Business Commons^™

Gradual Changes In Repeat Customers' Adoption Behavior Toward Responses To Mobile Direct Mail Coupon Promotions, Shahriar Akter

Shahriar Akter

Service businesses record the number of visitors as a measure of the performance of their business. However, summarized observations such as the total number of visits per month provide little insight on individual-level visiting behavior. In addition, behavior may change over time, especially in a swiftly changing environment induced by mobile promotions. This paper presents an individual level model for shop visiting behavior based on data of a beauty salon. The model focuses on gradual changes toward responses to mobile direct mail (DM) coupons based on the shop visit interval (SVI) of the beauty salon. This means that as someone …

Ssrn As An Initial Revolution In Academic Knowledge Aggregation And Dissemination, David Bray, Sascha Vitzthum, Benn Konsynski

Sascha Vitzthum

Within this paper we consider our results of using the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) over a period of 18 months to distribute our working papers to the research community. Our experiences have been quite positive, with SSRN serving as a platform both to inform our colleagues about our research as well as inform us about related research (through email and telephoned conversations of colleagues who discovered our paper on SSRN). We then discuss potential future directions for SSRN to consider, and how SSRN might well represent an initial revolution in 21st century academic knowledge aggregation and dissemination. Our paper …

A Second Look At The Hormel Strike, Lance Compa

Lance A Compa

[Excerpt] The dispute between the United Food and Commercial Workers and its Local P-9 over the long strike at Geo. A. Hormel & Co.'s meatpacking plant in Austin, Minnesota has put labor activists on two sides of an emotional and strategic divide. P-9 supporters see the strike, which began in August, 1985, as the labor battle of the decade, with a valiant local union taking a stand against unjust concession demands. But besides facing an arrogant boss, a plant full of strikebreakers and the Minnesota National Guard, the local has had to contend with a betrayal of its effort by …

Towards Self-Organizing, Smart Business Networks: Let’S Create ‘Life’ From Inert Information, David Bray, Benn Konsynski

David A. Bray

We review three different theories that can inform how researchers can determine the performance of smart business networks, to include: (1) the Theory of Evolution, (2) the Knowledge-Based Theory of the Firm, and (3) research insights into computers and cognition. We suggest that each of these theories demonstrate that to be generally perceived as smart, an organism needs to be self-organizing, communicative, and tool-making. Consequentially, to determine the performance of a smart business network, we suggest that researchers need to determine the degree to which it is self-organizing, communicative, and tool-making. We then relate these findings to the Internet and …

Product-Portfolio Strategies: The Case Of Multi-Function Products, Yuwen Chen, Asoo Vakharia, Aydin Alptekinoglu

Yuwen Chen

Motivated by the proliferation of multifunction products, we investigate product portfolio decisions of a single firm by analyzing the impact of three ma;'or factors. First, because multifunction products provide complete or partial functionalities of single-function products, we incorporate substitution or cannibalization effects between the potential products. Second, we explicitly model the variable costs of manufacturing the single0function and multifunction products. Third, we examine the firm's pricing decisions because of their impact on the degree of cannibalization between the multifunction product and one or more single-function products. Using an economic model, we first characterize the firm's optimal product portfolio (through a …

Senior Management Perceptions Of Effective Project Manager Behavior: An Exploration Of A Core Set Of Behaviors For Superior Project Managers, Alicia Aitken, Lynn Crawford

Lynn Crawford

Successful project managers continually demonstrate a core set of behaviors that enable them to effectively lead project teams. This paper examines an exploratory study attempting to distinguish the core behaviors--as determined by senior managers--of effective project managers. In doing so, it defines the study's six interview questions that 41 senior managers were asked to answer in relation to 32 personality dimensions and 20 behavioral competencies. It overviews the key previous studies on the behavioral profiles of superior-performing project managers; it explains the authors' research methodology and reports the research findings, identifying the seven necessary personality characteristics common among successful project …

Charting The Future Of The Accounting Profession: Recruiting And Retaining The Next Generation, Robert Bloom, Mark Myring

Robert Bloom

In this article, the authors look at the future of the accounting profession in the U.S. The authors reference a study conducted by Robert Half Finance and Accounting which found that the demand for accounting personnel will continue. They suggest that it is necessary to develop new and creative methods of attracting and maintaining staff to remain competitive. They also note the claim made by the Financial Leadership Council that a fundamental shift in the structure of entry-level accounting positions may be necessary.

