Kauppakorkeakouluhttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/255982024-03-29T12:35:42Z2024-03-29T12:35:42ZAccepting Organizational TheoriesAksom, Hermanhttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/940472024-03-22T14:17:46Z2024-03-22T13:13:20ZAccepting Organizational Theories
Aksom, Herman
In this paper we aim to contribute to the recent debate on non-empirical theory confrmation by analyzing why scientists accept and trust their theories in the absence of clear empirical verifcation in social sciences. Given that the philosophy of social sciences traditionally deals mainly with economics and sociology, organization theory promises a new area for addressing a wide range of key questions of the modern philosophy of science and, in particular, to shed a light on the puzzling question of non-empirical theory assessment, acceptance, corroboration and development. Although institutional theory of organizations cannot be directly tested and evaluated via empirical data, this theory nevertheless became a dominant theory of organization-environment relations and most organizational researchers routinely use it as a standard theoretical framework for making sense of empirical fndings. We analyze the trajectory of institutional theory development and proliferation and argue that it enjoys its current status of the standard theory of organizational sociology because (1) it is fexible enough to account for most organizational processes and phenomena; (2) it has suppressed existing alternative theories that are less fexible; (3) because scientists do not tend to look for alternatives for once winning theory and (4) due to the dysfunctional requirement to “develop theory” in top journals in organization and management studies. Finally, we argue that “a too-much-plasticity efect”, has a negative impact on institutional theory in the long run. It is explained why, despite the dominant position in organizational research, institutional studies cannot be regarded as a normal science while the progress of this theoretical problem is rather an illusory efect then a growth of knowledge.
2024-03-22T13:13:20ZThe Human RFID Implants Introduce a New Level of Human-Computer Interaction : Twitter Topic Detection Gauges Consumer OpinionsNiininen, OutiSingaraju, StephenArango, Luishttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/940412024-03-22T14:20:46Z2024-03-22T11:23:20ZThe Human RFID Implants Introduce a New Level of Human-Computer Interaction : Twitter Topic Detection Gauges Consumer Opinions
Niininen, Outi; Singaraju, Stephen; Arango, Luis
Jeseo, Vincent; Allen, Juliann
Human subcutaneous implants are being made available as the new level of human-computer interaction as well as a convenient way to streamline everyday routines. The reception of this new idea is varied: in Sweden it is possible to pay train fares with implanted chip vs. in the USA some states are using legislation to ensure that residents cannot be implanted without their consent. Despite the resistance to this application of technology, the signs for major digital transformation are already evident. Industries like banking, health care and security should be closely monitoring the development opportunities implanted devices offer. The microblogging site Twitter has been linked to the younger, more affluent, and pro-technology users. This makes Twitter feed an excellent opportunity to gauge population opinions regarding human subcutaneous chip implants. The KNIME software was used for unsupervised topic detection with Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) algorithm to identify the key issues engaging the tweeting public.
2024-03-22T11:23:20ZForms and Strategies of Personal Influence in “Public” Relations Practices : Evidence from ItalyValentini, ChiaraSriramesh, Krishnamurthyhttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/939112024-03-14T14:22:14Z2024-03-14T13:05:23ZForms and Strategies of Personal Influence in “Public” Relations Practices : Evidence from Italy
Valentini, Chiara; Sriramesh, Krishnamurthy
Purpose – Personal influence is one of the most powerful strategies to influence publics’ behaviours. Yet, there is scant attention on how personal influence is leveraged for different public relations purposes in different cultural contexts. This study empirically investigates the presence and use of personal influence among Italian public relations professionals.
Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted through a self-administrated, web-based questionnaire and was developed from earlier studies investigating personal influence in public relations literature. Survey participants included public relations professionals across public, non-profit and private sectors.
Findings – The findings empirically show the presence and regular use of personal influence by professionals from all sectors to cultivate interpersonal relationships. Personal influence is considered a personal resource and used to leverage own influencing power. The findings also document four major manifestations of personal influence, which were named: relational closeness strategy, engagement strategy, expertise strategy and added value strategy.
Practical implications – This study enhances our understanding of personal influence in a specific cultural context and offers strategic insights for international professionals seeking to leverage influence in the sociopolitical environment of Italy. It also offers elements to improve public relations education and training.
Originality/value – The study offers some preliminary understandings of how Italian professionals leverage their personal influence in their daily public relations activities contributing with empirical evidence to the body of knowledge in public relations.
