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The Significance of the Psychological Contract for Organizational Downsizing
Dr.
Franco Gandolfi, Dean, School of Business and Professor of Business
California Baptist University, Riverside, CA
ABSTRACT
This
conceptual paper examines the nature of the psychological contract in the
context of organizational downsizing. It provides an examination into the shift
from the ‘old’ to the ‘new’ psychological contract seeking answers on how such a
tectonic shift may affect the perceptions of the downsizing survivors. The paper
also investigates whether this paradigm shift may be at the core of the
emergence of the survivor sicknesses. Psychological contracts are individually
held beliefs about the mutual obligations of employers and their employees (Kim
& Choi, 2010). These implicit agreements play a significant role in shaping
employee behavior in firms as they influence employee attitudes towards the firm
and efforts towards the accomplishment of organizational goals. Empirical
research has shown that perceived breaches of the psychological contract lead to
negative organizational outcomes (Montes & Zweig, 2009). Furthermore, research
has demonstrated that there are ‘triggers,’ including downsizing and layoff
decisions, that can lead to such perceived breaches of the psychological
contracts (Guzzo, Conway, Briner, & Dickman, 1994; Agarwal & Bhargava, 2013).
Downsizing and layoff announcements abound in today’s business press (Gandolfi &
Littler, 2012; Gandolfi, 2013A). Given the abundant news coverage of such major
events, it is unlikely that individuals can avoid being exposed to the news of
such downsizing initiatives, layoffs, and corporate restructurings. How do
downsizing victims and survivors react to the announcement of downsizing? To
what extent are downsizing initiatives perceived as a breach of the
psychological contract? What is in fact the relationship between downsizing and
the psychological contract? Might there be a correlation between the paradigm
shift of the psychological contract and the emergence of downsizing-related
survivor sicknesses?
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A
Hybrid Intelligent System for Stock Analysis Through Integration of Fuzzy Logic
and Analogical Reasoning
Dr.
Harry Zhou, Professor, Towson University, MD
ABSTRACT
It is well known that security analysis is a time-consuming and error-prone
process. However, it can be improved or enhanced considerably by automated
reasoning. Efforts to reduce the inaccuracy and incorrectness of analyses and to
enhance the confidence levels of stock selection have led to the development of
an intelligent decision support system called TradeExpert, which assists, not
replaces, portfolio managers. TradeExpert assumes the role of a hypothetical
securities analyst capable of analyzing stocks, calling market turns, and making
recommendations. It has a knowledge base of stock trading expertise, and a case
base of past episodes and consequences of decisions. By combining
knowledge-based problem solving with case-based reasoning and fuzzy inference,
TradeExpert demonstrates forms of intelligent behavior not yet observed in
traditional decision support systems and expert systems.
The
novelty of this research lies in its application to analogical reasoning, fuzzy
reasoning, and knowledge-based decision making. Over 60% of the families in the
United States have billions of dollars invested in mutual funds. Consequently
portfolio managers are under tremendous pressure to make critical investment
decisions in dynamically changing financial markets. Experts have been
forecasting and trading financial markets for decades, using their knowledge and
expertise in recognizing patterns and interpreting current financial data. This
paper describes a knowledge based decision support system with the analogical
reasoning capability to be used in financial forecasting and trading. In an
attempt to maximize a portfolio’s return and avoid costly losses, the portfolio
manager must decide when to enter trades as well as when to exit and thus, must
predict the duration as well as the direction of stock price movement. A
portfolio manager is faced with a daunting information management task and
voluminous amounts of rapidly changing data.
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ICT Expansion
and GDP Stabilization: How Russia is Using ICT to Move into the Modern Economy
Dr. Shahram Amiri, Chair,
Department of Decision and Information Sciences, Stetson University, FL
ABSTRACT
This
paper examines the correlation between the diffusion of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT) in Russia and its overall GDP. Currently,
Russia’s GDP relies heavily on commodities and is very susceptible to shifts in
the international market. Since the early 2000s, the Russian government has
become interested in increasing their ICT-based market, which has proven to be
less variable in times of international economic trouble. The government is
funding large programs to increase ICT diffusion, not only to gain increased
economic stability, but also to aid both the educational and political sectors
of the nation. This paper reviews the history of technology and ICT expansion in
Russia, and how its continued expansion and use will affect GDP.
“Russia has a chance not only to preserve its culture but to use it as a
powerful force for progress in international markets…This is not about empire,
but rather cultural progress. Exporting education and culture will help promote
Russian goods, services and ideas; guns and imposing political regimes will
not.” – Vladimir Putin regarding ICT spread in Russia (Feb. 27, 2012)
In
recent years, Russia’s government has begun to switch its focus from promoting a
commodities-based economy to promoting and funding an ICT-based economy.
Internet use and telecommunications technology have been growing quickly in
Russia, and the government views this as an opportunity to stabilize the GDP,
increase education, and modernize the economy so that it can better compete in
the world market. Russia is a massive exporter of fossil fuels and metals
giving Russia the 6th largest GDP in the world. However, these
commodities are very vulnerable to swings in the global market, and as such,
Russia is harder hit by economic downturns in other nations. To illustrate, in
2008, Russia’s economy was hit particularly hard by the international financial
crisis as their GDP dropped abruptly by 7.81%.
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Development of Soft Skills for Information Systems Education Through Service
Learning
Dr.
Keh-Wen “Carin” Chuang, Purdue University North Central, Westville, IN
Dr.
Kuan-Chou Chen, Professor, Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN
ABSTRACT
The
purpose of the paper is to present the course design of a service learning
project with a soft skills learning and training component for information
systems course. The design on students’ reflections and project assessment are
discussed as well. The project provides students the opportunities to learn and
apply individual’s soft skills as well as hard skills at different situations
and levels. The information systems graduates who can demonstrate strong soft
skills in addition to the hard skills will be prominent in the workplace and
succeed in their information systems career. Most students enter college with
the goal of graduating and securing their dream job. The students major in the
Information Systems (IS) programs take classes to learn the computer technical
skills that they can apply to their future job after the graduation. However,
today's IS professionals need both technical expertise and soft skills. Steve
Coscia (Coscia, 2011) says in his book, The Trade Technicians Soft Skills
Manual, “Technical skills usually get a person hired, but the lack of soft
skills is what usually gets them fired.” Yet, many IS graduates who are
technically capable are often criticized for lacking the soft skills. Soft
skills are the skills, abilities, and personal traits that enhance an
individual's interactions, job performance and career prospects (Paajanen,
1991). The soft skills, unlike hard skills, which are about a person's skill set
and capability to perform a certain type of task or activity, soft skills relate
to a person's capability to interact effectively with coworkers and customers
and are broadly applicable both in and outside the workplace (Wikipedia, 2013).
