THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TYPES OF INNOVATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE

The relationship between adoption of administrative and technical innovations over time and its impact on organizational performance was studied. A confirmatory analysis of the data from 85 public libraries showed that, over consecutive time periods, changes in the social structure, portrayed by the adoption of administrative innovations, lead to changes in the technical system, portrayed by the adoption of technical innovations. Empirical support was also provided for Daft's (1982) framework for organizational innovation that was found to be effective in separating organizations based on their performance levels.     

Reporting Effects of SFAS 143 on Nuclear Decommissioning Costs

SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, has the potential to cause significant economic consequences to firms impacted by its provisions. BK&L (Boatsman, J. R.; Khurana, I. K.; Loudder, M. L. “The Economic Implications of Proposed Changes in the Accounting for Nuclear Decommissioning Costs,” Accounting Horizons, 14 (2), June 2000, pp. 211–233) suggests that companies would be required to record materially increased assets, liabilities, and expenses which may subsequently cause a significant impact to commonly used financial ratios. BK&L developed predictions of the pro forma effect on assets, liabilities, and expenses due to SFAS 143 adoption by nuclear power utilities. This study examines the actual financial statement effect on BK&L's sample firms due to the adoption of SFAS 143. Results indicate that concern voiced over the standard's requirement to capitalize asset retirement obligations and the related asset, and to record additional expenses by nuclear power companies may have been unfounded.     

Taking stock of wellness

The health cost crisis has spawned a thriving cost-control industry that offers an ever-growing number of "solutions." The authors of this article encourage employers to go back to the basics in evaluating these offerings, including their wellness policies and programs. This article describes the many ways different employers do wellness, the evidence base for wellness, how employers should target wellness candidates, and the elements of success and failure for wellness initiatives.     

Exploring bank website expectations across two task scenarios

This article compares consumer expectations of bank website functionality for two online task scenarios: information search and transaction. This study uses task technology fit theory and follows a novel methodological approach by using expectation ‘fit’ according to a set of website attributes. An online questionnaire, distributed through e-mail invitation, achieved a sample of 469 Internet users. This research finds several points of similarity and difference with regard to consumer expectations of website attributes according to task context and makes an important and original contribution to both practice and theory. For marketing practitioners, the findings inform how they might ‘manage’ expectations to facilitate positive website experiences. Theoretical contributions are made through integrating IS and Marketing theory to identify the impact of goal-directed behaviour on satisfaction with website attributes.     

Environmental profiles of female apparel shoppers in the Midwest,USA

Abstract Concern for the environment has become an accepted part of our lifestyle. A largely untapped consumer commodity with strong reuse or recycling potential is textiles and apparel. Apparel retailers can benefit from a knowledge of the environmentally concerned apparel shopper and can be instrumental in extending society's appreciation for environmental responsibility. The purpose of this exploratory study was to segment female apparel shoppers into environmentally oriented groups and to profile each group with respect to importance of store attributes, lifestyle activities, general environmental attitudes and textile disposal patterns. Factor analysis, stepwise multiple regression and chi-square analysis were used to analyse data from 113 returned questionnaires. The results indicated that environmental groups can be profiled for textile/apparel products and that each group places emphasis on a different set of store/product attributes when making patronage and purchasing decisions. Profiles of each environmental group with suggestions for retail marketing approaches are provided.     

The influence of the environment on adventure tourism: from motivations to experiences

Inherent in most definitions of adventure tourism is the fact that it takes place in natural outdoor settings. Yet, the influence of this setting on the behaviour of adventure tourism consumers has yet to be adequately addressed. This study, therefore, investigates the relative strength and nature of environmental influences on adventure tourists in both motivations for participation and in the context of the experience. The results are based on questionnaires collected from 459 participants in adventure tourism activities along the southern coast of South Africa. They show that, although the majority of research on adventure tourism focuses on the ‘thrill’ involved, the environment is increasingly recognized as influential. The assessment of motivations, using a push and pull factor approach, demonstrates that the environment not only plays an important role in attracting adventure tourists towards specific destinations, but that they also seek out interactions with nature. In addition, participants suggested that the environment is an especially significant component of their experiences. The fact that the findings demonstrate the importance of the environment in both the motivations and experiences of adventure tourism participants, means that such an approach would make a definite contribution to discussions, planning, and policy linked to the adventure tourism industry.     

Interpreting the Performance of Business Economists During the Great Recession

It is generally believed that the recession of 2007–09 was not foreseen by business economists. Is this perceived view accurate? We explore this issue by examining business economists’ published statements about economic conditions. We compare these qualitative forecasts with the Beige Book. We conclude that both sets of data are similar and that business economists are responsive to information about the economy and adjust their predictions quickly.     

Empathy,Connectedness and Organisation

In this paper, we conceptually explore the role of empathy as a connectedness organising mechanism. We expand ideas underlying positive organisational scholarship and examine leading-edge studies from neuroscience and quantum physics that give support to our claims. The perspective we propose has profound implications regarding how we organise and how we manage. First, we argue that empathy enhances connectedness through the unconscious sharing of neuro-pathways that dissolves the barriers between self and other. This sharing encourages the integration of affective and cognitive consciousness which facilitates the ability to find common ground for solution building. Second, empathy enhances connectedness through altruistic action. In giving to others, feelings of joy and harmony are activated. This in turn allows personal freedom to be enriched and transcendence from the rational ego-self is reduced to develop a more expansive, integrated and enlightened state underlying connectedness. Finally, empathy enhances connectedness which results in sharing the quantum field of coherence where there is little separation between self and other. This means living beyond self-interest in a coherent world based upon interdependent wholeness rather than atomization and separation. Empathy allows us to find that state of coherent connectedness.