Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

Retention Of Administrators In Nursing Homes: What Can Management Do?, Douglas A. Singh, Robert C. Schwab

Faculty Publications

Annual turnover among nursing home administrators may be 40% or higher. To investigate the factors that could lead to greater administrator retention, responses to a survey (53% response rate) were analyzed using factor analysis and multiple regression models. Results show that higher retention is observed when administrators are allowed to function independently, are involved in decision making, are treated fairly, and are given reasonable goals to achieve. Organizations must hire administrators whose values match theirs. Multifacility chain organizations and for-profit facilities appear to have a greater need to embrace organizational principles that lead to greater job satisfaction.

Organizational Configurations And Performance: A Meta-Analysis, David J. Ketchen Jr., James G. Combs, Craig J. Russell, Chris Shook, Michelle A. Dean, Janet Runge, Franz T. Lohrke, Stefanie E. Naumann, Dawn Ebe Haptonstahl, Robert Baker, Brendon Beckstein, Charles Handler, Heather Honig, Stephen Lamoureux

Faculty Publications

The link between organizational configurations and performance has become a central and somewhat controversial focus of research in the strategic management literature, We statistically aggregated results from 40 original tests of the configurations-performance relationship. In contrast to previous qualitative reviews, this meta-analysis demonstrated that an organization's performance is partially explained by its configuration. Tests of four potential moderators showed that organizations' configurations contributed more to performance explanation to the extent that studies used (1) broad definitions of configurations, (2) single-industry samples, and (3) longitudinal designs, Results highlight the need for programmatic research.

The Sbi Program And Student Outcomes: A Study Of Business Policy Classes, Larry R. Watts, William T. Jackson

Faculty Publications

This study represents a preliminary inquiry ID to determine the value of combining SBI and Policy into a singular curriculum. A comparison of this combined formal was made wi1h the traditional Policy course. A slightly modified Job Diagnostic Survey (Hackman & Oldham, 1975) and a skills/usefulness scale (Hoffman, Fon1eno1 & Viswanathan, 1990) was administered to assess the difference between the two groups. Results suggested that the combined format met or exceeded the ou1comes of the traditional Policy course.

Small Business Transformation: The Meds Approach, Ravi S. Behara, David E. Gundersen

Faculty Publications

In today's rapidly changing business environment, small businesses must gain a deeper understanding of the future to develop strategies that will provide them with sustainable competitive advantage. The traditional approaches to strategy formulation are inadequate in an environment that is complex and dynamic. This paper investigates a "new" approach that helps small businesses "see the future." It discusses an application of the multi­ equilibrium dissipative structures (MEDS) approach to strategy formulation within the context of a small business involved in medical management software development. The dissipative systems approach can be used to evaluate the critical discontinuities that a small business …

Building A Sustainable World Through Tourism, Deirdre Gibbons, Brian Hill, Steve Illum, Turgut Var

Faculty Publications

The theme of trees and Peace Parks was common to this second global conference on Building a Sustainable World Through Tourism held in Montreal, Canada, in September 1994. The opening ceremony included a tree planting ceremony on top of Montreal's Mont Royal.

The objectives of the conference were to seek participation from over 80 countries; present 200 international success stories related to how tourism contributed to sustainable development; share ideas leading to a specific proposal for action, especially in regards to a millennium project; form International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) as a membership organization; and reunite and celebrate …

Basic Marketing Concepts For Forest And Conservation Nurseries, Brian J. Hill

Faculty Publications

Basic marketing concepts can be useful for forest and conservation nurseries especially as they transition into self-sustaining financial situations. These basic marketing concepts include marketing orientation, marketing plan development, market research, target marketing, SWOT analysis, marketing mix, promotional mix, and advertising mix. These concepts are explained and applied to forest and conservation nurseries.

