bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revealing the Relation between Temperament and Behavior Problem Symptoms by Eliminating Measurement Confounding: Expert Ratings and Factor Analyses
Authors: Lemery Kathryn S. , Essex Marilyn J. , Smider Nancy A.
Published: March 2003

This study examined the hypothesis that item overlap, or measurement confounding, accounts for the correlation between temperament and behavior problem symptoms in children. First, a conceptual approach was taken in which 41 experts rated temperament (Children's Behavior Questionnaire, CBQ) and behavior problem symptom items (Preschool Behavior Questionnaire, PBQ) for their fit to both constructs. With this approach, 10% of temperament and 38% of symptom items were confounded. Second, an empirical approach was taken and CBQ and PBQ items were factor analyzed with data from a multi‐informant longitudinal study of 451 children. Using this method, 9% of temperament and 23% of symptom items were confounded. Most importantly, removing the confounded items from the CBQ and PBQ scales did not affect the relation between temperament and symptoms, suggesting that the associations were not due to measurement confounding. In addition, the predictive power of earlier temperament for DSM‐IV symptoms (Health and Behavior Questionnaire) remained high with the purified CBQ scale. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the relation between normal‐range temperament and extreme behavior.
The Relations of Parental Warmth and Positive Expressiveness to Children's Empathy‐Related Responding and Social Functioning: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Zhou Qing , Eisenberg Nancy , Losoya Sandra H. , Fabes Richard A. , Reiser Mark , Guthrie Ivanna K. , Murphy Bridget C. , Cumberland Amanda J. , Shepard Stephanie A.
Published: March 2003

This study examined the concurrent and cross‐time relations of parental observed warmth and positive expressivity to children's situational facial and self‐reported empathic responding, social competence, and externalizing problems in a sample of 180 elementary school children. Data was collected when the children were in second to fifth grades (age: M= 112.8 months), and again 2 years later. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal structural equation models supported the hypothesis that parents’ (mostly mothers’) positive expressivity mediated the relation between parental warmth and children's empathy, and children's empathy mediated the relation between parental positive expressivity and children's social functioning. These relations persisted after controlling for prior levels of parenting and child characteristics. Moreover, concurrent and cross‐time consistencies were found on measures of parenting, children's situational empathic responding, and social functioning.
Hostile Attribution of Intent and Aggressive Behavior: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: De Castro Bram Orobio , Veerman Jan W. , Koops Willem , Bosch Joop D. , Monshouwer Heidi J.
Published: March 2003

A meta‐analytic review was conducted to explain divergent findings on the relation between children's aggressive behavior and hostile attribution of intent to peers. Forty‐one studies with 6,017 participants were included in the analysis. Ten studies concerned representative samples from the general population, 24 studies compared nonaggressive to extremely aggressive nonreferred samples, and 7 studies compared nonreferred samples with children referred for aggressive behavior problems. A robust significant association between hostile attribution of intent and aggressive behavior was found. Effect sizes differed considerably between studies. Larger effects were associated with more severe aggressive behavior, rejection by peers as one of the selection criteria, inclusion of 8‐ to‐12‐year‐old participants, and absence of control for intelligence. Video and picture presentation of stimuli were associated with smaller effect sizes than was audio presentation. Staging of actual social interactions was associated with the largest effects. The importance of understanding moderators of effect size for theory development is stressed.
Cortisol Response to Embarrassment and Shame
Authors: Lewis Michael , Ramsay Douglas
Published: March 2003

This study examined individual differences in 4–year–old children’s (N= 60) expression of the self–conscious emotions of embarrassment and shame and their relation to differences in cortisol response to stress. Results indicated the presence of two different types of embarrassment—one that reflected negative evaluation of the self, and the other a nonevaluative type that reflected simply exposure of the self when the individual was the object of attention of others. Results also indicated a relation between a higher cortisol response to stress and the greater expression of the self–conscious emotions of evaluative embarrassment and shame that reflected negative self–evaluation.
Continuity, Stability, and Change in Daily Emotional Experience across Adolescence
Authors: Larson Reed W. , Moneta Giovanni , Richards Maryse H. , Wilson Suzanne
Published: March 2003