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Equity-Efficiency Trade-off in Regional Allocation of Production Factors in the
Russian Federation
Dr.
Andrey Belov, Professor, Fukui Prefectural University, Japan
ABSTRACT
This
paper presents a non-econometric estimation of the production function for
Federal Districts of Russia over the period from 1996 to 2004. The empirical
results show that the regional allocation of employment does not correlate with
the marginal productivity of labor, but the distribution of capital stock
appears to be closely connected to the marginal productivity of capital. In such
an environment, alternative ways of allocating public investment can boost total
output but they usually also widen territorial income gaps. The promotion of
both growth and equity simultaneously is possible in the case of sufficient
income-elastic labor mobility and efficiency-oriented investment policy.
Regional disparities in allocations of production factors affect the economy in
two ways. When labor and capital concentrate in productive regions, it leads to
a growth of total output but usually is accompanied by widening territorial
gaps. Opposite patterns of distribution can lower possible growth rates but
bring more regional equality. Theoretically, it is quite possible to find an
optimal balance between effectiveness and equity. But in practice, in most
countries the optimum solution cannot easily be achieved. Russia also
faces some fundamental difficulties in devising a balanced regional policy.
Starting from the beginning of the 21st Century, the amount of public investment
for regional development was constantly growing, but the effectiveness of that
expenditure is still highly questionable. In this regard, two major problems
attract substantial attention of scholars and government officials. The first is
the correlation of regional distribution of labor and capital and the
effectiveness of production, and the second are the trade-offs between
effectiveness and equity in territorial development.
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Effects of External Pressure on Workforce Development and Supply Chain
Management in Healthcare Industry
Dr.
Hui-chuan Chen, University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN
Dr.
Edmund Prater, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
ABSTRACT
Long
Term Care facilities are a highly regulated industry due to funding sources
being subject to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. The demand for nursing
homes is increasing significantly with anticipation of the Baby Boomers reaching
age 65. Most of the long-term care studies are focused on quality improvement
and reduced deficiencies. This study provides a different view on how external
pressure affects strategic planning in employees learning to benefit operations
and supply chain management for long-term care providers. The findings indicate
that normative behavior has an important effect on workforce development.
Furthermore, staff knowledge-building also enhances the firm’s operational
performance and improves supply chain communication. According to a 2009 report
by the American Health Care Association, 15,691 nursing facilities with a
workforce of 1,784,016 care for 1,401,295 patients every day (AHCA, 2009). Long
Term Care (LTC) facilities produce an estimated $529 billion or 3.7% of the
nation’s economic activity. Meanwhile, Medicaid is the major funding source for
those nursing home facilities—having contributed more than $60 billion in 2008
(Nursing Home Buyouts Face Scrutiny, 2007). The average reimbursement shortfall
for Medicaid nursing home was estimated to be $19.55 per Medicaid patient day in
2011 (AHCA, 2011). Allowing private equity or investment groups’ nursing
facilities to generate net income, the effective strategy would be cutting
costs, including caretakers. As for both non-profit and for-profit nursing
homes, the strategic planning to generate income with managerial decisions
through external and internal environment is a challenge to achieve governmental
performance requirements.
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Return Patterns: An Underappreciated Risk Factor
Dr.
David Cary, University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI and
California State University, Northridge (Emeritus), Northridge, CA
Sheila M. Walker, California State University, Northridge, CA
ABSTRACT
While
variability in returns is well known to impact the geometric rate of return over
time, when significant changes are made to the investment through either
additions or disbursements, the pattern of returns can potentially have as large
of an impact on effective returns as either the average return and/or the
variability of returns. In discussions about long term investment planning,
professionals such as financial analysts, advisors and planners, and retirement
savings plan administrators and sponsors, tend to rely on clichés such as “the
latté effect” or “the miracle of compounding interest” when explaining and
projecting savings growth. “The latté effect” refers to small daily
indulgences, such as lattés, smoothies, and vending machine snacks, which, if
foregone and the money channeled into savings, could yield a substantial amount
over time for retirement or other goals. Saving the cost of a daily latté,
about $100 per month, over a period of 5 years would yield $6,000 in savings.
Through “the miracle of compounding interest,” which is simply adding the
interest earned in an interval to the principle amount saved, thus creating a
new balance upon which interest is earned from that moment forward, “the latté
effect” investment will have earned $629.90 at 4% per year, compounded monthly.
In these examples, the professional will typically use an average rate of return
to determine the future values. While an average return is appropriate when a
single amount is invested and left for a period of time, if additional deposits
are made to save for retirement or periodic withdrawals are made over time, then
the pattern of the returns can also be important. For a simple example, assume
$1,000 is invested for two years. Under Scenario 1 assume the first year’s
return is +20% and the second year is -10%.
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An Empirical Investigation into the Impact of Class Size, GPA and the Timing of
Classes
on the Performance of Accounting Students
Dr.
David E. Morris, Sr., University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA
Dr.
John Scott, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA
ABSTRACT
The
purpose of this paper is to report the results of research investigating the
effect, if any, of class size, the timing of classes and GPA on the performance
of accounting students. Specifically, this study examined how these three
factors affected the performance of students in the second introductory
accounting course that is required in most post-secondary business programs. The
research covered a time period of eleven years with a sample size of 493
students. All data was obtained from one instructor’s classes. This helped to
ensure the validity of the results in that all sections of the course received
the same lecture, teaching style and exams. This study was conducted at a
medium- sized four year state university. Prior research regarding the effect of
class size on student success has been mixed. There is a perception among many
students and professors that large class sizes have a negative impact on the
effectiveness of the class. However, in one study (Hill 1998) it was concluded
that larger classes performed better than smaller classes. Only very limited
research has been conducted regarding the effect, if any, that the timing of
classes has on student performance. One such study (Vruwink and Otto 1987)
found that the timing of classes had no significant effect on student
performance. However, there were limitations of the study. There have been
numerous studies examining the ability of students’ cumulative college GPAs to
predict the success of students taking various courses. However, there has been
limited research investigating students’ GPAs’ ability to predict success
specifically in the introductory accounting classes. The results of this study
indicated that there was not a statistically significant relationship between
the timing of classes and student success in the class. There was also no
statistical significance between the size of classes and student performance in
accounting classes. There was a strong statistical significance between GPA and
student success in the accounting classes. These results have policy
implications for school administrators and for accounting instructors.
