Storytelling in an age of uncertainty: exploring managerial cognitive capability, expectations and sense giving in narratives post the financial crisis of 2007

Drawing on the theories of the managerial cognitive capability, sociology of expectations, and sense giving, we conducted a longitudinal study based on storytelling. We focus on how the banking and finance sectors in the UK communicated with their stakeholders in an age of high uncertainty, via annual reports during the period of 2007-2015. We investigated how organizational narratives and stories regarding the TMT’s managerial cognitive capability were changed by events which resulted in uncertainty, and how critical events could produce variations of the narratives by employing content analysis with two cycles of coding with NVivo 10. The findings significantly contribute to theory development in the areas of storytelling and sensegiving as part of TMT’s managerial cognitive capability during periods of change and uncertainty in business management, as well as to practice

Examining the nexus between GAI adoption and responsible entrepreneurship

Since the launch of Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT) in November 2022, the concept of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) has gained increased popularity among entrepreneurs. Despite the fact that GAI offers value for business creation, the tendency to contravene social and environmental value is imminent and this could negate its adoption benefits if not responsibly managed. There is therefore need for research deepening to better understand the factors shaping entrepreneurs’ intent for responsible deployment of GAI tools. To this end, this study explores how GAI qualities stimulate responsible entrepreneurship as well as explicates the factors to be put in place to prevent the ethical, social and environmental abuse of GAI by business founders. Underpinned by the digital entrepreneurship theory and guided by the principles of responsible entrepreneurship, we adopted Gioia methodology, performing thematic analysis on business news and opinions of entrepreneurship experts, obtained from LexisNexis. Results reveal three important factors; rapid generativity, transparent affordance, and regular uncertainty audits that influence responsible entrepreneurship. The study concludes with implications of GAI for responsible entrepreneurship and suggestions for future research

Exploring uncertainty and the managerial and organizational behavioural components in the strategic response to It

The research focuses on the process of responding to uncertainty in strategic decision-making (SDM) and the importance of the judgement of managers in the SDM process. It explores the behavioural aspects of managers and organizations which inform their judgement. This vast research area has become fragmented and there is a dip in interest in researching in the area. To achieve the overall aim we conducted three studies reported in three papers.Paper 1 took up these calls and conducted a systematic review of the literature from which was developed an integrated decisional framework that identify the behavioural characteristics which were grouped into seven step-by step managerial and organizational SDM considerations. The framework is to be used by managers to conduct a systematic and comprehensive examination of the nature and characteristics of the uncertainty they face.In Paper 2, the framing and associated rhetorical strategies were examined in the Chairman’s statement of FTSE 350 banks during 2007 -2017, as the banks responded to five stakeholders concerns arising from the 2008 financial crisis. The results include the observance of the use of dual frames, and a mix and variation of framing and rhetorical strategies employed during the framing contest over the prolonged time period as part of their institutional maintenance efforts to protect their status quo business model. The results provide insights into the strategy-in-practice of crisis and institutional maintenance in a longitudinal empirical study, something that has been called for by researchers especially in outlining the actual work of elite actors. There are also policy implications for regulators and government officials which can assist them in their work to provide greater compliance and supervisory efforts of banks especially by paying more attention to their annual reports.In paper 3, managers’ perceived environment uncertainty (PEU) experiences were studied through interviews on how they were dealing with the uncertainty of Brexit. The high level of deficiency of the information about Brexit matched deep uncertainty and resulted in intense sensemaking by managers. As a result, the composite-view and directional flow of Milliken’s 1987 PEU theory (state to effect to response uncertainty) was suspended. Also the impact of uncertainty in a collective setting, where differences in perceptions of senior executives (SEs) andmid-level executives (MEs) resulted in a decrease in trust of the MEs in the abilities of the SEs to respond to Brexit.The overall research offers a number of theoretical contributions of the managerial and organizational behavioural characteristics examined as well as managerial and policy implications, by highlighting the strategy-in-practice of these characteristics and drawing the interconnections between them in dealing with the impact of uncertainty on SDM

