e-Collaboration Satisfaction: Empirical Field Studies of Disconfirmation Theory Across Two Cultures

Research has shown that although e-collaboration technologies can improve productivity, users will abandon these technologies if they feel dissatisfied after using them. Successful implementation of e-collaboration technologies can be especially challenging with cross-cultural teams, which often bring different values and expectations to their collaboration experiences. We seek to further understand the e-collaboration satisfaction phenomenon through disconfirmation theory. A disconfirmation model of e-collaboration satisfaction is tested with field studies in two cultures (the Netherlands and United States) which differ substantially on the cultural dimension of masculinity. Participants included 254 knowledge workers from the Netherlands and 259 knowledge workers from the United States. The disconfirmation model was supported in both cultures. Participants who reported positive disconfirmation with respect to a collaboration session scored significantly higher on a satisfaction scale than participants who reported negative disconfirmation. Implications for practitioners are discussed

The Nostalgia Effect: A Field Investigation of Satisfaction among IS/IT Professionals in India

Satisfaction is a key indicator of system success, and so it has been the subject of much Information System (IS) research. The nostalgia effect, whereby individuals feel satisfied or dissatisfied when thinking about past goal attainment or failure, has been observed to influence analysts’ decisions with respect to ongoing systems development. The Yield Shift Theory (YST) of Satisfaction explains the nostalgia effect as a function of changes in yield for an individual’s active goal set. This paper reports on an exploratory field investigation of the nostalgia effect among 105 working IS/IT professionals in India reflecting on past collaboration experiences. The study demonstrates empirically a measurable nostalgia effect, and reveals a strong association between satisfaction responses and the antecedents proposed by Yield Shift Theory

An experimental study of satisfaction response: Evaluation of online collaborative learning

On the one hand, a growing amount of research discusses support for improving online collaborative learning quality, and many indicators are focused to assess its success. On the other hand, thinkLets for designing reputable and valuable collaborative processes have been developed for more than ten years. However, few studies try to apply thinkLets to online collaborative learning. This paper introduces thinkLets to online collaborative learning and experimentally tests its effectiveness with participants' responses on their satisfaction. Yield Shift Theory (YST), a causal theory explaining inner satisfaction, is adopted. In the experiment, 113 students from Universities in Beijing, China are chosen as a sample. They were divided into two groups, collaborating online in a simulated class. Then, YST in student groups under online collaborative learning is validated, a comparison study of online collaborative learning with and without thinkLets is implemented, and the satisfaction response of participants are analyzed. As a result of this comparison, YST is proved applicable in this context, and satisfaction is higher in online collaborative learning with thinkLets

Virtual Collaboration with Mobile Social Media in Multiple-Organization Projects

This study investigates the use of mobile social media as emerging collaboration tools by virtual teams. Based on the construal level theory, it develops a research model hypothesizes that collaboration tool effectiveness influence contextual performance and task performance through the mediation of procedure agreeability. In addition, geographic dispersion, team size and project duration serve as moderators as they reflect virtual collaboration complexity. Empirical findings support most hypothesized relationships. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed

Global E-Mentoring: Overcoming Virtual Distance For An Effective Mentoring Relationship

Mentoring can enhance an employee\u27s career development and advancement but traditional face-to-face mentoring has become less relevant because of globalization, increased employee mobility and technology-enabled work. A new mentoring model enabled by technology has emerged to meet the needs of today\u27s complex, fast changing global workplace. Although e-mentoring has several advantages over traditional mentoring, the absence of regular face-to-face interactions requires different strategies to develop an effective mentoring relationship. Moreover, additional complexities arise when this virtual mentoring is global. This research utilizes the construct of virtual distance, the psychological separation that has been found to impact performance outcomes of geographically dispersed, technology mediated teams (Sobel Lojeski, 2006; Sobel Lojeski & Reilly, 2008; Sobel Lojeski, 2010) to understand the effectiveness of global e-mentorships. Research results support the hypothesis that virtual distance is negatively related to mentorship effectiveness measured as mentor and mentee satisfaction with mentorship outcomes and perception of impact of mentoring on the mentee\u27s career. Several enablers were also identified as having potential to mitigate virtual distance, thereby improving e-mentorship effectiveness. Three of the four enablers investigated were found to be significant - mentor-mentee matching, mentorship goal clarity and technology usage, defined as partners\u27 access to and comfort with using communication technology. The relationship between cultural intelligence, as measured by Van Dyne et al. (2102) and mentor-mentee matching was investigated given the cross-cultural nature of the e-mentorships and found to be significant. Contrary to hypothesis, trust was not found to moderate the relationship between virtual distance and mentorship effectiveness. However, those mentors and mentees who stayed in contact after the conclusion of the formal mentoring program showed stronger relationships between virtual distance and mentorship effectiveness and partner match and virtual distance. This work makes an important contribution to the literature beyond the application to e-mentoring since one-on-one virtual collaboration is also an essential component of effective e-leadership

