...Management and Organization Review 5:1 75–89 doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8784.2008.00137.x The Future of Chinese Management Research: Rigour and Relevance Redux Mary Ann Von Glinow1 and Mary B. Teagarden2 1 Florida International University, USA, and 2Thunderbird School of Global Management, USA ABSTRACT We use the parable of the blind men and the elephant to suggest that Barney and Zhang (2009) and Whetten (2009) analogously touch on only a part of the Chinese management research puzzle. Their analyses remind us of many attempts at anchoring the research purpose – etic versus emic approaches, exploration versus exploitation approaches, rigor versus relevance scenarios – touched on by the many commentators in this issue. We suggest researchers first answer the ‘purpose’ questions before embarking on the research design. The research design should fit the purpose of the knowledge, which is either to improve the performance of Chinese organizations (meeting the relevance criterion) or to replicate, extend or refine a theory developed in the US (meeting the rigour criterion). We believe the strength of applied management research allows us to create knowledge that can meet the criteria of both rigour and relevance. We support the use of academic international research teams and dialectic debate as tools to move the field of Chinese management research forward. KEYWORDS context, polycontextuality, relevance, research team, rigour It was six men of Indostan To learning much...
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...King et al. (2011) conducted an empirical study to test the relationship between diversity and organizational performance and to observe how and when organizational outcomes can be influenced by diversity through service interactions. The research question is that “Intraorganizational ethnic diversity is associated with reduced civility toward patients. However, the degree to which organizational demography was representative of community demography was positively related to civility experienced by patients and ultimately enhanced organizational performance” (King et al., 2011:1103). However, this study provides first empirical test to examine incivility that may emerge if organizations don’t reflect demography of the communities (King et al., 2011:1104). The study begins by reviewing theories of diversity from sociological and psychological point of view and then describing and testing a proposed six hypotheses related to civility, quality of service and usage of resources. The study shows measures, statistical analyses then discussed findings and consequences The authors studied the interactions of ethnic diversity individuals utilizing two major theories: social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and theory of social structure (Blau’s 1977). Thus, the core process of the relationship between ethnic diversity and the organizational performance is considered. They conducted this study on a particular organization entity which is in health care field. After that, they applied...
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...Organization and Management Analysis Organization and Management Analysis: Introduction: Management process is the coordinated, guided and well planned effort of staff using organizations and measures to achieve organizational goals. Adoption of appropriate management theories and styles by each organization is vital. For the successful management of an organization, Knowledge of various organizational theories, management theories and styles are considered to be one of the major quality of a good manager. Ignorance of the structure is a limitation and hinders the growth of the organization, self and development of staff. This essay gives an idea of different organizational theories, management theories and styles, management styles and theories used in my organization and the changes that could make the organization better. Standardization is necessary for the modernization of organizational management research. ‘Reliability and consistency is essential in researching the investigational accuracy of beliefs in organizational management and is reflected by conflicts. (Donaldson, L., Qiu, J., & Luo, B. N. (2013)) 1. Describe various organizational theories. “Organizational theory explains the functions of an organization to produce appreciation and gratitude of organization. It is the study of organizational operation and performance and the conduct of groups and individuals working in them.” (Le Bach, P. (n.d).What Are Organizational Theories?) According to...
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... © 2014 JIT Palgrave Macmillan All rights reserved 0268-3962/14 Commentary Is theory king?: a rejoinder David Avison, Julien Malaurent ESSEC Business School, Paris, France Correspondence: D Avison ESSEC Business School, Cergy-Pontoise, 95021 France. E-mail: avison@essec.fr Abstract In this rejoinder we discuss six commentaries to our earlier debates and perspectives paper `Is theory king?: questioning the theory fetish in information systems’. We argue again for theory light rather than theory free papers, we discuss the potential scope of theories in information systems, we reflect on our terminology and exemplar paper, and we discuss the relevance of our arguments on quantitative research before looking at potential further opportunities to debate this important issue for information systems. Journal of Information Technology advance online publication, 7 October 2014; doi:10.1057/jit.2014.24 Keywords: Theory; theory light; qualitative research; journals W Introduction e are fortunate indeed to be able to respond to six commentaries on our insights and perspectives article ‘Is theory king?: questioning the theory fetish in information systems’, where we advocated what we called ‘theorylight’ papers. Five of the respondents are leading scholars and researchers in the field of information systems (IS) – Deborah Compeau with Fernando Olivera (associate professor of organizational behaviour), Shirley Gregor, Ola Henfridsson, Allen Lee and Lynne Markus – and a sixth...