Microsoft Teams as a tool for student empowerment and engagement

The Covid 19 pandemic changed the rules on how students engaged with university staff. Driven by social distancing rules to prevent the spread of the virus such online technologies like Microsoft Teams became the only medium for student to tutor interaction. Some have written on the negative effects of moving university teaching online in terms of reduced motivation and lack of engagement in the taught activities and in a sense of belongingness (Marek et al. 2021; Tümen, 2020). However, others have suggested that the use online technologies have also facilitated higher quality and increase contact between students and their tutors (Gravett and Ajjawi, 2022; Kidd and Murray, 2020). These positives have often been with the students who have found universities challenging to engage, such as students who are either, 1st generation, minority, working, or international students. Our case study reports upon the experiences of tutors in a post-92 university during the period March 2019 to August 2021 as they begin to navigate the challenges of the switch to online/hybrid teaching because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Through personal reflections and anecdotal sketches, we learn about how this switch initially required a steep learning curve for academics but subsequently resulted in increase student empowerment and success for the diverse students with which they engaged. The increased student empowerment was facilitated by an increased use of personal tutoring, and feedback, as part of the teaching delivery in a dissertation module, which bridged significant gaps of student belongingness and well-being. The regularity, depth and range of the interaction created student-tutor relationships which were even more enhanced and rewarding for both parties, as compared to the previous on-campus experience. The lessons learned form these will surely have to inform university practices and policies as we move beyond Covid-19 and may challenge the concept of going back to normal, as was thought was the best

Beyond borders. Gender, work, and migration in the lens of intersectionality: insights from the voices of Windrush nurses

Introduction: The infamous 2018 Windrush Scandal, marked by the UK government's 'hostile environment’ unfairly targeted Caribbean migrants, leading to repercussions such as unemployment, detentions, and service denials (Gentleman, 2019). The term Windrush denotes Caribbean migration between 1948 and 1971, pivotal in British colonial history (Brathwaite, 2023). After WWII, the NHS recruited from British colonies to address labour shortages (Ross, 2023). Overseas recruitment by the NHS continued into the 1960s (McDowell, 2013). This historical narrative, that the NHS owed its early survival to the significant input of these Windrush nurses (WNs) is persistently recognised in literature (BBC News, 2023; Goring et al., 2020).bWithin the examination of migrant worker experiences, the utilisation of intersectionality has emerged as a burgeoning field of scholarly inquiry, serving as a conceptual framework to scrutinise the multifaceted and nuanced experiences of diasporic migrant workers (Olwig, 2018; Tapia and Alberti, 2019). Intersectionality, notably articulated by Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989), is a theoretical framework rooted in critical race theory and feminist discourse. This offers a lens to understand the complex interplay of social categories in shaping individuals' experiences. While intersectionality has gained traction in various disciplines, its application in organisational contexts, particularly in understanding the experiences of migrant workers, remains limited.bThis study bridges this gap by applying an intersectional approach to explore the experiences of WNs within the NHS. It demonstrates how intersectional and postcolonial theory can be used as a framework to illuminate the interconnections and interdependencies associated with the working lives of marginalised groups in work and organisational studies (WOS). Drawing together the combined insights of intersectionality and post-colonial approaches in WOS (Opara et al., 2020; Ruiz Castro and Holvino, 2016), the study explores organisational practices and processes which generated work inequalities of the WNs work experiences. It also utilises identity work as a theoretical framework for studying intersectionality to illuminate the experiences of Windrush (Black female Caribbean) nurses work experiences within NHS Britain. This is particularly timely in light of calls to decolonise scholarship and to broaden research within a transnational time and space as a way of challenging existing knowledge power in the West (Dhamoon, 2015; Jammulamadaka et al., 2021; Tyszler, 2023). Hence, we address the following research questions: i. How did multiple intersectional influences such as family, gender, class, and colonialism shape the WNs’ pre-migration identities and decision to migrate to the UK? ii. How did the combination of colonialism and racialised experiences continue to shape the WNs’ post-migration identities in terms of their living, work, and career trajectories in the NHS? Methodology:bQualitative methods and purposive sampling were employed to conduct semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 22 WNs from various Caribbean islands. These interviews were recorded and transcribed to provide a rich, open, safe medium (Quine and Browning, 2007) allowing the nurses, many of them over 70 years old, to have space and time to reflect on their lives. Interview schedules were designed for authentic exploration of pre- and post-migration identities, encompassing upbringing, early career, racial work, and career experiences. The interviews were thematically analysed (Braun and Clarke, 2006) through a series of iterative steps of coding the transcripts and the subsequent reflection on Gioia et al. (2013) theoretical framework of intersectional identities and influences (see figure 1 on page 4 below). Summary of Findings: The findings reveal the intricate ways in which pre-migration factors, including familial expectations, gender norms, and colonial legacies, influenced the decision of WNs to migrate to the UK. Familial aspirations, often shaped by patriarchal attitudes and colonial legacies, played a significant role in steering women towards nursing careers. The influence of colonialism was pervasive in the lives of these women, impacting decisions based on gender and permeating all aspects of their early Caribbean experiences. Equally, colourism affected class structures, shaping career trajectories, with lighter-skinned individuals having greater social capital and job prospects. Colonial legacies therefore perpetuated colourism and class divisions, influencing career choices. High levels of education among some nurses led to aspirational choices to pursue nursing in the UK, only to face the reality of being treated as second-class workers. Post-migration experiences within the NHS were marked by racialised challenges and discriminatory practices, reflecting entrenched colonial attitudes. The canteen culture with its foundation of embedding difference, favoured positions and discrimination was underpinned by the colonialist and institutional racialised views which negatively controlled and marginalised the working lives of the nurses. For instance, nurses were channelled into lower-level State Enrolled Nurses (SEN) rather than the higher-level State Registered Nurse (SRN) roles. Despite these challenges, the WNs demonstrated resilience and determination, leaving a legacy of contribution to the NHS amidst adversity. Discussion and conclusion: The study highlights the need to move beyond simplistic understandings of intersectionality, particularly in organisational contexts, by considering the interconnections of multiple social identities and systems (Brown, 2012; Rodriguez et al., 2016). By exploring the pre- and post-migration experiences of these WNs, the study underscores the enduring impact of colonialism on migrant workers and the persistence of racialised inequalities within the workforce. Moreover, it emphasises the importance of creating inclusive workplaces that recognise and address the complexities of individuals' intersecting identities (Holgate, 2005; Lin et al., 2018; McBride et al., 2015). Research findings also guide the UK's approach to recruiting overseas workers in light of Brexit and evolving workforce dynamics, particularly in the fields of health and social care. The emphasis lies on fostering integration, highlighting the importance of creating inclusive workplaces devoid of racial or national biases, a responsibility mainly driven by HR professionals. Integration efforts are crucial, necessitating inclusive environments free from racial or national discrimination, with HR professionals leading these initiatives. Limitations prompt future research, urging exploration of NHS policies' colonial influences on marginalising black nurses, meso-level investigations (Alberti et al., 2013; Tapia and Alberti, 2019), broader migrant contexts, and examining subsequent generations' experiences