An inquiry into the theory, causes and consequences of monitoring indicators of health and safety at work

This paper engages in an interdisciplinary survey of the current state of knowledge related to the theory, determinants and consequences of occupational safety and health (OSH). First, it synthesizes the available theoretical frameworks used by economists and psychologists to understand the issues related to the optimal provision of OSH in the labour market. Second, it reviews the academic literature investigating the correlates of a comprehensive set of OSH indicators, which portray the state of OSH infrastructure (social security expenditure, prevention, regulations), inputs (chemical and physical agents, ergonomics, working time, violence) and outcomes (injuries, illnesses, absenteeism, job satisfaction) within workplaces. Third, it explores the implications of the lack of OSH in terms of the economic and social costs that are entailed. Finally, the survey identifies areas of future research interests and suggests priorities for policy initiatives that can improve the health and safety of workers

Antecedents and Outcomes of Customer Engagement: Bridging Customer Value Co-Creation Behavior and Customer Psychological State Engagement

This dissertation draws on service-dominant logic and reviews the engagement literature to explore the antecedents and outcomes of two multi-dimensional customer engagement constructs: psychological state engagement (PSEngagement) and value co-creation behavior. PSEngagement is a precursor to value co-creation behavior, with the latter also known as behavioral engagement in prior research. The model proposed in this dissertation was tested in two service contexts: higher education, with a sample size of 454, and fitness, with a sample size of 122. To minimize the common method variance typical of survey research (Podsakoff, et al. 2003), the model was tested twice per context, once using self-report data only, and the second time using a combination of self-report and objective data. This dissertation integrates two research streams by including customer engagement and customer value co-creation behavior, explores the conceptual and operational definitions of each, and models their antecedents and outcomes. This research is important for theoretical as well as practical reasons. Theoretically, it contributes by corroborating the interplay between PSEngagement and value co-creation behavior and by examining that interplay within the broader nomological network of antecedents and outcomes. For practitioners, this research identifies the positive outcomes of having engaged customers as well as the mechanisms through which firms can engage customers

An Inquiry into the Theory, Causes and Consequences of Monitoring Indicators of Health and Safety at Work

This paper engages in an interdisciplinary survey of the current state of knowledge related to the theory, determinants and consequences of occupational safety and health (OSH). First, it synthesizes the available theoretical frameworks used by economists and psychologists to understand the issues related to the optimal provision of OSH in the labour market. Second, it reviews the academic literature investigating the correlates of a comprehensive set of OSH indicators, which portray the state of OSH infrastructure (social security expenditure, prevention, regulations), inputs (chemical and physical agents, ergonomics, working time, violence) and outcomes (injuries, illnesses, absenteeism, job satisfaction) within workplaces. Third, it explores the implications of the lack of OSH in terms of the economic and social costs that are entailed. Finally, the survey identifies areas of future research interests and suggests priorities for policy initiatives that can improve the health and safety of workers.health, safety, indicators, accidents, diseases, absenteeism

Academic Contributions to the UNESCO 2019 Forum on Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship

This volume comprises a series of research articles dedicated to the UNESCO 2019 Forum on Education for Sustainable Education and Global Citizenship. Given the imperative of education in sustainable development, especially in developing countries, the volume covers a wide range of topics: the mobility and mental health of international students, reading habits and academic achievements of junior high school students, core competencies of mid-level managers in higher education, adoption of an international publishing standard, legal rights for education and socio-cultural adaptation of ethnic minorities, and, most recently, students’ learning behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic