Social Media Usage by Law Firms: Correlation to Revenue,Reputation, and Practice Areas

Social media can be used for multiple purposes within the legal profession, such as client development, networking, disseminating information, and building awareness of the firm and its practices. This study found that the more social media platforms a firm uses, the higher its ranking among prestigious law firms. Based on the practices of successful law firms, it is recommended that lawyers maintain LinkedIn and Twitter accounts as a way to connect with clients and the public. Findings indicate that additional platforms are beneficial, based on the practice areas of a firm. Guidelines are provided for composing effective social media messages.     

Testing structural equation models: the impact of error variances in the data generating process

Yet another paper on fit measures? To our knowledge, very few papers discuss how fit measures are affected by error variance in the Data Generating Process (DGP). The present paper deals with this. Based upon an extensive simulation study, this paper shows that the effects of increased error variance differ significantly for various fit measures. In addition to error variance the effects depend on sample size and severity of misspecification. The findings confirm the general notion that good fit as measured by the chi-square, RMSEA and GFI etc. does not necessarily mean that the model is correctly specified and reliable. One finding is that the chi square test may give support to misspecified models in situations with a high level of error variance in the DGP, for small sample sizes. Another finding is that the chi-square test looses power also for large sample sizes when the model is negligible misspecified. Other results include incremental fit indices as NFI and RFI which prove to be more informative indicators under these circumstances. At the end of the paper we formulate some guidelines for use of different fit measures.     

Examining the antecedents of work connectivity behavior during non-work time

In this study, we draw from human agency theory to develop the construct of work-related connectivity behavior during non-work time, and conduct a survey to investigate the organizational and individual antecedents of this behavior. Data from 139 full-time working adults in the marketing division of a media organization revealed that work connectivity behavior after-hours is significantly related to the distribution of wireless enabled devices by the organization and organizational norms about connectivity. Our results also indicate that individual characteristics exert different levels of influence depending on the functionality of the device through which connectivity behavior is enacted. Polychronicity was more strongly related to laptop connectivity behavior than to handheld connectivity behavior, whereas role integration preference is only related to handheld connectivity behavior. We also found that organization members were more likely to exhibit continued workplace connectivity behavior during generic “downtime” activities such as traveling or commuting. These results have important theoretical and practical implications.     

A Case Study of the Grey Oaks Community and Club: Creation of a High-Performance Culture Through the Innovative Use of a Data-Driven Business Plan

ABSTRACT

Grey Oaks, a premier country club and gated residential community established in Naples, Florida, developed and used a collaborative and highly feedback-driven system to build adaptive capacity and foster proactive change. Special attention has been given to the unique use and refinement of its business plan and planning process through the feedback management received from club members. This highly adaptive business plan helped Grey Oaks to endure the economic downturn that began in 2008, and the company’s ability to thrive in the midst of economic instability has demonstrated the effectiveness of the plan as a model capable of sustaining the cultural and financial health of the club and community. The Grey Oaks planning model has been an innovation in its industry, and other organizations can greatly benefit by studying the implementation and utilization of this evidence-driven model.     

Benchmarks,characteristics and trends of U.S. graduate tax programs awarding a Master of Science in Taxation (MST) degree

Survey data gathered from graduate tax program directors at 26 universities, a response rate of about 43% of all programs contacted, is used to benchmark characteristics and trends of U.S. programs awarding a Master of Science in Taxation (MST) degree. The impetus for this paper was the absence of current literature regarding curriculum, enrollment, and delivery of graduate tax programs in the United States, and it is the first study to compile information on MST program trends.     

Effects of selected antioxidants on physical and sensory characteristics of yeast bread containing flaxseed meal

Flaxseed has been identified as a potential functional food because of its high content of phytochemicals, alpha‐linolenic (α‐linolenic) acid and lignans. Flaxseed can be used in baked goods because of its minimal loss of α‐linolenic acid. Alpha‐linolenic acid is susceptible to oxidation and the development of off‐aromas and flavours in the food. The focus of this study was to determine the effectiveness of both synthetic and natural antioxidants that were incorporated into a yeast bread that contained 15% flaxseed as a partial replacement for bread flour. The study evaluated the effectiveness of the antioxidants on the physical and sensory characteristics of the bread. Physical properties, such as per cent moisture and loaf volume, were not affected (P > 0.05) by the antioxidants, but ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole, independently, had a softening affect (P < 0.05) on crumb firmness. Sensory analysis indicated significant (P < 0.05) changes in aroma, grainy taste, aftertaste and moistness in all bread samples regardless of antioxidant, however, only ascorbic acid was rated as effective in maintaining a softer (P < 0.05) crumb.     

Measuring overconfidence: Methodological problems and statistical artifacts

Psychological studies are frequently cited in the business and finance literature to bolster claims that various kinds of economic disasters, from the large proportion of start-ups that quickly go out of business to the exaggerated confidence of financial investors, can be attributed to overconfidence. This article reviews some of the problems associated with concluding that people overestimate the accuracy of their judgments based on observed overconfidence measured as the difference between mean subjective probability and proportion correct. Methodological and statistical artifacts, such as regression, can explain many of the observed instances of apparent overconfidence.