scholarly journals Fitness, Extrinsic Complexity and Informing Science

10.28945/3715 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grandon Gill ◽  
Matthew Mullarkey
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Science Field ◽  
Rigorous Approach ◽  
Individual Effects ◽  
Research Stream ◽  
Definition Of

[This Proceedings paper was revised and published in Informing Science: the International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline (InfoSci)] Aim/Purpose: We establish a conceptually rigorous definition for the widely used but loosely defined term “fitness”. We then tie this definition to complexity, highlighting a number of important implications for the informing science transdiscipline. Background: As informing science increasingly incorporates concepts of fitness and complexity in its research stream, rigorous discussion and definition of both terms is essential to effective communication. Methodology: Our analysis consists principally of a synthesis of past work in the informing science field that incorporates concepts from evolutionary biology, economics and management. Contribution: We provide a rigorous approach to defining fitness and introduce the construct “extrinsic complexity”, as a measure of the amount of information required to predict fitness, to more fully differentiate this form of complexity from other complexity constructs. We draw a number of conclusions regarding how behaviors under low and high extrinsic complexity will differ. Findings: High extrinsic complexity environments are likely to produce behaviors that include resistance to change, imitation, turbulence and inequality. Recommendations for Practitioners: As extrinsic complexity grows, effective search for problem solutions will increasingly dominate employing recommended solutions of “best practices”. Recommendation for Researchers: As extrinsic complexity grows, research tools that rely on decomposing individual effects and hypothesis testing become increasingly unreliable. Impact on Society : We raise concerns about society’s continuing investment in academic research that discounts the extrinsic complexity of the domains under study. Future Research: We highlight a need for research to operationalize the concepts of fitness and complexity in practice.

scholarly journals Fitness, Extrinsic Complexity and Informing Science

10.28945/3668 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 037-061
Author(s):  
Grandon Gill ◽  
Matthew Mullarkey
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Science Field ◽  
Rigorous Approach ◽  
Individual Effects ◽  
Research Stream ◽  
Definition Of

Aim/Purpose We establish a conceptually rigorous definition for the widely used but loosely defined term “fitness”. We then tie this definition to complexity, highlighting a number of important implications for the informing science transdiscipline. Background As informing science increasingly incorporates concepts of fitness and complexity in its research stream, rigorous discussion and definition of both terms is essential to effective communication. Methodology Our analysis consists principally of a synthesis of past work in the informing science field that incorporates concepts from evolutionary biology, economics and management. Contribution We provide a rigorous approach to defining fitness and introduce the construct “extrinsic complexity”, as a measure of the amount of information required to predict fitness, to more fully differentiate this form of complexity from other complexity constructs. We draw a number of conclusions regarding how behaviors under low and high extrinsic complexity will differ. Findings High extrinsic complexity environments are likely to produce behaviors that include resistance to change, imitation, turbulence and inequality. Recommendations for Practitioners As extrinsic complexity grows, effective search for problem solutions will increasingly dominate employing recommended solutions of “best practices”. Recommendation for Researchers As extrinsic complexity grows, research tools that rely on decomposing individual effects and hypothesis testing become increasingly unreliable. Impact on Society We raise concerns about society’s continuing investment in academic research that discounts the extrinsic complexity of the domains under study. Future Research We highlight a need for research to operationalize the concepts of fitness and complexity in practice.

scholarly journals Sustainability of Food Placement in Retailing during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5956
Author(s):  
Jelena Končar ◽  
Radenko Marić ◽  
Goran Vukmirović ◽  
Sonja Vučenović
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Skilled Workers ◽  
Empirical Survey ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

This work aims to define the impact of different indicators on the sustainability of food placement in the retail sector, during periods of crisis and emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. An empirical survey conducted in the Western Balkans (WB) region showed that indicators such as developed infrastructure, consistency, and transparency of the supply chain, skilled workers, costs, food safety, food prices, energy consumption, and changes in consumer needs are statistically significant since they affect the sustainability of food placement in the retail sector. As food placement and the retail sector itself are inseparable from other participants in the food supply chain (FSC), an analysis was conducted at the level of all FSC sectors. The results showed some deviations viewed individually in the sectors of production, physical distribution, wholesale, and retail, and in selected Western Balkan countries. Based on the results obtained, the sustainability model of food placement in the retail sector has been defined. The model will serve as the basis for defining the set of measures and incentives that competent institutions and FSC management need to undertake, to minimize the impact of indicators that endanger sustainability. The originality of the study lies in the fact that it fills the research gap that exists in this subject matter in academic research and studies in the WB region. In addition, some indicators important for food placement have been precisely isolated, with the definition of the intensity of their impact, observed overall at the level of the entire FSC as well as by individual sectors. Guidelines and suggestions for future research are listed in the paper.

