Showing papers in "Journal of Management Development in 2002"

Employee engagement and manager self‐efficacy

Abstract: Although technology still dominates, human resources and how they are managed is receiving increased attention in the analysis of gaining competitive advantage. Yet, many complex questions remain. This study first examines the theoretical understanding of employee engagement. Then an empirical investigation is made of the role that a wide variety of managers’ (n = 170) psychological state of self‐efficacy plays in the relationship between their employees’ (average of about 16 per manager) measured engagement and a multiple measure (self, subordinates and peers) of the managers’ effectiveness. Results of the statistical analysis indicate that the manager’s self‐efficacy is a partial mediator of the relationship between his or her employees’ engagement and the manager’s rated effectiveness. Overall, these findings suggest that both employee engagement and manager self‐efficacy are important antecedents that together may more positively influence manager effectiveness than either predictor by itself. Implications for effective management development and practice are discussed.

Leadership and trust facilitating cross‐functional team success

Abstract: Cross‐functional teams (CFTs) have increased in use within a variety of organizations. While these teams claim to enhance organizational effectiveness, research has seen mixed results. This paper examines the challenges faced by CFTs and why these challenges facilitate the need for the development of a team climate for trust. Trust is discussed as a team‐level construct, an aspect of the “micro‐climate” that occurs within a team. Leadership actions particularly important to cross‐functional teams and the development of trust are offered as influential in creating a team climate for trust in cross‐functional teams.

The influence of spiritual “meaning‐making” on career behavior

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a participative psycho‐biographical study that investigated the effect of spirituality on career behavior. This study shows that spirituality influences career purpose, sense‐making and coherence. Spirituality was found to inspire four purposes of “developing and becoming self”, “unity with others”, “expressing self”, and “serving others”. Spirituality was also found to influence an ongoing process of sense‐making through discovering, prioritizing and balancing the four purposes over a lifespan, in response to ongoing tensions between “being” and “doing” as well as “self‐ versus other‐orientation”. Spirituality furthermore influences perceived career‐coherence as individuals align their careers with perceived spiritual orderings outside of themselves. The paper concludes with suggestions for practice and future research.

Managing by values

Abstract: The system of beliefs and values that shaped the model for management and organizations during the twentieth century is just not good enough today. In order to keep a business functioning well and competing successfully in markets that are increasingly more global, complex, professionally demanding, constantly changing and oriented towards quality and customer satisfaction a new model is needed. In this paper, we will propose that both management by instructions and management by objectives today give notoriously inadequate results. By contrast, description of a new approach, labeled management by values (MBV), seem to be emerging as a strategic leadership tool. The paper outlines this approach and discusses the implementation of MBV as a tool to redesign culture in organizations and prepare them for the next millennium.

Charting the Experiential Territory: Clarifying Definitions and Uses of Computer Simulation, Games, and Role Play

Abstract: The literature around experiential learning is unclear regarding the similarities and differences among simulation, games, and role play. In order to appropriately evaluate instructional processes, definitional clarity is necessary. In this article, we provide a definitional foundation and classification scheme for the topics of computer simulation, role play, and games. The educational and training outcomes of each are discussed, providing readers the means to determine for themselves, the pedagogical appropriateness of simulation, games, or role play to a given situation.

Changes in museum management: A custodial or marketing emphasis?

Abstract: In recent years museums have changed from being predominantly custodial institutions to becoming increasingly focussed on audience attraction. New emphasis is placed on museum‐audience interactions and relationships. This change in the purpose and priorities of museums has impacted upon the nature of museum management. The recognition of new roles for museum directors and the need to appeal to differentiated audiences has created new challenges for previously traditional, custodial directors. This paper presents a conceptual framework for managing museums, taking account of the museum service context and the delivery of the museum service product. It then examines two museums, one in Ireland and one in Australia, both of which have a similar cultural history. The paper considers the different management styles for museum directors and how these different styles illustrate the changes in professional perspective from the traditional (a focus on custodial preservation) to the more current (a focus on educating and entertaining the public).

Culture and international management: A review

Abstract: This is a review article on the effectiveness of cross‐cultural managements of multinational companies. Analysis is based on the relationships between national and corporate culture and these corporate cultures vary across nations and how multinational companies can adopt the national differences.

Desirable leadership behaviours of multi‐cultural managers in China

Abstract: This monograph reports and compares “desirable” leadership traits, and leadership traits actual exhibited by managers and supervisors as defined by responses on the original English and a Chinese language translation of the Ohio State University leadership behaviour description questionnaire XII (LBDQ XII). From anecdotal evidence and personal experience, the researcher found considerable difficulty in transferring research results from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore to useful practice in the interior of China and performed this study in an attempt to gain understanding for management training courses. Data was collected for 220 managers and supervisors in two hotels in the interior of China. Both expatriate and indigenous Chinese managers were included. All supervisors were Chinese. A significant (p < 0.05) difference between Chinese and non‐Chinese expatriates was observed for factor: Tolerance of Freedom, interestingly, with the Chinese managers indicating more tolerance of freedom than the expatriate managers. Nonetheless, Chinese supervisors believed the ideal manager should be even more tolerant of freedom than their managers (p < 0.01).

