bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Factors in the Revised ANSI Z535.4 Standard for Safety Labels
Authors: Martin B. Jay , Deppa Shelley Waters
Published: July 2017

Improvements in the 1997 revision of the ANSI Z535.4 Product Safety Signs and Labels standard were based largely on human factors considerations. The design guidelines for safety messages have been revised, affecting their content, order, grammatical style, and physical appearance. There are also revisions concerning the signal word panel, the use of pictorials, and multi-lingual, and multi-hazard warnings. Warnings designed according to the revised criteria are expected to be more recognizable, legible, readable, and understandable, and therefore, more effective. This paper explains the revisions of interest and the role of human factors in the standard's evolution. Potential liability issues related to the standard and suggestions regarding future revisions are also discussed.
Expectations and Warning Effectiveness: Literature Review and Proposed Model
Authors: De Joy David M.
Published: July 2017

Warnings seek to influence precautionary intent, and precautionary intent is largely a function of the individual's expectations about possible consequences. This paper organizes relevant research and proposes a interactive/decision-making model of the warning process that features three broad dimensions: 1) threat-related expectations, 2) outcome-related expectations, and 3) receiver characteristics. Some of the most robust findings in the warnings literature parallel predictions offered by the proposed model. This paper concludes that expectations broadly influence how the individual will approach and interact with virtually any hazardous situation.
Cultural Differences in the Perception of Responsibility for Child Safety
Authors: Resnick Marc L. , Zanotti Adriano , Jacko Julie A.
Published: July 2017

Perceptions of safety are an important component of users' evaluations and purchase decisions for many consumer products, especially when it comes to products that may be used by children. In this highly litigious society, a juror's perception of who is responsible for product safety may also become critical in a product liability case. Recent studies have focused on determining which parties the general population perceives as being responsible for accidents involving children. However, given the increase in demographics of minority and immigrant populations in the United States, there may be a cultural interaction which affects these perceptions. This study compares the perceptions of safety responsibility of two of the fastest growing minority populations in the U.S., Hispanics and Asians, to a previous study which quantified that of the general U.S. population. The results show substantial differences in the perceptions of these groups.
Electrical Hazards in the Home: What Do People Know?
Authors: Leonard S. David , Griffin Rebecca S. , Wogalter Michael S.
Published: July 2017

Consumers' knowledge about electrical facts and hazards in the home was examined to determine whether their understanding of certain aspects of electricity are complete and accurate. Eighty-two college students (who are better educated that most of the population) were surveyed. Results indicated the presence of erroneous assumptions and gaps of knowledge about electricity. These gaps and false beliefs could lead to unsafe behavior. Results have implications for the design of electrical products, education and training, consumer awareness programs, and warnings.
Salivary Amylase as a Field-Practical Measure of Stress
Authors: Mullins Linda L. , Fatkin Linda T. , Chatterton Robert
Published: July 2017

This demonstration describes a non-invasive method of quantitatively measuring physiological stress in a field or laboratory setting. The method uses salivary amylase, collected using a sponge. Measurement of amylase in saliva involves chemical color changes according to standard photometric procedures developed through a collaborative research effort between Northwestern University and the Army Research Laboratory (Chatterton, Vogelsong, Lu, Ellman, & Hudgens, 1996.
Overview of the Advanced Qualification Program
Authors: Longridge Thomas M.
Published: July 2017

The Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) is a voluntary alternative to the traditional regulatory requirements under CFR 14, Parts 121 and 135 for pilot training and checking. Under the AQP the FAA is authorized to approve significant departures from traditional requirements, subject to justification of an equivalent or better level of safety. The program entails a systematic front-end analysis of training requirements from which explicit proficiency objectives for all facets of pilot training are derived. It seeks to integrate the training and evaluation of cognitive skills at each stage of a curriculum. For pass/fail purposes, pilots must demonstrate proficiency in scenarios that test both technical and crew resource management skills together. Air carriers participating in the AQP must design and implement data collection strategies which are diagnostic of cognitive and technical skills. In addition, they must implement procedures for refining curricula content based on quality control data. This paper presents an overview of the Advanced Qualification Program and identifies selected applied research issues of interest to the FAA for the purpose of improving the program.
A Driving Simulator Evaluation of Active Warning Signs
Authors: Hopkins Jennifer , Parseghian Zareh , Allen Wade
Published: July 2017

This paper describes a driving simulator experimental evaluation of active warning signs designed to portray potential conflicts at unsignalized intersections. The signs are designed to reduce accidents due to crossing path and left turn movements, and are intended to be less expensive than signals and more effective than conventional signs. Diamond and rectangular shapes with a range of symbology conditions were tested, including arrow and car icons that were presented in both static and flashing or animated conditions.
Driver Preferences for Adjustable Distance Control Labels for an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) System
Authors: Serafin Colleen
Published: July 2017

