Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

Building Entrepreneurship In Subsistence Markets: Microfranchising As An Employment Incubator, Lisa Jones Christensen, Helen Parsons, Jason Fairbourne

Faculty Publications

Scholars indicate significant interest in business models that support entrepreneurial behavior in developing markets [Wankel C., editor. Alleviating Poverty through Business Strategy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan 2008]—particularly as they relate to job creation. This research introduces microfranchising as a business model adaptation that helps low-income individuals overcome non credit-related barriers to entry in obtaining employment. This study reveals a clear challenge for researchers—to better understand microfranchising and the extent to which the practice creates employment and enables individual business success. Largely unanswered questions concern the profiles of typical microfranchisees as well as the impacts of microfranchising on low-income individuals in …

The Ethics Of Technology, David J. Cherrington

Faculty Publications

Earlier today, I used my credit card to pay for a purchase. As I handed my card to the merchant, he asked if I had used my card to purchase gas recently. When I said yes, he warned me that I should never do it again. He explained that technology experts have developed something that fits inside the credit card reader and copies your credit card information. Another customer overhearing our conversation nodded in agreement. The merchant acknowledged that carrying cash to make gas purchases was much less convenient, but he cautioned me that I should never again use a …

The Impact Of Socialization On Youth Program Outcomes: A Social Development Model Perspective, Mat D. Duerden, Peter A. Witt

Faculty Publications

This study employs a mixed-methods design and a social development model (SDM) to examine the role of socialization processes within an international immersion program for adolescents. Longitudinal data from 108 participant and 49 comparison group members are analyzed using structural equation modeling procedures. Qualitative data are also used to assess participants’ perceptions of these processes. The quantitative findings indicate that the SDM fits the data well and partially mediates the growth of observed recreation programoutcomes. The qualitative findings offer additional insights into the role of within program socialization processes.

Evaluating Youth Programs: An Overview Of Practitioner Led Evaluations, Mat D. Duerden, Peter A. Witt

Faculty Publications

Youth programs are prime contexts for the intentional facilitation of positive development. However, not all youth programs achieve positive outcomes equally. In order to promote the identification and dissemination of the characteristics and processes of effective youth programs, increased focus needs to be given to program evaluation. This article briefly reviews the main tenets of evaluation science in order to provide practitioners a roadmap for conducting their own evaluations. This includes an overview of different types of evaluations and key issues to consider when constructing an evaluation strategy such as targeting outcomes and developing program logic models.

Modeling Family Leisure And Related Family Constructs: A National Study Of U.S. Parent And Youth Perspectives, Raymond A. Poff, Ramon Zabriskie, Jasmine A. Townsend

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to begin the development of a broad model that could examine the structural relationships between family leisure involvement, family functioning, family communication, family leisure satisfaction, and satisfaction with family life among a large sample of families (n = 898) from the United States. Findings from both parent and youth perspectives were consistent with previous studies that examined the same variables individually and provided a possible picture of how these family variables might relate to one another in the broader context of family leisure. Slight differences between the parent and youth models added further insight …

Procter & Gamble’S Pur Purifier Of Water: How Global Corporate Philanthropy Builds Shareholder Value, Lisa Jones Christensen, Carol Seagle

Faculty Publications

“When are you going to change this Children’s Safe Drinking Water program and make money for your company? Surely Procter & Gamble wants you to profit on the water purification technology—you can’t sustain your program as a non-profit!”

Greg Allgood sighed internally at this question, as it seemed to surface frequently despite the continued and rapid growth of the Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) program at P&G. Allgood (Director of the CSDW program) was not actually frustrated with the query, as he had an easy answer ready. Rather, he wished that people could more easily see how his team’s non-profit …

Innovations And Barriers In Health Microinsurance, Sheila Leatherman, Lisa Jones Christensen, Jeanna Holtz

Faculty Publications

Health microinsurance (HMI) offers a promising way to mitigate the risks of disease and ill health, which are disproportionately borne by the world’s poorest citizens. Despite that HMI is a relatively new phenomenon, recent figures indicate that approximately 40 million people worldwide have some form of HMI coverage, principally in India.

