Work–family balance : Perspectives from higher education
- Authors: Pillay, Soma , Abhayawansa, Subhash
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Higher Education Vol. 68, no. 5 (2014), p. 669-690
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- Description: The article examines different types of work–family pressures amongst people working within the Australian university sector. We were specifically interested in work–family experiences between domestic and migrant Australians. Among the major findings, domestic Australians experience greater levels of work–family imbalance across most of the measures used. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Work-family balance in higher education : Cross-cultural perspectives of role, work and family
- Authors: Pillay, Soma , Abhayawansa, Subhash
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Managing on the edge, 27th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference (ANZAM 2013); Hobart, Australia; 4th-6th December 2013
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Work, family and the migrant worker : Anomie theory perspectives
- Authors: Pillay, Soma , Dorasamy, Nirmala
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Democratising management, 13th European Academy of Managment Conference (EURAM 2013); Istanbul, Turkey; 26th-29th June 2013
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- Description: Against the backdrop of significant migration changes and the further growth projected in the diversity of the workforce, we explore the experiences of the work life interface amongst migrant workers, from a cultural perspective. We seek to understand how different cultural settings influence such experiences. We aim to guide future research in this area of inquiry, especially as the workforce becomes increasingly multicultural. We report the results of a qualitative exploratory study through the lens of institutional anomie theory. Our findings and theoretical explanation lend strong support to understanding that the greater the gap in the cultural orientation of the worker’s home country and new country, the greater the disequilibrium and anomie in the work-family interface. This study also demonstrates that cross-cultural variables have a direct impact on the work-life interface experienced by people moving from one cultural orientation to another.
Whistleblowing : Impediments to effective implementation within the South African public sector
- Authors: Dorasamy, Nirmala , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Corporate Ownership and Control Vol. 8, no. 3 B (2011), p. 196-208
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- Description: This purpose of this article is to explore impediments to effective whistleblowing as a strategy for promoting anti-corruption practices within the South African public sector. Corruption, which violates the public service code of conduct; deters foreign investment, increases the cost of public service delivery, undermines the fight against poverty and unnecessarily burdens the criminal justice system. The article addresses the question on whether legislation on whistleblowing is adequate to encourage whistleblowing in the public sector.A review of literature determines that the effective implementation of whistleblowing legislation is largely dependent on addressing the challenges identified in the article. The quantitaive research method was employed in the study to ascertain the views of employees in the public sector on whistleblowing. Empirical findings confirm the hypothesis that the protection of whistleblowers through legislation is inadequate to encourage whistleblowing. The article provides a conceptual framework for the effective achievement of the intended outcomes of whistleblowing in the public sector.
Variations in accounting students' conceptions of learning
- Authors: Abhayawansa, Subhash , Bowden, Mark , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, RMIT Accounting Educators Conference 2013, Melbourne, Australia, 18th November 2013 p. 1-30
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- Description: Students’ conceptions of learning or preconceived views of what learning means to students have been found to play a significant role in how they choose to approach their learning. This study investigates conceptions of learning held by accounting students in their second- and third-years in university. The study is based on phenomenographic and content-analytic approaches applied to survey responses of 207 accounting students from an Australian university. In the first phase of the analysis we identify 6 learning conceptions. Learning is conceived as: (1) increase of knowledge; (2) understanding; (3) knowledge acquisition for application; (4) a pathway to success; (5) seeing in new ways; and (6) self-development. Compared to similar studies we did not find evidence of the conception ‘learning as memorisation’. In contrast to prior research ‘learning as understanding’ emerged as a lower- order conception of learning in accounting students in this study. In the second phase we find that, after controlling for a range of factors that are likely to affect students’ conceptions of learning third-year students are more likely to adopt a higher-order conception. However, majority of the students, including third year students, continue to adopt low-order conceptions. These findings highlight the need to extend student learning beyond the acquisition of technical skills and knowledge to instil higher-order learning conceptions which underpin the development of generic skills much demanded of professional accountants. As a result, the findings of this study have implications for curriculum and assessment design, and learning and teaching practice in accounting degree programs.
