Business Commons^™

The Structure Of Affect: Reconsidering The Relationship Between Negative And Positive Affectivity, Russell Cropanzano, Howard M. Weiss, Jeff M. S. Hale, Jochen Reb

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

During the past decade organizational scientists have devoted considerable research attention to the topic of workplace affect. Despite important advances, continued progress depends on a better understanding of the structure of affective experience. The goal of this paper is to review progress to date. In particular, we review evidence pertaining to four constructs that have been widely used to organize research on affect: positive affectivity, negative affectivity, hedonic tone, and affect intensity. We review various structural models pertaining to these four constructs, devoting special attention to integrative frameworks and future research needs. Corresponding au

Measuring Attraction To Organizations, Scott Highhouse, Filip Lievens, Evan F. Sinar

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Organizational attraction measures are commonly used as surrogate assessments of organizational pursuit. Despite the range in content often encompassed by such instruments, no research has systematically examined the assumptions underlying their use. The authors address this issue by empirically distinguishing items assessing attractiveness, prestige, and behavioral intentions and by modeling their effects on organization pursuit. Undergraduates (N = 305) were randomly assigned to recruitment literature from one of five well-known companies and were asked to respond to a series of items commonly used in past research. Analyses of the item responses suggested that three components of organizational attraction can be …

Displaying Group Cohesiveness: Humour And Laughter In The Public Lectures Of Management Gurus, David Greatbatch, Timothy Adrian Robert Clark

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

As perhaps the highest profile group of management speakers in the world, so-called management gurus use their appearances on the international management lecture circuit todisseminate their ideas and to build their personal reputations with audiences of managers. This article examines the use of humour by management gurus during these public performances. Focusing on video recordings of lectures conducted by four leading management gurus (Tom Peters, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Peter Senge and Gary Hamel), the article explicates the verbal and nonverbal practices that the gurus use when they evoke audience laughter. These practices allow the gurus to project clear message completion …

Strategic Human Resource Practices, Top Management Team Social Networks, And Firm Performance: The Role Of Human Resource Practices In Creating Organizational Competitive Advantage, Christopher J. Collins, Kevin D. Clark

Christopher J Collins

In this article, we begin to explore the black box between human resources (HR) practices and firm performance. Specifically, we examine the relationships between a set of network-building HR practices, aspects of the external and internal social networks of top management teams, and firm performance. Results from a field study with 73 high-technology firms showed that the relationships between the HR practices and firm performance (sales growth and stock growth) were mediated through their top managers’ social networks.

Mas 2010: Models For Academic Support: Final Report To The Mellon Foundation, Oya Rieger, Karen S. Calhoun, Susan Currie, Edward Weissman

Karen S Calhoun

Assisted by a Mellon planning grant and led by principal investigator Sarah Thomas, a Cornell University project team investigated the potential of significant structural reorganization that would increase the value of the Library’s services to the University. The study revealed that the proposed benefits of restructuring are better support for scholarly creativity and communication; use of library space that privileges library users; more cost-effective allocation of resources; and the development of a new infrastructure to permit new relationships between libraries to flourish, enabling improved services at lower cost. To provide information from all the relevant stakeholders who would be affected …

The Relativity Of Risk Assessments In Investment Decisions, Michael Sack Elmaleh

Michael Sack Elmaleh

The level of risk in investing in a closely held firm is related to the qualifications of the control managing investor. While there is generally a minimum threshold of expertise and capital that a control investor must possess, beyond this threshold the potential levels of expertise and capital can vary significantly. The level of enterprise risk is inversely related to the level of expertise and capital possessed by the control investor. The more resources and expertise the investor possesses, the less the operational risk. Thus enterprise risk is a relative and not an inherent fixed property of an enterprise. Furthermore, …

The Effects Of Sexual Orientation On Hirability Ratings: An Experimental Study, Greet Van Hoye, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Despite its rising importance, empirical research about sexual orientation in the workplace is still scarce. This experimental study examined if gay candidates, with the same work-related qualities as heterosexual candidates, would be judged less favorably in a personnel selection context. Written candidate profiles were varied in a 3 x 3 between-subjects factorial design, with candidate quality and sexual orientation as experimental variables. Our results indicated that the hirability ratings of 135 selection professionals were based on candidate quality and that no discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation occurred. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Higher Education And The Public, Private And Non-Profit Sectors: Equal Partners In Promoting Regional Economic Development, Aaron W. Hughey

