Human Resources Management Commons^™

Development And Test Of A Model Of External Organizational Commitment In Human Resources Outsourcing, Filip Lievens, Wilfried De Corte

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Most prior outsourcing studies in the human resources domain have focused on the initial decision for outsourcing HR activities. Hence, little is known about HR managers' commitment to continue an already existing outsourcing relationship. This study constitutes a first step to increase our understanding of the factors related to the continuity of HR outsourcing relationships. We developed and tested a model of HR managers' (N = 186) commitment in outsourcing relationships. Affective commitment or the desire for the outsourcing relationship to continue was related to the depth and frequency of HR outsourcing. Conversely, continuance commitment, which refers to the constraints …

Validity And Adverse Impact Potential Of Predictor Composite Formation, Wilfried De Corte, Filip Lievens, Paul R. Sackett

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Previous research on the validity and adverse impact (AI) of predictor composite formation focused on the merits of regression-based or ad hoc composites. We argue for a broader focus. Ad hoc chosen composites are usually not Pareto-optimal, whereas the regression-based composite represents only one element from the total set of Pareto-optimal composites and can, therefore, provide only limited information on the potential for validity and AI reduction of forming predictor composites when both validity and AI are of concern. In that case, other Pareto-optimal composites may provide a better benchmark to decide on the merits of the predictor composite formation. …

Search For Optimal Ceo Compensation: Theory And Empirical Evidence, Melanie Cao, Rong Wang

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We integrate an agency model with dynamic search equilibrium to study three important issues concerning executive compensation. We show that 1) the equilibrium pay-to-performance sensitivity depends positively on a firm’s specific risk, and negatively on its systematic risk, which offers a plausible explanation for the inconclusive empirical relationship between the pay-to-performance sensitivity and a firm’s total risk; 2) a growing economy simultaneously induces the growth in executive compensation and firm size; 3) the faster growth of executive compensation relative to the growth of firm size in the past decade is mostly due to the increase in firms’ specific risks.

Does Watching Television Really Affect Cognitive Development In Young Children?, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

Is a preschool child who spends many hours in front of the television deprived of enriching experiences and healthy activities that facilitate brain development? Joint research by economics professors Huang Fali of Singapore Management University and Lee Myoung-jae of Korea University investigated the effects of watching television on the cognitive development of children by analysing math and reading scores of children aged 8-9 years, and how these related to their television-watching patterns at 6-7 years of age. Their research yielded some surprises.

Dynamic Performance And The Performance-Performance Rating Relation, Jochen Reb, Gary J. Greguras

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In this commentary we discuss the appropriateness and usefulness of taking into account the dynamic nature of performance when considering the relation between job performance and ratings of job performance. Like the vast majority of research in this area, Murphy (this issue) does not critically examine whether or how changes in ratee performance over time influence job performance ratings. As noted by Murphy and Cleveland (1995), a limitation of performance appraisal research is that it has ignored that employee performance “…is embedded in a context or pattern of employee performance over time” (p. 73). In this commentary, we argue that …

Broadening International Perspectives On The Legal Environment For Personnel Selection, Brett Myors, Filip Lievens, Greet Van Hoye, Steven F Cronshaw, Antonio Mladinic, Viviana Rodriguez, Herman Aguinis, Dirk D Steiner, Florence Rolland, Heinz Schuler, Andreas Frintrup, Ioannis Nikolaou, Maria Tomprou, S Subramony, Shabu B Raj, Shay Tzafrir, Peter Bamberger, Marilena Bertolino, Marco Mariani, Franco Fraccaroli

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Perspectives from 22 countries on aspects of the legal environment for selection are presented. Issues addressed include a) whether there are racial/ethnic/religious subgroups viewed as “disadvantaged minority”, b) whether research documents mean differences between groups on individual difference measures relevant to job performance, whether there are laws prohibiting discrimination against specific groups, d) what is required to make and refute a claim of discrimination, e) what are the consequences of violation of the laws, f) whether particular selection methods are limited or banned, g) whether preferential treatment of members of minority groups is permitted, and h) whether the practice of …