The role of perceived organisational support in expatriate adjustment and assignment success
- Authors: Sokro, Evans , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Under new management: Innovating for sustainable and just futures, 30th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference (ANZAM 2016); Brisbane, Australia; 6th -9th December 2016
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- Description: This study draws on the perceived organisational support theory to examine how international assignees’ perceptions of support from their organisations influence their adjustment, satisfaction and overall assignment success. The perceived organisational support theory maintains that employees evaluate the extent to which organisations are concerned about their general wellbeing. The investigation was carried out with survey data obtained from 229 expatriates based in multinational subsidiaries in Ghana. Findings indicate that perceived organisational support has significant positive effects on expatriate adjustment, satisfaction and overall assignment success. The study has implications for both international human resource management researchers and practitioners.
The pains and gains of blended learning – social constructivist perspectives
- Authors: Pillay, Soma , James, Reynold
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Education and Training Vol. 56, no. 4 (2014), p. 254-270
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- Description: Purpose – Using the case of a cross-cultural setting, the purpose of this paper is to compare perceptions of students towards face-to-face learning and blended learning. A social constructivist perspective is used which implies that cultural data are in fact social constructs made on the basis of the participants’ own cultural thought patterns and the concepts and categories to which they are socialised within learning organisations. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Perceptual evidence forms the primary qualitative and quantitative data for this study. The paper uses social constructivist approach with empirical data in developing the notion that cross-cultural management is a process whereby people, through social interactions, acquire participative competence for working in cross-cultural settings. Findings – Perceptual data emerging from this study point out that considering the learning objectives of a cross-cultural context are paramount when engaging in cross-cultural management curriculum and teaching design. Such social contexts, while complex and challenging, is often a perfect opportunity where cross-cultural competence can be developed. Originality/value – The value of the study lies in the original insights it offers into student experiences and the challenges to adopt a “one size fits all” strategy in a cross-cultural setting.
The inclusion of women in Nepalese forestry governance : Perspectives from feminist institutionalism
- Authors: Wagle, Radha , Pillay, Soma , Wright, Wendy
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Managing for Peak Performance, 29th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference (ANZAM 2015); Queenstown, New Zealand; 2nd-4th December 2015 p. 1-16
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- Description: There is a large body of literature which acknowledges that women play vital roles in protecting and managing forest resources around the world (Agarwal, 2010b; Colfer, 2013; FAO, 2006, 2007; Mai, Mwangi, & Wan, 2011; Sewell Jr, 1992). Despite their contributions to forest management, women are still largely excluded from decision making roles in forestry organizations, especially in developing countries (FAO, 2007). As a result, most of the forestry related decisions are made by males, resulting in the marginalisation of women’s interests in forest management and minimizing the potential contributions of women (ABS, 2013; Christie & Giri, 2011; Lidestav, 2010). The history of forest management in Nepal typifies this gender bias in forestry governance (Christie & Giri, 2011; Giri & Faculty, 2008). While men are actively involved in decision making processes within formal environmental organizations and institutions, women are more likely to be involved at informal and grass root levels, including as an unpaid labour force (Agarwal, 2010b). Before the introduction of community based forestry programs, the Nepalese Ministry of Forests and its subsidiaries (referred to here as the forest bureaucracy) was the major organization responsible for governing the forestry sector. After the introduction and advancement of community based forest management programs, and the entry of civil society, donor and other private sector organizations, the scope and nature of forestry governance has been extended in Nepal. Although, this shift in paradigm opened space for the entry of women into different forestry institutions, the under representation of women in forest bureaucracy (still a major part of forestry governance) still continues. Nepalese rural women have low literacy rates and little involvement in public spheres. As a result there is limited access, for women working at the grassroots level, to national level policy making, planning and implementation. It is usually assumed that professional women bring women’s issues and interests into forestry policy and programmes on behalf of grassroots level women. This representation is not always effective (Giri and Faculty, 2008, Agarwal, 2010b). Government forestry institutions represent the country in participating in different national and international forestry agendas including climate change. If ‘grassroots’ women’s agendas are excluded from decision making processes in regard to environment related agendas, the solutions proposed for environmental problems may be ineffective or only partially effective (WOCAN, 2012). This paper examines the existing legislative measures and institutional practices that facilitate or constrain the role of women in Nepalese forestry institutions. This study also investigates how the gendered institutional norms and values associated with forest-governing institutions, such as forest bureaucracies, shape the nature and extent of women’s involvement in decision making processes in the Nepalese forest bureaucracy. We use Feminist Institutionalism (FI) to examine the effect of the gendered nature of forestry institutions, policies and practices that shape the role of women in forest bureaucracy. We extend New Institutionalism (NI) by incorporating feminist perspectives to forestry governance. In exploring why the gender mainstreaming of legislative measures and practices has not been wholly effective, it is important to examine the informal norms and values within an institution. These act to shape both the behaviour of the individual and political outcomes. Since forestry is highly gendered sector based on different social norms and values, NI is considered a good approach to study those institutions. New Institutionalism is a cutting theme which crosses various disciplines, and holds the interest of historians, sociologists, economists, political scientists and social theorists (Goodin, 1996). New Institutionalism was constructed as a progressive version of older, descriptive approaches to institutionalism in order to understand the role of formal and informal rules which affect the political behaviour of individuals (Gherardi, 1996). This paper examines opportunities and challenges involved in: a) promoting women’s participation in forest governance; and b) establishing an influential role for women in forestry governance. To date, researchers using the approach of institutionalism have not adequately considered the gender perspective, especially within the context of developing countries (Tripp, 2007). This study will therefore extend NI further through theoretical and practical insights, relating gendered issues to NI and particularly its sub-branch, FI.