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...Notes: * Planned change as a cyclic process * Research = guide to action * Action = Information = Research * Process requires considerable collaboration among interested parties * Problem focused change * Heavy emphasis on data gathering and diagnosis prior to action planning and implementation… and evaluation of results after action * Two focus areas * Help specific organizations implement planned change * Developing more general knowledge that can be applied to other settings * Main application is on planned change * Eight Steps 1. Problem identification * When problem(s) identified from higher level * Who is defining the problem? Is this the real problem? * What are the intentions behind the defined problem? * Who are the players? * What do they get out of the change project? * Is it genuine, political, or filler? 2. Consultation with Behavioural science expert * Appraisal of beliefs, assumptions, values to create understanding and level playing field * How do you identify/define competence of the OB expert? * How is alignment between OB expert and Business achieved? * Time requirements/limits to understand influences, positive and negative 3. Data gathering and preliminary diagnosis * Usually completed by OD practitioner * Gathering appropriate information and analysis ...
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...67–87 & 2005 JIT Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. All rights reserved 0268-3962/05 $30.00 palgrave-journals.com/jit Research article A critical analysis of decision support systems research David Arnott1, Graham Pervan2 1 2 Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia Correspondence: G Pervan, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia. Tel: þ 618-92667390; Fax: þ 618-92663076; E-mail: pervang@cbs.curtin.edu.au Abstract This paper critically analyses the nature and state of decision support systems (DSS) research. To provide context for the analysis, a history of DSS is presented which focuses on the evolution of a number of sub-groupings of research and practice: personal DSS, group support systems, negotiation support systems, intelligent DSS, knowledge management-based DSS, executive information systems/business intelligence, and data warehousing. To understand the state of DSS research an empirical investigation of published DSS research is presented. This investigation is based on the detailed analysis of 1,020 DSS articles published in 14 major journals from 1990 to 2003. The analysis found that DSS publication has been falling steadily since its peak in 1994 and the current publication rate is at early 1990s levels. Other findings include that personal DSS and group support systems dominate research activity and data warehousing is the least published type of DSS. The journal DSS is the major publishing outlet;...
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...Management Accounting Systems Executive Summary The company’s profits are falling and there is a build up of inventory within the production process. This report considers three management systems which could rectify the situation. Considering Theory of Constraints, Just In Time and Programme Evaluation and Review Technique, the report recommends that more information regarding the cause of the problems is undertaken, and a suitable programme of revaluation of the business processes is undertaken. Introduction The role of management accounting in the organisation has become so much more that the reporting of the score to managers (Hansen, Mouritsen 2006). In the wake of the decline of Western Manufacturing and the relevance crisis of management accounting to modern business as outlined by Kaplan and Johnson in ‘Relevance Lost’, the traditional cost accounting approach has been largely replaced by alternative methodologies (Kee, Schmidt 2000). The role of the management accounting in the modern firm is not only to report the score, but to seek to influence the score by using techniques and theoretical approaches to improve the business processes. As such it is important for managers to understand the use and usefulness of a variety of alternatives to traditional accounting approaches, especially traditional cost accounting and look to introduce other techniques which may have practical advantages for the firm (DUGDALE, JONES 1998). There is no one size fits all approach...
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...R E S E A R C H includes research articles that focus on the analysis and resolution of managerial and academic issues based on analytical and empirical or case research International Marketing Strategies in India: An Application of Mixed Method Investigation Prathap Oburai and Michael J Baker Executive Summary KEY WORDS International Marketing Strategy Grounded Theoretic KEY WORDS Approach Privatization Case Research Methodology Indian Banking Internationalization drives and export orientation are prominent in the organizational strategies of a number of leading Indian firms and multinationals located in India. This is a significant indicator of the growing competitiveness of firms, industries, and the nation. This paper examines the sources of competitive advantage in a few selected sectors and firms and explores the internationalization possibilities and potential. International marketing strategies are complex and tend to vary widely across nations, industries, and firms. The elements that form the ingredients of international strategies are numerous and their importance is tightly interwoven to contexts. With a view to enrich the existing body of international marketing theory, the authors investigate the international marketing strategies adopted in 12 different business sectors in India in an attempt to explore and explain the similarities and differences found in this varied set of industries. The examples span the old economy industries such as the assembly...