The emergence of HMI programmes worldwide provides hope that the poor will receive, at a minimum, a reliable, adequate level of access to affordable healthcare. Research shows that access to HMI reduces out-of-pocket health expenses, especially for catastrophic health events, and improves access to quality health care for those …

Toward A General Theory Of Csr’S: The Roles Of Beneficence, Profitability, Insurance, And Industry Heterogeneity, Paul C. Godfrey, Nile Hatch, Jared M. Hansen

Faculty Publications

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a tortured concept. A number of alternative definitions of the construct exist at the theoretical level, and much debate surrounds the meaning (and its related implications for practice) of the term. Empirically, CSR research reaches few remarkable conclusions. In this article, the authors reconceptualize CSR into a number of discrete corporate social responsibilities (CSRs), each of which can have a positive or negative social impact, and each of which has an endogenous managerially driven component and an exogenous stakeholder-driven component. Using an industry-level sample drawn from the KLD database, the authors test the impact of …

The Executive Pay Drama: From Comedy To Tragedy, David J. Cherrington

Faculty Publications

Over the past century, an interesting play has been performed in the United States called Executive Pay, Starring Your Local CEO. The play opened as a comedy, with executive bonuses and stock options rising at ridiculous rates compared to the pay of factory workers, teachers, and engineers. The performance didn’t get a lot of laughs, but people would smile and shake their heads as if the surprise of ever-escalating pay was an amusing disclosure. During economic downturns there were fewer smiles, and some outspoken critics were remarkably blunt in labeling executive pay practices as “enormous,” “immoral,” and “outrageous.” The title …

Hdtv Division Of Global Electronics, Inc., Alan J. Kirkpatrick, Leonard K. Gashugi

Faculty Publications

Case Description: The primary objective of this case is to describe realistic capital budgeting issues within a large organization. The case illustrates ways that staff inside a corporate finance department (and in related departments) position themselves in the capital planning process. The case also stresses steps that a large firm can take to leverage its size to gain the maximum benefit of investment projects. Further,, the case demonstrates sensitivity analyses in the capital budgeting process, and the resulting internal rates of return. We suggest the case be used to follow the related case " HDTV Systems" , which shows the …

Hdtv Systems, Alan J. Kirkpatrick, Leonard K. Gashugi

Faculty Publications

Case Description: The primary subject matter of HDTV Systems is capital budgeting within a mid-size electronics firm, and analysis of a possible merger with a large firm of international scale. HDTV Systems is recommended for students who have already had exposure to capital budgeting, cost of capital, and valuation techniques; thus, it is most appropriate for upper-level undergraduate students and second year graduate students. The case can be taught in two class hours, and student preparation should require no more than two hours. Case Synopsis: This case involves both quantitative and qualitative aspects of capital budgeting in a firm whose …

Hdtv Systems, Alan J. Kirkpatrick, Leonard K. Gashugi

Faculty Publications

Case Description: The primary subject matter of HDTV Systems is capital budgeting within a mid-size electronics firm, and analysis of a possible merger with a large firm of international scale. HDTV Systems is recommended for students who have already had exposure to capital budgeting, cost of capital, and valuation techniques; thus, it is most appropriate for upper-level undergraduate students and second year graduate students. The case can be taught in two class hours, and student preparation should require no more than two hours. Case Synopsis: This case involves both quantitative and qualitative aspects of capital budgeting in a firm whose …

Good Management’S Impact On Inventory Shrinkage, David J. Cherrington

Faculty Publications

One of my good friends, Joseph Nelson, tried to convince me that inventory shrinkage was mostly a management problem. Based on his experience as a store manager, Joe claimed that the conduct and example of top management were the most important factors in curtailing shoplifting and employee theft. I was much more inclined to focus on the dishonesty of customers and employees.

Pay Fairness: An Ethical Or A Legal Issue?, David J. Cherrington

Faculty Publications

There is an interesting drama that has been playing in the United States for the past century called “Executive Pay, Starring Your Local CEO”. For many years this drama was a comedy as executive bonuses and stock options continued to rise at ridiculous rates compared to the pay of factory workers, teachers, and engineers. This drama didn’t get a lot of laughs; but people would smile and shake their heads as if the surprise was an amusing disclosure.

