Identity and integration: The roles of relationship and retention in nonprofit mergers

Prior research suggests that nonprofits are flexible and possess multiple identities, although we know less about how transformative changes, such as mergers, shape nonprofit identity. This qualitative study draws upon in‐depth interviews from 13 nonprofit merger cases to explore factors that influence postmerger identity and integration. In particular, we focus on the roles of organizational similarity and relationships, program and personnel retention, and rebranding. Ultimately, we derive a typology of postmerger integration in nonprofits and suggest that postmerger identity may be classified in terms of absorption, preservation, or creation. Implications for nonprofit leaders are discussed.     

External knowledge search,absorptive capacity and radical innovation in high-technology firms

Open innovation and absorptive capacity are two concepts based on the idea that companies can leverage the knowledge generated externally to improve their innovation performance. The aim of this paper is to analyse the joint effect of open innovation and absorptive capacity on a firm's radical innovation. Open innovation is expressed in terms of external search breadth and depth strategies and absorptive capacity is described by distinguishing between potential and realized absorptive capacity. In order to test our hypotheses, we carried out empirical research in firms operating in high-technology industries. The results indicate that internal routines and processes for absorbing external knowledge help explain radical innovation as they show a significant effect of potential and realized absorptive capacity. Also, there is a moderating effect of absorptive capacity on open innovation. Specifically, potential absorptive capacity exerts a positive effect on the relationship between external search breadth and depth and radical innovation. Realized absorptive capacity moderates the influence of external search breadth. These findings confirm the complementary nature of absorptive capacity and open innovation search strategies on radical innovation.     

The state of social capital: Bringing back in power,politics, and history

Theory and Society -     

Changing times in pharmaceutical statistics: 2000‐2020

In a previous paper we considered how pharmaceutical statistics had changed between 1980 and 2000. In this paper we go on to consider some of the likely influences and changes in the world of pharmaceutical statistics over the next twenty years. Statistical research by pharmaceutical companies is supported, although its direct value in boosting company profits is challenged. The duality between fraud and conflict of interest is explored, particularly with regard to data and safety monitoring boards. Political correctness within clinical trials and (allegedly) better patient‐oriented outcomes is questioned and the whole notion of intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analyses is rejected in favour of pragmatic trials and explanatory trials. The dominance of SAS software within the industry is explored and the possibility for change considered. Finally, whilst the future of pharmaceutical companies is not addressed, the impact of future mergers, collaborations and take‐overs between clinical research organizations is considered. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Immigrants and alien workers

VII. Conclusion The number of immigrants now coming to the United States is proportionally only a fraction of the number that came in earlier years, and there is nothing in those numbers to suggest a difficult absorption burden. Immigrants, both legal and illegal, more than pay for the services they use with the taxes they pay, leaving a considerable net surplus that benefits American citizens. Immigrants raise productivity and do not cause an observable amount of unemployment of citizens. Admitting far more immigrants into the country than the law now allows would have positive effects on the incomes of citizens, and would enhance the continuing vitality of the United States.     

Young People who have Sexually Abused: What do they (and their parents) want from Professionals?

This article presents the findings of a small scale qualitative study of user perspectives in the adolescent sexual aggression field. Twenty four service users who had received intervention from nine different specialist providers completed a structured questionnaire about their experiences of professional involvement. Both young people who had sexually abused and parents identified the kinds of professional intervention which they found useful, as well as practices that they experienced as unhelpful. Young people and their families alike were found to value supportive interventions which gave them an opportunity to gain insight into the nature of sexual abuse as well to address their own feelings about their problems.     

House price indices

The new FT House Price Index aims to end the confusion that arises from the current plethora of indices. Simon Briscoe examines these various indices and explains the methodology behind the FT Index.     

Videology: Video-Games as Postmodern Sites/Sights of Ideological Reproduction

As new technologies, video-games are becoming increasingly popular among today's pre-teens and teenagers. Relying on systematic observation of videogames found in public arcades, participation in them, and engagement with the relevant literature, I explore eight central assumptions of “videology”: the ideology which organizes these games. While suggesting that these assumptions articulate and exaggerate problematic ideological themes, I also explore the relationship between videology and a postmodern culture or moment.