2,165 research outputs found
Exploring the alchemy of qualitative management research: Seeking trustworthiness, credibility and rigor through crystallization
No full textIn this paper we explore crystallization in terms of its contribution to qualitative management research. This exploration of crystallization is based on a postmodern view where we utilize triangulation as a point of departure. Currently, the use of crystallization is under developed in the management discipline. Qualitative literature and metaphors are utilized to develop a focus on moving qualitative management research away from positivist terms. To do this we crystalize crystallization with an emphasis on the embodiment of the qualitative researcher as the primary tool in addition to the development of rigor through credibility and trustworthiness. This conceptual approach can benefit qualitative management researchers by drawing upon development and advancement of other disciplines. It is the practice of theory rather than the presentation of theory. The alignment of qualitative management research through a multi-genre approach follows the evolution of qualitative research methods. We aim to stimulate the conversation and position crystallization within the field of qualitative management research as a method for obtaining deeper and richer understanding of phenomena whilst building rigor, allowing creativity and developing intuition for the interpretivist qualitative management researcher
From Little Things Big Things Grow: Exploring Small to Medium Enterprises’ Continual and Collaborative Learning of Sustainable Management Practices
No full textUnderpinned by theoretical concepts of collaboration, sustainable mangement practices (SMP), government and continual learning, this research investigated the contribution of continual learning of SMP in the small to medium enterprise (SME) context. An extensive review of continual learning, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and SME literature was conducted. Building on existing research, this thesis establishes a novel approach to the role of learning in the development of sustainable actions and behaviours through SME exemplars of SMP.
Gapp and Fisher’s (2008) model (GFM) provided a lens for the normative re-educative framework that promotes transformation through continual learning including reflection and feedback (Gapp & Fisher, 2007, 2008). Continual learning stimulates organisational development through collaboration and reflection to help build and maintain a competitive advantage in CSR within the SME setting. Existing research on sustainability and CSR in the SME sector is primarily based on northern hemisphere views and corporate contexts. This dissertation provides a general background on CSR and sustainability, and then outlines contemporary views that define CSR through the five dimensions of economic, stakeholder, environmental, voluntariness, and social aspects (Dahlsrud, 2008). SMEs lack connectivity with the term CSR because of the ‘corporate’ element (Baden & Harwood, 2012), and therefore the term sustainable management practices (SMP) has been adopted and interchanged with CSR as a more appropriate fit for the SME context (Stewart & Gapp, 2014).Thesis (PhD Doctorate)Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Griffith Business SchoolGriffith Business SchoolFull Tex
Cross-check for completeness: exploring a novel use of Leximancer in a Grounded Theory study
No full textThis paper investigates the potential for Leximancer software to actively support the Grounded Theory (GT) analyst in assessing the ‘completeness’ of their study. The case study takes an existing GT study and retrospectively analyzes the data with Leximancer. The Leximancer output showed encouraging similarities to the main themes emerging from the GT analysis; but not sufficiently at the selective coding level to justifiably claim a definitive cross-check for overall theoretical saturation. Whilst Leximancer is not found to be a substitute for the ‘hard labor’ of GT coding and theory development, it can provide a very useful, efficient and relatively impartial cross-check of completeness/saturation in the open (and possibly axial) coding stage(s) of a GT study. This automated post-analysis check of GT coding is a novel use of a CAQDAS package.<br/
Applying Service-Dominant Logic into the Procurement Function in Ghanaian Universities
No full textThe procurement function of universities in most developing countries has not been well researched. Within the procurement function, the role of service-dominant (S-D) logic is growing in interest. This thesis applies S-D logic to the procurement function in universities within a developing country context. The research investigates how the application of S-D logic into the procurement function can lead to improved procurement performance in universities. Emanating from the seminal work of Lusch and Vargo (2004a), S-D logic is perceived as a progressive business concept capable of creating value by transforming business processes and practices. Proponents of S-D logic argue that because firms do not possess all the resources necessary to be productive, there is the need to collaborate with other actors in business engagements to have shared access to resources in order to jointly create value (Vargo, 2008). The procurement function, a key component of supply network processes, ensures that goods and services are sourced and obtained. However, in order to ensure optimal performance processes need to be managed effectively. The procurement function in Ghana is transitioning from a back-office non-strategic activity to an effective socio-economic function, with the ability to influence decisions and create wealth for governments and the private sector alike (Knight et al, 2007).Thesis (PhD Doctorate)Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Griffith Business SchoolGriffith Business SchoolFull Tex
A rod-linear cascade model for emulating rotor-stator interaction noise in turbofans: A numerical study
No full textThis manuscript presents a rod-linear cascade model for emulating rotor-stator interaction noise. The model is intended as a test platform for studying noise mitigation techniques for a turbofan fan stage, while it also extends the classical rod-airfoil configuration by considering a row of blades based on realistic geometrical details. The rod-linear cascade model consists of a rod positioned upstream of a 7-blade linear cascade, such that the rod wake impinges onto the central blade. The rod is scaled to obtain a fundamental shedding frequency equal to the first blade passing frequency of the NASA-Glenn Source Diagnostics Test (SDT)fan stage at approach condition. The cascade blade profile is also based on the OGV of the SDT sampled at 90% of the radial span. Subsequently, numerical simulations are performed using lattice-Boltzmann Method on a computational setup comprised of a contraction and a test section enclosing the rod-linear cascade model. The integral length scales of the rod wake and the mean loading of the central blade have been found to be in good agreement with the trends observed in the SDT fan stage. The primary noise sources are localized at the central blade leading edge, although noise propagation to the far-field is influenced by additional diffraction by the other blades. Furthermore, the acoustic-blade row interaction causes intense pressure fluctuation within the inter-blade channels, including in those that are not directly affected by the rod wake.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Wind Energ
A Capability Model to Understand In-Field Responses to Natural Disaster Relief in the Developing World
No full textHumanitarian logistics has grown as a field of research since 2004 through the impact of the Indian Ocean tsunami (Kovács & Spens, 2011). The literature has focused on the increasing costs of natural disasters in terms of the number of casualties among the affected people and the heavy economic losses. These economic losses come at a time when international instability resulting from the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) has led to many nations focusing on their own financial plights. As a result, the level of financial support for international aid has significantly decreased (Dabla-Norris, Minoiu, & Zanna, 2011).
