Forces Institute Research Articles

Moving the Debate Forward: A Cross‐Sectional Study Examining Marxist and Interactionalist Perspectives of Emotional Labor in Teaching

ABSTRACTThe Marxist perspective asserts that teachers' emotional labor is alienating because it is prescribed by institutional forces such as external accountability, leading to burnout. However, the interactionist perspective disagrees with this perspective; it posits that teachers possess subjectivity, such as a sense of calling, which enables them to intentionally manage their emotions to achieve self‐actualization. Thus, this study aims to contribute to the debate by examining the relationships amongst teachers' emotional labor, external accountability, sense of calling, and burnout in China. The findings reveal (1) a negative relationship between external accountability and burnout that is mediated by various forms of emotional labor and (2) a significant moderation effect of a sense of calling on the relationship between external accountability and emotional labor. The findings generally support the internationalist perspective but show that the Marxist perspective may be applicable in explaining emotional labor amongst teachers with a weak sense of calling.

Wellbeing at the Edges of Ownership: The Impacts of Housing Tenure, Social Capital, and Institutions

This paper presents a three-country analysis of the relationship between housing, indicators of social capital, and life satisfaction (a proxy for wellbeing) using cross-sectional data from national surveys in Australia, the UK and the US. Addressing a key policy debate we construct, for each jurisdiction, models of life satisfaction as a function of housing and social capital, with a view to better targeting policy interventions to achieve wellbeing outcomes. First, we show that the wellbeing premium associated with homeownership remains resilient despite housing market instability early in the 21st century. Second, we find that while social capital is an important independent positive influence on life satisfaction, its effect is weaker than that of housing tenure. Third, we include two measures of housing risk (repayment risk and investment risk). These position mortgagors on a continuum across the edges of owner-occupation, placing them closer to, or further from, the ‘ideal’ of outright ownership. The impact of these measures varies across the three countries, raising questions about the way life satisfaction at the edges of ownership may be shaped by institutional forces.

The institutionalization of digital compliance

PurposeThis research paper investigates how companies incorporate digital compliance, particularly data security and protection, as a fundamental aspect of corporate digital responsibility (CDR). We address the gap in understanding the institutionalization of digital compliance as a part of CDR.Design/methodology/approachUsing institutional theory, we assess the impact of coercive, mimetic and normative forces on digital compliance. We used survey data from 162 predominantly large German companies and analyzed it through ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions.FindingsMimetic forces, driven by competitor knowledge, substantially affect digital compliance. Normative forces related to professional knowledge are also influential, while coercive forces exerted by customers have no significant impact on the adoption of digital compliance. In a supplemental analysis, the study highlights the moderating role of organizational agility.Research limitations/implicationsCDR is not limited to digital compliance. Future research should explore higher levels of CDR and consider stakeholders beyond customers. The focus on large German companies may limit generalizability.Practical implicationsThe findings stress the importance of understanding competitive landscapes and professional discourses. Managers should be aware of these institutional forces and incorporate them into strategic planning for digital compliance and CDR.Originality/valueThis research extends institutional theory to digital compliance, offering insights into CDR-related corporate behavior and strategy, emphasizing the importance of competitor awareness and professional norms to manage digital risks.

Threads of control

Abstract This article delves into the intricate relationship between translation and censorship, unraveling the multifaceted tapestry woven by historical, societal, economic, and personal threads. Exploring the genealogy of censorship, the study identifies four distinct sources of censorial power — state and religious institutions, social structures, market forces, and individual idiosyncrasies. From the overt regulatory mechanisms of totalitarian regimes to the subtle influences of structural censorship and market-driven constraints, the article navigates the challenges posed to freedom of expression within the dynamic realm of translation. Drawing from historical examples and theoretical frameworks, the discussion highlights the impact of censorship on translators and translated works, illustrating how institutional, societal, economic, and personal forces shape communicative landscapes. By scrutinizing these diverse facets, this article offers a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding translation censorship, encouraging ongoing examination of the ever-evolving forces shaping the world of translation.

Affective polarization is uniformly distributed across American States.

