bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Values and person‐organization fit
Authors: Andrews Martha C. , Baker Thomas , Hunt Tammy G. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis study seeks to explore the relationship between corporate ethical values and person‐organization fit (P‐O fit) and the effects on organization commitment and job satisfaction. Further, it aims to examine the construct of moral intensity as a moderator of the P‐O fit‐commitment relationship as well as the P‐O fit‐job satisfaction relationship.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of 489 members of the National Purchasing Association in the USA, a structural model was examined in which it was hypothesized that corporate ethical values would be positively related to person‐organization fit and P‐O fit in turn would be positively related to commitment and job satisfaction. It was further hypothesized that the outcomes associated with P‐O fit would be moderated by moral intensity such that high moral intensity would strengthen the P‐O fit outcomes relationships.FindingsAll of the hypotheses were supported.Research limitations/implicationsAll data stem from one data source, introducing the possibility of mono‐source bias. Additionally, all scales use self‐reports, introducing the possibility of mono‐method bias.Practical implicationsThese results highlight the importance of corporate ethical values and moral intensity in building and maintaining an ethical and committed workforce.Originality/valueThe findings of this study contribute to the ethics and P‐O fit literature by establishing a link between corporate ethical values and P‐O fit. It further construes moral intensity as a subjective variable based on the perceiver rather than an objective characteristic of ethical issues. Moral intensity was found to strengthen the relationships between P‐O fit and satisfaction and P‐O fit and commitment.
“Trans‐+‐form”
Authors: Kuepers Wendelin M. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the multidimensional, ambivalent and responsive process of transformation, particularly as related to non‐cognitive processes and effects of leader‐ and followership.Design/methodology/approachBased on a critical literature review, advanced phenomenology and a relational approach, the significance of form and embodied, emotional and aesthetic dimensions, potential and effects of transforming in general and transformational leadership in particular are discussed.FindingsTransformations in organisations are recognized as an embodied, emotional and aesthetical as well as inter‐relational event. With an extended understanding, transformational leadership can itself be transformed into an aesthetically in‐formed and more integral practice of leader‐ and followership. Building on the insights gained, practical, theoretical, and methodological implications are provided. Furthermore, limitations and problems are discussed.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to an innovative comprehension and offers critical perspectives on transformative processes in organisation and leadership. By drawing attention to the interrelated embodied, emotional and aesthetic dimensions of transformation, the paper develops a genuine and timely conceptualisation, allowing a creative transformation of conventional understandings and practices of leader‐ and followership in organisations.
Communities of practice: dynamics and success factors
Authors: Retna Kala S. , Tee Ng Pak 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamics and key success factors in the development of communities of practice (CoP).Design/methodology/approachA qualitative case study, using in‐depth interviews, was conducted in a multinational company (MNC) in Singapore.FindingsThe findings indicate that CoPs can facilitate the creation, sharing and utilisation of knowledge in an organisation, positively affecting its strategy, operations and bottom line. The key factors that nurture CoPs to promote innovative learning and knowledge‐sharing environments are leadership, culture and individual motivation.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate the value of informal CoPs in promoting innovative cultures with high levels of collaboration among organisational members.Originality/valueThis is an empirical study that reveals the dynamics of CoP development in an MNC and the key success factors of CoP development from the point of view of the employees in the company.
Servant leadership versus transformational leadership in voluntary service organizations
Authors: Schneider Sherry K. , George Winnette M. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe major purpose of this research is to test the application of two leadership models to a voluntary service club. Servant leadership was predicted to better explain the attitudes and commitment of service organization members than transformational leadership. Both leadership styles were hypothesized to be mediated by empowerment.Design/methodology/approachAt eight clubs of a national voluntary service organization, it was investigated whether transformational and “servant” leadership were positively related to club member satisfaction, commitment and intentions to stay in the club. A sample of 110 participants completed either a printed or an online survey on the leadership style of their current club president and their attitudes toward the club in general. The club presidents completed the leadership surveys.FindingsWhile perceptions of transformational leadership and servant leadership styles were highly correlated, servant leadership was identified as a better predictor of the voluntary club members' commitment, satisfaction, and intentions to stay. Club members' perceptions of empowerment mediated the relationship between servant leadership and satisfaction, commitment, and intentions to stay in the volunteer service organizations.Practical implicationsLeaders of service clubs may wish to adopt a servant leader style. These servant leaders may find it practical to provide empowering experiences to encourage volunteers to perform service club activities effectively. More generally, leaders who provide volunteers with positive, meaningful experiences may be able to maintain their interest in their volunteer positions.Originality/valueIt is believed that this is the first paper to compare directly servant versus transformational leadership in a voluntary organization.
