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A Study into
Leadership Style and Its Relationship to Individual Differences in: Personality,
Personal Moral Orientation and Ethical Judgement Made in a Sample of Education
Management Professionals
Jennifer Margaret,
Christchurch College of Education, School of Business, Christchurch, NZ
ABSTRACT
Latest
emerging themes in Organisational Psychology literature concern the notions of
ethics and justice. "Workplace justice, a long-standing topic in organisational
research, is an increasing concern..." (Rosseau, 1997). Rosseau (1997) has
reviewed all the key areas of organisational psychology and concludes that each
of these areas has either become a justice issue or has an important ethics or
justice component to it. Organisational change is one such area in which
Rousseau notes the perceived fairness of outcomes (distributive justice); the
communication process in managing change (interactional justice); and the
processes whereby implementation decisions are made (procedural justice), all
have an influence to varying degrees on employees perceptions of workplace
justice. The critical point that Rousseau (1997) highlights regarding the
employment relationship, is the centrality of the issue of trust and its
dependence on employees perceptions of workplace justice. Because of the
importance of the notion of justice in all areas of work psychology this
proposal concerns leadership from a justice and ethics perspective. The central
theme is: Linking the most recent leadership theory - Transformational and
Transactional, (Bass, 1994) to the notions of: (a) organisational virtues (Moberg,
1999); (b) the applied ethics notion of moral intensity (Jones, 1998) and;(c)
the moral psychology notion of personal moral orientation (Forsyth, 1994). The
following sections address this theme with three independent studies, briefly
defining each variable in the proposed research, discussing the theoretical
rationale and previous empirical research concerning the proposed relationships
and, concludes with hypotheses and methodology for each.
Cheating – What is It and Why Do It: A Study in New Zealand Tertiary
Institutions of the Perceptions and Justifications for Academic Dishonesty
Kelly de Lambert, Christchurch College of Education, Christchurch, New
Zealand
Nicky Ellen, Christchurch College of Education, Christchurch, New Zealand
Louise Taylor, School of
Business, Christchurch College of Education, Christchurch, New Zealand
ABSTRACT
How do different groups of people perceive academic dishonesty
and what are the reasons they give for undertaking academically dishonest acts?
It is posited that students and lecturing staff have different perceptions of
what constitutes academic dishonesty and the seriousness of the acts. This paper
also presents the findings of investigations into the reasons given for academic
dishonesty and rates of prevalence within New Zealand tertiary institutions. In
this age of increased pressure for academic success and the endeavour for higher
qualifications, academic dishonesty has become a much-discussed subject amongst
tertiary teaching staff. Not only is it of interest to lecturing staff in
tertiary institutions, but also to employers of graduates, and to students who
may view the exploits of their academically dishonest peers as injurious to
their own hard-earned success. The research undertaken draws on literature and
other published studies, but is primarily concerned with the tertiary sector in
New Zealand, specifically universities and polytechnics, and encompasses a
variety of academic disciplines. Although there is a comprehensive set of
studies available from overseas, there is very little material available in the
New Zealand context. To this end, an independent study was carried out with New
Zealand tertiary institutions, students and academic staff. Areas investigated
include prevalence, perceptions, justifications, action and non-action,
penalties, policy and prevention. The intention of this paper is to present the
findings from three of these areas - prevalence, perceptions and justifications.
On Managing Nanotechnology
Security Concerns for the 21st Century
Dr. Michael A. O. Case, Florida State
University, Tallahassee, FL
Dr. Yaw. A. Owusu, Florida A & M University,
Tallahassee, FL
ABSTRACT
The
discoveries in the field of nanotechnology over the past four decades of its
existence are staggering. If the dream of a nanoage is within two decades
according to nanotechnology prognosticators, then life as its known today will
be changed forever. The science of manipulating matter at its most fundamental
level, atoms and molecules, would be the discovery of the millennium.
Advancements in Science, Technology, Engineering and the Environment would all
be realities. However, the same principles that could create food for a family
from a few ounces of carbon could also place within the reach of a terrorist the
power to destroy life from off the surface of the earth. This paper focuses on
discussing the fundamental principles, advantages, and disadvantages of
nanotechnology with a proposal for the creation of an International Governing
Body to manage and regulate the developments and application of nanotechnology.
Every single manufactured product is made from small particles named atoms.
Each product has a different property depending on how those atoms are
arranged. For example if an atoms is re-arranged in coal, that structure
converts itself into a diamond. Also, if the atoms that are found in sand are
re-arranged and added a few other elements, that structure becomes a computer
chip or a solar panel. Today’s manufacturing methods are very crude at the
molecular level, some of the macro level manufacturing methods are: casting,
grinding, milling and even lithography move atoms in great thundering
statistical herds. It is like trying to make things out of LEGO blocks using
boxing gloves. Yes, the LEGO blocks can be pushed into great heaps and can be
piled up, but there is no real way to snap them together.
FDI, the E.U. and the Celtic Tiger: The Investment Diversion
Effect of European Integration
Dr. William L. Casey, Babson College, Babson
Park, MA
ABSTRACT
Evidence indicates that the Republic of Ireland has been successful in recent
decades in using inward foreign direct investment (FDI) as an engine of real
economic growth. Foreign investors have been attracted by favorable labor market
conditions in Ireland, an aggressive, well focused industrial policy and the
opportunity to gain access to the large, integrated European market. However,
this paper questions whether the “Irish Miracle” will continue as E.U.
membership expands and as policy exemptions and community subsidies to Ireland
diminish in the future. Economic integration in Europe, including the recent
emergence of the common currency, has understandably attracted a significant
amount of attention in the economics literature. Interest has been spurred not
only by the success by which the EU has overcome integration obstacles, but also
by the impact of integration on regional growth, foreign trade volume and
foreign investment flows. The purpose of this paper is to examine the foreign
direct investment (FDI) diversionary effects of European integration and EU
policy. In illustrating these effects, the focus will be on the EU member state,
the Republic of Ireland, that seemingly has benefited the most from FDI
diversion. The analysis is presented in three parts. Section one examines the
recent growth experience of Ireland, linking its success to the heavy inflow of
FDI, particularly from the U.S. In section two, the focus turns to the specific
reasons why Ireland has been successful in attracting a disproportionate amount
of inward FDI over the past three decades. Included in the analysis will be the
advantage of EU membership and the benefits of EU policy.
North American Free Trade
Agreement – Is It Delivering What It Promised?
Dr. Balasundram Maniam,
Sam Houston State University,
Huntsville,
TX
Dr. Hadley Leavell,
Sam Houston State University,
Huntsville,
TX
Dr. Richard Thaler,
Sam Houston State University,
Huntsville,
TX
ABSTRACT
In 1994 the United States, Canada, and Mexico entered into a
trade alliance that we know today as the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The agreement was constructed to allow for monumental progress to be made in
trade flow, foreign direct investment, and economic liberalization within the
region. Evidence indicates that this alliance has indeed successfully
accomplished many pre-set objectives in a relatively short period of time. The
successful accomplishments achieved by the partners in this alliance could well
establish a model for expansion of bilateral agreements throughout the
hemisphere. Regional trade alliances are formed between countries in an effort
to maximize trade opportunities through preferential access to their markets for
members within the alliance. The 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) joined Canada, the U.S., and Mexico into an agreement intended to
increase trade and investment, eliminate tariffs, reduce non-tariff barriers,
and establish provisions concerning the proper conduct of business in the free
trade area. The extent to which this agreement has achieved its intended
objectives is a source of great debate. This study will examine the data
currently available relating to the initiatives of NAFTA. It will review
literature relating to this subject from 1992 to present. It will begin by
specifically identifying the main objectives of this agreement, which includes
the economic and political motivations. The extent to which NAFTA has
successfully accomplished its intended mission will then be discussed in
detail. This will be followed up by arguments questioning whether or not the
parties involved in this agreement are truly reaping the anticipated benefits of
this accord. It will conclude by assessing the overall success and impact of
this agreement on the economies of these three countries, and by doing such,
identify whether NAFTA has delivered what it promised.
