Human Resources Management Commons^™

A Profile Of Project Manager Work Engagement: A Field Survey, Thomas G. Henkel, James W. Marion Jr, Debra T. Bourdeau

Publications

Engaged employees are those who are involved in, enthusiastic about, and committed to their work and who are most likely to drive innovation, generate new ideas, have a sense of connection with their work activities, and are involved with the demands of their job (Gallup, 2013). Nowhere is the concept of employee engagement more important than with managing an organization’s projects. Ensuring a project manager is emotionally engaged with his or her work is crucial for project success to meet greater challenges in today's 21st-century global marketplace. In this research study, project managers were asked to respond to an employee …

Project Portfolio Management And Its Effect On Organizational Culture Through The Competing Values Framework, Brian Wiersma

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Project portfolio management (PPM) is a growing business practice and field of academic study, and is recognized for positively impacting return on investment (ROI), project success, and organizational performance. Despite this growth, there is inconsistent use of PPM, and minimal research examining a connection between PPM and organizational culture. The problem addressed was a lack portfolio management practice established for the allocation of human resources within a group of retail stores located in the Midwest. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect implementing PPM practice into the human resource allocation process has on the organizational culture. Utilizing …

Video Killed The Interview Star: Does Picture-In-Picture Affect Interview Performance?, Ryan G. Horn, Tara S. Behrend

Personnel Assessment and Decisions

Although technology-mediated selection interviews have become more prevalent in practice, research on this phenomenon has failed to keep pace. One pressing need is to understand the dimensions upon which technology-mediated interviews might differ from one another. Particular aspects of synchronous video technology may negatively affect interviewees and those negative effects may be exacerbated by the evaluative nature of the interview. We explored this question by investigating the effects that one such aspect, the picture-in-picture window, has on interviewees. This study used a 2 (picture-in-picture vs. no picture-in-picture) x 2 (evaluative framing vs. non-evaluative framing) between-subjects experimental design to test the …

Timeliness Is Key To The Candidate Experience, Ann Marie Ryan, Abdifatah Ahmed Ali, Terry Hauer, Jillyan French-Vitet

Personnel Assessment and Decisions

Effective talent attraction is a competitive advantage for organizations. This study examined the spillover effect of recruitment delays on signals important for organizational attraction. A diverse sample of 563 candidates evaluated their most recent recruitment experience. Using moderated regression and relative importance analysis, timeliness dissatisfaction dampened the positive effects of organizational prestige and opportunity to perform although these effects are greater earlier in the recruitment process. We discuss the contributions of this study and provide recommendations for recruitment practice.

Using O*Net To Develop A Framework Of Job Characteristics To Potentially Improve The Predictive Validity Of Personality Measures, Jeremy Burrus, Jason D. Way

Personnel Assessment and Decisions

It has long been theorized that we can improve prediction of job-related behavior from measures of personality by identifying job characteristics that allow for the expression of individual differences (e.g., Mischel, 1968). Using O*NET data, the current paper develops a framework for job characteristics that could improve the extent to which we can predict behavior from personality. More specifically, it investigates relationships between Work Styles, Generalized Work Activities, and Work Context variables. Job characteristics varied in importance as a function of four Work Styles composites: achievement, people orientation, stability, and attention to detail, and the relationships were largely …

Stop Interrupting Me! Examining The Relationship Between Interruptions, Test Performance And Reactions, Amie D. Lawrence, Ted B. Kinney, Matthew S. O'Connell, Kristin M. Delgado

Personnel Assessment and Decisions

Unproctored testing (UIT) is common, and mobile testing is increasing rapidly, which means applicants are completing assessments in a variety of test environments. Little is known about how differences in the test environment affect candidate test performance and reactions. This study examines interruptions in the UIT test environment to better understand what interruptions candidates are experiencing and how they influence candidate outcomes. The results show that candidates are being interrupted in a UIT context. Interrupted candidates scored lower on test performance and reported less favorable applicant reactions. Interruptions happen and they do matter. Implications for organizations and practitioners are discussed.