US partisans view each other with increasing negativity. While many attribute the growth of such affective polarization to nationally cross-cutting forces, such as ideological partisan sorting or access to partisan media, others emphasize the effects of contextual and institutional forces. For the first time, we introduce and explore data sufficiently granular to fully map the extent of partisan animosity across the US states. With a massive, nationally representative survey we find that, counter to expectations, variation in affective polarization across states is relatively small, and is instead largely a function of individual-level attitudinal (but not demographic) characteristics. While elections pit regions of the country against others, our results suggest affective polarization is a national, not regional, problem, requiring national interventions.

Social, cultural and institutional forces in corporate and patrimonial states and their relations with corporate governance: a North–South contrast

Social, cultural and institutional forces in corporate and patrimonial states and their relations with corporate governance: a North–South contrast

Re-politicizing the WHO's social determinants of health framework.

Although the World Health Organization's (WHO's) framework on social and structural determinants of health and health inequities (SSDHHI) has done much to raise awareness of these determinants, it does not go far enough in considerations of politics and power. The framework has become more de-politicized since its publication, with the definition of social determinants shifting toward downstream and individualized factors. In the meantime, new research fields on legal, commercial and political determinants of health and health inequities have emerged; however, these have not become integrated adequately into broader SSDHHI frameworks. To address these challenges, we argue for a re-politicization and an expansion of the WHO's framework by including the agents who have power over shaping structural determinants and the ways they use power to shape these determinants. We also provide a more detailed conceptualization of structural determinants to facilitate research. We propose a guideline for evaluating studies according to the extent to which they point upstream versus downstream and incorporate agents and considerations of power. We then use this framework to encourage more research on associations among agents, mechanisms of power, and structural determinants; how changes in structural determinants affect power dynamics among agents; and a wider focus on structural determinants beyond laws and policies, such as broad economic and sociopolitical systems. We also urge researchers to consider societal and institutional forces shaping their research with respect to SSDHHI. Research based on this framework can be used to provide evidence for advocacy for structural changes and to build more just systems that respect the fundamental human right to a healthy life.

Power Outage Perils: Assessing the Impact of load-Shedding on SMEs in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, South Africa.

This qualitative case study delves into the profound impact of load-shedding, the deliberate and temporary interruption of electricity supply, on small and medium (SMEs) in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) of South Africa. The study, conducted within an interpretive research paradigm and a qualitative methodology, provides a nuanced understanding of how institutional forces shape SMEs' behavior, decision-making, and overall functioning in the face of energy disruptions. The persistent power cuts due to load-shedding have had a substantial toll on the survival of SMEs in the EMLM, with businesses across diverse sectors, including hospitality, beauty, manufacturing, retail, and services, struggling to maintain operations. The study brings to light the multifaceted challenges SMEs face, such as disruptions to daily activities, equipment damage, and significant financial losses. It also presents a concerning trend of layoffs by SMEs in the region, contradicting the National Development Plan’s (NDP) employment creation goals. The findings provide valuable insight for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, underlining the urgent need for collaborative efforts to develop tailored programs, promote alternative energy sources, and advocate for policies that prioritize the energy needs of SMEs. The study acknowledges limitations related to geographical specificity, temporary constraints, and data source reliance and recommends further research to extend the geographical scope, conduct longitudinal analyses, and incorporate diverse data collection methods. By addressing these limitations, further studies can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the broader challenges and potential solutions faced by SMEs amid energy-related crises.

Fostering sustainability in Mexican SMEs: Understanding the interplay of institutional forces

Purpose This study aims to explore the interplay between regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive factors in the context of sustainability-driven organisational change in Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach Using qualitative research methods, data were collected through interviews with key stakeholders from eight SMEs in Mexico. Thematic analysis was conducted to explore how regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive forces influence sustainability initiatives within these organisations. Findings The findings reveal a dynamic relationship between regulatory frameworks and broader societal norms, with SMEs strategically aligning with evolving expectations to drive sustainability. Influenced by consumer preferences, normative forces play a pivotal role in shaping internal and external organisational norms. Cultural-cognitive forces, including organisational values and leadership practices, further reinforce this interplay, highlighting the importance of organisational culture in driving sustainable practices. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to understanding institutional dynamics driving sustainability initiatives among SMEs, particularly in the Mexican context. Explaining the complex interactions among regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive forces offers a holistic framework for comprehending the complexities of sustainability-driven organisational change. Practical implications The findings provide practical insights for SMEs seeking to navigate sustainability initiatives. Emphasising the proactive role of regulatory compliance, fostering a culture of sustainability and leveraging collaborative opportunities within industries are recommended strategies for driving meaningful organisational change towards sustainability. Originality/value This study’s value lies in its development of a conceptual framework illustrating the complex interactions among regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive forces driving sustainability-driven organisational change in Mexican SMEs. Elucidating these dynamics provides a nuanced understanding of how these forces intertwine, offering valuable insights for navigating sustainability initiatives for SMEs in Mexico.

