Evidence-Based Management in "Macro" Areas: The Case of Strategic Management

Despite its intuitive appeal, evidence-based management (EBMgt) faces unique challenges in "macro" areas such as Organization Theory and Strategy Management, which emphasize actions by organizations, and business and corporate leaders. The inherent focus on complex, multi-level and unique problems present serious challenges. EBMgt will nurture the establishment of a new model of research that is not only cumulative in its knowledge-building but also promotes engaged scholarship. Further, the uncertainty and conflict that characterize "macro" decision contexts heighten the need for EBMgt. We put forward four recommendations to advance EBMgt: (1) using more sophisticated meta-analyses; (2) providing syntheses that go beyond quantitative summaries; (3) engaging in a disciplined conversation about our implicit "levels of evidence" frameworks; and (4) developing decision supports.

Innovation attributes and managers' decisions about the adoption of innovations in organizations: A meta-analytical review

The adop­tion of in­no­va­tions has emerged as a dom­i­nant re­search topic in the man­age­ment of in­no­va­tion in or­ga­ni­za­tions, al­though in­ves­ti­ga­tions of­ten yield mixed re­sults. To help man­agers and re­searchers im­prove their ef­fec­tive­ness, the au­thors em­ployed a meta-analy­sis in­te­grated with struc­tural equa­tion mod­el­ing to an­a­lyze the as­so­ci­a­tions be­tween the at­trib­utes of in­no­va­tions, man­agers' be­hav­ioral pref­er­ences, and or­ga­ni­za­tions' in­no­va­tion adop­tion de­ci­sions in a me­di­ated-mod­er­ated frame­work. Our find­ings of­fer ev­i­dence that at­trib­utes of in­no­va­tions in­flu­ence man­agers' be­hav­ioral pref­er­ences and, con­se­quently, adop­tion de­ci­sions in or­ga­ni­za­tions. We also ob­serve the sig­nif­i­cance of the con­text in which the adop­tion de­ci­sion oc­curs as well as the re­search set­tings em­ployed by schol­ars. Fi­nally, we dis­cuss the the­o­ret­i­cal con­tri­bu­tion and prac­ti­cal im­pli­ca­tions of our meta-an­a­lyt­i­cal re­sults

The ShaRInK framework: a holistic perspective on key categories of influences shaping individual perceptions of knowledge sharing

Purpose – This paper aims to present a holistic framework, termed ShaRInK (Sharer, Relations, Institution, Knowledge), that depicts key categories of influences that shape individual perceptions of knowledge sharing within an organisational setting. Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory and qualitative case study strategy in which empirical data were gathered from 24 interviewees that were based in four different branches (i.e. China, The Netherlands, the UK and the USA) of a single information technology services organisation. Findings – The findings led to a holistic framework that depicts four key categories of influences that shape knowledge sharing from an individual perspective: attitudes and characteristics of the sharers, relations between the sharers, institutions which act as a united entity on sharer perceptions and knowledge itself. Furthermore, the four key influences not only shape knowledge sharing independently but are intertwined and have a synergistic effect. The ShaRInK framework is formed by combining these. Originality/value – The findings indicate that knowledge sharing from an individual-level perspective is a more complex phenomenon than currently portrayed in the literature. All four key influences, each being fundamentally different in nature, and their relationships should be taken into account. Equally, the ShaRInK framework can be applied by organisations when developing a knowledge-sharing strategy or auditing existing strategies

Employee Stock Ownership and Financial Performance in European Countries: The Moderating Effects of Uncertainty Avoidance and Social Trust

This study investigates how the effect of employee stock ownership on financial performance may hinge on the diverse cultural and societal contexts of European countries. Based on agency and national culture theories, we hypothesize that the positive relationship between employee stock ownership and return on assets (ROA) is stronger in those nations with lower uncertainty avoidance and higher social trust. Using a multisource, time‐lagged, large‐scale dataset of 1,741 firms from 21 countries in Europe, our multilevel, random coefficient modeling analysis found evidence for these hypotheses, suggesting that uncertainty avoidance and social trust serve as important contextual cues in predicting the linkage between employee stock ownership and financial performance. Our supplemental analysis with distinction between the managerial and nonmanagerial employee stock ownership further indicates managerial employee stock ownership has a direct positive effect on ROA. Although nonmanagerial employee stock ownership had a nonsignificant association with ROA, the relationship was positive and significant when uncertainty avoidance was low and social trust was high. This research contributes to the existing literature by illuminating some of the contextual influences altering the effectiveness of employee stock ownership. Our findings also offer practical suggestions for effectively using employee stock ownership

