Consensual commitment: A grounded theory of the meso-level influence of organizational design on leadership and decision-making

This research examined the relationship between organizational design and leadership in decision-making teams. It used a grounded theory-based qualitative research design. The validity of the research was enhanced by data triangulation, wherein quantitative psychometric data augmented the qualitative data that are traditionally used. The research was based upon two organizations within the substantive setting of the knowledge industry. The higher order category of consensual commitment explained effective decision-making. At the meso-level of leadership modeling, organizational design influenced both leadership style and decision-making. Specifically, an organizational design that generated lateral job roles and a relational leadership orientation was found to enhance consensual commitment, and provided a level of assurance against dysfunctional team dynamics.     

Size,Skill and Sorting

Abstract. The rise in inequality between the 1970s and the 1990s and the persistent gap in pay between large and small employers are two of the most robust findings in the study of labor markets. Mainstream economists focus on differences in observable and unobservable skills to explain both the overall rising inequality and the size–wage gap. In this paper we model how increasing returns to skill can affect the size–wage gap both with constant sorting and with size‐biased, skill‐biased technological change (e.g. if large firms always had access to computers, but small firms gained access to computers with the rise of affordable personal computers). We analyze the Current Population Surveys from 1979 to 1993 to determine whether large and small employers are converging in terms of mean wages (the employer size–wage effect), wage structures by occupation and education, characteristics of employees, and wage structures by region. We find mixed evidence of convergence and no consistent support for any single version of human capital theory.     

Societal Response to Hurricane Mitch and Intra‐ versus Intergenerational Equity Issues: Whose Norms Should Apply?

Late in the 1998 hurricane season, Central America was slammed by a devastating hurricane. Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belize were greatly impacted by Hurricane Mitch, one of the deadliest storms to affect the region in the past 200 years. The economies of each of these countries were badly affected. In the case of Honduras — at the time the fourth‐poorest country in Latin America — its president suggested that 50 years of progress had been wiped out by the floods and mudslides associated with this relatively short‐lived storm system. Humanitarian assistance poured into the region in the first months following the disaster. As of mid‐2000, various national, bilateral, international, and nongovernmental programs were in progress or on the drawing board for recovery, reconstruction, and renewed development of the worst affected countries. Using Honduras as a case study, some of the ethical issues that abound in the decisions of whom to help, when, and how to help them in the wake of such an extreme climate‐related human tragedy are examined. Should development assistance be focused on those who have been directly and adversely affected by this storm, or should the emphasis be on reducing the risk of exposure by future generations to such disasters? Is there yet another approach that seeks to protect future generations from similar harm while at the same time assisting present‐day victims to get through their hardships?     

Models of Management System Standards: A Review of the Integration Issues

The subject of Integrated Management Systems in terms of quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management has become of increasing interest to researchers and business alike during the last 3 years or so. This paper focuses on a review of the various models of integration found in the academic literature and also those advocated by the standards bodies, such as the British Standards Institution and the International Organization for Standardization. A number of writers advocate alignment of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 and present models to facilitate this; however, integration into a single standard is, in general, not favoured. Various models have been developed to overcome these difficulties, but the authors believe that none is completely satisfactory. It is considered that a model of integration based on the EFQM Model for Business Excellence will allow the limitation of the standards to be overcome and the total systems approach to integration to be facilitated.     

Quality costing: a management review

This paper relates a review of the English language literature on quality costing and traces its historical development; it provides authoritative reading on the subject. The review also has a focus on collection and use of quality-costing methods, quantitative cost data and the role and views of accountants in the task of quality-cost collection and reporting. Amongst the main findings is the preoccupation with the prevention – appraisal – failure categorization of quality costs and lack of guidance on definitions. The considerable impact of the American quality profession on the development of quality costing is pointed out along with the increasingly positive stance of accountants.     

系统化逻辑的基本概念

逻辑是对于推理的结构特性的研究。本文着重讨论和辨析了现代逻辑系统的一些基本概念，如演绎有效性，真与可靠性，逻辑系统的句法，逻辑系统的语义，逻辑系统的元逻辑，等等。     

Quality circle failures in UK manufacturing companies—A study. Part II

This paper presents five case studies of quality circle failures which provide a detailed picture of some of the reasons behind quality circle failures as identified in Part 1 of this study. The results also indicate that it will be easier to implement quality circles if a business is in a stable phase and the probability of success and survival will be higher. However, there is no absolutely right time to introduce quality circles and a company facing severe economic difficulties may be able to achieve a successful programme, but in such cases survival will ultimately depend on maintaining trade union support. It is pointed out that quality circle programmes are able to withstand a high failure rate of individual circles yet still be very successful.     

Professionalism and the physician leader

The perception of the well-respected, knowledgeable, empathetic physician of early 20th century medicine is slowly being eroded in American society today. Consider the causes of the breakdown and how to restore the image.     

Experience of cumulative trauma disorders on life roles of worker and family member: a case study of a married couple

The prevalence of diagnosed cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) within the workforce comes at a high price for employers burdened with financial losses from missed work and worker's compensation costs. Research has focused primarily on the impact of CTD on the worker role within the workplace, overlooking the impact on roles across multiple environments [24,35,54]. Furthermore, the influence of CTD on life roles of a spouse has not been examined. This single case study illustrated the experience of CTD within a marital relationship through the use of grounded theory. Results indicated that adaptations to CTD symptoms were least altering to the established routines and roles of the couple. With progression of symptoms, the spouse without symptoms was relied on more heavily for adaptations to manage pain. The results of this study indicate that occupational therapists must examine the client's valued roles and incorporate the family into intervention strategies.