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Perceptions of Students in Relation to the Gender of Professors in a College of
Business
Dr.
Marian C. Schultz, The University of West Florida
Dr.
James T. Schultz, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Dr. Thomas Sieland, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
ABSTRACT
This
study sought to determine if there was a significance difference in the
perceptions of male and female students related to their instructors with
disciplines in a College of Business Management, Finance Economics and
Accounting. Previous research studies were had revealed conflicting data in that
some reflected a difference between male and female students towards female
instructors while other had not. A two dimensional Chi-Square test was used to
quantify the data. The results of this study in the four discipline analyzed
revealed a difference in all of the disciplines. For three of the disciplines,
Finance, Economics and Accounting the study found that there was no difference
between the female and male instructors. For Management however, the study found
that female students rated female instructors as significantly more credible
than male students. The purpose of study was to explore how genders are
perceived in educational contexts, and how these perceptions form stereotypes
that may be an unintended gender bias. Perceptions regarding gender have
implications in both the education and work environments. Whether based on past
experiences or stereotypes, there are differences on how we all perceive gender
in certain occupations. Various studies have investigated assumptions including
research by Siegle and Reis (1994), which surveyed students on how the gender of
the instructors affected their perceptions. Male and female students may have
different perceptions of the way they view professors, especially when
considering the gender and subject taught. There have been several studies based
on student perception utilizing variables including the gender of the student,
gender of the professor, and the discipline being taught. Sex stereotyping can
limit the development of the natural talents and abilities of both women and
men, as well as their educational experiences and life opportunities (Bohan,
2011).
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The Development of Corporate Social Responsibility in Poland
Professor Krystyna Kietlinska, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
Professor Bozena Mikołajczyk, University of
Lodz, Lodz, Poland
ABSTRACT
This
paper refers to the social activities of enterprises. The aim of this paper is
to present and assess the role of business in the implementation of social
objectives in Poland. Due to difficulties in assessing the effects of Corporate
Social Responsibility only the ranking of companies involved in these activities
and the results of 2013 the “Liderzy Filantropii” [Leaders of Philanthropy]
competition were used. The concept of corporate social responsibility began as
an activity that aims to improve the image of the company, as part of its
development strategy. This means is that the aims of the company involve not
only profit but also the implementation of certain social objectives. Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) is a mutual relationship between business and
non-governmental organizations, local authorities, and the local community. CSR
covers a variety of activities, such as investment in human capital, preventing
social exclusion, development of culture, science, the environmental protection,
etc. The aim of the paper is to assess the degree of involvement of Polish
companies in social activities. According to the European Commission
(Promoting a European Framework for Corporate Social Responsibility, 2001)
corporate social responsibility is the management consisting in integrating
social, environmental, ethical, and human rights issues with business operations
and strategy, in collaboration with stakeholders. In a similar way, CSR is
defined by Polish authors (Stafiej-Bartosik, Łukasik, 2008): “CSR is the way of
managing the company assuming such business decisions that take into account the
interests of shareholders (owners, investors), as well as the needs of
stakeholders - customers, employees, suppliers, local communities, and the
environment.”
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Working and Learning of the Aged in South Korea
Dr.
Jisun Chung, Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training
ABSTRACT
This
study is conducted to analyze the situations of working and lifelong learning of
older adults and to suggest future directions and policy implications in South
Korea where society is experiencing the most rapid aging. A look into the labor
market reveals that a higher percentage of aged workers are working till late
years compared to other OECD countries with less learning opportunities.
Particular emphasis is placed on the social responsibility of higher education
to provide learning opportunities for older learners to improve their vocational
competency. Analyzing some forward-looking older adult learning institutes in
advanced countries, policy implications are drawn to make a blueprint. It is
suggested that the future directions should contribute to the policy implication
on establishment of older adult friendly lifelong learning system at colleges.
Currently South Korea is the fastest aging society in the world. In terms of
demographics the population aged 65 and older accounts for 12.2% of the total
population in 2013 (KOSIS, 2013). The rate accounted for more than 7% in 2000,
which means South Korea has entered into an aging society (United Nations,
2007). The percentage of the aged is projected to double to 14.3% in
2018, and the country shifts to an aged society. It is supposed to be over 20%,
entering into a post-aged one in 2026. This flow demonstrates that South Korea
transits from the aging society to the aged within 18 years and from aged to
post-aged within 8 years. Increasing life expectancy and declining birth rates
have been key trends causing a fast-paced demographic transition. The
proportion of the aged population, 65 years and older, has increased
dramatically over the past few years in South Korea. Compared to other
industrialized countries the aging speed of South Korean society is faster.
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Effective IT Governance: An Exploratory Study
Dr.
Humam Elagha, Royal University for Women, Kingdom of Bahrain
ABSTRACT
What
is the impact of IT Governance Domains, Maturity, and Mechanisms on the overall
Effectiveness of IT Governance and through that on realizing business value from
IT? This question has recently gained importance, as IT Governance is high on
the corporate agenda. This study empirically examines the impact of IT
Governance Domains on IT Governance Maturity and the impact of IT Governance
Maturity and Mechanisms on the overall Effectiveness of IT Governance. In this
study, a special attention is paid to the discussion of the research results and
the practical implications. The discussion is enriched by the indication of some
of the most related results of the previous studies. Major finding is that
organizations with more Mature Governance Domains and more Effective Governance
Mechanisms likely obtain a higher degree of overall Effectiveness of IT
Governance. The findings contribute to the IT Governance literature on the
importance of IT Governance Domains and Mechanisms in implementing Effective IT
Governance. In recent years, there have been spectacular failures of large
information technology (IT) investments - major enterprise resource planning (ERP)
systems initiatives that were never completed, e-business initiatives that were
ill-conceived or poorly executed and new systems developed that were never used
effectively [1]. In contrast, some firms get above industry average returns from
their IT investments year after year. These successful firms not only make
better IT decisions, they also make better IT decisions consistently. These
firms must have better IT governance - they have the right people making
IT-related decisions more effectively than their competitors [2]. According to
[3], top-performing enterprises succeed in obtaining value from IT where others
fail, in part, by implementing effective IT governance to support their
strategies and institutionalize good practices.
