Motivational phases associated with the foreign placement of managerial candidates: an application of the Rubicon model of action phases

This study describes an initial attempt to apply Heckhausen's Rubicon model of action phases to the decision-making process involved in a professional stay abroad. The datas stem from the longitudinal study Selection and Socialization of Managerial Candidates, which provides for the standardized questioning of examinees at the university faculties of economics, the natural sciences and engineering in Munich, Berlin and the Ruhr area. A sample of 453 managerial candidates, employed in German companies, was analysed in this study. The following conclusions for organizations can be drawn from the results of our study: the candidates' values and previous experiences abroad can furnish decisive criteria. Information offered in the job interview can further encourage already motivated persons. The lesser emphasis put on the value 'leadership' and the great importance ascribed to the value 'technological progress' could indicate training needs. Intercultural as well as special management trainings within the organization seem appropriate here.     

Differences in Perceptions of Human Resource Development Across Countries

Abstract

This study sought to determine whether managers within a multinational enterprise (MNE) differed in their perceptions of selected human resource development practices in their organization. The study also sought to identify whether the managers' perceptions could be clustered by the countries in which they reside. The study was based on cluster research studies that have been conducted in the field of cross-cultural management. Cluster research has suggested that systematic differences in an individual's perceptions of organizational variables can be expected to occur, which are based on culture and national identity. The results of this study showed that differences in perceptions about human resource development existed among managers and that the managers' responses could be clustered into five relatively distinct country clusters.     

Meaning Shift of Items in Different Language Versions. A Cross-National Validation Study of the Illegal Aliens Scale

The 20-item Illegal Aliens Scale, which was developed and validated by Ommundsenand Larsen at Oregon State University (1999), has been translated into Norwegian andDutch. Cross-national comparisons of attitudes require equivalence of measurementinstruments (Rogler, 1999). The results of a translation – back translation procedure anda split sample study by (Ommundsen et al., in print) suggest that linguistic equivalencemay not be sufficient to detect other non-equivalence of meaning in cross-national research.This paper discusses a follow-up methodological study of the Dutch and Norwegianversions of this scale. This study consisted of two parts: (a) A `cognitive' test by meansof the three-step test-interviews (Hak et al., 2001) with Dutch and Norwegiansubjects. (b) A comparative study of differences in political salience of the itemsof the scale between Norway and the Netherlands. Results show that differences inhistorical, political and cultural context result in different interpretations of seeminglystraightforward concepts and that this affects how responses to attitude items are constructed.     

An evaluation of positive psychological state of educational administrators in a tolerance context

Positive psychology leads the problems with regard to subject well-being, hopefullness, motivation, hope and academic success of individuals from their birth to their death. The purpose of this study is to assess the obtained opinions regarding positive psychological state of education directors. Being a qualitative case study, the integrative single statement design was used in the study. The study group consisted of 10 administrators and 25 instructors working in state schools in Northern Cyprus during 2016–2017 academic year in this study. An interview form which was consisted of 5 questions was used in collecting data. The qualitative data analysis program NVIVO 11.0 was used during interviews for classifying and coding data. The opinions of school administrators regarding their positive psychological states was assessed and determined.

     

Antecedents of employee involvement with the comparative model

Instead of discussing employee’s performance that previous researchers emphasized in their studies on the work behavior of employees, this study analyzes employee involvement from the viewpoint of their emotional labor, organizational culture, and the intimacy relationships between employees and their supervisors. Large-scale financial holding conglomerates in Taiwan and subsidiaries of Hong Kong-based conglomerates were selected as the populations for the research. The result of the empirical analysis indicates that emotional labor has a significantly positive effect on the involvement of employees; the stronger the intimacy relationship between employees and their supervisors is, the higher the employee involvement will be, strong culture has a significantly negative effect on the involvement of employees, and there is a significant difference in a number of dimensions among some Chinese enterprises in Taiwan & Hong Kong. This study has the following characteristics in comparison with the previous studies: (1) The theoretical structure of this study is formed based on an integrated prospect of internal organizational structure, personal factors of employees and their interpersonal relationship; (2) the study focuses on a comparative study of regional enterprises, which was seldom emphasized in literature; (3) the study uses the Non-Linear Fuzzy Neural Network Model and multivariate analysis approach as tools for the research and may contribute more to the theory in this field.     