This study investigated driver preferences for labels of adjustable distance controls for an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system. Thirty-six participants were introduced to the concept of ACC by using a computer prototype of an ACC system. Participants were asked to provide their preferences for labels for two types of adjustable distance controls: one type that adjusts both speed and distance (shared controls) and another that adjusts only distance (separate control). For shared controls, participants preferred the labels ACC/DEC over ‘+/-’ and ACC/COAST. The labels preferred for the separate control were NEAR/FAR as opposed to symbols (arrows or chevrons). Due to some confusion that may arise from the abbreviations on the shared controls, additional investigations into appropriate labels, with the emphasis on international use (i.e., symbols), are recommended. Finally, because these preferences were obtained through the use of a computer prototype of ACC, usability tests should be conducted on the road to validate the results.
Analytical Evaluation of Warning Onset Rules for Lane Change Crash Avoidance Systems
Authors: Tijerina Louis , Hetrick Shannon
Published: July 2017

This study assessed the potential effectiveness of two warning onset rules for lane change Crash Avoidance Systems (CAS). A minimum-separation rule triggers a driver warning whenever the Subject Vehicle (SV) and Principal Other Vehicle (POV) are within some minimum lateral separation distance. A turn-signal onset rule triggers a driver warning when the driver activates the turn signal indicator and there is a vehicle in the blind spot. A software program to simulate lane change crashes determined the maximum time available for driver surprise reaction time to the warning and estimated the proportion of crashes avoided with each warning rule. Results indicate that the minimum separation rule is unlikely to be effective for lane change crash avoidance but may help prevent lane-drift-related crashes. The turn-signal onset rule will likely be effective for drivers who use their turn signals but is not free of nuisance alarm problems. Recommendations for lane change CAS research and development are provided.
On Whether to Allow Computers to Post Traffic Advisory Messages without Operator Approval
Authors: Folds Dennis J. , Fain W. Bradley
Published: July 2017

Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) may control dozens of variable message signs (VMSs). Computers may help TMC operators select messages to post to VMSs, in response to traffic conditions. Errors in posting messages (incorrect location, wording, or both) can complicate traffic management and undermine public confidence in the TMC. An experiment was conducted in the TMC Simulator to compare support systems that directly post messages on VMSs with those that simply suggest messages to the operator. The post condition resulted in better performance in terms of getting appropriate messages posted on the correct signs in a timely fashion. Significant delays were sometimes associated with the operator's response to support system suggestions, even though the suggestions were prompt and accurate. We recommend that VMS management support systems be allowed to post messages without requiring operator approval, given that the messages have been previously approved for content, and the error rate of the support system is acceptably low.
Traffic Management Center Operators: A Capabilities Investigation
Authors: Mitta D. A. , Folds D. J. , Fain W. B. , Beers T. M.
Published: July 2017

The present study allowed us to examine problem solving capabilities across two Traffic Management Center (TMC) operator groups. Each group represented a distinct educational background, and problem solving capabilities were placed within the context of incident management tasks. The NonTech group represented individuals with an applications-oriented educational experience and were characteristic of operators expected to be employed within many existing and to-be-developed TMCs. The Tech group represented individuals with a theoretically-based educational experience, considered overqualified for TMC operator positions. Empirical results provided insufficient evidence to disqualify NonTech-type, individuals from serving as TMC operators. Data obtained on incident detection performance suggest that NonTech operators can manage incidents successfully and with the same level of success as Tech operators.
Motivation, and Fatigue-Related Impairments in Simulated Driving
Authors: Desmond P. A. , Hancock P. A.
Published: July 2017

The effect of a motivational manipulation in reducing fatigue-related impairments in simulated driving performance was examined. Drivers performed both a fatiguing drive and a control drive. The motivational manipulation, a driving skill assessment instruction, appeared in early and late stages of both drives. Lateral control of the vehicle was assessed on straight and curved road sections early and late during the assessment instruction in both drives. The results indicate that the instruction only affected straight-road driving in the later part of both drives. During the later part of the control drive, the instruction produced a performance improvement only while the instruction was actually presented. In the fatigue drive, performance continued to improve even after cessation of the instruction, converging to the level of control drive performance. Fatigued drivers remain capable of increasing task effort in response to a motivating instruction, but fatigue may impair the ability to synchronize effort with changing task demands.
The Effects of Spatial Scanning Ability, Perceptual Speed, Age, and Navigation Aid on Navigation Performance
Authors: Wochinger Kathryn , Philips Brian
Published: July 2017