Wellness tourism: a perspective article

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Kazakov ◽  
Olga Oyner
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourism Studies ◽  
Wellness Tourism ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Research Stream ◽  
Economic Well Being

Purpose This paper aims to examine the development and significant contributions in a growing array of relevant publications spanning from 1946 to date and discuss future developments of the wellness tourism topic until the year 2095. Design/methodology/approach This perspective study traces down the wellness tourism evolution research by re-viewing and analysing an extant body of the relevant literature over the last 75 years. This paper builds a rigorous perspective review by examination of publications derived from several scientific domains, including tourism, medicine, economics and social sciences. Findings As a result of this study, wellness tourism can be attributed as a profuse and proliferating research stream in the recent 75 years. Its relevance to significant aspects of life, such as health and also due to effects on human, social, and economic well-being, drives its proliferation. The paper anticipates the relevance and topicality of wellness tourism studies for academic research in the next 75 years. Originality/value This paper contributes to the theory by addressing the ambiguous nature of wellness tourism, recapping the debate on the most debated research questions, and revealing the perspectives for future research in this area.

scholarly journals Accountability and responsibility defined

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 687-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Keith McGrath ◽  
Stephen Jonathan Whitty
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Internal Conflict ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Physical Systems ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
Governance Models ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to remove confusion surrounding the terms responsibility and accountability from the general and project management arenas by creating “refined” (with unnecessary elements removed) definitions of these terms. Design/methodology/approach A method of deriving refined definitions for a group of terms by ensuring that there is no internal conflict or overlap is adopted and applied to resolve the confusion. Findings The confusion between responsibility and accountability can be characterised as a failure to separate the obligation to satisfactorily perform a task (responsibility) from the liability to ensure that it is satisfactorily done (accountability). Furthermore, clarity of application can be achieved if legislative and organisational accountabilities are differentiated and it is recognised that accountability and responsibility transition across organisational levels. A difficulty in applying accountability in RACI tables is also resolved. Research limitations/implications Clear definition of responsibility and accountability will facilitate future research endeavours by removing confusion surrounding the terms. Verification of the method used through its success in deriving these “refined” definitions suggests its suitability for application to other contested terms. Practical implications Projects and businesses alike can benefit from removal of confusion around the definitions of responsibility and accountability in the academic research they fund and attempt to apply. They can also achieve improvements in both efficiency and effectiveness in undertaking organisation-wide exercises to determine organisational responsibilities and accountabilities as well as in the application of governance models. Social implications Refined definitions of responsibility and accountability will facilitate building social and physical systems and infrastructure, benefitting organisations, whether public, charitable or private. Originality/value Clarity resulting in the avoidance of confusion and misunderstanding together with their consequent waste of time, resources and money.

The professional lives of expatriate academics

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodie-Lee Trembath
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Professional Lives ◽  
Higher Education Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Management ◽  
Expatriate Management ◽  
Research Stream ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide clarity around the notion of the expatriate academic (EA), a construct that is increasingly essential to theories of expatriate management and higher education management. A review of the literature on academic mobility showed that terms such as “international academic” and “foreign faculty” provide highly variable definitions and results, while those papers that self-consciously used the term “EA” were more likely to provide consistency across definition and findings. This allowed for analysis of the characteristics of this unique group. Design/methodology/approach – This study appropriates a meta-narrative approach to literature review, analysing 23 papers about EAs to develop a more comprehensive conceptualisation of this term and to identify key-related themes. Findings – By reviewing 23 papers identifying with the term, a carefully constructed definition of the EA is provided, distinguishing EAs from other types of internationally mobile academic and demonstrating characteristics that EAs display in their professional lives. Recommendations are made to researchers, universities and EAs themselves for how these findings may affect the EA employment cycle. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Originality/value – This is the first paper to aggregate the results of literature on EAs, putting forward a clear definition and description to aid future research and clarify the research stream.

scholarly journals Defining logistics preparedness: a framework and research agenda

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 372-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Jahre ◽  
Ala Pazirandeh ◽  
Luk Van Wassenhove
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Common Definition ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
Public Data ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a more complete understanding of logistics preparedness. By comparing extant research in preparedness and logistics with findings from empirical analysis of secondary data, the authors develop a definition of and framework for logistics preparedness, along with suggestions for future research agenda. Design/methodology/approach The authors link the way in which humanitarian organizations define and aim to achieve logistics preparedness with extant academic research. The authors critically analyze public data from 13 organizations that are active in disaster relief and review papers on logistics preparedness and humanitarian logistics. Findings The authors found that, despite the increased attention, there is no unified understanding across organizations about what constitutes logistics preparedness and how it can contribute to improvements in operations. Based on the review of the academic literature, the authors found that the same is true for humanitarian logistics research. The lack of a common understanding has resulted in low visibility of efforts and lack of knowledge on logistics preparedness. Research limitations/implications On the basis of extant research and practice, the authors suggest a definition of and framework for logistics preparedness with related suggestions for future studies. Practical implications Findings can help the humanitarian community gain a better understanding of their efforts related to developing logistics preparedness and can provide a better basis for communicating the need for, and results from, funding in preparedness. Social implications Results can support improvements in humanitarian supply chains, thereby providing affected people with rapid, cost-efficient, and better-adapted responses. Originality/value The findings contribute to humanitarian logistics literature, first by identifying the issues related to the lack of a common definition. Second, the authors extend the understanding of what constitutes logistics preparedness by proposing an operationalized framework and definition. Finally, the authors add to the literature by discussing what future topics and types of research may be required.

