Linda Miller and Andrew Foster Miller
The purpose of this study was to understand how innovative work behavior (IWB) was affected by leaders’ relationships with their employees to enhance engagement/job commitment in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to understand how innovative work behavior (IWB) was affected by leaders’ relationships with their employees to enhance engagement/job commitment in the grocery retail industry. The general business problem is some organizations in the grocery retail industry lack IWB to generate innovative solutions to remain competitive.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a qualitative method and a single case study design because the literature identified a need to understand how the leader–member relationships, employee engagement/job commitment and employee idea generation and implementation affect organizational innovation in the grocery retail industry. Using this method and design provided the appropriate approach to explore a single organization business process model for innovation. The three data sources for this study were semistructured one-on-one individual interviews, a single focus group and relevant organizational documentation.
Findings
The findings showed high-quality relationships between knowledge workers and their leaders can positively affect their engagement/job commitment and ability to generate and implement useful ideas. A fundamental catalyst for IWB is when all four critical forces are in alignment including high-quality relationships between the knowledge workers and their leadership, the employee is fully engaged and the organization promotes risk-taking behavior to create new ideas with its commitment to innovation through resources and prioritization. The millennial participants indicated their leaders should be more transformational leaders coaching and mentoring them rather than transactional task-oriented disciplinarians. The Generation X and baby boomer participants were seeking more autonomy and resources to explore ideas.
Research limitations/implications
Future researchers could consider exploring a deeper understanding of the multigenerational knowledge workers’ needs to help leaders stimulate employee engagement/job commitment and increase IWB.
Practical implications
Organizations are able to meet the market demand for innovation and remain competitive.
Social implications
Higher quality leader–member relationships lead to employee engagement/job commitment that can increase innovation.
Originality/value
The findings were the trends and preferences revealed within generational groupings. The needs and wants expressed by the millennial participants indicated that their leaders should be more of a coach and mentor. The Generation X and baby boomer participants were seeking more autonomy and resources to explore ideas.
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An allegorical reply is given to Linda Miller′s article,“Managerial Competences”. “The translating of easylanguages argues neither wit nor elocution”. Yet, competencetraining…
Abstract
An allegorical reply is given to Linda Miller′s article, “Managerial Competences”. “The translating of easy languages argues neither wit nor elocution”. Yet, competence training remains a laudable exercise.
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National Vocational Qualifications are currently being drawn upacross all sectors of industry for both craft and operative workers andfor managers and supervisors. At managerial…
Abstract
National Vocational Qualifications are currently being drawn up across all sectors of industry for both craft and operative workers and for managers and supervisors. At managerial and supervisory level a central concern for this initiative has been the recognition and identification of core transferable managerial skills that are common across industries. Responsibility for identifying these “generic competences” has lain with the Management Charter Initiative (MCI). In Industrial and Commercial Training Vol. 22 No. 5 Roy Canning criticised what he termed “the MCI approach”, and argued that the search for generic competences would not benefit industry. This article explains the rationale behind the competence approach and answers Canning′s criticisms, pointing out that what Canning has taken issue with bears no resemblance to the competence model currently being developed by the MCI and other lead bodies.
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This paper aims to report findings from a UK study funded by the Equal Opportunities Commission to explore gender segregation in apprenticeships in five strongly segregated…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report findings from a UK study funded by the Equal Opportunities Commission to explore gender segregation in apprenticeships in five strongly segregated sectors: construction, plumbing, engineering, information technology (all strongly male‐dominated), and child care (female‐dominated). The aim of the research was to consider the nature of the barriers preventing young people moving into apprenticeships in these areas of work and to investigate the actions that have been taken by local Learning and Skills Councils to address gender segregation in apprenticeships.
Design/methodology/approach
The research consisted of a survey of Local Learning and Skill Councils (the bodies that fund all post‐16 learning provision outside higher education in the UK), case study interviews in five geographical regions selected as examples of good practice, and interviews with representatives of Sector Skill Councils.
Findings
This paper reports some of the barriers encountered by organisations involved in encouraging young people to enter vocational training and by apprentices themselves, and the actions that organisations have taken to try to encourage more diverse groups of young people to consider apprenticeships in these sectors.
