Business Commons^™

Rapid Experimentation: The Silicon Valley Method Of Success, Ralph E. Mckinney, Ben Eng, Olen York

Entrepreneurship Faculty Research

The methodology of rapid experimentation focuses on discovering a problem’s solutions through leap-offaith assumptions that will delight the end users. Rapid experimentation has been used by Silicon Valley in developing products and services that have excited consumers and changed business expectations. Developers need to have high functioning team members that are open to new experiences and that can deliver experiences to customers from products and services that not only exceed customer expectations, but delight them. In this paper, we present a case using this Silicon Valley methodology of rapid experimentation in solving the problem of substance abuse. We reflect on …

Use Of Smartphones For Clinical And Medical Education, Jazmine Valle, Tyler Godby, David P. Paul Iii, Harlan M. Smith Ii, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Introduction: Smartphones for clinical and medical education have been on the rise and show contribution to healthcare and healthcare providers. Smartphones in healthcare facilities has been examined for utilization and efficacy, however, although the advantages are abundant some healthcare facilities and providers are reluctant to change due to threat of mixing personal apps with clinical care applications, distraction to the provider using the smartphone which has led to medication errors followed by errors linked to procedures, treatments, or tests. The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of smartphones in a clinical setting and for medical education to …

The Trends In Dtca And Effects Of Dtca By Pharmaceutical Firms In The United States, Sathorn Preechavuthinant, William K. Willis Drph, Alberto Coustasse Drph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

The Direct-to-Consumer Advertising (DTCA) of pharmaceutical firms has been defined as an attempt of pharmaceutical companies to advertise products directly to patients (comsumers). Pharmaceutical DTCA has been criticized due to its inappropriateness and some urged the need to strengthen regulations. The DTCA has an impact on the public from both a benefit and harm concern. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current trend of pharmaceutical DTCA in the US and its effect on patients, physicians, and drug utilization. The methodology used in the research is literature review and semi-structured interview. The pharmaceutical DTCA showed reduction in total …

Costs, Staffing, And Services Of Assisted Living In The United States: A Literature Review, Amy Kisling, David P. Paul Iii, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs), which provide a community for residents who require assistance throughout their day, is an important part of the long-term care system in the US. The costs of ALFs are paid either out of pocket, by Medicaid or by Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI). Monthly costs of ALFs have increased over the past five years on an average of 4.1%. The purpose of this research was to examine the future trends in ALFs in the US to determine the impact healthcare on costs. The methodology for this study was a literature review and a total of 32 sources …

The Reality Of Digital Currency As A Financial Medium Of Exchange, Dale H. Shao, Lawrence Shao, Ralph E. Mckinney, Duane C. Rosenlieb

Management Faculty Research

This paper presents a discussion of the requirements for the long term acceptance of digital currency as a financial medium of exchange through the examination of fundamental criteria associated with common tender and the examination of selected digital currencies. According to the U.S. Treasury, digital currencies are subject to regulation if that digital currency has a substitutive purpose for facilitating exchanging goods and services (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, 2013). Although governments can place stipulations on currencies, users of common tender, such as digital currencies, expect at least three basic privileges for a digital currency to evolve from conception to realization. …

Quantitative Analysis Of Impacts Of Employee Engagement On Continuance And Normative Commitment, Daniel A. Cernas Ortiz, Hong Qin, Wai Kwan (Elaine) Lau

Accounting Faculty Research

A positive relationship between employee engagement and affective commitment is already documented in the literature. However, we do not adequately know how engagement is associated with continuance and normative commitment. Using survey methodology we find that while engagement has a non–significant positive association with continuance commitment; it has a positive association with normative commitment. No negative association was found between engagement and continuance commitment. These results advance prior findings about the effect of employee engagement on different types of commitment and provide understandings in setting effective performance standards in the organization.

