Scott W. Geiger, Dan Marlin and Sharon L. Segrest
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the healthcare management literature and improve the understanding of the slack and performance link by examining the hospital slack…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the healthcare management literature and improve the understanding of the slack and performance link by examining the hospital slack and performance relationship using a sample of 148 US hospitals.
Design/methodology/approach
Using cluster analysis, ANCOVA and means comparisons, this study identifies different hospital slack configurations and their associated performance implications.
Findings
The results demonstrate that different configurations of slack resources result in different levels of hospital performance. The findings also demonstrate equifinality in this relationship suggesting that some configurations of slack can result in similar levels of performance.
Practical implications
The results indicate that managerial attention should be paid to not only identifying appropriate levels and types of slack for hospitals but also to appropriate ways to bundle these resources. The findings also suggest there may be multiple ways for hospitals’ administrators to effectively manage and bundle slack resources.
Originality/value
Organizational slack and its impact on organizational performance is an important area of research within the management literature. Unfortunately, no known studies have examined how different types of slack resources are configured or bundled together in healthcare organizations and how this impacts firm performance. This study provides a significant contribution to the literature by providing a first step in understanding the slack and performance relationship in the hospital industry.
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Sharon L. Segrest, Martha C. Andrews, Scott W. Geiger, Dan Marlin, Patricia G. Martinez, Pamela L. Perrewé and Gerald R. Ferris
Acts of interpersonal influence are observed throughout organizations, and most typically, in direct supervisor–subordinate relationships. However, researchers have focused less…
Abstract
Purpose
Acts of interpersonal influence are observed throughout organizations, and most typically, in direct supervisor–subordinate relationships. However, researchers have focused less on subordinates bypassing the chain of command and targeting their supervisor's supervisor with influence attempts. We conceptualize a new term, “leapfrogging,” as subordinates' attempts to influence and manage the impressions of their supervisor's supervisor. Here we focus on influencing the target's perception of likability (the focus of ingratiation) and competence (the focus of self-promotion). This study focuses on its personal and situational antecedents.
Design/methodology/approach
Given the central role of social exchange and psychological processes within this phenomenon, we build on a social exchange and a social cognition approach. Using a sample of 131 university support personnel service employees, hierarchical regression is used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The following antecedents of leapfrogging are hypothesized and tested: the subordinate personal characteristics of Machiavellianism, need for achievement, and fear of negative evaluation, and the situational/relational characteristic of leader–member exchange (LMX). Of these potential antecedents, subordinate Machiavellianism and LMX were the strongest predictors, and subordinates' need for achievement and fear of negative evaluation were moderate predictors.
Practical implications
Leapfrogging occurs when actors are frustrated with their current situation and desire change. However, influence tactics aimed at a subordinate's supervisor's supervisor may further strain a low-quality leader–subordinate relationship. As actors become increasingly dissatisfied and leave, this may result in increased organizational costs related to the loss of experienced employees and the hiring and training of new ones.
Originality/value
Most upward influence research has largely ignored subordinate influence attempts that go outside of the normal chain of command and target their boss's boss. The present study addresses this gap in the literature by examining leapfrog behaviors. Although acknowledged in a limited manner as a legitimate organizational behavior, this topic has received virtually no empirical attention.
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Dan Marlin, John W. Huonker and Robert B. Hasbrouck
This study confirms and extends previous research by providing a detailed longitudinal examination of the strategic group and performance relationship in the hospital industry…
Abstract
This study confirms and extends previous research by providing a detailed longitudinal examination of the strategic group and performance relationship in the hospital industry from 1983 to 1993. Based on a deductive approach using Porter's (1980) typology, we find that matching strategy to environment affects hospital performance, that the appropriate match between strategy and environment changed over the 1983 to 1993 time period, and that hospitals combining a low cost and differentiation strategy (i.e., a best‐cost approach) performed well during most of the time period examined. We also find significant movement between strategic groups, thus calling into question the degree to which mobility barriers affect between group performance differences. Finally, our research suggests the existence of multiple groups following the same strategic approach, a result that calls into question the view that groups within an industry are monolithic.
Dan Marlin, James J. Hoffman and Bruce T. Lamont
This study reports an examination of the relationships between Porter's (1980) generic strategies, dynamic environments, and performance. In me study, profile deviation is used to…
Abstract
This study reports an examination of the relationships between Porter's (1980) generic strategies, dynamic environments, and performance. In me study, profile deviation is used to test strategy—environment fit. A sample of 173 acute care hospitals was used to test the proposed relationship. Results from the study indicate that adherence to an externally specified ideal strategy profile has a positive effect on firm performance. From a methodological standpoint, results suggest that empirical and theoretical profiles have equal predictive validity, and both have a higher predictive validity, than a random profile. Results also suggest that profiles can not be assumed to be robust to differences in performance measures used.
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the organizational literature and improve the understanding of the slack and performance link by: examining the slack and performance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the organizational literature and improve the understanding of the slack and performance link by: examining the slack and performance relationship using a configurational approach and by considering equifinality and its possible effects on this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Using cluster analysis, ANCOVA, and means comparisons this study identifies different configurations of slack and their associated performance implications.
Findings
The results show that configurations with higher levels of slack outperform those with lower levels of slack suggesting a positive relationship between slack and firm performance. The findings also demonstrate that alternative configurations of slack can result in similar levels of performance suggesting the existence of equifinality in this relationship.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to prior research by moving beyond traditional linear and contingency views of slack and considering a configurational approach. An important contribution of this study is that while level of slack may be important it appears that how the various types of slack are bundled also serves as an important factor in firm outcomes and should be examined by future researchers.
Practical implications
The results indicate that managerial attention should be paid to not only identifying appropriate levels and types of slack for the organization but also to appropriate ways to bundle theses resources.
Originality/value
This study provides an important contribution to the literature by determining if certain slack bundles result in higher levels of performance and if there are multiple ways of bundling slack resources that result in similar performance outcomes.
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Fariss‐Terry Mousa, Dan Marlin and William J. Ritchie
This study aims to improve the understanding of the relationship between organizational slack and firm performance for high technology initial public offerings (IPOs).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to improve the understanding of the relationship between organizational slack and firm performance for high technology initial public offerings (IPOs).
Design/methodology/approach
Using cluster analysis the paper investigates configurations of slack and their associated performance implications.
Findings
The findings indicate the existence of distinct configurations of slack resources and associated performance differences among the configurations. Implications of the findings for managerial practice and future research are discussed.
Originality/value
The purpose of this study is to extend slack measurement research by examining the slack and performance relationship in high‐technology IPOs from a configurational perspective.
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Legislative procedures that expose tax expenditure proposals to scrutiny outside the taxation committees can improve a state legislature’s ability to control its tax base. These…
Abstract
Legislative procedures that expose tax expenditure proposals to scrutiny outside the taxation committees can improve a state legislature’s ability to control its tax base. These procedures -- fiscal notes, special subcommittees, joint taxation and spending committees, and bill size C move decisions away from the exclusive control of committees whose interests may be more narrow than the interests of the legislature as a whole. Strong legislative procedures do not, and should not, eliminate the passage of new tax exemptions, but it is desirable to enact only exemptions that match major policy objectives. Several factors, including an important economic special interest, a tax rate increase, or a major shift in intergovernmental fiscal relations, can boost an exemption past even the strongest procedures. Procedures appear to be most effective in limiting exemptions with a relatively small fiscal effect.
Mining outlook.