Conflict Transformation: A Longitudinal Investigation Of The Relationships Between Different Types Of Intragroup Conflict And The Moderating Role Of Conflict Resolution, Lindred Greer, Karen Jehn, Elizabeth Mannix

Karen A. Jehn

In this longitudinal study, the authors examine the relationships between task, relationship, and process conflict over time. They also look at the role of conflict resolution in determining whether certain forms of intragroup conflict are related to the appearance of other forms of conflict over time. Their findings indicate a negative and long-lasting impact of process conflict occurring early in the team's interaction. Specifically, they find that process conflict, but not task or relationship conflict, occurring early in a team's interaction leads to higher levels of all other conflict types for the remaining interactions of the team. In addition, the …

Locally Adaptive Nonparametric Binary Regression, Sally Wood, Martin Tanner, Wenxin Jiang, Robert Kohn, Remy Cottet

Sally Wood

No abstract provided.

Sme Innovation Within The Australian Wine Industry: A Cluster Analysis, David Aylward, John Glynn

David K. Aylward

This paper assesses core innovation activity among SMEs within different levels of cluster development. The aim of the paper, using empirical data from the Australian wine industry, is to demonstrate that innovation levels and activity intensify as an industry cluster develops. By dividing wine clusters into ‘innovative’ (highly developed) and ‘organised’ (less developed) models, the paper uses selected core indicators of innovation activity to explore levels of integration within each model. This integration is examined in the context of Porter’s theory of ‘competitive advantage’, with implications for SMEs in particular, and lessons for industry clusters in general.

Interest-Based Bargaining In Education, Sally Klingel

Sally Klingel

[Excerpt] Despite almost 20 years of experience with a variety of alternative techniques in collective bargaining in education, there is no summary of the research on negotiation practices or survey of practice variations in use. The parties in negotiations have little to guide them in their investigation of the utility of what are commonly referred to as Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB) strategies. In order to give negotiators tools with which they can make choices appropriate to their needs based on current knowledge and practice, this report offers an informed discussion of the utility of various bargaining models. It provides: ◗ A …

The Economic Costs And Benefits Of Self-Managed Teams Among Skilled Technicians, Rosemary Batt

Rosemary Batt

This paper estimates the economic costs and benefits of implementing teams among highly-skilled technicians in a large regional telecommunications company. It matches individual survey and objective performance data for 230 employees in matched pairs of traditionally-supervised and self-managed groups. Multivariate regressions with appropriate controls show that teams do the work of supervisors in 60-70% less time, reducing indirect labor costs by 75 percent per team. Objective measures of quality and labor productivity are unaffected. Team members receive additional overtime pay that represents a 4-5 percent annual wage premium, which may be viewed alternatively as a share in the productivity gains …

Employee Voice, Human Resource Practices, And Quit Rates: Evidence From The Telecommunications Industry, Rosemary Batt, Alexander Colvin, Jeffrey Keefe

Rosemary Batt

The authors draw on strategic human resource and industrial relations theories to identify the sets of employee voice mechanisms and human resource practices that are likely to predict firm-level quit rates, then empirically evaluate the predictive power of these variables using data from a 1998 establishment level survey in the telecommunications industry. With respect to alternative voice mechanisms, they find that union representation predicts lower quit rates, even after they control for compensation and a wide range of other human resource practices that may be affected by collective bargaining. Also predicting lower quit rates is employee participation in offline problem-solving …

Heritage Tourism In Xi'an: Constructing The Past In Contested Space, William Feighery

William Feighery

No abstract provided.

Building Brand Identity: Does It Pay? An Investigation Into Cultural And Recreational Services, Joanna Minkiewicz, Jody Evans, Kerrie Bridson

Dr. Joanna Minkiewicz

No abstract provided.

Notre Dame Mendoza Business School Presentation 2008, Karen Ahmed

Karen Hunt Ahmed

No abstract provided.

Poison Pill Redemption: Evidence From The Commercial Banking Industry, Elisabeta Pana

Elisabeta Pana

No abstract provided.

Systems Theory And Knowledge Management Systems: The Case Of Pratt-Whitney Rocketdyne, Mark Chun, Kiho Sohn, Priscilla Arling, Nelson Granados

Priscilla Arling

Despite a growing body of research on knowledge management (KM) systems, many managers are still unsure how they can implement a KM system that will effectively contribute to the firm’s competitive advantage. A common framework is one that breaks down KM into four main activities: knowledge creation, storage, transfer, and application. This paper describes one company’s use of an alternative perspective–a systems thinking approach–to define and improve KM within the firm. Pratt-Whitney Rocketdyne moved away from viewing KM as separate processes, to view the organization holistically as a system of people, processes, and technology. Based on this perspective, the company …

Organizational Change Methods, Saurabh Gupta, Dag Nasland, Reham Etantawy

Saurabh Gupta

No abstract provided.