An empirical evaluation of emotional intelligence: The impact on management development

Abstract: This study explored the measurement of emotional intelligence (EI) using a comprehensive scale to tap the construct. Using a sample of 295 undergraduate business majors from a mid‐western university, an exploratory factor analysis was performed to examine the factor structure of the scale. Based on the factor loadings, the scale was reduced to 51 items with five factors emerging. Student demographics revealed that accounting majors rated lower on EI as compared to other majors. Results also indicated that higher EI scores were associated with membership in Greek organizations, and involvement in sports organizations. It was also found that international students rated lower on the EI measure as compared to domestic students. Finally, several of the factors within the scale were shown to have a relationship to both cumulative GPA and university‐specific GPA. Implications for these findings as they relate to management development are discussed.

Strategic Management: An Evaluation of the Use of Three Learning Methods.

Abstract: The article examines the use of three learning methods in the teaching of strategic management; the case method, simulation and action learning, in the form of a consultancy project A survey of course members’ perceptions of learning outcomes indicates that simulation is the most effective method Conclusions are provided for the design of strategic management programmes and the development of action learning projects

Is it really a mediating construct?: The mediating role of organizational commitment in work climate‐performance relationship

Abstract: This paper aims at exploring the mediating role of organizational commitment that continues to be one of the most controversial issues in HRM. Using a self‐administered questionnaire, 1,000 employees from 20 industrial companies were randomly selected and surveyed in order to examine this mediating role. The results revealed that organizational commitment and its two factors (normative and continuance commitment) play different roles in mediating the relationship between perceived work climate and performance, as rated by the employees themselves and their immediate supervisors. The implications of the results for both managers and researchers are also discussed in the paper.

How chief executives’ perception of the environment impacts on company performance

Abstract: Environmental scanning is a key factor to sustained competitive advantage of the firm and it is becoming increasingly important in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) theory and practice. Not surprisingly, it is widely viewed as the first step in the process of strategic management. The main debate in strategy and environment management is nowadays concerned with the primary importance of environmental scanning to strategy formulation and implementation. Moreover, effective scanning of the environment is seen as necessary to the successful alignment of competitive strategies with environmental requirements and the achievement of outstanding performance in SMEs. This paper explores the above relationship in the context of the British electrical and electronic industry. It is based on the empirical evidence and the findings of a survey of 132 chief executive officers (CEO) and their perception of environmental scanning and strategy in SMEs. It is concluded that there is a significant relationship between increasing the environmental scanning of the firm, and the success of the firm’s performance in small and medium sized enterprises.

From loose groups to effective teams: The nine key factors of the team landscape

Abstract: In this article a framework is developed, and validated, that provides an insight into the critical issues associated with the transformation of a loose group into an effective team. In this context, a loose group is defined as a number of individuals brought together to achieve a task, but with no further development undertaken. An effective team, by contrast, is one in which development of a supportive social structure has occurred, with each individual adapting his behaviour to optimise his personal contribution to the team. The insight gained has enabled the authors to identify those issues that limit the speed with which an effective team forms. This in turn has enabled specific recommendations to be made that will help effective teams to form in the minimum time. In the current research program the organisation studied was a multinational engineering company, engaged in the design, development and manufacture of rotating turbomachinery.

Managing your diverse workforce through improved communication

Abstract: Diversity in the workforce has become a demographic reality across the globe. There has been some debate amongst academics and practitioners over how to deal with employee diversity. Many agree that organizations should aim to manage diversity rather than simply value it or rely on affirmative action policies. Proposes that improvements in supervisor‐subordinate communication will assist organizations toward the goal of managing diversity by promoting integration and equality in the workplace. Recommends two strategies for accomplishing better supervisor‐subordinate communication: managing personal growth and mentoring. The former may be implemented successfully in the short term while the latter takes a long‐term focus. Concludes that in order for any managing diversity program to succeed, managers and supervisors need to demonstrate their commitment to the program and to communicate the relevance, importance and benefits of such programs to all employees throughout the organization.

Creating competitive advantage through effective management education

Abstract: States that the twenty‐first century has brought with it the global marketplace, and with it unparalleled business opportunities which have competitive pressures. Discusses how organizations can use management education to create competitive advantage. Concludes that management education and development is essential in order for an organization to remain competitive.

