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2008 August, Office Of Communications & Marketing, Morehead State University.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for August of 2008.

Self-Organization": A New Metaphor To Understand The Interdependences Of The Organizations And Their Environments, Tarek Mohamed Ali

Business Administration

Self-organization metaphors have recently emerged to enrich research on organizational environment in particular, with respect to the networking view that presents organizational environment as a complex web of interactions among groups of organizations. The network analysis promotes the group members’ sensitivity to the variety in environmental demands. In an attempt to clarify how self-organization enhances the group’s sensitivity, we propose the interdisciplinary autopoietic and habitus-field models. The proposed self-organization models allow portraying business organizations as networks of decision communications and integrated partners. Self-referential and self-reflexivity processes have been utilized by the models to guide a group of decision makers and …

The New Securocracy And The "Police Concept" Of Public Sector Worker Identity, Cliff Oswick, Stephen Matthias Harney, Gerard Hanlon

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In recent years we have seen the emergence of a "new securocracy," a generalization of responsibility for fighting terror within the public sector. Here we consider the nature and extent of this securocratic shift. In particular, the identity implications for the public sector worker are explored and we contend that there is an inherent tension between "serving" and "policing" the public in many public sector jobs. We also discuss the way in which a securocratic identity is simultaneously embraced and resisted. Finally, we present some tentative insights into an alternative way of thinking about identity work, which offers a means …

A Qualitative And Quantitative Assessment Of Readiness For Organizational Change Literature, Andrew B. Burris

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to take a step in integrating the change literature and accumulate the empirical results using meta-analytic techniques. First, a literature review of existing research on organizational change was conducted. Second, existing models of organizational change were integrated to create a theoretical structure. Third, a meta-analysis was performed to derive the corrected correlation values for each relationship in that structure. Finally, the readiness for change literature was qualitatively assessed. In addition, a quantitative review was done by accumulating the results across 25 studies in an effort to provide a current quantitative assessment of change management …

Perception Gaps And The Adoption Of Information Technology In The Clinical Healthcare Environment, Karen Hare

Dissertations

Implementation of information systems has lagged in many areas of clinical healthcare for a variety of reasons. Economics, data complexity and resistance are among the often quoted roadblocks. Research suggests that physicians play a major part in the adoption, use and diffusion of information technology (IT) in clinical settings. There are also other healthcare professionals, clinical and non-clinical, who play important roles in making decisions about the acquisition of information technology. In addition to these groups there are information technology professionals providing the services required within the healthcare field. Finally within this group are those IT professionals who have sufficient …

Beyond “The Total Organization”: A New Adaptation Of A Great Exercise, Kathleen Kane

Organization, Leadership, and Communication

“The Total Organization”, a Cohen, Fink, Gadon, and Willits’(1992) exercise, has great possibilities for inclusion in a variety of current courses covering a range of topics with a variety of outcomes. We have successfully adapted the exercise for our required MBA Leadership course. The participants must self-organize, choose leadership, determine roles, and develop the structure for an entrepreneurial (and should they choose, high tech) venture. With few instructions, they must struggle with the ambiguity of multiple organizational challenges including: innovation, creativity, team building and organizational design. We will demonstrate the exercise and give participants overheads and exercise instructions on CD …

You’Re An Organization Development Practitioner-Scholar: Can You Contribute To Organizational Theory?, Jean M. Bartunek

Organization Management Journal

Mainstream organizational theorizing and the work of organization development (OD) practitioner-scholars have followed somewhat separate paths during the past decades. Currently, however, as illustrated in the development of evidence-based management and as exemplified by Van de Ven’s Engaged Scholarship, there is considerable interest among management scholars in enhanced academic–practitioner relationships. The contemporary situation offers possibilities for OD practitioner-scholars to forge much stronger links between their work and academic theory by means of facilitating academic– practitioner forums and developing skills in theorizing about them. This paper suggests some means for doing this.

