Margaret Moussa, Mathew Bright and Maria Estela Varua
The purpose of this paper is to examine the suitability of job and work design theory for investigating knowledge workers’ productivity. The review is a response to recommendation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the suitability of job and work design theory for investigating knowledge workers’ productivity. The review is a response to recommendation and adoption of the motivational human resource management approach by a number of knowledge management researchers. The authors show that the existing literature on this topic overlooks key criticisms of HRM job and work design theory itself. The authors suggest modifications.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper proceeds by outlining knowledge management researchers’ arguments rejecting the application of traditional measurement approaches to investigating knowledge workers’ productivity. The review develops to examine the various arguments for adopting work design theory and considers the key contributions and critiques in this field. Drawing on the insights of key HRM work design critics, the paper concludes by offering suggestions for a model suitable for examining the drivers of knowledge work productivity in process.
Findings
The principle finding is that Morgeson and Humphrey’s (2006) Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ) stand as the most conceptually consistent and methodologically considered human resource management work design theory. However, this model must itself be modified to include a category of organizational contextual work characteristics. For application to the filed of knowledge management, WDQ must also be expanded to include knowledge sharing, role breadth self-efficacy and employee well-being as key work design mediators and outcomes.
Research limitations/implications
Greater consideration needs to be given to the distinction between knowledge sharing as a work design mediator and as a work design outcome. Morgeson and Humphrey themselves note that the “common method variance” problems arising in psychometric research have been reduced but not completely eliminated from their model.
Practical implications
Survey instruments based on the recommended model potentially provide a valuable means for understanding and enhancing productivity in a variety of knowledge intensive service industries. The pronounced benefit of this model is that it is applicable in cross-industry and cross-occupational contexts, unlike many existing knowledge worker productivity models. This is an advantage, given the centrality of the inter-connectivity of different types of activities and industries in knowledge work.
Social implications
Work design prioritizes employee motivation and support and links this to the quality of work and the well-being of clients. The benefits of well-designed knowledge work extend well beyond the generation of specific innovations and macroeconomic productivity improvements.
Originality/value
Job design and work design theory have been applied in the field of knowledge management. However, the applications have largely overlooked key critiques of the established models in the human resource management literature. The paper fills this gap. Its original suggestions for modifying Moregeson and Humphry’s (2006) WDQ reflect the authors’ in-depth analysis of the literature.
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Sony Mathew, Michael Osterman, Michael Pecht and Frank Dunlevey
The purpose of this paper is to present the results from work on a project aimed at evaluating six different copper alloy substrates coated with pure tin for tin whisker growth…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the results from work on a project aimed at evaluating six different copper alloy substrates coated with pure tin for tin whisker growth. The influence of intermetallic growth between the copper alloy substrate and the tin‐plating on the growth of tin whiskers has been investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
The experiment consisted of six substrates of different alloys of copper, plated with bright tin including copper beryllium, cartridge brass, phosphor bronze, Cu‐Ni‐Si “7025” and Cu‐Ni‐Sn “spinodal”. The samples were mechanically stressed and then subjected to temperature humidity storage conditions for 1,000 h. These samples were then evaluated for tin whisker growth and intermetallic layer thickness.
Findings
Of the six samples five showed tin whisker growth. For these samples the intermetallic layer thickness has little effect on tin whisker growth. Sample with Cu‐Ni‐Sn “spinodal” alloy substrate showed very low whisker density and comparatively lower maximum whisker length than the other tested substrate material.
Research limitations/implications
More samples per condition should be evaluated to bolster the conclusions. For the sample without tin whisker growth, holes on the surface of the plating were observed. The holes in the plating provide an opportunity for stress relaxation after the plating process. Since stress in the plating layer is low, tin whiskers are not formed on the sample surface.
Originality/value
The paper details the tin whisker growth on six tin plated copper substrate samples. The intermetallic layer thickness for each copper alloy substrate is calculated. The relationship between the intermetallic layer thickness and tin whisker growth for the six substrates are discussed.
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Tong Fang, Michael Osterman, Sony Mathew and Michael Pecht
To present a methodology, including the algorithms, to quantify the risk of failure from tin whiskers and to present a dynamic risk trend based on the distribution of each of the…
Abstract
Purpose
To present a methodology, including the algorithms, to quantify the risk of failure from tin whiskers and to present a dynamic risk trend based on the distribution of each of the whisker growth parameters, generated from experiments over a period of time. This paper also aims to demonstrate the practical application of the methodology developed.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper has been written to provide a methodology to assess tin whisker risk due to fixed whiskers in electronic products. The risk assessment process has been detailed in the paper. To demonstrate the usefulness of the methodology, a tin whisker risk assessment was conducted for a printed circuit board (PCB) in operation.
Findings
Based on the experimental tin whisker growth data it is observed that growth rates of mean length and average density decrease with time. Based on the risk assessment, it was estimated that for the common matte tin over copper finish, the failure risk for the circuit card assembly was 4 per cent over 20 years. It was recommended that, for this product, components with bright tin lead finish should not be used. It was also found that the effectiveness of the conformal coating on this PCB is limited by the relative risk of the components on the board.
Originality/value
The paper provides a new methodology to assess fixed tin whisker risk in electronic products. The methodology provides a dynamic risk trend with time because the algorithm incorporates distributional data of whisker growth and the distributional data as a function of time. This type of assessment was lacking in the previous studies.
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The aims of this paper are to establish: a typical women's apparel store environment as a realistic base for measuring the effects of changes; effective environmental stimuli…
Abstract
Purpose
The aims of this paper are to establish: a typical women's apparel store environment as a realistic base for measuring the effects of changes; effective environmental stimuli levels; and the effect of repeated exposure on affect.