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...International Journal of Project Management 26 (2008) 38–43 www.elsevier.com/locate/ijproman Organisational project management: An historical approach to the study of PMOs Monique Aubry *, Brian Hobbs 1, Denis Thuillier Received 3 August 2007; accepted 9 August 2007 2 ` ´ ´ ´ Universite du Quebec a Montreal Business School, Department of Management and Technology, Montreal (Quebec), Canada, H3C 3P8 Abstract This paper aims at providing a grounded theoretical foundation on which to base a better understanding of organisational project management. This paper delivers empirical evidence that project management offices (PMOs) and organisational project management can be understood as part of an historical process within an organisational context, departing from the traditional boundaries of positivist project management theory. The history of PMOs in four organisations is documented and analysed. The evolution of the organisations and their PMOs is punctuated with events, tensions and changes. An historical process provides a better basis for the development of a theory on PMOs and more globally on organisational project management. Ó 2007 Elsevier Ltd and IPMA. All rights reserved. Keywords: PMO; Organisational project management; History; Process approach 1. Introduction Rethinking project management! This paper is aligned with the present vitality found in the movement to rethink the field of project management [1]. The project management research literature is opening up...
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...the Field of Organizational Behavior People differ from each other in their needs and values. Group effort eases their task of achieving organizational goals effectively. Human relations can be defined as motivating people in organizations to work as a team. Although human relationships have existed from quite some time in the past, the study of human relations has developed only recently. Social sciences like sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics and political science have contributed to the development of OB and human relations. Human relations and OB play a significant role in the development of the skills of employees and the improvement of organizational performance. Various studies and theories in the field of organizational behavior have given new insights into the behavior of people at work. The most important studies are the Hawthorne studies, Theory X and Theory Y, and Theory Z. The Hawthorne Studies, conducted by Elton Mayo at the Western Electric Company, was the first systematic study that recognized the significance of informal groups in the workplace and its impact on productivity. The conclusion drawn from these studies was that it was security and recognition, not just good physical working conditions that bring a drastic improvement in productivity. Moreover, informal groups operating within the work settings exert strong control over work habits of individual workers. Douglas McGregor formulated two theories called Theory X and Theory Y. In these...
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...Supporting Good Practice in Performance and Reward Management ASSIGNMENT Activity1 1. Two Purposes of Performance Management and its relationships to business objectives. Performance management is a repetitive process, established by organisations to help them in accomplishing their objectives (goals, as listed in the organisation’s vision) by maximizing the performance of an individual, team or whole organisation and ensure that the objectives are achieved. The Performance Management Process is a key component of organisation’s overall approach to the management of its people. As part of the performance management system, Performance Management Process aims to achieve the following: • To enable an individual employee to know exactly what is expected both in terms of outputs (the delivery of agreed objectives) and the relevant, appropriate behavioural style (role-related competency models), which will underpin the delivery of the agreed objectives. • To enable individual and team effort to be focused on the delivery of the departmental business plan. • To enable an individual to identify and meet personal development needs which will facilitate the delivery of agreed objectives. • To enable individual employees to feel motivated and valued for their contribution to the on-going success of organisation. • To enable individuals to identify and achieve realistic career goals over time. • To enable the organisation to reward individuals fairly based on an objective...
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...TRIFOCAL VIEW OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS* PATRICIA BRADSHAW-CAMBALL AND VICTOR V. MURRAY York University, 4700 Keele Street, North York, Ontario, Canada Despite recent and growing interest in organizational politics, conceptual thought in this area tends to be dominated by a single theoretical perspective. In this paper we describe and contrast three views of organizational politics (functionalist, interpretive and radical) according to their differing structures, processes and outcomes. Each view, or lens, directs attention to some aspects of politics and away from others, and each has strengths and weaknesses embedded in it. In order to assess whether multiple perspectives on politics can be fruitfully applied simultaneously, we describe and analyze a case of a hospital administration engaged in budgeting games and illusion making. The data for the case were collected using naturalistic inquiry and multiple methods including structured and unstructured interviews, review of documents, observation of meetings and casual interaction facilitated by frequent visits over a ten-month period. The case revolves around the hospital administrators' attempts to deal with what they termed a "disastrous deficit" and the most serious financial situation in the hospital's history. Strategies for dealing with the funding agency and board of directors included the management of meaning and communications about the term "deficit." The three perspectives on organizational politics highlight...