Leadership: A Mixed-Method Case Study To Explore The Behaviors A Consultancy Firm Managing Partner Uses To Create Meaning In Their Leadership—For Themselves And Their Followers—Through Character, Relationships, Inspiration, Vision, And Wisdom, Robert J. Mancuso

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-method case study was to identify and describe the behaviors that exemplary consulting-firm Managing Partners use to create personal and organizational meaning for themselves and their followers through character, vision, relationships, wisdom and inspiration. In addition, it was the purpose of this study to determine the degree of importance which followers assign to the behaviors related to vision, character, relationships, wisdom and inspiration help to create personal and organizational meaning. Methodology: This study is part of a thematic exploratory mixed-methods case study. Its focus is exemplar consulting-firm Managing Partners, and it is conducted in two …

The Influence Of Age, Work Experience, Education Level, And Score On A Standardized Pre-Employment Competency Exam On The Outcome Of A Pre-Employment Polygraph Exam, David M. Torres

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined the influence of age, work experience, education level, and score on a standardized pre-employment competency exam on the outcome of a pre-employment polygraph exam. Due to the strict selection requirements and competitive nature of sensitive government and public safety positions, organizations compete in the costly endeavor to hire qualified applicants efficiently and effectively. As these organizations fail to meet the required hiring levels, their responsibilities in public and national security cannot be carried out. This study was conducted in an effort to reduce the time and financial resources an organization must appropriate on applicants that cannot successfully …

A Phenomenological Case Study Of Transformative Learning In A Non-Traditional Diversity Training Program, Ame Lambert

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

Rapidly changing demographics and globalization has spurred a plurality of organizations to invest millions of dollars annually in diversity training, with the primary aim of improving the experiences of underrepresented employees. However, the results of diversity training to date have not proven encouraging. Positive outcomes of diversity training have generally been confined to increased awareness and improved attitudes towards diversity, with implicit and explicit prejudice and behavior remaining unchanged. The aim of this study was to understand the transformational learning experiences of participants in a non-traditional diversity training program and the impact of their transformational learning on their behavior.

A …

Nursing Assignments Based On Patient Acuity: The Road To Nursing Job Satisfaction, Kristina Tomic

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Challenges in the healthcare industry, including nursing shortages and low nursing retention, have resulted in nurses’ job dissatisfaction. Improving work environment and workload can lead to improved and equitable nursing shift assignments, which may improve nursing job satisfaction. The purpose of this EBP project was to (a) implement a patient acuity tool in the hospital unit, (b) assess its effectiveness in appropriating nursing shift assignments, and (c) evaluate its effect on nursing job satisfaction. The Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) Model was used as a guide to facilitate the transition of the best evidence into practice. As suggested within the evidence, …

Combating Workplace Violence: An Evidence Based Initiative, Diana L. Giordano

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Patient/visitor violence against healthcare (HC) employees is a type of workplace violence (WPV) and considered a dangerous hazard within HC occupations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Lack of recognition of the true incidence and underreporting of WPV may contribute to a false sense of security within a HC facility (HCF). Therefore, fully addressing the problem may be met with administrative resistance, resulting in poor employee perceptions of support and commitment for a zero-violence environment. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the HCF’s online incident reports, security request calls, and data from a previously deployed WPV employee survey. The emergency department …

Pilot Source Study 2015: A Comparison Of Performance At Part 121 Regional Airlines Between Pilots Hired Before The U.S. Congress Passed Public Law 111-216 And Pilots Hired After The Law’S Effective Date, Maryjo O. Smith, Guy M. Smith, Elizabeth Bjerke, Cody Christensen, Thomas Q. Carney, Paul A. Craig, Mary Niemczyk

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This article is the third in a series of reports called Pilot Source Study 2015. In 2010, when the U.S. Congress considered dramatic changes to airline pilot qualifications, researchers from the ‘‘Pilot Source Study 2010’’ sampled pilots from six regional airlines to investigate how pilots’ backgrounds affected their performance in airline training. In 2012, when the FAA proposed rulemaking to implement Public Law 111-216, the ‘‘Pilot Source Study 2012’’ researchers repeated the study with a new sample of pilots from seven different regional airlines. Data from these two studies were combined into a Pre-Law dataset. On August 1, 2013, the …

Correcting Millennials Work Performance, Timothy Izzo

Instructional Design Capstones Collection

Millennials are the fastest growing segment in the workforce today. There are many different stigmas and ideas about this current work generation. They have lived with the Internet their entire lives. Papers claim this workforce is so connected that they need to be constantly stimulated. This paper looks into the stigmas to see if they are true and whether our training program should be Computer Based Training (CBT). A segment of our learners, predominantly aged 22-28 is having trouble applying the sales techniques we teach. Unsure if this is a training issue or a generational issue, we sent out a …