Patient satisfaction, managers' climate orientation and organizational climate
Authors: Ancarani Alessandro , Di Mauro Carmela , Giammanco Maria D. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper, in the context of hospital wards, is to test a model in which the ward manager's orientation towards a given organizational climate contributes to determine the climate perceived by medical and nursing staff, and this, in turn, has an impact on patient satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe design of the study is cross‐sectional. The manager's climate orientation, employee perceptions of organizational climate, and patient satisfaction questionnaires were administered to ward managers, medical staff, and inpatients in 57 wards belonging to ten public hospitals in Italy. The hypothesised model was tested using two‐level structural equation modelling.FindingsDifferent climates impact on patient satisfaction in a different way. Evidence was found that a human relation climate augments patient satisfaction. Ward managers' orientation on specific organizational models is matched by the actual climate perceived by medical and nursing staff. Comparison between alternative nested models shows that there is evidence in favour of the mediating effect of climate between the managers' climate orientation and patient satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the paper is the cross‐sectional nature of the data set, which does not allow for definitive conclusions on the direction of causality links.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the link between climate and patient satisfaction may guide hospitals towards a more conscious selection of the appropriate organizational model.Originality/valueThe contribution of the present paper to the extant literature is twofold. First, it verifies whether the ward manager's climate orientation is matched by the organizational climate as perceived by subordinates. Second, it investigates the mediating role that organizational climate plays between ward managers' orientations and patient satisfaction.
Coordination of physicians' operational activities: a contingency perspective
Authors: Broekhuis Manda , Pieter van Donk Dirk 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of three different dimensions of customer‐induced uncertainty and task uncertainty on the mix of physicians' coordination practices.Design/methodology/approachAn improvement and research project are combined resulting in 16 case studies in different departments from one university hospital. The paper relies mainly on patient data from hospitals' registration systems and on 140 dialogues between two physicians reflecting on their coordination practices.FindingsHospital units rely on time‐structured oral communication supplemented with feedback in cases of high levels of input variety, whereas severity of illness and service intensity increase the use of unstructured oral coordination practices. High levels of customer‐induced uncertainty reduce coordination by standardization of work processes. Supplementing verbal communication with written medical records has become an inherent part of coordination practices. Non‐surgical units rely mostly on time‐structured meetings, whereas surgical units use both time‐structured and unstructured meetings to deal with customer‐induced uncertainty.Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical part of this paper is limited to hospital units that are functionally organized. A further refinement and extension of measures for the contingency factors could help to better understand coordination practices.Practical implicationsThe paper offers hospitals in‐depth understanding of how customer‐induced uncertainty and task uncertainty affect physicians' coordination practices.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the knowledge on medical coordination from a contingency perspective. Further, the paper contributes to alternative methodologies in terms of data gathering as dialogues between organizational members are the main data source.