This study investigated the relationship among spatial scanning ability, perceptual speed, and navigation performance in older and younger drivers. Fifty-six drivers performed a navigation task in a part-task driving simulator using: 1) text directions, 2) a standard paper map, 3) an enlarged paper map, and 4) a turn-by-turn display. Measures included navigation error rate and decision time, and spatial scanning and perceptual speed scores. Younger drivers performed better than the older drivers in error rate and decision time, and the turn-by-turn display improved performance compared to either map. Spatial scanning ability was a stronger predictor of error rate, while perceptual speed was a stronger predictor of decision time. The results suggest that navigation aids requiring minimal spatial and perceptual processing can improve navigation performance.
Pedal Misapplications: Their Frequency and Variety Revealed through Police Accident Reports
Authors: Schmidt Richard A. , Young Douglas E. , Ayres Thomas J. , Wong Joseph R.
Published: July 2017

Earlier work indicated that pedal misapplications, where the right foot contacts the accelerator instead of the brake that was intended, were mainly limited to the start of a driving cycle and the phenomenon of unintended acceleration. Our present work with the North Carolina Police Accident Report database, however, reveals that pedal misapplications are far more frequent causes of accidents than we had believed. We uncovered 219 accidents in which the driver(s) stated that the foot contacted the accelerator rather than the brake. We categorized these accidents in various ways, leading to an initial understanding of the frequency, the mechanisms, and the traffic conditions surrounding these events. Contrary to our expectations, most of the misapplications were classed as “unhurried,” and about half were caused by the foot slipping off the brake. Pedal errors during the driving cycle may occur much more frequently—and for reasons other than those previously proposed—than during start-up.
The Integrated Performance Modeling Environment a Tool for Simulating Human-System Performance
Authors: Dahn David , Laughery Ron , Belyavin Andy
Published: July 2017

THE INTEGRATED PERFORMANCE MODELING ENVIRONMENT (IPME)

The UK Centre for Human Sciences (CHS), DERA and Micro Analysis and Design have collaborated to develop a more complete environment for modeling human performance than has been available in the past. The first version of this tool was released in October 1996 and there are ongoing enhancements. In essence, we are seeking to take advantage of the base of human performance modeling technologies that have evolved over the past ten years, synthesize these technologies, and build significantly from that base. In this paper, we will discuss the base technologies (Micro Saint and Human Operator Simulator (HOS)) that have gone into IPME and then discuss some of the additional human performance modeling features that have been built into IPME to date and some that are planned.
Developing Dynamic Function Allocation for Future Naval Systems
Authors: Cook Catherine A. , Corbridge Colin , Morgan Catherine A. , Tattersall Andrew J.
Published: July 2017

The DERA Centre for Human Sciences is investigating function allocation for future Naval systems with the aim of providing optimal allocation of functions within “lean” manned ships. Existing methods of allocating functions between human and machine were developed around old, “dumb” technology, the inherent assumption being that once this process had been undertaken, the outcome remained fixed. However, for future systems, knowledge-based technology provides the potential for functions to be allocated dynamically, according lo the operational context. As part of a programme to examine the potential of dynamic function allocation, a series of six experiments utilising the Multi-Attribute Task Battery (MATB) were conducted, and a brief overview of the experimental findings is reported. The main focus of this paper is to describe a new experimental environment which has been developed to address the limitations in the MATB, particularly the relevance of these tasks to Naval systems. This is an abstraction of a Naval Anti-Air Warfare Controller's task, incorporating dynamic function allocation. It will facilitate an in-depth investigation of the potential benefits of this technology for the Naval Command and Control domain.
Team Ergonomics and Human Engineering Methods for the Design of Collaborative Work Environments: A Case Study
Authors: Bohan Jennifer A. , Wallace Daniel F.
Published: July 2017

Everyday, in both the workplace and the home, we see evidence of how human engineering has advanced software technologies. The advances in computer software were enabled through the application of standardized methodologies grounded in sound systems engineering. It is increasingly apparent that these methodologies have applications to domains other than Human Computer Interface (HCl) development. Specifically, the design of collaborative work environments benefits greatly from the application of human engineering processes. The Tactical Information GUI Engineering & Requirements Specification (TIGERS) methodology was developed to define, articulate, and integrate user requirements into tactical computer interface design (Wallace, Dawson, & Blaylock, 1995). This proven human engineering methodology has been applied to the redesign of the Naval Space Operations Center (NAVSPOC) at the Naval Space Command, in Dahlgren, Virginia (Wallace, Bohan, & White, 1996). This paper discusses the successful application of this human engineering method to the operations center domain.
The Factor of Significance in the Operator's Activity
Authors: Bedny Gregory , Meister David
Published: July 2017