What Happens When Your Hand is in My Pocket: The Foreign Policy Effects of China’s Foreign Direct Investment in Africa

AbstractThis study utilizes social exchange theory to argue that a more complete picture of the effects of China’s FDI in Africa needs to include non-economic factors, especially institutional forces that incorporate macro political considerations. We propose that economic dependencies created by China’s FDI in Africa are reciprocated by votes in international organizations, and thus, we hypothesize and test that increasing China’s FDI in African nations leads to increased political alignment in international affairs with those African nations. The proposed relationship, however, will be weakened for African countries with stronger governance mechanisms. Using data for China’s FDI in African countries from 2001–2019, we find support for our hypotheses. We find that China’s economic engagement in Africa has resulted in increased political alignment on international issues evidenced by votes in United Nations organizations raising the possibility Africa’s most attractive resource may not be economic, but rather political. This, however, poses the question of whether votes are a ‘resource’ that can be traded for economic purposes.

Evolving female entrepreneurship in emerging economies: clarifying the linkages between institutional forces and online venture performance

Evolving female entrepreneurship in emerging economies: clarifying the linkages between institutional forces and online venture performance

What influences perceptions about the concept of return on investment from healthcare quality improvement programmes? An institutional theory perspective

PurposeThis paper aims to highlight the factors influencing the conceptualisation of return on investment (ROI) from healthcare quality improvement (QI) programmes.Design/methodology/approachIn their previous work, the authors found that the concept of ROI from QI is broad and includes numerous internal and external benefits for organisations. In this paper, the authors developed a framework outlining the factors that influence this conceptualisation of QI-ROI from an institutional theory perspective. The framework is based on the synthesis of their serial studies on the determinants of the concept of ROI from QI. The research was performed from 2020–2023 and involved a global multidisciplinary systematic literature review (N = 68), qualitative interviews (N = 16) and a Delphi study (N = 23). The qualitative and Delphi studies were based on the publicly-funded mental healthcare in UK. Participants included board members, clinical and service directors, as well as QI leaders.FindingsThe authors outline a framework of internal and external institutional forces that influence the conceptualisation of ROI from QI programmes in mental healthcare and similar organisations. Based on these factors, the authors state several conjectures. In doing this, the authors highlight the ambiguities and uncertainties surrounding QI-ROI conceptualisation. These challenge leaders to balance various monetary and non-monetary benefits for organisations and health systems. This explains the broadness of the QI-ROI concept.Originality/valueThe authors developed a framework highlighting the forces underpinning the broad, ambiguous and sometimes uncertain nature of the QI-ROI concept. They raise awareness about dilemmas to be confronted in developing or applying any tool to evaluate the value for money of QI programmes. Specifically, the work highlights the limitations of the ROI methodology as a primary tool in the QI context and the need for a more comprehensive tool.

Privacy resignation, apathy, and cynicism: Introduction to a special theme

The growing trend of collecting data about individuals to track past actions and infer future attitudes and behaviors has fueled popular and scholarly interest in the erosion of privacy. Recent shifts in technologies around machine learning and artificial intelligence have intensified these concerns. This editorial introduces the articles in the special theme on digital resignation and privacy cynicism: concepts developed in the past decade to explain the growing powerlessness individuals feel in relation to their digital privacy even as they continue to experience consternation over the collection and use of their personal information. The papers in this special theme engage and extend existing research on these topics. The original articles and commentaries pose theoretical and practical questions related to the ways people confront the powerful institutional forces that increasingly shape many aspects of the information environment. They employ several methodologies and theoretical perspectives and extend the range of geographic, political, cultural, and institutional contexts in which privacy cynicism and digital resignation can be identified and examined. In addition to contextualizing these contributions, this editorial maps a range of related concepts including digital resignation, privacy cynicism, privacy apathy, surveillance realism, privacy fatigue, and privacy helplessness. It concludes by identifying key themes across the papers in this collection and provides directions for future research.

