Comparative organization analysis: Sampling and measurement

This paper employs confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the effects of using multiple indicators and heterogeneous samples in comparative organizational research. The results show that several indicators of different dimensions of organizational structure can be unified into a single measurement model and that theoretical constructs based upon these multiple indicators are applicable to a wide variety of organizational types. The findings imply that the development of a general theory of organizational structure need not be impeded by current sampling and measurement practices.     

Maximum entropy in the mean methods in propensity score matching for interval and noisy data

Abstract

In this paper, we propose maximum entropy in the mean methods for propensity score matching classification problems. We provide a new methodological approach and estimation algorithms to handle explicitly cases when data is available: (i) in interval form; (ii) with bounded measurement or observational errors; or (iii) both as intervals and with bounded errors. We show that entropy in the mean methods for these three cases generally outperform benchmark error-free approaches.     

Portal surveys of time-out drinking locations: a tool for studying binge drinking and AOD use

Portal surveys, defined as assessments occurring proximal to the entry point to a high-risk locale and immediately on exit, can be used in different settings to measure characteristics and behavior of attendees at an event of interest. This methodology has been developed to assess alcohol and other drug (AOD) use at specific events and has included measuring intentions to use collected at entry and reported use on exit, as well as chemical tests for AOD consumption at both entrance and exit. Recent applications of the portal survey procedure to electronic music dance events that occur in established venues (e.g., bars or nightclubs) are discussed.     

Panning for gold: a clinician's guide to using research

The gap between research and clinical practice is one of the key challenges facing family therapy. Clinicians often fail to incorporate research findings into their practice because they do not know how to search, evaluate, or apply research to their clinical work. The purpose of this article is to help clinicians become better consumers of research. This article explores the potential value of research to clinicians, as well as negative beliefs that clinicians may have about research. The article also describes how clinicians can use research to inform their clinical work, as well as potential challenges that can be encountered.     

SOME OF THE UNDERLYING SELECTION CRITERIA FOR MIDDLE MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN FINANCIAL POSITIONS: A FACTOR ANALYTIC STUDY

A sample of middle managers were asked to make ratings regarding the importance of thirteen variables they considered when making decisions to select candidates into the ranks of middle management. These thirteen selection variables were developed based on previous research on managerial selection by Edwin Miller and on research conducted at General Electric by another investigator. The set of decision variables was then subjected to factor analysis in an effort to recover the fundamental structure of the decision space used to select middle managers. The analysis yielded encouraging results due to the distinctness with which certain factors were indicated. Three fundamental decision criteria were suggested: (1) a leadership-administrative skills factor, (2) a technical competence factor, and (3) a capability-willingness to work factor. These three factors were discussed in terms of their relevance to previous research on managerial selection.     

EVALUATING THE TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN IDLING AND SHUTTING DOWN PRODUCTION LINES IN PROCESS INDUSTRIES

The costs of starting-up and shutting down production lines (and plants) in a process industry are often quite high. Therefore, when a plant's capacity significantly exceeds its forecast demand over an annual planning horizon, a manufacturer must either plan temporary production line shutdowns during the year, or plan to temporarily idle production lines without formally shutting line(s) down. The trade-offs between these two strategies can be complex. In this paper, we propose a methodology to evaluate the impact of both strategies on a plant's production costs by developing an analytical model based on the authors' experience with several process industries.     

Unpacking the circular economy: A problematizing review

Transitioning to a circular economy (CE) model has been proposed to solve many grand environmental challenges. While research on CE has been extensively reviewed, less is known about the implicit underlying assumptions of this work. Understanding these assumptions is critical as they typically go unchallenged yet play a significant role in shaping research fields. In this paper we conduct a problematizing review to critically analyse and make explicit the in-house, root metaphor and ideological assumptions that inform the framing of CE. Firstly, we demonstrate various in-house assumptions about CE, such as an emphasis on the business case for CE and the relationship between CE and corporate sustainability. Secondly, root metaphor assumptions include circularity and industrial relationships resembling biological metabolisms. Finally, the dominant ideological assumptions-neoliberalism and ecological modernization-guide scholarly thinking about growth, consumption and profit maximization. Based on our analysis and drawing on the ongoing CE debates within broader environmental studies, we suggest new agendas for future research. We contribute to the growing literature on CE in business, management and organization studies by identifying assumptions that may be misleading or limiting for future CE research, as well as to the conversations on grand challenges by discussing the implications of how challenges and solutions are framed.