Analysis of Corporate Culture and Community Relations: A Case Study of IBM

The basis for study of corporate culture grew from prior sociological and anthropological research. Etzioni (1964) found organizations which incorporate human resource technique in establishing goals were least likely to alienate their employees and were likely to produce desired responses. Etzioni\u27s method for determining an organization\u27s goals was through inspection of interviews, minutes from board meetings, organization documents, division of labor, and allocation of resources (1964, p.6). The purpose of cultures as defined by Etzioni should be to provide a supportive setting for developing modern organizations and theme worldliness (1964, p.1O8-1O9)

Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study: The Lived Experiences of School Leaders Who Have Worked Through a Merger

This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of school leaders who worked through the processes of school mergers in New York State. The central research question that guided the study was: What are the lived experiences of school leaders who worked through the processes of a school merger? In addition, guiding questions were implemented to understand the phenomenon of school mergers. The guiding questions are: How do school leaders maneuver and manage the organizational structures impacted by the processes of a school merger? What role do school leaders play in the environmental demands influencing the processes of a school merger? Organizational theory guided the study. Organizational theory is the study of how organizations operate and how they impact and are impacted by the environment in which they operate. Utilizing the three principles of organizational theory: organizational structure, culture, and design and change the study describes the lived experiences of school leaders who worked through the processes of school mergers. Study participants were selected through a participant survey screener. The study was conducted through purposeful criterion sampling and data collection methods using individual interviews, focus groups, and questionnaires. The transcendental phenomenological reduction process was used for data analysis. Keywords: merger, organizational theory, school leadershi

Effects of Compensation Strategy on Job Pay Decisions

Previous research has revealed wide variations in pay for the same job, even within a single locality. To date, however, the sources of such pay differentials are not well understood. The present research investigates how compensation managers from a wide variety of organizations combine infonnation about current job pay rates, market rates, and job evaluation points to arrive at new pay rates for jobs. In addition, it examines the role of two pay strategy variables (pay leadership position and external versus internal orientation) in job pay decisions, controlling for differences in organizational demographic characteristics (e.g., size, industry). Results suggest that pay strategies affect assigned pay levels, with higher pay being assigned by managers from fmns with market-leading strategies and internal pay orientations. In addition, pay strategies appear to influence the relative weights attached to market survey versus job evaluation infonnation in pay-setting for jobs. Specifically, although market survey information consistently explained more variance in assigned pay than did job evaluation, this effect was more pronounced among managers from finns having an external orientation. Organizational demographics also affected assigned pay levels, but to a lesser extent than pay strategies

Incentives for the adoption of e-government by Greek municipalities

Purpose: The research aims to identify the incentives that play an important role in the evolution of e-government in Greece at local scale and its actual development level. It also investigates the factors and the perceived barriers that affect the development of local egovernment in Greek Municipalities, as well as the benefits they derive from it. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research is based on a survey that was conducted through a questionnaire to all 325 Municipalities of the country and includes data from 109 Municipalities that participated in the quantitative approach. Findings: While e-government is spread at a relatively satisfactory level, it appears that only a few Municipalities are performing well. Results highlight also the two main incentives that motivate Municipalities to adopt e-government: The first is the improvement of the efficiency of information exchange with the external environment and the second is managing internal issues-relationships in conjunction with the existence of prominent IT departments. Amongst the main factors that affect e-government adoption by Local authorities, budgetary constraints stand out, while the lack of personnel specialized in Information Technologies is identified as common obstacle. Practical Implications: Findings suggest that an integrated approach to e-government is needed in order to enable organizations to minimize failures and to overcome barriers and counter risks. The capacity to align e-government applications with the increasing and evolving needs and requirements of the citizens is the key to optimizing the benefits of eGovernment at local scale. Originality/Value: There is no similar empirical research in the context of Greece; hence, it seems important to increase the knowledge about the drivers of e-government adoption, especially in the public sector at the local scale.peer-reviewe

Customization Or Conformity? An Institutional And Network Perspective On The Content And Consequences Of TQM Adoption

This study develops a theoretical framework that integrates institutional and network perspectives on the form and consequences of administrative innovations. Hypotheses are tested with survey and archival data on the implementation of total quality management (TQM) programs and the consequences for organizational efficiency and legitimacy in a sample of over 2,700 U.S. hospitals. The results show that early adopters customize TOM practices for efficiency gains, while later adopters gain legitimacy from adopting the normative form of TQM programs. The findings suggest that institutional factors moderate the role of network membership in affecting the form of administrative innovations adopted and provide strong evidence for the importance of institutional factors in determining how innovations are defined and implemented. We discuss implications for theory and research on institutional processes and network effects and for the literatures on innovation adoption and total quality management.(.)Business Administratio

The Louisville (Kentucky) Democratic Party : political times of Miss Lennie McLaughlin.

This thesis seeks to examine the role of the Democratic Party organization in Louisville, Kentucky and its influence in primary elections during the period 1933 to 1963. A prominent party leader, Lennie McLaughlin, is the focal point of the study. McLaughlin was one of a few female party leaders who functioned as a party boss in a metropolitan area during that time. Included is an historical narrative of Louisville\u27s Democratic organization during the McLaughlin era and an analysis of her organization\u27s success in the selection of favored primary candidates. The Democratic organization\u27s accomplishments in general elections are compared to contemporary general elections in the same locale. It is shown that during the McLaughlin era the organization controlled primary contests. The research further reveals that during the period 1933 to 1961 the normal voter turnout in local elections was above 60% and roll-off within an election remained consistently low. Comparative data from 1973 and 1977 local elections are analyzed