Business Involvement in Accounting: A Case Study of International Financial Reporting Standards Adoption and the Work of Accountants

Abstract

Although Byrne and Pierce [(2007) Towards more comprehensive understanding of the roles of management accountants, European Accounting Review, 16(3), pp. 469–498] found that an increasing regulatory burden may decrease accountants' chances of getting involved in business, little is known about corporate reporting practice and whether, and if yes how, regulation impacts on accountants' work. In order to fill this gap, the paper provides a case study analysis of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption and its impact on and implications for an accountant's role, positions, practices and work in a continental European context. This study describes how IFRS expect information preparers to take more responsibility for reporting than domestic accounting standards. Thus, the present study contributes to the literature by arguing that it depends on the set of accounting standards how they impact on accountants' work. The study shows why and how especially IFRS' requirement of ‘business involvement’ in accounting revolutionises accountants' work and how it has implications on their roles, practices and positions in the case firm. Finally, the paper explains how learning and knowledge creation required by IFRS adoption was made possible through communities of practice and hence how it was possible to clarify the responsibilities of divisional and group accountants in the case firm. Thus, the present study enhances our understanding of reporting activity by describing actual practices of and mechanisms used in corporate reporting.     

Double-edged effect of talent management on organizational performance: the moderating role of HRM investments

Abstract

More than a decade after the publication of the book The War for Talent, there has been growing interest in the role of talent management in achieving organizational success. Although past studies have empirically investigated the role of talent management and its positive association with organizational performance, few studies have integrated the bright and dark sides of talent management. Using a sample of 444 firms in South Korea, this study finds that talent management has a double-edged effect on firm outcomes, including innovation and voluntary turnover rate. Moreover, it finds that the effect of talent management considerably varies across organizational contexts. Specifically, this study identifies the conditions under which the negative role of talent management changes across different levels of human resource management investments. Demonstrating the dual direct effect and contextual effect of talent management, this study provides reference for future studies on talent management, specifically those that aim to discover the mechanisms influencing the distinguished role of talent management in organizational outcomes. This study further discusses the theoretical and practical implications.     

The influence of cause marketing associations on product and cause brand value

• The purpose of the study presented in this paper is to add to our understanding of the added value, both monetary and non‐monetary, to a brand when supporting a cause in a cause marketing ad. The findings show that consumers do not perceive the brand to be worth more if it was shown to be supporting a cause. The study also failed to show a significant improvement in consumer brand attitudes for brands featured in cause marketing ads. However, there was an attitude improvement for the cause. Product type and consumer dispositional variables were also examined.
• In summary, this study calls into question the value brands derive from being paired with a cause. This study discusses productive areas of future research and managerial implications.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

关于城市经济学学科建设的几点看法

我国城市经济学要走出低谷,需在以下几个方面有所突破:在学科概念和特征方面,要突出城市特色和经济学的分析方法;在学科研究思路和内容方面,应明确应用主体,保持务实精神,以城市问题为导向,从案例研究入手,强化内容的逻辑性和实用性;在学科发展的动力方面,需刺激城市政府和社会的需求,以实践性的课题和学科群体的合作攻关带动学科发展;在学科的建设方面应加强中国特色.     

试论研究性学习的心理学教育学基础

研究性学习需要理性的引领。卢梭的自然主义教育观是研究性学习的思想基础;杜威的"五步教学法"使研究性学习从观念层面走向实践层面;罗杰斯的人本主义理论为研究性学习指明了出发点和归宿;布鲁纳的结构主义理论为研究性学习提供了所有的形式;苏霍姆林斯基的"让学生进行独立的脑力劳动"的观点揭示了研究性学习的本质内涵。     

Learning organization and work engagement: the mediating role of employee resilience

Abstract

As automation and structural transformations mark the new digital realities of the twenty first century, contemporary organizations demand a highly resilient and engaged workforce to sustain their competitive edge. Despite an eminent literature revolving around learning organization in the management discourse, there is a lack of research investigating the effect of learning organization on employee resilience and work engagement. With this precept in mind, this study developed and tested a mediation model linking learning organization to employee resilience and work engagement. The present study draws on the tenets of Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory and conservation of resource theory for supporting the study results. This study used cross sectional surveys of 300 IT professionals in India. Structural equation modeling was used for empirically testing the study hypotheses. Additionally, the study utilized Preacher and Hayes mediation analyses to investigate the mediating effect of employee resilience on the relationship between learning organization and work engagement. The results revealed significant relationship between variables of the study and shows that learning organization positively effect employee resilience and work engagement. The findings suggest that employee resilience partially mediate the effect of learning organization on work engagement. This study offers concrete insights to HR managers for fostering employee resilience which in turn can play a key role in building a highly engaged workforce. Future implications for theory and HRM practitioners are discussed.     

Impact of supplier relationship management practices on buying firm performance: comparison of the United States and China

In 2007, Krause, Handfield, and Tyler examined the relationship between various aspects of social capital and buyer performance in the buyer-supplier dyad by surveying buying firms within the United States. This study extends the (Krause et al. in J Oper Manag 25:528–545, 2007) study by replicating it in two different contexts (industry and China). The original study was conducted in the automotive and electronic industries in the United States, while the current study was conducted in both manufacturing and service industries in the United States and China. We found that the difference of information sharing between the two United States populations is the only difference attributed to industry differences. Overall, study results indicate that buyer commitment positively impacted buying firm performance in China; while buyer commitment and shared values impacted buying firm performance in the United States. These findings suggest that certain aspects of social capital are important in China, but differences do exist between the two countries that may be attributed to culture. Therefore, researchers should consider the impact of country culture when conducting studies in China.     

The changing nature of expatriation: exploring cross-cultural adaptation through narrativity

This paper describes an exploratory research study to develop a typology showing the diversity of expatriation from the viewpoint of cross-cultural adaptation. The study draws on a narrative approach and concentrates on not-for-profit organizations, which have been overlooked in prior research. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews in an Israeli-Palestinian context for the study. Based on a narrative analysis of these we defined four types of expatriates: global careerists; balanced experts; idealizers; and drifters. The study indicates that cross-cultural adaptation does not necessarily require deep involvement or communication with the host society, as has traditionally been assumed in the literature. Cross-cultural adaptation does, however, require a focus which the expatriate can find meaningful in the long run. Three such focuses were identified: career advancement; local host community; and ideology. Our results suggest that the definition of expatriation needs to be expanded to cover the heterogeneity of expatriates.     

Exploring the operating efficiency of Technology Development Programs by an intellectual capital perspective—A case study of Taiwan

Government supported technological research and development can help the private sector to compete globally. A more accurate evaluation system considering multi-factor performance is highly desired. This study offers an alternative perspective and characterization of the performance of Technology Development Programs (TDPs) via a two-stage process that emphasizes research and development (R&D) and technology diffusion. This study shall employ a sequential data envelopment analysis (DEA) with a non-parametric statistical analysis to analyze differences in intellectual capital variables among various TDPs. The results reveal that R&D performance is better than technology diffusion performance for the TDPs. In addition, the “Mechanical, Mechatronic, and Transportation field” is more efficient than the other fields in both R&D and technology diffusion performance models. The findings of this study point to the importance of intellectual capital in achieving high levels of TDP efficiency. The potential applications and strengths of DEA and intellectual capital in assessing the performance of TDP are also highlighted.     