Knowledge Sharing of Postgraduates Online: The Intention-Behavior Gap

Knowledge is recognized as a strategic asset and a critical factor for organizational development and competitive advantage in the knowledge economy. All modern organizations should incorporate knowledge management (KM) practices, particularly knowledge sharing behavior (KSB). This research investigates factors influencing KSB based on planned behavior theory and the technology acceptance model in higher education institutes (HEIs) in Jordan. A descriptive analysis approach was applied in the study. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to a sample of 500 respondents across the HEIs. The findings reveal that intentions positively influence MBA students’ KSB but explain less than 50% of KSB; hence an intention-behavior gap is observed. Contextual factors are also identified as significant, namely accreditation and HEI culture. No significant effects of knowledge sharing attitude, subjective norms, perceived ease, course involvement and perceived usefulness are identified. Perceived risk impacted negatively on students’ intentions and KSB. Complex cognitive and behavioral processes between individuals results in knowledge sharing. Combining theoretical foundations permits the identification of those features explaining either intention or behavior, or both. The extent of the intention-behavior gap indicates further research may focus on barriers to converting intentions into actual behavior to support knowledge sharing

Constructing theory with big result now (BRN): Contribution of Tanzania to the theory of knowledge sharing behaviour

Purpose- This paper intends to discourse development of theory in the Tanzania context, based on potentiality of advancing of knowledge sharing theory globally.The aim of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework which essential for studying knowledge sharing behaviour which is critical significant for the organizational changes and national reforms as well for sustaining in tremendous competition.Moreover, the study established the needs to undergo investigation in order to illustrate the degree of performance of theory in the context of Tanzania, which will depict comparison with developed countries.Methodology- This paper reviewed the theory of planned behaviour and it portrayed TPB as underpinned theory for revising knowledge sharing in the context of Tanzania.Findings- The study revealed propositions which are fundamental in developing theory of planned behaviour for studying knowledge sharing in Tanzania context.Limitations of the study- this paper offers suggestions for proposition testing and direction for further studies in knowledge sharing behaviour.Implication of the study- the paper provides development of theory and practically, the research might provide insight for improving knowledge sharing practices in order to realise organizational development and national reforms(BRN) in the context of Tanzania.Value- This paper relies on theoretical approaches, particularly on advancement of theory of planned of behaviour under addition of the collectivist culture and interpersonal relation towards knowledge sharing behaviour in Tanzania

Spatial Theorizing in Comparative and International Education Research

The authors argue for a critical spatial perspective in comparative and international education. We briefly summarize how time and space have been conceptualized within our field. We then review mainstream social science literature that reflects a metanarrative, which we critique for contributing to false dichotomies between space and place and oversimplified views of the relationship between the global and the local. We present some of the key ideas associated with the “spatial turn,” including a relational understanding and productive capacity of space. In the final part of this article, we analyze the significance of new spatial theorizing for comparative and international education by reviewing examples of both comparative and educational researchers who are engaging with critical spatial theorizing. We argue that a possible way to confront binary thinking about space and place is by shifting attention to the relational conceptions of space, through analyses of networks, connections, and flows.Fil: Larsen, Marianne A.. No especifica;Fil: Beech, Jason. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Constructing theory with big result now (BRN): Contribution of Tanzania to the theory of knowledge sharing behavior

Purpose- This paper intends to discourse development of theory in the Tanzania context, based on potentiality of advancing of knowledge sharing theory globally. The aim of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework which essential for studying knowledge sharing behaviour which is critical significant for the organizational changes and national reforms as well for sustaining in tremendous competition. Moreover, the study established the needs to undergo investigation in order to illustrate the degree of performance of theory in the context of Tanzania, which will depict comparison with developed countries.Methodology- This paper reviewed the theory of planned behaviour and it portrayed TPB as underpinned theory for revising knowledge sharing in the context of Tanzania.Findings- The study revealed propositions which are fundamental in developing theory of planned behaviour for studying knowledge sharing in Tanzania context.Limitations of the study- this paper offers suggestions for proposition testing and direction for further studies in knowledge sharing behaviour.Implication of the study- the paper provides development of theory and practically, the research might provide insight for improving knowledge sharing practices in order to realise organizational development and national reforms(BRN) in the context of Tanzania.Value- This paper relies on theoretical approaches, particularly on advancement of theory of planned of behaviour under addition of the collectivist culture and interpersonal relation towards knowledge sharing behaviour in Tanzania

Key Challenges of On-Line Education in Multi-Cultural Context

In meeting the ever-growing educational needs of culturally diverse student populations, universities and colleges still seek to maintain high quality standards, both for in situ and on line education. Despite the latter's reportedly high effectiveness potential, online degree courses tend to have low students' persistence and satisfaction rates. In this pape, r we examine the role that students' and instructors' national cultures play in the way individuals learn at a distance. We argue that students' individual culture dimensions may prove influential in achieving overall learning outcomes. The key complexities for students involve understanding the instructor's role in a socio-constructivist approach, adapting online collaborative learning and acquiring academic skills. These can become crucial barriers to effective online learning. No less a challenge is presented by online distance education for instructors. Academic institutions' managements have high expectations in terms of utilizing up-to-date teaching techniques, enhancing competitive edge and maximizing cost-effectiveness. Thus, the teaching staff is expected to play an increasingly essential role in the new environment. We conclude that instructors have to develop strategies to motivate, support and counsel students with the aim of facilitating the students' on-line learning experience. This implies that teaching staff have to acquire new skills and competences vital for multicultural online education. Robert Kennedy College, whose experience is reflected in this paper, shares much of the issues of other institutions aiming to utilize distance online learning, but has the advantage that it was set up from the start as an online institution. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd