Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons^™

Being Ethical When The Boss Is Not, Mary Uhl-Bien, Melissa K. Carsten

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

A missing element in discussions of ethical leadership is: What happens to enforcement of ethics if it is the managers who are behaving unethically? In this article we address this question by describing a framework of upward ethical leadership. This framework expands conceptualizations of leadership beyond top-down models to a view that considers employees to be active participants in the leadership process. Upward ethical leadership is defined as leadership behavior displayed by individuals who take action to maintain ethical standards in the face of questionable moral behaviors by higher-ups. It is fostered when employees are encouraged to establish personal power …

Complexity Leadership Theory: Shifting Leadership From The Industrial Age To The Knowledge Era, Mary Uhl-Bien, Russ Marion, Bill Mckelvey

Leadership Institute: Faculty Publications

Leadership models of the last century have been products of top-down, bureaucratic paradigms. These models are eminently effective for an economy premised on physical production but are not well-suited for a more knowledge-oriented economy. Complexity science suggests a different paradigm for leadership—one that frames leadership as a complex interactive dynamic from which adaptive outcomes (e.g., learning, innovation, and adaptability) emerge. This article draws from complexity science to develop an overarching framework for the study of Complexity Leadership Theory, a leadership paradigm that focuses on enabling the learning, creative, and adaptive capacity of complex adaptive systems (CAS) within a context of …

Ethical Marketing Controversial Products And Promotional Practices, Jared D. Cohen

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

In the field of business ethics, there has been much written and discussed about ethical matters in areas where there is a distinct right and wrong, but relatively little written about how to make decisions when the ethical issue isn’t as black and white. When marketing a product, it is one’s hope that ethical issues are typically not inherent to the marketer; however, when one has the unenviable task of marketing a controversial product, it becomes a true question of “gray-area” ethics that makes marketing decisions more difficult to make. Companies depend on marketing, as it is the one higher-level …

Diversity Training: Analysis Of The Impact Of Self-Efficacy, Gwendolyn Combs, Fred Luthans

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Although the importance of diversity in organizations is widely recognized, diversity training is under attack. Drawing from self-efficacy theory and research, we developed a questionnaire to measure one’s efficacy of successfully coping with widely recognized diversity initiatives. Then we conducted a study examining the effect of self-efficacy-based diversity training on the level of participant’s measured diversity self-efficacy (DSE) and the possible mediation of this DSE on intentions to pursue positive diversity-related initiatives. The field experimental design showed that training incorporating efficacy components significantly increased trainees’ (N = 276) measured DSE. Diversity training was also shown to be positively related to …

Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (Ceai): Refinement And Validation Of A Survey Measure, Michael S. Cates

Theses and Dissertations

The study of corporate entrepreneurship has established itself as a valuable area of research for both public and private-sector organizations. The measurement instrument known as the Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Index (CEAI) has been designed to tap the climate-related organizational factors that represent and potentially encourage corporate entrepreneurship. This study is an attempt to refine the CEAI. The core constructs of the CEAI are redefined, the items are tested for content validity, the factor structure is analyzed, and the CEAI is correlated to other known measures to validate the CEAI. Through this testing, the CEAI was refined and found to be …

Cultural Implications Of "Excellent Employees": Comparing American And Korean Workers, Chong W. Kim, Yung-Ho Cho, Andrew Sikula Sr.

Management Faculty Research

As noted in Kim & Sikula (2003, 2005), there are three types of people in the workplace: "Necessities", "Commoners," and "Parasites". A necessity (excellent employee) is irreplaceable and crucial to the functioning of an organization. A Commoner (average laborer) is a person of normal ability and talent who has no significant impact on organizational success. Lastly, Parasites (problem workers) are detrimental freeloaders who damage the functioning of an organization.

In the 2005 paper, we analyzed the survey responses of 25 students in an MBA Organizational Behavior class and 13 working managers, all in the United States. In this paper, we …

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 18 - Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Current And Future Needs For Aquatic Animal Health Training And For Systems For Merit-Based Accreditation And Competency Assessments (Frdc Project No. 2005/641) Final Report, Matt Landos, Navneet Dhand, Brian Jones, Richard Whittington

Fisheries Research Contract Reports

To scope and clearly define current and future needs for aquatic animal health training and for systems for merit-based accreditation and competency assessments.

Provision of high quality aquatic animal health (AAH) services is a complex multidisciplinary activity. Hence, training programs must address all discipline areas to achieve the desired outcome of robust service delivery to meet all stakeholder group needs. The current and future needs for AAH training have been identified across many sectors through survey work and direct interviews with key stakeholders. There is a shortfall in both total capacity and more prominently, in the availability of high skill …

A Project Manager's Personal Attributes As Predictors For Success, Vhance V. Valencia

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine what personal attributes project managers (PMs) possess which leads them to project management success. Numerous attributes are identified in the literature through a variety of methods, but very few studies relate specific qualities to success. The traits identified in the literature were compiled and condensed into seven distinct skills and attributes: leadership ability, communication skill, decision making skill, administrative skill, coping ability, analytical thinking, and technical competence. A survey method was developed which involved the PM, to measure levels of each attribute, and the PM’s supervisor and project data, to provide a …

The Effect Of Different Inputs To Factor Analysis: An Example Using Service Quality In Uk Branch Banking, Joseph Coughlan, Estelle Shale, Robert Dyson

Conference papers

Factor analysis has long been used in service quality research to understand the dimensions of the construct. This research reinvestigates this construct using two different methodologies (classical test theory and item response theory) in order to assess the homogeneity of the dimensions across the methodologies in a retail branch banking sample taken from a larger network in the UK. The findings show that the two methodologies give different results. Furthermore the choice of correlation matrix to input into Confirmatory Factor Analysis may be more important than is currently thought in the literature as they give different results in this sample.

Outsourcing Via Service Competition, Ehsan Elahi, Saif Benjaafar, Karen Donohue

Management Science and Information Systems Faculty Publication Series

We consider a single buyer who wishes to outsource a fixed demand for a manufactured good or service at a fixed price to a set of potential suppliers. We examine the value of competition as a mechanism for the buyer to elicit service quality from the suppliers. We compare two approaches the buyer could use to orchestrate this competition: (1) a Supplier-Allocation (SA) approach, which allocates a proportion of demand to each supplier with the proportion allocated to a supplier increasing in the quality of service the supplier promises to offer, and (2) a Supplier-Selection (SS) approach, which allocates all …

Repertorio Delle Imprese Attive All’Interno Del Distretto Della Meccatronica Di Reggio Emilia: Produzioni E Competenze Distintive, Diego Maria Macrì, Milena Benatti, Fabiola Bertolotti, Elisa Mattarelli, G. Nigro

Faculty Publications, School of Management

No abstract provided.

Australian Temperate Strawberry Breeding Program (Western Australia) Selection Of New And Advanced Short Day Breeding Lines And Cultivars In Western Australia - 2006/2007, Aileen Reid, Dennis Phillips, Hal

Horticulture research reports

Thirty-two ‘Stage 4’ numbered selections (2004 crosses) from the Australian Temperate Strawberry Breeding Program were evaluated in unreplicated plots on a commercial property in Wanneroo for their potential under WA conditions. Seven of these have been selected as worthy of further testing. The priority selection among these was 04- 021-263, and the other six included 04-021-467, 04-037-102, 04-021-241, 04-021-172, 04-021-475 and 04-029-211.

In addition, 21 advanced numbered selections (Stages 5, 6 and 7) were also evaluated on the same grower’s property. Three of those were substantially larger plots and a later planting date. Of the first group of 18 selections, …

Source Code Protection For Applications Written In Microsoft Excel And Google Spreadsheet, Thomas A. Grossman Jr.

Business Analytics and Information Systems

Spreadsheets are used to develop application software that is distributed to users. Unfortunately, the users often have the ability to change the programming statements (“source code”) of the spreadsheet application. This causes a host of problems. By critically examining the suitability of spreadsheet computer programming languages for application development, six “application development features” are identified, with source code protection being the most important. We investigate the status of these features and discuss how they might be implemented in the dominant Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and in the new Google Spreadsheet. Although Google Spreadsheet currently provides no source code control, its web-centric …

Learning To Co-Create The Solutions We Seek: The Art Of Hosting A Nonprofit Organization, Jeannel E. King

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The Art of Hosting is an emergent leadership model that compliments rapidly changing business needs and environments. This paper presents grounded theory on Art of Hosting components, including the Four Fold Invitation, Hobbit Tools, Five Diamonds of Participation, and Harvesting. An in-depth case study describes the use of Hosting architecture as the design for a nonprofit organization. While the Art of Hosting is effective for involving the community in discussions to co-create solutions to difficult problems, the practice does not easily facilitate a transition from discussion to action. As a framework for operating a nonprofit organization, further research is necessary …

Development Of Variant Definitions For Stakeholder Groups With Regard To The Performance Of Public Transit In The United States, Jason Keith Phillips, Diane M. Phillips