Justification for International
Diversification
Dr. Balasundram Maniam, Sam
Houston State University,
Huntsville,
TX
Dr. Hadley Leavell,
Sam Houston State University,
Huntsville,
TX
ABSTRACT
Even though there are
many advocates that support international diversification, there are also those
who argue against the idea of investing abroad. Supporters suggest that
including foreign securities in a portfolio will reduce risk and increase
returns. However, critics believe that the benefits of foreign investing are
diminishing due to globalization and that there are plenty of opportunities for
diversification in the domestic market. This paper discusses both views and
concludes by demonstrating, with overwhelming support, that international
diversification remains an advantageous part of portfolio management. In the
early 1970’s, when the concept of international diversification gained
popularity, experts developed the theory that an investor could reduce overall
volatility and earn higher returns by allocating a portion of a portfolio to
foreign securities. Favorable conditions abroad and an extensive bear market at
home provided the encouragement investors needed to confidently send their money
overseas. In the late 1980’s, the EAFE flourished with colossal annual returns
around 36%, securing a place for foreign assets in the hearts and portfolios of
U.S. investors. This glory did not last long, though. During the 1990’s, an
infection of weak economic conditions spread throughout many foreign markets,
forcing the EAFE to succumb to negative annual returns. Many investors
confidently held their position in the foreign market; however, others began
questioning the ability of international securities to continue as a
contributing factor in a well-managed diversified portfolio. After extensive
research, experts of both sentiments provided convincing arguments to support
their cases. The intent of this paper is to give full consideration to both
perspectives, extract common sense from the non-sense, in an attempt to
determine whether global asset allocation has become an exhausted investment
cliché or remains a beneficial mechanism of portfolio diversification.
Change of the Party in Power: The
Entrepreneurial Mexican State in the New Pan – Presidencialist Period
Dr. José G. Vargas-Hernández,
Centro Universitario del Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, México
ABSTRACT
The arrival of the managers to the Mexican State meant the
displacement of politicians with formal power. In other words, what changed was
formal power, because the real power remains unalterable. The Mexican Council of
Businessmen stopped being a pressure group in the face of the power of the State
and became instead the representatives of the managers in the federal government
who determine national economic and political decisions. That is to say, the
political power taken by the conservative groups that held hegemonic, economic
power and the national neo-oligarchy was subordinated to the interests of
transnational capitalism exercising a new governance strategy. This strategy
allowed them to dominate and directly control the means for achieving their
maximum benefit (efficiency), without necessarily appealing to the mediation of
a political class that was highly paid for the mediation of the arrangements for
production factors. This is the case between capital and work, for example.
However, in humanity's history, the achievement of efficiency has not brought
social justice. The new State of managers administers the existing order
efficiently to guarantee transnational global capital that the best conditions
for investments exist in Mexico. Already the general coordinator of economic
affairs in the transition team guaranteed “zero discrimination” for Mexican
entrepreneurs. On the other hand, the leader of one of the most powerful
organizations of managers warned that Fox’s government would be friendlier to
the production sector. Fox has a clear vision of the needs of a company, so he
can create wealth and more work sources (Becerril, 2000).
The Applicability of Three B2C
E-commerce Models in China
Liang
Xiangfen, Doctoral Candidate, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
ABSTRACT
On the basis of Michael Rappa’s typology of e-business, three B2C
models are discussed with regard to China, where emerging e-commerce economy is
less known. It becomes evident that setting up an effective B2C model in China
may require the creation of basic services that taken for granted in the
developed countries, as well as requiring a careful consideration on consumer
preferences, cultural influence and business strategy in addition to transaction
costs. With the globalization of Internet, B2C e-commerce has been very popular
in China. B2C e-commerce, involves a wide range of transactions, from retail
trade in books and CDs, insurance policies, entertainment, automobiles, to
airline tickets, pharmaceutical drugs. Early papers on e-commerce have adopted
an economic view of markets, using transaction economics as the primary
theoretical model. From an economic point of view, the cost of setting up and
maintaining a web site is much lower than that of the installation of a
“brick-and-mortar” firm (E-commerce and development report, 2001).
Interestingly, theorization about electronic markets continues to emphasize the
economic view, and explore the way in which reduced search costs change buyer
and seller’s behaviors (Bakos, 1988). However, the essence of e-business in
terms of economic transaction costs for both firm and customer sides remain
unclear. While B2C e-commerce might bring along the decrease in transaction
costs for customers, the costs for the electronic firm itself might increase
correspondingly. Further efforts should be given to explore the variation of
transition costs of B2C e-commerce from both firm and individual sides. In
addition, since the existing theories and cases on electronic marketplaces is
mainly drawn from the Western context, where there are already mature legal,
financial, and physical infrastructures, setting up a successful e-marketplace
in emerging or nonwestern economies may require the creation of basic services
that are taken for granted in the developed countries, as well as requiring a
careful consideration of the underlying business philosophy and culture (Hempel
et al., 2001). In terms of B2C e-commerce implementation, pure economic
consideration does work sometimes. In turn, pure customer consideration does not
make profits as well.
A Financial
Appraisal of Florida’s Environmental Horticulture Industry
Dr. John Haydu, University of
Florida, Mid-Florida REC, Apopka, FL
Dr. Alan Hodges, University of
Florida, Dept. of Food and Resource Economics, Gainesville, FL
Dr. John Cisar, University of
Florida, Ft. Lauderdale REC, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
ABSTRACT
Information was collected from 37 wholesale nurseries on sales,
production, operating expenses and net returns in 1999. Nursery products
represented among the sampled firms included container and field-grown woody
ornamentals, tropical foliage, and flowering plants. This information was
compared to data from 1990 and 1995 to examine financial changes that have
occurred among nursery businesses. In 1998 the average nursery had annual plant
sales of $2.71 million (M), total income of $2.89M, and net firm income of $548
thousand (K). Firms used an average production area of 55 acres, employed 49
full-time equivalent (FTE) persons, and managed total capital of $5.26M. As a
share of value produced, costs were 34.7 percent for labor, 26.1 percent for
materials, 5.0 percent for equipment/facilities, 10.0 percent for overhead, 3.8
percent for depreciation, 3.9 percent for interest, and 4.6 percent for
management. Net profit margin averaged 18.9 percent and rate of return on
capital investment was 7.9 percent. Compared to previous results for 1990, firms
in 1998 were significantly larger—sales increased 66 percent in
inflation-adjusted terms, production area increased 95 percent, employment
increased 114 percent, total capital managed increased 122 percent, net worth
increased 99 percent, and net income increased 45 percent. However,
profitability and productivity were lower—net margin decreased 19 percent, rate
of return on net worth decreased 20 percent, value produced per square foot
decreased 11 percent, and inventory turnover declined 27 percent. These results
confirm that profitability in the Florida nursery plant industry has continued
to decline as the industry becomes increasingly competitive.
Structural
Adaptation in the Florida Ornamental Plant Nursery Industry in the 1990s
Dr. Alan W. Hodges, University of Florida,
Food & Resource Economics Department, Gainesville, FL
Dr. John J. Haydu, University of Florida,
Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Apopka, FL
ABSTRACT
The state of Florida has a large industry for producing
ornamental plants, which continues to grow rapidly. Industry surveys were
conducted in 1989, 1994 and 1999 to evaluate economic trends. Survey results
suggest that the industry has undergone significant structural changes during
the 1990s in response to increasing competition and industry maturation.