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Water Crisis in the Nile-Basin – Is It Really a Zero Sum Game?
Dr. Habil Laszlo Kozar, Professor,
Head of Institute of Commerce, Hungary
Budapest Business School, College of
Commerce Catering and Tourism (BBS CCCT), Hungary
Dr. Gyorgy Ivan Neszmelyi, Budapest
Business School, College of Commerce Catering and Tourism (BBS CCCT), Hungary
ABSTRACT
The
paper gives an insight to the increasing conflict and dispute on the issue of
distribution and utilization of the water discharge of Nile River among ten
African countries. (Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan - which has been splitted to two
independent countries in 2011). These countries are all affected by this issue,
however each of them in different extent and way, but all of them strive for
asserting their own economic and security interest. The impacts of this issue
extend far beyond the direct geographical region itself, and of course, it has a
predominant influence on the water and food supply of around 300 million people
who live in these countries. The sharpest disaccord can be seen between the
group of Sub-Saharan riparian countries laying in the upper part of Nile and
Egypt. The rapidly growing population and her almost exclusive dependence on the
Nile-water makes the Egyptian government insist strongly to her quota, which was
set in international agreements long ago. The Sub-Saharan countries would amend
the prevailing sharing system to another solution which served their interests
more, so they considered it more rightful. The international community has been
trying to make efforts to settle the issue, (the dispute which almost led to
armed conflicts in the past). The best known of them is the Nile-Basin
Initiative (1999) which is backed by several international organizations like
the World Bank, UNDP, etc. In spite of the international efforts, it looks still
too far to achieve and acceptable solution for all parties. River Nile is
one of the longest rivers of the world, its length is 6,667 km, its catchment
area is 3.37 million km2 (somewhat bigger than the total territory of
India).
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Case Study About a Study Abroad Program: An Entrepreneurial Approach to
Non-Profit Education
Dr.
Joseph Bonnici, Professor, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT
ABSTRACT
This
case study article is primarily divided into two major sections. The “Case
Narrative” section introduces what goes on in setting up a study abroad course.
The case study is ideal for business and tourism students and also for education
students who plan to organize study abroad courses during their academic career.
Most students never take a study abroad course; much less are they aware of what
goes in setting up and running such a course. The “Teaching Narrative” section
serves as a teaching aid for any instructor who would like to use this case
study. It also suggests reading material and electronic sources that could be
useful in understanding the setting up of study abroad courses. Study
abroad programs offer a challenge to everyone involved, especially those on the
organizing side of the venture. The academic subject to be taught should somehow
tie in to the places visited. The syllabus has to be tailored to a non-classroom
setting taking into account the short duration of the program and the behavioral
challenges ahead. Destinations and budgetary expenses have to be planned.
Recruiting students for the program is difficult and necessary. Universities
are increasingly looking for faculty who are not just qualified in a field of
study but also at ease in internationalizing the students' university
experience. As for university students, education majors would benefit from
coursework that addresses their professional goals in expanding their
prospective students’ new global frontiers in international education.
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A
New Form of On-line Sales in Commerce and Tourism: Trends, Advantages and Risks
Dr.
Krisztina Zimanyi, Professor,
Budapest Business School, College of Commerce, Catering and Tourism
Dr. Laszlo Kozar, Professor,
Budapest Business School, College of Commerce, Catering and Tourism
Istvan Kovari,
Budapest Business School, College of Commerce, Catering and Tourism
ABSTRACT
E-commerce is one of the few economic sectors showing significant growth even in
the years of recession regarding both its volume and turnover in commercial
sales. Shopping habits in Hungary have greatly changed, partly due to the
development of new distribution models, yet the spread of technological
innovations (e.g. smartphones, tablets, etc.) may play an important role as
well. Development of technology and payment methods and the expansion of social
spaces guarantee further opportunities of improvement. On the other hand, these
also carry risks that can be outweighed by information, awareness and
appropriate security measures.
According to international surveys, the development of e-commerce has been
continuing steadily since its nadir in the year 2000. Both its volume and
turnover have become a major part of commercial turnover, in the countries of
the European Union (EU27) as well. Regarding Hungary, the development’s rate is
slightly slower than in several other countries, yet the ratio of electronically
realizable net sales revenues compared to the total revenues (19% in 2012) does
exceed the EU average. Even though the turnover’s growth has levelled off in the
last 3 years, but was still over 10.000 billion HUF (33,3 billion €). The most
represented companies in the field of online sales and procurements via digital
channels are involved in the sectors of information, communication,
accommodation services, hospitality and commerce, and car repair services.
(Hungarian Central Statistical Office, 2013)It is possible to claim, almost
regardless of the countries, that generally B2B commerce gives almost two thirds
of e-commerce. It is still an interesting question though, how B2C and C2C sales
will change.
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Perception of Physical Fitness and Leadership Ability: Is It A Perceptual
Advantage?
Dr.
Charles Chekwa, Troy University, AL
Eugene Thomas, Jr., Dillard University, AL
Joshua Sanders, Troy University, AL
ABSTRACT
Although, by definition, “leadership” and “fitness” are not interrelated, the
authors suggest that, consciously or subconsciously, one’s fitness can influence
others’ paradigm regarding one’s ability to lead. This document seeks to delve
into the attributes of physical fitness and its impact on leadership ability.
The authors will discuss physical fitness in relation to the external
perspectives of bosses, subordinates, and peers as well as previously accepted
observations. Some data indicate that “regular exercise is positively correlated
with leadership performance based on independent observer ratings. Furthermore,
in the military world, one report even showed a significant positive
relationship between a cadet’s physical aptitude and being evaluated as having
leadership ability Therefore, it is the authors’ intent to answer the following
question: Does physical fitness affect leadership? The authors suggest that
perception of physical fitness can inevitably affect subordinate and leader
perceptions of ability to lead. The authors also argue that the most impactful
perceptual fitness indicators are energy, stamina, and/or appearance. However, a
literature review revealed studies that suggest a possible negative effect of
exercise and fitness on mental health. In 2000, Al Gore and George W. Bush
squared off in a heated presidential race and, despite their frantic and
grueling schedules, each made fitness “a top priority in their lives” (Neck,
Mitchell, Manz, Cooper, & Thompson, 2000). The authors submit that this can be a
perceptual example of what fitness means and has always meant to both presidents
and presidential candidates in the past. In fact, Forbes magazine
reported that only five presidents (11.6%) have been “obese” according to the
antiquated body mass index (BMI): Taft (42.3 on the BMI), Cleveland (34.6),
McKinley (31.1), Taylor (30.2), and Teddy Roosevelt (30.2). Bill Clinton was
overweight with a BMI of 28.3.