Marketing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

More Secure Passwords, Scott Magruder, Stanley X. Lewis Jr

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Passwords are often the first line of defense against hackers trying to logon to a user’s account. Due to this, the password that a user selects for protection of their account is critical. These passwords must be “good” passwords that are not easily cracked. However, how does the network administrator enforce this? A simple change to the login process can make the passwords chosen by users much more secure. A description of this simple process is given in this paper. The normal login process is described. A description of the how hackers attempt to crack passwords is given. The simple …

Improving The Judicial System To Handle Computer Crime, Gerald V. Post, Albert Kagan

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This paper asked professionals in the legal system to evaluate the current state and effectiveness of laws to identify and deter computer crime. Responses were evaluated with a formal structural equation model. The results generally show that legal professionals believe potential jurors have minimal knowledge of computer crime issues. More importantly, they also believe that judges have little knowledge or experience. A similar lack of knowledge by defense attorneys indicates that it could be difficult for a person accused of computer related infractions to find adequate representation. On the other hand, more experienced participants do not believe computer laws present …

The Role Of Quantitative Analysis In The Information Security Systems Development Lifecycle, Stephen R. Rosenkranz, Michael E. Busing, Faye P. Teer, Karen A. Forcht

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Today’s numerous Quantitative Analysis (QA) tools have been successfully utilized to solve business problems in diverse applications. However, the application of QA tools in solving information security problems has been sparse. Devising the means and ways to use QA tools in resolving industry-wide security problems has the potential to yield enormous global economic benefit. The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of QA tools as a means of improving the processes involved in the Information Security Systems Development Lifecycle (SecSDL). Information security professionals use the SecSDL as a guide for formulating a comprehensive information security program. The …

A Framework And Guide For Understanding The Creation Of Consumer Trust, Joseph A. Cazier

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This paper develops a framework and model for building trust by combining research on the creation of trust with the dimensions of trust: ability, benevolence and integrity. By combining these dimensions in a matrix with the types of trust production based on characteristics, process and institutions, the paper develops a robust 3 x 3 matrix with which to categorize and understand trust production. The framework is developed and analyzed in the light of literature on consumer trust. This framework can help researchers, practitioners and consumers understand trust creation and assist businesses in developing a comprehensive strategy for managing trust.

An Application Of The Deming Management Method For Information Technology Projects, Jack T. Marchewka

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Although the ideas and teachings of W. Edwards Deming have been implemented in organizations world- wide for over the past 50 years, only three studies have empirically tested a theoretical model grounded in the Deming Management Method. These studies focused on the manufacturing and services area. Today, quality management continues to be an area of interest both in project management and software engineering. The focus of this study is to test the Deming Management Method in information technology (IT) projects. A survey of 63 IT professionals provides empirical support for the Deming Management Method and its application to IT projects. …

Valuation And Classification Of Company Issued Cash And Share-Puts, William D. Terando, Wayne Shaw, David Smith

Scholarship and Professional Work - Business

This paper examines whether investors’ valuations of cash and share-put warrants are influenced by their potential differential effect on firm solvency. It is motivated by the enactment of SFAS 150, which requires that all contingent put warrant obligations be classified as balance sheet liabilities regardless of put type. Consistent with the critics of SFAS150, we show that market participants differentially value cash and share-puts based on their solvency characteristics beyond the firm’s recorded assets and liabilities. Our results add to existing capital structure literature by suggesting that complex financial instruments (such as cash and share-puts) be reported separately from each …

Positive Psychological Capital: Measurement And Relationship With Performance And Satisfaction, Fred Luthans, Bruce J. Avolio, James B. Avey, Steven M. Norman

Leadership Institute: Faculty Publications

Two studies were conducted to analyze how hope, resilience, optimism, and efficacy individually and as a composite higher-order factor predicted work performance and satisfaction. Results from Study 1 provided psychometric support for a new survey measure designed to assess each of these 4 facets, as well as a composite factor. Study 2 results indicated a significant positive relationship regarding the composite of these 4 facets with performance and satisfaction. Results from Study 2 also indicated that the composite factor may be a better predictor of performance and satisfaction than the 4 individual facets. Limitations and practical implications conclude the article.

