Teresa Bezler, Giovanni B. Moneta and Gary Pheiffer
The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a Work Environment Complexity (WEC) Scale for leaders.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a Work Environment Complexity (WEC) Scale for leaders.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses both cross-sectional and longitudinal data, gathered in the course of major organisational restructuring, using samples from employees (n=305) and leaders (n=120) in two health care organisations.
Findings
The research developed and validated a scale of WEC for leaders with two factors: frequent change and events, and uncertain work demands. Comparisons between samples suggest diverging employee and leadership representations of WEC.
Practical implications
Being the first scale to measure the comprehensive construct of WEC, a foundation is laid to measure the amount of complexity in a leader’s work and the functioning of leaders with regards to WEC.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to leadership research and practice by clarifying the construct of WEC for leaders empirically and validating a bidimensional scale of WEC.
Details
Keywords
Gary Pheiffer, Dave Griffiths and David Andrew
The paper argues for a deeper understanding of the dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by examining the role of what has been called the shadow side of…
Abstract
The paper argues for a deeper understanding of the dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by examining the role of what has been called the shadow side of organisations. The use of this concept provides an alternative view of how key CSR dynamics may play out in reality. This, it is suggested, may lead to the development of an innovative framework and associated lines of vision and enquiry resulting in a deeper and more holistic understanding of the dynamics of CSR.
Gary Pheiffer, Debbie Holley and David Andrew
The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of learning styles in developing learning in a higher education context.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of learning styles in developing learning in a higher education context.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper employs a case study of a year one introductory module for first‐year university students in a post‐1992 university.
Findings
It is suggested that learning styles in association with concepts of engagement and identity may be usefully and successfully employed in supporting, guiding and developing student learning. The importance of contextual factors is a factor that will influence learning strategies.
Originality/value
The paper is critical of other uses of learning styles and makes suggestions to develop and broaden the role of learning styles.
Details
Keywords
The social, economic and political context of African societies in the wake of various European intrusions has set the scene for post‐independent western‐African relationships…
Abstract
The social, economic and political context of African societies in the wake of various European intrusions has set the scene for post‐independent western‐African relationships. The purpose of this paper is to examine the intentions and policies of developed countries and international agencies to the third world, using as an example a report evaluating aid to Mozambique. A textual analysis of the report will further explore the relationship between aid policies and western‐Mozambican relationships. It will be argued that however destructive pre‐independence relationships with colonial powers were for African societies, post‐colonial demands by western powers in return for aid were far more intrusive, requiring more total subversion of traditional economies to western neo‐liberal economic models.