This longitudinal study examined change in adolescents’ daily range of emotional states between early and late adolescence. A sample of 220 youth provided reports on their daily emotions at random times during two 1–week periods. At Time 1 they were in the fifth through eighth grades; 4 years later, at Time 2, they were in the ninth through twelfth grades. Results showed that average emotional states became less positive across early adolescence, but that this downward change in average emotions ceased in grade 10. The results also showed greatest relative instability between youth in the early adolescent years—correlations over time were lower—with stability increasing in late adolescence. Lastly, the study found that adolescents’ average emotions had relatively stable relations to life stress and psychological adjustment between early and late adolescence. As a whole, the findings suggest that late adolescence is associated with a slowing of the emotional changes of early adolescence.
Mothers, Fathers, and Infants: The Role of Person Familiarity and Parental Involvement in Infants’ Perception of Emotion Expressions
Authors: Montague Diane P.F. , Walker–Andrews Arlene S.
Published: March 2003

The roles of person familiarity and parental involvement in 3.5–month–old infants’ sensitivity to the dynamic emotion expressions of others were explored. In the home, parental facial/vocal expressions (happy, sad, angry) were videotaped, and measures of parent–infant involvement were obtained. In the laboratory, 32 infants alternately viewed their mother and father and an unfamiliar woman and man portraying expressions in an intermodal preference task. Infants looked differentially at mothers’ expressions but not at those of fathers or unfamiliar adults. Examination of parent–child involvement patterns revealed significant relations with infants’ sensitivity to expressions. Results suggest that person familiarity may facilitate infants’ developing understanding of others’ emotion expressions, and that individual differences in family dynamics may be relevant to infants’ patterns of responding.
The Influence of Context, Timing, and Duration of Risk Experiences for the Passage from Childhood to Midadulthood
Authors: Schoon Ingrid , Bynner John , Joshi Heather , Parsons Samantha , Wiggins Richard D. , Sacker Amanda
Published: March 2003

This study investigated the long–term effects of social disadvantage on academic achievement and on subsequent attainments in adulthood. The study drew on data collected for over 30,000 individuals born 12 years apart, following their development from birth to adulthood. The pathways that link social disadvantage to individual development across the life course were analyzed in a developmental–contextual systems model. The results showed that the influence of risk factors associated with socioeconomic disadvantage depended on the developmental stage of the individual, the experience of long–term or continuous disadvantage, and the overall sociohistorical context. Early risk had a moderate influence on the formation of individual competences. The greatest risk was associated with persisting and accumulating experiences of socioeconomic disadvantage throughout childhood and adolescence. Material conditions improved for the later–born cohort, yet pervasive social inequalities existed that affected outcomes during childhood and were consequently reflected in adult attainment.
Race and Gender Influences on Adjustment in Early Adolescence: Investigation of an Integrative Model
Authors: DuBois David L. , Burk–Braxton Carol , Swenson Lance P. , Tevendale Heather D. , Hardesty Jennifer L.
Published: March 2003

This research investigated an integrative model of race– and gender–related influences on adjustment during early adolescence using a sample of 350 Black and White youth. In the proposed model, prejudice/discrimination events, as well as race and gender daily hassles, contribute to a general stress context. The stress context, in turn, influences levels of emotional and behavioral problems in adjustment, with these associations mediated (in part) by intervening effects on self–esteem. Racial and gender identity similarly have positive effects on adjustment via their intermediary linkages with self–esteem. Structural equation modeling analyses provided support for all of these aspects of the model. Findings also revealed theoretically predicted differences in model parameters across race by gender subgroups. These include a direct effect of prejudice/discrimination events on emotional problems specific to Black youth and an effect of gender identity on self–esteem specific to girls. Black girls appeared to be most vulnerable to exhibiting significant adjustment difficulties as a result of the processes under investigation.
Do Beez Buzz? Rule–Based and Frequency–Based Knowledge in Learning to Spell Plural –s
Authors: Kemp Nenagh , Bryant Peter
Published: March 2003

There has been much discussion about whether certain aspects of human learning depend on the abstraction of rules or on the acquisition of frequency–based knowledge. It has usually been agreed, however, that the spelling of morphological patterns in English (e.g., past tense –ed) and other languages is based on the acquisition of morphological rules, and that these rules take a long time to learn. The regular plural –s ending seems to be an exception: Even young children can spell this correctly, even when it is pronounced /z/ (as in bees). Reported here are 3 studies that show that 5– to 9–year–old children and adults do not usually base their spellings of plural real–word and pseudo–word endings on the morphological rule that all regular plurals are spelled with –s. Instead, participants appeared to use their knowledge of complex but untaught spelling patterns, which is based on the frequency with which certain letters co–occur in written English.
Examination of Peer–Group Contextual Effects on Aggression During Early Adolescence
Authors: Espelage Dorothy L. , Holt Melissa K. , Henkel Rachael R.
Published: March 2003