Consolidation has resulted in larger firms, with the market share for firms
having at least $1 million in annual sales increasing from 74 to 84 percent.
Other economic trends include greater labor productivity, increasing diversity
of ornamental plant products, less seasonality in product sales, a shift in
markets from landscaper to retailer outlets, especially mass merchandise chains,
wider distribution of products outside the state of Florida, increased forward
contracting, increased advertising, and greater use of telephone contacts for
sales. Ornamental plants are the sixth largest agricultural commodity group in
the United States, with a farm level value of $12.12 billion (Bn) in 1998
(Johnson, 1999). Ornamentals are also the fastest growing major segment of U.S.
agriculture, with sales increasing by 30 percent between 1991 and 1998,
representing average annual growth of 2.0 percent in inflation-adjusted terms
(Figure 1). This growth was due to the continued strong demand for plants,
driven by a robust economy, expansion in housing, and increasing per capita
consumption. Retail expenditures for plant products in the U.S. reached $54.79
Bn, or $203 per capita in 1998, and increased 2.1 percent annually
(inflation-adjusted) between 1986 and 1998 (Figure 2).
Evaluation of E-Bookstore Characteristics
Dr. Hong-In Cheng, Iowa State University,
Ames, Iowa
Dr.
Patrick E. Patterson, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
ABSTRACT
As usable web site is essential for today’s successful
e-business, e-commerce web site design has been actively studied, resulting in a
number of design guides being produced. However, these guides do not provide
specific design methodology, so web designers still need their experience and
intuition to build a web site. In this study, four simulated online bookstores
were designed based on the content analysis of several existing e-bookstores.
Customers’ preference and effects of the usage of design items were
investigated. Seventy-five percent of participants reported they would buy
textbooks online even if there were no monetary benefit, but sixty-nine percent
thought sale price is still most important for book purchases. E-brand and the
duration of delivery were considered significant, similar to the
bricks-and-mortar marketplace. Search engine characteristics affect the ease of
use of a web site and should be designed to be easily located on the screen. A
web store was considered to be well-organized if its screen design presentation
was columnar.
Macro-Finance: Application of
Financial Economic Theory for Implementing Macroeconomic Policy
Dr.
Ronald W. Spahr, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL
Dr.
Mohammad Ashraf, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, NC
Dr. Nancy
Scannell, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL
Dr. Yuri
I. Korobov, Saratov State Socio-Economics University, Saratov, Russia
ABSTRACT
We define macrofinance as the
application of traditional financial economic theory to the macro-economy
postulating that macroeconomic activity results from aggregate effects of all
domestic private and public saving, investment, net international trade and
consumption decisions. We suggest that a single economic policy objective should
be the maximization of the composite wealth of the country’s stakeholders, the
country’s total population. This national welfare objective is analogous to the
financial economic objective of maximizing shareholders' wealth in the case for
a single firm. Maximizing owners’ wealth for a single firm involves the
discounting of future cash flows (usually dividends) accruing to the firm’s
shareholders. For a nation’s economic welfare, a parallel concept may be
operationalized by maximizing the present value of a country’s long-run,
sustainable, real standard of living, i.e., maximizing discounted future cash
flows associated with the consumption component of GDP. We apply the
macrofinance methodology to identify characteristics of macroeconomic policy,
which may be less transparent given current objectives of economic policy. The
multiple objectives of traditional monetary policy was articulated in the United
States of America Employment Act of 1946, but since has become the cornerstone
of macroeconomic policy for many countries. The objectives of traditional
monetary policy have been interpreted to include shorter-term stabilization of
price levels, control of employment and growth levels, stabilization of money
and capital markets, and balancing of trade. These objectives and their
resulting implementation by controlling money supplies are adopted almost
universally by most central banks. However, because of
multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives and short-term emphasis,
monetary policy is difficult to delineate for various economic conditions.
The
Integration of Action Research with Problem-Based Learning in Determining the
Root Cause of Business-Related Problems
Dr. Robert DeYoung, Saint Thomas
University, Miami, FL
ABSTRACT
This paper discusses the implications of integrating two concepts
critical to problem solving and decision-making: Action Research and
Problem-Based Learning. Action Research is the systematic and organized effort
to explore a specific problem that requires a solution. Problem-Based Learning
provides an experiential learning by means of reflection and action, through
inquiry and conclusions based upon factually supported evidence. These concepts,
used exclusively as a methodology, enhance the decision-making process. Each
concept, used in concert with one another, further strengthens managerial
confidence in the proposed changes while minimizing time and cost constraints
fundamental to organizational success in today’s emergent global environment.
This study first looks at the role of Action Research as a determinant in
identifying the root cause of a business problem. The concept of Problem-Based
Learning through the use of Action Learning Circles is then explored. The
article concludes with specific commentary as to the increased effectiveness of
integrating Action Research and Problem-Based Learning in addressing
organizational problems. Today’s organizations are faced with a never-ending
struggle to effectively address issues that impact competitiveness and
sustainability in an ever-emergent environment. Issues must be identified,
prioritized and addressed. These three processes should occur chronologically.
Of great importance is that the issue is properly identified. Misidentification
of the issue can result in the loss of valuable time and revenue. All too often,
the managerial response to problematic issues is a misdirected focus on the
symptoms. A more appropriate focus would assess the root cause of the problem.
Managing Quality: “Creating
Magic” in the Service Industry
Dr. Randall G. Bowden,
University of the Incarnate Word,
San Antonio, TX
Dr.
Michael W. Mulnix,
University of the Incarnate Word,
San Antonio, TX
Sonia Hernandez,
University of the Incarnate Word,
San Antonio, TX
ABSTRACT
This study examined the relationship between empowerment
practices and a sense of community at a five-star hotel in the Southwest. There
were 186 respondents representing all departments and levels of employment.
Utilizing the Personnel Hotel Survey and the Organizational Community
Index, results indicated various levels of community as employees are
involved in decision-making and team effort. Additionally, working toward
common goals assisted employees to exceed the expectations of guests.
Ultimately, communication is the key. Global competition in the service
industry creates a growing source of concern for organizations to remain
competitive as local markets attract global customers. According to Harris
(1998), the global marketplace is one of the pressures behind an organizational
reformation towards higher quality as many organizations aim to establish
themselves as unique facilities to provide outstanding service to guests. To
achieve an honored position in customers’ minds, hotels concerned about quality
due to global pressures must “accommodate changing roles, relationships, and
structures” (Harris, 1998, p. 10). The intention of organizations responding to
global challenges generates a flurry of activities. It is the purpose of this
research to examine one activity: What is the relationship between employee
empowerment according to a new management philosophy and its sense of
organizational community in order “to create service magic” (Hotel Philosophy
card, 1999)?
Changes in Leisure Time:
Impact on Selected Industries
Donald Bates, Ph.D., United Arab Emirates
University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
ABSTRACT
This project examines the impact of the changing structure of
leisure time on the product design and mix of selected recreational industry.
The strategic implications are illustrated through answers to three key
questions about recreational products and their match to the evolving market.
