Cultural clashes in a “merger of equals”: The case of high‐tech start‐ups

Mergers of equals are often considered simply symbolic. Whereas existing literature on the topic views equality as underscoring the importance of distributive justice, power, or identity, the role of culture remains relatively obscure. In this study, the authors explore equality as a dynamic construct associated with two major processes in mergers of equals: cultural clash and cultural construction. The authors employ a qualitative case study with interviews and analysis of company materials from BroadBand, a wireless Internet access provider, to address the role of culture and equality in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The results shed light on how and why social actors entering into mergers may enact a culture of equality. First, firms may develop new aspirations and patterns of appreciation and initiate practices and strategies that construct equality as an integral part of the merger. Second, when distributive equality becomes a liability, it incites change. In the context of equality, this change results in strategic action that transforms the meaning of “a merger of equals” to a more practical, pragmatic, and integrative equality, which takes into account the interests and the needs of the merged firm. Third, contrary to the common skeptical and cynical portrayal of mergers of equals, this study found equality to be a crucial factor during postmerger integration. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/86995/1/20446_ftp.pd

Fear of terror and increased job burnout over time: Examining the mediating role of insomnia and the moderating role of work support

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110573/1/job1980.pd

The measurement of physiological symptoms in work stress research : a critique / 954

Includes bibliographical references (p. 43-51)

Generations in context: the development of a new approach using Twitter and a survey

Millennials (born between 1982 and 1999) and their work-related values have received significant attention in recent years, but empirical evidence of Millennials’ characteristics is inconclusive. One possible reason behind these mixed results is the tendency to apply generational groupings universally and ignore the potential impact of the broader context, such as national culture. This study develops a contextual perspective on generational differences and proposes a new, hybrid approach to generations. First, we conducted an exploratory study using data mining of big data from Twitter, to test hypotheses regarding differences between age cohorts in four different countries (The United States, Russia, India, Argentina). Second, we conducted a follow-up study to further investigate the between-countries differences found in the first study, using survey data from the same four countries. The results highlight the importance of both global and local influences when considering generational differences, supporting a new hybrid theoretical approach to understanding generational differences. Millennials were shown to be different from Generation X (born 1965–1981) across countries in relation to the behavioural aspect of writing style on social media. In contrast, in relation to work values, generational groupings were not universal, as the distinction between the work values of Millennials and Generation X was only found in the individualistic culture of the United States, and not in other, more collectivistic, cultures

Evidence for the need to distinguish between selfinitiated and organizationally imposed overload in studies of work stress

This study attempts to enhance our understanding of the inconsistencies reported in the literature concerning the relationship between work overload and work outcomes. We tested the proposition that work overload should be divided into two constructs based on its source: self-initiated overload (SIO), and organization-imposed overload (OIO). Based on the work stress and job crafting literatures, we expected that SIO and OIO would tend to relate differentially to the work outcomes of job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, work–family conflict, job performance, and helping organizational citizenship behaviours. A study was conducted using three samples, the first consisting of full-time employed students in three countries (N = 116), the second consisting of the nursing staffs of six private hospitals in Switzerland, and the third consisting of 161 middle manager–supervisor dyads in Switzerland. Two different measures of SIO and OIO were used. SIO was found to have a more beneficial relationship with the work outcomes than OIO, general supporting our hypothesis. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed

FIRDA, refractory epilepsy, and SEEG‐guided RF: A case report

Abstract Objectives We will demonstrate that FIRDA (frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity)—otherwise related to systemic disorders and encephalopathy—has a role as an epileptic biomarker of deep‐seated midline SOZ. Its abolishment following SEEG‐guided radiofrequency of such SOZ correlates with clinical improvement suggesting its role as a noninvasive biomarker of otherwise inaccessible SOZs. Methods We report the case of AK who was admitted with “psychiatric and gastrointestinal complaints.” AK's complaints were further associated with FIRDA during VEEG. His previous refractoriness to AEDs, the clinico‐electroencephalographic correlation, MRI showing bilateral hippocampal atrophy (more to the left) and severe memory deficits, prompted us to suggest a left temporo‐mesial SOZ, for which SEEG was done. Dual SEEG and scalp electrodes were used primarily for diagnostic purposes but taking into account an option for a therapeutic action by RF ablation. Results The dual array demonstrated a clear association between left hippocampal high voltage spikes and HFOs on SEEG recordings with FIRDA on concomitant scalp EEG parallel to behavioral changes, as suspected in our preliminary hypothesis. A further RF ablation eliminated the epileptiform activity (Spikes, HFOs, and FIRDA) followed by clinical improvement. Significance This is the first report showing the clinical significance of FIRDA associated with behavioral changes as a marker for latent refractory mesial epilepsy. SEEG exploration has the potential to uncover deep sources, which are manifested as FIRDA on scalp EEG. These abnormalities and clinical symptoms can be eliminated by RF ablation