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The Social Normative Influence and the Purchase of LCD TV in Saudi Arabia
Dr. Hussein Abdulla El-Omari,
Princess Sumaya University for Science and Technology, Amman, Jordan
ABSTRACT
As
one of a series of articles on consumer appliances in Saudi Arabia, the results
of this article have indicated the strong influence of the social normative
influence on Saudis when buying Liquid-crystal display television (LCD TV). This
influence comes from personal sources such as (friends, relatives, colleagues,
or neighbors). Methods of seeking and sending information used by Saudis when
making the purchase decision of Liquid-crystal display television (LCD TV) were
examined. Face-to-face interaction form of communication was found to be the
most frequently used. The findings, also, showed that LCD TV opinion leadership
exists in Saudi Arabia and those opinion leaders were found to have exerted
great amount of influence on the purchase of Liquid-crystal display television
(LCD TV). Further, personal sources of information were found to have exerted a
great deal of social normative influence on Saudis when purchasing an LCD TV.
The nature of Saudis' social structure, its organization and welfare services
are rooted in the values and traditions of Arab Muslim Culture. One of the Five
Basic Pillars of Faith in Islam is the practice of alms-giving and care of the
needy. Saudis' behavior is heavily influenced by the value, norms and
expectations of Islam. Saudis' social structure involves strong kinship
patterns. The clan is the basis of the Saudis' tribal society and the extended
family is the foundation of rural and urban society, thus there is a strong
sense of loyalty to the clan or family.
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Analysis on Employment of Junior College Graduates with Reference to Korea
Dr.
Miyeong Lee, Professor, Korea Tourism College, Korea
ABSTRACT
This
study purposes to investigate the supply and demand of Korea’s junior college
graduates and analyze the behavior of young generates’ participation in the
Korean labor market. To this end, the study conducts an in-depth analysis of
existing government documents and recent statistics. And it includes the number
of enrollment, the graduates’ economic activities, major fields of study,
employment pathways, and differences between
the employees in
the
capital and non-capital area such as
characteristics of the employees by college location,
correlation between work and majors, and periods of job search. Junior colleges
in the face of the change of national and international environment recently
have met a crisis which should retain provide skilled manpower adaptable to the
world changing as an educative role. In 2011, approximately 757,721 students
enrolled in private two-year colleges (the Ministry of Education, 2013). Junior
colleges have the lack of new college student resources by the rapid decrease in
the school-age population, the problem of the restriction by quantitative
expansion of institutes of higher education, and the predictions of the decrease
in demand for the intermediate level of technical manpower. They are a large
part of the nation’s higher education system and provide an important access
point to post-secondary education for many students in Korea. Over the past
forty years, policymakers have paid increasing attention to students getting
jobs after graduating from a college. Government and college institutions try to
increase jobs in the labor market. A weak labor market already has left half of
young college graduates either jobless or underemployed in positions that aren't
fully used their skills and knowledge in Korea.
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An Event Analysis of Open Market Reactions Study From 2006 – 2012 Towards Share
Repurchases
Among Malaysian Firms
Sohail Ahmed, University MARA, Shah Alam, West Malaysia
ABSTRACT
Since limited studies have been done on share buybacks in Bursa Malaysia, this
study intends to provide additional inside information on this practice. This
study was undertaken because of eagerness to know more about the true financial
and economic significance of share buyback. The objectives of this study were: To
investigate the effects of share buybacks on share prices and the related risks
in the short run before, at and after share buybacks. Financial theorists
subscribe to a number hypothesis and theories to explain the motivations for
share buyback program. Investigating the determinant and relationship of the
share buyback volume with other financial variables from the financial reports
and the financial characteristics of firms reveals the motivation for
undertaking the share buyback program. The study investigates which testable
hypothesis, out of all mentioned in the literature review, significantly
contributes to share repurchases within the Malaysian context. The two
objectives are generalization out of all the data collected. In generalization,
individual effects on firms are ignored or averaged out. Therefore, using event
studies and Multivariate Regression Analysis output produced from the regression
analysis, this study intends to forecast future share prices. In short the
research objectives can be summarized as follow: To examine and test the
explanations of share repurchases within Bursa Malaysia (regression analysis);
To investigate the effect of share buybacks on share prices (t Test); To
identify the change in risk in the short run before, at, and after share
buybacks (Standard Deviation);
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Financial Export Support and its Appropriateness for SMEs – Example of the Czech
Republic
Ing. Stanislav Richter, University of Economics, Prague, Czech Republic
ABSTRACT
This paper strives to discuss the issue of financing the export of SMEs on the
example of a small open economy of the Czech Republic. Current situation on the
international markets is presented and contrasted with the unique traits of SMEs.
The paper then introduces the relevance and definition of SMEs in the context of
European Union with specific focus on the Czech Republic. Restrictions and
limitations to application of extensive state support financing of OECD and WTO
members as well as national regulations are presented and explained. The
magnitude of the state export support is being examined on the approach of the
Czech Republic and its Export Strategy for period 2012 - 2020. Within this
strategy the key institutions providing the export financial support are
determined and concisely described. The most significant contribution of this
paper is then the field research which was conducted to detect the general
awareness and usage of these services provided by state owned financial
institutions among SMEs. This research also presents the needs and possible
future changes proposed by the SMEs to the whole export support framework and is
concluded with possible future threats that could affect means of financing of
foreign trade.
„The
Czech Republic, largely because of its geography in the centre of Europe, is
highly trade dependent. Some 80% of its GDP is accounted for by trade, and 90%
of this is accounted for by its trade with the European Union” (HSBC, 2010, p.
27). Such an openness of the country’s
economy
can be hardly observed in any other European Union member state and represents
an integral factor when pursuing well-being and GDP growth sustainability.