One model that represents leisure activity selection is the leisure/lifestyles
model depicted in Figure 1. The factors listed on the left impact the
leisure/lifestyle selected by influencing the level of satisfaction obtained
from the leisure activity’s pursuit. The factors on the left are individual and
personal. Their intraaction may be referred to as the influencers of the demand
for a particular leisure activity and must be viewed as a set. It could be very
misleading to focus on only one satisfaction influencer and draw conclusions
about the leisure segment’s future. For example, traditionally reported
demographic data for recreational vehicle camping (RV) (e.g., income, age,
family size, and so forth) are quite positive, but represent only a small
portion of the influencers on leisure lifestyle. Viewing demographic data in
isolation may lead firms in the industry to be optimistic, when in fact the
opposite conclusion may be warranted. Many RV camping industry experts blame
the 1980’s sales decline on the recession; however, a major decline in RV camper
sales had started before the recession. This is not to imply that the economic
situation did not exacerbated the decline in sales, but a general economic
recovery would not necessarily precipitate a major recovery in RV camper sales
if leisure/lifestyle shifts have occurred as they did following 1989.
Trends in the U.S. Health Care
Market: Organizational and Management Strategies
Kristina L. Guo, PhD, MPH, Florida
International University, Miami, FL
ABSTRACT
This paper describes major trends in the health care market.
They include increased health care costs, the growth of managed care, emphasis
on quality of care, consumer choice and the growth of the elderly and uninsured
populations. The relationship between cost, quality, managed care and choice
are explored in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. A clearer understanding of
these trends enables managers in health care organizations to make strategic
decisions resulting in organizations survival and growth. The U.S. health care
system is undergoing turbulent changes. Major trends include increased health
care costs, the growth of managed care, emphasis on quality of care, consumer
choice, and the growth of the elderly and uninsured populations. Health care
costs have been escalating. In government-financed programs such as Medicare
and Medicaid, policies have shifted to increased use of managed care to control
high costs. This is especially necessary considering the rising elderly
population who are Medicare beneficiaries and also the increased numbers of
enrollees in Medicaid. While managed care penetration continues to increase;
monitoring quality in managed care plans is equally critical for policymakers,
organizational management and consumers. Consumers not only worry about
quality, but also cost and choice. Some are willing to forgo less expensive
plans in exchange for higher quality. However, in other cases, many consumers
lack finances and options. A major trend is the movement toward greater access
to information for consumers to make informed choices about their plans and
providers. While trends affect all stakeholders, the intention of this paper is
to describe the impact of these trends on organizations and managers. In
particular, senior level management is responsible for strategically positioning
their organizations for survival and success (Guo, 2001). As they counter
pressures in the environment, health care managers must be prepared to make
strategic decisions.
The
Relationship between Ownership Structure and Debt Structure
ABSTRACT
The essence of this paper is in results
from an investigation of the relationship between a firm’s ownership structure
and its debt structure. Findings indicate that the concentration of
share-ownership and different types of ownership will influence debt structure.
Rather than ownership structure, the source of ultimate control can be used to
examine the effect that separation of ownership and control place on a firm’s
debt structure. Our results reveal that the asset substitution problem is most
pronounced for firms with a high concentration of share-ownership, and hence we
predict that firms prefer to borrow in public markets, to avoid delegating
costly monitoring to a bank. The monitoring activities of institutional
stockholders will reduce agency costs associated with debt, causing firms to
have an incentive to borrow for longer-term debt. Conversely, firms with more
individual investors will tend to borrow for shorter-term debt. There is no
significant relationship between types of stockholders and debt maturity
preferences. Traditional literatures focus on the optimal capital structure of
widely held corporations in the United States, in which ownership of capital is
dispersed among small shareholders, but control is actually concentrated in the
hands of managers. A majority of shareholders, in possession of a small
percentage of shares, have little incentive to monitor professional managers.
However, the linkage between debt structure and ownership is still overlooked.
In an investigation of the separation of ownership and control in 2980 publicly
traded companies in nine East Asian countries, Claessens et al. (2000) found
that more than two-thirds of firms were controlled by a single shareholder.
Moreover, tracing the chain of ownership in all East Asian countries, they found
that control was enhanced through pyramid structures and cross-holdings among
firms. La Porta et al. (1998) revealed a more significant concentration of
ownership in developing countries. This contention contains important
implications regarding the ability and incentive of controlling shareholders to
expropriate from minority shareholders. The large shareholders would
attempt to transfer wealth from debtholders to the shareholders, which may
increase agency problems between shareholders and debt-holders
Behavior
of Prices of Oil and Other Minerals over the Last Few Decades: A Comparative
Analysis
Dr. Abdulla M. Alhemoud, Arab Open University, Kuwait
Dr. Abdulkarim S. Al-Nahas, Arab Open University, Kuwait
ABSTRACT
This paper tries to find out whether the price changes of oil
over the last three decades were significantly different from those of other
primary commodities. The paper examines briefly the changing conditions of the
oil market and investigates the behavior of oil prices during the period 1966 –
2000. The Johansen’s maximum likelihood method was applied to test for
co-integration between oil prices and the prices of non- fuel commodities.
Fluctuations in oil prices were compared with those of other 13 minerals during
the same period. The analysis suggests that the decline in OPEC’s market share,
combined with the rise of the elasticity of the demand for oil have weakened
OPEC’s market power as measured by the relative surplus of price over marginal
cost.. The statistical results also suggest that the coefficient of variation
for oil prices during the period 1966-2000 was much higher than that of other
mineral prices. Oil prices enjoyed a much stronger upward trend than prices of
other minerals during the last three decades. The econometric results suggest
that there is evidence of co- integration between the oil price index and the
non- fuel commodity price index. The prices of most, if not all, primary
commodities suffer substantial fluctuations, particularly over the long- run.
There is little doubt that primary commodity markets exhibit considerably
greater instability and uncertainty than those of manufactured commodities (Thiburn,
1977). Unfortunately, the fortunes of developing countries are associated with
the prospects for primary commodity exports. This is so since many developing
countries are heavily dependent on primary commodities for up to three- quarters
of their export earnings, compared to approximately one – fifth in the case of
developed Western economies. For example, the percentage of leading single
commodity exports to total exports in oil – exporting countries in 1998 ranged
from 43 per cent in the case of Ecuador to 98 per cent in the case of Saudi
Arabia (IMF, IFS Yearbook, 2000).
Women’s
Engineering Education and Labor Market in Korea
Namchul Lee, Ph.D.,
Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training. Seoul, South Korea
Chung Ji-Sun, Ph.D.,
Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training. Seoul, South Korea
ABSTRACT
The principal objective of this paper is to
explore the reasons for male and female differences human capital and labor
market in Korea. This paper begins by presenting an overview of engineering
education for women and of the labor market for female Korean drawing on various
aggregate data. Also, I have surveyed about reasons for present major choosing
in college and compared with women and men of the relationship between education
labor market participation, earning inequality. More detailed attention is then
given to the issues of the changing composition of employment and unemployment
in terms of industry, occupation. The results suggest those overall observed
differences in college education and in labor market are primarily due to
differences in observed socio-economic characteristics. This work makes several
contributions to the existing literatures. First, this paper is to analyze both
changes in indicators of human capital for women relative to men, changes in
absolute levels for women over time. Second, the study presents that changes in
labor force participation and wages are key to understanding changes in
employment, over time, particularly, among female workers. Finally,
consideration is given to the relative labor market position of Korean women.
The
Integration of Gender and Political Behavior into Hambrick and Mason's
Upper
Echelons Model of Organizations
Daun
Robin Anderson, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
ABSTRACT
A top
management team’s (TMT) characteristics are determinants of the strategic
choices that it makes, and these choices determine organizational performance.
This paper integrates gender and political behavior, as mediating and moderating
variables, respectively, into Hambrick and Mason’s (1984) upper echelons model
of organizations. The author offers a new model that includes gender and
political behavior, based on a literature review of the impact of these
variables on decision making. She posits that women’s leadership styles result
in innovation and comprehensiveness in analyzing strategic alternatives. She
also posits that the amount of political behavior within a TMT moderates the
effect of its members’ characteristics on the strategic choices that they make.