A Study Of Effective Leadership In The Chinese Context, Wai Kwan (Elaine) Lau

Management Faculty Research

The study of leadership is one of the most often researched management topics. However, most research and theory contributions are to a great extent limited to accounting for leadership practice in the West. This study is designed to develop an effective leadership model that works in the Chinese context. Paternalistic leadership, a dominant leadership style in an Eastern business environment, is compared with transformational leadership, a dominant leadership style in a Western business environment. In addition, the cultural differences between China and the West relating to leader-follower relationships suggest different leadership behaviors may be more effective in one of these …

Transformational Leadership In China: The Role Of Trust And Harmony, Wai Kwan (Elaine) Lau

Management Faculty Research

Transformational leadership attracted a significant amount of scholarly attention in the past few decades. This study is designed to develop an effective transformational leadership model that works in the Chinese context. A model is proposed to clarify the mediating effects of trust and harmony on the relationship between transformational leadership and its effectiveness. The model provides a new perspective on leadership in the Chinese context that is ignored in the Western leadership literature. It also offers a clearer understanding of how best transformational leadership practice combines with traditional Chinese wisdom to do a better job in accounting for the leader-follower …

The Impacts Of Personality Traits And Goal Commitment On Employees' Job Satisfaction, Wai Kwan (Elaine) Lau

Accounting Faculty Research

The present research investigates the effects of personality traits, such as self-efficacy and locus of control, on job satisfaction. It also examines the mediating impact of goal commitment on relationships between personality and job satisfaction. The results indicate that both self-efficacy and locus of control are positively associated with goal commitment. In addition, locus of control is found positively related to job satisfaction. However, self-efficacy does not have the same positive relationship with job satisfaction. The study further confirms the mediating effect of goal commitment on relationships between personality traits and job satisfaction.

Evaluating Key Factors In Supplier Selection For Micro-Businesses: Implications For Buyer Satisfaction, Avinash M. Waikar, Minh Q. Huynh, Robert F. Cope, Uday S. Tate

Management Faculty Research

Final quality of products/services starts with suppliers in the supply chain. Problems can occur if suppliers do not deliver the quantities requested in full, on time, or buyers select suppliers solely on the basis of lowest price. Supplier selection has been studied for large businesses but not for very small (micro) businesses. Therefore, a survey was administered to micro-businesses to determine: what factors are important to micro-businesses in selecting suppliers and how satisfied they are with their suppliers. Factors included Brand Name, Consistency, Cost/Lower Price, Loyalty, Quality, and Warranty. Results indicated that none of the factors were unimportant. However, buyer …

The Effect Of Employee Engagement On Continuance And Normative Commitment To The Organization, Wai Kwan (Elaine) Lau

Management Faculty Research

A positive relationship between employee engagement and affective commitment is already documented in the literature. However, we do not adequately know how engagement is associated with continuance and normative commitment. Using survey methodology we find that while engagement has a non-significant positive association with continuance commitment, it has a positive association with normative commitment. No negative association was found between engagement and continuance commitment. This study’s results support recent critiques to Allen and Meyer’s three-dimensional model of organizational commitment.

Enhanced Expense Practices For Higher Education: Enduring Continuous Reductions In State Appropriation, Ralph E. Mckinney, Lawrence Shao

Management Faculty Research

The way forward for higher education to survive and to endure reductions in state appropriations is the enrichment of practices associated with traditional expenses. Because consistent reductions in state appropriations threaten to cause major changes to educational services within Higher Education, this paper advocates enhancement to program management and changes to teaching practices without sacrificing students' expectations. In fact, these practices strengthen learning through practical and team teaching environments while promoting unity of colleges and integration of courses. Module learning and transition programs encourage students to complete degrees faster and step up to the next advance degree. Flexibility can be …

The Key Characteristics Of Different Types Of Employees: A Summary Of Six Studies, Chong W. Kim, Harlan M. Smith Ii, Andrew Sikula Sr., Lorraine P. Anderson

Management Faculty Research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is, first, to summarize six studies which analyze the key characteristics of different types of employees. Three types of employees found in workplaces all over the world are identified as “Necessities,” “Commoners,” and “Parasites” and, second, to combine the results of these studies in order to identify the key traits and behaviors that characterize each type of worker across a variety of social and cultural settings.

Design/methodology/approach – For starters, three types of employees are defined. First, a person is a Necessity if s/he is irreplaceable and critical to the functioning of an …

The Effects Of Leadership Style On Employee’S Perception Of Justice: The Role Of Employee’S Participation, Wai Kwan (Elaine) Lau

Accounting Faculty Research

The present research examines the effect of leadership style (classical, transactional, transformational, and dynamic) and employee’s participation on employee’s perception of justice (distributive, procedural, and interactional justice). It is proposed that different leadership styles are expected to display different effects on employee’s participation and perceptions of justice. Moreover, employee’s participation in decision making process is predicated to positively influence his/her perception of justice.