Counseling & Student Affairs Faculty Publications

Institutions of higher education throughout the world are increasingly aware of the importance of working more systematically and productively with community and business leaders in order to create better local economies and, ultimately, better societies. This article presents an overview of how colleges and universities can assist with the identification and implementation of specific strategies for enhancing the economic development of the regions in which they are located. Also included is a discussion of the emerging advantages associated with developing these kinds of collaborative partnerships, as well as a brief overview of the major approaches to regional economic development.

Corporate And Individual Influences On Managers' Social Orientation, Joachim W. Marz, Thomas L. Powers, Thomas Queisser

WCBT Faculty Publications

This paper reports research on the influence of corporate and individual characteristics on managers' social orientation in Germany. The results indicate that mid-level managers expressed a significantly lower social orientation than low-level managers, and that job activity did not impact social orientation. Female respondents expressed a higher social orientation than male respondents. No impact of the political system origin (former East Germany versus former West Germany) on social orientation was shown. Overall, corporate position had a significantly higher impact on social orientation than did the characteristics of the individuals surveyed.

The Income Method Of Valuation: A False Analogy Between Bonds And Stocks, Michael Sack Elmaleh

Michael Sack Elmaleh

The discounting of future income streams by a risk adjusted rate of return by proponents of the income method reflects a misplaced faith in the ability to project accurately future income streams and pick out the “right” rate of return. Future income streams are fairly reliably predictable when analyzing a debt instrument. However, equity investment future income streams are notoriously unpredictable. Similarly assessing the risk associated with realizing returns from a fixed security is comparatively easy in comparison with assessing the risks associated with equity returns. The widely used Beta has not proved to be a very stable measure of …

Omission Bias In Vaccination Decision: Where's The "Omission"? Where's The "Bias"?, Terry Connolly, Jochen Reb

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Several studies have reported that parents are often reluctant to vaccinate their own or other people's children, even when the balance of health risks and benefits clearly favors vaccination. This reluctance has been interpreted as a manifestation of omission bias, a general tendency to prefer inactive to active options even when inaction leads to worse outcomes or greater risks. The research raises significant public health concerns as well as worries about human decision biases in general. In this paper we argue that existing research on vaccination decisions has not convincingly demonstrated any general reluctance to vaccinate nor has it made …

A Content Analysis Of Telework Theory And Literature, Susan R. Madsen

Susan R. Madsen

The purpose of this review is to explore the literature related to telework and its benefits, challenges, and implications for individuals, work groups, and organizations. It investigates the possible implications of telework to human resource theory and practice. It lists a number of theories/models and discusses concerns about the lack of researched theoretical frameworks. Finally, after the benefits and challenges are reviewed, human resource recommendations and contributions are presented.

Privacy And Attitudes Towards Internet-Based Selection Systems: A Cross-Cultural Comparison, Michael M. Harris, Greet Van Hoye, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This paper examines perceptions of privacy and how they relate to reluctance to submit employment-related information over the Internet. In addition, possible cross-cultural differences between the US and Belgium regarding these constructs and the role of Internet knowledge are investigated. Based on theories of privacy and cross-cultural differences, a survey methodology was applied to test several hypotheses. Results suggest that privacy considerations may affect reluctance to use an Internet-based selection system. Moreover, as expected, some differences were observed between US and Belgian respondents. Respondents possessing a higher self-rated knowledge of the Internet were less concerned that employment-related data submitted over …

Reactions To Perceived Inequity In U.S. And Dutch Interorganizational Relationships, Lisa K. Scheer, Nirmalya Kumar, Jan-Benedict E. M. Steenkamp

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In an empirical examination of inequity in interorganizational relationships, we found similarities and differences in Dutch and U.S. automobile dealers' reactions to inequity in their relationships with their automobile suppliers. As predicted by equity theory, both positive and negative inequity have detrimental effects on the reactions of Dutch firms. In contrast, U.S. firms do not react negatively to positive inequity; only negative inequity has deleterious effects.

