Erro-Garcés, A. (Amaya)

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    Action Research as a Meta-Methodology in the Management Field
    (2020) Erro-Garcés, A. (Amaya); Alfaro-Tanco, J.A. (José Antonio)
    Although it was first developed in the field of psychology, action research is a methodology of growing importance in business and management contexts. In this research article, we focus on a significant aspect of action research: the variety of methodologies that can be used jointly in an action research study and its relationships. More specifically, the aim of this study is to underscore the definition of action research as a meta-methodology that encompasses different ways of carrying out empirical research. To this end, we perform a meta-analysis of articles discussing empirical research that used an action research methodology. The meta-analysis is based on a systematic review of articles published between 2000 and 2018. The main findings suggest that action research may be regarded as a multidisciplinary method and that it can be implemented jointly with other methodologies; not just qualitative methods but also quantitative research. Consequently, action research may now be defined as a meta-methodology or an umbrella process. In this way, action research is a tool whose implementation ought to be promoted in the business/management field as a way of enhancing relevant, rigorous empirical studies and serving as a framework reference in projects based on research and practice contribution as well as active collaboration between researchers and practitioners.
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    Creating New Knowledge while Solving a Relevant Practical Problem: Success Factors for an Action Research-Based PhD Thesis in Business and Management
    (2023) Erro-Garcés, A. (Amaya); Mediavilla, M. (Miguel); Alfaro-Tanco, J.A. (José Antonio)
    This paper focuses on university–firm relationships in terms of individual interactions between researchers and practitioners. More specifically, we focus on an analysis of the main factors that influence the use of the action research (AR) to achieve a successful doctoral thesis. In order to achieve this, we developed a Delphi study with 15 panelists whose common characteristic is that they defended or supervised an AR-based thesis in the field of business and management. The primary contribution of the research is the development of a reference framework that should be considered in the design of a doctoral thesis for which an AR methodology is put into practice. Four dimensions were defined: profiles of both the PhD candidate and supervisor, PhD program/university, and firm/organization. Three main conclusions were reached. First, it is crucial to have a cooperative “eye-to-eye” relationship between the university and the company. Second, the AR process must respond unequivocally to its own dichotomous nature. Third, there must be a straightforward academic process for the PhD thesis. We believe that this study may impel the development of doctoral theses based on AR as a tool to potentiate collaborative university–firm relationships.
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    Telework in Baltic Countries during the Pandemic: Effects on Wellbeing, Job Satisfaction, and Work-Life Balance
    (2023) Erro-Garcés, A. (Amaya); Urien-Angulo, B. (Begoña); Cyras, G. (Giedrius); Janusauskiene, V.M. (Vita Maryte)
    As a result of the rapid and unplanned adoption of telework by European companies during the pandemic, specific telework characteristics have arisen. Thus, employees’ experience of telework requires further analysis. Based on the “Living, Working, and COVID-19” results for Baltic countries, this paper studies the effect of telework experience on wellbeing, both directly and mediated by Work-Life balance and job satisfaction, through structural equation modelling. After verifying the significant differences in telework preferences, the model is also tested in high versus low telework preference groups. The main findings corroborate the effect of a positive telework experience on perceived wellbeing, but only indirectly via Work-Life balance. Additionally, data from the group with a high telework preference best fits the proposed model, revealing not only the mentioned indirect effect, but also the direct positive effect of telework experience on wellbeing. Thus, employees with a negative experience of telework during the pandemic will be more reluctant to accept telework over more traditional work arrangements. The implications as well as some limitations to be examined in further studies are also presented.
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    WhatsApp usefulness as a communication tool in an educational context
    (Springer, 2019) Erro-Garcés, A. (Amaya); Urien-Angulo, B. (Begoña); Osca, A. (Amparo)
    Although the negative effects of mobile instant messaging have been stressed, its exponential increment justifies studying its application in education. This paper analyses whether college’ students perception of WhatsApp usefulness influences cognitive processes important for teamwork (i.e., specialization and coordination), specifically for complex decision-making assignments. Additionally, it seeks to clarify to what extent the relationship between perception of WhatsApp usefulness and these cognitive processes could exert some influence on team efficacy, both perceived and objective (grades). For that purpose, a role-play was specifically designed in which WhatsApp played a mayor function as a communication tool. A sample of university students (N = 200) worked in teams to reach decisions. A student in each team was set apart all team members could only communicate through WhatsApp. Findings confirm the relationships between perceived WhatsApp usefulness and specialization and coordination, as well as perceived WhatsApp usefulness and perceived team efficacy. Both the role-play case designed and results obtained are relevant since show that WhatsApp could be applied as a communication tool in team activities, due to the fact that the perception of its usefulness could help to develop positive attitudes towards teamwork (i.e., team perceived efficacy). From an applied perspective WhatsApp could be used for virtual teamwork through, for example, the proposed role-play case shown.
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    Action research as a meta-methodology in the management field
    (SAGE Journals, 2020) Erro-Garcés, A. (Amaya); Alfaro-Tanco, J.A. (José Antonio)
    Although it was first developed in the field of psychology, action research is a methodology of growing importance in business and management contexts. In this research article, we focus on a significant aspect of action research: the variety of methodologies that can be used jointly in an action research study and its relationships. More specifically, the aim of this study is to underscore the definition of action research as a meta-methodology that encompasses different ways of carrying out empirical research. To this end, we perform a meta-analysis of articles discussing empirical research that used an action research methodology. The meta-analysis is based on a systematic review of articles published between 2000 and 2018. The main findings suggest that action research may be regarded as a multidisciplinary method and that it can be implemented jointly with other methodologies; not just qualitative methods but also quantitative research. Consequently, action research may now be defined as a meta-methodology or an umbrella process. In this way, action research is a tool whose implementation ought to be promoted in the business/management field as a way of enhancing relevant, rigorous empirical studies and serving as a framework reference in projects based on research and practice contribution as well as active collaboration between researchers and practitioners.