Keeping Up With The Joneses: A Field Study Of The Relationships Among Upward, Lateral, And Downward Comparisons And Pay Level Satisfaction, Michael M. Harris, Frederik Anseel, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The authors examined the relationship between the direction of pay comparisons and pay level satisfaction. They hypothesized that upward pay comparisons would significantly predict pay level satisfaction, even when controlling for other comparisons. Results reported in 2 samples (U.S. sample, N = 295; Belgian sample, N = 67) generally supported this hypothesis. Analyses showed that individuals who were paid much less than their upward pay comparison were dissatisfied with their pay level. The highest levels of pay level satisfaction were observed when actual pay was congruent with the upward comparison pay level. There was also evidence that individuals who were …

Maria Brown On Ten Lessons For A Successful Career, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

Ex-BBC journalist and producer Maria Brown has spent over 14 years in the international media industry. She is a cofounder and managing director, acquisitions and programming of the Asian Food Channel (AFC), the region’s first 24-hour pay channel devoted to matters culinaire from across the globe. Brown delivered a talk at the Singapore Management University recently on “Ten lessons to have a successful career” as part of the Wee Kim Wee Centre CEO Talks Series.

Situational Judgment Tests: A Review Of Recent Research, Filip Lievens, Helga Peeters, Eveline Schollaert

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to give an empirically-based review of the strengths and weaknesses of situational judgment tests (SJTs).Design/methodology/approach - The features, history, and development of SJTs are discussed. Next, a computerized search (from 1990-2007) is conducted to retrieve empirical studies related to SJTs. The effectiveness of SJTs is discussed in terms of reliability, criterion-related validity, incremental validity, construct-related validity, utility, adverse impact, applicant perceptions, fakability, and susceptibility to practice and coaching effects.Findings - Strengths of SJTs are that they show criterion-related validity and incremental validity above cognitive ability and personality tests. SJTs have also less …

Rethinking The Role Of Management Consultants As Disseminators Of Business Knowledge: Knowledge Flows, Directions, And Conditions In Consulting Projects, Andrew Sturdy, Karen Handley, Timothy Adrian Robert Clark, Robin Fincham

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Consultants are seen as core agents in the dissemination of business knowledgethrough their relative expertise and/or rhetorical and knowledge management practices.However, relatively few studies focus specifically on their role in projects with clientorganisations. This paper examines knowledge flow in consultancy projects fromlongitudinal observation and interview research as well as a survey of clients andconsultants working together. Our analysis suggests that the conventional view ofconsultants as disseminators of new management ideas to clients is, at best,exaggerated and certainly misrepresents their role in project work. Firstly, it tends tooccur by default rather than by design. More importantly however, learning is oftenconcerned with …

The Role Of The Board And Its Interaction With The Successor's Human Capital In The Asian Family Enterprise, Soo-Hoon Lee, Phillip H. Phan, Toru Yoshikawa

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study examined the human and social capital factors associated with higher post-succession firm performance in family enterprises in Singapore. We also investigated the moderating influence of the board of directors in terms of its service role as stewards of the enterprise. We found that a successor's industry experience and diversity of network ties were positively associated with firm performance and boards that focused their role as advisors to the successor enhanced post-succession firm performance.