Project Management Of Road Contruction In Kosova, Vjollca Aliti

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Managing Change: The Challenges Faced At Cne, Brandon Hill

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Cherokee Casino Resort (CCR) is relatively new in the gaming industry compared to other casino resort locations such as the resorts in Las Vegas. From its inception less than ten years ago, when legalized gambling was passed in the state of Oklahoma, Cherokee Casino has gone from two bingo halls to seven casinos and a horse track. Included with the seven casinos are truck stops, outposts, motels, and hotels located throughout the state. It has grown from approximately 50 employees to over 3,000 companywide. Along with the rapid growth of casinos and employees, Cherokee Nation Enterprises (CNE) has been able …

From Conversation To Learning To Performance: Understanding Great Strategic Conversations, Ann Kowal Smith

Student Scholarship

To develop, maintain and retain competitive advantage, organizations must learn new skills and adapt to rapidly changing environments. My research is focused on the means by which individuals come together to learn from each other, and to collectively advance the objectives of the organization in a fast-paced, changing environment. In particular, I am interested in the power of the conversation and the conversation space as tools to facilitate this learning, to permit individuals to share their own experiences, build on the experiences of others and catalyze innovation. Increasingly, people are called to together to innovate, to solve thorny problems and …

Breakthroughs: Examining The Conditions In Which Highly Regulated Government Funded Programs Generate Innovative Practices, Marilyn Ayenew Hosea

Student Scholarship

In the study of government-nonprofit power relationships, influence, authority, and accountability are often thought to be the purview of government and the burden of nonprofit service providers. A concern during this era of scarce financial resources and tight regulatory oversight is that the acceptance of public funds will impede the nonprofit's ability to implement local innovations that build upon and support the expectations of a variety of key stakeholders (governing boards, service consumers, the public-at-large, and government/private funders). This paper examines the conditions under which federally funded nonprofit organizations exercise autonomy by pursuing ventures that resist conforming influences of government …

Perceptions Of Emotional Intelligence Preparation And Industry Expectations For Utah State University Mba Graduates, Arthur D. Waller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study sought to determine whether an MBA degree from Utah State University (USU) was meeting the emotional intelligence (EI) needs of the workplace from the perception of its graduates. This research assessed perception of EI skills with a researcher-designed instrument that consisted of a 22-question survey that was e-mailed to USU students who completed an MBA between 2000 and 2006. The survey questionnaire given to MBA graduates was titled Assessment of Emotional Intelligence and was divided into three distinct parts. The first category (questions 1-10) had to do with industry expectations as perceived by MBA graduates. The second category …

Breakthroughs: Examining The Conditions In Which Highly Regulated Government Funded Programs Generate Innovative Practices, Marilyn Ayenew Hosea

Student Scholarship

In the study of government-nonprofit power relationships, influence, authority, and accountability are often thought to be the purview of government and the burden of nonprofit service providers. A concern during this era of scarce financial resources and tight regulatory oversight is that the acceptance of public funds will impede the nonprofit's ability to implement local innovations that build upon and support the expectations of a variety of key stakeholders (governing boards, service consumers, the public-at-large, and government/private funders). This paper examines the conditions under which federally funded nonprofit organizations exercise autonomy by pursuing ventures that resist conforming influences of government …

Computer Assisted Surgery: A Study In Technology Discontinuance, Jonathan B. Brewster

Student Scholarship

Computer assisted surgery has not been overwhelmingly adopted by surgeons even after extensive formal training in the technique. Physician technology adoption behavior is not well understood, particularly technology that changes clinical practice. Within technology adoption research there are limited studies in discontinuance. The traditional research states that discontinuers tend to be less educated and of a lower socio-economic status. This is clearly not the case with surgeons who experiment with but subsequently discontinue using computer assisted surgery. This paper is a proposal to research this discontinuance phenomenon.

Managing Project Portfolios, Martin Lockett, Bert De Reyck, Andrew Sloper

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Portfolios are part of the bedrock of any financial services company. Yet, other industries are now starting to use a similar approach -not with stocks and bonds, but with business projects. Martin Lockett, Bert De Reyck and Andrew Sloper think it's a great idea, but only if it's done right.

Back To Basics: Reviving Ethical Practice In Library Management, Suzanne Milton

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

This paper examines the last twenty years of literature on the subject of organizational ethics. It reflects on the cultural tide and reasserts the need for establishing core values as a basis for management practice. It concludes with steps towards achieving a viable organization.