2024-03-14T13:05:23ZBig data analytics capability, marketing agility, and firm performance : a conceptual frameworkVesterinen, MikkoMero, JoelSkippari, Mikahttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/939062024-03-14T14:17:22Z2024-03-14T12:42:49ZBig data analytics capability, marketing agility, and firm performance : a conceptual framework
Vesterinen, Mikko; Mero, Joel; Skippari, Mika
This study proposes that the proficient use of big data enables organizations to respond swiftly to market opportunities and threats, leading to positive business outcomes. Drawing on research from marketing, information technology, and management, the study builds a conceptual framework that outlines the relationships between big data analytics capability, marketing agility, and firm performance and pinpoints the contingencies that shape these relationships. While highlighting the importance of agility in harnessing big data for a firm’s success, the study offers avenues for further research and valuable insights for managers looking to invest in big data.
2024-03-14T12:42:49ZManagement accountants : A gendered imageAla-Heikkilä, VirpiLämsä, Anna-MaijaJärvenpää, Markohttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/938452024-03-25T06:11:46Z2024-03-07T09:51:27ZManagement accountants : A gendered image
Ala-Heikkilä, Virpi; Lämsä, Anna-Maija; Järvenpää, Marko
It has been argued that masculinity in the field of accounting is in flux and that new gendered expectations may be emerging. This study takes an important step toward a discussion on management accountants’ gendered image and broadens understanding of masculinity in the field of management accounting. The question it raises is whether the notion of hegemonic masculinity is dominant in the image and whether the image might be expanding. A qualitative case study of a global technology company was conducted, drawing on 100 of its job advertisements for management accountants and 31 semi-structured interviews with its management accountants and operational managers. The findings revealed that even though some caring attributes, such as empathy, were constructed as important, causing the hegemonic masculinity to seem softer, the image of the ideal management accountant predominantly aligns with hegemonic masculinity, more specifically with transnational business masculinity and entrepreneurialism, which emphasize business performance and maximization of the self. The dominance of hegemonic masculinity leads to the colonization of “othered” bodies, namely women in management accounting. The results critique mainstream management accounting research, which considerably lacks gender analysis.
2024-03-07T09:51:27ZUnited and divided : early modern economic history in Finnish and Swedish academic literatureEnflo, KerstinOjala, JariGustafsson, Jan-Peterhttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/938292024-03-06T14:15:40Z2024-03-06T13:01:27ZUnited and divided : early modern economic history in Finnish and Swedish academic literature
Enflo, Kerstin; Ojala, Jari; Gustafsson, Jan-Peter
Kuha, Miia; Karonen, Petri
In this chapter, we analyze Finnish and Swedish economic history research on these countries’ common past (prior to 1809) and the early modern era (defined here as between 1500 and 1850). Using extensive bibliometric databases, we show that even when they focus on the early modern era, economic historians most often analyze Finland and Sweden in terms of their modern borders. Researchers based in Finland are more likely to take both countries into account than researchers from Sweden or anywhere else. This does not necessarily reflect an integrated analysis of the region’s common past but is often rather a comparison of Finnish and Swedish economic performance.
2024-03-06T13:01:27ZEffects of nurse visit copayment on primary care use : Do low-income households pay the price?Haaga, TapioBöckerman, PetriKortelainen, MikaTukiainen, Jannehttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/938272024-03-06T14:20:07Z2024-03-06T12:46:06ZEffects of nurse visit copayment on primary care use : Do low-income households pay the price?
Haaga, Tapio; Böckerman, Petri; Kortelainen, Mika; Tukiainen, Janne
Nurses are increasingly providing primary care, yet the literature on cost-sharing has paid little attention to nurse visits. We employ a staggered difference-in-differences design to examine the effects of adopting a 10-euro copayment for nurse visits on the use of public primary care among Finnish adults. We find that the copayment reduced nurse visits by 9%–10% during a one-year follow-up. There is heterogeneity by income in absolute terms, but not in relative terms. The spillover effects on general practitioner (GP) use are negative but small, with varying statistical significance. We also analyze the subsequent nationwide abolition of the copayment. However, we refrain from drawing causal conclusions from this due to the lack of credibility in the parallel trends assumption. Overall, our analysis suggests that moderate copayments can create a greater barrier to access for low-income individuals. We also provide an example of using a pre-analysis plan for retrospective observational data.