Peer group contextual effects of aggressive behavior among middle school students (6th–8th graders) were examined using a short–term longitudinal design. More specifically, the homophily hypothesis that peer group membership influences individual–level bullying and fighting was evaluated with multilevel sex–specific models of individual– and peer–level aggression scores. Peer groups were identified via social network analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficients yielded through hierarchical linear modeling demonstrated substantial within–group similarity on self–reported bullying and fighting, suggesting that students affiliate with individuals who bully and fight at the same frequency. Peer group bullying and fighting was associated with individual–level behavior, even after controlling individual baseline levels for males and females. However, peer contextual effects explained more variance in individual bullying than individual fighting. This differential impact of peer group membership suggests that future studies consider peer relations across subtypes of aggression.
U.S. and Korean Children's Comprehension of Fraction Names: A Reexamination of Cross–National Differences
Authors: Paik Jae H. , Mix Kelly S.
Published: March 2003

Two experiments tested the claim that the transparency of Korean fraction names promotes fraction concepts (Miura, Okamoto, Vlahovic–Stetic, Kim, & Han, 1999). In Experiment 1, U.S. and Korean first and second graders made similar errors on a fraction–identification task, by treating fractions as whole numbers. Contrary to previous findings, Korean children performed at chance when a whole–number representation was included. Nonetheless, Korean children outperformed their U.S. peers overall. In Experiment 2, U.S. children's performance improved when fraction names were used that explicitly referred to part–whole relations like Korean fraction names. U.S. children's scores actually exceeded those of Korean children. Thus, although the differences in fraction names may influence children's performance, this may not account for the reported cross–national differences.
Mental Computation and Language Breakdown: Clarifications, Extensions, and Responses
Authors: Frawley William
Published: March 2003

This paper is a response to commentaries on my target paper for Computational Intelligence, “Control and Cross‐Domain Mental Computation: Evidence from Language Breakdown.” In this response, I acknowledge certain errors in my initial construal of control and dismiss unwarranted criticisms. I then reexamine both control and certain language disorders in light of the explicitness of cross‐domain communication and the visibility of representations to each other. In the end, I reassert the validity of the logic/control (visibility) distinction in mental computation and argue that the contrasts between Specific Language Impairment and Williams syndrome parallel this distinction.
Automated Negotiation from Declarative Contract Descriptions
Authors: Reeves Daniel M. , Wellman Michael P. , Grosof Benjamin N.
Published: March 2003

Our approach for automating the negotiation of business contracts proceeds in three broad steps. First, determine the structure of the negotiation process by applying general knowledge about auctions and domain–specific knowledge about the contract subject along with preferences from potential buyers and sellers. Second, translate the determined negotiation structure into an operational specification for an auction platform. Third, after the negotiation has completed, map the negotiation results to a final contract. We have implemented a prototype which supports these steps by employing a declarative specification (in courteous logic programs) of (1) high–level knowledge about alternative negotiation structures, (2) general–case rules about auction parameters, (3) rules to map the auction parameters to a specific auction platform, and (4) special–case rules for subject domains. We demonstrate the flexibility of this approach by automatically generating several alternative negotiation structures for the domain of travel shopping in a trading agent competition.
Compression Domain Volume Rendering for Distributed Environments
Authors: Lippert L. , Gross M.H. , Kurmann C.
Published: March 2003

This paper describes a method for volume data compression and rendering which bases on wavelet splats. The underlying concept is especially designed for distributed and networked applications, where we assume a remote server to maintain large scale volume data sets, being inspected, browsed through and rendered interactively by a local client. Therefore, we encode the server’s volume data using a newly designed wavelet based volume compression method. A local client can render the volumes immediately from the compression domain by using wavelet footprints, a method proposed earlier. In addition, our setup features full progression, where the rendered image is refined progressively as data comes in. Furthermore, framerate constraints are considered by controlling the quality of the image both locally and globally depending on the current network bandwidth or computational capabilities of the client. As a very important aspect of our setup, the client does not need to provide storage for the volume data and can be implemented in terms of a network application. The underlying framework enables to exploit all advantageous properties of the wavelet transform and forms a basis for both sophisticated lossy compression and rendering. Although coming along with simple illumination and constant exponential decay, the rendering method is especially suited for fast interactive inspection of large data sets and can be supported easily by graphics hardware.
Generalized View‐Dependent Simplification
Authors: El‐Sana Jihad , Varshney Amitabh
Published: March 2003