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...’’ it is none- theless ‘‘a woefully complex maddeningly dynamic phenomenon’’ (Faure & Rubin, 1993, p. 228)(5). “Unity in diversity” is the perfect principle based on which any organisation succeeds. It is known fact that employees from various cultures contribute more effectively to organisations success than organisation working with single culture employees. But the authors of the article “Managing Multicultural Teams” (henceforth referred as core article) are of the opinion that cultural differences are sometimes capable of exacerbating challenges associated with effective team work. With the belief that multiculturism is timely need of 21st century, this essay strongly emphasises that multicultural teams often generate frustrating management dilemmas and works on solutions that a manger could implement to tackle this problem. A diverse or multicultural team by definition is not homogeneous. A homogeneous team tends to use the same words, meanings, expressions and speak the same language. They usually rely on same verbal and nonverbal cues to meanings. A classic example of this is Indians nod in a particular style. Western people find it difficult to interpret their nod while Indians are pretty comfortable with such style as they belong to same homogeneous group or team of people. On contrary a diverse team consists of people speaking different languages with different ascents. In such kind of team main problem is group cohesiveness where people tend to group up with...
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...04-75-100-Section 30 Introduction to Business Summer 2015 04-75-100-Section 30 Introduction to Business Summer 2015 Class meetings: | Tuesdays: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. (OB B14) | Professor: | Prof. Nicole Anderson | Office: | Room 118 OB | Office hours: | Tuesdays, 5:30PM – 7:00PM | E-mail: | nsleiman@uwindsor.ca | Secretary:Office: | Ms. May NhanRoom 405 OB | E-mail: | nhan@uwindsor.ca | Teaching Assistants: | To Be Assigned | | | This course will familiarize students with business including marketing, operations, finance, accounting international business and human resource management. By the end of the course students should develop a general understanding of business including but not limited to its various applications and forms, key challenges to ethical decision-making, key success factors for a career in business, and the impact on, and the impact of, business on political, legal, social, cultural and economic environments. Methodology This class follows a lecture-discussion format. Students are expected to be prepared to discuss readings assigned for each class. With only limited time to meet during the semester, is it essential that students be prepared to engage, participate and contribute in each session. Lectures and readings will be supplemented by discussion, videos, and case studies, which apply concepts to real-world situations. Textbook, Other Materials and Course Web Site * Bissonette, G. 2012. Business:...
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...TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 1 i. Company Profile & Main Issues 1 ii. Marissa Mayer 2 2. Political and Cultural Context in Yahoo – How it Contributed to the Lack of Growth and Direction 3 3. How could Yahoo Turn Around their Business? 4 3.A. Cultural-Excellence Approach 4 i. A Bias for Action 4 ii. Closeness To the Customer 4 iii. Autonomy and Entrepreneurship 5 iv. Productivity Through People 5 v. Hands-on Management 5 vi. Stick to the Knitting 5 vii. Simple Form, Lean Staff 5 viii. Simultaneous Loose-tight Organisation 5 3.B. Organizational Learning 6 4. Recommended HR and Leadership Practices 7 4.A. Human Resource Practices 7 i. Fair Evaluation System of Employees 7 ii. Open House Discussions and Feedback Mechanism 7 iii. 360 degree Performance Management Feedback System 8 iv. Attract, Recruit and Retain the Right People 8 4.B. Leadership Practices 9 i. Participative Leadership Style 9 ii. Transactional Leadership Style 10 iii. Transformational Leadership Style 10 5. Potential Sources of Resistance Among Yahoo Employees 11 6. Conclusion 11 7. References 12 1. Introduction i. Company Profile & Main Issues For nearly ten years, Yahoo has delivered Web services to millions of people daily, and in the process made billions of dollars. As the history off Yahoo unfolded and experienced a phenomenal climb to success, Yahoo creators...
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