Hambrick and Mason’s (1984) upper echelons model of organizations proposes that
members at the upper echelons of an organization, who are also known as the top
management team (TMT) (the author uses the terms interchangeably throughout this
paper), formulate and implement strategic choices. The underlying assumption of
the model is that upper echelon characteristics, both psychological and
observable/demographic, are determinants of these strategic choices, which, in
turn, determine organizational performance. This paper adds gender to the list
of demographic mediating variables, and political behavior as a moderating
variable, thereby creating a new model that more thoroughly depicts the
determinants of organizational performance.
An International Experimental
Investigation of the Effects of Instructor Behavior on Accounting Students'
Class Participation
Dr. Ananth Seetharaman, Saint
Louis University, St. Louis, MO
Dr. Alan Davis, City University
of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Dr. Ram S. Sriram, Georgia State
University, Atlanta, GA
ABSTRACT
In its first position paper, the Accounting Education Change
Commission (AECC 1990) stressed the importance of lifelong learning for
professional accountants and urged accounting educators to integrate “learning
to learn” into the accounting curriculum. In its essence, learning to learn
involves a questioning spirit. Therefore, an important issue for accounting
educators concerns how to develop a questioning spirit among their students. It
is widely recognized that when students actively participate in class, they
acquire sophisticated intellectual abilities (see, e.g., Smith 1977; 1980). In
other words, active class participation should motivate or lead students to
develop a questioning spirit and practice the attributes of intellectual and
lifelong learning (Smith 1980; Belenky et al. 1986; McKeachie 1990). Active
student participation is thus a focus of most, if not all, new accounting
educational models. Despite the unequivocal importance of having students
actively participate in class, however, there is little empirical research on
the effects of instructor behavior on students' class participation. Rather, as
observed by Auster and MacRone (1994), the strategies suggested for enhancing
discussions and class participation (e.g., call on students by name; ask for
elaboration; if some students dominate class discussions, then limit students to
two or three comments per class) are based on personal or anecdotal experience.
In this study, we empirically examine the effects of instructor behavior on the
level of accounting students' participation in class.
Ethics of Manipulations in
Accounting Decisions
Dr. Lutfihak Alpkan, Gebze Institute of Technology, Istanbul, Turkey
Dr. Gokhan Ozer, Gebze Institute of Technology, Istanbul, Turkey
Selim
Aren, Gebze Institute of Technology, Istanbul, Turkey
ABSTRACT
The goal of this study is to search for different ethical
judgments of different groups of respondents and to see if these judgments vary
according to the type of earnings manipulations. In this respect, data is
collected via questionnaire study composed of several manipulations scenarios,
the respondents are students in business schools, and business practionners as
top executives and accountants in private firms. Findings show that significant
variance exists concerning the type of manipulations groups of respondents.
Financial statements provide information about the economic performance of the
companies. Stakeholders can have an idea about the effectiveness of the
managerial decisions by reviewing these reports. The performance of the company
reflects also the performance of its top managers who make all the strategic
decisions. These managers have also the power to manipulate earnings reported on
the financial statements in order to build a fictive image of higher success.
Extend and type of these manipulations is open to discussion about whether or
how much they are ethical. Alternative ways of manipulations exist, however,
they are totally labeled as earnings manipulations. All possible managerial
decision whether on accounting policies or operations fall in these category
(Black, Sellers and Manly, 1998; Schroeder and Clark, 1995). Earnings
manipulations serve sometimes to the individual interests of the owners who
concern about tax payments and prefer earnings to be reported as lower than the
real amount and sometimes to those of the managers who concern about their image
of success and prefer earnings to be reported higher.
Teaching
Outside the Box: A Look at the Use of Some Nontraditional Teaching Models in Accounting
Principles
Dr. Gary Saunders, Marshall University,
Huntington, WV
Dr. Jill Ellen R. Christopher, Ohio Northern
University, Ada, OH
ABSTRACT
Paradigms for teaching accounting have been evolving at a fairly
rapid pace throughout the last decade. The Accounting Education Change
Commission (AECC) has been a leader in calling for these changes. They, and
others in the accounting profession, have issued statements addressing the
structure of, and the objectives of, accounting principles courses. These
statements have stressed the need for innovative teaching approaches and the
importance of incorporating active learning and team learning (group work) into
accounting principles courses. Conventional wisdom might suggest that as the
size of an educational institution increases, accounting principles class size
would also increase. Increased class size may reduce the likelihood that
instructors will use innovative teaching methods and that students will have
fewer opportunities to experience active learning and team learning projects.
In order to determine relationships between accounting principles class sizes
and institutional size, and to assess the relative level of accounting programs’
use of nontraditional teaching models, a questionnaire relating to the teaching
of accounting principles was sent to 325 chairpersons of accounting departments
in the United States. Results indicate that as the size of the institution
increases and becomes more fully developed in terms of graduate degree programs
offered and accreditation status, the size of accounting principles classes
increases. In addition, the majority of schools reported that they use team
learning, but that they do not require students to attend laboratory –
i.e., active learning – sessions or to complete simulation projects. However,
no significant correlations were observed that would indicate that the use of
team learning and/or laboratory sessions/simulations is related to institutional
size.
New
Directions for Human Resources in 2002 and Beyond
Dr. Sandra Casey Buford,
Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
Dr. Maria Mackavey,
Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
ABSTRACT
This paper seeks to understand the current HR environment and
proposes some ways to work effectively within the present environment. We
examine the HR role against Ulrich’s model that defines the roles of successful
HR professionals as Strategic Business Partner, Administrative Expert, Employee
Champion, and Change Agent. Ulrich and others (Gubman (1998), Kanter, Drucker,
Hammer and Becker) have made a compelling case that the competencies defined by
each of these four roles contribute to successful HR practice. The Masters of
Science in Management Program in Human Resources Management at Lesley University
has articulated a curriculum that is designed to develop competencies in each of
these four areas of HR practice. It is our contention that the post September
11th environment—marked by uncertainty about the future, failure of
corporate boards to exert ethical oversight and the ensuing CEO scandals,
together with the downturn of the economy—all are challenging HR’s role as
employee champion, business partner and change agent. Instead, in an
increasingly reactive mode, HR professionals find themselves focusing on the
more fire-fighting and administrative aspects of their role – firing, hiring,
and acting as legal custodians of their organizations.
Working Women’s Balancing Act:
Work Versus Family
Dr. Clarissa Bell,
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Dr. Kathy Hill, Sam
Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Dr.
Shirley Tucker, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Dr. John S. Green, Texas A & M University,
College Station, TX
ABSTRACT
In 2001 women made up about 46 percent of the workforce;
therefore, companies cannot ignore issues within corporate cultures or
“sanctioned” by history that effect women’s work contributions (AFL-CIO, n.d).
Change is imperative throughout organizational structures and systems; pay,
promotions, and recruitment; and in management, evaluation, and acceptance in
“groups”. Additionally, issues such as maternity leave, childcare provision,
and flexible work schedules are coming to the forefront. These issues carry
significant occupational consequences. Companies are recognizing the impact of
women’s role in the workforce and that “the progress made by women in the paid
labor market is one of the most important economic changes of the 20th
century” (Women in the Workforce, 2000). In addition to increased numbers of
women in the workforce, the number of women functioning in leadership positions
is expanding. Corporate America must implement changes that accommodate these
valuable employees. One way companies can support female employees is by
realizing that women employees need support to balance their work and family
responsibilities. The purpose of this investigation is to discuss three main
issues--maternity leave provisions, child-care programs, and flexible work
programs--facing working women who must balance career and family commitments.