The Driving Force of Institutions: The Co-constitutive Role of Values and Emotions in Institutions

The Driving Force of Institutions: The Co-constitutive Role of Values and Emotions in Institutions

Economic and Institutional Factors Influencing the Selection of Project Delivery Models for Built Heritage Conservation in India

ABSTRACT Selecting a suitable project delivery method is one of the most critical decisions responsible for project success in heritage conservation. This is an area where projects have greater uncertainties and governance issues in comparison to other building projects. India has a huge inventory of built heritage sites, but the heritage conservation sector is highly fragmented, with a wide range of project delivery methods. This paper discusses the selection of project delivery in the Indian context, using the theoretical lenses of agency theory, transaction cost economics (TCE), and institution theory. A conceptual framework has been proposed to explain the selection based on economical and institutional constructs. Our conclusion is that when institutional factors are weak, projects are executed departmentally or through non-priced contracts. In contrast, strong institutional forces discourage non-priced contracts and replace them with priced contracts.

RETURNING TO SAID AND HIS «ORIENTALISM»

This article examines the impact of Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism on the contemporary geopolitical landscape. The authors argue that while the critique of Orientalism has significantly influenced academic discourse and domestic policies in Western countries, particularly the United States, it has not led to fundamental changes in global geopolitical strategy. The paper focuses on two key aspects: the natural connection between knowledge and power, which cannot be altered by anti-colonial declarations, and the shift of colonial discourse to new regions, specifically non-Western Europe. The authors posit that the strength of a modern state lies in its ability to dynamically bifurcate its image into internal and external faces, presenting different aspects to its society and foreign partners. Using the United States as a case study, the article demonstrates how internal anti-colonial discourse coexists with an unchanging foreign policy strategy of global dominance. The authors criticize the illusions about the possibility of changing the fundamental principles of US foreign policy, which has remained consistent since 1941. The paper emphasizes the continuation of a strategy aimed at fostering global dependence on the West, despite anti-colonial rhetoric. The article explores the complex interplay between domestic movements for social justice and decolonization, and the pragmatic realities of international relations. It argues that the deconstruction of Orientalism, while challenging the legitimacy of historical colonial practices, has not transformed the core geopolitical interests of Western states.The authors contend that the apparent dichotomy between internal anti-colonial discourse and external policy reflects both the complexity and strength of states like the US, where domestic and foreign policies can be shaped by different institutional and ideological forces. The paper also discusses the expansion of the concept of liberal democracy as an export product to regions deemed lacking in popular sovereignty.In conclusion, the article suggests that the critique of Orientalism, despite its academic and cultural impact, has been effectively neutralized in geopolitical practice. This is achieved through a shift in focus to regions not traditionally considered part of the «old» Western colonies, allowing for the implementation of economic partnership policies without the moral self-flagellation associated with charges of Orientalism. The paper ultimately argues that renaming reality does not change its underlying structure, and that the postmodern belief in the power of language to transform geopolitical realities is akin to magical thinking. It concludes that the critique of Orientalism has not fundamentally altered the eternal principles and interests guiding global geopolitical strategies.