The impact of location and position on Accountability in local government : An Australian study
- Authors: Kluvers, Ron , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 47th British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) Annual Conference 2011; Birmingham, United Kingdom; 12th-14th April 2011
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The historical context of the public sector culture
- Authors: Bilney, Chris , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Public sector organizations and cultural change p. 1-14
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- Description: This chapter begins by describing the purpose, aim and scope of the book. It describes the historical context of the public sector culture, the change resulting from the introduction of the philosophies of New Public Mangaement (NPM) and managerialism, and the effects that these changes have had on public sector employees, particularly those employed in the sector prior to the introduction of NPM. The book analyzes institutional theory and examines the effects that attempting to conform to the mandated NPM philosophy while retaining traditional bureaucratic methodologies has had on those affected organizations and their staff members.
The effects of perceived organisational support on expatriate adjustment, assignment completion and job satisfaction
- Authors: Sokro, Evans , Pillay, Soma , Bednall, Timothy
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Cross Cultural Management Vol. 21, no. 3 (2021), p. 452-473
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- Description: This study examines the influence of perceived organisational support (POS) on expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment, assignment completion and job satisfaction in the sub-Saharan African context. While multinationals depend on expatriates to manage their foreign subsidiaries, successful expatriation is influenced by expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment to their host country’s environment. Survey responses from 229 expatriates were analysed using partial least squares path modelling. The results reveal that support from their organisations relates positively to expatriate adjustment, assignment completion and job satisfaction. The empirical results also demonstrate that expatriate adjustment partially mediates the relationship between POS and assignment completion and job satisfaction. Furthermore, findings suggest that assignment completion positively influences job satisfaction and partially mediates the association between POS and job satisfaction. The findings of this research have important theoretical and practical implications for multinational companies operating in sub-Saharan Africa. © The Author(s) 2021.
Systemic factors moderating effective whistle blowing : An exploratory study into a public service organisation
- Authors: Pillay, Soma , Dorasamy, Nirmala
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: African Journal of Business Management Vol. 5, no. 22 (2011), p. 9429-9439
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- Description: A review of research concerning whistle-blowing suggests that it is of benefit to society hence, sophisticated policies have been introduced to encourage whistle blowing. However, research on conditions that lead to whistle-blowers being effective in stopping wrongdoing is still developing in industrialised countries or woefully absent in developing and less developed countries. The purpose of this paper is to use survey data to examine the variables impacting on whistle-blowing using the case of a developing country. It was found that a majority of respondents believe that systemic factors moderates effective whistle-blowing. Based on these findings, we present a model of a culture contingent whistle-blowing process which considers context, content, situational variables, and outcomes. This paper has practical implications for policy makers, managers and public officials in developing democracies, especially in designing policies that consider the cultural aspects of complex open systems and exploring concerns of obvious importance practically as well as theoretically.