A second purpose of this study is to examine what companies are doing to provide
a family-friendly environment for women. The findings of this research indicate
that in order for change to happen, there must be involvement of three
entities–policymakers, companies, and working mothers. Policymakers (federal
and state government) must continue implementing and changing policies involving
working mothers; companies should initiate new strategies for working mothers in
order to retain them; and working mothers should look for jobs with companies
that offer flexible work alternatives.
Substantial Market Movements & Linkages Among Stock Markets
Dr. Sundaram Janakiramanan, Singapore
Management University, Singapore
Dr. Asjeet S. Lamba, University of Melbourne,
Australia
ABSTRACT
In this paper, we analyze the linkages among stock markets when
there are substantial movements in any one of the markets. We find that all the
markets react to substantial rises and falls in other markets and the reaction
is more significant for falls than for rises .The analysis shows that the
Australasian markets examined do not react fully to substantial rises and falls
in the UK and US markets when they open for trading, but appear to incorporate
the responses of other Australasian markets while the UK market reacts to
information from other markets when it opens for trading. The US reacts more to
substantial falls in the UK than to similar falls in other markets and Japan
appears to be least influenced by substantial rises and falls in other markets.
The interest in studying the linkages among the world’s stock markets gathered
considerable momentum after the Dow Jones Industrial Average index plunged on
October 19, 1987 with markets around the world following suit. During that stock
market crash, the other markets reacted to changes in the US market with
substantial movements in those markets. More recently, during the Asian
financial crisis in 1997, large drops in Hong Kong and Japan were followed by
similar changes in the US and other Asian markets. Unlike the single market
drops followed by subsequent rises observed in different markets during the
October 1987 crash, the Asian financial crisis was characterized by a
“cascading” effect where individual markets reacted negatively and positively to
information transmitted domestically as well as from other markets. Previous
studies examining the integration of capital markets have generally proceeded in
two directions. One direction has been to study the linkages and comovements
among stock markets over long periods of time, (Eun and Shim (1989),
Arshanapalli and Dukas (1993), Gjerde and Sættem (1995), Park and Fatemi (1993),
and Janakiramanan and Lamba (1998)) while the other direction has been to
examine market comovements during periods of high market volatility (king and
Wadhwani (1990), Hamao, Masulis and Ng (1990)).
Stress, Organizational Change and Management Planning
John T. Byrd, Ph.D., Bellarmine University,
Louisville, KY
ABSTRACT
The role of management planning as a prelude to fundamental
change is critical to the continued success of any business organization. The
following study was a result of a successful change in several retail branches
of a large bank. As a result of the successful changes, the remaining bank
branches reported excess stress anticipating changes in their local branches.
Management was concerned about future changes without an understanding of the
stress that may have occurred during the initial change efforts. Consequently,
management decided to conduct a study of stress associated with the successful
changes of the five retail branches. This was used as a planning tool to guide
actions in the remaining twenty three branches involved in the change process.
The results proved useful in preventing problems that management would have
ignored had the study not been conducted. This study identifies, measures, and
compares the intensity of stress among employees in five retail branches of a
large bank undergoing large scale change. The employees in each branch
consisted of a bank manager and operating employees. Before the re-engineering
took place via a concept called Bank Express, the bank manager and employees
were organized in a hierarchical arrangement and the division of labor was
highly specialized. The manager was accorded more status than other employees,
and expected to be treated as such. The re-engineering effort was designed to
create a team structure, develop a sales culture with the reward system
reinforced with sales commissions, and be totally focused on the customers
needs. This new environment required a physical restructuring of the design and
layout of the retail branches of the bank, and demanded a change in role from
the previous work environment. Bank Express was the concept used to identify
how quickly the bank employee would be able to provide quality service to the
customer. It involved the creation of a new operational structure as well as
new roles for employees. Employees, in their new role, would be more proactive
in assessing and recognizing the specific needs of the customer.
Factors Affecting the Utilization
of IT in Small and Medium Size Enterprises in Developing Countries
Dr. Yehia Mortagy,
University of La Verne, La Verne, CA
Dr. Mehdi Beheshtian,
University of La Verne, La Verne, CA
Dr. Bahy Mortagy, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA
ABSTRACT
GATT, WTO, ISO9000, and electronic commerce present small and
medium size enterprises (SMEs) in developing nations with challenges that affect
their survivability. This paper investigates ways of adopting IS in
organizations in developing countries. It also measures level of IT adoption,
and identifies factors that affect the success of such process. A case study in
SMEs in Egypt will be presented. The focus will be on how to support the
introduction and utilization of information technology in small and medium size
business in developing countries. Two hypotheses will be tested: Several
forces are creating new realities in developing countries. For example, the
General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) and the World Trade Organization (WTO)
are changing the competitive environment for local industries by allowing
foreign firms to compete more economically. ISO 9000 and related standards are
creating a need for information technology utilization in organizations. The
same standard is often used as a pre-selection criterion of suppliers by firms
in developing countries. Electronic commerce and E-Business are creating new
tools for business to compete locally as well as globally. In this paper two
hypotheses mentioned above will be test on Egyptian companies. The focus is on
effort in adopting IT technology in small and medium size firms in order to
prepare for the new challenges of the millennium. The result of these tests will
be used to develop and test two tools - a tool for Egyptian businesses to
implement information technology in the area of external communication (e.g.,
Internet) to benefit from a world that is growing smaller, and a tool for small
and medium size businesses to develop and implement information technology to
meet the managerial needs in monitoring and controlling organizations.
Auditing Expectations Gap: A
Possible Solution
Dr. Inam Hussain, Delaware
State University, Dover, DE
ABSTRACT
Auditing expectation gaps have been identified in several
countries. This research investigates the expectation gap in Oman. As in other
counties, an auditing expectation gap is found in Oman also. The study looks at
education as a way of reducing this gap and proposes that discussion in the
introductory accounting texts would reduces this gap. Auditing expectation gaps
have been identified in several countries. The expectation gap can be defined
as “the difference between what the public and financial statement users believe
that auditors are responsible for and what the auditors themselves believe their
responsibilities are” (AICPA, 1993). In the United States this expectation gap
was identified in Cohen Commission’s report which showed that the public
expectation of auditors responsibilities was more than what they were receiving
(AICPA Cohen Commission Report 1978). Researchers in several countries have
demonstrated that an auditing expectations gap does exist and that the
expectation gap is not limited to USA. In this study the Sultanate of Oman is
investigated to see if an audit expectation is found and can education in the
form of an auditing course reduce such a gap in expectations. The remainder of
the paper is outlined as follows: A literature review followed by the survey
instrument used to obtain evidence. The subsequent sections presents the
analysis of the responses and the final section presents a solution, the
limitations and directions of future research.
Games and Information Technology
in the Teaching of International Economics
Dr. John Leonard, Southeastern Louisiana
University, Hammond, LA
ABSTRACT
The author presents the outcome of an intensive unit in
information technology and games being employed in an international economics
class. The work is accompanied by the pre test and post test for both the
international economics and health care economics classes which were sponsored
by a mini grant. Both the international instrument and the health care
instrument validated the respective information technology units for intensive
instruction in the economics classroom. The majority of the international
economics students participated in the study, but only a small minority of the
health care students took the tests. The changes in instruction patterns took
over a month to complete, but the results tentatively support the introduction
of these new units. John Siegfried et al. (1991) addressed the economics major
in their work a decade ago. From this beginning one may note the work of Edward
Gramlich and G.A. Greenlee (1993) on measuring teaching performance. The major
is broadened in its scope by bringing in new courses. Joni Hersch and W. Kip
Viscusi (1998) describe the mechanics of bringing in a course in forensic
economics into the economics classroom and major. Arnold Katz (1999) writes of
the use of the computer to examine students= understanding of the dynamics of
equilibrium. J.K. Goeree and Charles A. Holt (1999) detail the use of games to
analyze rent seeking in the classroom. Arnold Katz and William Becker (1999)
study the use of technology in teaching undergraduate economics. Finally Joseph
Santos (2002) presents the development and use of an Internet-Based game in a
money and banking course. Against this background, the author will research and
present the use of an intensive information technology unit including an inter
cultural game, a language minute, daily newspaper developments and Internet
sources and its effect on the attitudes of students learning international
economics.