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Using Deductive Data Warehouses to Analyze Data
Dr. Kornelije Rabuzin,
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Organization and Informatics, Croatia
Dr. Mirko Malekovic,
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Organization and Informatics, Croatia
Dr. Alen Lovrencic,
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Organization and Informatics, Croatia
ABSTRACT
In one of papers that have been published in the field of data warehousing and
business intelligence the idea of deductive data warehouses has been proposed.
It has been recognized that deductive databases and data warehouses are quite
similar and the main idea of the paper was to define deductive data warehouses
and to show how Datalog can be used to analyze data i.e. to perform OLAP
analysis on data. The idea seems to be interesting but many things need to be
explored further on. In this paper we explore how deductive data warehouses can
be used on two real case scenarios and we examine the benefits and drawbacks of
such an approach. Databases have been with us for a long time and they are
still very much in use because they can efficiently store and manage large
amounts of data. In the world that we live in this is crucial as knowledge
doubles every few years. Further on, many people use many different applications
on a daily basis; all such applications need to store data and databases are
(almost) unavoidable. In order to work with databases we use some database
management system. Many such systems are available, but most known (relational)
database management systems (DBMS) are IBM DB2, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL
Server, MySQL, Oracle, Alpha Five, PostgreSQL etc. Existing database management
systems are different, but they (mostly) support SQL as a language that is used
to work with databases. SQL is a standardized language and it is good to know
SQL in order to be able to work with databases. SQL contains many different
statements;
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Economic Analysis and Management Models for Metallic Materials Industry
Dr.
Adrian Ioana,
University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, Romania
Dr. Augustin Semenescu,
University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, Romania
Dr. Cezar Florin Preda,
University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, Romania
ABSTRACT
The
article presents specific aspects of management and models for economic
analysis. Thus, we present the main types of economic analysis: statistical
analysis, dynamic analysis, static analysis, mathematical analysis,
psychological analysis. We also present the main object of the analysis: the
technological activity analysis of a company, the analysis of the production
costs, the economic activity analysis of a company, the analysis of equipment,
the analysis of labor productivity, the analysis of the goods flow. Moreover,
the paper presents an algorithmic analysis of the marketing mix in metallurgy.
It also analyzes the main correlations and their optimizing possibilities
through an efficient management. Thus, both the effect and the importance of the
marketing mix, for components (the four “P-s”) are analyzed in the materials’
industry, and their correlations as well, with the goal to optimize the specific
management. The article briefly presents the main correlations between the 4
marketing mix components (the 4 “P-s”) for a product within the materials’
industry, including aspects regarding specific management. At the same time we
present and analyze in our article new concepts such as: Level of Product
Completion (LPC), Quality Control Activity (QCA), Cost Control Activity (CCA),
Turnover Analysis (TA). The etymology of the term "economic analysis" is the
Greek word "analisi" (Ioana, 2013, *** 2002). The term “analysis” is from
Medieval Latin “analysis”, from Ancient Greek: “ἀνάλυσις” (analusis), ἀναλύω (analuō,
“I unravel, investigate”), ἀνά (ana, “on, up”) + λύω (luō, “I loosen”). The
economic analysis is a research method, based on decomposing and dismantling an
object or a phenomenon in its components or its basic elements (Ioana, 2009,
2007). By means of economic analysis we investigate various phenomena, their
structure, we verify those phenomena, find out their intimate rules and based on
that we substantiate and take actions concerning the future of the company’s
economic activity (Nicolescu, 2000, Ioana et all, 2013).
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Outsourcing Reasons and Results - Survey Outcomes Discussion
Professor Beata Slusarczyk,
Czestochowa Technical University, Poland
Professor Sebastian Kot,
Czestochowa Technical University, Poland
ABSTRACT
Outsourcing is more and more popular management strategy for cutting costs,
functioning effectiveness increase and competitive market position
strengthening. There are many various reasons for outsourcing implementation for
enterprises as well as different results including some negative ones. The
authors in their study try to analyze the reasons and results of outsourcing
implementation focusing on small and medium enterprises in the survey. The
outcomes show that not only costs reduction but focusing on core activities are
main determinants for outsourcing. In the analysis Authors consider main areas
of outsourcing implementation, variables of outsourcing partner choice procedure
as well as costs and customer satisfaction of outsourcing services.
Globalization and continuous increase of competitiveness give new challenges for
organizations (Ślusarczyk, 2013). They require companies to adapt their
structures and activities to new market standards. This necessity must be
implemented quickly and efficiently to prevent loss of customers and market
shares. For many years, modern companies are being focused on issue for
improving and streamlining operating processes. Sometimes implementation of new
solutions causes drastic changes in organization and its environment. It also
results in reduction of employment, change of trading partner, enhancement or
narrowing of implemented products and services. A choice of appropriate method
of management depends on company’s selected strategy and must be adjusted to its
structure and possibility. Outsourcing is one of the most popular and applied
management concepts.
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Hiring Malaysians with Disabilities: Act of Kindness or Act of Law?
Dr. Magdalene C. H. Ang, Labuan School of International Business and Finance,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
ABSTRACT
Inadequate knowledge about disability can breed erroneous ideas and beliefs
about persons with disabilities’ (PWDs) potentials and abilities to perform in
the workplace. Managers who hold misconceptions about PWDs are as such likely to
perceive PWDs as “risky hires,” and subsequently deny PWDs the jobs for which
they are qualified and capable of doing. To protect PWDs’ rights to equitable
employment opportunities, numerous affirmative action policies have long since
been legislated in many developed countries and more recently in Malaysia. While
the extant literature shows that disability legislation can influence PWDs’
employment, the topic has received limited research attention in Malaysia. Also,
no known research in Malaysia has examined the influence of organizational
culture and social desirability within the context of hiring decisions for PWDS.
To bridge the research gap, this paper documents a study which explored how
legislation, organizational culture, and social desirability might influence
managerial hiring decisions for Malaysians with disabilities. Two hundred
non-disabled employers from private organizations located in east Malaysia
participated in the survey. Partial least square (PLS) modeling was employed to
test the hypothesized linkages. Consistent with expectations, legislation,
organizational culture, and social desirability significantly predicted hiring
decisions for PWDs. The findings offer important implications for policy makers
and interest groups.
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Web page Use by Enterprises in European Union: Multiple Regression Analysis
Approach
Dr.
