Showing papers by "Georgia State University published in 1996"

Company-Scientist Locational Links: The Case of Biotechnology

Abstract: In recent years, the significance of geography among firms has declined due to the introduction of electronic methods of communication. However, with the increasing presence of the biotechnology industry, with its affiliated university-based scientists, the issue of geography is proposed as a significant issue for consideration. Most notably, researchers cite that the role of the scientist within the firm impacts the geographic proximity between the firm and the scientist. The types of links between scientists and firms are examined, drawing on a database of biotech firms that have issued IPOs. The data analyses indicate that firm proximity is often influenced not only by the scientist's role in the firm, but also by his or her status in the scientific community and by his or her age. Although past studies have cited the relationship between informal knowledge spillovers and proximity, the current research suggests that geographic proximity plays a less significant role when knowledge is transmitted through formal ties between scientists and corporations. Areas of future research are identified, including the impact of factors such as the proximity of other firm locations and research institutions, and how the role of geography differs between regions. (AKP)

Goverance, Ownership, and Corporate Entrepreneurship: The Moderating Impact of Industry Technological Opportunities

Abstract: Corporate entrepreneurship is important for organizational survival, profitability, growth, and renewal. Data from 127 Fortune 500 companies show that executive stock ownership and long-term institutional ownership are positively associated with such entrepreneurship. Conversely, short-term institutional ownership is negatively associated with it, as is a high ratio of outside directors on a company's board. Outside directors' stock ownership somewhat mitigates the latter negative association. Outsiders, including stock owners, might lead companies away from internal product development, the traditional route to corporate entrepreneurship. Finally, an industry's technological opportunities moderate the associations observed between corporate governance and ownership variables and corporate entrepreneurship.

Received and perceived social support in times of stress: a test of the social support deterioration deterrence model.

Abstract: The authors evaluated the impact of receiving social support on subsequent levels of perceived social support and psychological distress in 2 independent samples of victims of severe natural disasters: Hurricane Hugo (n = 498) and Hurricane Andrew (n = 404). A social support deterioration deterrence model was proposed that stipulated that postdisaster mobilization of received support counteracts the deterioration in expectations of support often experienced by victims of major life events. LISREL analyses of data collected 12 and 24 months after Hugo and 6 and 28 months after Andrew provided strong evidence for the hypothesized model: Perceived support mediated the long-term effects on distress of both scope of disaster exposure and postdisaster received support. Theoretical and application issues of social support are discussed.

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L) dominance in the Great Basin Desert: History, persistence, and influences to human activities

Abstract: Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L), an exotic annual, is a common, and often dominant, species in both the shadscale and sagebrush-steppe communities of the Great Basin Desert. Approximately 20% of the sagebrush-steppe vegetation zone is dominated by cheatgrass to the point where the establishment of native perennial species is nearly impossible. This paper discusses the historical factors that led to the establishment and dissemination of cheatgrass in the Great Basin, examines the processes that further cheatgrass dominance, provides examples of subsequent Influences of the grass to human activities, and links the ecological history with range condition models.

CFI versus RMSEA: A comparison of two fit indexes for structural equation modeling

Abstract: This article compares two structural equation modeling fit indexes—Bentler's ( 1990; Bentler & Bonett, 1980) Confirmatory Fit Index (CFI) and Steiger and Lind's (1980; Browne & Cudeck, 1993) Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). These two fit indexes are both conceptually linked to the noncentral chi‐square distribution, but CFI has seen much wider use in applied research, whereas RMSEA has only recently been gaining attention. The article suggests that use of CFI is problematic because of its baseline model. CFI seems to be appropriate in more exploratory contexts, whereas RMSEA is appropriate in more confirmatory contexts. On the other hand, CFI does have an established parsimony adjustment, although the adjustment included in RMSEA may be inadequate.