Design/methodology/approach
A schema of typical stimuli is developed through literature, observing 212 stores, and surveying 39 women's fashion retail GMs. An experiment (n=489) establishes the set of stimuli and effective levels for creating affect for a women's fashion store. Shoppers (n=62) were repeatedly exposed to combinations of the two sets (industry standard and “ideal”) to examine whether decay in affect occurs, and whether changes can mitigate this.
Findings
Interactions between sensory stimuli have a significant effect on fashion shoppers’ affect for a store. Fashion retailers are less differentiated in their use of sensory stimuli than they could be to achieve the responses they expect. Stagnation from repeated exposure can diminish affect for the store whereas small changes in stimuli levels can revitalise and increase affect.
Research limitations/implications
A model of sensory stimuli‐based relationships with shopper affect should incorporate interactions. Empirically, different stimuli can easily be added or substituted within a dimension to test its effect within a factorial design. A model of fashion store atmosphere is likely to require a mediating influence of repeated exposure.
Practical implications
It is worthwhile getting the “correct” package of stimuli for a fashion store's atmosphere. This does not necessarily require wholesale changes; rather small changes in stimuli level can enhance a store.
Originality/value
The paper presents the only study to use a holistic approach to store atmosphere and base effectiveness measures against the fashion industry norm, and consider the effect of repeated exposure.
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Ali Makhlooq and Muneer Al Mubarak
It is important to implement artificial intelligence (AI) because it can simplify and solve complex problems faster than humans. Because AI learns about people and their behavior…
Abstract
It is important to implement artificial intelligence (AI) because it can simplify and solve complex problems faster than humans. Because AI learns about people and their behavior from the first purchase, AI marketing can boost marketing efforts by leveraging data to target extremely precise consumer groups. There is a debate about the efficacy of AI marketing due to the constraints and limits imposed by the system's nature. This chapter presents insights from published studies regarding the relationship of AI with marketing and how AI can affect marketing. A real-world example of Netflix's usage of AI in marketing has been demonstrated. Then, consumer attitudes regarding AI were revealed. Then, several ethical considerations concerning AI were highlighted. Finally, the anticipated future of AI marketing was addressed. This chapter demonstrated the significance of firms implementing AI marketing to get a competitive advantage. Although some of the difficulties mentioned in this study need to be resolved, AI marketing has a bright future. There are ethical concerns about bias and privacy that should be addressed further. This chapter will encourage firms to use AI systems in marketing, and it will open the door to concerns that will need to be investigated academically in the future.
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This chapter reviews the need for accounting education change in selected countries to determine whether commonalities exist. Beginning with the need for accounting education…
Abstract
This chapter reviews the need for accounting education change in selected countries to determine whether commonalities exist. Beginning with the need for accounting education change in the United States and the promotion and acknowledgment of the Accounting Education Change Commission (AECC) initiatives in that country, the chapter proceeds to examine the accounting education reforms in three selected English-speaking countries with developed accounting systems. I find that in these selected countries, the emphasis, like the United States, was also on the nurturing of generic skills as opposed to acquiring just technical knowledge. These countries were leaning toward implementation of changes based on the philosophy of the AECC initiatives, although some were initiated prior to the formation of AECC. Hence, for any accounting education change in developing countries, these initiatives are highly recommended as a basis for accounting curriculum development and pedagogical considerations.
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David S. Bright, Elizabeth Fisher Turesky, Roger Putzel and Thomas Stang
From the perspective of emergence, professors can facilitate and shape a class as a complex, adaptive, and living system. A case study illustrates phases of emergence in the…
Abstract
From the perspective of emergence, professors can facilitate and shape a class as a complex, adaptive, and living system. A case study illustrates phases of emergence in the classroom by tracing how a professor may use this perspective to empower students to share in the leadership of the classroom. Instead of presenting lessons, the professor facilitates emergent activity, creating a classroom structure where students practice leadership behaviors. In this classroom structure, the professor assumes the leadership roles of coach and facilitator. As a result students building the classroom culture together they connect with each other: they develop strong relationships, take initiative, and learn important lessons about leadership. This article concludes with design principles for establishing a classroom of shared leadership in any teaching environment in any subject.
Rahime Zaman Fashami, Manijeh Haghighinasab, Nader Seyyedamiri and Pari Ahadi
The purpose of this paper is to show that indebtedness can have a positive meaning for people who are embedded in social relationships in organizations if it is meant in the light…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show that indebtedness can have a positive meaning for people who are embedded in social relationships in organizations if it is meant in the light of the notion of gratitude, gift-giving and generalized reciprocity.
Design/methodology/approach
The study reviews the literature on the common notion of indebtedness and integrates it with the literature on gratitude, gift-giving and generalized reciprocity.
Findings
The study reveals that through the notion of gratitude, gift-giving and generalized reciprocity people may conceive their indebtedness as gratitude for having received something, so triggering giving behaviors that does not necessarily aim to repay the debt, but to develop and feed their social relationships.
Originality/value
In the past indebtedness has been conceived as a negative feeling. This study reveals that it may have also a bright side when it is applied to people in flesh and bones, as they are immersed in good quality social relationships.
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IN October a well‐known literary periodical appeared for a single number in a bright‐red cover to signalise a certain change. Two months earlier we had altered our size, type and…
Abstract
IN October a well‐known literary periodical appeared for a single number in a bright‐red cover to signalise a certain change. Two months earlier we had altered our size, type and cover‐colour; for the last exchanging the decorous consistent grey of our outer garment for the summer yellow in which our two Conference numbers appeared. Some readers found this too gaudy, although the three colours which have most “attention value,” as the advertisement experts say, are yellow, red and Cambridge blue. We compromise on orange, which has warmth, and we hope will have welcome.