Peer-To-Peer Technology In Collaborative Learning Networks: Applications And Research Issues, Robert Bostrom, Saurabh Gupta, Janette Hill

Saurabh Gupta

No abstract provided.

A Meta Theory For Understanding Is In Socio-Technical Systems, Dominic Thomas, Saurabh Gupta, Robert Bostrom

Saurabh Gupta

Information systems (IS) research often attempts to examine and explain how technology leads to outcomes through usage of information technology (IT). Although extensive research in this area has resulted in a significant number of theories, limited work has been done on integrating these theories. This paper presents adaptive structuration theory (AST) as a meta-theory for examining IS within a socio-technical systems (STS) context. Two main contributions are: 1) an understanding of meta-theory and how it fits with other meta-studies and 2) applying AST as a meta-theory to: A) achieve deeper domain understanding, B) provide an overarching perspective for reviewing literature …

Towards A Model For Team Learning In Multidisciplinary Crisis Management Teams, Selma Van Der Haar, Karen Jehn, Mein Segers

Karen A. Jehn

Crisis management teams have the duty to perform immediately, reliably and effectively in case of an emergency, crisis or disaster. The teams are composed of members who are diverse in expertise, experience, parent organisation and familiarity. This makes these teams ad hoc multidisciplinary action teams that have to function as a team and perform in a reliable and effective way as quickly as possible. Our expectation is that team learning is very important for establishing this team performance. In this paper, we develop a broad model of how this team learning occurs in crisis management teams, especially in the operational …

Analysis Of Sfas 157, Fair Value Measurements., Jayne Fuglister, Robert Bloom

Robert Bloom

The article analyzes the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 provides a comprehensive framework plus specific implementation guidance on the measurement of fair value and required disclosures. It supersedes the piecemeal guidance on fair value contained in previous standards. It includes sections on its scope, fair value measurement, initial recognition, valuation techniques, inputs to valuation techniques, fair value hierarchy, disclosures and transition issues.

“Blackberry Versus Ntp.”, Kwanghui Lim, David Weston

Kwanghui Lim

This case concerns a dispute between a US inventor and a Canadian technology company over patent infringement. The technology in question is an essential part of the BlackBerry communications device and the innovation is the wireless receipt of e-mail. The resulting legal battle threatened to shut down the BlackBerry system leaving millions of users, including essential government employees in the US and elsewhere, without their main communications tool. The inventor sought compensation for infringement through a company that operated solely to manage intellectual property. The case raises important issues in the strategic management of intellectual property.

What’S The Problem In Public Sector Workforce Recruitment? A Comparative Analysis Of The Public, Nonprofit, And Private Sectors., Brian Collins

Brian K. Collins

Public sector workforce recruitment is problematic, but the nature of that problem is not clearly defined. Workforce recruitment is essentially a matching problem that requires managers to recruit desired employees in available labor pools. This research asks whether sectoral differences and competition for labor affect whether public managers frame the major problem of workforce recruitment as the size, qualifications, or work ethic of the labor pool. Using survey data from about 2,300 managers from two US states, problem attributions are modeled using multinomial logit. The findings suggest that the public and nonprofit sectors find it more problematic to recruit qualified …

Examining The Influence Of Strategic Online Content Delivery, Paul Fadil, Saurabh Gupta, Rahul Kale

Saurabh Gupta

This article describes the development and strategic application of online quizzes to enhance student performance and overall course experience. Although research has increased in the field of technological delivery of educational content, there is yet a dearth of studies when compared to the quantity of activity in practice. The experimental situation that this study presents is generalizable to any regional, public business school with no major in operations management. These schools tend to use operations management as an integral part of its core curriculum. Students are required to take only one required operations course in their program; thus, it becomes …

Perceptions Of Deception: Making Sense Of Responses To Employee Deceit, Karen Jehn, Elizabeth Scott

Karen A. Jehn

In this research, we examine the effects that customer perceptions of employee deception have on the customers’ attitudes toward an organization. Based on interview, archival, and observational data within the international airline industry, we develop a model to explain the complex effects of perceived dishonesty on observer’s attitudes and intentions toward the airline. The data revealed three types of perceived deceit (about beliefs, intentions, and emotions) and three additional factors that influence customer intentions and attitudes: the players involved, the beneficiaries of the deceit, and the harm done by the perceived lie. We develop a model with specific propositions to …

Analyzing The Dearth In Family Enterprise Research, Susan Clark Muntean

Susan Clark Muntean

No abstract provided.

Taxation Policy In Virtual Worlds: Issues Raised By Second Life And Other Unstructured Games, William Terando, Brian Mennecke, William Dilla, Diane Janvrin

William D. Terando

Milk, Elisa Addlesperger

Elisa E. Addlesperger

No abstract provided.