Activity theory has important applications in Russian engineering psychology and ergonomics. From the point of view of the activity approach, the operator is considered a subject who acts voluntarily within a man-machine system. The operator does not simply react to different stimuli, but considers updated input information to form different goals, according to personal motives, and then develops particular strategies to achieve these goals. The major units of analysis become actions performed by the operator. The factor of significance is important for the selection and development of various strategies for the operator.
Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES)
Authors: Gawron Valerie J. , Lopez Miguel
Published: July 2017

To retain the expert knowledge of mission systems specialists, the Air Force Flight Test Center is developing Structured Test Procedures (STPs) for critical flight tests. Each STP contains one or more test setups that have been used in actual test and evaluation efforts. It also contains extensive introduction sections to bring the test and evaluation specialist up to speed on evaluation issues associated with system/operator interfaces (i.e., side controllers), specific systems (i.e., autopilots), and specific tasks (i.e., low altitude parachute extraction system (LAPES)). STPs include previously used test objectives that are invaluable examples for new test plans. There is also a list of relevant standards with thresholds for further evaluation and for definite system deficiency. Thresholds are provided for design, operational, and health limits. Resource requirements including personnel and equipment are listed to support test planning. Measurement guidance is provided to help the user define accuracy and calibration requirements for all measurement equipment to be used. Samples of each are provided in the paper. This format has been exceeding useful in capturing test and evaluation expertise.
SUE: A Usability Evaluation Tool for Operational Software
Authors: Taylor Bruce H. , Weisgerber Scott A.
Published: July 2017

In response to the proliferation of computer processing in military systems, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) has developed the Software Usability Evaluator, or SUE. SUE is a software tool for the generation, administration, and analysis of questionnaires that assess software usability in operational systems. To date, SUE has proven to be a powerful source of descriptive and narrative information on software interface deficiencies and potential means of remediation.
Cybersickness is Not Simulator Sickness
Authors: Stanney Kay M. , Kennedy Robert S. , Drexler Julie M.
Published: July 2017

Factor analysis of a large number of motion sickness self-reports from exposure to military flight simulators revealed three separate clusters of symptoms. Based on this analysis a symptom profile emerged for simulators where Oculomotor symptoms predominated, followed by Nausea and least by Disorientation-like symptoms. Current users of virtual environment (VE) systems have also begun to report varying degrees of what they are calling cybersickness, which initially appeared to be similar to simulator sickness. We have found, after examination of eight experiments using different VE systems, that the profile of cybersickness is sufficiently different from simulator sickness — with Disorientation being the predominant symptom and Oculomotor the least. The total severity of cybersickness was also found to be approximately three times greater than that of simulator sickness. Perhaps these different strains of motion sickness may provide insight into the different causes of the two maladies.
Computer-Based Team Training: The Aircraft Maintenance Environment Example
Authors: Kraus David , Greenstein Joel S. , Gramopadhye Anand K. , Nowaczyk Ronald H.
Published: July 2017

Research on civil aircraft inspection and maintenance has shown the importance of teamwork in accomplishing aircraft maintenance tasks. Training has been identified as one of the primary intervention strategies in improving team performance. Moreover, if training is to be successful, it is clear that we need to provide aircraft maintenance technicians with training tools to help enhance their team skills and improve team performance within the aircraft maintenance environment. In response to this need, this research looked at the role of team training and specifically that of advanced technology for team training. A controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of advanced technology for team training. The study was conducted in two phases: 1) Instructional phase where 18 subjects received training through a computer-based team training program and 18 subjects received training using a traditional instructor-based equivalent team training program, and 2) Evaluation phase where the subjects were divided into three member teams and performance of the teams was evaluated as they completed a routine and a non-routine maintenance task. The results of the study are reported as part of this paper.
News Notes
Authors: Miller Douglass W.
Published: July 2017

News for inclusion in this section … activities of schools and departments of journalism, staff appointments and changes, curricular developments and the like … must reach Professor Miller, School of Journalism, Syracuse University, by the first of the month preceding publication. News for the September issue must reach him by August 1.
Do Newspaper Headlines Really Promote Street Sales?
Authors: Steigleman Walter A.
Published: July 2017

Studies in two cities indicate few purchasers scan front pages before making their choices. The author, a former managing editor, is associate professor of journalism at Indiana University. He is now on leave for work toward the Ph. D. in communications at the State University of Iowa.
The Negro Press in the 1948 Presidential Election
Authors: Van Auken Cecelia
Published: July 2017

