Tests of expectancy theory predictions of effort: A simulation study comparing simple and complex models

The authors summarize existing studies of expectancy theories of work effort and conclude that simple additive models generally predict effort as well as, or better than, more complex multiplicative ones. An attempt is made to explain the empirical findings using a computer simulation. The results of the simulation indicate that reasonable amounts of measurement error invalidate attempts to show that one combination of valence, expectancy, and instrumentality is a better predictor of work effort than any other. The authors conclude that even though questions regarding complex interactions cannot be answered, valence, expectancy, and instrumentality, taken independently, appear to be important determinants of work effort and point out areas where future research is needed.     

Prices and social behaviour: Evidence from adult smoking in Canadian Aboriginal communities

This paper provides estimates of tobacco price elasticity explicitly distinguishing between two price effects: the direct effect, reflecting individual reaction to a price change, and the indirect effect, whereby price influences the individual by changing community smoking behaviour. Canada's Aboriginal communities are small and secluded, allowing for plausible identification of reference groups on a relatively large scale. Estimates suggest a 10% increase in price decreases daily smoking by 0.91 percentage points (2.11%), occasional smoking by 1.24 percentage points (8.27%) and average smoking intensity by 0.15 cigarettes per day (2.9%). It is found that the indirect effect almost doubles the response to a change in tobacco prices over the direct effect alone.     

Should income transfers be targeted or universal? Insights from public pension influences on elderly mortality in Canada, 1921–1966

Abstract. We investigate the impact of Canada's means‐tested and universal public pension programs on the mortality rates of age groups eligible for pension benefits for the period 1921–1966. We find that only the universal program significantly reduced pension eligible age group mortality rates. The implied social value of the mortality risk reduction from this program is one‐tenth of the value per statistical life associated with contemporary government policy, meaning that Canadians did not need to place a high value on the life of a senior to justify the higher cost of the universal program. JEL classification: I3, J1     

The effects of expatriate demographic characteristics on adjustment: A social identity approach

As demand increases for expatriates to manage far‐flung operations in a global economy, scholars and practitioners are focusing their attention on the factors that contribute to expatriate success. One such factor is the support that expatriates receive from host country nationals (HCNs) with whom they work. Researchers interested in understanding expatriate success have not closely examined the phenomenon from an HCN perspective, however. At the same time, although we have gained a significant understanding of the roles of psychological, organizational, and contextual variables in the international assignment, there is still much to be understood about how expatriates' demographic characteristics affect their experiences in international assignments. Current findings regarding the effects of demographic characteristics often are inconsistent, highlighting the need for more complex theorizing. This article reviews recent research on the effects of expatriate demographic characteristics and proposes a social identity approach to understanding how these characteristics affect HCN support for the expatriate. It also seeks to develop a theory that addresses discrepancies in extant empirical findings, provides propositions to guide future research in the study of expatriates, and discusses implications for both researchers and practitioners. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Teaching Ethical Decision Making: Adding a Structuration Dimension

This paper proposes that structuration theory provides a useful framework for analyzing ethical dilemmas. Traditional deontological and teleological approaches to case analysis focus on identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas through a prioritization of rights and/or consequences. These approaches can be complemented by structuration theory, which provides a framework for understanding how structural forces of meaning, power, and social norms influence, and are influenced by, the actions of individuals. We develop an approach for using structuration theory to analyze an ethical dilemma, and present handouts that can be used by students to apply this approach. We demonstrate the approach by applying it to a standard ethical dilemma. We believe that a structuration perspective can contribute to flstudents' understanding of ethical dilemmas by highlighting the dynamic and evolving nature of ethics, and their own roles in creating work and professional environments that promote ethical behavior.     

Dimensions of consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction with services: The case of electric utilities

This paper reports the results of research designed to explore the dimensions of consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction with various aspects of electric utility company performance and to develop psychographic, demographic, political orientation and media usage profiles of these satisfied/dissatisfied persons. Distinct differences between the two groups emerged which are not totally consistent with previous findings about consumers dissatisfied with tangible products. Directions for future research are suggested.     

A longitudinal evaluation of an occupational goal-expectancy model in professional accounting organizations

This research study reports a longitudinal test of a cognitive goal-expectancy model of occupation-position attainment. The proposed model incorporates a goal-setting dimension within an expectancy framework, and hypothesizes that the expectancy theory variables determine goal choice which in turn directs effort and ultimately motivates behavior. The present study is designed to evaluate the model's ability to describe and explain the occupation-position choice decision processes of public accounting firm employees. Both short-run and long-run behavior are used as criteria for testing the model. The sample consists of 371 public accountants employed by four large CPA firms. The model is tested along two dimensions: classification accuracy and explained variation. These are used to determine the model variables' relationships with goal setting behavior and actual position attainment. The findings support the inclusion of a goal setting stage in the model and suggest that the model is useful in explaining and predicting professional accountants' goal choice behavior and, to a lesser extent, their position attainment.     

Testing for the Fisher hypothesis under regime shifts: an application to Asian countries

This article aims to provide new insights into trade effects of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), using an imperfect competition framework. The model combines the new gravity model approach with supply-demand export equations in imperfect competition. In this regard, the role of scale economies, product varieties and expectations is explored. Facing the lack of international data on scale economies, we also develop a translog production system which makes it possible to obtain reliable estimates of this factor. For a more rigorous treatment of the endogeneity problem in the model, we make use of an instrumental GMM panel estimator. Results show limited effects of GAFTA on regional trade in imperfect competition, due to market segmentation and the predominance of inter-industry trade. In addition, the fitted intra-GAFTA trade values are far beyond the actual ones. This suggests that GAFTA countries could benefit from deeper regional trade integration. In this regard, the Arab Spring creates new opportunities to reinforce trade integration as a means of grasping additional trade gains in this area.     

Testing for PPP in developing countries using confirmatory analysis and different base countries: an application to Asian countries

Previous studies on PPP have tested either the null hypothesis of non-stationary or the null of a stationary real exchange rate and used the US as the base country and focused on industrialized countries. It has been argued that testing either null is insufficient to confirm the presence of PPP. It has also been noticed that the results are sensitive to the choices of the base country; for instance, the US versus Germany. In contrast to previous studies, this paper uses different unit root tests, confirmatory analysis, and different base countries to test PPP for a sample of developing countries in Asia during the current float. Overall, the results do not seem to be sensitive to the choice of the base country, and joint rejections are not present but joint non-rejections are far more common. Using Perron's test, which allows for a one-time break in the series, the results indicate evidence of stationarity for Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand when the US is the base country. When Japan is the base country, evidence of stationarity is detected only for Indonesia.     

Consumer Magazines—An Efficient Medium for Reaching Organizational Buyers

Network television and consumer magazines were compared with trade publications for cost efficiency in delivering individuals who influence organizational purchase decisions of $1,000 or more. Consumer magazines were found to deliver the total organizational buyer segment and various subsegments classified by industry and product category of the purchase more efficiently than the trade magazines.