Procter & Gamble’S Pur Water Purifier: The Hunt For A Sustainable Business Model, Lisa Jones Christensen, Jessica Thomas

Faculty Publications

Over the last 6 years, under the leadership of Dr. Greg Allgood, director of the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, P&G has helped to distribute 65 million PuR packets. These packets have been used to purify 650 million liters of water, most often in rural locations. Over time, and through a variety of deliberate partnerships that Allgood cultivated in 10 countries, P&G has tested three different sales and distribution models: commercial marketing, social marketing and disaster relief-- each with varying degrees of success. Drawing from past successes and failures, Allgood is considering how to fulfill P&G’s aggressive commitment to providing …

Corporate Social Responsibility In Sport: An Overview And Key Issues, Paul C. Godfrey

Faculty Publications

Sport—writ large—exists as a significant social institution, both in terms of economic and social impacts on the society of which it is a key part. This essay provides a systematic introduction to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for sport management scholars and practitioners. I review the historical development of CSR in the United States, provide a summary of the major theories and models currently in use by theorists and researchers, and identify key issues facing the CSR discourse. I conclude by returning to the notion of sport as an institution and try to raise questions, as an outsider, …

Adventures In Identity Development: The Impact Of Adventure Recreation On Adolescent Identity Development, Mat D. Duerden, Mark A. Widmer, Stacy T. Taniguchi, J. Kelly Mccoy

Faculty Publications

This study examined the effect of an adventure recreation program on adolescent identity development. Participants included 43 males and 45 females, ages 11 to 15 (M = 13.33, SD = .86). Twenty-two males and 23 females participated in the program, and the remaining youth served as members of a comparison group. Participants completed a two-week adventure program that included such activities as backpacking, mountain biking, white-water rafting, environmental education, and leadership training. The Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory was used to measure levels of identity, intimacy, and generativity, and the Identity Styles Inventory was used to assess informational, normative, and …

Family Leisure Satisfaction And Satisfaction With Family Life, Joel R. Agate, Ramon B. Zabriskie, Sarah Taylor Agate, Raymond Poff

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family leisure satisfaction and satisfaction with family life. Zabriskie’s Family Leisure Activity Profile was used to measure family leisure satisfaction. The Satisfaction with Family Life Scale was used to measure satisfaction with family life. The sample consisted of 898 families from throughout the United States. Results indicated a relationship between all family leisure satisfaction variables and satisfaction with family life. Data collected from parents and youth provided insight into the relationship between family leisure satisfaction and satisfaction with family life. At the parent, youth, and family levels, core family …

Contributions Of Family Leisure To Family Functioning Among Families That Include Children With Developmental Disabilities, Dorthy C. H. Dodd, Ramon Zabriskie, Mark A. Widmer, Dennis Eggett

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family leisure involvement and family functioning among families that include children with developmental disabilities. The sample consisted of 144 families (144 parents and 60 youth). Data were analyzed from the parent, youth, and family perspective. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure family leisure involvement. FACES II was used to measure family functioning. A scale based upon the definition, classification, and systems of support manual of the American Association on Mental Retardation adapted by Dyches was used to measure the level of support needed by the …

Hdtv Division Of Global Electronics, Inc., Alan J. Kirkpatrick, Leonard K. Gashugi

Faculty Publications

CASE DESCRIPTION: The primary objective of this case is to describe realistic capital budgeting issues within a large organization. The case illustrates ways that staff inside a corporate finance department (and in related departments) position themselves in the capital planning process. The case also stresses steps that a large firm can take to leverage its size to gain the maximum benefit of investment projects. Further,, the case demonstrates sensitivity analyses in the capital budgeting process, and the resulting internal rates of return. We suggest the case be used to follow the related case “HDTV Systems”, which shows the firm as …

Measuring Marital Satisfaction: A Comparison Of The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale And The Satisfaction With Married Life Scale, Peter J. Ward, Neil R. Lundberg, Ramon Zabriskie, Kristen Berrett

Faculty Publications

Marital satisfaction has been psychometrically measured using many different instruments not soundly based on theory. The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), consisting of 14 items, is commonly accepted by researchers and practitioners tomeasure marital satisfaction but was not specifically designed to measuremarital satisfaction. The Satisfaction with Married Life Scale (SWML), consisting of five items, is a short scale specifically targeted toward measuring marital satisfaction. An online sample collected from 1,187 couples throughout the United States was used to compare these instruments’ correlation (r¼.782), factor structures, reliability (SWML, a¼.958; RDAS, a¼.943), theoretical foundation, and validity. These instruments are on parity with …

Influence Of Adapted Sport On Quality Of Life: Perceptions Of Athletes With Cerebral Palsy, Diane G. Groff, Neil R. Lundberg, Ramon Zabriskie

Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study sought to examine the effect of adaptive sports participation on athletic identity and influence on quality of life (QOL) for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) participating in the CP World Games.

Method: Surveys were conducted with 73 international athletes competing in the 2005 CP World Championships. The survey included descriptive questions about sport involvement and socio-demographics, the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale, and the Influence on Quality of Life Scale.