Managerial problems in Kuwait

Abstract: This article investigates managerial problems in Kuwait. A total of 762 managers participated in the study. Managers perceived that the most important problems are: primacy of personal relationships over work relationships, favoritism and personal loyalty at work, subjectivity in evaluation and promotion, unwillingness to shoulder responsibilities, multiplicity of rules and regulations, rigid and obsolete administrative systems and policies, and influence of cliques in the workplace. No significant results were found between expatriates and nationals in their perception of managerial problems. Implications for policymakers, senior Kuwaiti managers, and multinational corporations were provided.

Pro-growth small businesses: learning 'architecture'

Abstract: Internationally, a certain market failure has become apparent in terms of the effective engagement of small business owner‐managers in business support programs, and in the wider concept of life long learning. There exists a cultural gap between support agencies and the small business sector’s perceptions of the utility of formal support and learning interventions to the business performance of their business. Therefore, this paper extends knowledge and understanding within this context relative to what constitutes small business owner‐managers’ learning disposition, means, obstacles and organisation to be confronted and what form of new ’architecture’ needs to be designed to support learning. A theoretical framework supports the analysis of findings from a research project based in Melbourne, Australia, which serves to illuminate pertinent issues towards informing more sensitised support interventions. Specifically, the attribute of a learning culture was identified as a factor contributing to growth in small businesses, and may represent a distinguishing characteristic between effective and non‐effective economic performers.

Situational leadership: Managing the virtual project team

Abstract: Shifting work patterns and increasing organisational cooperations have led to electronically integrated “unbounded” organisations and virtual teams. This study is pivotal in exploring the project manager’s leadership style and control in managing changing project boundaries and permeable interfaces. A survey of clinical research projects indicates that project managers are not overly affected by internal market mechanisms or constraints on face‐to‐face interactions. However, certain project variables such as project objectives, team size, frequency of team changes and project duration play significant roles in the relationship between the project leader and his/her perception of project difficulties. The study’s observations and conclusions are useful to the project owner/sponsor as well as the project manager; either might seek to select situations that would best match the manager’s inclination or style and to avoid projects that are likely to present him/her with situations that are counter to his/her default preference.

Corporate universities – an analytical framework

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to offer a contribution to enabling an understanding of the concept of the corporate university to be developed. This contribution is in the form of a conceptual framework, drawing on the significant concepts of knowledge management, organisational learning and learning organisation. The resulting framework – corporate university wheel – represents what might be termed an “ideal type”, in the Weberian sense, of a corporate university based human resource development strategy. Though the framework is offered as a descriptive and analytical device rather than as a prescriptive model, it highlights four core processes which, it is argued, represent the key functions that an ideal type corporate university should perform. The paper suggests that the success of corporate universities of the future could hinge on their ability to manage and harness the complex interaction of organisational learning subsystems and less on their ability to manage training and education programmes.

Codes of ethics: their evolution, development and other controversies

Abstract: Presents a literature review of reported findings on the analyses of the contents of codes of ethics in corporations and the various strategies, processes, procedures and resources that accompany and support them. The starting point is the seminal paper by Cressy and Moore. In the literature a distinction is drawn between inspirational and prescriptive code types, and this classification becomes a focal point on what is the appropriate subject matter for a code of ethics. The issue remains an unresolved feature of research articles. For some researchers a document that prescribes behaviours is not a code of ethics because it precludes empowerment of addressees to make the ethical decisions. Others consider prescriptive documents to be “best practice” for codes of ethics. The latter authors propose the perspective that the only satisfactory contents for codes are clear and precise behavioural dictates that lend themselves to a supporting disciplinary function. In practice the managers of corporations continue to publish the types of code they favour.

Team effectiveness – development of an audit questionnaire

Abstract: Much has been said and written about the importance of teams to the success of organisations and emphasis has been given to the benefits of team‐building activities to achieving both team and organisational effectiveness. Describes attempts to move beyond team building and to link organisational development to team effectiveness in a coherent way. In order to achieve this goal, a team effectiveness audit tool has been devised which is based on individual self‐assessment. The audit tool focuses on six domains considered to be important in effective teams. The self‐report audit tool has now been used by over 140 teams across a range of public‐sector organisations and this has enabled a significant database to be built up. This provides a large normative data set against which individual team performance can be gauged. Focuses on data derived from 37 teams within an integrated acute and community health and social services (HSS) trust. Overall the team effectiveness audit tool has been well received and has proven to be an effective mechanism of linking individual and team performance with organisational‐management objectives.

One size fits all in expatriate pre‐departure training?: Comparing the host country voices of Mexican, Indonesian and US workers

Abstract: Traditional expatriate predeparture training has been general in nature, neglecting the input of the respective host country workforce (HCW) in identifying specific work interaction demands for optimizing expatriate management performance. This study found that workforces from Mexico, Indonesia and the USA differed significantly in their perceptions of both positive and negative behaviors affecting their work performance. Accordingly, the paper calls for a significant change in research and practice to incorporate the voice of the HCW to develop more valid and effective predeparture training for expatriate managers to enhance their performance in the host country to which they are assigned.

