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Examining the Gender Pay Discrepancy in Ireland in Comparison to Sweden
No full textThis dissertation presents a comparative analysis of the gender wage gap in Ireland and Sweden, two countries with distinct approaches to gender equality and economic policy. Despite the fact that both countries have made significant strides towards advancing gender equality, there are still differences in the wages of men and women. This research looks at the structural, cultural, and policy-related elements that contribute to the gender wage gap while also analysing the historical and modern contexts of religion, corporate governance, legislation and economic benefits in each nation. Part-time work, career interruptions, and occupational segregation all have an impact on the wage difference in Ireland. The gender wage gap in Ireland is a result of a number of factors, including occupational segregation where women are primarily employed in lower-paying industries with higher rates of part-time work among women, and career interruptions primarily caused by caregiving responsibilities. A salary inequality that has been hard to close despite legislative and legislative efforts is the result of these problems, which have been made worse by persistent gender biases and a delayed adoption of progressive gender laws. In order to address these discrepancies, legislative measures have been introduced, such as the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, which prohibit gender discrimination and require pay transparency. However, persistent gender biases and the delayed adoption of work-life balance promoting regulations have restricted the effectiveness of these pieces of legislation. However, on the other hand, greater emphasis on gender equality in the workplace, more generous parental leave legislation, and a larger percentage of female labour market involvement are all thought to be contributing factors to Sweden's reduced wage difference. This paper illustrates the effects of differences in legislative frameworks and cultural attitudes on gender wage gaps by drawing comparisons between both of these countries. Further, the findings provide insightful information for policymakers seeking to achieve greater economic fairness by highlighting the significance of comprehensive and context-specific methods to overcome the gender wage gap. Sweden, on the other hand, which is well-known for its progressive laws towards gender equality, has a smaller gender salary difference. Strong anti-discrimination legislation, comprehensive parental leave programs, and childcare subsidies are just a few of the measures in Sweden that encourage more women to enter the labour sector and continue their careers. Sweden's smaller salary gap is also partly explained by its deliberate efforts to decrease occupational segregation and its emphasis on encouraging equal representation of women in leadership posts. Furthermore, proposals for reform have been included in order to find ways to combat this issue. This research looks at both sides of the coin in order to provide accurate findings
Psychological Contract Factors in Labour Relations In Case of LM in Saint Petersburg
Get PDFThis dissertation is aimed at critical evaluation of the key enabling factors and barriers that impact psychological contract fulfilment of LM employees in Saint Petersburg. Such purpose is reached due to comparison of our primary research findings with the secondary data results.
The primary research encompasses 13 semi-structured interviews, including 4 interviews with managers and 9 interviews with Gen Z employees.
We infer that classification of psychological contract types suggested in the literature (relational, transactional, balanced, ideologically charged contracts) is applicable for examination of the employee’s engagement, but insufficient to comprise special employee’s expectations toward the company. Therefore, within the primary research we found four special employees’ expectations, each of which form particular psychological contract type as the employee is ready to give something in return for meeting his/her expectation by the company: expectation regarding team composition; expectation regarding schedule flexibility; expectation regarding promotion opportunity inside of the company or support in such opportunity outside of the company; expectation regarding technical characteristics of the workplace. The research findings provide critical evaluation of appropriate leadership styles that impact psychological contract fulfilment. At the same time, the leadership style, as well as the types of leader’s behavior, which act as the key barriers for psychological contract fulfilment, are also evaluated.
Overall, we conclude that the key enabling factors that impact psychological contract fulfilment are the following: definite material and non-material factors, which impact Gen Z employees’ engagement; satisfied employees’ expectations, which form definite psychological contract type; appropriate leadership styles, which are able to align employees’ expectations with the company’s expectations, ensuing from the company culture and strategy. The key barriers that negatively impact the psychological contract fulfilment of LM employees in Saint Petersburg are the following: unmet or only somewhat met employees’ expectations; inappropriate leadership style, as well as the types of leader’s behavior that were revealed in details; some other conditions that would foster employee either to leave the job or to lower the effort, found within the primary research
An Analysis of Consumer Perception towards FinTech Adoption in Bangalore: The Impact of Demonetization on Payment Services with a focus on Google Pay
Get PDFThe study "An Analysis of Consumer Perception Towards FinTech Adoption in Bangalore: The Impact of Demonetization on Payment Services with a Focus on Google Pay" aims to investigate the influence of demonetization on the adoption of FinTech solutions in India, specifically digital payment platforms like Google Pay. The research objectives include assessing the impact of demonetization, evaluating consumer perceptions and trust, comparing adoption trends between urban and rural areas, and identifying challenges and opportunities for FinTech growth. A quantitative approach was employed, surveying 102 participants aged 18 to 50 from both urban and rural areas of Bangalore. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between demonetization and FinTech adoption, with 64.7% of respondents showing increased usage of digital payment platforms post-demonetization. Trust in security measures and higher educational attainment were also positively correlated with FinTech adoption and recommendations. The study concludes that demonetization catalyzed FinTech growth, particularly in urban areas, while highlighting the need to address barriers in rural regions to foster broader digital financial inclusion
The Influence of Brand Personality on Customer Loyalty in the German Sports Apparel Industry