We propose a technique for performing view‐dependent geometry and topology simplifications for level‐of‐detail‐based renderings of large models. The algorithm proceeds by preprocessing the input dataset into a binary tree, the view‐dependence tree of general vertex‐pair collapses. A subset of the Delaunay edges is used to limit the number of vertex pairs considered for topology simplification. Dependencies to avoid mesh foldovers in manifold regions of the input object are stored in the view‐dependence tree in an implicit fashion. We have observed that this not only reduces the space requirements by a factor of two, it also highly localizes the memory accesses at run time. The view‐dependence tree is used at run time to generate the triangles for display. We also propose a cubic‐spline‐based distance metric that can be used to unify the geometry and topology simplifications by considering the vertex positions and normals in an integrated manner.
Image Morphing with Feature Preserving Texture
Authors: Tal Ayellet , Elber Gershon
Published: March 2003

Image metamorphosis as an animation tool has mostly been employed in the context of the entire image. This work explores the use of isolated and focused image based metamorphosis between two‐dimensional objects, while capturing the features, colors, and textures of the objects. This pinpointed approach allows one to independently overlay several such dynamic shapes, without any bleeding of one shape into another. Hence, shape blending and metamorphosis of two‐dimensional objects can be exploited as animated sequences of clip arts.
Unsteady Flow Visualization by Animating Evenly‐Spaced Streamlines
Authors: Jobard Bruno , Lefer Wilfrid
Published: March 2003

In recent years the work on vector field visualization has been concentrated on LIC‐based methods. In this paper we propose an alternative solution for the visualization of unsteady flow fields. Our approach is based on the computation of temporal series of correlated images. While other methods are based on pathlines and try to correlate successive images at the pixel level, our approach consists in correlating instantaneous visualizations of the vector field at the streamline level. For each frame a feed forward algorithm computes a set of evenly‐spaced streamlines as a function of the streamlines generated for the previous frame. This is achieved by establishing a correspondence between streamlines at successive time steps. A cyclical texture is mapped onto every streamline and textures of corresponding streamlines at different time steps are correlated together so that, during the animation, they move along the streamlines, giving the illusion that the flow is moving in the direction defined by the streamline. Our method gives full control on the image density so that we are able to produce smooth animations of arbitrary density, covering the field of representations from sparse, that is classical streamline‐based images, to dense, that is texture‐like images.
An Inexpensive BRDF Model for Physically‐based Rendering
Authors: Schlick Christophe
Published: March 2003

A new BRDF model is presented which can be viewed as an kind of intermediary model between empirism and theory. Main results of physics are observed (energy conservation, reciprocity rule, microfacet theory) and numerous phenomena involved in light reflection are accounted for, in a physically plausible way (incoherent and coherent reflection, spectrum modifications, anisotropy, self‐shadowing, multiple surface and subsurface reflection, differences between homogeneous and heterogeneous materials). The model has been especially intended for computer graphics applications and therefore includes two main features: simplicity (a small number of intuitively understandable parameters controls the model) and efficiency (the formulation provides adequation to Monte‐Carlo rendering techniques and/or hardware implementations).
Interactive Occlusion and Automatic Object Placement for Augmented Reality
Authors: Breen David E. , Whitaker Ross T. , Rose Eric , Tuceryan Mihran
Published: March 2003

We present several techniques for producing two visual and modeling effects in augmented reality. The first effect involves interactively calculating the occlusions between real and virtual objects. The second effect utilizes a collision detection algorithm to automatically move dynamic virtual objects until they come in contact with static real objects in augmented reality. All of the techniques utilize calibrated data derived from images of a real‐world environment.
Real‐time Volumetric Deformable Models for Surgery Simulation using Finite Elements and Condensation
Authors: Bro‐Nielsen Morten , Cotin Stephane
Published: March 2003

This paper discusses the application of 3D solid volumetric Finite Element models to surgery simulation. In particular it introduces three new ideas for solving the problem of achieving real‐time performance for these models. The simulation system we have developed is described and we demonstrate real‐time deformation using the methods developed in the paper.
Full‐range approximation of triangulated polyhedra.
Authors: Ronfard Rémi , Rossignac Jarek
Published: March 2003

We propose a new algorithm for automatically computing approximations of a given polyhedral object at different levels of details. The application for this algorithm is the display of very complex scenes. where many objects are seen with a range of varying levels of detail. Our approach is similar to the region‐merging method used for image segmentation. We iteratively collapse edges, based on a measure of the geometric deviation from the initial shape. When edges are merged in the right order, this strategy produces a continuum of valid approximations of the original object, which can be used for faster rendering at vastly different scales.
Civil Society and the Modern Constitutional Complex: The Argentine Experience
Authors: Peruzzotti Enrique
Published: March 2003

