Michelle Salmona

Qualitative Research in Finance

This paper provides an overview of qualitative research to encourage finance researchers to apply a more diverse approach to current research practices. Social science researchers recognize that research questions should determine what research paradigm is best for each study. Imagine the benefits to finance if we expand our empirical sources of data to include what people have to say, which then allows us to explore the complex reasoning behind these conversations. It is the intent of this paper to enhance our current research practices in finance through the use of qualitative methods and to view this approach as an invaluable supplement or prelude to existing practices.

Qualitative Theory in Finance: Theory into Practice

This paper discusses the application of qualitative theory in finance research. Six qualitative theoretical orientations are presented to demonstrate a range of philosophical perspectives which a researcher may consider when conducting qualitative inquiry. Finance examples are provided for applied ethnography, content analysis, social constructivism, grounded theory, systems theory, and critical change theory. By aligning and bringing theory into practice, researchers engaged in qualitative inquiry may investigate specific social actions so as to make credible sense of complex circumstances.

Online Social Networks: Student Perceptions and Behavior Across Four Countries

Previous research has shown that many college students in the United States post content to social networking sites that they know would be considered inappropriate by employers and other authority figures. However, the phenomenon has not been extensively studied in cross-cultural context. To address this knowledge gap, a survey of college students in Australia, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the United States was conducted. The study found a universal tendency among the four groups: students knew the content they were posting would be considered inappropriate by employers and other authority figures, but they chose to post it anyway. The article also reports on differences in the way this tendency was manifested and on related aspects of social networking across cultures, including decisions about privacy and information disclosure.

Modeling Student Concern for Professional Online Image

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that influence a students concern for presenting a professional online image. Drawing on existing research, the paper develops a model of professional online image concern which is then validated through a survey-based field study. The survey was administered to students at two large universities in Australia and the Midwest United States. The results show that privacy concern, social factors and being on the job market are factors which significantly influence a students concern for presenting a professional online image. The results presented in the paper shed light on the motivations of students as they use social networking sites. Through an understanding of these motivations, faculties will be better able to design interventions to modify negative posting behavior. Likewise, understanding student motivations will allow hiring managers and other practitioners to use social networking more effectively as a candidate screening tool.

University Student Use of Twitter and Facebook: A Study of Posting in Three Countries

Technical and professional communication instruction is well suited to helping students develop digital literacy but must be informed by research regarding how students are using specific social media platforms, particularly the propensity to post content that could damage their career capital. This study examined this question for students in Austria, Australia, and the United States. In Austria and Australia, this behavior was found to be no greater for Twitter than it was for Facebook. Conversely, for the United States, the behavior was found to be more pronounced. These and additional results regarding attitudes toward information privacy are reported.

Promoting a Community of Practice Through Collaborative Curriculum Reform in a University Business School

The purpose of this research is to describe and investigate an innovative model for collaborative curriculum reform developed using Communities of Practice (CoP) theory which can work in any discipline. It is an engaging story for readers in higher education about an academic CoP from the coalface; academics who are dealing with real problems and issues. The narrative includes practical examples and critical reflection by educators directly engaged in curricular reform. This research addresses a need to ensure quality in university teaching and learning by supporting the development of an integrated curriculum. It investigates how faculty engage in this process and illuminates the complex ways in which they work. There are four main findings: faculty improve their practice through the implementation of the new framework using a CoP; the promotion of students’ innovation skills is an essential component of a successful program; communication and collaboration mitigates resistance to change; and a shared vision promotes faculty involvement. We reveal complexities in relationships between faculty and administration, and show successful collaboration and organizational change can be achieved through a community of practice under challenging conditions.

The Importance of Liminal Space for Doctoral Success

Mastering social science research methodology is a daunting challenge for doctoral candidates. This chapter explores these challenges by considering what comprises the essential threshold concepts of social science methodology. Particular attention is given in this discussion to the doctoral dissertation phase of learning and the critical role of supervision. Underlying this research are the ongoing efforts to improve instruction in research methodology and to increase successful completion rates for doctoral candidates.