Results: A significant relationship was found between influence on QOL and athletic identity (r¼0.505; p50.001). There was a moderate negative correlation between influence of adaptive sport …

An Examination Of Family Communication Within The Core And Balance Model Of Family Leisure Functioning, Kevin M. Smith, Patti A. Freeman, Ramon B. Zabriskie

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine family communication within the core and balance model of family leisure functioning. The study was conducted from a youth perspective of family leisure and family functioning. The sample consisted of youth (N= 95) aged 11 – 17 from 25 different states in the United States. Path analyses indicated that family communication mediated a positive relationship between family leisure variables and family functioning variables. Implications and recommendations are discussed. The addition of communication in the Core and Balance Model is recommended.

A Model To Explain Microfranchising In Bottom Of The Pyramid Markets, Robert J. Jensen, Chris Sutter

Faculty Publications

Microfranchising, an emerging business model in the developing world, is effectively enhancing bottom of the pyramid markets (BOP) or markets serving the poorest of the poor in developing countries. This Article seeks to explain how and why microfranchising has emerged as a business model in the developing world. Approaching microfranchising from the perspective of the franchisor, this Article proposes a model to determine when microfranchising might present a viable option for firms seeking to operate in BOP markets.¹

Growing Through Copying: The Negative Consequences Of Innovation On Franchise Network Growth, Robert J. Jensen, Gabriel Szulanski

Faculty Publications

We explore how copying more exactly a blueprint for establishing a franchise network in a new country influences franchising network growth. We test opposing hypotheses using panel data involving the transfer of franchising knowledge to 23 different countries, measuring the degree to which master licensees "copy exactly" knowledge concerning how to grow a network in their country and the effect that their approach has on subsequent network growth. We conclude that a strategy of copying more exactly seems to enhance growth and that the benefits of more exactly replicating knowledge in the first year of a local network's existence persist …

Reducing Theft Through Meaningful Recognition, David J. Cherrington

Faculty Publications

A fact that is seldom appreciated when dealing with employee theft is that most antisocial behavior at work is closely associated with employee attitudes. Research has frequently found that job dissatisfaction and feelings of unfairness are correlated with undesirable behaviors, such as tardiness, turnover, theft, and wasting time on the job.

Rationalizing Dishonesty, David J. Cherrington

Faculty Publications

A recent BusinessWeek article (28 July 2008: 17) reported some interesting data regarding the percent of people who say they cheat on their taxes. When a smiling devil cartoon character asked them, “How Bad are U?” over 50 percent of the survey respondents admitted to cheating on their taxes. However, only 25 percent said they cheated when the questions were asked on a website containing an official insignia with privacy assurances.

Attitude And Divergence In Business Students: An Examination Of Personality Differences In, Todd A. Brown

Faculty Publications

Many studies have reported that economics and business students have been more apt to act in self-interested ways when compared to their counterparts in other academic fields. It is our contention that past studies have not shed light on the underlying psychological differences which might be leading to this difference in behavior. We put forth evidence that certain business majors are correlated with a marked increase in levels of narcissism and decreased levels of empathy, as measured by psychological personality tests.

Sustainability In Mba Recruiting: Only A Marketing Piece?, Lisa Jones Christensen, Aram Kang, Sheri Willoughby

Faculty Publications

Recently, the business press has paid increasing attention to the issue of sustainable business practices. Such press lends increased support to the innovative practices by for-profit companies as well as the programbuilding work of faculty and administrators at leading business schools. Specifically, faculty at select schools have progressively been building courses, programs, and/or research support centers for ‘sustainability’ education in the MBA curricula, with the number of courses and the student interest in the courses having both increased significantly over the last five years (Christensen et al., 2007; and the article of J. Hitchman in this issue).

Competitive Advantage In Alliance Governance: Resolving The Opportunism Minimization–Gain Maximization Paradox, Mark H. Hansen, Robert E. Hoskisson, Jay B. Barney

Faculty Publications

This paper offers a model of alliance governance that explicitly recognizes that managers of alliances simultaneously face the objectives of maximizing gains from trade while minimizing the threat of opportunism in the transaction—an apparent paradox. Our model shows that both the gains from trade and the threat of opportunism are influenced by firm characteristics (cooperative capabilities and trustworthiness) as well as transaction attributes (information asymmetry and asset specificity). The paradox may be resolved by strong form trustworthiness combined with relationship management capabilities because these characteristics allow the pursuit of gains from trade while simultaneously limiting the threat of opportunism.