Like the U. S. press as a whole, the majority of Negro newspapers supported the losing candidate, according to a survey made for a master's thesis in journalism at Boston University. The author is public relations officer at Tufts College, Medford, Mass., and teaches journalism at that institution.
An Annotated Bibliography of Journalism Subjects in American Magazines
Authors: Swindler William F. ,   Assisted, Price Granville , Pride Armistead , Mosse Baskett
Published: July 2017

In an unprecedented legal action, the U. S. government filed a suit against the Lorain (Ohio) Journal on charges of conspiracy to effect a monopoly. As this historic case began, the question which might ultimately be answered by the courts was whether the inevitable economic trend toward non-competitive facilities may, if aggravated by the owners’ deliberate moves to discourage renewed competition, be actionable in the interest of public welfare. The government's ability to prove any ground for prosecution, however, had not been demonstrated in the Lorain case as the fall quarter of the year ended. In another important economic field, the prolonged strike of Chicago typographical unions suddenly ended in a compromise, and with it came the end of a significant and successful experiment in publication of metropolitan newspapers without benefit of compositors. In the radio and television field, two developments highlighted the late summer and early autumn—the order of the Federal Communications Commission curtailing the give-away programs which had become a virtual craze and an added bit of Americana for observers foreign and domestic to wonder at; and the marked “plateau” which the television industry reached after its meteoric postwar rise—a pause which was blamed on various ineptitudes in both industrial and governmental policy controlling “video.” —W. F. S.
News Notes
Authors: Price Warren C.
Published: July 2017

News for inclusion in this section … activities of schools and departments of journalism, staff appointments and changes, curricular developments and the like … should be sent to Professor Price, School of Journalism, University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore. Notes for the March issue should reach him by January 15.
President Truman Speaks: A Study of Ideas vs. Media
Authors: Swanson Charles E. , Jenkins James , Jones Robert L.
Published: July 2017

The way in which each individual related ideas to his own needs and values had more effect upon recall, in this instance, than repetition of a theme by either speaker or media. Dr. Swanson is director of the Research Division, School of Journalism, University of Minnesota, where Jones is a staff member. Jones is also on the staff in Psychology, as is Jenkins.
Trends and Cycles in Daily Newspaper Circulation
Authors: Davenport John Scott
Published: July 2017

Although the long-term trend in newspaper circulation is definitely upward, a Time Series analysis indicates that it is now on the downswing of a cycle. Mr. Davenport is completing his Ph.D. in Industrial Management at the State University of Iowa, where he is assistant to the director of the School of Journalism.
A Newspaper-Operated Course in Journalism
Authors: Pedersen A. E.
Published: July 2017

Realizing the need of their working reporters for journalistic education, Danish newspapers sponsor a three-month course in journalism at the University of Aarhus. The author, a 1949 graduate of Montana State University's School of Journalism, has been studying in the American Graduate School at Aarhus.
Research in Brief
Authors: Hessler William H.
Published: July 2017

This department is devoted to shorter articles and notes on research in the communications field, either completed or in progress. Readers are invited to submit reports on investigative studies which might prove useful to other students because of content, method, or implications for further research.
Press and Communications: An Annotated Bibliography of Journalism Subjects in American Magazines
Authors: Swindler William F.
Published: July 2017

The prosecution of several New Orleans newspapers on charges of conspiring to restrain trade in local advertising, following the government's still-pending antitrust case in Lorain, Ohio, emphasized the increasing importance of administrative law in the publishing field. The Senate investigation of horseracing information as an aid to nationwide gambling, too, had implications of legal regulation of certain types of news communication. Most important of all, perhaps, was the unprecedented action of the Atomic Energy Commission in ordering the destruction of an issue of Scientific American containing an article on the still-classified hydrogen bomb. Legal relations of the press are manifestly undergoing extensive revision in the era of the Fair Deal and atomic security. —W. F. S.
Barriers to Brownfield Redevelopment: Lessons Learned from Two Great Lakes States
Authors: Coffin Sarah L. , Shepherd Anne
Published: July 2017

This article examines the barriers to brownfield redevelopment through a case study analysis of four cities in two Great Lakes states. Four key barriers are identified and investigated: legal liability, limited information, limited financial resources, and limited demand for the properties. Perceived liability emerges as a dominant barrier, and one that compounds the other three barriers. The article analyzes how and why liability perceptions affect stakeholder behavior and provides lessons learned for promoting brownfield redevelopment.
Considerations for Microcomputing Resource Decisions In Hri Programs
Authors: Cummings Leslie E. , Vallen Jerome J.
Published: July 2017

