Post-pandemic responsible management education: an invitation for a conceptual and practice renewal and for a narrative change

Purpose This essay makes the point that the corona crisis should motivate business schools and scholars to reflect on their interpretation of responsible management education (RME). It suggests both a conceptual and a practice renewal of RME, by respectively highlighting the relevance of the constructs organizational climate (OC) and professorial roles (PR) and calling for an enactment of business schools’ employer responsibility. It also argues that beyond mere techno-pedagogical and strategic developments, business schools’ post-pandemic challenges should encompass a narrative change. Design/methodology/approach Review of recent studies on the neo-liberalization of business schools and the implications of the latter on management educators and management education. Findings The corona crisis carries the risk of putting center stage and amplifying the entrepreneurial narrative in business schools. Such a narrative is deeply rooted in neoliberal assumptions. However, the corona crisis is also an opportunity to renew RME and to favour critical studies, encourage moral imagination and embark collectively on systemic activism. Originality/value Like other recent work, this paper reflects on what RME should mean and how business schools should set and fulfill their RME agenda in the aftermath of the corona crisis. To complement those former work, this paper proposes that the constructs of OC and PR be invited into the conceptualization of RME and insists that business schools acknowledge their employer responsibility.

Safeguarding women at work? Lessons from Aotearoa New Zealand on effectively implementing domestic violence policies

Although domestic violence is increasingly acknowledged as a workplace issue and a gender equality issue, a gap remains in the effective implementation of domestic violence policies in workplaces. The Domestic Violence – Victims Protection Act passed in 2018 in Aotearoa New Zealand was a global landmark for holding workplaces accountable for safeguarding victims through a codification of employer responsibility. While the legislation is a milestone, such moves are nascent compared with other workplace gender equality initiatives. In this article, we assess ‘where we are now’ in relation to domestic violence policy initiatives, arguing that knowledge necessary for successful policy implementation is limited by the historical ‘gender blindness’ of industrial relations scholarship. For successful implementation, scholars and practitioners must understand domestic violence as a public issue embedded in broader patterns of gender inequality, reinforced by a gendered labour market. Drawing upon vignettes of victims’ experiences from empirical data on intimate partner stalking in Aotearoa New Zealand, a research and practice agenda is proposed to consider ‘where to next’ for implementing domestic violence policies. Our agenda proposes recognising domestic violence as a gendered, public issue which blurs boundaries between work, home and society in order to truly safeguard women at work.

Australian office workers' response to sedentary behaviour messaging

PurposeTo provide insight into how office workers respond to sedentary health messages following the introduction of the Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines.Design/methodology/approachVia online survey, office workers (n = 185) reported awareness of the Guidelines and sedentary risk, availability of workplace movement-based initiatives, and measures of sitting time, intention, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers to sedentary behaviour. Participants then viewed one of two brief messages (“Occupational Risk” or “Strategies”); indicated their message receptivity and provided written recommendations. Participants who consented to a second survey (n = 126) completed sitting time and psychological measures again after four weeks.FindingsOnly 23% were aware of the Guidelines; willingness to follow public health guidance was mixed. Barriers to adoption were apparent for existing initiatives. Message receptivity was high for both messages. For the follow-up survey, an improvement in psychological variables and workplace sitting was reported in those who viewed the Occupational Risk compared to the Strategies message. Qualitative analysis revealed lack of organisational support and called for increased employer responsibility.Research limitations/implicationsAs participants self-selected into the study, the sample may be more health-conscious than the typical office worker.Practical implicationsWorkers are receptive to brief messages and the Occupational Risk message showed promise in promoting change. However, sedentary exposure is viewed as an organisational-level issue. A “whole of workplace” approach is needed with co-designed strategies tailored to the culture and working practices within the organisation.Originality/valueThis study offers insight into avenues for improving the management of prolonged sitting and workplace sedentary behaviour.

Policies for the Prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury Among Computer Users

The chapter starts with a very brief review of the nature of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and some of the less helpful advice about RSI. There is consideration of general issues of employer responsibility for health and safety and mention of the peculiarities of RSI prevention before attention is turned to the balance of individual versus corporate responsibility as shown in policies studied. Attention is then drawn to particular issues of mouse use and then computer games. There is a short discussion of the issues of stress and work pressure, followed by mention of some issues raised by monitoring, and the chapter concludes with a look at the issues raised by consideration of shared workstations.

Forensic Engineering Analysis Of A Concrete Pumping Accident

This Paper Describes The Writer Forensic Engineering Approach In Analyzing Concrete Pump Lessor, Pump Operator, General Contractor, And Subcontractor Roles And Responsibilities In An Accident Where A Concrete Finisher Was Using A Concrete Pump In An Unsafe Matter. The Paper Also Includes A Discussion Of The Applicability Of Osha Regulations Regarding Employer Responsibility For Construction Safety At Multi-Employer Jobsites.

Outsourcing and Employer Responsibility

The widespread use of outsourcing in the service industry has major consequences for the employment relationship. In particular, outsourcing diminishes absolute employer control of firm operations. This article focuses on this new relationship through a study of the occupational health and safety requirements established in connection with the outsourcing of public bus transport in Denmark.