Clinical Assessment of Child and Adolescent Personality and Behavior

Abstract: Basic Issues.- Historical Trends.- Measurement Issues.- Classification and Developmental Psychopathology.- Standards and Fairness.- Planning the Evaluation and Rapport Building.- Assessment Methods.- Self-Report Inventories.- Parent and Teacher Rating Scales.- Behavioral Observations.- Peer-Referenced Assessment.- Projective Techniques.- Structured Diagnostic Interviews.- Assessing Family Context.- History Taking.- Adaptive Behavior Scales.- Advanced Topics.- Integrating and Interpreting Assessment Information.- Report Writing.- Assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity and Disruptive Behavior Disorders.- Assessment of Depression and Anxiety.- Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Structural opportunity and perceived opportunity in social-movement theory : the Iranian revolution of 1979

Abstract: Les analyses de Tocqueville des mouvements sociaux apparaissent comme des cas limites ou les chances structurelles (la vulnerabilite de l'Etat a la pression politique populaire) coincide avec les chances percues (le fait que le public soit au courant des possibilites de succes dans le cadre de son activite de protestation). L'A. estime toutefois que cette coincidence n'apparait pas toujours. Il met en avant une disjonction de ce type en ce qui concerne la revolution iranienne entre 1977 et 1979. Sur certains plans la monarchie n'etait pas, en soi, vulnerable sur le plan structurel. Les iraniens ont percu, en revanche, une possibilite de succes en observant un changement dans la nature du mouvement de protestation

Transforming Work Through Information Technology: A Comparative Case Study of Geographic Information Systems in County Government

Abstract: A comparative case study was designed to assess the consequences of implementing a particular geographic information system (GIS) in two neighboring county government organizations. Respondents reported radically different experiences with, and consequences of, the GIS technology. In North County, participants considered GIS to be responsible for transforming the way that work was accomplished and for changing patterns of communication among departments. In South County, the same GIS technology was implemented with little social consequence. These divergent outcomes are associated with differences in four specific processes related to the implementation of the GIS in the two organizations: initiation, transition, deployment, and spread of knowledge. In North County, implementation was initiated by an influential group of users (geographers) who positioned the technology as a shared resource that built upon existing competencies. A distributed configuration was deployed in North County, and conceptual know...

The Effect of Social Experience on Serotonergic Modulation of the Escape Circuit of Crayfish

Abstract: The neuromodulator serotonin has widespread effects in the nervous systems of many animals, often influencing aggression and dominance status. In crayfish, the effect of serotonin on the neural circuit for tailflip escape behavior was found to depend on the animal's social experience. Serotonin reversibly enhanced the response to sensory stimuli of the lateral giant (LG) tailflip command neuron in socially dominant crayfish, reversibly inhibited it in subordinate animals, and persistently enhanced it in socially isolated crayfish. Serotonin receptor agonists had opposing effects: A vertebrate serotonin type 1 receptor agonist inhibited the LG neurons in dominant and subordinate crayfish and had no effect in isolates, whereas a vertebrate serotonin type 2 receptor agonist enhanced the LG neurons' responses in all three types of crayfish. The LG neurons appear to have at least two populations of serotonin receptors that differ in efficacy in dominant, subordinate, and socially isolate crayfish.

African American Churches and Political Mobilization: The Psychological Impact of Organizational Resources

Abstract: After a brief evaluation of why the psychological impact of organizational resources has been under-examined, I use data from the 1984 National Black Election Study to analyze the impact of church attendance and political church membership on electoral and political participation and on the psychological components of action--consciousness, system responsiveness, and governmental trust. I find that while church attendance was not a very strong predictor of political involvement or of the differing components of motivation, going to a political church was an extremely influential indicator of both in the 1984 elections.

Evaluating ethical decision making and computer use

Abstract: The authors present the results of an exploratory survey identifying users' attitudes and behavior when computer privacy and resource-ownership situations are encountered. T HE Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), frequently used to describe ethical decision-making behavior, relates attitudes and social norms to individual behavioral intentions [2, 17]. The components of this theory appear to be present in ethical decision situations [11], but they may be insufficient in their usual characterizations to completely describe an ethical decision process [17, 18]. Computer users face an increasing number of ethical dilemmas in their use of computers, and novel situations appear with each new technology. This article presents an exploratory evaluation of the TRA and extensions to attempt to better understand ethical decisions in computer use.

Prevention of sexually transmitted HIV infection: A meta-analytic review of teh behavioral outcome literature.

Abstract: Social learning theory-based models have recently provided the foundation for a series of twelve controlled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk reduction intervention studies that have examined sexual behavior change. These interventions have been tested with adolescents, gay and bisexual men, inner-city women, college students, and seriously mentally ill adults. We report the first meta-analysis of these intervention studies. We found that, as expected, the mean weighted effect of HIV-risk reduction interventions on behavioral outcomes was positive and strongly significant (d+=0.25). Moreover, the studies’ effect sizes were consistently positive, ranging from 0.11 to 0.53, and were largest when the outcomes were measured close in time to the intervention. We discuss other methodological challenges that, if solved, should enhance the success of future HIV-risk reduction interventions.