Ksenija Dumicic,
Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Dr. Berislav Zmuk,
Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Irena Palic,
Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia
ABSTRACT
The
analysis of the percentage of enterprises in the EU-28 countries that have a web
site or homepage is conducted in this paper using multiple linear regression
modelling. In order to improve their market positions and gain competitive
advantage enterprises create their own web site or homepage. Nowadays, because
of fast and strong technology development enterprises are persuaded to have a
web site in order to survive. Enterprises in high-tech countries have recognized
the importance of having a web site and because of that almost all enterprises
in these countries have one. On the other side, less technologically developed
countries, like Romania and Bulgaria, recorded a significantly lower share of
enterprises that have a web page. Because of that it is assumed that level of
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development has a significant
impact on a share of enterprises that have a web page in a country. Overall
twelve variables are recognized as variables which could have significant impact
on share of enterprises having a web site. These variables are grouped into four
groups. Each group of variables covers and describes ICT development level
indicator which is considered important. The multiple regression analysis has
shown that variables Percentage of enterprises that provided to the persons
employed portable devices that allow a mobile connection to the Internet and
Percentage of enterprises that employed ICT/IT specialists are the most
appropriate explanatory variables for Percentage of enterprises having a web
page. Due to the fact that having a web page has a positive impact on
competitiveness of enterprises as well as of countries, research of the
variables that determine the share of enterprises which have it is important and
justified.
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Ingolstadt as Automotive Center
David
Fekete, Szechenyi Istvan University, Doctoral School of Regional and Economic
Sciences, Hungary
ABSTRACT
Considering the current economic trends in Eastern and Central Europe the role
of the automotive industry cannot be ignored. The development of the single
automotive centers contributes to a large extent to the growth and development
of municipalities, city regions or even countries. These centers, however, need
to face countless challenges and to solve these the cooperation of the
participants is a necessity, just like in case of the maintenance and
enhancement of economic development. In this paper we study the Ingolstadt
automotive district, with a special regard to the impacts of the automotive
industry (AUDI AG) on urban development and the cooperation model established
between the region’s economic actors, higher education institutions and the
city’s functional region. We are going to study in detail the city’s
infrastructural facilities and the role of the local government in the
development of local economy, when analyzing those local government operated
companies and projects, which contributed to the enhancement of the quality of
the city’s business premises (Development Cooperation, logistic park, R&D
center, Business Development Company, telecommunications company etc.). The goal
of this paper is to explore the ongoings, cooperations and the best practice in
the Ingolstadt automotive district in order to formulate the operational model
of the Ingolstadt automotive center. This operational model may serve as a
guideline for the further development of other automotive centers both at the
stage of establishment and already operating. Territorial and regional
structures are tightly linked to economic development.
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A
Framework for Modelling the Lateness of Manufacturing Processes
Sebastian Bertsch,
Institute of Production Systems and Logistics, Leibniz University of Hanover
Abstract
In
the last 20 years, logistic performance and in particular schedule reliability
has become one of the most important factors for manufacturing companies to keep
a competitive edge. Despite of the importance of schedule reliability, many
companies face an insuperable challenge to achieve a satisfying level. Designing
a production system capable of realizing a top-of-the-class schedule reliability
remains a great endeavor. One of the main obstacles is that practitioners cannot
identify the reason for the low schedule reliability of their specific
production system. Hence, they have no evidence of how to redesign the
production system in order to improve the schedule reliability. Scientific
research can contribute to overcome this deficit. Science can develop impact
models that calculate the quantitative effect of the different influencing
factor of schedule reliability. This way, practitioners can identify the main
influencing factors and can estimate the effect of measures to improve the
schedule reliability. This paper contributes to the development of logistic
impact models. It provides a comprehensive overview of lateness related key
performance indicators, descriptive models, and impact models. Based on this
overview, the need for further impact models is derived. Furthermore, a
framework for the development of lateness impact models is presented. This
framework structures the different influencing factors of lateness and describes
their interdependencies.
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Impacts of Large-Scale Foreign Direct Investment on the Local Economy
Katalin Czako, Szechenyi Istvan University,
Hungary
ABSTRACT
Role
of foreign direct investment in a given region can be potential success factor
according to the literature. (Lengyel I, 2010.) Level of private capital and
connected owner networks are quite objectively measurable items in the framework
of new conception of territorial capital. (Camagni R. 2009.) In case of Győr,
entrepreneurialism is strongly affected by foreign capital, which has visible
and institutionalized outcomes in everyday life. The following study introduces
the main points of cooperation between Győr and Audi Hungaria Motor Ltd. Beside
this the study highlights the main characteristics of the hosting region and the
company itself, which have possible effects on each economic actor. The study
has five main points. First point is a general introduction of Audi Hungaria
Motor Ltd. Secondly the study analyses the demography, especially data of labor
market in Győr and surroundings and introduces the main points of the expansion
process. Third point gives detailed picture of the logistics and supplier group
of the company. After that the study introduces the economic developer role of
the local government through the given industrial infrastructure and the tax
system. Finally CSR activities of the company are collected. The study is aiming
to highlight those effects, which can be originated from the presence of Audi
Hungaria Motor Ltd. and can be potential critical points in aspect of long-term
regional economic development. Audi Hungária Motor Kft (1) develops and
produces engines in its Győr based facility for the AUDI AG and other premises
of the Volkswagen Concern. Besides this, in cooperation with the Ingolstadt
based facility, the models Audi TT Coupé, Roadster and A3 Cabriolet are produced
here.
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Transformative Learning Illustrated! Entrepreneurship Education as a Projection
of a Business Life
Dr.
Agnieszka Kurczewska, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz,
Poland
ABSTRACT
This
study explores and discusses the characteristics of successful transformative
learning in the entrepreneurship education context. It is based on a two-year
investigation of a group of students from the international organization Enactus.
As a result of the ethnographic study, the concept of autonomic learning is
illustrated by a real life case and is translated into practical guidelines on
how to enhance students’ entrepreneurial thinking and behavior. Transformative
learning is incorporated into the broader concept of entrepreneurship education
as a projection of a business life. In particular, the notion of creation of
entrepreneurial responsibility through entrepreneurial experiences is developed.
The study offers a new insight into the dynamics and complexity of authentic
entrepreneurial learning process held outside the classroom.