While constitutionalism is generally reduced to the idea of limited government, little has been said to its contribution to the juridification of the social sphere. The article shows the significance of constitutionalism for the institutionalization of modern civil societies. Modern civil societies, it is argued, can only flourish in a form of modern state that has undergone a process of internal differentiation in the direction of a separation of powers. Through the analysis of the process of self‐constitution of Argentine civil society, I show how the erosion of the constitutional components of the state by populist democratizing movements resulted in the disintegration of civil society.
Non‐Executive Directors: A Question of Independence
Authors: Clifford Peter , Evans Robert
Published: March 2003

This Australian study utilises disclosure requirements in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards AASB 1017: Related Party Disclosures, to provide a richer description of non‐executive director characteristics. Consistent with the findings of Baysinger and Butler (1985) we find a three scale classification system for directors (insider, grey area, outsider) to better reflect board composition.The results indicate that 35% of non‐executive directors were involved in transactions with their companies which potentially threaten their independence (i.e. grey area directors). On average, our findings reveal that the combination of insider and ‘grey’ area directors would constitute a majority of the board. This could lead to companies appearing to comply with current Australian recommendations through possessing a non‐executive majority on the board, whilst in fact being controlled by internal management. This finding similarly applied to the composition of the audit committee.
Corporate Governance Codes: a comparison between Malaysia and the UK
Authors: Ow‐Yong Kean , Kooi Guan Cheah
Published: March 2003

This paper highlights several major aspects of the proposed Malaysian Code and contrasts them with UK Corporate Governance Codes. Comparisons are made on their origins, compliance, board structure and key committees. Preliminary findings suggest that UK Codes are voluntary and largely business driven whereas the proposed Malaysian Code, is regulatory driven. It suggests a more highly regulated business environment in Malaysia to ensure effective compliance and enforcement. As many Malaysian listed companies are owned by controlling and substantial shareholders who heavily influence the appointment of chief executive officers, improvements in the corporate governance standards are essential to protect minority shareholders, restore investor confidence and conform with national socio‐economic objectives.
Doing ‘Boards‐in‐Action’ Research — an ethnographic approach for the capture and analysis of directors’ and senior managers’ interactive routines
Authors: Samra‐Fredericks Dalvir
Published: March 2003

This paper is the first of two papers which will introduce a research approach where groups of directors and senior managers have, not only been observed, but also captured interacting with each other on audio tape recordings. It represents a move from asking board members questions during interviews to seeing and hearing them interactively perform in the boardroom (and elsewhere) over a period of time. When we undertake such ethnographic research what we primarily see is directors and senior managers talking to each other. We suggest that through a close study of their talk‐based interpersonal routines, a detailed account of their skills and how factors such as knowledge or know‐how and experience are deployed to influence boardroom process is possible. In this first paper our objective is limited to: making a case for a focus upon talk‐based interpersonal routines in the boardroom/top management team (TMT); an introductory outline of our theoretical and analytical infrastructure drawn from sociology and; reproducing one illustrative extract of directors’ talk to show what this data ‘looks like’. We conclude by outlining an emerging alternative avenue for developing boards/TMTs in a grounded and reflective fashion.
An Empirical Investigation of the Determinants of Outside Director Compensation
Authors: Cordeiro James , Veliyath Rajaram , Eramus Edward
Published: March 2003

Using data on 200 large U.S. corporations in 1996, this study develops and tests a model in which the Compensation of Outside Directors is significantly related to Director Effort, External Monitoring, Internal Referents and Firm Performance, after controlling for Firm Size and Inside Ownership. There is some support for each set of hypotheses relating to the different independent variables in the model.
Nonprofit Boards in Australia: A Distinctive Governance Approach
Authors: Steane Peter , Christie Michael
Published: March 2003

This article reports the findings into patterns of governance on nonprofit boards in Australia. The research surveys 118 boards, upon which serve a total of 1405 directors.

The findings indicate that nonprofit boards can mimic some aspects of a shareholder approach to governance. But nonprofit boards, in the main, indicate priorities and activities of a stakeholder approach to governance. The features of ‘isomorphism’ that arise largely stem from legislative requirements in corporate governance. Generally, nonprofit directors are influenced by agenda and motivations that can be differentiated from the influences upon director activity in the corporate sector.

The study indicates that nonprofit boards prize knowledge and loyalty to the sector when considering board composition. The survey suggests nonprofits “compensate” for the demands placed upon them about fiduciary duty and due diligence responsibilities with the diverse intellectual expertise of non‐executive directors. Nonprofit boards possess greater diversity than boards in the corporate sector; they include more women as directors than corporate boards and they include a greater proportion of directors from minority groups. While strategic issues feature significantly as a task of the nonprofit board, they distinguish themselves from their corporate counterparts by engaging in operational management.