An Empirical Analysis of
Country-Fund Discounts
Dr. Thomas C. Chiang, Drexel University,
Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Doseong Kim, University of Akron, Akron,
OH
ABSTRACT
This paper provides empirical evidence for testing the hypothesis
that country-fund discounts are correlated with trading volumes and risk
factors. Using weekly data for 23 closed-end single-country funds to examine the
behavior of country-fund discounts, we found that country-fund discounts are
significantly correlated with US stock-trading volume and US stock-return
volatility. Our study also concludes that foreign stock volatility and
exchange-rate risk display a positive correlation with country-fund premiums.
The empirical evidence shows that crisis tends to create discounts on country
funds. However, country funds that experienced crisis tend to present premiums
in US market. A closed-end equity country fund is a collection of foreign
assets packaged to be sold in the US market. If international markets are
frictionless, efficient international arbitrage would lead the fund price in the
US market to equal its net asset value (NAV) in the foreign country after
translating into US dollars. However, it is well known that country funds have
been traded at an average discount, which is a negative value of the natural
logarithm of (Fund-Price/NAV). Moreover, it has been observed that the
discounts have been displaying a fashion of time varying. Several hypotheses
have been advanced to explain this closed-end discount puzzle. The arguments
have focused on factors such as market frictions (Neal and Wheatley, 1990; Choi
and Lee, 1996), investor sentiment (Hardouvelis, LaPorta, and Wizman, 1994;
Bodurtha, Kim and Lee, 1995; Errunza, Senbet and Hogan, 1998; Klibanoff, Lamont
and Wizman, 1998), and divergent expectations between US and foreign investors
(Frankel and Schmukler, 1996). Recognizing the fact that it is unlikely that
all the barriers that prevent perfect arbitrage can be removed, we attempt to
search for additional information that will enable us to explain time-varying
fund discounts. In this paper, we argue that country-fund discounts can be
predicted by changing trading volumes and expected stock-market volatilities.
This is based on the notion that the time-varying behavior of country-fund
discounts (premiums) essentially corresponds to changing attitudes toward risk
held by investors. Further, it can be argued that changes in market aversion to
risk in response to news or exogenous shocks cause a shift in portfolios, as
reflected in a change in trading volumes. Thus, we observe that time-varying
fund discounts (premiums) will correlate with trading volumes.
Dr. Stephen Drew, University of East Anglia,
Norwich, U.K.
ABSTRACT
This case is a description of the history, organisational
development and strategies of an international luxury goods retailer on the
Internet. The case also presents relevant background on luxury goods retailing
and recent industry trends. Sticker shock has hit the Internet. So much for
buying low-cost airline tickets at Priceline.com, or cheap video games at
Buy.com. How about a $495.00 Salvatore Ferragamo handbag in lizard-print
calfskin? a $930.00 Louis Vuitton dog carrier? or a $520.00 argyle V-neck
sweater? Online retailer eLUXURY.com unabashedly targets the
fashion-conscious and wealthy consumer. Designers, luxury brands, and high-end
stores, although late to the e-business catwalk, are staking claim to online
fashion marketspace. A dark shadow generated by the failure of Swedish venture
boo.com has not deterred a wave of new Web sites. However, caution is now the
name of the game, rather than a mad dash for first-mover advantage. French
luxury goods conglomerate LVMH SA (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey), took a giant
step onto the net in June 2000 by launching eLUXURY.com, based in
Tiburon, San Francisco, with 200 employees. The new e-business venture
emphasises hot trends, exploiting its position as industry insider, with a
strategy of previewing goods to be ordered for later delivery. The site was a
year in development when a series of glitches delayed the launch by a further
two months from its original target date of April 2000. Startup costs of about
$50 million were reported. CEO Alain Lorenzo, commenting on the holdups, said:
"We wanted to make sure the site was robust and to learn from everybody else's
mistakes…
Business Intelligence Empirical Study on the top 50 Finnish Companies
Dr.
Mika Hannula,
Tampere
University of Technology, Finland
Virpi Pirttimaki,
Tampere
University of Technology, Finland
ABSTRACT
Comprehensive and timely information and knowledge is crucial in
generating new products and improving business operations. Business Intelligence
(BI) plays a central role in producing up-to-date information for operative and
strategic decision-making. This study was carried out in order to find out what
BI represents for Finnish large-scale companies in the year 2002. The study is
the first comprehensive study of its kind in Finland. Telephone surveying was
used as the primary research method in this study. Individuals responsible for
BI activities in the top 50 Finnish companies were telephone-interviewed. Before
the actual interview the questionnaire was sent to the interviewees. The
response rate reached 92 percent forming a sound basis for the study. The
objective of this study is to find out how common the BI activities are and how
BI is currently applied in large Finnish companies. The study examines the
initiation and organization of BI activities as well as the future prospects
concerning BI activities in the companies interviewed. The research will also
examine the key areas of improvement in BI activities, benefits gained from BI
as well as the future outlook for the field. The companies researched in the
study are categorized into three groups by industry: manufacturing, trade and
services, and information and communication technology (ICT). In recent years,
Business Intelligence activities have increased significantly in Finnish
companies. It is obvious that the effective use of the concepts and processes of
Business Intelligence is necessitated by the global business environment in
which Finnish companies operate. Comprehensive and timely information and
knowledge are crucial in generating new products and improving business
operations.
Comparisons of Four Ethnic
Shopping Groups
Dr. J. A. F. Nicholls,
Florida International University, Miami, FL
Dr. Carl J. Kranendonk, Florida International University, Miami, FL
ABSTRACT
The mall in which this study was conducted was a comprehensive
shopping center in a major metropolitan area in the south-east United States.
It consisted of four anchor stores and over 200 specialty shops. Patrons were
interviewed as they left the mall through a randomized selection procedure in
which interviewers went consecutively from door to door, intercepting the next
shopper as he or she exited the mall (Sudman 1980). Interviewers approached
shoppers based on their exit pattern, not on any personal demographic
characteristic. Altogether, 512 mall patrons who fell into five ethnic
categories, Anglos, Hispanics, African-Americans, and Asians, by a
self-selection process, participated in this study. In two out of four
categories instances, these ethnic groupings of the mall shoppers differed
significantly (p#.05) in their
demographic characteristics (Table 1). We found a statistically significant
difference in their income (p=.000) and age (p=.000); the difference if their
level of education was marginally significant (p=.059). Only the gender
distribution of the shopping populations was not significantly different
(p=.301). In addition to these general questions concerning demographic
attributes, four specific scales were also included in the survey instrument.
