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1 – 10 of 259The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of small business managers ' objectives and preferred methods of communicating on the communications aspect of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of small business managers ' objectives and preferred methods of communicating on the communications aspect of accountants ' advisory relationship with small business. Through exploring and reporting on these issues, the paper seeks to contribute to understanding of accounting ' s capacity to satisfy the communication needs of its users.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a mixed methodology, comprising a questionnaire to access evidence from small business managers and semi-structured interviews with accountants, which provide a complementary perspective to accountant/small business communications. The analysis of the findings is informed by media richness theory.
Findings
Small business managers prefer direct forms of contact with their accountants and the richness of verbal communications. This is demonstrated in accountants ' use of visual and audio cues, including reinforcing and adjusting techniques, which enhance the appeal and utility of verbal communications. Accountants ' documents have been relegated to a supplementary reinforcing function in the profession ' s communications with small business. Small firm managers ' objectives influence their interest in and use of accounting information and the communications approach that their accountant implements. The findings indicate that accountants adopt communications approaches with small business managers, which satisfy the communication needs of the economically significant small business sector, a significant user of accounting information and services.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to redressing a gap in the accounting discipline ' s literature regarding accountants ' communications with small business, while offering insights that may be useful to practitioners in their advisory relationships with small business managers.
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Maria Brenner, Miriam O’Shea, Anne Clancy, Stine Lundstroem Kamionka, Philip Larkin, Sapfo Lignou, Daniela Luzi, Elena Montañana Olaso, Manna Alma, Fabrizio Pecoraro, Rose Satherley, Oscar Tamburis, Keishia Taylor, Austin Warters, Ingrid Wolfe, Jay Berry, Colman Noctor and Carol Hilliard
Improvements in neonatal and paediatric care mean that many children with complex care needs (CCNs) now survive into adulthood. This cohort of children places great challenges on…
Abstract
Improvements in neonatal and paediatric care mean that many children with complex care needs (CCNs) now survive into adulthood. This cohort of children places great challenges on health and social care delivery in the community: they require dynamic and responsive health and social care over a long period of time; they require organisational and delivery coordination functions; and health issues such as minor illnesses, normally presented to primary care, must be addressed in the context of the complex health issues. Their clinical presentation may challenge local care management. The project explored the interface between primary care and specialised health services and found that it is not easily navigated by children with CCNs and their families across the European Union and the European Economic Area countries. We described the referral-discharge interface, the management of a child with CCNs at the acute–community interface, social care, nursing preparedness for practice and the experiences of the child and family in all Models of Child Health Appraised countries. We investigated data integration and the presence of validated standards of care, including governance and co-creation of care. A separate enquiry was conducted into how care is accessed for children with enduring mental health disorders. This included the level of parental involvement and the presence of multidisciplinary teams in their care. For all children with CCNs, we found wide variation in access to, and governance of, care. Effective communication between the child, family and health services remains challenging, often with fragmentation of care delivery across the health and social care sector and limited service availability.
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David E. Bowen, Raymond P. Fisk, John E.G. Bateson, Leonard L. Berry, Mary Jo Bitner, Stephen W. Brown, Richard B. Chase, Bo Edvardsson, Christian Grönroos, A. Parasuraman, Benjamin Schneider and Valarie A. Zeithaml
A small group of pioneering founders led the creation and early evolution of the service research field. Decades later, this article shares timeless service wisdom from ten of…
Abstract
Purpose
A small group of pioneering founders led the creation and early evolution of the service research field. Decades later, this article shares timeless service wisdom from ten of those pioneering founders.
Design/methodology/approach
Bowen and Fisk specified three criteria by which to identify a pioneering founder. In total, 11 founders met the criteria (Bateson, Berry, Bitner, Brown, Chase, Edvardsson, Grönroos, Gummesson, Parasuraman, Schneider and Zeithaml) and were invited to join Bowen and Fisk – founders that also met the criteria as coauthors. Ten founders then answered a set of questions regarding their careers as service scholars and the state of the field.
Findings
Insightful reflections were provided by each of the ten pioneering founders. In addition, based on their synthesis of the reflections, Bowen and Fisk developed nine wisdom themes for service researchers to consider and to possibly act upon.