Applying situational leadership in Australia

Abstract: Situational leadership (SL) remains highly popular among practitioners, despite considerable academic criticism, lack of theoretical debate, and relatively little published research into SL. We interviewed practicing managers trained in SL about their experiences in applying the model. SL appealed to the managers because of its intuitive simplicity, ease of use, and perceived relevance to managerial roles. SL can be applied consciously (with deliberation) or automatically. Contrary to expectations, practitioners did not report difficulty in assessing follower developmental levels. While respondents were aware that they needed to use all four SL styles in managing their people, consistent with previous research, these Australian managers preferred using supportive styles, and some went to considerable lengths to avoid being directive. The intercultural applicability of SL is questioned, and directions for further research into some of the hypotheses generated by this study are proposed.

Assuring corporate leadership for the future

Abstract: Corporate leadership development can no longer simply rely on planning the replacement of existing leaders. The function of leadership is moving from a transactional to a transitional mode and leaders will increasingly work to inspire knowledge era workers within a constantly changing organisation to embrace an unknown future. In order to meet this leadership development challenge, this article proposes a three‐track model of leadership development based on theory and practice. It is aimed not at individual leaders, but at the total leadership function. The three tracks are: a business track where individuals study the total enterprise and its business environment; a leadership track which teaches behaviourally‐based skills to influence individuals, teams and the total organisation; and a personal track where the individuals understand themselves and how to best manage their personal resources.

Defining and assessing competencies for competency‐based, outcome‐focused management development

Abstract: This paper suggests that competency‐based, outcome‐focused management development and education programs might benefit from redirecting the non‐technical subjects away from emphasis on theories and skills, to emphasis on the decisions which managers have to make. To do this effectively, there is a need for defining the types of decisions, for organizing the knowledge and skills for making these decisions, and for a model that permits a pedagogically sound process for learning the many concepts that have to be mastered. In addition to the paper, the Peernet reviewer’s comments are provided, as well as a response to them.

An Australian case in e‐health communication and change

Abstract: Australia’s health industry is grasping the need to use IT and telecommunications with e‐commerce strategies for improved cost‐effective services to its key stakeholders. Addresses the changes occurring in Australia’s healthcare industry influenced by experiments in e‐commerce and focussed on the Project Electronic Commerce and Communication for Healthcare (PeCC). Initiated in 1997, as a joint activity of both government and industry, PeCC was developed to introduce e‐commerce practices into the health sector with almost 700 suppliers, automating pharmaceutical and other supplies to hospitals. Supply chain communication will be facilitated by an Internet‐based platform, allowing more efficient interaction between the pharmaceutical industry’s outlets (retail and hospital pharmacies), wholesalers, suppliers and manufacturers. Promoting and demonstrating e‐commerce for the pharmaceutical industry supply chain, the project connects manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers and hospitals. Examines lessons in change management and communication that emanate from this health sector case, emphasising the issue of improving communication with key stakeholders about e‐commerce and changes to the health system, and ensuring appropriate communication practices (including media selection) through the different phases of the project over time.

Managing learning climates in a financial services organisation

Abstract: This study explores learning climates within a financial services organisation. Through the use of survey and case study strategies and analysis of secondary data available within the organisation, it assesses the current state of individual, team and organisational learning in the organisation and the managers’ roles in promoting a learning climate. The conclusions drawn from this research lead to recommendations for a series of actions, which, if adopted, would help to establish the need for a learning climate and a wider and deeper understanding of the nature of learning in the organisation. Initial practical steps are outlined to put into place activities that would add value to the organisation, enhance its learning capabilities and develop its learning climate. Research implications are also discussed.

Expatriate development: the use of 360‐degree feedback

Abstract: This article first reviews the status of expatriate training and the need to evaluate the transfer of this training to expatriate managers on‐the‐job in a foreign culture. A multisource or 360‐degree feedback system is proposed as both a way to evaluate expatriate cultural training at the behavioral and performance levels, as well as a way to develop expatriates to make them more effective once in the local culture. A proposed expatriate management effectiveness questionnaire (EMEQ) is described in terms of its theoretical foundation and specific scales, and how it could be used in a multisource feedback program for the effective development of expatriate managers.

An exploratory study of work motivation among private and public sector hospital chefs in Australia

Abstract: This paper assesses the reliability and rationale of Hackman and Oldham’s job characteristics model among public and private sector hospital chefs in Australia. It continues by focusing on critical job elements of chefs and their motivational outcomes. The job of chef in private sector hospitals was found to be more challenging with greater motivating potential than that in the public sector. Reliance of hospitality services managers upon technology appears to have resulted in a deskilled production process and, consequently, a demotivated workforce.