2024-03-06T12:46:06ZIn search for climate neutrality in ice hockey : A case of carbon footprint reduction in a Finnish professional teamUusitalo, VilleHalonen, VilmaKoljonen, HeidiHeikkinen, SuviClaudelin, Annahttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/938252024-03-06T14:15:31Z2024-03-06T12:15:50ZIn search for climate neutrality in ice hockey : A case of carbon footprint reduction in a Finnish professional team
Uusitalo, Ville; Halonen, Vilma; Koljonen, Heidi; Heikkinen, Suvi; Claudelin, Anna
Mitigation actions in all sectors of society, including sports, to limit global warming have become an increasingly hot topic in public discussions and sports management. However, so far, there has been a lack of understanding and practical examples of how these organizations, especially in team sports, can holistically assess and reduce their climate impacts to achieve carbon neutrality. This paper presents a carbon footprint assessment, implemented actions for GHG emission reduction, and offers the example of a professional Finnish ice hockey team that achieved carbon neutrality. The study is based on a life cycle assessment method. The Results show that the team’s carbon footprint was reduced from 350 tCO2eq by more than 50% between seasons 2018–2019 and 2021–2022 in the assessed categories. The most GHG emission reductions were achieved in the team’s and spectators’ mobility and ice hall energy consumption. Furthermore, the team compensated for their remaining emissions to achieve carbon neutrality. Multiple possibilities for further GHG emission reductions were recognized. The majority of the GHG emissions were linked to the Scope 3 category, indicating that co-operation with partners and stakeholders was a key to success in attaining carbon neutrality. This paper also discusses the possible limitations and challenges that sport organizations face in assessing climate impacts and reducing GHG emissions, as well as the prospects of overcoming them. Since there are many opportunities for sports to contribute to climate change mitigation, relevant targets and actions to reduce GHG emissions should be integrated into all sport organizations’ management.
2024-03-06T12:15:50ZThe politics–administration dichotomy in support for national sport guidelines in local government : The views of Finnish municipal top decision-makers on child and youth physical activity guidelinesLee, AnnaKärkkäinen, SalmeLämsä, Anna-MaijaSuomi, KimmoVehmas, HannaVillberg, Jarihttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/938242024-03-25T06:11:52Z2024-03-06T09:17:59ZThe politics–administration dichotomy in support for national sport guidelines in local government : The views of Finnish municipal top decision-makers on child and youth physical activity guidelines
Lee, Anna; Kärkkäinen, Salme; Lämsä, Anna-Maija; Suomi, Kimmo; Vehmas, Hanna; Villberg, Jari
While autonomous municipalities in western societies have become responsible for the implementation of national sport policy, the diversity of local decision-makers’ policy interests presents significant challenges. Building on an institutional approach based on Max Weber’s theory of bureaucracy, this problem is addressed by studying local political and administrative top decision-makers’ support of the Sports Act guidelines for child and youth sport in Finland. Utilising large survey data from 736 Finnish local top decision-makers, the analysis revealed attitudinal differences, especially between politicians and administrators, and thus a paradoxical situation in the implementation of these guidelines. This finding supports the view that the current debate on the realisation of sport policy in Finland’s autonomous local government system needs to consider differences in the views of different decision-making groups and their influence on local sport provision.
2024-03-06T09:17:59ZEffect of weight on depression using multiple genetic instrumentsViinikainen, JuttaBöckerman, PetriWillage, BartonElovainio, MarkoKari, Jaana T.Lehtimäki, TerhoPehkonen, JaakkoPitkänen, NiinaRaitakari, Ollihttps://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/938212024-03-06T14:15:51Z2024-03-06T08:47:33ZEffect of weight on depression using multiple genetic instruments
Viinikainen, Jutta; Böckerman, Petri; Willage, Barton; Elovainio, Marko; Kari, Jaana T.; Lehtimäki, Terho; Pehkonen, Jaakko; Pitkänen, Niina; Raitakari, Olli
Tsima Billy Morara
A striking global health development over the past few decades has been the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity. At the same time, depression has become increasingly common in almost all high-income countries. We investigated whether body weight, measured by body mass index (BMI), has a causal effect on depression symptoms in Finland. Using data drawn from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (N = 1,523, mean age 41.9, SD 5), we used linear regression to establish the relationship between BMI and depression symptoms measured by 21-item Beck’s Depression Inventory. To identify causal relationships, we used the Mendelian randomization (MR) method with weighted sums of genetic markers (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) as instruments for BMI. We employ instruments (polygenic risk scores, PGSs) with varying number of SNPs that are associated with BMI to evaluate the sensitivity of our results to instrument strength. Based on linear regressions, higher BMI was associated with a higher prevalence of depression symptoms among females (b = 0.238, p = 0.000) and males (b = 0.117, p = 0.019). However, the MR results imply that the positive link applies only to females (b = 0.302, p = 0.007) but not to males (b = -0.070, p = 0.520). Poor instrument strength may explain why many previous studies that have utilized genetic instruments have been unable to identify a statistically significant link between BMI and depression-related traits. Although the number of genetic markers in the instrument had only a minor effect on the point estimates, the standard errors were much smaller when more powerful instruments were employed.
2024-03-06T08:47:33Z