Many international humanitarian agencies are finding it more difficult to maintain and retain experienced personnel trained in humanitarian logistics and response to natural disasters (Thomas, 2003; Thomas & Kopczak, 2005). A number of national governments of developing countries are taking more responsibility for managing natural disasters in their own countries, utilising the capacity of their local populations (Kent, 2012). Although local populations are proving to be quite capable, particularly as first responders, they often require technical and financial support to respond effectively to natural disasters (Widmer, 2003).Thesis (PhD Doctorate)Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Griffith Business SchoolGriffith Business SchoolFull Tex
Rod Korns
No full textPhoto showing J. Roderic ("Rod") Korns, a historian of western trails and author of "West from Fort Bridger
The Risk to Organisational Excellence by Processes that Limit Managerial Knowledge and Perception
No full textThe focus on organisational excellence in the first instance must be excellence, defined by The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary as "surpassing merit; thing in which persons etc. excel," where to excel is to "be superior". To be excellent one must exceed the existing, to "do more than is warranted by, go beyond the limit set by 堳urpass." This paper examines the limits to organisational excellence by investigating the knowledge base behind the perceptions, values and beliefs that have developed both within business and business education over the last 100 years and provides supporting argument from relevant researchers. These authors postulate that such developments have placed limits at both the managerial and organisational levels by developing attitudes and beliefs that are actually in opposition to the real concept of capitalism. Such limits disempower the agents who have the real ability to achieve excellence within the organisation through increasing quality, effectiveness and cooperation.No Full Tex
Ways of Experiencing 5S: A Means to Understand Management Practices
No full textThis thesis is concerned with development of a management practice framework for improving organisational performance, particularly within a Western manufacturing environment. The research has chosen a particular management practice originated in Japan, called ‘5S’. In the development of an integrated management systems (IMS) framework, 5S is increasingly adopted to assist in integrating various improvement initiatives. Nonetheless, a predominant understanding of 5S as ‘housekeeping’ militates against the development of an effective IMS framework. In addition, a scarcity of studies on 5S highlights how little attention has been paid to understanding 5S holistically by Western organisations and academic researchers. The research is a qualitative investigation challenging previous research and practice where the nature of 5S has been conceptualised without considering the perspective of practitioners who directly experience it. The study has explored the ways in which a group of team leaders of a food manufacturing plant experience 5S practice within their organisational context. The research has focused on how differently these practitioners understand and apply the concept of 5S when they receive identical information and training from their organisation. The theoretical framework of the current study is underpinned by an interpretive perspective, which emphasise the importance of personal experiences. Phenomenography, an innovative approach, is adopted to identify and articulate the qualitative variation in which practitioners experience 5S. Phenomenographic approaches have been widely used, but mainly in fields outside management research. All 13 team leaders of a food manufacturing plant operating in Australia participated in the study. These team leaders had no previous knowledge about 5S until they received information from their organisation. Guided by the photo-interviewing method, team leaders expressed various approaches to understanding and applying the concept of 5S then clarified their statements with photographs they took and brought. This visual approach allowed the researcher to share the experiences of team leaders. Other visual data, such as posters, charts and graphs were also collected to understand the nature of 5S in a holistic manner. ii The phenomenographic analysis revealed four qualitatively different ways in which team leaders of a food manufacturing plant in Australia experience 5S. These four ways of experiencing 5S were intertwined each other but also included a degree of increasing richness and complexity. The study also found that the nature of 5S within a contemporary manufacturing environment is still evolving. The research finds that there is a considerable gap between the theory and practice of 5S. This research contributes to the body of management practice literature by providing a comprehensive understanding about the nature of 5S from the perspective of practitioners. The research also extends the IMS framework based on the understanding of 5S developed through the current study. The four ways of experiencing 5S throw new light on the subject, calling into question the unitary view, which until now 5S has been conceptualised only by researchers and senior executives whose experience in 5S is limited in practice. The conceptual framework of viewing 5S through the experiences of practitioners developed from the study will assist managers and educators making sense of how differently practitioners conceive 5S through their own experiences and turn the theory of 5S into practice.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Griffith Business SchoolGriffith Business SchoolFull Tex
An Investigation of the Influence of Psychosocial Development on the Acceptance and Use of the System of Profound Knowledge as a Managerial Style
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