Originality/value
This paper is of importance to those wishing to encourage young people to enter into vocational training.
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On April 2, 1987, IBM unveiled a series of long‐awaited new hardware and software products. The new computer line, dubbed the Personal Systems 30, 50, 60, and 80, seems destined…
Abstract
On April 2, 1987, IBM unveiled a series of long‐awaited new hardware and software products. The new computer line, dubbed the Personal Systems 30, 50, 60, and 80, seems destined to replace the XT and AT models that are the mainstay of the firm's current personal computer offerings. The numerous changes in hardware and software, while representing improvements on previous IBM technology, will require users purchasing additional computers to make difficult choices as to which of the two IBM architectures to adopt.
Linda Miller, Tracey Ann Wood, Jackie Halligan, Laurie Keller, Claire Hutchinson‐Pike, Diana Kornbrot and Julie deLotz
The rise of all forms of information systems has been one of the major factors affecting the nature of work over the last decade. This article reports on research that suggests…
Abstract
The rise of all forms of information systems has been one of the major factors affecting the nature of work over the last decade. This article reports on research that suggests that whilst females may now gain more experience of computers and information systems at an earlier age, this does not appear to lead to more favourable evaluations of jobs involving computers. If women overcome initial negative perceptions of jobs involving computers then the particular style, manner, skills or approach that are seen as prerequisite for success, can constitute an additional barrier over and above that of the “glass ceiling”. The study looked at factors influencing initial attitudes towards computers, female attitudes to jobs involving computers and factors influencing self‐selection into gender‐typical and atypical jobs, including IT‐based jobs. The article considers the actions required from managers in many roles, including those with responsibility for staff development, marketing and recruitment.
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M. Christian Mastilak, Linda Matuszewski, Fabienne Miller and Alexander Woods
Commentators have claimed that business schools encourage unethical behavior by using economic theory as a basis for education. We examine claims that exposure to agency theory…
Abstract
Commentators have claimed that business schools encourage unethical behavior by using economic theory as a basis for education. We examine claims that exposure to agency theory acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy, reducing ethical behavior among business students. We experimentally test whether economics coursework or a manipulated competitive vs. cooperative frame affects measured ethical behavior in simulated decision settings. We measure ethical behavior using established tasks. We also measure ethical recognition to test whether agency theory reduces recognition of ethical issues. Exposure to agency theory in either prior classwork or the experiment increased wealth-increasing unethical behavior. We found no effect on unethical behavior that does not affect wealth. We found no effect of exposure to agency theory on ethical recognition. Usual laboratory experiment limitations apply. Future research can examine why agency theory reduces ethical behavior. Educators ought to consider unintended consequences of the language and assumptions of theories that underlie education. Students may assume descriptions of how people behave as prescriptions for how people ought to behave. This study contributes to the literature on economic education and ethics. We found no prior experimental studies of the effect of economics education on ethical behavior.
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Linda Matuszewski and Fabienne Miller
This chapter describes a student team project that involves the creation and delivery of a fundraising event business plan for a nonprofit organization. The project challenges…
Abstract
This chapter describes a student team project that involves the creation and delivery of a fundraising event business plan for a nonprofit organization. The project challenges students to become active learners and apply managerial accounting concepts associated with cost behavior, planning, and control in a realistic environment that sensitizes them to the missions of nonprofit organizations. It requires students to research and use real-world operational and financial information in a setting to which they can relate, and develops their understanding of how various business disciplines are integrated. We have used the project in introductory managerial and intermediate cost accounting courses to target specific core competencies identified as critical to a successful accounting career by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
The Brandeis serials collection of 3,550 periodicals and 1,950 annuals and irregulars, in two libraries, are maintained on Faxon's LINX online system. At a cost of $26,500 per…
Abstract
The Brandeis serials collection of 3,550 periodicals and 1,950 annuals and irregulars, in two libraries, are maintained on Faxon's LINX online system. At a cost of $26,500 per year, Brandeis has been able to save resources and increase performance through the use of LINX. This article provides an evaluation of the system after one full year of use.