways in which social networks can influence venture development. These differences relate to social or individual ownership of the innovation process, to risks or opportunities as the focus of attention, and to the creative relationship between networking and financial bootstrapping techniques.
Thijs Waardenburg, Niels van Huizen, Jelle van Dijk, Koen Dortmans, Maurice Magnée, Wouter Staal, Jan-Pieter Teunisse and Mascha van der Voort
This article describes the development and initial experiences of Design Your Life, a new design approach implementing user-initiated design of technological environments that…
Abstract
Purpose
This article describes the development and initial experiences of Design Your Life, a new design approach implementing user-initiated design of technological environments that support autistic young adults to live independently.
Design/methodology/approach
This article makes use of a phenomenological Research-through-Design approach. Investigation of possible ways in which a set of four guiding principles could be applied into a design toolkit for autistic young adults and their caregivers by means of three design case studies was conducted. Promising methods from the design practice and literature were applied and contrasted with the lived experiences and practical contexts of autistic young adults and their caregivers.
Findings
This exploratory research yielded several important insights for the design direction of Design Your Life. Reflecting on how the guiding principles played out in practice it was noted that: the case studies showed that stakeholders appreciate the approach. The design principles applied cannot be used without the help of a sparring partner. This suggests that caregivers may be trained in design-thinking to fulfil this role. The Design Your Life method will be iteratively developed, refined and validated in practice.
Originality/value
The presented approach puts design tools in the hands of the people who will use the technology. Furthermore, the approach sees technologies as empowering interventions by which a person can strengthen their own living environment. According to this article, this approach is new for this application. It provides valuable perspectives and considerations for autistic people, caregivers, researchers and policy makers.
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The study of Malcolm Tims, principal at Boobook Primary School, is one example of the descriptive case studies written for ten primary school principals in one N.S.W…
Abstract
The study of Malcolm Tims, principal at Boobook Primary School, is one example of the descriptive case studies written for ten primary school principals in one N.S.W. Inspectorate. The Stephens Tissue Perfusion Monitor was used as a physiological device to monitor the levels of stress. A plethysmograph worn by the principal and connected to a small transmitter relayed signals to a receiver connected to the Tissue Perfusion Monitor. As stress levels increased, the amount of blood flowing to the tissues decreased and this was shown on the meter and numerically represented as the Tissue Perfusion Index (TPI). As stress levels decreased the TPI levels rose. Each principal was observed for several days and detailed notes were made of the various factors that caused the stress levels to vary. Changes of staff, conflicting values, attitudes and behaviours in teachers and executive staff, staff meetings and poor performance of ancillary staff were common stressors. Recalcitrant pupils, dissatisfied parents, and dealings with other officials, curriculum and policy changes, problems with school buildings and equipment (including break‐and‐enters), work overload and time pressures were also significant stressors. Principals' days seemed to be characterised by a large number of “hassles” and “uplifts”, with intervening periods of either heavy of severe stress or periods of relative calm. Stress levels were found to decrease when positive and beneficial events occurred. The study was able to determine 14 categories of such “uplifts”. Positive support, a “challenge” mentality, confidence, a higher locus of control, as well as individual application of techniques for relaxation, appeared to assist principals in lowering stress levels.
Fleur Honey and Tim Olds
The purpose of this paper is to compare the three‐dimensional (3D) shapes of a sample of 18‐30 year old Australian women, to the 3D shapes assumed by the Standards Australia (SA…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare the three‐dimensional (3D) shapes of a sample of 18‐30 year old Australian women, to the 3D shapes assumed by the Standards Australia (SA) garment sizing system, using the newly developed L‐statistic, to suggest methods of improving current garment sizing systems.
Design/methodology/approach
The L‐statistic is a new method for quantifying the lack of fit between two sets of dimensions defining 3D shapes. Using the L‐value, 28 measurements were calculated from 3D scans on 294 18‐30 year old Australian women and compared to the SA sizing system. Each participant was assigned to a best‐fit size, which was the size yielding the lowest L‐value.
Findings
The results showed that there is a significant mismatch between the real 3D shapes of young Australian women and the shapes assumed by the SA sizing system, and that there is a difference of more than two sizes when comparing reported dress sizes and best‐fit clothing sizes.
Practical implications
Results suggest a need for revision of the current system, or development of a new system. Revision of current clothing sizes, or development of new sizes would be optimised by using 3D body scanning technology.
Originality/value
This paper outlines the use of the L‐statistic, a new method of comparing the shape of Australian women to the SA sizing system. The L‐statistic can also be used to compare any individual to any sizing system and to assess the lack‐of‐fit between any sizing system and a sample of scanned bodies.
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Li‐Min Chuang and Brian H. Kleiner
Looks at the extent and consequences of sexual harassment in US schools. Points out that sexual harassment can occur at a young age and can happen to pupils of either gender…
Abstract
Looks at the extent and consequences of sexual harassment in US schools. Points out that sexual harassment can occur at a young age and can happen to pupils of either gender. Reports a 1993 survey which indicates the level of sexual harassment taking place within US schools, the circumstances in which it happens, and the form that it takes. Underlines the conclusion that it is widespread and harmful to pupils. Sets out the impact that the harassment has on those being harassed, discussing how it affects self‐esteem and school work. Outlines the schools’ legal duties to act to prevent sexual harassment, pointing out that recent court decisions could mean that schools without effective policies are open to litigation. Briefly, suggests ways in which schools could tackle sexual harassment.
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The Jurassic Park film franchise offers a complex portrayal of gender issues within a long-running science fiction action series, although not one without problematic moments…
Abstract
The Jurassic Park film franchise offers a complex portrayal of gender issues within a long-running science fiction action series, although not one without problematic moments. This chapter examines selected examples from the series to explore this complex picture. These include moments in the series that display female characters such as Ellie Sattler, Sarah Harding and Claire Dearing with power and agency and the top of their respective professions, noting that Jurassic Park is unusual among science fiction films for its presentation of such accomplished female characters. The chapter also addresses the sexualisation of the character Ian Malcolm and the role of the more typical ‘action star’ from later films, Owen Grady. Finally, it considers the question of sex-selection for the non-human characters, namely the dinosaurs, as significant plot points advance upon the premise that the entire dinosaur population in the series consists of non-breeding females, a fact that is later shown to be untrue. The chapter addresses each of these examples through key issues relating to the production, presentation, and violation of the human and non-human living body across the full Jurassic Park series.