Theory Building Research Articles

Behavior intention in coping cloud adaptation

This study investigates the indirect impact of perceived technology complexity on the adoption of cloud platforms by data scientists in Brazil. Specifically, it examines the mediating role of perceived work-related opportunities and behavioral intentions, as well as the use of exploration-to-innovate coping strategies. The research employs an online questionnaire survey and uses Confirmatory Factor Analysis, SEM, and OLS to analyze the data. The findings suggest that a serial mediation effect focused on behavioral aspects can better explain the adoption of cloud computing technology. The study identifies the need for further investigation into the potential moderating effects of voluntariness and self-efficacy on the relationship between perceived technology complexity and cloud platform adaptation. Moreover, incorporating other exogenous constructs such as new adaptation strategies, job outcomes, and job satisfaction may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing technology adoption in the context of data science. The study highlights that reducing technology complexity can lead to increased adoption, better user experience, better retention rates, more innovation possibilities, and better competition position. However, additional training and support requirements for data scientists can increase the cost and time required for onboarding and maintenance. A cloud platform that is easy to use can enable remote work and collaboration, opening up opportunities for job growth and flexible work arrangements. This can be particularly beneficial for Brazilian professionals who have strong innovation skills but limited training and support. By transcending geographic barriers and infrastructure limitations, a user-friendly cloud platform can help bridge the digital divide. On the other hand, a complex cloud platform can widen the digital divide, particularly in developing countries, exacerbating existing inequalities. The research contributes to theory building by providing a serial mediation framework that better explains technology adaptation phenomena by combining coping theory and technology acceptance model.

Developing Grounded Theory Systematic Approach for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Research

ABSTRACTThe emergence of the supply chain management (SCM) discipline and its integration with other research fields, such as logistics, has sparked research that aims to combine scientific rigor with business utility. Calls for increased theory‐building and practically relevant research have driven the discipline's development. This article advocates the wider use of grounded theory methodology, providing practical guidance to ensure reliable theoretical contributions. The study employs a multi‐method approach (bibliometric analysis, mapping review, and state‐of‐the‐art analysis) to quantitatively review existing grounded theory research on logistics and SCM issues, investigate its methodological attributes, and outline its strengths and weaknesses. Based on these findings, guidelines are proposed for methodologically sound grounded theory building in the discipline. Derived from empirically grounded theory studies, these guidelines address issues that hinder the effective use of the method, such as misunderstanding its fundamentals, improper use of literature, coding challenges, inadequate research design, and difficulties in transitioning from analysis to theorizing. By adding an empirical perspective to supplement existing guidelines, the study aims to enhance the quality of SCM research. While grounded theory is not the only solution for advancing the discipline, its judicious use is advocated to bring rigorous, theory‐driven, and practice‐oriented contributions to logistics and SCM research.

The links between sustainability dimensions and green campus initiatives in mountain universities

Sustainability and green campus initiatives are widely examined in developed countries but less attention has been paid in developing countries such as Pakistan. Therefore, this study intends to examine the links between sustainability dimensions and green campus initiatives by mediating role of teachers and students’ involvement. Green campus or sustainable campus or environment friendly campus is based on the principles of environmental sustainability, incorporating social, and economic and environmental dimensions. Questionnaire for assessment of sustainability was adopted and 529 responses were received from the faculty, management and servicing staff of the seven Mountain Universities of the Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Northern Pakistan. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PL-SEM) was used to analyse the data. The results indicated that energy conservation, water conservation, green transport, sustainable waste management have enhanced campus green initiatives. Teachers and students’ involvement partially mediate the relationship between green transport strategies, sustainable waste management and green campuses initiatives. While on another hand, teachers and students’ involvement have not mediated the links between energy conservation, water conservation and green campus initiatives. The study contributes to theory building in the area of green and environment friendly campus initiatives by enriching the understanding of the processes carrying the effect of sustainability dimensions and both teachers and students’ involvement.