Interviewers' Sensitivity To Impression Management Tactics In Structured Interviews, Filip Lievens, Helga Peeters

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study examines interviewers' sensitivity to impression management in structured interviews by determining the relative importance that interviewers attach to ( verbal and nonverbal) impression management as compared to the relative importance that they attach to predetermined competencies. Two samples of interviewers ( 55 Master I/O psychology students and 18 professional interviewers) watched and evaluated videotaped interviewees who were instructed to put their best foot forward. Results of relative weight analyses showed that the importance of verbal and nonverbal impression management tactics was relatively small as compared to the importance attached to job-related competencies. The type of interview format had …

A Closer Look At The Relationship Between Justice Perceptions And Feedback Reactions: The Role Of The Quality Of The Relationship With The Supervisor, Marjolein Feys, Nele Libbrecht, Frederik Anseel, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Two field studies were undertaken to investigate the nature of the relationship between justice perceptions and feedback reactions. Previous work Suggests that the relationship between procedural justice and feedback reactions is mediated by the quality of the relationship with the supervisor. However, there are also good theoretical reasons to hypothesise that the relationship between justice perceptions and feedback reactions is moderated by relationship quality. Across two field studies, we found Support for both mediated and moderated relationships. Results of the moderator analyses showed that the positive relationship between justice perceptions and feedback reactions was more pronounced for subordinates in a …

Personnel Selection, Paul R. Sackett, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We review developments in personnel selection since the previous review by Hough & Oswald (2000) in the Annual Review of Psycholog. We organize the review around a taxonomic structure of possible bases for improved selection, which includes (a) better understanding of the criterion domain and criterion measurement, (b) improved measurement of existing predictor methods or constructs, (c) identification and measurement of new predictor methods or constructs, (d) improved identification of features that moderate or mediate predictor-criterion relationships, (e) clearer understanding of the relationship between predictors or between predictors and criteria (e.g., via meta-analytic synthesis), (f) identification and prediction of new …

Building Workplace Trust In Some Cultures Is To Blur The Line Between Professional And Personal Life, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

In China and Turkey, the separation between work and personal life is not so clear cut as compared with western societies, according to a joint study by Singapore Management University professor of organisational behaviour Tan Hwee Hoon, and management professors S. Arzu Wasti and Selin Eser of Sabanci University in Turkey. The main purpose of their research was to provide insights into the impact that different cultures have on trust in the workplace.

Measurement Invariance Of The Pay Satisfaction Questionnaire Across Three Countries, Filip Lievens, Frederik Anseel, Michael M. Harris, Jacob Eisenberg

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In recent years, pay satisfaction has been increasingly studied in an international context, prompting the importance of examining whether the Pay Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) is invariant across countries other than the United States. This study investigated the measurement invariance across three countries, namely, the United States (N = 321), Belgium (N = 301), and Cyprus (N = 132). Results showed that the measurement structure of the PSQ was invariant across these different countries because there was no departure from measurement invariance in terms of factor form, factor pattern coefficients, factor variances, and factor covariances. These results show promise for the …

Measurement Equivalence In The Conduct Of A Global Organizational Survey Across Countries In Six Cultural Regions, Alain De Beuckelaer, Filip Lievens, Gilbert Swinnen

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study examined the measurement equivalence of a global organizational survey measuring six work climate factors as administered across 25 countries (N = 31.315) in all regions of the world (West Europe, East Europe, North America, Latin America, South America, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific). Across all countries, the survey instrument exhibited 'form equivalence' and 'metric equivalence', suggesting that respondents completed the survey using the same frame-of-reference and interpreted the rating scale intervals similarly. Schwartz's (1994, 1999, 2004) cultural value theory was then used for grouping the countries in cultural regions, and to anticipate measurement equivalence of the data from …

Investigating Web-Based Recruitment Sources: Employee Testimonials Vs Word-Of-Mouse, Greet Van Hoye, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Although the internet has dramatically changed recruitment practices, many web-based recruitment sources have not yet been investigated. The present study examines the effects of web-based employee testimonials and web-based word-of-mouth (i.e., 'word-of-mouse') on organizational attraction. The source credibility framework is used to compare these company-dependent and company-independent recruitment sources. In a sample of potential applicants for a head nurse position, word-of-mouse was associated with higher organizational attractiveness than web-based employee testimonials. However, potential applicants were more attracted when testimonials provided information about individual employees than about the organization. Conversely, word-of-mouse was associated with higher organizational attractiveness and more organizational pursuit …