Cognitive Correlates of Long-term Cannabis Use in Costa Rican Men

Abstract: Background: Cognitive correlates of long-term cannabis use have been elusive. We tested the hypothesis that long-term cannabis use is associated with deficits in shortterm memory, working memory, and attention in a literate, westernized culture (Costa Rica) in which the effects of cannabis use can be isolated. Methods: Two cohorts of long-term cannabis users and nonusers were studied. Within each cohort, users and nonusers were comparable in age and socioeconomic status. Polydrug users and users who tested positive for the use of cannabis at the time of cognitive assessment after a 72-hour abstention period were excluded. The older cohort (whose age was ~45 years) had consumed cannabis for an average of 34 years, and comprised 17 users and 30 nonusers, who had been recruited in San Jose, Costa Rica, and had been observed since 1973. The younger cohort (whose age was ~28 years) had consumed cannabis for an average of 8 years, and comprised 37 users and 49 nonusers. Short-term memory, working memory, and attentional skills were measured in each subject. Results: Older long-term users performed worse than older nonusers on 2 short-term memory tests involving learning lists of words. In addition, older long-term users performed worse than older nonusers on selective and divided attention tasks associated with working memory. No notable differences were apparent between younger users and nonusers. Conclusion: Long-term cannabis use was associated with disruption of short-term memory, working memory, and attentional skills in older long-term cannabis users.

Sequential patterns in information systems development: an application of a social process model

Abstract: We trace the process of developing and implementing a materials management system in one company over a 15-year period. Using a process research model developed by Newman and Robey, we identify 44 events in the process and define them as either encounters or episodes. Encounters are concentrated events, such as meetings and announcements, that separate episodes, which are events of longer duration. By examining the sequence of events over the 15 years of the case, we identify a pattern of repeated failure, followed by success. Our discussion centers on the value of detecting and displaying such patterns and the need for theoretical interpretation of recurring sequences of events. Five alternative theoretical perspectives, originally proposed by Kling, are used to interpret the sequential patterns identified by the model. We conclude that the form of the process model allows researchers who operate from different perspectives to enrich their understanding of the process of system development.

Time Use in Instrumental Rehearsals: A Comparison of Experienced, Novice, and Student Teachers:

Abstract: Sixty instrumental music rehearsals were videotaped to measure the use of rehearsal time by three groups of teachers. Rehearsals were equally divided among those conducted by experienced teachers, novice teachers, and student teachers at the middle and high school levels. Dependent variables included preparation time, initial teacher talk, time in warm-up, time during each musical selection, breaks, final teacher talk, and dismissal. Variables were measured in real time and converted to percentages of class period. The primary variables for teaching activities were time spent in verbal instruction, nonverbal modeling, verbal discipline (disapproval-social), and performance. Findings include: student teachers talked most and allowed students to play least; experienced teachers provided the most break time, divided rehearsal time more equally between a warm-up and two musical selections, spent more than half the period on performance, used the most nonverbal modeling got the ensembles on-task the quickest, ...

Arabic and English Compliment Responses: Potential for Pragmatic Failure.

Abstract: This study investigated similarities and differences between Syrian and American compliment responses. Interviews with Americans yielded 87 compliment/compliment response sequences and interviews with Syrians resulted in 52 sequences. Americans were interviewed in English and Syrians in Arabic. Data consisted of demographic information and transcriptions of the sequences. The entire set of data was examined recursively. This examination suggested three broad categories (acceptances, mitigations, and rejections) and subcategories. Two trained raters coded each of the English and Arabic compliment responses as belonging to one of the categories. Intercoder reliability for the American data was 92% and 88% for the Syrian data. Of the American compliment responses, 50% were coded as acceptances, 45% as mitigations, and 3% as rejections. Of the Syrian compliment responses, 67% were coded as acceptances, 33% as mitigations, and 0% as rejections. Results suggest that both Syrians and Americans are more likely to either accept or mitigate the force of the compliment than to reject it. Both groups employed similar response types (e.g. agreeing utterances, compliment returns, and deflecting or qualifying comments); however, they also differed in their responses. US recipients were much more likely than the Syrians to use appreciation tokens and a preferred Syrian response, acceptance + formula, does not appear in the US data at all