Playing in Time: A Discussion of Smadar Steinbock’s “A Look at Chapter Four of Winnicott’s Playing and Reality Through the Prism of its Modalities of Temporality”

ABSTRACT Winnicott’s paper, “Playing, Creativity, and the Search for the Self,” Chapter 4 of Playing and Reality is the second leg of Winnicott’s two-part opus on play. It is the focus of Smadar Steinbock’s essay on temporality in the work of Winnicott and Loewald. Winnicott’s is a paper fundamentally about play. I suggest that for Winnicott, play always involves time, specifically the actual or feared loss of time or object, namely what I have referred to as the play of mourning. For Winnicott, temporality is inextricably bound with his notion of place. And they are both contained in the analytic setting. This is a setting that allows for the emergence of play and creative experiences of self, in time in general and for the time being. Like so many phenomena in Winnicott’s theory building, time involves both actual or real time and time as incorporated psychically into the realm of illusion. Chapter 4 puts forward the ways that patient and analyst hold the paradox of time as actual and as incorporated into the realm of psychic illusion in order for the patient to be found.

African Migration at a Crossroads: The Social and Theoretical Implications of Emerging International Migration Trends

This study examines international migration trends in Africa since the mid-1960s. It argues that African international migration trends are at a turning point that could significantly affect the future of migration studies. New African immigrant communities are emerging in Asia, South America, and other world regions, while the influence of state and non-state institutions is increasing. Moreover, interstate migration in Africa is now more disconnected from the legacies of the continent's colonial labor migration systems. By 2050, Africa is also expected to have the world's largest population in the age-groups that typically have the highest probabilities of migration, while per-capita incomes will increase in ways that could reduce the costs of migration. Although Africa's influence on future migration research is likely to increase, progress in developing theories to examine its emerging trends has been limited. With few exceptions, studies on migration in Africa focus on theory application rather than theory building. New theoretical approaches are therefore needed to adequately situate Africa's emerging migration trends within the larger context of migration studies. The building blocks for developing these theories include decolonial approaches that highlight African perspectives and the integration of the substantive influences of future migration trends into theory-building processes.

Incivility in Nursing Education: A Concept Analysis.

Incivility in nursing education is a complex concept that is not exactly defined in nursing. The purpose of this study was to clarify the concept of incivility in nursing education in the Iranian cultural context. Concept analysis was performed based on hybrid model in three steps. In the theoretical phase, a review of studies was conducted from 2000 to 2020. During the fieldwork, 7 nursing faculty members and 9 nursing students were interviewed. The third phase included the comparison of the themes that were extracted from the two previous phases. From the 1250 titles, 45 articles were analyzed. Review of literature showed that incivility has several attributes: unconventional communication, irresponsible and disrespectful behavior. The fieldwork phase added unmanaged behavior and being contrary to academic goal. Defining the concept of incivility in nursing education refers to an unconventional, disrespectful, unmanaged behavior that is contrary to the academic goal of nursing education and results from individual differences, stress, improper application of technology, and inappropriate role models which, by creating an unsafe learning condition leads to harming the individual, organization and profession. Here, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the incivility in nursing education that can be used in instrumentation, model building, and development of theory.

TRANSFORMATIVE BUSINESS GROWTH STAGE MODEL TO FACE UNCERTAINTY

The business landscape was characterized by rapid change, intense competition, and various substitute products. These factors shortened business life cycles and hindered business growth. Therefore, there was a need for a more appropriate model that could suit the current condition. The study aimed to develop a transformative Growth Stage Model (GSM) effectively adapted to modern challenges and uncertainty. This qualitative approach involved inductive theory building with seven case studies of SME owners in Yogjakarta and Central Java. Developed models, patterns, and interview themes were built, including resilience, business performance, and leadership for the early growth, growth, and decline stages. In addition, these patterns and themes were used to develop three stages of transformative GSM known as GSM 4.0.

Theory building and technical innovations for spatial planning of China's metropolitan areas: insights from planning of Greater Shanghai Metropolitan Area

Based on limited theoretical applicability of metropolitan area concept under China’s circumstances and the planning practice in Greater Shanghai Metropolitan Area, this article proposes a Chinese understanding on the concept of “Metropolitan Area”, which extends its core connotation from a commuting area to a multi-functional area. It further proposes to utilize the preparation of spatial plans as means to promote high-quality development of metropolitan areas and to achieve coordinated regional development. Metropolitan area planning takes spatial planning as its basic attribute, and simultaneously embodies the contents of economic and social arrangements. It could become a binding contract based on consensus among member cities. In terms of technical innovations in planning practice, this article firstly suggests using a “problem-based, goal-targeted, action-driven, space-oriented and implementation-guided” approach to form a framework of “objective (indicator)-strategy-action-mechanism” to realize collaborative goals. Secondly, the spatial plan should focus on “bottom line factors” as well as “collaborative factors”, establishing a technical framework for regional spatial organization from multiple dimensions such as ecological pattern, city function, spatial structure, and conduction mechanism which drive transformations in regional governance modes.