The Validity Of Assessment Centres For The Prediction Of Supervisory Performance Ratings: A Meta-Analysis, Eran Hermelin, Filip Lievens, Ivan T. Robertson

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The current meta-analysis of the selection validity of assessment centres aims to update an earlier meta-analysis of assessment centre validity. To this end, we retrieved 26 studies and 27 validity coefficients (N=5850) relating the Overall Assessment Rating (OAR) to supervisory performance ratings. The current study obtained a corrected correlation of .28 between the OAR and supervisory job performance ratings (95% confidence interval .24 < =rho < =.32). It is further suggested that this validity estimate is likely to be conservative given that assessment centre validities tend to be affected by indirect range restriction.

The Effects Of Entrepreneurial Growth Orientation On Organizational Change And Firm Growth, Wee Liang Tan, Thomas Menkhoff, Yue Wah Chay

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Managing growth in an enterprise as it grows beyond the startup phase is a challenge for many entrepreneurs. One key element that can help or hinder growth is the entrepreneur. Entrepreneurial growth has been linked to micro variables (motivations and psychological attributes of the entrepreneur) and macro variables. However, few studies have examined the role of the growth aspirations of the entrepreneur on the necessary elements of organization change related to growth.

This paper reports a study employing a typology of entrepreneurs based on their growth aspirations using an established dichotomous scale devised by Smith to differentiate between what he …

Understanding Differences In Behaviour: The Role Of Mental Models, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

Why do some people make snap judgements about another person based on a single behaviour, while others make up their minds only after repeated observations in different situations? Singapore Management University psychology professor Jennifer Tong attempts to shed new light on why people entertain different assumptions about the nature of human behaviour in a series of psychological studies with a difference. Her findings have practical implications for interactions in the office and at the personal level. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An Examination Of Psychometric Bias Due To Retesting On Cognitive Ability Tests In Selection Settings, Filip Lievens, Charlie L. Reeve, Eric D. Heggestad

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Using a latent variable approach, the authors examined whether retesting on a cognitive ability measure resulted in measurement and predictive bias. A sample of 941 candidates completed a cognitive ability 14 test in a high-stakes context. Results of both the within-group between-occasions comparison and the between-groups within-occasion comparison indicated that no measurement bias existed during the initial testing but that retesting induced both measurement and predictive bias. Specifically, the results suggest that the factor underlying the retest scores was less saturated with g and more associated with memory than the latent factor underlying initial test scores and that these changes …

Social Influences On Organizational Attractiveness: Investigating If And When Word Of Mouth Matters, Greet Van Hoye, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Previous recruitment studies have treated potential applicants as individual decision makers, neglecting informational social influences on organizational attractiveness. The present study investigated if and under what conditions word-of-mouth communication matters as a recruitment source. Results (N = 171) indicated that word of mouth had a strong impact on organizational attractiveness, and negative word of mouth interfered with recruitment advertising effects. Word of mouth from a strong tie was perceived as more credible and had a more positive effect on organizational attractiveness. For potential applicants high in self-monitoring, word of mouth had a stronger effect when presented after recruitment advertising. Finally, …

Combining Predictors To Achieve Optimal Trade-Offs Between Selection Quality And Adverse Impact, Wilfried De Corte, Filip Lievens, Paul R. Sackett

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The authors propose a procedure to determine (a) predictor composites that result in a Pareto-optimal trade-off between the often competing goals in personnel selection of quality and adverse impact and (b) the relative importance of the quality and impact objectives that correspond to each of these trade-offs. They also investigated whether the obtained Pareto-optimal composites continue to perform well under variability of the selection parameters that characterize the intended selection decision. The results of this investigation indicate that this is indeed the case. The authors suggest that the procedure be used as one of a number of potential strategies for …

Are Us Family Firms Subject To Agency Problems? Evidence From Ceo Turnover And Firm Valuation, Xia Chen, Zhonglan Dai

