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Purpose When fighting the burden of overweight and obesity, diet remains a powerful preventive factor. The purpose of this paper is to stimulate more efficient interventions on diet change by synthesising knowledge of previous weight loss programmes based on the use of digital devices. Design/methodology/approach Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses approach, a systematic literature review through five databases was undertaken focussed on the assessment of studies oriented towards diet change that incorporated digital devices including computers, tablets, mobile phones, portable and non-portable tracking devices. In total, 15 empirical studies (2004–2018) were identified and examined for efficacy and presence of theory and behaviour change techniques. Findings Digital devices supporting weight loss programmes have evolved rapidly over the past 15 years, from reminders using the short message system to self-quantification through mobile applications. Nine studies show a significant difference between conditions, in favour or one (or more) intervention arm. The remaining studies failed to find significance between conditions but were using a comparison with an active intervention, potentially indicating equivalent efficacy. A low level of theory use and use of behavioural techniques was evident. Research limitations/implications The literature review is limited to studies that have scientifically evaluated the (potential) weight loss associated with the weight loss intervention. This review could be put into perspective with other complementary research, in particular, qualitative research aimed at exploring participants’ motivations to use (or not) digital devices to lose weight. Social implications Given their low cost and the size of the overweight population, it appears that public health policies could integrate digital devices more strongly in their efforts to combat obesity. Social marketing can add its expertise to medical-based programmes which in return bring their need for more quantitative evaluation of the efficacy of the interventions. Originality/value Few previous reviews have examined the extent of the efficiency in digital diet change programmes. The review shows that, in general, digital interventions can support weight loss for adults; however, more studies are required to provide a strong evidence base for efficacy. Given their low cost and the size of the overweight population, public health policies could integrate these devices more strongly in their efforts to combat obesity. A theory-driven social marketing perspective could enhance development ensuring interventions are effective and valued by users.

PurposeThis article of exploratory research provides a critical perspective on accountability, focusing on three characteristics: transparency, asymmetry and individual agency. An experimental method is developed, calling for an ethics of accountability.Design/methodology/approachFour entrepreneurs have given accounts of themselves and their projects in life cycle interviews. This article applies Devereux's approach (1967), which allows for opacity (the “unconscious”) to oneself and to others with symmetry between analysts and analysed, and a lack of demarcation between the observer and the observed.FindingsA tragic entrepreneurial accountability trap of continuous self-justification was discovered, which pertains both to the entrepreneurs and the researchers. Nonetheless, the researchers as inspired by Devereux's method were able to realize a form of accounterability.Social implicationsThis article shows that the demands for transparent, asymmetrical and agentive accountability call for ethical reflection. The request for accounts, as resulting in the accounts given and the research conducted into accountability, are all sources of constraints. Differing the accountability situation may lessen the constraints.Originality/valueThis study introduces Devereux's method as an investigative tool in accountability research, opening up new perspectives on communication and analysis. This article shows the researcher as situated both inside and outside of the accountability mechanisms. This article explores a singular form of accountability; that of entrepreneurs who seemingly only account for the future, thereby disconnecting them from others.

Lors d'une étude sur l'expérience du travail durant la crise sanitaire, le concept d'épreuve s'est imposé. Il permet de penser la diversité des expériences et parcours, en soulignant les aspects de défià surmonter, de mise à l'épreuve, d'expérience éprouvante et existentielle. L'importance de l'épreuve dans l'expérience et le travail a été conceptualisée notamment par Martuccelli, Boltanski et Pezé ; plus récemment Rosanvallon a mis en valeur le rôle des émotions et des attentes que suscitent les épreuves. Les crises rendent plus visibles et plus aigües certaines épreuves, et mettent en évidence une dimension grandissante du management : celle de contribuer à faire face à des épreuves qui le mettent à l'épreuve et le contraignent à se transformer.