A theory building critical realist evaluation of an integrated cognitive-behavioural fluency enhancing stuttering treatment for school-age children. Part 1: Development of a preliminary program theory from expert speech-language pathologist data.

PurposeThis study initiated a program of research that aims to develop a program theory underlying integrated cognitive-behavioural fluency enhancing stuttering treatments for school-age children. This research asks, what in the treatment program works (or does not work), for whom, in what contexts, and why. MethodsUsing a critical realist evaluation approach, seven speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with extensive experience in treating children who stutter were asked about barriers and facilitators of optimal treatment outcomes within the context of the Comprehensive Stuttering Program - School-aged Children (CSP-SC). From these data discrete resource mechanisms, contexts, within child reasoning mechanisms, and outcomes were derived and a preliminary program theory was proposed. ResultsFacilitating and impeding child physiology, treatment and SLP resource mechanisms, family and school contexts, and within-child mechanisms were identified. Facilitating mechanisms included motivation, personality/psychological characteristics, understanding and trust of the treatment process, experience of speaking with less effort, and self-efficacy. Impeding mechanisms included reduced motivation, impeding personality/psychological characteristics, lack of buy-in, and, for some children, a prohibitive cost of effort in using learned strategies. ConclusionA preliminary program theory was hypothesized which will be further developed in future analysis of data obtained from children and parents who participated in the CSP-SC at the same centre from which the SLPs came. Subsequent research with new cohorts of SLPs, children, and parents from other treatment programs and centres will be needed to establish the generalizability of the program theory generated in this program of research

Modelling the enablers of organizational resilience: a modified total interpretive structural modeling (m-TISM) approach

PurposeGiven the rising complexities around organizational resilience, this study identifies and explains the critical enablers of developing organizational resilience (OR). It offers logical reasoning into the interactions and interdependencies among the identified elements with the help of a hierarchical model of the antecedents of OR.Design/methodology/approachThis paper deployed a mixed methodology research design. Firstly, critical enablers of OR are identified from the literature review. Second, contextual relationships and interactions between the enablers are examined using modified total interpretive structural modeling to derive a hierarchical model among the antecedents that characterize OR. Lastly, a survey study including industry experts is used to statistically verify the model links.FindingsDeveloping resilience lies at the intersection of organization science and strategic management, involving the interaction of factors within an organization’s strategic behaviors, organizational practices, and people processes. The study identifies twelve antecedents of OR. The resultant interpretive hierarchical model helped decipher internal relationships among the antecedents. The proposed model helps determine how organizations move through different phases (before, during, and after) of turbulences and how organizational resilience helps overcome negative spirals.Originality/valueThis research is original and refreshing in its attempt to necessitate resilience as a processual characteristic needed to survive, thrive, and transform amidst business tensions. The hierarchical model of antecedents garners a better understanding of how their interactions and interdependencies help organizations enhance their capacity to adapt and build resilience in organizational systems and processes. It answers questions of “what,” “how,” and “why” relevant to theory building in OR.

Inclusive Research and Innovation in Engineering – Theory Building from Five Case Studies

Inclusive Research and Innovation in Engineering – Theory Building from Five Case Studies

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? How corporations maintain hegemony by using counterinsurgency tactics to undermine activism

This article contributes to critical theory building in relation to political corporate social responsibility (PCSR) by conceptualizing the underlying processes and practices through which corporations seek to counter threats posed by activist groups. We argue that the problematic nature of PCSR is entangled not only in its state-like aims, but also in its covert deployment of military tactics towards the maintenance of corporate hegemony. We illuminate how corporations use counterinsurgency tactics to undermine the ability of activists to hold them accountable for their wrongdoing. Building on the work of Gramsci, we propose that counterinsurgency tactics combine elements of force and persuasion that enable corporations to maintain hegemony (i.e., secure consent over time). We ask: How are counterinsurgency tactics used by corporations to neutralize activist pressures and maintain corporate hegemony? We draw upon historical sources regarding the Nestlé infant milk boycott case to undertake a genealogical analysis that exposes counterinsurgency tactics enabling corporations to counter activists and sustain their hegemony. We find that Nestlé deployed four key counterinsurgency tactics to nullify activist pressures (suppressing external support, isolating the activist(s), capturing the dialogue, and covert intelligence gathering). From our analysis, we propose the term corporate counterinsurgency and theorize the historic use of corporate counterinsurgency tactics as an example of a hegemonic strategy that enables corporations to covertly undermine activist pressures. We conclude by calling for further reflexivity in organizational studies research on the military origins of PCSR, and by outlining how activist organizations might mobilize against corporate counterinsurgency tactics.