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This paper investigates the impact of the founding family's presence in US public firms on the extent of agency problems related to CEO turnover decisions and on firm valuations after poor performance. In particular, we focus on three types of US public firms: family CEO firms, professional CEO family firms (family firms managed by a hired CEO outside the founding family), and non-family firms. We hypothesize that, the agency problem arising from the expropriation of small shareholders by large shareholders in family CEO firms and the agency problem arising from the separation of ownership and control in non-family firms, lead …

A Self-Motives Perspective On Feedback-Seeking Behavior: Linking Organizational Behavior And Social Psychology Research, Frederick Anseel, Filip Lievens, Paul E. Levy

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Both the feedback-seeking literature in management and the self-motives domain in social psychology have focused on how motives affect the way in which people acquire information for self-evaluation purposes. Despite apparent conceptual similarities, the implications of research in these domains have not been fully integrated. This paper aims to link research on feedback-seeking behavior to recent theoretical developments in social psychology. First, the current perspective in management on feedback-seeking motives is depicted. Second, a well-established framework of self-motives in social psychology is introduced. Third, similarities and differences between these two motivational perspectives are discussed and a first step towards integration …

Job Satisfaction As Mediator: An Assessment Of Job Satisfaction's Position Within The Nomological Network, Marcus Crede, Oleksandr S. Chernyshenko, Stephen Stark, Reeshad S. Dalal, Michael R. Bashshur

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Job satisfaction's position within the nomological network and the mechanism outlined by theories of social exchange suggest that job satisfaction functions as a mediator of the relationship between various antecedent variables and volitional workplace behaviours. We extend social exchange theory to include perceptions of the total job situation and develop a model that positions job satisfaction as a mediator of the relationships between various internal and external antecedent variables, and three volitional workplace behaviours: citizenship behaviours, counterproductive workplace behaviours, and job withdrawal. The fit of a fully mediated model is good and all four classes of antecedents (dispositions, workplace events, …

The Search For Global Talent: Recent Trends In Asia, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

Globally, the cross-border flow of workers has gained significant momentum over the past few decades as many countries actively seek foreign talent or encourage their own nationals to return home, state co-editors Christiane Kuptsch and Pang Eng Fong in a 2006 publication, Competing for Global Talent, which was cited in the Economist’s “Special Report, A Survey of Talent” (5 October 2006). Pang, who is Singapore Management University business school dean and professor of management, talks to Knowledge@SMU about recent trends in Asia with specific reference to Singapore’s experience in sourcing global talent.

An Empirical Examination Of The Mechanisms Mediating Between High Performance Work Systems And The Performance Of Japanese Organizations, Riki Takeuchi, David P. Lepak, Heli Wang, Kazuo Takeuchi

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The resource-based view of the firm and social exchange perspectives are invoked to hypothesize linkages among high-performance work systems, collective human capital, the degree of social exchange in an establishment, and establishment performance. The authors argue that high-performance work systems generate a high level of collective human capital and encourage a high degree of social exchange within an organization, and that these are positively related to the organization's overall performance. On the basis of a sample of Japanese establishments, the results provide support for the existence of these mediating mechanisms through which high-performance work systems affect overall establishment performance.

Situational Judgment Tests In High-Stakes Settings: Issues And Strategies With Generating Alternate Forms, Filip Lievens, Paul R. Sackett

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study used principles underlying item generation theory to posit competing perspectives about which features of situational judgment tests might enhance or impede consistent measurement across repeat test administrations. This led to 3 alternate-form development approaches (random assignment, incident isomorphism, and item isomorphism). The effects of these approaches on alternate-form consistency, mean score changes, and criterion-related validity were examined in a high-stakes context (N = 3,361). Generally, results revealed that even small changes in the context of the situations presented resulted in significantly lower alternate-form consistency. Conversely, placing more constraints on the alternate-form development process proved beneficial. The contributions, implications, …