Empirical analysis of the impact of cigarette excise taxes on cigarette consumption: estimates from recent state-level data

The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 443,000 deaths annually in the U.S. Given this circumstance, this study has two objectives. First, it uses a state-level panel data set for a recent time frame to investigate the impact of federal plus state cigarette excise taxes (along with a variety of other factors) on the aggregate consumption of cigarettes. The study adopts a state-level panel data series spanning the period 2002 through 2007, which is the most recent panel for which data for all of the variables are available. Consistent with a number of previous studies, the PLS estimates in this study find that the higher the cigarette excise tax, the lower the aggregate volume of cigarettes consumed. Of course, this outcome does not address the practical problem of the substitution of high nicotine cigarettes for low nicotine cigarettes in the presence of a significant cigarette tax hike. This circumstance leads to the second objective of this study, namely, to propose a general template for a different kind of cigarette excise tax, one that is tied directly to each cigarette brand’s nicotine and tar content.     

A new way of looking at old things. An application of Guttman errors analysis to the study of environmental concern

This study shows how Guttman errors analysis can be applied to social research. In this work, the method is used in the study of environmental concern. The new instrument usefully chart also ways in which less evident forms of engagements may be recognized. The study uses data from the 2000 World Values Survey and International Social Survey Programme. First, Mokken Scale Analysis is applied to build a cumulative scale of mobilization for the defense of the environment. Second, Guttman errors are analyzed to identify specific patterns of activism. The analysis of the indexes enable the isolation of an often elusive phenomenon not shown by other techniques: the presence of individuals with a pronounced degree of activism but who do not share the attitudes of the majority of environmentalists. These particular patterns might constitute specific ways to relate to the environment. Guttman errors analysis can be fruitfully applied in measurement of attitudes or behavior. In particular, it can shed light on the presence of individual that sociological research should consider, study and label separately.     

The effect of pregnancy Pilates-assisted childbirth preparation training on childbirth fear and neonatal outcomes: a quasi-experimental/quantitative research

This research aims to determine the effect pregnancy Pilates-assisted childbirth preparation training for primiparous women has on the fear of childbirth and neonatal outcomes. Fear of childbirth is very common among women and has negative effects on the birth process and neonatal outcomes. The study was designed as quasi-experimental/non-randomised/quantitative and prospective. Primiparous women presenting to the antenatal clinic of a hospital between 27.2.2015 and 01.03.2016 constituted the study population (reached 149 women). The study sample included 108 women, 54 of whom were in the experimental group and 54 of whom were in the control group. The sample had agreed to participate in the study and had met the sample criteria. In collecting the data, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A, the birth outcomes data collection form were used. The data were analyzed using means calculation, Fisher’s Exact Test, Pearson’s Chi Square Test and T Test. The study found that the experimental group had a moderate level of childbirth fear prior to the training and a low level of childbirth fear following the training (p < 0.05). The study was determined that the experimental group, as compared to the control group, was positively affected by the training, in terms of childbirth fear, mode of the birth, planned or unplanned cesarean birth, the Apgar score and body weight of the newborn, and problems in the development of the newborn, the first contact time with newborn, and the first time breastfeeding (p < 0.05). The childbirth preparation program had a positive effect on fear of childbirth and neonatal outcomes.     

Mission-first social enterprises: A case study of how three nonprofit organizations avoided mission drift when forming and operating social enterprises

The purpose of this study was to examine how leaders of nonprofit social enterprises manage the tension between social mission and financial goals to avoid mission drift. The study employed a case study/cross-case analysis design and used the qualitative research methods of interviewing, document review, and participant observation. We found tremendous variation in the strategies created for the organizations included in the study (n = 3). We labeled strategies as (a) structured ignorance, (b) problem reframing, and (c) defensible trade-offs. Further research is needed to identify a comprehensive typology of strategies; however, there are immediate practical and social implications of this study. Specifically, the strategies identified here can be considered by nonprofit practitioners struggling with the mission/money tension. Additionally, these strategies challenge commonly held beliefs about the relationship among nonprofits, social service, and revenue generating activities.