Students’ conceptions of learning in the context of an accounting degree
- Authors: Abhayawansa, Subhash , Bowden, Mark , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Accounting Education Vol. 26, no. 3 (2017), p. 213-241
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- Description: Students' conceptions of learning (CoL) play an important role in the learning process leading to the development of generic skills. This paper investigates whether CoL of accounting students can be developed by incorporating high-level cognitive skills progressively within the accounting curriculum. First, the study explored, using phenomenography, the variation in accounting students' CoL. The findings highlighted some nuances in accountings students' CoL and that lower-order CoL were prevalent among accounting students. However, more (less) third-year students than second-year students adopted higher- (lower-) order CoL. Upon examining the learning objectives, teaching methods and assessment of all units comprising the accounting major of the host university, evidence was found that CoL are progressively developed and shaped, albeit in a limited way, based on the levels of cognitive domain emphasised within the curriculum. The findings highlight the need for accounting educators to take a whole of the programme approach to developing higher-order CoL. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Stress and coping during change
- Authors: Bilney, Chris , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Public sector organizations and cultural change p. 125-142
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- Description: Stress has been defined as a relationship between a person and the environment in which the factors within that environment exceed the person's abilities, thus putting his or her health or well-being at risk (Lazarus & Folkman 1984). Lazarus and Folkman (1984) emphasize the interplay between the person and his personal charcteristices and events occuring within the environment, recognizing the degree to which an event or events are described as stressful depend on the person's cognition of those events and how he evaluates them relative to his abilities to cope with the situation. Stress occurs when competing demands leads to overload (Lazarus & Folkman 1984)
Public sector organizations and cultural change
- Authors: Bilney, Chris , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Book
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- Description: Public sector oganizations and cultural change uses a long-term perspective on privatization to explore trends in culture change within the public sector.
Psychological contract, organizational citizenship, and double bind
- Authors: Bilney, Chris , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Public sector organizations and cultural change p. 101-127
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- Description: The previous chapter charted the exposition of my journey from hope to despair during my long career in the public sector. I articulated the pressure placed on men resulting from the organizational injunction of expecting me to conform to two contradictory paradigms- those of traditional bureaucracy with its attendant emphasis on process and procedure and NPM with its customer-centric and efficiency focus. The public sector workplace of today is very different from the one of several decades ago. While some change must be expected within any environment I have found that the changes to which I have been exposed as a result of the government's NPM policy represent a considerable departure from the conditions of old.
Privatization, corporatization, bureaucracies, and change
- Authors: Bilney, Chris , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Public sector organizations and cultural change p. 15-58
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- Description: Public sector organizations have existed for thousands of years and have long been equated with bureaucracy. Andreski (1984, p.104) cites the Chinese and Roman empires as classic examples of bureaucracy, describing them as "administrative machines," while Gaebler (1996) states that bureaucratic structure originated with the Roman army around 2,500 years ago. This gave rise to the concept of a bureaucracy based on traditional military ideals and "good administration" (Hood 1991) and paved the way for the modernist concept of the bureaucracy. Traditional organizations depended on bureaucratic structures to ensure that work was completed efficiently by removing error and idosyncrasy and reinforcing conformity and obedience. Bureau-cratic, or mechanized, structures rely upon centralized decision-making, formalized rules, and highly specialized tasks (Taylor 1911, 1913 and Weber 1947, cited in Sadler 1999)
Predictors of whistle-blowing intentions : An analysis of multi-level variables
- Authors: Pillay, Soma , Ramphul, Needesh , Dorasamy, Nirmala , Meyer, Denny
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Administration & Society Vol. 50, no. 2 (2015), p. 186-216
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- Description: The purpose of this study was to examine the variables impacting on whistleblowing intentions in the public services of two developing countries, South Africa and Mauritius. In particular, this study considers the barriers to whistle-blowing and the effect of demographic and cultural values on the perceptions of these barriers. The study finds major differences between South Africa and Mauritius with minor differences in regard to gender and education.
Perspectives on Institutional theory
- Authors: Bilney, Chris , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Public sector organizations and cultural change p. 59-81
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Participation in the budgetary process in local government
- Authors: Kluvers, Ron , Pillay, Soma
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Public Administration Vol. 68, no. 2 (2009), p. 220-230
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- Description: Direct democracy is seen as a means of reengaging citizens in the political process. However, it is a contested concept that requires further development by being grounded in a specific context. This article reports on research undertaken in Victorian local government where the New Public Management (NPM) has been in evidence for a number of decades which according to the literature has impacted on accountability to the broader community. The possibility of consultation and citizen participation in the local government budgetary process was examined. The results reported suggest that participation in the budgetary decisions in local government is possible.