Browsing by Author "Topaler, Başak"

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Diffusion of Pure and Hybrid Forms of a Practice: Language of Instruction in Turkish Universities, 1983-2014
(Wiley Periodicals, Inc, 2020) Topaler, Başak; Üsdiken, Behlül
It is well recognized in the literature that practice variation is an integral part of diffusion processes. What remains less explored is the emergence of distinct forms of a novel practice and the interdependencies in their diffusion. In this study, we make a distinction between the pure version of a practice and ensuing hybrid variants and investigate how diffusion processes unfold for these alternative practice forms. Our empirical investigation in the Turkish higher education field demonstrates that hybrid practice forms became viable alternatives to the pure version of instruction in English and diffused in an interdependent manner. Further, diffusion of pure and hybrid forms was uneven across private and public universities. Our study contributes to the diffusion and practice variety literature as we establish that multiple versions of a practice that diffuse concurrently in a field may be building on or hampering each other, and they may diffuse in fragmented ways across different sub-populations.
Gelişmekte Olan Bir Ekonomide Yeni Girişimlerin Hayatta Kalması ve Erken Dönem Başarısını Etkileyen Unsurların Niteliksel Karşılaştırmalı Analiz Yöntemiyle İncelenmesi
(2023) Topaler, Başak
Bu çalışmanın amacı, gelişmekte olan bir ekonomide faaliyet gösteren yeni girişimlerin hayatta kalması ve erken dönem başarısını etkileyen unsurların incelenmesidir. Söz konusu olgunun teorik karmaşıklığı ve gelişmekte olan ülke ekonomilerindeki dinamiklerine ilişkin yönlendirici öncül çalışmaların eksikliği göz önüne alınarak keşifsel bir araştırma tasarlanmıştır. Hayatta kalma ve başarı üzerinde etkili olabilecek çevresel, örgütsel ve kuruculara ilişkin bir faktör seti önerilerek bunlar arasındaki ilişkiler niteliksel karşılaştırmalı analiz (QCA) yöntemi kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Çalışmanın görgül ortamı Türkiye yeni girişim (startup) ekosistemidir. Bulgular, farklı düzeylerdeki unsurlar arasındaki karmaşık etkileşimlerin yeni girişimlerin hayatta kalması ve başarısında (erken dönemde birleşme/satın alma) etkili olabileceğine işaret etmektedir. Çevresel, örgütsel ve kuruculara ilişkin özelliklerin farklı kombinasyonları bu iki sonuca ulaşmada alternatif yollar sağlayabilmektedir. Hayatta kalma yerel yetkinliklerin etkin kullanımı ile mümkün olabilse de erken dönemde birleşme/satın alma gibi bir başarı yakalayabilmek daha ziyade global yetkinliklere sahip olmakla ilişkilidir.
Citation - WoS: 1
Citation - Scopus: 1
Judgments of Capability and Conformity as Distinct Forms of Social Judgments, and the Way They Interact To Shape Evaluator Decisions
(Wiley, 2020) Topaler, Başak; Küp, Eyuep Tolunay
Objective Social judgments are evaluators' opinions about the social properties of a set of actors. Different types of judgments rendered by the evaluators and potential interactions between them may have major consequences for the actors who are evaluated. In this article, we distinguish between judgments of capability and conformity, and examine their concurrent and interdependent effects on evaluator impressions. Methods We investigate these dynamics in the context of authors competing for the best paper award at the Academy of Management (AoM) conference. Results Findings of our empirical analyses demonstrate interdependent effects of capability and conformity judgments on the committee members' decisions. We demonstrate that evaluators expect greater conformity to their ideal template from more capable actors who have greater potential to contribute to these ideals. Conclusion Our study advances the literature on social judgments by showing that congruence (or incongruence) among distinct types of judgment shape evaluators' decisions, beyond their independent effects.
Citation - WoS: 6
Citation - Scopus: 9
Positioning new identities for appeal: Configurations of optimal distinctiveness amid ancestral identities
(SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, 2021) Topaler, Başak; Koçak, Özgecan; Usdiken, Behlül
The theory of strategic balance argues that organizations that are neither too similar to nor too distinct from their rivals will be best positioned to meet competing demands for legitimacy and competition. This is because a similar identity to other organizations signals conformity, thus generating legitimacy, while adopting a distinctive identity through differentiation provides competitive advantage. Recent studies have noted that various combinations of conformity and differentiation tactics can achieve "optimal distinctiveness," which, depending on the particular competitive landscape, may be low, moderate, or high. This study disentangles the effect of distinctiveness in a landscape from the effects of conformity to and differentiation from ancestral identities that serve as templates for new identities. Taking a configurational approach, we explore whether distinctiveness, proximity to an ancestral identity, hybridization of multiple ancestral identities, and vertical or horizontal differentiation are necessary or sufficient, alone or in combination, to generate appeal for new identities.
Citation - WoS: 6
Citation - Scopus: 8
Understanding the Relationship Between University Characteristics and Prestige
(EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD, 2021) Topaler, Başak; Ayvaz-Çavdaroğlu, Nur
Purpose Being a prestigious institution depends on gaining respect in the eyes of various stakeholders with diverse expectations. Existing research is silent on how university characteristics affect judgments of prestige and, therefore, presents an incomplete picture of prestige dynamics in higher education. This paper aims to fill this gap in the literature by empirically examining the stakeholders' evaluation of university characteristics in terms of prestige value. Design/methodology/approach The entire population of universities (public and private) in Turkish higher education constitutes the sample of the study. The analytic hierarchy process technique is applied to ascertain how stakeholders prioritize university characteristics in terms of prestige value, and regression analysis is used to determine the effects of these characteristics on university selectivity. Findings The findings suggest a novel conceptual model of university prestige, which establishes its multilayered and fragmented nature. Accordingly, universities may be subject to multiple prestige hierarchies based on universal or context-specific criteria, in the eyes of various stakeholders, and based on different markers of success. Research limitations/implications The empirical analyses are limited to the stakeholder groups that are key to university outcomes in Turkish higher education, and to selectivity in admissions as the only visible marker of success in this context. Originality/value The study enhances existing literature that posits that universities are subject to a single prestige hierarchy based on common metrics of performance. It illustrates the uneven landscape in which university prestige evolves by developing a wider and deeper focus on university characteristics.