HRI decision-makers charged with putting in place appropriate microcomputer resources face the challenges of assessing needs, identifying educational objectives, and appropriating and allocating resources. In this paper are outlined major considerations for each area, supported by interviews, a literature review, and the experience of the authors. Vallen has been dean of a major hospitality administration program for 21 years. Cummings is a former computer analyst for a large computer firm and, for the past four years, has served as computing coordinator within the above program. Key terms: computing, funding, educational objectives, resource allocation.
A “Critical” Look At Student Self Evaluation
Authors: Partlow Charles G. , Hearne Sharon A. , MacLaurin Donald J.
Published: July 2017

The critical incident technique has proven to be an effective tool both in encouraging student self evaluation of performance and planning strategies for continued professional development. The technique is now being used in all professional courses involving a practicum component in the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, Institution Management and Dietetics at Kansas State University.
Effects of Key Issues On The Financial Performance of Hospitality Firms
Authors: Heiman Rob
Published: July 2017

The overall financial objective of publicly-held corporations can be flatly stated as “increasing the price of stock, thereby increasing the wealth of the shareholders.”

Therefore as this statement reads, students of hospitality management should have vital and vested interest in the causes, situations, events, trends, and developments that will effect the price of stock. The students' concern would be directed toward those firms which have as its primary business, as the activity of selling food, beverage, lodging, service, or a combination of the above.

As partial requirement for an undergraduate senior-level organizational behavior course, an 18 week longitudinal study was conducted to address this topic. The process of the study was to observe and chart weekly stock price activity, and seek events or issues which have shown to influence the “trading stock price” of selected multi-unit food service organizations.
The Effect of Multiple Measures of Age In Segmenting Hotel Markets
Authors: Lepisto Lawrence R. , McCleary Ken W.
Published: July 2017

In the past decade, the hotel industry has found segmentation strategies to be critical to remaining competitive in increasingly fragmented markets. The chronological age of a segment is a commonly used variable in defining market segments. The consumer behavior literature suggests several approaches as alternatives to chronological age. These age measures assess how old a person feels and functions or how old they would like to be. This paper reports on a national study that determines the effectiveness of six age measures on their ability to aid in the segmentation of the markets of seven types of hotel/motel concepts.
Environmental Scanning and Its Effect Upon Firm Performance: An Exploratory Study of the Foodservice Industry
Authors: West Joseph J. , Olsen Michael D.
Published: July 2017

The chief executive officers and members of their top management teams of 65 foodservice firms were surveyed to ascertain the extent of environmental scanning in support of the firm's intended strategy utilizing Hambrick's (1979) scales of frequency and interest; and, Porter's (1980) industry structure model for environmentaltraits. The effect of scanning activity on performance was determined; as was the difference in scanning levels of high versus low performing firms. Significant differences were found.
An Evaluation of Service Complexity Measures of Front Office Employees in the Hotel/Motel Industry
Authors: Barrington Melvin N. , Olsen Michael D.
Published: July 2017

Two hundred and twelve hotel/motel front office employees were surveyed in order to determine the relationship between sixteen service complexity constructs and employee attitudinal reactions to their job. The results of the study indicate that in addition to the generally accepted complexity measures, there are other measures available to evaluate job complexity of the customer contact employee.
Expectations of Hospitality Students Regarding Entry Level Positions in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: McCleary Ken W. , Weaver Pamela A.
Published: July 2017

A study which included eleven four-year hospitality programs was conducted to identify specific expectations of students regarding their first job. Expectations relating to salary, hours, time span for promotion and importance of various fringe benefits were identified.
Expert Systems: Implications for Educators
Authors: Bowen John , Clinton David
Published: July 2017

This paper discusses the relevance of expert systems to hospitality educators. A brief overview of expert systems is provided followed by current applications in the hospitality industry as well as other business applications. Three major implications for educators are then presented. Educators should include the concept of expert systems in their curriculum. Expert systems can be used to design teaching tools. Finally, expert systems provide the opportunity for educators to lead industry by becoming the knowledge engineers of their field.
Female Managers: Perspectives on Sexual Harassment and Career Development
Authors: Fernsten Jeffrey A. , Lowry Linda L. , Enghagen Linda K. , Hott David D.
Published: July 2017

Seventy-eight female managers in the tourism industry were administered a questionnaire containing selected scales of the Personality Research Form (PRF) as well as questions concerning their perceptions of sexual harassment on the job. Our purpose was to investigate the validity of the managerial stereotype while assessing perceptions of harassment in order to aid management in understanding the issue.