scholarly journals Stakeholder defined

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 721-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Keith McGrath ◽  
Stephen Jonathan Whitty
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Internal Conflict ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Physical Systems ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to create a “refined” (with unnecessary elements removed) definition of the term stakeholder, thereby removing confusion surrounding the use of this term from the general and project management arenas. Design/methodology/approach A method of deriving refined definitions for a group of terms by ensuring there are no unnecessary elements causing internal conflict or overlap is adopted and applied to resolve the confusion. Findings The refined definitions of stake and stakeholder are in terms of an interest and activity. This avoids all extensions of meaning introduced by defining particular types of stakeholders and/ or their degrees of impact. It also resolves the multiplicity of conflicting meanings possible when silent or assumed qualifiers of a word are ignored, restricting definition to, for example, project stakeholders or stakeholders of a firm. These definitions are carried forward into a mapping of the stakeholder locus of interest on an activity rather than a company base, enabling generic categorisation of stakeholders to be proposed for use in both private and public sectors. A governance difficulty with the term customer also emerged and a resolution to this is proposed. Research limitations/implications Resolution of the academic contention around the definition of stakeholders will facilitate future research endeavours by removing confusion surrounding the term. It can also provide clarity in governance arrangements in public and private sectors. Verification of the method used through its success in deriving this “refined” definition suggests its suitability for application to other contested terms. Practical implications Projects and businesses alike can benefit from removal of confusion around the definition of stakeholder in the academic research they fund and attempt to apply. Social implications A refined definition of the stakeholder concept will facilitate building social and physical systems and infrastructure, benefitting organisations, whether public, charitable or private. Originality/value Clarity results in the avoidance of confusion and misunderstanding together with their consequent waste of time, resources and money.

scholarly journals A literature review of personalization transparency and control: Introducing the Transparency-Awareness-Control Framework

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Segijn ◽  
Joanna Strycharz ◽  
Amy Riegelman ◽  
Cody Hennesy
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Paradigm ◽  
Control Framework ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Individual ◽  
And Control

<p>Through various online activities, individuals produce large amounts of data that are collected by companies for the purpose of providing users with personalized communication. In the light of this mass collection of personal data, the transparency and control paradigm for personalized communication has led to increased attention of legislators and academics. However, in the scientific literature no clear definition of personalization transparency and control exists, which could lead to reliability and validity issues, impeding knowledge accumulation in academic research. In a literature review, we analyzed 31 articles and we observed that 1) no clear definitions of personalization transparency or control exist, 2) they are used interchangeably in the literature, 3) collection, processing, and sharing of data are the three objects of transparency and control, and 4) increased transparency does not automatically increase control because first awareness needs to be raised in the individual. Also, the relationship between awareness and control depends on the ability and the desire to control. This study contributes to the field of algorithmic communication by creating a common understanding of the transparency and control paradigm and thus improves validity of the results. Further, it progresses research on the issue by synthesizing existing studies on the topic, presenting the Transparency-Awareness-Control framework, and formulating propositions to guide future research.</p>

Designing Effective Sustainability Assignments: How and Why Definitions of Sustainability Impact Assignments and Learning Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 794-821
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Urdan ◽  
Patrice Luoma
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Business And Society ◽  
Student Work ◽  
The Past ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Corporate Social

The importance of, and interest in, sustainability in management education has increased significantly over the past three decades. However, the definition of sustainability remains complex and elusive, thus creating significant issues for sustainability instruction, assignment design, and student learning. We reviewed definitions and use of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) nomenclature from academics, corporations, and business and society course textbooks. The evidence is clear that sustainability and CSR are commonly and frequently used interchangeably not only in academic research and the classroom but also by textbook authors and business reports. Using a sustainability assignment gone wrong, we present data and analysis showing that this lack of definitional clarity and intermingling of the concepts of sustainability and CSR led to problems with student learning and outcomes from the assignment. Student work was heavily influenced by corporate terminology, which superseded textbook, nomenclature, and classroom instruction. We call for future research to delve into the issue of clarifying the definitional complexity and conflation.

scholarly journals Sustainable Business Models: A Bibliometric Performance Analysis

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 6062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Marczewska ◽  
Mariusz Kostrzewski
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Sustainable Performance ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Research Stream

Sustainable business models have become a phenomenon of global interest. Since the beginning of the 21st century, companies have sought to shift from traditional business models towards sustainable ones in order to leverage their sustainable performance and increase their competitive advantage. The aim of this paper is to provide an extensive overview of the academic research on sustainable business models with the focus on inquiry of main trends related to business and economics studies and identification of future research directions. This paper reviews existing literature on sustainable business models in order to map this research stream and identify the most substantial contributors to the advances of research in this field. It contributes to the existing body of knowledge on sustainable business models by: (1) describing the most influential and high-impact researchers/authors, journals, and papers; (2) highlighting main and most important research trends related to sustainable business models in studies on business and economics; and (3) identifying future research agendas in investigating sustainable business models from business and economics perspectives.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document