The Effects Of Leadership Style And Employee’S Participation On Perceived Justice, Wai Kwan (Elaine) Lau

Management Faculty Research

The present study proposes and tests a model that examines the relationship between leadership style, employee’s participation, and justice perceptions. Results indicate that transactional, transformational, and dynamic leadership have positive impact on distributive, procedural, and interactional justice. Moreover, the effect of leadership style on organizational justice was indirect through employee’s participation. There are also some interesting differences across different types of leadership style and justice.

Insourcing: Reversing American Outsourcing In The New World Economy, Andrew Sikula Sr., Chong W. Kim, Charles K. Braun, John Sikula

Management Faculty Research

The article discusses the need to understand the pendulum swing of human resource between insourcing and outsourcing work effort and accomplishment. The strengths of insourcing, or the use of labor within national boundaries to sustain the functions of an organization, is said to include efficient communication within the organization, enhanced employee morale and loyalty, and a high degree of control over people and resources. It is believed that there would be a resurgence of insourcing in the U.S., mainly within the government sector.

The Role Of Organizational Learning Capabilities In Strategic Alliances, Wai Kwan (Elaine) Lau

Management Faculty Research

Recent studies on strategic alliance show great interest on how firms develop alliance capabilities to achieve alliance success. This study examines the relationship between organizational learning capabilities and alliance performance. The concept of organizational learning capabilities in this study is developed comprising training availability, technical expertise, and alliance experience. It proposes that a greater alliance learning capability is positively related to alliance goal achievement. The research further investigates how the inter- and intra-firm mechanism, the average level of technical expertise and alliance experience, and the gap of technical expertise and alliance experience between the partners impact alliance objectives.

Culture’S Influence On The Perceived Characteristics Of Employees: Comparing The Views Of U.S. And Chilean Workers, Chong W. Kim, Leopoldo Arias-Bolzmann, Harlan M. Smith Ii

Management Faculty Research

As noted in previous work (Kim & Sikula, 2005; Kim & Sikula, 2006; Kim, Sikula & Smith, 2006; Kim, Cho & Sikula, 2007), there are three types of people in the workplace: “Necessities,” “Commoners,” and “Parasites.” A person of Necessity is irreplaceable and crucial to the functioning of an organization. A Commoner is a person of normal ability and talent who has no significant impact on organizational success. Parasites are detrimental freeloaders who damage the functioning of an organization.

Kim & Sikula (2005) asked 25 students in an MBA Organizational Behavior class and 13 working managers (all of whom live …

Tqm In Small And Medium Scale Manufacturers: Development Of Measurement Instruments, Deepak Subedi, Uday S. Tate, Suneel K. Maheshwari

Management Faculty Research

The objective of our paper is to identify factors and develop constructs that could be used to develop a conceptual Total Quality Management (TQM) model that is applicable to small and medium scale manufacturers in the United States. The data for this study was collected from a mail survey targeted to managers in the manufacturing plants. Responses were analyzed and factor analysis was used to develop measurement instruments.

Retail Internationalization: Jc Penney’S Global Expansion, Wai Kwan (Elaine) Lau

Management Faculty Research

In apparel industry, as domestic markets become overstored and/or mature, retailers consider international market involvement as a strategy for growth. Retailers have been successful in expansions to some countries, but not in others. This paper analyzes and evaluates JC Penney’s positioning and retailing strategies in domestic market, international expansion strategies, and factors such as culture influences on its international expansion strategies. This study presents a prototype for other retailers to follow when looking inside and outside national borders for expansion opportunities.

Factors Influence On Success Mass Customization, Wai Kwan (Elaine) Lau

Accounting Faculty Research

This paper summarizes the common elements of mass customization (MC). It argues that MC should be viewed as a manufacturing management system that synergizes and integrates all the elements. Then, three factors, customer, technology, and organizational factors are identified. The moderating effects between implemented MC and improved performance are discussed.