Results suggest that the managerial stereotype of an achievement-oriented, aggressive, and dominant personality may be changing. Implications for management are discussed. In addition, respondents indicated that sexual harassment is a problem in the tourism industry. Implications for management policy are assessed with a framework for strategically addressing the harassment issue presented.
Financial Management in the Context of the Organizational Life Cycle
Authors: Kwansa Francis , Evans Michael R.
Published: July 2017

Various researchers agree to the existence of corporate organizational life cycles similar in principle to the product life cycle concept used in marketing. Life cycle models applied to business organizations suggest that functional departments grow and undergo unique changes in various developmental stages of the firm. The purpose of this study was to determine the changes, issues, and responsibilities common to people involved in financial decision-making in foodservice firms at different stages of the organizational life-cycle.
The Hospitality Industry Entering The Life Care Market: Implications for Hotel Restaurant And Institutional Management Curricula
Authors: Meyer Robert
Published: July 2017

The hotel industry is entering the life care market. The basis for this decision is the expanding aging market in America. These new housing units are the result of earlier studies and models. The new breed of management needs education on the aging resident. There are clear implications for future curriculum offerings in the H.R.I program.
Hotel Services And Room Amenities In The Economy, Mid-Price And Luxury Market Segments: What Do Frequent Travelers Expect?
Authors: Knutson Bonnie J.
Published: July 2017

This study examines the expectations and use patterns relative to hotel services and room amenities of 1,853 frequent travelers who stay predominantly in one of the three major hotel segments: economy, mid-price, luxury. Results from the mail survey show distinct contrasts among the three groups. Economy travelers have extremely low expectations and relatively high use patterns. Mid-price travelers have moderate levels of both expectations and use. Luxury travelers have very high expectations and much lower use patterns. Findings also suggest that the economy segment tends to have many small bundles of expectations, whereas luxury travelers have few, but large bundles of expectations.
The Influence of Age Stereotypes On The Managerial Decision Processes of Hospitality Management Students
Authors: DeMicco Fred J. , Kavanaugh Raphael R.
Published: July 2017

The foodservice industry is currently facing serious labor shortages in many segments and areas of the country. To ease the labor shortage, an increasing number of older workers are being recruited into the hospitality industry. Hospitality program graduates will be hiring and managing a greater number of older employees in the future. The overall objective of this study was to determine attitudes of senior level hospitality management students towards older workers.
Spa Cuisine In The Marketplace
Authors: Radbill Ruth C.
Published: July 2017

Chef training students are required to study nutrition as part of their curriculum. A plan was developed for a practical application of this course to make it more interesting and relevant to today's lifestyles.
Preparing A Hospitality Program To Become A Program of Excellence
Authors: Calnan Thomas W. , Chacko Harsha E. , Nebel Eddystone C. , Schaffer Jeffrey D. , Stearns G. Kent
Published: July 2017

The School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration at the University of New Orleans was declared a Center of Excellence on Nov. 22,1987 by Chancellor Gregory M. St. L. O'Brien. The faculty of the School were asked to prepare adetailed proposal for a plan of action that would propel the University of New Orleans' hospitality education program into national prominence.

In a review of the nation's 10 leading hospitality programs itwas determined, that in order to acquire a national reputation three missions must be met. These are: 1) alumni success, 2) academic recognition, and 3) industry recognition.

The high visibility of a program that has been declared a center of excellence results in many benefits to a program. The most important benefit is budgetary priority. However, other benefits that accrue include recruitment of excellent students, increased industry support, community recognition and attracting quality faculty.
Light And Healthy: Does Your Establishment Measure Up?
Authors: Cerlo Barbra , White Janet C.
Published: July 2017

Healthy eating is no longer a fad requested by a few health food enthusiasts. The relationship of diet to health issues such as heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and cancer is well established in the minds of customers. A recent study conducted by the National Restaurant Association shows that interest in restaurants specializing in diet or light menu items is strong. The dietetic staff from the School of Food, Hotel and Tourism Management at Rochester Institute of Technology teamed together with the local Heart Association and area dietitians to develop a pilot program introducing light, healthy cuisine to local restaurants. This model includes criteria for light, healthy cuisine (LHC), cooking techniques to meet LHC criteria, esthetic suggestions, ideas for developing user-friendly menus, and a workshop outline used by dietitians with restauranteurs. As a result of the pilot efforts, the menus of 10 restaurants have received wide acceptance and a waiting list of restaurants requesting similar assistance is growing. Light healthy eating is becoming a reality in Rochester, N. Y.
The Female Business Customer: An Analysis of Provision And Consumption Patterns In The U.S. Lodging Industry
Authors: Crawford-Welch Simon
Published: July 2017

The business market accounts for over 50 percent of the customers of all U.S. lodging establishments. The term ‘business market’ is misleading in that it implies a degree of homogeneity when in reality the market is becoming increasingly heterogeneous in nature. This paper demonstrates the severe limitations of current strategies used in the lodging industry in its attempt to cater to the needs of the female business traveler and suggests a more appropriate framework from which to evolve strategies.