Shift Happens: Understanding Commitment Shifts In Mergers And Acquisitions, Byron C. Clayton

Student Scholarship

Existing research has failed to find answers to improve the continuing high failure rates of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The most frequently studied variables have offered no consistent explanations why some firms succeed and others fail. The unpredictability of M&A outcomes remains a mystery. Because mergers and acquisitions are most often associated with large-scale and sudden organizational change, we searched the broader field of organizational change for insight. The resulting conceptual model was used to explore the first-hand M&A experiences of managers, executive managers, employees, and change consultants. What emerged was evidence of significant shifts in commitment to change caused …

Market Feasibility Studies: Hospitality Decision Making, Kim Mangino

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The specific purpose of this paper was to create a teaching case, while analyzing data that was collected in an effort to determine whether or not the particular organization had achieved “excellence.” The resulting teaching case aims to be an additional resource in organizational behavior and mainstream business classes across the globe, as it provides an example of a highly successful company that is facing basic, fundamental organizational issues. Ideally, this research will provide readers with an avenue for scrutinizing major issues in the hospitality industry and potential solutions. The case is most appropriate for upper division undergraduates or graduate …

Boulder City, Nevada Revenue Generating Analysis, Mayra A. Castro, Dolores P. Leyva, Arnetta M. Meagher, Wade Zimmerman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Boulder City (City) is unique in the State of Nevada as being a non-gaming city, maintaining a controlled growth ordinance, and steadfastly holding to its “small town” values and character. The City has been facing budgetary challenges as future expenditures are anticipated to continually exceed revenues if current services levels are maintained. Indeed, fiscal reviews indicate the City has been transferring contingency monies between funds to cover overages for the past several fiscal years. This “robbing Peter to pay Paul” methodology may offer a temporary solution to the shortage but may be detrimental as a long term solution.

Small Business Success: What Works And What Fails, Scott Decker

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Small Business Success: What You Need to Know. The owners of eight successful new businesses (successful defined as at least four years old and owner perceived) were interviewed, as well as the former owners of four unsuccessful businesses. The study showed that while planning can help your business, implementation is the fundamental component of small business success. This study was undergone to help create a link between what students learn in businesses classes, which is primary focused on working for a large company, and what people do in the entrepreneurship field.

The Impact Of Change Messages On The Commitment To A Change: An Analysis Of It Professionals In India And Malaysia, Humayun Rashid

Student Scholarship

Affective commitment of individuals is critical for the success of an organizational change initiative. In order to secure this desired form of commitment, managers spend a great deal of time and money implementing elaborate change management and communication strategies, often with little success. Three important types of change messages that are expected to drive commitment to change are:: (1) the organizational need for change (discrepancy), (2) the support of organizational leaders (principal support), and (3) the benefit of the change to the individual (personal valence). In this quantitative survey-based study conducted at a large global bank, we analyzed the perceptions …

Benefiting From Customer And Competitor Knowledge: A Market-Based Approach To Organisational Learning, Siu Loon Hoe

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the organizational learning, market orientation and learning orientation concepts, highlight the importance of market knowledge to organizational learning and recommend ways in adopting a market‐based approach to organizational learning.Design/methodology/approachThe extant organizational learning and market orientation literature was reviewed, and the salient points on how adopting a market‐based approach to organizational learning promotes competitive advantage are discussed.FindingsOrganizational behavior scholars have devoted a lot attention on the factors and conditions affecting organizational learning. The end outcome, of course, is to improve organizational performance. Marketing scholars, on the other, focused on the effect of market …

The Strength Of 'Dispersed' Ties: An Examination In Persistence Of Social Capital Following Organizational Disbanding, R. Drew Sellers

Student Scholarship

This study examines social capital persistence following organizational disbanding. It utilizes data collected from a cohort of Arthur Andersen professionals employed in the same U.S. regional office of the firm prior to the 2001 Enron scandal. As predicted by extant research, results support the influence of bonding and utilization relationships. Interestingly, predicted support for bridging relationships was absent. The study also finds that individuals who were dispersed from their original cohort stood to gain more from their social capital, compared to their counterparts who were rehired by competitors with the same cohort after disbanding.

