Adelina Broadbridge

Gender and Management: New Directions in Research and Continuing Patterns in Practice

Management and managing are characteristically gendered in many respects. Over the last 30 years there has been a major international growth of studies on gender relations in organizations in general and in management in particular. This applies in both empirical research and more general theoretical analyses. The area of gender, organizations and management is now recognized in at least some quarters outside of itself as a legitimate, even an important, area. This is to be seen in the current market in publications, in the activities of mainstream international publishers, in journals, in courses within degree programmes, and in research groups, networks, and conferences and conference streams. Nevertheless, the field of activity is still somewhat precarious, in some ways very precarious. The vast majority of mainstream work on organizations and management has no gender analysis whatsoever or if it has it is very simple and crude. In business schools and university departments the position of gender-explicit work is very far from established. Even critical management studies, which may be concerned with, for example, power, class, labour process, resistance, discourse, deconstruction, does not necessarily take gender into account.This article selectively reviews gender and management research. A flavour of what it can be like to research in this area is offered alongside a more substantive account. The article maps the many strands of work potentially relevant to exploring gender and management. It covers aspects of the field such as its diversity, emerging development, potential marginality and increasing clarity of definition, and considers implications for researchers. The appropriate integration of gender awareness into mainstream theorizing, alongside its separate development, is advocated. Major themes and issues in gender and management research are summarized and briefly addressed. Dilemmas about seeking to promote change but needing to speak within current conventions of management and academia are noted

Earning and learning: how term‐time employment impacts on students' adjustment to university life

The number of students in higher education has risen sharply in recent years, and an increasing proportion of students combine paid employment with university life. In a review of studies which have investigated the relationship between ‘earning and learning’, it is noted that the overall focus to date has been on the negative impact of combining these roles. This suggests that term‐time employment leads to poorer adjustment to university life in terms of academic performance, social inclusion and psychological well‐being. However, we suggest that methodological problems are evident which make it difficult to draw firm and generalizable conclusions regarding the interrelationship between university life and part‐time employment roles. The paper suggests that a psychological transactional approach focusing on both positive and negative outcomes of role interrelationships could be adopted to more accurately inform universities, student bodies and employers of optimal ways of combining study and employment.

13_2_30: Experiences, perceptions and expectations of retail employment for Generation Y

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine Generation Y, potential graduate entrants to UK retailing, in respect of their job experiences, career perceptions and initial employment expectations.Design/methodology/approach – Utilising qualitative research methods, an exploratory study was undertaken with 33 students (all of whom fell into the category of Generation Y) from two UK universities.Findings – The study found that many of the propositions contained within the Generation Y literature were reflected among participants in relation to their future career and lifestyle aspirations. This points to the need for retailers to carefully manage graduate expectations and experiences to ensure commitment to the sector.Research limitations/implications – Being an exploratory study, the results are not genralisable to the wider population. The findings frame a future longitudinal study on the retail careers of Generation Y graduates as they move from the anticipation to the encounter stage of their caree...

Consumer complaint behaviour: the case of electrical goods

Consumer complaint behaviour has been the topic of much academic research. Aims to contribute to this process empirically by investigating post purchase dissatisfaction levels of consumers of domestic and major electrical appliances. The findings show that electrical goods generate a high ratio of public to private complaints. The nature, complexity, life expectancy and price of the product are factors causing a high public action ratio; smaller, inexpensive electrical goods generated the fewest complaints. Furthermore, consumer dissatisfaction was seen to intensify as they sought redress, owing to poor customer service levels of electrical retailers.

Differentiation by design: the importance of design in retailer repositioning and differentiation

The importance of design as a composite in the strategic mix is often undervalued or ignored by retailers, yet it may present a significant competitive tool by which small/medium‐sized retailers can compete more effectively. Considers the significance of design factors to customers in influencing their perception of and satisfaction with a retail chain, and how recognition of these factors might serve to address differences in perception between the company and its customers and communicate a holistic message to those customers. Concludes that the holistic nature of design and its informed status could serve to achieve a more coherent offer to the customer, which takes cognisance of customer feedback, the competitive environment and the skills and resources available to the organisation.