Get PDFThis study analyses the influence of brand personality on customer loyalty in the German sports apparel industry. An online survey with 237 participants was conducted as part of a quantitative research design. The analysis of the collected data showed that brand presence does not have a significant influence on customer loyalty. There is no great interest in including brand personality in the purchase decision and that there is an emotional connection with the brand. However, it is possible that brand personality plays an unconscious role. In addition, no significant demographic differences were found. The results suggest that brand personality plays a subordinate role in long-term customer loyalty, while functional attributes such as price and quality are of greater importance in the German sports apparel industr
Public Relations as an Effective Tool in Restoring Consumers Trust After Product Recalls: A Case Study of Samsung Note 7 2016 Recall
No full textEffective public relations strategies have a tremendous role to play in the event of a product recall. Public relations strategies such as addressing of press conferences, issuing of press statements, social media engagements, recall of the affected product(s) as well as replacement, and apologies, can determine if the confidence of the consumers will be restored or not. The focus of this dissertation was an evaluation of public relations as an effective tool in restoring consumers’ trust after product recalls, using the 2016 Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall incident as a case study. In specific terms, the research objectives were to: determine the extent to which Samsung used public relations strategies in the Note 7 recall in 2016; ascertain the types of public relations strategies used by Samsung in the Note 7 recall in 2016; and to find out the extent of social media engagements which Samsung had with consumers in the Note 7 recall in 2016, amongst others. The research designs were qualitative and quantitative content analyses and in-depth interview.
The instruments for collecting data from the social media were Octoparse and Twython, while a questionnaire was used as an interview guide for the in-depth interview. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used. Among the key findings of the research were that Samsung deployed several public relations strategies such as addressing of press conferences, issuing of press statements, engaging the consumers through the social media, and recalling the affected product and replacing it, amongst others. On the types of public relations strategies used by Samsung, the findings indicated that the company used media relations, crisis management, strategic communication, and consumer relations, among others.
In terms of the sentimental framing of social media comments and posts during the crisis, findings showed that a majority of the consumers’ responses were negative. The researcher made the following recommendation for practice, amongst others, that: apart from using in-house public relations personnel, Samsung, just like other conglomerates should have internationally-reputable public relations firms such as Edelman, Hill & Knowlton, Ogilvy & Mather, Brunswick, BCW, and Dentsu, among others, that can dispassionately look at the issues involved and tell the organisation where it went wrong. In-house personnel are usually the staff of an organisation, perhaps, may be a bit bias in their approach. These global PR firms have the capacity to handle global brands like Samsung
Factors Affecting the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Auditing in Vietnam
Get PDFThe advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has presented more opportunities for audit firms to improve their productivity and audit quality. Currently, all big 4 audit firms have implemented their AI-powered audit systems, however the acceptance and use of AI technologies in auditing are still limited, especially in Vietnam. Furthermore, few studies have explored the predictors of AI adoption in auditing in Vietnam. To address this research gap, this study proposes a conceptual research model developed by incorporating individual-level predictors (derived from the UTAUT model and status quo bias theory) and firm-level predictors (derived from the TOE framework) of technology acceptance and use. The factors affecting auditors’ intention to adopt AI include technological compatibility, training, competitive pressure, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, switching costs, colleague opinion, and facilitating conditions.
An online survey was conducted at audit firms based in Vietnam, including Big 4, non-Big, and local firms. 150 valid responses were collected and used to test all hypotheses. Results of the PLS-SEM analysis show that competitive pressure, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, colleague opinion, and facilitating conditions positively influence auditors’ AI adoption intention. On the other hand, switching costs are found to discourage AI adoption intention. It is also confirmed that technological compatibility and training both have positive effects on performance expectancy and effort expectancy. The data also supports the indirect positive effects of technological compatibility and training on AI adoption intention, which are mediated by performance expectancy and effort expectancy
The Relation Between Biophilic Design and Levels of Stress, Anxiety and Demotivation Among Employees in Office Environments in Feira De Santana, Brazil
Get PDFThis study investigates the relation between the presence of biophilic design and levels of stress, anxiety and demotivation among employees currently working in office environments, focusing on Feira de Santana, Brazil. With increasing global interest in biophilic design – an approach integrating natural elements into built environments – this research explores its relevance and effectiveness within a specific local context. The primary research question addressed is: "What is the relationship between the presence or absence of biophilic design in office environments and levels of stress, anxiety, and demotivation among employees in Feira de Santana, Brazil?"
A quantitative methodology was employed, using a structured questionnaire survey to collect data from 135 office workers, of whom 115 met the criteria for analysis. The survey assessed participants' experiences with biophilic design elements, their perceptions of stress, anxiety, and demotivation, and their overall evaluations of their office environment.
The findings revealed no consistent or strong correlation between biophilic design elements and reduced levels of stress, anxiety, or demotivation. Surprisingly, some offices with more natural elements were associated with higher levels of stress, which challenges existing literature that typically supports the positive impact of biophilic design on well-being. The study also found that employees in Feira de Santana had not reported a frequency of the highest levels of these emotional states, suggesting a more positive local context compared to global trends.
