Workplace isolation: Exploring the construct and its measurement

Virtual offices are a growing trend in today's work environment and are expected to influence marketing roles dramatically, especially selling. These conditions may lead to perceptions of isolation, both socially and organizationally. Workplace isolation is a twodimensional construct that represents individuals' perceptions of isolation from others at work and includes perceived isolation from both colleagues and from the company's support network. This article reports the results of a four‐sample study to develop and validate a selfreport scale for measuring the two facets of workplace isolation. The scale's usefulness for future research and management applications are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

FIML estimation of the dynamic simultaneous equations model with ARMA disturbances

A method is presented for the estimation of the parameters in the dynamic simultaneous equations model with vector autoregressive moving average disturbances. The estimation procedure is derived from the full information maximum likelihood approach and is based on Newton-Raphson techniques applied to the likelihood equations. The resulting two-step Newton-Raphson procedure involves only generalized instrumental variables estimation in the second step. This procedure also serves as the basis for an iterative scheme to solve the normal equations and obtain the maximum likelihood estimates of the conditional likelihood function. A nine-equation variant of the quarterly forecasting model of the US economy developed by Fair is then used as a realistic example to illustrate the estimation procedure described in the paper.     

Computing equilibria with increasing returns

This paper shows how standard algorithms for solving economic general equilibrium models may be modified so as to solve models in which some or all industries have increasing returns to scale. The modification requires that some quantities as well as prices be quoted by the algorithmic auctioneer. It is applicable to a wide range of models in which firms pricing behavior follows simple rules. As an illustration of the technique a small general equilibrium model with increasing returns is presented and solved numerically.     

Mixed signals in HRM: the HRM role of hospital line managers1

Recently, Haggerty and Wright suggested that HR could be reconceptualised as signals sent to employees rather than practices. We examine this novel approach and consider how it fits in the practice. In hospitals, ward managers are intermediaries in relation to signals that are passed between upper managers and their staff. We discuss to what extent ward managers have the analytical and functional skills required to interpret and convey complex signals to the staff under their jurisdiction. We draw conclusions about the role of ward managers in the HR function of hospitals. There are theoretical and practical implications for the role of line managers more generally, beyond the hospital context.     

Manufacturing Site Location Preferences of Small Agribusiness Firms

This study examined the perceived importance of site location characteristics identified in a 1999 survey of 198 small Tennessee agribusinesses. Responding firms ranked proximity to buyers/customers, labor, and raw materials above other factors. However, the relative importance of all factors varied by industry subsector. For example, compared to food processing firms, textile milling and lumber/wood products firms perceived community incentives as less important. Projected firm growth and current location also affected the perceived importance of site location factors. The diversity of perceived factor importance across agribusiness subsectors supports the idea that incentives and promotion of site location factors to attract small agribusiness may need to be tailored to meet specific firms' needs.     

Optimal Income Maintenance and the "Unemployable"

This paper examines optimal income maintenance policy with asymmetric information about individuals' abilities. A minimum skill level is required for employment. The unemployable are those (low) ability types who find this minimum investment too costly. To guarantee some minimum income level, the government chooses between welfare, workfare, earnings subsidies, and training. Results show that the optimal scheme entails training. Moreover, though complex separating mechanisms are both feasible and encourage investments in skills, the least‐cost income maintenance scheme is quite simple: the government offers training at the lowest level consistent worth employment to all who want it.