Management Buyouts And Small Business Performance: An Exploratory Examination And Research Agenda, Garry D. Bruton, J. Kay Keels, Elton Scifres

Faculty Publications

Management buyout activity is increasingly shifting from large firms to small firms. However, to date, little is known about how such activities impact the performance of small firms. This research has identified a sample of small firms that have undergone a management buyout and found that, relative to other firms in their respective industries, these small buyout firms experienced performance gains similar to those experienced in buyouts of larger firms. Suggestions for extending this area of research are made.

The Functions Of The Executive And The Republic: Exploring The Platonic Roots Of Chester Barnard, Paul C. Godfrey

Faculty Publications

This essay examines the similarities between Plato's Republic and Barnard's Functions of the Executive. The essay argues that comparisons between Barnard and Plato are not overstated in form or substance. Three major areas of each work are compared: the ethical foundations, the political foundations, and the role of education in achieving those political means. Implications arising from the comparison are discussed and the essay concludes by linking the Barnard- Plato dialogue with current issues in management theory and practice.

Empirical Implications For Small Business Drug Policies, Donald R. Curtis, Dillard Tinsley, Geralyn Mcclure Franklin

Faculty Publications

The results of empirical studies of small and large businesses parallel each other regarding the characteristics of drug policies. Drug policies affect organizational performance, including improved productivity and reduced accidents. EAPs are an effective approach to drug policies. and outside contractors are common sources of information and services. Pre-employment testing is usually combined with other types of testing, but careful attention is needed to meet legal requirements. Employees with positive tests may cause difficulties, but, overall. employee morale rises. Small businesses without drug policies are increasing their competitive risks.

Discovering The Unique Synergy Potential Of Undergraduate Research And Tourism Service Needs, Deirdre Gibbons, Brian J. Hill

Faculty Publications

This paper explores the needs and benefits for using undergraduates as a resource at tourism University Centers. The purpose of undergraduate tourism programs varies, but programs strive to combine theory with application, and research plays a role in this process. Undergraduates stand to benefit from the managerial and decision-making skills they can learn through research. The number of university tourism research centers has increased worldwide. These centers often function on small budgets and have limited research centers, yet their services and clientele · base are increasing. This paper explores how some universities have involved undergraduates in university tourism research, focusing …

Sbi Intervention: An Old Problem- A New Perspective, William T. Jackson, George S. Vozikis, Emin Babakus

Faculty Publications

This research effort attempted to determine if SB/ intervention would change the perception of business problems by not only the business owner but also the student consultants. This focus further to encompassed firms that could be classified in either Stage I or Stage II of development. Even though there were no changes in perception by student consultants, and mixed results of whether stage development affected perceptual differences, strong support was given to the proposition that owners, overall, did change their perception of existing problems after SBI intervention.

Optimal Response To Periodic Shortage: Engineering/Economic Analysis For A Large Urban Water District, Anthony Fisher, David Fullerton, Nile Hatch, Peter Reinelt

Faculty Publications

The problem addressed by this study is how a large urban water district can best respond to a drought or the prospect of a drought. Specifically, what is the least cost combination of alternatives to meet periodic shortages? A solution to this problem may involve structural approaches (such as developing new local storage capacity), a mix of structural and nonstructural (such as conjunctive use combined with water exchanges or sales), or purely nonstructural approaches (such as changes in water pricing). The application is to the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), which includes portions of Alameda and Contra Costa counties …

Resort Motivations For Different Family Life Cycle Stages, Brian J. Hill, Cary Mcdonald, Muzaffer Uysal

Faculty Publications

Motivational differences for resort vacation travel among family life cycle stages have not been addressed in travel research. However, from a marketing standpoint, segmenting the resort market into family life cycle groups can be reasonably important. Linking an identified group of motivat􀁄ons with these stages is the purpose of this article. Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, and analysis of variance are used to evaluate the data. Twenty motivations are . reduced into five motivation factors that coincide with established travel motivations or needs. The importance of family relationship, health and social, and fun and entertainment motivations does differ among respondents single …