There is a distinct lack of statistical data pertinent to the actual and potential size of the female business market. What little evidence there is suggests the market has grown dramatically. Current strategies used by lodging organizations to cater to the needs of this market fail in two fundamental aspects: in identifying the needs of this market segment and in attempting to provide for these needs.

Organizations currently fall back on facility type strategies. The paper shows, through the adoption of an historical perspective, that such strategies only serve to reinforce social barriers to consumption. It is argued that until it is realized that the problem of female customers is a socio-cultural one, the demands of female customers will always be couched in terms of stereotypes despite the fact that these initiatives do not produce success. Lodging organizations have made the mistake of accommodating women within the confines of their prescribed gender roles.

The paper demonstrates how the adoption of a cultural studies perspective can go some way to providing a basic theory of consumption that is able to relate the varied tastes and activities of the consumer into a single conceptual scheme.
Immigration Reform And Control Act And The Hospitality Industry
Authors: Kwansa Francis A.
Published: July 2017

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of November 1986, was designed to eliminate the attraction posed by jobs in the United States to potential illegal immigrants through employer participation. The hospitality industry, along with agriculture, has been one of the industries that have traditionally depended on foreigners as a source of labor due to its low starting wages which have typically repelled native-born labor. This research investigates the human resource implications of the Act through a supply of and demand for low-skilled labor analysis, implications for labor union activity in the industry, and further recommends employer strategies to cope with the effects of the Act.

As a result of the 1986 Act, regions that tend to attract many illegal aliens will experience wage increases and this wage effect will spread throughout the country. However, wage rate increases will begin to attract more native as well as legal immigrants who were hitherto repelled by the low wages, and this will partially offset the labor shortage. These newcomers, some of whom are displaced workers from traditional manufacturing industries will present ideal targets for the unions who see the service sector as the new frontier and answer to their declining membership. An employee-driven approach to human resource management together with a strategic perspective to human resource planning is more crucial now than ever to improve employee tenure. Reduction in hours of operation, scaling down corporate expansion plans, and support of a minimum wage hike are recommended.
Strategies for Conducting Research In The Hospitality Industry
Authors: Umbreit W. Terry , Eder Robert W.
Published: July 2017

This paper addresses fundamental research dilemmas, strategies, and tactics facing hospitality educators within the context of increasing industry and university expectations for research productivity. To date, collective hospitality research output has tended to be highly fragmented due to such factors as the wide variance in faculty academic preparation, the absence of uniform accreditation standards to guide the scope and thrust of scholarship, and the tendency toward topical, problem-oriented investigations. Ironically, recent literature reviews have suggested that even the predominant problem-oriented research approach has been of little value to the ongoing concerns of hotel and restaurant firms. In comparison with opportunistic and eclectic strategies, a programmatic research strategy is offered as one key to increasing the likelihood of publications that make a significant contribution to the hospitality literature. Tactical issues discussed include choosing a research stream, colleague collaboration within one's discipline, enrichment of theory and research methods, and increasing institutional research support. Current and future hospitality faculty should be encouraged to implement a programmatic research strategy in order to make real progress in solving the critical issues that confront the industry.
Impact of star performance ratings in English acute hospital trusts
Authors: Mannion Russell , Davies Huw , Marshall Martin
Published: July 2017

Objective

To explore some of the impacts of star performance ratings in acute hospital trusts in England.

Methods

A multiple case study design was used which incorporated purposeful sampling of ‘low’ and ‘high’ performing trusts using the star rating system. In each case study site, data collection comprised semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. Between eight and 12 senior managers and senior clinicians were interviewed in each organisation.

Results

There was a general view that the star ratings as presently constituted did not represent a rounded or balanced scorecard of their own organisation's performance and a widespread belief that the information used to calculate the ratings was often incomplete and inaccurate. The star ratings were viewed by some managers as useful, in that they gave added weight to their trust's modernisation agenda. In addition to driving beneficial change, the ratings were also sometimes reported to have inadvertently induced a range of unintended and dysfunctional consequences, including tunnel vision and a distortion of clinical priorities, bullying and intimidation, erosion of public trust and reduced staff morale, and ghettoisation.

Conclusions

Set in the context of an international body of research, this study highlights some important gaps in knowledge and failings in current policy and practice. In particular, the many dysfunctional consequences of publishing star ratings indicate a need for a re-examination of performance management policies.