Tyler N. A. Fezzey and R. Gabrielle Swab
Competitiveness is an important personality trait that has been studied in various disciplines and has been shown to predict critical work outcomes at the individual level…
Abstract
Competitiveness is an important personality trait that has been studied in various disciplines and has been shown to predict critical work outcomes at the individual level. Despite this, the role of competitiveness in groups and teams has received scant attention amongst organizational researchers. Aiming to promote future research on the role of competitiveness as both an adaptive and maladaptive trait – particularly in the context of work – the authors review competitiveness and its effects on individual and team stress and Well-Being, giving special attention to the processes of cohesion and conflict and situational moderators. The authors illustrate a dynamic multilevel model of individual and team difference factors, competitive processes, and individual and team outcomes to highlight competitiveness as a consequential occupational stressor. Furthermore, the authors discuss the feedback loops that inform the different factors, highlight important avenues for future research, and offer practical solutions for managers to reduce unhealthy competition.
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Tyler N.A. Fezzey and R. Gabrielle Swab
Competitiveness is an individual difference variable that incorporates factors generally associated with the desire to excel in comparison to others and the enjoyment of…
Abstract
Purpose
Competitiveness is an individual difference variable that incorporates factors generally associated with the desire to excel in comparison to others and the enjoyment of competition. There is still much debate on whether it is helpful or harmful, which may stem from the scattered ways in which it is studied. Thereby, this study aims to properly synthesize the literature concerning the prevailing correlates, underlying theory and frequent applications of competitiveness and to set forth an outline of domains in need of further research and exploration.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors do so by using two methods of analysis on a representative sample of 546 peer-reviewed publications.
Findings
The authors find that competitiveness research has and will continue to grow expeditiously, but its complexity and cloudiness have not yet been attenuated.
Originality/value
The study uncovers opportunities for pertinent future research on competitiveness to grow more productively and collaboratively by highlighting salient works and identifying the fragmentations that have led the literature into a state of disarray.
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Chelsea Sherlock, Erik Markin, R. Gabrielle Swab and Victoria Antin Yates
The purpose of this study is to systematically analyze family business research, which has experienced tremendous growth. Through this study’s categorization and evaluation of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to systematically analyze family business research, which has experienced tremendous growth. Through this study’s categorization and evaluation of research, the authors illustrate the evolution of family business research in management, entrepreneurship and family business domains over the past decade.
Design/methodology/approach
This study provides an interdisciplinary systematic review of family business literature between 2008 and 2022 to analyze the family business field. Following similar previous reviews (Chrisman et al., 2003; Debicki et al., 2009), this study’s final sample includes 1,443 studies, which the authors categorize into six broad topics and 21 subcategories of management topics.
Findings
This study’s analysis reveals the field has grown nearly fivefold since 2007. As such, the authors examine the growth and decline of specific research topics. The authors also find in the past decade family business research has experienced rapid growth across a variety of outlets, signaling increasing reach, richness and legitimacy of the field.
Originality/value
By reviewing and analyzing 1,443 family business articles, the results illustrate the evolution of family business research over the past decade and what this means for its future. Based on this study’s systematic review, the authors offer insights into the state of the field and propose avenues for future research so the field can continue to prosper.
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Mariana Lebron, R. Gabrielle Swab and Ryan Bruns
The purpose of this manuscript is to highlight how gamification is transforming recruitment, retention and training to resolve employee engagement challenges in the ever-changing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this manuscript is to highlight how gamification is transforming recruitment, retention and training to resolve employee engagement challenges in the ever-changing workplace. In collaborating with game industry experts and designers, the authors taught students team leadership skills by demonstrating how to design and play their own original cooperative strategy games. In doing so, students learn what gamification is and how it can be used to train our multigenerational workforce; how designing board games teaches team leadership skills (e.g. communication, conflict management, power, decision-making); and how to develop cooperative strategy game elements (player characters, roles and actions) that motivate engaging gameplay with successful learning outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors discuss the practical implications of a three-phase semester-long experiential learning experience, where game design demonstrates to students how employees can work collaboratively together in teams. Students’ developed storylines (i.e. strategic objectives) including motivation challenges, social media communication breakdowns, sabotage, global sustainability and other real-world challenges. In Phase 1, students learn about how companies are using gamification in training high-performing teams. In Phase 2, students play a cooperative strategy game Forbidden Island with their student teams. In Phase 3, students design (and play) their original cooperative strategy game, instructions booklet and build a facilitation guide.
Findings
Approximately, 400 students developed 48 original cooperative strategy games that can be used to teach team leadership skills. These student teams designed cooperative strategy board games – in which the entire team either wins or loses based on their control of valued resources and player actions as key decision-making points. The data and feedback indicate that the learning experience helped them practically consider team interdependence in making effective decisions, and in creating creative self-efficacy, resilience and self-confidence in their own leadership voice. In this manuscript, the authors focus on providing an overview and implementation plan for our semester-long experiential learning exercise.
Originality/value
This experiential exercise was implemented from 2019 to 2023 in different learning modalities (face-to-face, hybrid, 100% synchronous online learning) and during challenging times (prepandemic, pandemic and postpandemic learning environments). These varying experiences provided them with a challenge to persevere and learn about their own interpersonal skills and resilience in a creative engaging way with limited resources. Students developed 26 original games during 100% synchronous remote learning due to COVID. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other business school is working with gaming industry experts and game designers to teach team leadership to this degree during pre- and postpandemic environments.