A Cause Map Approach to Exploring MIS Benefits

This paper considers the problem of implementing large strategic MIS in the UK Health Sector, which has recently been the subject of wide-reaching institutional reforms involving the introduction of information technology. The paper details the empirical results from four case hospitals studied over two years. The research involved a cause map investigation of the collective constructs and organizational processes impacting upon the achievement of benefits, as perceived by the stakeholders. A model is proposed which gives some novel insights into the phenomena involved

Meteorological observations of synoptic disturbances: Sensitivity to latitude

The Mars pathfinder MET experiment will make pressure, temperature, and wind measurements on the surface of Mars. The Viking Lander Meteorology Experiment measurements were marked by the presence of variations associated with synoptic weather disturbances throughout the fall and winter season. Numerical simulations of the Mars atmospheric circulation show that the winter midlatitudes are the center of activity for traveling disturbances of planetary scale, disturbances that have their fundamental origin in the baroclinic instability of the wintertime Mars atmospheric circulation. The studies are consistent with Viking observations in that the disturbances decay in amplitude toward lower latitudes. The further north the Mars Pathfinder is located, the more clearly it will be able to detect the signatures of the midlatitude weather system. A landing site close to 15 deg N should allow measurement of the weather disturbances, along with observations of the thermal tides, slope winds, and the relatively steady winds associated with the general circulation - the 'trade winds' of Mars. A landing site near 15 deg N would be significantly further equatorward than the Viking Lander 1 site, and thus would provide more of a view of tropical circulation processes

Key Factors to Promote Successful Comprehensive Reentry Initiatives

From page 22: In this article we describe key features of CRIs, their goals, and critical implementation indicators identified from the literature and experience that must be considered to ensure the short- and long-term success of high-quality multifaceted reentry initiatives. The factors will provide a roadmap to policy makers, program and initiative developers, and practitioners when they consider the time, resources, and engagement levels to successfully implement a new reentry initiative

Improving The Writing Skills Of Accounting Students: An Experiment

This paper reports the results a writing improvement initiative in an accounting department at a small western university.  Numerous surveys of accounting professionals have established the importance of writing skills for accounting graduates, and challenge business schools to revise curricula accordingly. To determine if a writing initiative in an accounting department could improve the writing skills of accounting students, a series of one-page essays were given to students in four accounting classes during the fall semester. The essays were evaluated on six writing skills recently judged by accounting professionals to be most important for new hires to possess. Feedback was provided after each essay. Results showed that the writing skills improved significantly after each essay.  Accounting students can improve their writing skills if the accounting faculty is committed to providing timely feedback

Improving The Moral Judgment Of Accounting Students: An Experiment

Recent highly publicized scandals involving accounting ethical failures have renewed recommendations to include ethics education in the accounting curriculum. Hundreds of studies confirm that the moral judgment of students improves during the college years, but the cause is unclear. Using a pretest-posttest design and the Defining Issues Test, we measured the effect of ethical dilemmas on the moral judgment of 81 accounting students over a semester. Results showed that the moral judgment of accounting students improved significantly

Identifying Strategies That Encourage Resolve To Exhibit Moral Courage

Recent highly-publicized business scandals involving accounting ethical failures have encouraged research and recommendations to teach business ethics throughout the business curriculum. Research studies provide evidence that increasing moral sensitivity and judgment is possible over short periods of moral instruction, however, having higher moral sensitivity and judgment does not guarantee that moral courage will be displayed under duress. This study identifies personal moral courage intention strategies to support morally courageous acts

Betty Vinson, Cynthia Cooper, And Moral Courage: A Case Study In Accounting Ethics At Worldcom

In this case study you will read about the ethical pressure faced by Betty Vinson and Cythia Cooper as they each balanced conflicting loyalties between family, employer, and profession. Betty first balked then caved to the pressure and ruined her career; Cynthia did not cave and was named one of three “Persons of the Year” by Time Magazine in 2002 for her moral courage at WorldCom (Lacayo and Ripley 2002)

The Effect Of Church And Service On Ethics Education: An Experiment With Accounting Students

Recent highly-publicized scandals involving accounting ethical failures have renewed recommendations to include ethics education in the accounting curriculum. Hundreds of studies confirm that the ability of students to recognize ethical dilemmas and make moral judgments improves during the college years. However, pre-existing conditions that may influence the improvement are unclear. Using a pretest-posttest control group design and a survey instrument of 25 ethics vignettes, we measured the effect of ethics education on the moral judgment of 81 accounting students over one semester. Results showed that the effectiveness of short-term accounting ethics education is influenced by prior participation in church and service activities. Students with participation showed significant improvement in moral judgment; students without participation did not improve. These results suggest that accounting students with prior church and service activities are more likely to be influenced by ethics education