The impact of user‐perceived e‐procurement quality on system and contract compliance
Authors: Brandon‐Jones Alistair , Carey Sinéad 
Published: February 2011

PurposeWhilst e‐procurement has significant potential to reduce the purchasing costs of an organisation, the realisation of these savings requires user compliance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which user‐perceived e‐procurement quality (EPQ) (operationalised through the dimensions of professionalism, processing, training, specification, content, and usability) influences both system and contract compliance.Design/methodology/approachUser perceptions of EPQ were examined in four UK organisations using survey data from 274 respondents.FindingsStrong evidence was found of a positive relationship between user‐perceived EPQ and both system and contract compliance. System compliance was most strongly influenced by professionalism and content dimensions, whilst contract compliance was most strongly influenced by processing, specification, and content dimensions.Research limitations/implicationsData were collected from e‐procurement users in four organisations, which may limit the extent to which findings can be generalised.Practical implicationsUser perceptions of e‐procurement provision significantly influence system and contract adoption. Practitioners should pay attention to management of different dimensions of perceived quality as they may have different effects on both contract and system compliance.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to empirically assess the relationship between user‐perceived EPQ and compliance. Its findings challenge the assumption that the monopolistic dynamics common within internal services, such as e‐procurement provision, are sufficient to ensure compliance. Dissatisfied individuals invariably find ways to circumvent mandatory systems and contracts.
The impact of country culture on the adoption of new forms of work organization
Authors: Cagliano Raffaella , Caniato Federico , Golini Ruggero , Longoni Annachiara , Micelotta Evelyn 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis paper aims at understanding the relationship between the adoption of new forms of work organizations (NFWOs) and measures of country impact, in terms of national culture and economic development.Design/methodology/approachThe adoption of NFWO practices is measured through data from the fourth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey, while Hofstede's measures are adopted for national culture, and gross national income (GNI) per capita is used as an economic development variable. Multivariate linear regression is applied to investigate relationships, using company size as a control variable. A cluster analysis is utilized to identify groups of countries with similar cultural characteristics and to highlight different patterns of adoption of NFWO practices.FindingsThe authors show that it is possible to explain different patterns in the adoption of NFWO practices when considering company size and cultural variables. GNI is instead only significant for some practices and does not always positively influence the adoption of NFWO. On the other hand, cultural variables are linked to all the practices, but there is no dominant dimension to explain higher or lower NFWO adoption.Research limitations/implicationsResults are limited because only Hofstede's cultural variables are used and manufacturing performance is not considered. Therefore, it is not possible to discriminate between more or less successful NFWO variations.Practical implicationsThis paper provides managers with insights on how to take into account cultural variables when transferring organizational models to different countries.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to previous studies showing the importance of including several contextual variables, country impact in particular, in the study of operations management.
Service delivery system design: characteristics and contingencies
Authors: Ponsignon F. , Smart P.A. , Maull R.S. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore and empirically investigate the characteristics and contingencies of service delivery system design.Design/methodology/approachInformed by the service strategy triad, a single embedded case study was designed to explore empirical data on four target markets, four service concepts, and on the design characteristics of the corresponding four service delivery systems. Data were collected in a market‐leading organisation in the business‐to‐business sector within the power industry. The service delivery systems comprise processes that sell electricity contracts and processes that bill against those contracts.FindingsFirst, the findings indicate what design characteristics are contingent upon the degree of customisation of the service concept. The authors show how this contingency has implications for the extents of employee skills, employee discretion, task routineness, automation, and for front office (FO)‐back office (BO) configurations. Second, the authors challenge the consensus that low customer‐contact processes are designed for the purpose of efficiency. Third, the findings contradict Metters and Vargas who state that it is not possible to have different FO‐BO configurations in a single organisation.Research limitations/implicationsWhile there are major interactions between the four service delivery systems supporting each individual service concept, this paper does not examine the trade‐offs between the various possible designs of these service delivery systems.Practical implicationsThe paper emphasises the importance of considering the complexity of the service offering, the customer relationship strategy, and of taking a process‐orientation to address service delivery system design.Originality/valueThis paper extends current understanding of service delivery system design characteristics and contingencies. The authors show how design characteristics are contingent on the service concept. Research propositions are formulated to emphasise this contingency. Additionally, we report findings which challenge existing FO‐BO design theory.
Theoretical versus actual product variety: how much customisation do customers really demand?