Predicting Cross-Cultural Training Performance: The Validity Of Personality, Cognitive Ability, And Dimensions Measured By An Assessment Center And A Behavior Description Interview, Filip Lievens, Michael M. Harris, Etienne Van Keer, Claire Bisqueret

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study examined the validity of a broad set of predictors for selecting European managers for a cross-cultural training program in Japan. The selection procedure assessed cognitive ability, personality, and dimensions measured by assessment center exercises and a behavior description interview. Results show that the factor Openness was significantly related to cross-cultural training performance, whereas. cognitive ability was significantly correlated with language acquisition. The dimensions of adaptability, teamwork, and communication as measured by a group discussion exercise provided incremental variance in both criteria, beyond cognitive ability and personality. In general, these results are consistent with the literature on domestic selection, …

Do Investors Demand Higher Rates Of Return On Risky Investments In Closely Held Small Businesses?, Michael Sack Elmaleh

Michael Sack Elmaleh

Investors in small closely held firms often are oblivious to risk if the rewards are perceived to be sufficiently high. Risk may also be ignored because such investors seek more than just increased cash flow. These investors often seek higher order psychological returns such as job challenge and status.

The Impact Of Increasing User Expectations On Machine Replacement, Robert F. Marsh, Seong-Hyun Nam

WCBT Faculty Publications

This study explores the traditional equipment maintain or replace decision under scenarios of increasing customer expectations, loss due to process deviation, and process drift. Customer expectations are operationalized by tighter product specifications. The Taguchi loss function is employed to estimate the loss due to target deviation. In this paper we characterize the machine drift, uncertainty about future technological change, and the learn-and-break-in process by a generalized Brownian-Motion-Ito-Process. The photolithography process is analyzed in numerous scenarios varying demand, rejection levels, and quality losses.

Profiling Employees Participation In Employer Sponsored Fitness Programs In Maine, Wendy-Jo Berube

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Comprehensive health promotion and disease management programs have evolved significantly over the last two decades in both large and small work sites. Research over this time period has yielded plenty of evidence proving health promotion programs can produce tangible outcomes. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that comprehensive work site health promotion programs can lower employee health care and insurance costs, decrease absenteeism, and improve job performance and productivity. Despite the well-known benefits of regular exercise, previous research has also shown that participation and adherence rates in work site health promotion programs have been unsatisfactory. This study was conducted to profile employee …

Transformative Learning In Extension Staff Partnerships: Facilitating Personal, Joint, And Organizational Change, Nancy K. Franz

Nancy K. Franz

Partnerships can enhance individual and organizational success through more effective problem solving and improved adaptation to change. Learning is often required for successful collaboration that may transform the partners. This article discusses a study that explored learning in Extension staff partnerships that transform the individual, the partnership, and the organization. Three types of learning and eight types of transformative learning are identified. Conditions that promoted transformative learning in successful partnerships included strong partner facilitation, critical reflection, critical events, partner difference bridged by common purpose, and independence with interdependence. Recommendations for nurturing transforming Extension staff partnerships are shared.

Cultural Diversity's Impact On Firm Performance: The Moderating Influence Of Diversity Initiatives And Socialization Tactics, Amy Mcmillan-Capehart

Doctoral Dissertations

The primary purpose of this dissertation is to test the hypothesized relationships between cultural diversity and firm performance. Specifically, this dissertation examines whether or not socialization tactics and diversity initiatives moderate the relationship between diversity and firm performance. This dissertation uses ROA, ROE, and employee productivity in order to capture an accurate picture of firm performance.

My second purpose is to test competing hypotheses that are based on different theories. Theories relating to diversity suggest that there may be both positive and negative effects of a heterogeneous workforce. Therefore, it is necessary to isolate those instances in which diversity can …

The Role Of Valuation Specialists: Telling It Like It Is Or Telling It Like It Ought To Be, Michael Sack Elmaleh

Michael Sack Elmaleh

While the buying and selling of businesses based on formulas may not be the soundest method of pricing a business the more rigorous methods do not always provide the best guidance either. Ideally prospective buyers should have knowledge of both formula methods and the more rigorous approaches.

