Supervisors and Performance Management Systems

Supervisors occupy central roles in production and performance monitoring. We study how heterogeneity in performance evaluations across supervisors affects employee and supervisor careers and firm outcomes using data on the performance system of a Scandinavian service sector firm. We show that supervisors vary widely in how they rate subordinates of similar quality. To understand the nature of this heterogeneity, we propose a principal-agent model according to which supervisors can differ in their ability to elicit output from subordinates or in their taste for leniency when rating subordinates. The model also allows for variation in how informed firms are about this heterogeneity. Within the context of this model, we can discern the nature of the heterogeneity across supervisors and how informed firms are about this heterogeneity by relating observed supervisor heterogeneity in ratings to worker, supervisor, and firm outcomes. We find that subordinates are paid significantly more, and their pay is more closely aligned with performance, when they are matched to a highrating supervisor. We also find that higher raters themselves are paid more and that the teams managed by higher raters perform better on objective performance measures. This evidence suggests that supervisor heterogeneity stems, at least in part, from real differences in managerial ability and that firms are at least partially informed about these differences. We conclude by quantifying how important heterogeneity in supervisor type is for workers' careers. For a typical worker, matching to a high rater (90th percentile) relative to a low rater (10th percentile) for just one year results in an increase in the present discounted value of earnings equivalent to 7 14% of an annual salary

Your supervisor’s personality impacts you forever

Supervisors are different in their managerial abilities and in how they perceive your work, yet their decisions determine you career outcomes, write Anders Frederiksen, Lisa Kahn, and Fabian Lang

National and State Economic and Environmental Impacts of NETL

This report documents the development of state-level input-output models for Pennsylvania and West Virginia and the augmentation of the national input-output model with employment data. The models were developed to assess the economic and environmental impacts of expenditures and employment at, and research and development awards originating from, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) sites located in Pittsburgh, PA and Morgantown, WV

Intra-abdominal bleeding in a horse : not always of traumatic origin

A nine-year-old warmblood mare was presented with clinical signs of mild colic and fever. On percutaneous ultrasound of the abdomen, a mass was identified on the left side of the abdomen between the spleen and the stomach. During examination the following day, intra-abdominal blood was observed. On rectal examination, a mass was palpated in the pelvis. The presumptive diagnosis of hematoma with intra-abdominal bleeding was made. On consecutive ultrasounds and radiographs, the mass evolved in shape and other masses were identified in the liver and the lungs. No change was noticed in the pelvic mass. Cytology and histology of a tru-cut liver biopsy revealed abnormal, most likely neoplastic cells, whereas cytology of the abdominal and thoracic fluid did not reveal any neoplastic cells. Due to the presence of several rapidly growing masses, a neoplastic process was most likely. Because of the malignant character of the disease and the persistence of the clinical signs, euthanasia was suggested but refused by the owner. Supportive treatment was instituted. Initially, the general condition remained stable, after which the horse suddenly collapsed and died. Post-mortem examination revealed a primary neoplasm located in the pelvic cavity, as well as multiple disseminated masses within several tissues. The mass found in the liver had ruptured with loss of probably 50 liters hemorrhagic fluid within the abdominal cavity. Based on gross pathology, cytological and histological findings, a hemangiosarcoma was suspected. This diagnosis was confirmed using immunohistochemistry for von Willebrand factor. In this case report, the importance of differentiating hematoma from hemangiosarcoma in the horse is highlighted

A Faculty Mentorship Program: Supporting, Engaging, and Retaining New Faculty

Schools need to foster growth and retention of new faculty, often content experts with minimal formal academic experience. Compounding factors include inadequate numbers of seasoned faculty due to retirements, burnout, or low salaries. This session will describe a unique evidence-based faculty mentorship program that supports, engages, and retains new faculty

Sacrospinous Hysteropexy Versus Prolapse Hysterectomy with Apical Fixation: A Retrospective Comparison over an 18 Year Period

Background. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common health problem, with a high lifetime risk for prolapse surgery. Uterine-preserving procedures such as vaginal sacrospinous hysteropexy (SSH) have become an increasingly utilized surgical option for the primary treatment of POP. We wanted to evaluate peri- and postoperative outcome parameters of SSH as an alternative to vaginal hysterectomy with apical fixation. Methods. A retrospective cohort study was conducted (2003–2021). All patients who underwent primary SSH (study group) for symptomatic POP were matched 1:1 by age and BMI with patients who underwent primary prolapse hysterectomy with apical fixation (control group). Results. A total of 192 patients were included with 96 patients in the each of the SSH and hysterectomy groups. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics. The SSH group show a significantly shorter mean surgery time (p < 0.001), significantly fewer hospitalization days (p < 0.001), and significantly less intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.033) in comparison to the control group. Neither group had any intraoperative complication, or an intraoperative conversion to other surgical management options. No statistically significant difference was found in postoperative complications as categorized by the Clavien–Dindo classification or in postoperative urogynecological issues (UTI, de-novo, incontinence, residual urine, voiding disorders). Through log regression, none of the confounding factors such as age, BMI, or preoperative POP-Q stage could be identified as independent risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative complications. Conclusions. Our results confirm that a uterus-preserving technique has many benefits and, thus, should be considered as an additional intermediate step in a long-term treatment plan of pelvic organ prolapse

Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and ischemic stroke patients: a critical analysis

Vascular factors are thought to contribute to the development of disease pathology in neurodegenerative dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Another entity, called vascular dementia (VaD), comprises a less defined group of dementia patients having various vascular diseases that especially emerge in the elderly population and require valid options for examination and differential diagnosis. In the context of a retrospective study, we analyzed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers t-tau, p-tau and Aß42 of a total of 131 patients with AD (n = 47), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 22), VaD (n = 44) and stroke (n = 18). We found a remarkable alteration in CSF biomarker profile in AD, VaD and in acute ischemic events. CSF profile in AD patients was altered in a very similar way as in stroke patients, without statistical differences. In stroke, increase depend largely on size and duration after the initial event. Total tau levels were useful to differ between VaD and stroke. Aß42 decreased in a similar way in AD, VaD and stroke and had a trend to lower levels in MCI but not in controls

Panel-Based Exhibit Using Participatory Design Elements May Motivate Behavior Change

Meaningful science engagement beyond one-way outreach is needed to encourage science-based decision making. This pilot study aimed to instigate dialogue and deliberation concerning climate change and public health. Feedback from science café participants was used to design a panel-based museum exhibit that asked visitors to make action plans concerning such issues. Using intercept interviews and visitor comment card data, we found that visitors developed general or highly individualistic action plans to address these issues. Results suggest that employing participatory design methods when developing controversial socio-scientific exhibits can aid engagement. We conclude by recommending participatory strategies for implementing two-way science communication

Public Engagement on Climate and Health in Museums and Participatory Dialogues may Foster Behavior Change

As scientific knowledge grows and the planet’s human population makes unprecedented changes, decision-making places more and more demands on the everyday democratic participant. Yet efforts to help the public acquire and make use of evidence-based information fall short. We present preliminary comparisons of three participatory design models of public engagement with science designed to encourage community action rather than just raise awareness in participants on local public health issues impacted by climate change. We collected survey data at two in-person community-based participatory dialogues and a museum exhibit and presented but received no surveys from televised versions of the participatory dialogues. Results indicated that behavior change was indeed salient to participants. Actions participants plan to take included sharing what they learned, contacting legislators, and direct conservation efforts. Future research should study whether participants undertake planned actions and do so in groups rather than as individuals