Entrepreneurship education is flourishing rapidly both in theory and practice (Fayolle,
2013). The need for and the merits of entrepreneurship education are broadly
recognized among scholars and educators. However, the pedagogy and didactics,
i.e. methods, ways and strategies of teaching entrepreneurship are still in
their emerging phases. On the theoretical grounds, entrepreneurship education
has incorporated many concepts from general education discipline, like the
concept of learning by doing (Cope and Watts, 2000), the experimental learning
(Kolb, 1984; Politis, 2005), the action learning (Leitch and Harrison, 1999), or
the self-regulated learning (Zimmerman, 1990). What most theorists and
practitioners seem to agree on is that entrepreneurship education calls for
active and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. This usually means
abandoning the traditional lecture-based teaching and stepping out of the
classroom (Cooper et al., 2004).
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Does Financial Liberalisation Affect the Relationship Between the Stock-Market
and
Economic Growth in Singapore?
Dr.
Min Kok Seet, Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore
ABSTRACT
The
study analyzed the impact of financial liberalization on the relationship
between the stock-market and the real economy in Singapore. As a longitudinal
study, it examined whether the relationship between stock-market activities and
economic growth could change over time, particularly when subjected to major
shocks. The research employed vector auto-regression analysis of time series
data over the period 1978-2006, with in-depth analyses in the sub-periods
1978-1996 and 1998-2006 which are separated by the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
Impulse response functions were also utilized to assess the dynamic
inter-relationships between the stock-market and economic development in
Singapore. From the perspective of stock-market development, the study
indicated positive bi-directional causality between stock-market activities and
economic growth in Singapore, with the mutually beneficial linkages between the
stock-market and the real economy becoming less persistent after the 1997 Asian
financial crisis. The implications for policy and research were also examined
in the study. The role of the stock market in fostering the economic growth of
countries has been a topic of debate, particularly in relation to the financial
liberalization of Singapore after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The onset of
the Asian financial crisis in 1997 abruptly stemmed and reversed the robust
pre-crisis growth performance of Singapore, with the domestic stock-market
falling sharply as well. In the aftermath of the 1997 financial crisis, the
Monetary Authorities of Singapore implemented a 5-year liberalization programme
for the domestic financial sector (Tan, 2006).
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Gated Globalization and North American Economic Integration: The Choice of
Reason
Dr.
Igor M. Paramonov, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary, AB, Canada
ABSTRACT
Globalization has entered a new, more fragmented and regionally regulated
phase. Greg Ip of The Economist magazine has described this phase
as “a new, gated kind of globalization.” Instead of moving toward more trade
liberalization multilaterally, nations have been cautiously negotiating the
creation or expansion of regional trading communities protected (“gated”)
against non-members by economic and political barriers. Regional trade
arrangements between countries and groups of countries have grown in scale and
scope in the last twenty years. Nation-states are increasingly having to make
choices in favour of or against joining, expanding, or declining membership in a
growing number of trading blocs. The North American triad (triad) – Canada, the
United States, and Mexico - is dealing with the necessity of modernizing one of
the most powerful but old gated trading communities, while simultaneously
addressing the challenges of forming new alliances across the Pacific and
Atlantic Oceans. This paper suggests a balanced approach to the building of new
trading relations with Asia and Europe while deepening integration within the
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The choice of reason or “NAFTA Two
Plus” formula outlined by the author in previous papers and presentations has
been corroborated by conclusions made by leading experts in the field of North
American economic integration in their recent publications.
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The Effect of Mediators on the Relationship Between Cultural Diversity in Top
Management Team and
Performance of International Joint Ventures in Thailand
Dr.
Pornlapas Suwannarat, Mahasarakham Business School, Mahasarakham University,
Thailand
ABSTRACT
This
study has concentrated on the mediating effect of four mediators: conflict,
social integration, effective communication, and creativity on the relationship
between cultural diversity of top management team and international joint
venture (IJV) performance. Also, the direct impact of cultural diversity on IJV
performance has also been investigated. The Thailand Board of Investment has
provided the original dataset, an official database of IJV firms that operate in
Thailand, to be the target of the study via the survey method. The findings show
that above-mentioned mediators partially mediate the association of cultural
diversity and IJV performance. The direct negative effect of cultural diversity
on IJV performance has also been found. The results of this study are both
consistent and contradict previous studies. This is an original attempt to fill
a knowledge gap in the literature. A number of researchers (e.g., Lassserre,
1999; Glaister and Buckley, 1996; Sim and Ali, 2000; Suwannarat et al.,
2010) argue that international joint ventures (IJVs) become a prevalent mode of
entry of multinational enterprises (MNEs) into new markets and achieve strategic
benefits. Hambrick et al. (2001) point out that, in previous IJV studies,
little attention has been paid to the top management teams in charge, although
they play an important role in accomplishing the goals of the venture and
determining the success and failure of IJVs. According to Hambrick et al.,
(2001), the composition of top management teams within IJVs and the cultural
characteristics of team members have implications for the functioning and
effectiveness of the top management team.
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Analysis of the Innovation Environment: A Case Study of the Innovation
Dimensions in A Public Organization
Dr.
Pedro Carlos Resende Junior, Professor, University of Brasilia, Brazil
Ricardo Ken Fujihara, Senac, Brasilia, Brazil
ABSTRACT
This
article seeks to identify dimensions that explain the process of innovation in a
Brazilian public organization. The methodology involved analyzing documents, as
well as individual interviews. Data were collected using online electronic
questionnaires, and analyzed via the technique of content analysis, in
accordance with Bardin (2002). Results comprised four dimensions, constituted
a posteriori, with factors relevant to the innovation environment: cultural;
structural; organic and leadership. The research results indicate the presence
of features that both promote and inhibit innovation, in all the dimensions of
the organizational environment. Given the complexity of the public sector, due
to the peculiarities involved in managing public services, it is even more
difficult for the environment at organizations to be fertile breeding ground for
innovations geared towards citizens and service users. The concept of
innovation, advanced by Dosi (1982), engenders the development and adoption of
new organizational products and techniques. Innovation can be observed in the
final characteristics of products and services, as the result of mobilizing
technical capacity and skills of suppliers and clients in service provision.
The organizational environment, when geared towards innovation, tends to be open
to new ideas, with a propensity for change through new technology, resources,
abilities and administrative systems (ZHOU, YIM & TSE, 2005). It is in this
context that the research, which gave rise to this article, can be inserted,
with the aim of identifying characteristics from the organizational environment
in a Brazilian public organization, taking into account the level of intensity
and use of management practices oriented to innovation.
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