Assessing Organization Culture Readiness For Knowledge Management Implementation: The Case Of Aeronautical Systems Center Directorate Of Contracting, Martin R. Trent

Theses and Dissertations

The DoD is currently pursuing a wholesale transformation that impacts all facets of DoD operations and responsibilities. At the same time, the commercial sector has been experiencing significant changes that drive them to look for new ways of remaining competitive and profitable. Leveraging knowledge (intellectual capital) to increase efficiency and effectiveness within the organization has become a popular management technique that has been successful in many commercial firms. The DoD has noted the commercial sector successes and initiatives to better manage knowledge are being developed and implemented on an enterprise-wide basis as well as on a local- organizational basis. Previous …

Participation's Effect On Organizational Readiness For Change: An Empirical Study, Jonathon F. Flanders

Theses and Dissertations

Organizational change management is a principal issue in virtually every organization. This cross sectional correlation study examined an array of variables (i.e., process, personality, and context -specific) that influence organizational readiness for change. Participation (process variable) was related to higher mean scores in each of the four distinct readiness for change scales and explained a significant amount of incremental variance in appropriateness, valence, and efficacy.

Applicant Perceptions Of Selection Procedures: The Role Of Selection Information, Belief In Tests, And Comparative Anxiety, Filip Lievens, Wilfried De Corte, Katrien Brysse

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study addresses the effects of the provision of information on the reliability and validity of selection procedures and the effects of test-taker attitudes (i.e., belief in tests and comparative anxiety) on fairness perceptions. Prior to an actual selection process, applicants (N = 118) were given either information about the reliability and validity of various selection procedures or no information. Next, they evaluated the fairness of eight selection procedures. No significant effect of selection information was found. Belief in tests had significant effects, with applicants high on test belief giving higher fairness ratings than applicants low on test belief. In …

The Relation Of Instrumental And Symbolic Attributes To A Company's Attractiveness As An Employer, Filip Lievens, Scott Highhouse

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study adds a new marketing-based angle to the study of the attractiveness of organizations in the early stages of the recruitment process. Drawing on the instrumental-symbolic framework from the marketing literature, we expected that the meanings (in terms of inferred traits) that prospective applicants associate with employing organizations would play an important role in applicants' attractiveness to these organizations. Two groups of prospective applicants (275 final-year students and 124 bank employees) were drawn from the applicant population targeted by the bank industry. These applicants were asked to rate a randomly assigned bank in terms of job/organizational factors and to …

A Practical Procedure To Estimate The Quality And The Adverse Impact Of Single-Stage Selection Decisions, Wilfried De Corte, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The quandary posed by the conflicting goals of valid selection and a diverse workforce is one of the most perplexing problems facing the practice of personnel selection today. To help address the issue, the article presents a comprehensive method and a related computer program to estimate the expected adverse impact and the expected quality of the majority, the minority and the total selected work force. Compared to previous related procedures, the present method is much more general as it can address situations with both multiple predictor and multiple criterion dimensions. In addition, the expected effects can be computed given the …

Class Distinctions For The Global Economy, Aaron W. Hughey

Counseling & Student Affairs Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Job Esteem: Definition And Instrument Development, Douglas G. Miller, Susan R. Madsen

Susan R. Madsen

The purpose of this study was to introduce a new construct that would assist in understanding employee attitudes and behaviors in hospitality sector jobs. The research introduces job-esteem and justifies it as a unique construct worthy of further study. Job-esteem is defined as the level of respect and dignity an individual believes is associated with his/her job. An instrument is developed to assist in measuring the level of job-esteem found in hospitality employees. The instrument is then administered to 75 employees of a large hotel chain in Hawaii. Tests show the instrument meets reliability standards.

Review Of 'If Nobody Speaks Of Remarkable Things' (2002) By Jon Mcgregor, Vaughan S. Roberts

Vaughan S Roberts

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of Leader-Member Exchange, Organizational Justice And Performance, Terri A. Scandura Phd, Manuel J. Tejeda

Management Faculty Articles and Papers

Recently, the concept of organizational justice has been employed to re-examine the Leader-member exchange (LMX) literature. LMX, and three forms of justice (distributive, procedural and interactional) examined using a sample of N = 275 leader-member dyads. Results indicated procedural justice moderates the relationship between LMX and performance.