Branding consistency across product portfolios in the wine industry

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine branding consistency for wine labels. The front label on wine bottles is important for identifying the brand and aiding purchase. Many brands are part of brand families, with the sub-brands linked to the overall brand family. This research provides an overview of how the front label varies across product portfolios of wine brands, noting the importance placed on branding elements and the level of consistency in their use across the brand portfolio.Design/methodology/approachThe authors propose and test a new method to measure branding consistency on labels from the same brand family. Two coding frameworks were created. The first recorded the incidence of brand elements and wine attributes. The second coded wine labels within a company’s portfolio based on the consistency of various brand elements. A total of 3,000 branding elements and wine attributes from 300 wine labels were examined across 60 wine brands from a list of Australian wineries.FindingsGrape variety, brand name and region are used across >90% of wine labels. Branding is presented more prominently than wine attributes. Sub-brand, region, price and variety did not influence branding consistency. Logo presence, logo image on label and colour elements contribute to the greatest variation in branding consistency across a product portfolio.Originality/valueThis study proposes and tests a novel method to measure branding consistency on wine labels and explores the extent to which consistent branding is used across product portfolios. Descriptive research is the first step to theory building. This study provides industry norms for attribute use and a measure of branding consistency for product portfolios giving valuable descriptive knowledge.

Distinguishing Person-Specific from Situation-Specific Variation in Media Use: A Meta-Analysis

Media use varies between persons (person-specific variation) and within persons (situation-specific variation, that is, the same individual uses media differently across situations). Understanding the relative importance of these two levels of variation in media use is fundamental to theory building as it helps determine whether theories of media use should focus on person- or situation-specific factors. To examine the relative importance of person- versus situation-specific variation in media use, we conducted a meta-analysis of self-reported data from studies using repeated in situ measurement designs (28 studies with 150 media use measures). The results showed that about two-thirds of the variance in media use was situation-specific. This suggests that the situation level is of high relevance for understanding and measuring media use. Theoretically, situation-specific factors are key in explaining whether, how long, and how often individuals use media. Methodologically, our results call for in situ designs repeatedly measuring media use across situations.

A scientific approach to decision-making: Key tools and design principles

The recent empirical studies have shown the positive impact of a scientific approach to decision-making on entrepreneurial performance. Building on this evidence, this article offers a description of the scientific approach that is oriented toward its practical implementation by entrepreneurs. Focusing on the approach's two main pillars – the processes of theory building and evidence gathering – we outline a set of tools developed to facilitate the application of the scientific approach in practical decision-making activities. Ultimately, we derive a set of design principles that researchers can adopt to develop novel tools and methodologies to aid entrepreneurial actions based on the prescriptive aspects of the scientific approach.

Abstraction, Conceptualization, Disambiguation, Ideation, Innovation, Objectivization, Quantification, and Theorization in the Social Sciences: New Pillars for Contemporary Social Sciences Research

In many of our previous papers published over the years, we had developed and propounded concepts such as fuzzy logic, the theory of paradoxes, the certainty uncertainty principle for the social sciences, innovative methods for the social sciences, and had also explained the importance of inductive approaches, grounded theory, and nomothetic rule building. We had also stated the importance of practicalism as a core component of the philosophy of science. In this paper, we state the importance of abstraction, conceptualization, ideation, innovation, quantification, theorization, objectivization and disambiguation in the social sciences, and explain all of these concepts in detail. We also refer to them as the “pillars of social sciences research methods and techniques”, or “the guiding principles or the guiding forces in the use or employment of social science research methods and techniques, and social science research activity”. These approaches are necessary because social sciences research is mostly qualitative; these techniques could impart quality and objectivity to social science research in a way that other techniques cannot. These are different from the philosophy of science or the philosophy of social science, and these we anticipate would guide and drive much of social science research enterprise in the twenty-first century and beyond. These are also foundationally different from the objectives of social science research, examples of which could be cultural emancipation, inculcation of a scientific temper, etc. Needless to say, these can be gainfully employed in the non social sciences as well, though this is not our primary focus and emphasis here.