"We Can Do It!": How Clarity Interacts With Collective Efficacy In Organizational Change, Jonathan Coleman

Student Scholarship

Organizations are challenged to adapt to changing conditions on a frequent basis. Leaders of these organizations communicate two critical ideas: clearly defining goals and generating the collective efficacy that those goals can be achieved. This study aims to explore the interrelationships between: (1) how communication develops path-goal clarity and collective efficacy, and (2) how clarity and efficacy interact to lead to the achievement of a performance objective. This paper captures results from a Fortune 100 company undergoing massive transformational change. The findings indicate that collective efficacy has a much stronger relationship to performance than path-goal clarity. For line workers, this …

Can Positive Employees Help Positive Organizational Change? Impact Of Psychological Capital And Emotions On Relevant Attitudes And Behaviors, James Avey, Tara S. Wernsing, Fred Luthans

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Although much attention has been devoted to understanding employee resistance to change, relatively little research examines the impact that positive employees can have on organizational change. To help fill this need, the authors investigate whether a process of employees’ positivity will have an impact on relevant attitudes and behaviors. Specifically, this study surveyed 132 employees from a broad cross-section of organizations and jobs and found: (a) Their psychological capital (a core factor consisting of hope, efficacy, optimism, and resilience) was related to their positive emotions that in turn were related to their attitudes (engagement and cynicism) and behaviors (organizational citizenship …

Aircraft Maintenance Organizational Structure Changes An Antecedent Model, Jeffrey M. Durand

Theses and Dissertations

Air Force leadership has ordered the development of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system called the Expeditionary Combat Support System (ECSS). Many current jobs and positions will be streamlined, restructured or removed, while some will certainly be created to handle the new requirements associated with ECSS. The structure of the Air Force is certain to change with the implementation of ECSS. The Air Force has used many maintenance organizational structures since its inception in 1947. The focus of this research is to analyze past organizational structures to define key factors that affect organizational change. A case study style methodology was …

Governance Structure Transforemation During Erp Implementations, Elise V. Strachan

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force (USAF) has a number of initiatives underway to better support tomorrow’s Warfighter. As part of the Expeditionary Logistics for the 21st Century (eLog21) campaign, one of the most critical initiatives is the Expeditionary Combat Support System (ECSS). ECSS is the world’s largest enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation and will completely transform USAF logistics operations. The benefits of an ERP include centrally-managed and integrated information sharing, while the many challenges include training future state operations and employing change management. An effective governance structure is essential in order for the USAF to realize the full benefits of …

How A Multidimensional View Of Perceived Organizational Support Impacts Self-Efficacy And Task Understanding During Training For Boundary Spanning Tasks, R. Scott Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

Perceived organizational support (POS), defined as how much employees feel the organization they work for cares for them and assists them in their needs, has been traditionally characterized in a single dimension. This study examines the implications of a multidimensional view of POS. POS was separated into three different dimensions based on the organizational level from which support can be viewed to originate: corporate headquarters, the home office, or the training environment. These dimensions of POS were tested to discover their effect on the self-efficacy and task understanding of individuals training for boundary-spanning tasks. These tasks are those that place …

Forgiveness As An Hrd Intervention: The Literature And A Proposed Framework, Susan R. Madsen, Janice Gygi, Scott C. Hammond, Suzanne Plowman

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

The purpose of this review is to explore the literature related to interpersonal forgiveness in organizations and its possible implications for HRD theory and practice. It defines forgiveness and provides a theoretical framework for its consideration within the workplace environment. It also reviews and discusses the benefits and risks of forgiveness, the role of leadership in a forgiving culture, and the literature regarding related business interventions

February 2008, Inland Empire Business Journal

Inland Empire Business Journal

Growth Patterns Directing Investing to Pursue New Locations in the Inland Empire

Investments and Finance

Sales: Are you Relevant to Woman?

Commentary-Opinion: Phase out the Destructive Sales Tax

Leadership

Real Estate Notes

Management: Tackling Tough Questions

The Lists: Architectural/Engineering Firms

Controlling Investment Risks

The Lists: Residential Real Estate Builders

We’ve Merged or Reorganized, Now What? Successfully Lead Through Major Organizational Change

The Lists: Independent Banks

Computers/Technology

The Lists: Top Commercial/Industrial Contractors

Close-Up

Manager’s Bookshelf

New Business Lists: County of San Bernardino

New Business Lists: County of Riverside

Executive Time Out