Cultural context\u27s influence on the relationships between leadership personality and subordinate perceptions

Fascination with leadership and the pursuit of its understanding have been common across disciplines throughout history (Bass & Stogdill, 1990). Studying leadership in an organization provides value in understanding its relation to outcomes such as employee attitudes (Podsakoff, MacKenzie, & Bommer, 1996), individual performance (Tierney, Farmer, & Graen, 1999) and organizational performance (Day & Lord, 1988; Sully de Luque, Washburn, Waldman, & House, 2008). Leadership is suggested to be the underlying human factor key to organizational effectiveness (Hogan & Kaiser, 2005). In spite of the vast body of literature, much remains to be understood, especially understanding context (McCall & Hollenbeck, 2002). Particularly, research is needed to understand leadership in cross-cultural contexts (Leung & Peterson, 2011). For years researchers have attempted to predict leadership success and more recently have become concerned with factors that predict leadership failure, which in some cases can be associated with higher costs (McCall & Lombardo, 1983). Personality characteristics, or specifically dark side personality traits, have been a primary focus of studying leadership derailment. Research in this topic has been primarily U.S. centric and research suggests that we do not fully understand the influence of cultural context (Bass, Burger, Dokotor, & Barrett, 1979; Griffeth, Hom, DeNisi & Kirchner, 1980). In order to bridge the research gap, the current study was an effort to shed light on non-linear relationships between dark side personality dimensions (Bold, Cautious, and Diligent) and performance, moderated by cultural context. The organizational data included individuals from a Fortune 50, multi-national, consumer packaged goods organization, representing all major geographic regions, various business functions and levels in the organizatio

Suggested Practices for Making I-O Connections: Let’s Build Bridges and Grow I-O!

It may come as no surprise, but there are an awful lot of people who have no idea what I-O pychology is or what I-O psychologists do. Common reactions from new acquaintances include, “Ooo, I could really use some help organizing my home and be a more industrious person” or “Wow, that’s a mouthful” or “No really, what do you do for a living?” Perhaps even more alarming is the number of students across universities who aren’t introduced to I-O—even if they are psychology majors! We are struck by the number of prospective graduate students who tell us that they wouldn’t know that I-O existed had it not been for a chance encounter with an I-O psychologist. For every one of these talented young people who join the field, there are 10 more who don’t have that chance encounter and end up in a different field

Molecular and epidemiologic analysis of dengue virus isolates from Somalia.

Nucleotide sequence analysis was performed on 14 dengue virus isolates (13 dengue-2 viruses and 1 dengue-3 virus) recovered from febrile soldiers in Somalia in 1993. The dengue-2 viruses were most closely related to dengue-2 virus recovered in Somalia in 1984. However, differences in nucleotide sequence (0.35% to 1.35%) were evident among the 1993 isolates. These differences were closely associated with the geographic location of the infection as well as with different times of infection at the same location. Genetic difference between strains was not associated with differences in clinical features. Molecular analysis of dengue viruses is a useful adjunct to epidemiologic investigation of their distribution over distance and time

Synthesis and properties of epitaxial thin films of c-axis oriented metastable four-layered hexagonal BaRuO3BaRuO3

We have grown epitaxial thin films of c-axis oriented metastable four-layered hexagonal BaRuO3BaRuO3 on a (111) SrTiO3SrTiO3 substrate by 90° off-axis sputtering techniques. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the films are single domains of c-axis four-layered hexagonal structures with an in-plane epitaxial arrangement of BaRuO3BaRuO3 [20]∥SrTiO3[110].[21̄1̄0]∥SrTiO3[110]. Surfaces with smooth terraces having a step height of a half unit cell (∼4.7 Å) have been observed by scanning tunneling microscopy. The in-plane electrical resistivity of the films is metallic, with a room temperature value of 810 μΩ cm and slightly curved temperature dependence. Their magnetic susceptibility is Pauli paramagnetic. The metastable layered metallic oxide can be used for understanding new solid-state phenomena and device applications. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/69917/2/APPLAB-77-3-364-1.pd

Chromosomes. CENP-C reshapes and stabilizes CENP-A nucleosomes at the centromere

Inheritance of each chromosome depends upon its centromere. A histone H3 variant, centromere protein A (CENP-A), is essential for epigenetically marking centromere location. We find that CENP-A is quantitatively retained at the centromere upon which it is initially assembled. CENP-C binds to CENP-A nucleosomes and is a prime candidate to stabilize centromeric chromatin. Using purified components, we find that CENP-C reshapes the octameric histone core of CENP-A nucleosomes, rigidifies both surface and internal nucleosome structure, and modulates terminal DNA to match the loose wrap that is found on native CENP-A nucleosomes at functional human centromeres. Thus, CENP-C affects nucleosome shape and dynamics in a manner analogous to allosteric regulation of enzymes. CENP-C depletion leads to rapid removal of CENP-A from centromeres, indicating their collaboration in maintaining centromere identity.NIH grants: (GM082989, CA186430, GM008275, GM008216, GM007229); American Heart Association predoctoral fellowship; American Cancer Society postdoctoral fellowship; NSF grant: (agreement DMR-0944772)

An Outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Northeastern Kenya, 1997-98

In December 1997, 170 hemorrhagic fever-associated deaths were reported in Carissa District, Kenya. Laboratory testing identified evidence of acute Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). Of the 171 persons enrolled in a cross-sectional study, 31(18%) were anti-RVFV immunoglobulin (Ig) M positive. An age-adjusted IgM antibody prevalence of 14% was estimated for the district. We estimate approximately 27,500 infections occurred in Garissa District, making this the largest recorded outbreak of RVFV in East Africa. In multivariate analysis, contact with sheep body fluids and sheltering livestock in one’s home were significantly associated with infection. Direct contact with animals, particularly contact with sheep body fluids, was the most important modifiable risk factor for RVFV infection. Public education during epizootics may reduce human illness and deaths associated with future outbreaks

Epidemic infectious gastrointestinal illness aboard U.S. Navy ships deployed to the Middle East during peacetime operations – 2000–2001

BACKGROUND: Infectious gastrointestinal illness (IGI) outbreaks have been reported in U.S. Navy ships and could potentially have an adverse mission impact. Studies to date have been anecdotal. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of weekly reported disease and non-battle injury health data collected in 2000 – 2001 from 44 U.S. Navy ships while sailing in the 5(th )Fleet (Persian Gulf and nearby seas). RESULTS: During this period, 11 possible IGI outbreaks were identified. Overall, we found 3.3 outbreaks per 100 ship-weeks, a mean outbreak duration of 4.4 weeks, and a mean cumulative ship population attack rate of 3.6%. Morbidity, represented by days lost due to personnel being placed on sick-in-quarters status, was higher during outbreak weeks compared to non-outbreak weeks (p = 0.002). No clear seasonal distribution was identified. CONCLUSION: Explosive outbreaks due to viruses and bacteria with the potential of incapacitating large proportions of the crew raise serious concerns of mission impact and military readiness