Basic Knowledge Training For Vfx Production Assistants And Coordinators, Sharon Anne Roberts

Instructional Design Capstones Collection

Visual Effects (VFX) is a part of the film-making process that takes place during the broader phase of film-making known as post-production. There are two broad groups of individuals who are responsible for the outcome of the VFX project - artists and production. The groups work in conjunction to achieve the team goals. At present, there is no formalized training available for production individuals and much of the required learning is done on the job. This projects explores a basic training course for individuals looking to increase their basic knowledge of VFX production. Grounded in industry research conducted by the …

Exploring Millennial Generation Employees’ And Managements’ Perspectives Of The Potential Overuse Of Smartphones In The Workplace By The Millennial Generation, Brooke Kincade

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

The Millennial Generation is entering the workforce at a rapid rate. This generation has grown up with technology and many Millennials have smartphones. As a result of the Millennial Generations knowledge and desire to use a smartphone, many organizations have begun exploring ways to embrace or combat smartphone behavior; however, many organizations are still struggling to recognize and understand the implications to both the employee and the company. This research study explored the potential overuse of smartphones in the workplace by the Millennial Generation. The study described the specific use of smartphones by this Generation to better understand whether they …

Is Human Capital Development The Missing Element Of The Aerotropolis Model?, John Roosevelt Hubbard

Dissertations

Until the early 20th century, transportation by land or water served as the primary methods of trade. As competition in the global marketplace increased in the 21st century air transportation emerged as a new and faster method of trade. Convinced of the economic benefits of air transportation, many policymakers of airport communities were quick to make plans for growth such as building infrastructure around the airport. This aerotropolis model often ignored the human capital development required for success.

Central to this study is this question: Is human capital development the missing component of the aerotropolis model economic development strategy? The …

Beyond Moneyball: Changing Compensation In Mlb, Joshua Congdon-Hohman, Jonathan A. Lanning

Economics Department Working Papers

This study examines the changes in player compensation in Major League Baseball during the last three decades. Specifically, we examine the extent to which recently documented changes in players’ compensation structure based on certain types of productivity fits in with the longer term trends in compensation, and identify the value of specific output activities in different time periods. We examine free agent contracts in three-year periods across three decades and find changes to which players’ performance measures are significantly rewarded in free agency. We find evidence that the compensation strategies of baseball teams increased the rewards to “power” statistics like …

Umass Memorial Healthcare Information System Job Ladder, Matthew Simoncini, Vamsi Kavuru, Antariksh Nanda, Tahaseen Mahaboob Basha, Vikram Patil

School of Professional Studies

The capstone project report emphasizes the importance of a job ladder and the need of an hour to implement it at UMASS Memorial health care. The scope of this project is to create a well-established job ladder at UMASS with pre-defined standards on job levels related to Information Technology department that would facilitate in hiring, developing and promoting employees at various stages.

A Learning Framework For The Ywca Central Massachusetts, Dayna Ankermann, Manjushree Burdekar, Priyanka Joshi, Ying Song, Yumeng Chen, Xing Xie

School of Professional Studies

After meeting with the Director of Wellness and Health Equity at the YWCA Central Massachusetts (which will be referred to as the YWCA from here on out), we learned that as a non-profit gym and health center, it is heavily underfunded. The main focus of the project was to determine how to upkeep the facility while bringing in new customers with limited resources and budget. Due to the needs of the YWCA, our group focused on six aspects: revenue stream, donor retention, increasing membership, customer experience, social media marketing, and membership fee structure. After completing extensive research, we were able …

Human Services Management (Hsm) Certificate Program Expansion To Western Massachusetts Feasibility Study, Paul Campbell, Patrick Deschenes, Maria Pacheco, Bradley Paul, Elizabeth Vittum, Jing Zhang

School of Professional Studies

One of the most popular cost-savings programs that the Providers’ Council currently offers its members is a Certificate in Nonprofit Human Service Management (HSM) provided in partnership with Clark University and Suffolk University. As human services providers are struggling to hire and retain qualified staff, the need to provide professional development opportunities to help grow and expand a skilled health and human services workforce is a critical issue facing nonprofit organizations and communities in Massachusetts. This feasibility study examines the viability of Providers’ Council and Clark University expanding its HSM Certificate Program to organizations and staff located in western Massachusetts. …