Despite the lack of direct correlation, employees expressed a preference for workplaces that include biophilic elements such as natural light and indoor plants. This indicates a general appreciation for these features, even if their impact on well-being is not immediately apparent.
The research highlights the importance of contextual factors in understanding the effects of biophilic design and suggests that future studies could benefit from a mixed-methods approach to provide deeper insights that are beyond, however, an extension of this paper. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering a localised perspective and identifying gaps in the research on the practical application of biophilic design in office setting
The Impact of Inventory Management Practices On Customer Satisfaction In Supermarkets
Get PDFThe respective research study has introduced the critical position of inventory
management within the retail sector, and particularly the supermarkets, where
satisfaction is usually associated with the availability of products and proper stock
control. The introduction has also delineated how appropriate inventory practices
play a pivotal role in competitive advantages and also in lessening operational
costs while the demands of the customer are able to be fulfilled in a timely
manner. The section of Review of Literature also covers available studies on
different strategies in managing inventories, such as JIT and EOQ, and the
application of advanced technologies, like EPOS. In particular, it accentuates the
shortcomings of literature; the scant numbers of comprehensive studies that
directly link inventory management practices to customer satisfaction but within
a supermarket context. This research study addresses these knowledge gaps in
helping understand better how supermarkets can use effective inventory
management to enhance customer satisfaction and operational improvement.
The following paper also discusses how inventory management practices affect
customers' satisfaction with supermarkets, and as such, it focuses on Tesco. A
mono-methods approach was used in this study, wherein quantitative surveys
were employed in data gathering for customers and staff of Tesco dealing with
inventory management. It was observed from the results that good practices of
inventory management, like an automated replenishment system and correct
demand forecasting, are positively correlated with high levels of customer
satisfaction. It can be gauged from the discussion that these practices reduce
stockouts, and improve product availability, and overall shopping experience,
thereby fostering customer loyalty. The study concludes that supermarkets have
to invest in advanced inventory management technologies and staff training
programs to maximize their stock control activities and meet customer
expectations. Predictive analytics can further be integrated with ongoing
replenishment systems to maintain optimal inventory levels and bottom-line
customer satisfaction continuously
The Protection of the Rights of Persons with Impairment in the NW and SWR of Cameroon: An Evaluation of the Legal Frameworks
No full textIn Cameroon, the level of discrimination accorded to people with impairments by those without impairments is alarming, which has called for concern. However, the protection of the socioeconomic and political rights of people with impairments is critically examined in this thesis. These rights are protected by several international, regional, and local legal frameworks. In addition, the numerous difficulties faced by this vulnerable population have worsened due to the ineffectiveness of the laws, which further reduces the level of protection that is granted to people with impairments in Cameroon and the North West and South Regions (NW and SWR) in particular. Moreover, this dissertation aims to evaluate the current legal protections for persons with impairment in Cameroon while examining how violation of their rights creates barriers that challenge their daily activities and make them appear vulnerable. In addition, the findings of this research reveal the negative attitude, that society has toward “Persons living with Disability” is because of the term ‘Disability’, judging from the definition drawn by the Social Model of Disability to mean “Inability”, which is why the public feels reluctant to safeguard the respect of their dignity. For this reason, the research proposes a more inclusive terminology (Impairment). A term that was commonly used by the Medical, Social, and scholars of Disability. This is why the research analyzed concrete distinctions between Impairment and Disability, treating them as separate concepts. This inclusive strategy will help transform people’s attitudes towards Persons who are living with temporal or permanent impairment and strengthen cordial relationships between impaired and non-impaired individuals. This will be a positive force to reduce discrimination, and stigmatization and enhance the integration of persons with impairments in various societal sectors. Thus, the thesis did employ both primary and secondary sources of information, with the use of textbooks, journal articles, case law, and legislation to provide a concrete analysis of the research
Unity in Play: Photographic Narratives of Diversity and Integration in Sports in Ireland
No full text"Unity in Play... “is a photographic project documenting the history of the Gaelic football team Columbus, made up mostly of immigrants. In a sport traditionally played by the Irish since school age, the Columbus team is challenging the norms and redefining the meaning of belonging and community within Gaelic football.
Through a collection of images, this book explores their training sessions as well as their participation in matches against other GAA schools.
As well as their diverse backgrounds, the images show their passion for learning more about Irish culture, particularly through these sports so characteristic of the Emerald Isle. The book captures the beginnings of Columbus, its early members and some of their struggles for integration and acceptance within the Irish sporting community. The story of each player's journey to the team highlights the cultural and social barriers they faced, as well as the personal stories of overcoming and resilience. It also aims to raise awareness of the importance of inclusion and diversity in traditionally homogeneous sports, showing how Gaelic football can function as a cultural bridge and catalyst for social integration.
Through this book, readers will not only discover the world of Gaelic football from a new perspective but will also be immersed in the lives of immigrants who use sport to find a sense of belonging and community in their new home.
The Columbus team thus becomes a symbol of sport's ability to unite people from different backgrounds and cultures, promoting values of inclusion, solidarity, and respect