Deep uncertainty effects on managerial perceptions: the case of UK firms in the context of Brexit

Deficiency in information around Brexit has produced tremendous uncertainty. Our study employs perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU) composite-view and directional (state to effect to response) theoretical lens to investigate, through interviews, the impact of information on UK-based senior managers (SMs) and middle-managers (MMs) in understanding and responding to Brexit. Findings reveal the presence of ‘deep uncertainty’ characterized by information deficiency, which reduces the ability to agree on the condition, factors and responses to Brexit and results in pervasive sensemaking. Our findings reveal the suspension of the composite- view and directional flow of PEU. We highlight the implications for strategic decision-making under deep uncertainty: the predominance of sensemaking; strategies need to be agile, responsive and flexible; and SMs/MMs differences in a context of deep uncertainty require trustworthy and deliberate SMs sensemaking and sensegiving to MMs

Exploring perceived environmental uncertainty of managers for UK firms in the context of Brexit

Submission to the HRM in Uncertain Times: Economic Crisis, Brexit and Beyond Conference- 7th & 8th June 201

Decision-making under uncertainty: how university students navigate the academic implications of the Covid-19 pandemic challenges

Decision – making under uncertainty relates to the deficiency of information and problems understanding the nature, effects and responses to the sources of the uncertainty. The Covid-19 pandemic and governments’ response to it created high levels of uncertainty around the problems which students faced. A series of focus groups were conducted to understand the experiences of students across the three years of undergraduate university life to ascertain the problems which students needed to address. The focus groups revealed a complexity of the options related to the problems faced about their university life. The implications of the findings provide lessons for academic and professional services staff in designing and targeting advice and informational policies and practices to effectively serve the needs of each individual student

A systematic review of decision making under uncertainty – An integrative framework approach

Decision making under high uncertainty has attracted intense interest given the turbulent economic and political world environment. undertaking a systematic review of decision making under uncertainty from 135 primary studies (refined from an initial search of 1814 papers) dedicated to this topic covering the period 2000-2015, we developed an integrated framework showing the relationship between the decision making process and strategies under uncertainty. The findings also highlight the dimensions of uncertainty and context that affect decision making. It is believed that this study will shape future research in impact of decision making within the contexts of individual and group dynamics, education, individual competency, or macro-settings on the execution of decision making under uncertainty