When The Romance Is Over: Follower Perspectives Of Aversive Leadership, Michelle C. Bligh, Jeffrey C. Kohles, Craig L. Pearce, Joseph E. (Gene) Justin, John F. Stovall

Leadership Institute: Faculty Publications

While leadership is indisputably one of the most pervasive topics in our society, the vast majority of existing research has focused on leadership as a positive force. Taking a follower- centric approach to the study of leadership, we integrate research on the Romance of Leadership and the dark side of leadership by examining followers’ perceptions of aversive leadership in the context of public high schools. Although Meindl, Ehrlich, and Dukerich (1985) demonstrated that the Romance of Leadership also includes the overattribution of negative outcomes to leaders, subsequent research has failed to explore the implications of this potentially darker side of …

Mitigating Disaster: Mapping Cognitive Processes In Applying Technology To Crises, John Clinton Borne

LSU Master's Theses

Extreme events are sometimes defined as unexpected events in which local resources are insufficient to cope with the extent of the damage and require outside resources to address the hazards specific to the event. For that reason, communities immediately adjacent to disaster areas have a unique and important role in the study of measures to mitigate the effects of the resulting hazards to human life and property. This exploratory study looks at the use of information technology in conjunction with disaster mitigation activities in areas adjacent to a large disaster. The experiences, thoughts, and beliefs of individuals involved in mitigation …

Hi-Tech Cheating: A Study Of Student Attitudes On Academic Dishonesty Involving The Use Of Information Technology, Michael P. Smith

LSU Master's Theses

Despite the fact that research into cheating has continued for several decades, cheating in higher education appears to be widespread and endemic. This may be particularly troublesome for business school students, who, according to some research, appear to cheat more than students in other curriculums. Technology is giving students new opportunities to cheat. Companies are developing products specifically designed to help students cheat. Although there are some resources and tools to help faculty monitor things such as plagiarism, technology is providing a continuous stream of new opportunities for students to cheat, oftentimes without a high likelihood of being caught. Beliefs …

Radical Change Accidentally: The Emergence And Amplification Of Small Change, Donde Ashmos Plowman, Lakami T. Baker, Tammy E. Beck, Mukta Kulkarni, Stephanie Thomas Solansky, Deandra Villarreal Travis

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

A decision to offer breakfast to homeless people led to radical change in a church and its environment. Existing theories of change do not fully explain observations from our qualitative study; however, complexity theory constructs suggest how and why such change emerged. We offer four key findings. First, the radical change was unintended, emergent, and slow. Second, destabilizing conditions helped small changes to emerge and become radical. Third, subsequent actions amplified an initial small change and, though not intended to do so, promoted radical change. Finally, the dynamic interaction of amplifying actions, contextual conditions, and small changes led to continuous …

Integrating It-Enabled Social Networks With Transaction Cost Economics And The Resource Based View Of The Firm, Ganesh D. Bhatt, Jatinder N. D. Gupta, Sushil K. Sharma

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Prior research has mostly focused on transaction cost economics (TCE) to interpret the effect of information systems (IS) on organizational governance structures. A TCE based approach predicts that information technology (IT) will lead to increased use of electronic markets to coordinate economic transactions from electronic hierarchies. However, there is contradictory evidence in the literature regarding the rise and importance of cooperative relationships, joint ventures, and value-added partnerships integrated through information systems. To reconcile these contradictions, this paper analyzes the effect of IT on governance structures based on the TCE, social network theory, and the resource based view (RBV) of the …

In Search Of Factors To Online Game Addiction And Its Implications, Yangil Park, Jeng-Chung V. Chen

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Research has explored online users who are hooked on Internet applications such as chat rooms, web surfing, and interactive games. Online game addiction is one of the problems arisen from the use of the Internet. This study is motivated by a causal connection found from previous research of computer game addiction. The study describes two typical types of online games and looks further into the causes of the addiction by using two main theories. We also propose research hypotheses and discuss possible implications of online game addiction.

An Examination Of Internet Effectiveness For Non-Work Activities, Pruthikrai Mahatanankoon, Tim Klaus, H. Joseph Wen

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

The Internet is frequently used for non-work activities. When used for these purposes, the effectiveness of the Internet in accomplishing these leisure activities becomes an important consideration. Research literature has remained relatively silent in regards to the examination of accomplishing non-work tasks through the Internet. This study uses Davis’ Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a basis to predict different types of common user web activities—entertainment, communicating, and information searching. Using Structured Equation Modeling, this paper examines the effectiveness of the Internet in accomplishing non-work activities. In this study, the overall analysis of the survey data suggests that perceived ease of …

Internet Entrepreneurship And Economic Growth, Gerald V. Post, John F. Pfaff

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This paper looks at national attempts to promote economic growth through the Internet. Growth can be driven through service exports or internally through increased service transactions and fostering entrepreneurship. India is often held as an example of service exports, but economic statistics show that India might not be a good example for other nations because net service trade is negative and wages have been economically distorted. Ultimately, developing nations need to find internal growth models. Internal growth could be driven though increased consumption due to improved information, or increased investment expenditures from infrastructure investments.