Organizational responses to transparency determinants

PurposeDespite considerable evidence of the benefits of organizational transparency, policies to enhance transparency often fail or are met with resistance and unexpected results. In part, this is due to a lack of knowledge about the drivers of organizational transparency and their interrelationships. This study examines the interplay among the forces that influence organizational transparency, and thus answers numerous calls for developing a deeper theoretical understanding of the determinants of organizational transparency. We propose three forces that influence organizational transparency and theorize how they combine in nonlinear ways to form five archetypical transparency regimes that organizations operate within. We then discuss contingencies to organizational transparency within each regime.Design/methodology/approachWe employ configurational theorizing to capture the complexity of transparency and the nonlinear relationships among the forces of transparency.FindingsWe propose three forces that influence organizational transparency: institutional, societal, and leadership. We identify configurations of the three forces that yield five archetypical transparency regimes. We then discuss contingencies for cultivating organizational transparency within each regime. Vanguard transparency and pioneering transparency represent the desired regimes for fostering organizational transparency. In contrast, hollow transparency and deceptive transparency reveal a combination of determinants that cultivate less desirable forms of organizational transparency. Paradoxical transparency represents a regime in which socially desirable outcomes are associated with undesirable consequences for an organization.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is among the first to theorize the drivers of organizational transparency and to discuss the limits and boundaries of organizational responses to transparency determinants.Practical implicationsDespite the many benefits of transparency, we explain why efforts to enhance organizational transparency often fail or are met with mixed results. By considering the three forces, managers and policymakers can avoid unexpected and undesired organizational responses to transparency regimes.Social implicationsWe propose five transparency regimes that place a spotlight on social contingencies to enhance transparency.Originality/valueThis study offers an integrative theory of organizational responses to transparency determinants and develops its theoretical foundations. The model integrates the fragmented empirical findings from previous studies on the determinants of transparency and draws attention to overlooked institutional, societal, and leadership forces that influence organizational transparency.

Authoring a textbook for the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language in Brazilian basic education: echoes of different voices

ABSTRACT The National Textbook and Didactic Material Program in Brazil is responsible for evaluating, purchasing, and distributing textbooks for basic education. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges this program faces is the alignment between the textbook idealized by the public policy and the textbook aimed by the publishers. Whereas the public policy and the authors usually aim at educational quality, publishers target at sales. Publishers tend to set quality aside assuming teachers choose titles for adoption based on easiness to use rather than on pedagogical quality. This article analyzes the discourse of one of the authors of a textbook for the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language in Brazilian basic education. The aim is to understand how the author's and publisher's wishes have led to the final production made available to teachers and students. The analysis considers the specificities of the Program, the characterization of textbooks as socio-historical-cultural objects, and the Bakhtin Circle's conceptions of language and authorship. The results show the textbook authorship (author-creator) is the product of power relations among the so-called authors (author-persons) and institutional forces which play decisive roles in authorship (author-institutions).

How institutional pressures on green innovation are perceived by firms? The role of board social ties

AbstractInstitutional pressures are major driving forces for firms' green innovation. However, there is significant heterogeneity in firms' responses to these forces due to the complex information environment within the institutional field. Social ties are known to provide information and resources. This study explores how board social ties, including business and political ties, shape firms' responsiveness to formal and informal institutional forces related to green innovation. Using a dataset from Chinese listed companies in the manufacturing sector, we propose that firms' business ties strengthen the effects of various institutional pressures on green innovation. On the other hand, political ties strengthen the impact of environmental regulation on green innovation but weaken the influence of imitative pressure on green innovation. This suggests that political ties can be a double‐edged sword in firms' responses to institutional pressures. This research contributes to institutional theory and social capital theory, offering implications for green innovation strategies.

Institutional forces, leapfrogging effects, and innovation status: Evidence from the adoption of a continuously evolving technology in small organizations

Although SMEs' innovation adoption has been widely studied, little research has explored how SMEs strategize a continuously evolving technology in a complex institutional context over time. Drawing from institutional perspectives, our case study, based on 44 interviews and field observation, seeks to analyze how institutional forces interact with the Wi-Fi adoption process at three small organizations with different innovation statuses. Results reveal the significance of institutional forces in shaping small organizations' technology adoption process. At the knowledge stage, institutional forces stem from the champion's advocacy and institutional pressures. At the persuasion and implementation stages, they are embedded in organizations' actions in following the institutional trend and complying with institutional norms. At the confirmation stage, they can be observed in organizations' shaping institutional changes or leapfrogging institutional trends. These insights challenge and extend the traditional linear perspective of innovation diffusion and contribute to the literature on technology adoption, digital transformation, innovation leapfrogging, institutional theory, and SMEs. Managerially, we propose three strategic responses (i.e., trend reformulation, service differentiation, complete transformation) that urge SMEs to utilize leapfrogging effects of technologies to renovate their innovation status.