Lors d’une étude sur l’expérience du travail durant la crise sanitaire, le concept d’épreuve s’est imposé. Il permet de penser la diversité des expériences et parcours, en soulignant les aspects de défi à surmonter, de mise à l’épreuve, d’expérience éprouvante et existentielle. L’importance de l’épreuve dans l’expérience et le travail a été conceptualisée notamment par Martuccelli, Boltanski et Pezé ; plus récemment Rosanvallon a mis en valeur le rôle des émotions et des attentes que suscitent les épreuves. Les crises rendent plus visibles et plus aigües certaines épreuves, et mettent en évidence une dimension grandissante du management : celle de contribuer à faire face à des épreuves qui le mettent à l’épreuve et le contraignent à se transformer. During a study on experiences of work during the COVID-19 crisis, the concept of “épreuve” (trial; ordeal) came to the fore. This notion allows us to reflect on the variety of experiences and pathways, emphasizing certain aspects: facing challenges, being put to the test, trials and tribulations, and existential experiences. The importance of trials in life and in the workplace has already been conceptualized by Martuccelli, Boltanski, and Pezé; more recently, Rosanvallon has emphasized the role of the emotions and expectations generated by these trials. Crises make certain trials more visible and acute, and highlight a growing dimension of management: that of helping employees face obstacles that also test management and oblige it to change.

// ABSTRACT IN FRENCH: Cet article se propose d'étudier l'impact de la crise économique sur les organisations commerciales, et les modalités d'adaptation des systèmes de contrôle face à ce contexte inédit. Les résultats d'une étude qualitative menée auprès de commerciaux montrent que ces derniers perçoivent un renforcement de la pression opérée par le management dans l'entreprise qui se traduit par un reporting accru et que, par ailleurs, le nouveau comportement des clients modifíe celui des commerciaux et influence les systèmes de contrôle. Un troisième résultat met en évidence l'importance du contrôle informel (self-control) développé par le commercial pour s'adapter au client. Reproduced by permission of Bibliothèque de Sciences Po

This article aims at analyzing the impact of the economic crisis on commercial organizations and how they have adapted their systems of control. The results of a qualitative approach among 58 salespeople show that (1) salespeople perceive an increased pressure in the daily management and suggest that (2) customers' behavior can influence salespeople's behavior and indirectly impact the sales force control system. The third result is the importance of self-control developed by the salesperson to adapt to the customer. [PUB ABSTRACT]

Cet article se propose d’étudier l’impact de la crise économique sur les organisations commerciales, et les modalités d’adaptation des systèmes de contrôle face à ce contexte inédit. Les résultats d’une étude qualitative menée auprès de commerciaux montrent que ces derniers perçoivent un renforcement de la pression opérée par le management dans l’entreprise qui se traduit par un reporting accru et que, par ailleurs, le nouveau comportement des clients modifie celui des commerciaux et influence les systèmes de contrôle. Un troisième résultat met en évidence l’importance du contrôle informel (self-control) développé par le commercial pour s’adapter au client.

Cet article se propose d’étudier l’impact de la crise économique sur les organisations commerciales, et les modalités d’adaptation des systèmes de contrôle face à ce contexte inédit. Les résultats d’une étude qualitative menée auprès de commerciaux montrent que ces derniers perçoivent un renforcement de la pression opérée par le management dans l’entreprise qui se traduit par un reporting accru et que, par ailleurs, le nouveau comportement des clients modifie celui des commerciaux et influence les systèmes de contrôle. Un troisième résultat met en évidence l’importance du contrôle informel (self-control) développé par le commercial pour s’adapter au client. Adaptive behavior of salespeople and adaptive sales force control due to the economic crisis : results of an exploratory study This article aims at analyzing the impact of the economic crisis on commercial organizations and how they have adapted their systems of control. The results of a qualitative approach among 58 salespeople show that (1) salespeople perceive an increased pressure in the daily management and suggest that (2) customers’ behavior can influence salespeople’s behavior and indirectly impact the sales force control system. The third result is the importance of self-control developed by the salesperson to adapt to the customer.