Beyond discourse: The role of mundane sociomaterial practices in fluid organizing tension response

ABSTRACT Grounded in a paradox perspective, this article investigates the tensions of fluid informal organizing and, using a practice theory lens, explains how micro-level communicative practices deal with those tensions. Through interview and observational data, the study illustrates how tensions of integration/separation, inclusion/exclusion, and autonomy/control intersect with organizational efforts to maintain a public recreation space and are dealt with via social, material, and performative practices of worth signaling, consensus by validation, and social/material nudging. Findings add to theory on organizing tensions by moving beyond discursive and strategic responses to tension, which often focus on altering the meaning of tensions or rely upon conventional organizing elements, to emphasize how materiality and mundane practices are consequential for theory building on tension response.

The impact of supply chain information integration on supply chain coordination and organizational performance: does directionality matter?

This study evaluates how relationships, information characteristics, and supply chain information integration influence supply chain coordination and organizational performance in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector. Organizational performance includes operational performance and competitive performance. Data has been collected from 171 supplier-manufacturer dyads. Drawing on the coordination theory, this study theorizes that supply chain information integration and coordination can increase organizational performance. The structural equation modelling approach was used in data analysis. Generally, this study discloses that relationships and information characteristics positively influence supply chain information integration. Supply chain information integration directly influences supply chain coordination and competitive performance, whereas supply chain coordination is significantly related to operational and competitive performance. Moreover, supply chain coordination mediates the two relationships: supply chain information integration and operational performance and supply chain information integration and competitive performance. New insights are added by examining the relationships that connect the antecedents of supply chain information integration, supply chain information integration, and outcomes by looking at the focal manufacturing firm and its dyadic supplier partner separately. Separate examination in the dyad exhibits some identical and diverse outcomes. Furthermore, we suggest theoretical and practical implications for academics for theory building and managers.

TRENDS IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE AMERICAS, EUROPE AND ASIA AND PIECING TOGETHER THE KEY SUCCESS FACTORS AND TOXIC BLIND CORNERS

The main thrust of this research was to contribute to theory building in the Theory of Higher Education (PPT) and their applicability in Oman and globally looking at the broader issues of students, academic work, and the place for higher education in society. The research explored gaps in knowledge regarding this theory as a contribution to knowledge, and in this instance, the Oman and global higher education industry was the epicentre of the research and was expected to meet foremost the needs of industry and government as employers of graduated students, then the needs of students and society in knowledge and innovation. This research was conceptual research using literature review only. A barrier is anything that prevents the system from achieving its goal likegetting enough students, doing academic work and finally poor resourcing. The main reasons giving rise to this research were the facts that some colleges and universities in the world faced challenges in assessment, quality, graduate employability and suitability for industry. The main objective of this research was to contribute to theory building in the Theory of Higher Education and identify critical success factors. The secondary objective was employability of graduates as the end product, maximising knowledge creation and innovation. Qualitative research method in the form of conceptual research was used in this research. The main findings were that lack of practicals/diverse teaching methods, lack of compulsory internship, unfair assessment, balancing classes with free time, the need for diversity in terms of faculty, uncommitted students, incompetent faculty, outdated syllabus, students from high schools not being college ready, graduates not matching industry requirements were the main issues.

Programme evaluation in action: theory to practice from an Asian educational context

ABSTRACT Programme evaluation has developed tremendously over the past 50 years, with a proliferation of evaluation research, an increase in the institutionalization of evaluation, and growth in the professionalization of evaluation. However, existing research and developments are still largely in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, with less from Asia. As theory building of policy and programme evaluation practices necessarily occur within specific political, economic, and cultural contexts, the applicability of Western-centric evaluation literature in Asian contexts warrants further examination. In this article, we explore the interconnections between evaluation theory, evaluation policy, and evaluation practice in the Ministry of Education Headquarters (MOE-HQ) in Singapore. We describe our theory of change of how evaluation theory influenced evaluation practice from the ground-up at the micro (individual) level, and from the top-down at the meso (organization) level. In the process, we also discuss how common challenges and tensions in evaluation (e.g., evaluation as an accountability vis-à-vis learning tool; appropriateness of randomized controlled trials vis-à-vis other approaches) acted out and were mitigated. We conclude with our learning points and implications for future research.