Originality/value
The service research field is in its fifth decade. This article offers a unique way to learn directly from the pioneering founders about the still-relevant history of the field, the founders' lives and contributions as service scholars and the founders' hopes and concerns for the service research field.
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In his apocalyptic book on the environment and public policy, Timothy C. Weiskel warned of the consequences of humanity's intrusion into the biological and geo‐chemical processes…
Abstract
In his apocalyptic book on the environment and public policy, Timothy C. Weiskel warned of the consequences of humanity's intrusion into the biological and geo‐chemical processes of the natural world. He said that our intrusions have been massive and thorough; that they now threaten to transform ecosystemic parameters; and that unless responsible public policy directs itself toward moderating our current destructive impact on the environment, we will face ecosystemic collapse and human catastrophe “on a vastly greater scale than has ever been recorded in human history.”
Khanh V. La and Jay Kandampully
The rapid development of electronic commerce (e‐commerce) has seen emerging electronic service retailers attracting the interest of, and gaining the patronage of, both service…
Abstract
The rapid development of electronic commerce (e‐commerce) has seen emerging electronic service retailers attracting the interest of, and gaining the patronage of, both service providers and customers. However, there is consensus that the e‐commerce industry in general has not been able to cope with all the challenges of, and to realise the true potential of, the technology‐based marketplace. Through an extensive literature review and the use of industry examples, this article brings together existing theories and new realities in the emerging electronic market. Argues that, although the Internet marketplace possesses unique characteristics, which Web‐based businesses must be able to manage, there are certain traditional values that remain central to business success in all markets. Offers a detailed analysis of the various factors that influence the market success of an electronic service retailer and provides specific managerial implications for practitioners.
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This chapter considers the notion of inclusive pedagogy in terms of issues arising through such practice related to teacher learning, reflection and the development of expertise…
Abstract
This chapter considers the notion of inclusive pedagogy in terms of issues arising through such practice related to teacher learning, reflection and the development of expertise. By drawing on these ideas, the notion of inclusive pedagogy, and specifically the inclusive pedagogical approach in action framework, understandings of teaching and learning are examined that illustrate the importance of creating conditions for learning that can make a difference for all students. These ideas have important ramifications for teacher education – both pre-service and in-service – and the nature of those ramifications is considered in ways that are designed to illustrate why it is that teaching is complex and sophisticated business.
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Khanh V. La and Jay Kandampully
While recovering from service failures is often viewed as an operational concern, service providers can also adopt a strategic and conceptual service vision for managing their…
Abstract
While recovering from service failures is often viewed as an operational concern, service providers can also adopt a strategic and conceptual service vision for managing their service recovery. This paper discusses how the management of service failures can be utilised as a catalyst to effectively initiate organization‐wide learning and can serve as a reflection of the firm's market orientation to enhance value. Failure‐recovery, at its inception, acts as an external‐to‐internal trigger that initiates numerous changes (innovations) – operational changes, strategic changes and conceptual changes. These changes guide the implementation of various value enhancing innovations throughout the entire organization and positively affect the firm's service vision and mission.
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Arne De Keyser, Sarah Köcher, Linda Alkire (née Nasr), Cédric Verbeeck and Jay Kandampully
Smart technologies and connected objects are rapidly changing the organizational frontline. Yet, our understanding of how these technologies infuse service encounters remains…
Abstract
Purpose
Smart technologies and connected objects are rapidly changing the organizational frontline. Yet, our understanding of how these technologies infuse service encounters remains limited. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to update existing classifications of Frontline Service Technology (FST) infusion. Moreover, the authors discuss three promising smart and connected technologies – conversational agents, extended reality (XR) and blockchain technology – and their respective implications for customers, frontline employees and service organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a conceptual approach integrating existing work on FST infusion with artificial intelligence, robotics, XR and blockchain literature, while also building on insights gathered through expert interviews and focus group conversations with members of two service research centers.
Findings
The authors define FST and propose a set of FST infusion archetypes at the organizational frontline. Additionally, the authors develop future research directions focused on understanding how conversational agents, XR and blockchain technology will impact service.
Originality/value
This paper updates and extends existing classifications of FST, while paving the road for further work on FST infusion.
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