Cultural Implications Of "Excellent Employees": Comparing American And Korean Workers, Chong W. Kim, Yung-Ho Cho, Andrew Sikula Sr.

Management Faculty Research

As noted in Kim & Sikula (2003, 2005), there are three types of people in the workplace: "Necessities", "Commoners," and "Parasites". A necessity (excellent employee) is irreplaceable and crucial to the functioning of an organization. A Commoner (average laborer) is a person of normal ability and talent who has no significant impact on organizational success. Lastly, Parasites (problem workers) are detrimental freeloaders who damage the functioning of an organization.

In the 2005 paper, we analyzed the survey responses of 25 students in an MBA Organizational Behavior class and 13 working managers, all in the United States. In this paper, we …

Perceptions Of The Characteristics Of Good, Bad And Ordinary Workers On The Job: The Influence Of Work Experience And Culture, Chong W. Kim, Andrew Sikula Sr., Harlan M. Smith Ii

Management Faculty Research

As noted in Kim & Sikula (2003; 2004), there are three types of people in the workplace: people of Necessity, Common people, and Parasites. A person of Necessity is irreplaceable, crucial to the functioning of an organization. The Common person is a worker of average ability and talent who makes no significant difference to the success of an organization. Parasites are detrimental freeloaders, harmful to the functioning of an organization.

In the 2004 paper we analyzed the survey responses of 25 students in an MBA Organizational Behavior class, and of 13 working managers, all in the United States. In this …

The Characteristics Of “Necessity” In A Work Place: A Replication Study, Chong W. Kim, Andrew Sikula Sr.

Management Faculty Research

As defined in our previous paper (Kim and Sikula, 2003), there could be three types of person and roles they play in the workplace: Necessity, Common and Parasite. A Necessity is the one who is an irreplaceable person. A Common is a worker of average ability and talent, and a Parasite is an employee free-loader who is a moocher more than a contributor.

The purpose of this paper is to replicate the first paper, and compare the results of two data sets. The data for the first paper collected from 34 undergraduate senior students in an Organizational Behavior (OB) class, …

Behavioral Factors In Strategic Alliances, Purnendu Mandal, Dale H. Shao, Chong W. Kim

Management Faculty Research

Recently, there has been a growing trend among information technology (IT) organizations to form strategic alliances to increase competitive advantages in the marketplace. For an organization to exploit the benefits of alliances, human factors and IT factors must be among the basic components of any strategic plan (Kemeny & Yanowitz, 2000). Despite the obvious need to consider human and IT factors when developing a long-term plan, many strategic plans developed in the past that led to alliances have failed to consider human aspects. Examples of failure in the implementation of IT systems due to the lack of consideration of human …

Reinventing Leadership: Blended Dualism, Andrew Sikula Sr., Chong W. Kim

Management Faculty Research

Leadership needs to be redefined and explained differently in terms of what we have learned about organizational directorship during the last few decades. In addition to a new definition, a post twentieth century model of leadership needs created with steps and parameters opposite from pre-2000 thinking and philosophy. This article presents a new leadership definition and model, plus it identifies leadership parameters, steps, and lessons. Furthermore, it introduces a new concept into management/leadership/organization literature called Blended Dualism which incorporates the very latest supervisory thinking into a holistic, integrated amalgam of what initially appears to be contradictory or at least paradoxical …

Job Satisfaction As Related To Safe Performance: A Case For A Manufacturing Firm, Chong W. Kim, Marjorie L. Mcinerney, Robert P. Alexander

Management Faculty Research

Many companies have made significant improvements in safety records, but have eventually reached a plateau. This article examines employee safety performance in regards to their job satisfaction and its implications to managers for improving employees safety performance through job redesign.

Korean Value Systems And Managerial Practices, Dong Ki Kim, Chong W. Kim

Management Faculty Research

Human beings are by nature sociocultural creatures. Our behavior is influenced not only by traditional value systems but also by contemporary education and training. In the same manner, the managerial practices of Korean managers are strongly influenced by the norms and value systems of the traditional Korean society. But, as the society changes from an agrarian society to an industrialized one, so does the behavior of Korean managers. This chapter focuses on the process of this change. More specifically, it will look at the effects of traditional value systems and those of industrialization on Korean managerial practices.