The findings indicate that, in the main, directors on nonprofit boards deliberate and operate in ways distinctive from their corporate counterparts. Such findings offer a contribution to the reform of Corporations Law in other countries and the likely consequence on boards outside the corporate sector.
Redesigning Corporate Governance Structures and Systems for the Twenty First Century
Authors: Monks Robert A.G.
Published: March 2003

How a corporation is governed has become in recent years an increasingly important element in how it is valued by the market place. McKinsey & Company in June 2000 published the results of an Investor Opinion Survey of attitudes about the corporate governance of portfolio companies. The survey gathered responses about investment intentions from over 200 institutions who together manage approximately $3.25 trillion in assets. Ranging from 17 per cent in the US and Britain to over 27 per cent in Venezuela, investors placed a specific premium on what was called “Board Governance”. To put this into perspective, consider how greatly sales would have to increase, expenses be cut and margins improved to achieve a comparable impact on value.

“For purposes of the survey, a well governed company is defined as having a majority of outside directors on the board with no management ties; holding formal evaluations of directors; and being responsive to investor requests for information on governance issues. In addition, directors hold significant stockholdings in the company, and a large proportion of directors’ pay is in the form of stock options.” This correlation of governance with market value by one of the most respected consulting companies in the world creates the foundations of a new language for management accountability. McKinsey has great credibility as a value‐adding advisor to corporate managements. Governance is not a cause or a theology for McKinsey; it is an important element in the value of an enterprise. By getting the opinion of what we call Global Investors with portfolios of holdings on every continent, McKinsey has importantly impacted the cost of capital for all corporations henceforth. Admittedly, McKinsey’s criteria of “board governance” are blunt.

“Every organization attempting to accomplish something has to ask and answer the following question,” writes Harvard Business School professor Michael C. Jensen in the introduction to his recent working paper: “What are we trying to accomplish? Or, put even more simply: When all is said and done, how do we measure better versus worse? Even more simply: How do we keep score... . I say long‐term market value to recognize that it is possible for markets not to know the full implications of a firm’s policies until they begin to show up.... Value creation does not mean succumbing to the vagaries of the movements in a firm’s values from day to day. The market is inevitably ignorant of many of our actions and opportunities, at least in the short run...”.

Surprisingly little attention is paid to what we all intuitively know, that talented people are not entirely motivated by financial compensation. Directors therefore must pay special attention to creating an appropriate environment for stimulating optimum management performance.
Non–executive Directors on Boards in Ireland: co–option, characteristics and contributions
Authors: O’Higgins Eleanor
Published: March 2003

This paper reports research conducted to analyse the selection and characteristics of non–executive directors in Ireland. It links these themes to the three roles of the board (agency and control, strategic decision and policy support, resource acquirer). The study was carried out through in–depth interviews and repertory grids with 26 prominent non–executive directors and chairmen. The study confirms that non–executive directors are co–opted primarily through “the old boys network”. The repertory grid showed that, according to the study participants, the most important characteristics of effective non–executive directors were: (i) incisive thinking, the ability to size up a complex issue clearly, (ii) the ability to make a beneficial contribution to the company inside and outside the boardroom, and (iii) practical business experience. Interpersonal skills, international experience and lateral thinking were less prominent. The cognitive process structures of the repertory grids revealed remarkable homogeneity among the study participants in their way of thinking about the whole issue. The repertory grids showed a positive relationship between the participants’ ideas of what the “ideal” non–executive director is like, and themselves, indicating good self–esteem and satisfaction with themselves as non–executive directors.
Board Dynamics and the Politics of Appraisal
Authors: Ingley Coral , Van Der Walt Nick
Published: March 2003

While the management literature is accepting of the value of a performance appraisal, there is disagreement in the governance literature as to the role, value and contribution of board appraisals to board effectiveness. This disagreement centres on the politics associated with the “horizontal” appraisal of colleagues implied by board assessment as opposed to the “vertical” appraisal implicit in management. Such disagreement is complicated by the degree of discomfort board members may feel when encountering the more subjective issues of interpersonal dynamics and process as opposed to the more objective measures of performance. However, subjective measures are frequently vital in determining board effectiveness. This paper proposes a conceptual model for the evaluation of boards. It then explores the implications of different approaches to the evaluation of board effectiveness by highlighting selected methodologies for the evaluation of board processes and procedures, individual directors, the chair and the chief executive. In this, the implications of different types of performance measure are considered in the context of the type of organisation, its purpose, reporting requirements, ethos and style of operation. A set of suggestions as to approaches to board evaluation is provided together with reactions of experienced directors to these ideas.
The Institutional Shareholder – Best Practice: the National Investment Funds’ experience
Authors: Koladkiewicz Izabela
Published: March 2003