Retail managers: their work stressors and coping strategies

This article considers the factors causing stress to retail managers and their coping strategies. The findings from a series of group discussions add to existing knowledge of causes of managerial stress. While some findings corroborate previous research into executive stress, other findings are of particular relevance within the retail sector. Most notably these were the nature and pace of change within the industry, new technological developments, quantitative work overload, staff shortages, customer demands and attitudes, threat of violence, the service orientated environment and the general organisational structure and climate. Problem focused and palliative coping strategies are adopted by individuals and organisations to cope with these pressures. Recommendations are provided to ensure retail companies avoid future threats of litigation and loss of productivity because of stress related illness. These may include re-examining traditional ways of working, instigating written policies on stress and employing occupational health advisors.

Rural grocery shoppers: do their attitudes reflect their actions?

Using a longitudinal research methodology, this research investigated the grocery shopping habits of residents in rural communities in Western Stirlingshire, Scotland. In particular, it attempted to uncover the factors and attitudes that influence customers’ store choice decisions and their attitudes towards their local shops. Findings revealed that although respondents held a positive overall view of their local shops, less than one‐third purchased a high proportion of their food shopping in local shops. While it is unlikely that local traders will reverse outshoppers’ shopping behaviours, with a re‐evaluation of their overall offer, they may be able to establish themselves as a reliable supplementary or secondary choice option, thereby maintaining the local shop as a viable function. Recommendations based on offer, service and environment are made to differentiate local shops from the major multiples.

Retail managers: stress and the work‐family relationship

Causes and effects of occupational stress have received research attention for several decades although increasing focus has been paid to it during the 1990s as organisations and individual workers attempt to adapt to accelerating rates of change. Previous research has proposed three hypotheses to explain the work‐family relationship: spillover, compensation and independence. Drawing on qualitative research with retail managers from a variety of UK major retailers, this article attempts to uncover the relationship between work demands and home life. The results of the research found that family boundaries are more permeable than work boundaries. Although spillover behaviour was evident, there was no evidence to suggest that the retail managers adopt compensatory or independent models of behaviour. To alleviate some of the pressures experienced by the retail managers, calls for a reassessment of working practices. The introduction of more flexible working arrangements, providing quality time off from work, and a realistic assessment of the retail manager’s job are some of the recommendations provided.

MANAGING TWO ROLES

The main reasons for students combining term-time employment with university life are seen as financial, although additional benefits and costs are associated with ‘earning and learning’. Most studies focus on the negative impact of combining these roles, suggesting that students’ term-time employment leads to poorer adjustment to university life in terms of academic performance, social inclusion and reduced psychological well-being. Methodological problems with previous research have made it difficult to draw firm and generalizable conclusions regarding the interrelationship between university life and term-time employment roles. The current study adopts a pluralistic approach to study the links between psychological well-being, satisfaction with academic performance and social integration and students’ term-time and vacation employment. The first phase, reported here, consisted of qualitative research. Nine focus groups were conducted with undergraduate students at Stirling University, Scotland. These data were examined using a content analysis approach. Both positive and negative aspects of combining work and studying were discussed within the focus groups. This provides a balanced picture of combining the two roles. Results are discussed in relation to the models of complementarity, spillover and separation.

Charity shops: a classification by merchandise mix

Little attention has been paid to the evolution of charity retailing. A recent upturn in interest results from an increase in the number of charity shops in operation and their increasingly professional management. Charity retailing has expanded and developed over the past decade and the rapid expansion in numbers in the 1980s has heightened interest in them, although they do not feature as a sector in their own right in retail statistics. Explores the development of charity shops and suggests a three‐fold category classification. The definition of charity trading relies largely on the mix of the merchandise being sold and this mix determines the three categories of charity retailing. The classification highlights trading implications of technology and competition which in turn affect volunteers, customers, other charities and established retailers alike.