Browsing by Author "Ashwell D"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    A comparison of the relationship between extraversion and argumentativeness in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the Eastern Communication Association, 2024-03-12) Croucher SM; Yotes T; Ashwell D; Condon SM
    The association between argumentativeness and extraversion, while well established in the United States, has not been examined cross-culturally. Therefore, this study conducts a cross-cultural comparison of this association with nationally representative samples from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. The results confirm previous research in the U.S. and showed U.S. participants scored highest on tendency to approach arguments and extraversion, and lowest on tendency to avoid arguments, while New Zealanders scored the lowest on tendency to approach arguments and extraversion. These results expand our understanding of argumentativeness, illustrating the positive association between argumentativeness and extraversion is not a uniquely U.S. phenomenon, and expanding our understanding of argumentativeness to the Canadian context. The differences found between countries suggest future research explore how other factors might explain these differences.
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    A Longitudinal Analysis of Handwashing and Mask-Wearing during COVID-19
    (Frontiers Media, 29/06/2021) Croucher S; Ashwell D; Murray N; Condon SM; Fletcher P
    The COVID-19 pandemic has seen health preventive behaviors to prevent spread of the virus become highly politicized in the United States. A clear division exists between Democrats favoring health preventive measures and Republicans often defying such measures. Amid increasing fear of the virus, the 2020 United States presidential election became central to how the pandemic should be managed. This longitudinal study examines whether the frequency of handwashing and mask-wearing changed after the United States election. The study further explores whether political partisanship played a part in the change. Results show that handwashing and mask-wearing increased among Democrats after the election. However, Republican’s use of masks and handwashing decreased. These results are explained in terms of loyalty to outgoing President Trump among Republicans and renewed feelings of efficacy among Democrats.
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    Conflict styles within individualistic, low power distance, and low context nations: a four nation comparison
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the Eastern Communication Association, 2024-08-29) Croucher SM; Kelly S; Ashwell D; Condon SM
    This study compared conflict styles approaches of four nations with similar cultural dimensions. Prior literature assumes similar cultural dimensions produce similar approaches to conflict. Four nations were examined: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Results reveal the conflict approaches of individuals from these nations differ despite similar cultural dimensions. In addition, the four nations scored relatively high on solution-oriented approaches to conflict (integrating and compromising). This is the first study to compare conflict styles across traditionally individualistic, low-context, independent self-construal, and low power distance nations.
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    COVID-19 Prejudice Towards Afro-Brazilians
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the World Communication Association, 2022-04) Croucher S; Nguyen T; Ashwell D; Spencer A; Permyakova T; Gomez O
    As of May 2021, more than 14.7 million people have been infected and nearly 409,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Brazil. During the pandemic, there were countless cases of discrimination, racism, prejudice, and violence towards Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian population. Using integrated threat theory (ITT), this study investigates prejudice towards Afro-Brazilians. Specifically, this study (n= 410) examines the extent to which COVID-19 related prejudice towards Afro-Brazilians, who were partially blamed for the spread of the virus, is related to prejudice and fear of COVID-19. Results reveal the following: ethnocentrism is positively related to symbolic and realistic threat and fear of COVID-19 is positively related to symbolic and realistic threat.
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    Cross-cultural measurement validation: an analysis of dissent, workplace freedom of speech, and perceived immediacy
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the Eastern Communication Association, 2024-03-12) Croucher SM; Kelly S; Ashwell D; Condon S; Tootell B
    Croucher and Kelly (2019) laid out guidelines to develop measures that can be used across cultures. The present study provides support for their guidelines, indicating that pancultural measurements cannot be behavioral and should not include unnecessary contexts; however, they should be worded as simplistically as possible. This study utilizes measures of dissent, perceived immediacy, and workplace freedom of speech in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Only the perceived immediacy measure, which follows Croucher and Kelly’s (2019) guidelines, maintained internal consistency.
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    Organizational Commitment and Burnout During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis in the United States and New Zealand
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the World Communication Association, 2024-06-17) Croucher SM; Rocker K; Singh R; Feekery A; Ashwell D; Green M; Murray N; Anderson K
    This study examined the link between organizational commitment (OC) and burnout during COVID-19 in New Zealand and the United States. Results revealed OC and burnout differed between the U.S. and New Zealand. In addition, the correlations between OC and the dimensions of burnout differed between the nations, particularly on issues linked with emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. These results point to the influence of lockdowns and other physical limitations on burnout and commitment in organizations. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, as well as areas for future research.
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    Redundancy with dignity – Give it to me straight
    (ER Publishing Ltd, 2023-09-01) Macpherson W; Ashwell D
    In times of crisis, organisations implement cost-cutting measures, including retrenchment. Research on employee redundancy often focuses on the processes performed by organisations. This paper, however, reports on the expectations of New Zealand and Australian employees (n=613) during the later stages of the pandemic-lockdown environment, circa late 2021, regarding their organisation’s messaging of imminent redundancy. Employees in both countries indicated that they seek dignity and directness, and to be told face-to-face by their immediate line manager, senior line manager, or CEO that they are being “made redundant”. Interestingly, being told by Human Resources personnel was a least favoured option. This research informs organisations of their organisational justice and corporate social responsibilities in times of retrenchment.
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    Testing times: Communicating the role and uncertainty of analytical procedures in a food safety crisis
    (Public Relations Institute of Australia, 17/06/2019) Galloway C; Ashwell D; Croucher S; Diers-Lawson A
    Through a case study analysis, this paper examines how scientific testing was involved in both the triggering and the resolution of the largest food safety scare ever to hit New Zealand. The paper examines the practical applications for communicators dealing with food safety-based risks and discusses how when dealing with crises, they need to take into account lay publics’ biases towards assurances of zero risk. This should be part of determining audiences’ information needs and of calibrating the provision of scientific information, including information about necessary testing, in ways that meet these needs. Doing so will help build trust, including about the scientific method and the organisations applying it to determine not only the nature of a given risk but also to assess how best it might be mitigated. While distrust might surface in a risk-based crisis, communicators should focus on messaging that addresses uncertainty through providing consistent and credible information.
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    Vaccine Hesitancy and Support for Employer Vaccine Mandates
    (Frontiers Media, 1/12/2021) Ashwell D; Cullinane J; Croucher S
    This study investigated COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and support for employer vaccine mandates and support for termination for non-vaccinated employees among a national sample in New Zealand. A total of 1852 individuals participated in the study. Results indicated participants who are able to get vaccinated are less likely to support employer mandated vaccinations and the rights of employers to terminate employees who refuse to get vaccinated. However, individuals who self-identify that they can get vaccinated and have higher confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine are more likely to get vaccinated. Age and confidence in the vaccine influence support for mandates, while age and political affiliation influenced support for employer right to terminate a non-vaccinated employee. Understanding support, or lack thereof, for such initiatives is essential as businesses and nations respond to growing COVID concerns.