Authors: Stäblein Thomas , Holweg Matthias , Miemczyk Joe 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to challenge the common claim of “infinite variety” being demanded in the marketplace by measuring not just how much variety theoretically could be produced, but how much is actually demanded by the customer. To this effect, the authors propose and validate market‐based variety measures with empirical data and in a second step, extend their analysis by applying these measures and empirically testing the impact of variety mitigation strategies, such as postponement and options bundling.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyse production and sales data of 226,106 passenger cars, comprising of three models of one vehicle manufacturer sold across four global market regions. The theoretical variety is compared with actual variety for each model‐market combination, and these data are linked to actual production and sales records.FindingsThe authors propose and validate product variety measures based on actual customer orders, and empirically demonstrate how these measures can be used to assess the impact of late configuration and option bundling strategies, and find that these are generally valid, but that their applicability is contingent upon the respective variety distribution profile.Research limitations/implicationsAnalyses are developed within the context of a single firm and industry, although an attempt was made to counter this weakness by considering models from the volume, niche and premium market segments.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights how actual variety differs from theoretical variety in practice, which in turn co‐determines the effectiveness of mitigation strategies applied by firms.Originality/valueThe paper's main contribution is to propose and empirically test a set of novel measures of product variety: the average repetition ratio and a specification Pareto curve, both of which complement and enhance one's understanding of product variety and its impact on manufacturing and distribution systems.
Equal opportunities in transition?
Authors: King Allen Douglas , Barry Jim , Berg Elisabeth 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the attitudes of women and men in relation to gender‐appropriate domestic responsibilities and equal opportunities in the changing context of neo‐liberalism.Design/methodology/approachThe authors draw on results from an empirical investigation involving 1,731 questionnaires investigating the attitudes of women and men in a town in the north of Sweden.FindingsThe tentative conclusions suggest that even if they appear to co‐exist in contradictory ways, ideas of gender‐appropriate domestic responsibilities and equality of opportunity are in the respondents' minds, alongside neo‐liberal notions of individualisation. The prevailing attitudes in respect of gender suggest that women and men make apparently free “choices”; the influence of age on attitudes to gender issues is also considered.Originality/valueThis paper considers neo‐liberalisation and its impact on gender equity in Sweden, a country with a strong reputation for gender equity and a tradition of collective, inclusive social democracy, somewhere we would be unlikely to find its embedded presence. Using a quantitative self‐reporting approach to attitudes relevant to the choices made by men and women, the study raises questions about gender‐appropriate domestic responsibilities and equality of opportunity in a country that has been and continues to be regarded as one of the most gender‐friendly in the world and likely to be resistant to the influence of neo‐liberalism. The implications are explored, with the evidence indicating the presence of neo‐liberalism co‐existing, albeit perhaps uneasily, with traditions of equality of opportunity and attitudes to gender.
Comparisons of cognitive ability and job attitudes of older and younger workers
Authors: Brough Paula , Johnson Greer , Drummond Suzie , Pennisi Shannon , Timms Carolyn 
Published: February 2011

PurposeAdvancing knowledge about effectively managing the ageing workforce and ensuring economic sustainability for a growing retired cohort is a recognised priority for organisational health researchers, employers and governments. The purpose of this paper is to test social perceptions that older workers' cognitive performance and job attitudes compare adversely to their younger colleagues.Design/methodology/approachThe research assessed samples of older and younger workers in objective tests of cognitive abilities and subjective job attitudes. An opportunity sampling method was employed to recruit a heterogeneous group of participants in Australia (n=172).FindingsNo significant differences in cognitive ability between the groups were identified; older workers were as cognitively skilled for their job as their younger colleagues. No significant group difference for perceptions of social support, job commitment, job satisfaction or turnover intentions was identified.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross‐sectional research design adopted by this research prevented a more detailed examination of the data in terms of causal relationships. While the cognitive testing provided objective rather than subjective data and, therefore, is not as susceptible to response biases such as common method variance, the small sample who undertook the cognitive testing is acknowledged as a research limitation.Social implicationsThis research has implications for the reduction in unemployment of older workers and directly addresses the social issues of an ageing labour force.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates that stereotypical assumptions concerning inadequate performance and low job commitment commonly attributed to older workers are not in fact indicative of all ageing employees.