One of the most important achievements of the National Investment Funds’ Programme – the implementation of the Mass Privatisation Programme – is its input into the process of building a Polish corporate governance infrastructure. Experience in the creation and operation of corporate governance systems as accumulated by the National Investment Funds (NIFs) is a valuable source of knowledge on a group of shareholders in Polish companies that is continuously expanding and diversifying in terms of identity. The action model applied to the National Investment Funds made possible the collecting of the first Polish experiences regarding the behaviour of institutional investors in supervisory processes. In its turn, the positioning of the Funds in such a role matched observations of world trends where ownership functions are concentrating in the hands of institutional investors. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the experience of National Investment Funds in the context of the achievements of institutional investors acting in mature market economies in the realm of corporate governance. Experience accumulated by the NIFs shows that the process of building efficient corporate governance structures is not a simple task. Analysis of their achievements in safeguarding their interests from the point of view of the institutional investor has confirmed the importance of an active stance in this sphere.
Viewpoint: Towards a New Theory X
Authors: Buijs Jan
Published: March 2003

This paper addresses the issue of the management of the design or innovation process in relation to the integration of different disciplines involved. A new Theory X is suggested, in which X stands for as much diversity as necessary – which is usually much more than people and organizations realize and accept. If implemented the new Theory X will influence the way work is organized; including career development, reward systems and recruitment criteria.
Facilitating Project Team Learning and Contributions to Organizational Knowledge
Authors: Huber George
Published: March 2003

Innovative products, services, and processes are consequences of knowledge integration. Often the integration is of newly generated knowledge with other knowledge that the firm already has available. Especially in firms where long run performance depends on innovation, it behooves managers to think about how newly generated knowledge can be transferred quickly, effectively, and reliably, and thereby can be integrated with the firm’s current knowledge for early exploitation or captured as organizational knowledge in the form of practices, procedures, or files. New knowledge frequently originates in the context and activity of project teams – e.g., R&D teams, design teams, and re‐engineering teams. In order to carry out their tasks, such teams frequently need to learn things already known to other organizational units, i.e., they need to acquire and assimilate organizational knowledge. Theoretically then, project teams both draw on the firm’s knowledge and contribute to the firm’s knowledge. The more effectively they carry out these actions, the more effective they are and the more effective their parent firms will be. This article identifies project team and organizational design practices that facilitate project team learning and contributions to organizational knowledge.
Motivating Creativity and Enhancing Innovation through Employee Suggestion System Technology
Authors: Fairbank James F. , Williams Scott David
Published: March 2003

Research has found that employee suggestion systems are a useful way to obtain and utilize employees’ creative ideas. To be effective, employees must be motivated to think creatively and to participate in the suggestion system. Unfortunately, motivating employees to participate is a common weakness of suggestion systems. Motivating employees involves more than simply offering rewards to submitters if their suggestions are put to use. According to expectancy theory, rewards will only motivate behaviour if the rewards are valued, if they are closely linked to successful performance, and if employees believe that they can perform successfully. This paper applies expectancy theory to the problem of motivating employees to participate in a suggestion system. We describe suggestion system technology that will increase employees’ motivation to think creatively and participate in the system.
Multicultural Teams: Increasing Creativity and Innovation by Diversity
Authors: Gassmann Oliver
Published: March 2003

The internationalization of industrial research and development has tended to be regarded as a necessary evil. However, in conjunction with project management attuned to different cultures, multicultural teams can increase the rate of creativity and innovation. Many examples of this are demonstrated, together with specific reference to a competence‐based network developed within Schindler Elevator Ltd.
Creating and Justifying Research and Development Value: Scope, Scale, Skill and Social Networking of R&D
Authors: Groen Aard J. , De Weerd–Nederhof Petra C. , Kerssens–van Drongelen Inge C. , Badoux Rob A.J. , Olthuis Gerard P.H.
Published: March 2003

In this paper we describe a framework for analysing the creation and justification of Research & Development. The 4S framework is developed for analysing the scope, scale, skills and social network aspects of Research & Development value. The framework is based on social system theory, a process contingency model, and recent Research & Development metrics. We present a first empirical assessment based on a workshop using the 4S framework for leveraging Research & Development. Results that assist in the assessment of value creation utilising R & D within networks are very relevant in high tech industries. The multi–dimensional process approach of this framework seems promising for understanding and managing R&D value creation, but needs further operationalisation. Case studies are described and a Dutch network on leveraging R&D has been initiated.
The Climate for Creativity and Change in Teams
Authors: Isaksen Scott G. , Lauer Kenneth J.
Published: March 2003