The first scale concerned patrons=
motivations for shopping, covering such considerations as looking and browsing,
making a specific purchase, eating at the mall, and shopping at a specific
store. A
Cross Cultural Comparison of
Ethical Evaluation of Marketing Practices in Tobacco Industry
Dr. D. S. Sundaram, University of Southern
Maine, Portland, ME
ABSTRACT
Global shift towards trade liberalization and collective
participation of many emerging economies in globalization were primary driving
force behind unparalleled growth in several industrial sectors in the 90s. When
the emerging economies opened their marketplace to global multinational
companies, the landscape of the marketplace in those countries changed
completely forever. Entry of multinational companies into the emerging
economies brought in many benefits to the consumers in those countries. For
example, consumers in the emerging economies gained access to a wide range of
products and services, and experienced significant improvement in customer
service and product quality, and so on. Along with these positive changes, the
consumers in the transitional economies also got to experience multinational
companies’ time tested and aggressive marketing strategies. Many elements of
their marketing strategies such an increased emphasis on building brand equity
and enhanced focus on cultivating customer relationship were positive in nature,
but a few of their marketing tactics were questionable in their moral and
ethical standards. In particular, tobacco industry has been singled out for
implementing marketing practices that lacked ethical standards. One would
easily come across several examples of critical press review of tobacco
companies’ marketing practices through a quick glance of global business
periodicals. This indicates that the marketing practices employed by tobacco
companies, across the globe, deserve further investigation.
Assessment of Professional
Competencies of Business Communications Teachers
Dr. Carolyn Spillers Jewell, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC
ABSTRACT
Byrne (1983) states that inservice programs are a means by which
teachers who were educated in the 1970’s and earlier can be effective in today’s
educational environment in dealing with changing students and instructional
technologies. He further stated that inservice education provides opportunities
for school systems to improve from within. Organized staff development can
occur through inservice education rather than relying on individual teachers to
improve their skills. The purpose of this study was to assess the perceived
level of competence of business communications teachers in North Carolina with
regard to identified professional teaching competencies. These results will be
valuable in developing business communications classes. The program area
consultants in Business Education may also utilize them in planning professional
development and inservice activities. Universities may use the results in
planning for the delivery of courses, both credit and non-credit, and in
developing appropriate inservice activities for teachers. Teachers of business
communications continually want and need inservice education. Normally, this
need is more pronounced when the teachers are asked to teach new subject matter
or subject matter in which they have had little previous training. This need
for information has traditionally been met by workshops, a variety of inservice
activities, conferences, and university courses in relevant educational areas.
Byrne (1983) states that inservice programs are a means by which teachers who
were educated in the 1970’s and earlier can be effective in today’s educational
environment in dealing with changing students and instructional technologies.
He further stated that inservice education provides opportunities for school
systems to improve from within.
Measurement of Intangible
Success Factors in Four Case Organizations
Dr. Antti Lönnqvist, Institute of Industrial
Management, Tampere University of Technology, Finland
ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on the measurement of organizations’
intangible success factors. They consist of the amount and quality of intangible
assets, the use of intangible assets and the actions related to intangible
assets. Their management and measurement is considered important because of the
critical role of intangible assets for many organizations. Although several
methods have been developed for measuring intangible success factors, there are
problems in applying them in practice. The topic is analyzed both theoretically
and empirically. The research questions are how the intangible success factors
to be measured are chosen, what they are like, and how they are measured. Four
case studies are presented and analyzed in order to provide concrete examples
and to discover answers to the research questions. Intangible assets consist
of, e.g., the employees’ competencies, organization’s relationships with
customers and other stakeholders, culture, values, image and management
processes (See e.g. Edvinsson and Malone 1997 or Sveiby 1997).
They are critical for most organizations. Thus, the management of
intangible asset has emerged as an important practice and a research area (Petty
and Guthrie 2000, p. 161). Performance measurement of intangible assets is also
an active research area. There are several methods available for measuring
intangible assets. However, organizations have not widely adopted them (Lönnqvist
2002; Nordika 2000) and none of the newly developed measurement tools have been
commonly accepted.
Subjective Productivity Measurement
Dr. Sari Kemppilä, Tampere University of
Technology, Finland
Dr. Antti Lönnqvist,
Tampere University of Technology, Finland
ABSTRACT
Productivity is an important
success factor for all organizations and, thus, it should also be managed.
Productivity measurement is a traditional tool for managing productivity. There
are several different methods for productivity measurement. In certain
situations, these traditional methods may not be applicable suggesting that
there is a need for other kind of measures. An alternative approach for the
traditional methods is subjective productivity measurement. Subjective
productivity measures are not based on quantitative operational information.
Instead, they are based on personnel’s subjective assessments. The data is
collected, e.g., using questionnaires. The objective of the paper is to present
subjective productivity measurement as a new and potential managerial tool for
productivity measurement. In addition, some evidence regarding the practicality
and usefulness of the method is presented. The paper is based in reviewing
studies in which subjective productivity measurement has been used. At the
moment, there are only a few experiences regarding the use of subjective
productivity measures. There are several problems regarding the validity,
reliability and practical using principles of the measures. Despite the
problems, subjective productivity measurement appears to be very potential
method for measuring productivity in situations where the objective methods
fail.
An Integrated Contextual
Framework of International Entrepreneurship within Regional Clusters: The Case
of the European Union
Dr. Rosario
R. Ramos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, Spain
Dr. Lidia H. López,
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, Spain
Dr. Sergio R. Ramos,
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, Spain
ABSTRACT
This papers aims to further current research on international
entrepreneurship in finding a unifying framework that connects the antecedents,
types, and outcomes of entrepreneurial activities pursued by new ventures and
established companies, which has been highlighted by international
entrepreneurship researchers such as Zahra and George (2002), McDougall and
Oviatt (2000). Following a proposed definition of international
entrepreneurship, the resulting model integrates the contextual factors and the
creation and sustainability of competitive advantage as being key determinants
of cross-border ventures within regional clusters. Additionally, the model
considers the innate interrelationship existing between the factors included as
another key determinant of international entrepreneurship. The study of
international entrepreneurship within regional integration has been hardly
analyzed in the academic literature. Yet, this subject is a daily practice of
many new ventures or established firms that take advantage of the regional
trading blocks where they belong to for developing cross-border ventures.
Further, it seems that these innovative and risk-taking firms are been developed
within world areas formed by geographic concentrations of interconnected
countries, firms, specialized suppliers, service providers, firms in related
industries and associated institutions, what Michael Porter defines as clusters
(1998). The case of competitive locations such as the European Union may be
considered as a cluster in itself, as it feeds international entrepreneurial
activities and business networks related with trade, research and development,
education, cooperation or technology.
Aligning Training and Organizational Performance Goals Via Simulation
Dr. J. D. Selby-Lucas,
East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Dr.
William Swart, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Dr. Charles S. Duncan, Army
Training Support Center, Ft. Eustis, VA
Abstract
Simulation has been used for some time to forecast labor
requirements, redesign facility layouts, and examine employee and customer
traffic flow. However, when industry and government consider extending the use
of simulation to study the alignment of training and organizational performance
goals and the impact of implementing those goals at the frontline level of
activity, organizations will realize substantial benefits. Alignment of
organizational performance goals and training is not something that has always
concerned us. It seems easier to busy ourselves getting better and better at
doing those things that may no longer need to be done. Improving process can
become all consuming, regardless of whether anyone is really benefiting from the
products. Changing product lines, or re-organizing can consume large amounts of
energy, and "may" prove fruitful, but one really does not know until all the
data is in, and then and only then can we tell if the new line is selling, and
if people know how to produce the new products with consistent quality. Many a
company touts a corporate goal or vision as an expression of their guarantee to
the consumer. Phrases including words as quality, service, excellence and other
similar superlatives are commonly communicated guarantees from corporate
advertisers. However the same people who approve the slogans have little way of
knowing whether corporate changes announced from the Headquarters will be
implemented in such a way as to guarantee the company’s quality goes unaltered.
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