This article reports the results of a study conducted to examine the ability of the Situational Outlook Questionnaire (SOQTM) to effectively discern climates that either encourage or discourage creativity and the ability to initiate change in a team setting. The purpose of the study is to examine the concurrent criterion–related validity of the SOQ. The article explores the characteristics in an organisational climate that promote teamwork and some of the tripwires one needs to be aware of in the formation and management of teams. Nine dimensions of the climate for creativity and change as measured by the Situational Outlook Questionnaire are put forward and defined in relation to teams. The methodology and results of the study are reported. The results show that when subjects (N7equals;154) complete the SOQ based on their recollection of a best– and worst–case team experience, the measure is able to consistently and significantly discriminate between the two types of experiences. Conclusions, implications, and areas for future research to further examine the validity of the SOQ are explored.
Where the Art is: Defining and Managing Creativity in New Media SMEs
Authors: Banks Mark , Calvey David , Owen Julia , Russell David
Published: March 2003

This paper examines the definition and management of creativity in the ‘creative industries’. Initially the paper sets out the economic and cultural context for the emergence of the creative industries, before going on to argue that there are gaps in our understanding of the role of creativity and particularly the management of creativity within these industries. Based on research undertaken with new media SMEs in the North West of England, the paper then explores the ways in which creativity is defined and managed within this sub–sector. It is shown that the meanings attached to creativity are variable and contested and that the precise definition and management of creativity is strongly determined by the internal workplace culture, and the external social and economic conditions within which firms operate. It is further suggested that while creativity is often seen as a ‘must have’ attribute for new media firms it may also, conversely, be considered a barrier to commercial success. The paper concludes that if we are to understand work and production in the creative industries, and offer institutional support for firms to develop and sustain creativity for competitive advantage, it may be necessary to develop a more detailed understanding of the role of creativity and creative management as both a general and specific, socially embedded process.
Making Sense of Self-Esteem
Authors: Leary Mark R.
Published: March 2003

Sociometer theory proposes that the self-esteem system evolved as a monitor of social acceptance, and that the so-called self-esteem motive functions not to maintain self-esteem per se but rather to avoid social devaluation and rejection. Cues indicating that the individual is not adequately valued and accepted by other people lower self-esteem and motivate behaviors that enhance relational evaluation. Empirical evidence regarding the self-esteem motive, the antecedents of self-esteem, the relation between low self-esteem and psychological problems, and the consequences of enhancing self-esteem is consistent with the theory.
Neural Plasticity and Human Development
Authors: Nelson Charles A.
Published: March 2003

In this article, I argue that experience-induced changes in the brain may be a useful way of viewing the course of human development. Work from the neurosciences supports the claim that most of the behavioral phenomena of interest to psychologists (e.g., cognition, perception, language, emotion) are instantiated by the process of neural plasticity. When development is viewed in this manner, the fallaciousness of the long-standing and often contentious debate over nature versus nurture becomes apparent. Moreover, by utilizing theneuroscientific tools used to examine the effects of experience on brain and behavioral development (e.g., functional neuroimaging), we may improve how we conceptualize our notions of intervention, competence, and resilience.
Vocal Expression and Perception of Emotion
Authors: Bachorowski Jo-Anne
Published: March 2003

Speech is an acoustically rich signal that provides considerable personal information about talkers. The expression of emotions in speech sounds and corresponding abilities to perceive such emotions are both fundamental aspects of human communication. Findings from studies seeking to characterize the acoustic properties of emotional speech indicate that speech acoustics provide an external cue to the level of nonspecific arousal associated with emotionalprocesses and to a lesser extent, the relative pleasantness of experienced emotions. Outcomes from perceptual tests show that listeners are able to accurately judge emotions from speech at rates far greater than expected by chance. More detailed characterizations of these production and perception aspects of vocal communication will necessarily involve knowledge aboutdifferences among talkers, such as those components of speech that provide comparatively stable cues to individual talkers identities.
Friendships and Adaptation Across the Life Span
Authors: Hartup Willard W. , Stevens Nan
Published: March 2003

Friends foster self-esteem and a sense of well-being, socialize one another, and support one another in coping with developmental transitions and life stress. Friends engage in different activities with one another across the life span, but friendship is conceived similarly by children and adults. Friends and friendships, however, are not all alike. The developmental significance of having friends depends on the characteristics of the friends, especially whether the friends are antisocial or socially withdrawn. Outcomes also depend on whether friendships are supportive and intimate or fractious and unstable. Among both children and adults, friendships have clear-cut developmental benefits at times but are mixed blessings at other times.