HRM in Service: The Contingencies Abound

[Excerpt] Despite the rapid growth in the diversity of service consumers—both abroad and domestically—theoretical developments regarding this diversity in the service world have lagged far behind those that have characterized the world of manufacturing. With regard to international services, Knight (1999) conducted a review of the literature and concluded that there is an alarming paucity of research on international services management despite the importance of services in the global economy. A large proportion of the research that has been conducted on international services has focused on marketing issues rather than human resource management (HRM) issues. This means that little is known about the cross-cultural applicability of service HRM theories, which have hitherto been developed and tested almost exclusively within the West (mostly within the U.S. context). Similarly, there has been little research on the HRM implications of the growing diversity of service consumers within the U.S. domestic market. Again, much of the research focuses on the challenges associated with simultaneously marketing services to a multicultural customer base, with little or no work focusing on the implications of these challenges for HRM in service firms. Thus, the purpose of our chapter is to introduce a preliminary discussion of the HRM implications of both increased internationalization and domestic diversity for service firms. We begin by presenting a brief synthesis of the services management literature that has been established to date. Readers will note in the synthesis that a number of contingencies with regard to HRM practices have already been introduced especially via definitions of what constitutes service and the role of customers in service production and delivery. We then discuss the potential cross-cultural applicability of these services management principles abroad, and when doing so, we focus primarily on the aspects of services management theories that are laden with Western cultural principles. Next, we discuss parallel challenges faced by service firms as a result of increased diversity within the domestic marketplace and we conclude with some thoughts about the necessity to more explicitly explore the contingent nature of HRM practices

ILR Impact Brief - Employee Attributions about HR Practices Lead to Customer Satisfaction

[Excerpt] The perceived reasons why management chooses a set of HR practices are linked to employee satisfaction, commitment, and on-the-job behavior. Employees individually make their own attributions about the purposes behind the practices, which are, in turn, associated with employees’ attitudes: a perception that management cares about service (or product) quality and employee well-being is associated with positive attitudes, but a sense that management is intent on cost cutting or employee exploitation is associated with negative attitudes. Furthermore, individual attitudes are shared within work units and in their aggregate are associated with “organizational citizenship behaviors;” i.e., group-level satisfaction and commitment are associated with intra-unit helping behaviors, which are linked to enhanced unit performance and customer satisfaction

Modules with Demazure Flags and Character Formulae

In this paper we study a family of finite-dimensional graded representations of the current algebra of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ which are indexed by partitions. We show that these representations admit a flag where the successive quotients are Demazure modules which occur in a level $\ell$-integrable module for $A_1^1$ as long as $\ell$ is large. We associate to each partition and to each $\ell$ an edge-labeled directed graph which allows us to describe in a combinatorial way the graded multiplicity of a given level $\ell$-Demazure module in the filtration. In the special case of the partition $1^s$ and $\ell=2$, we give a closed formula for the graded multiplicity of level two Demazure modules in a level one Demazure module. As an application, we use our result along with the results of Naoi and Lenart et al., to give the character of a $\mathfrak{g}$-stable level one Demazure module associated to $B_n^1$ as an explicit combination of suitably specialized Macdonald polynomials. In the case of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$, we also study the filtration of the level two Demazure module by level three Demazure modules and compute the numerical filtration multiplicities and show that the graded multiplicites are related to (variants of) partial theta series

The Lymphatic System, Lymphedema, and a Discussion of Methods for Treatment: A Review of the Literature

The condition of lymphedema has a significant impact of the quality of life of the person affected. Few patients are educated about the possibility of developing lymphedema and methods for prevention of lymphedema following surgical removal of lymph nodes or radiation therapy. Also, most physical therapists have received minimal or inadequate training in the area of lymphedema treatment. Hence, physical therapists may actually damage a patient\u27s lymphatic system by using inadequate techniques. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the lymphatic system, discuss the condition of lymphedema, and review various methods for prevention and treatment of lymphedema in order to provide physical therapists with an awareness of appropriate clinical techniques. Improving the clinician\u27s awareness of lymphedema and proper treatment techniques will improve the outcome of therapy for the patient. As the outcome of therapy is improved, the quality of life of the patient will likely improve as well

Financial Advisors' Role in Influencing Social Security Claiming

For millions of Americans, financial advisors are a trusted source of financial and retirement preparation information. This includes providing advice and information on Social Security benefits, a critical component of most Americans’ retirement finances. To gain greater insight into what financial advisors say to their clients about Social Security, an online survey of over 400 professional financial advisors was conducted in the Spring of 2011. The results reveal that a majority of advisors believe that they are responsible for educating their clients on the role Social Security will play in their retirement income. Moreover, advisors have the ability to influence their clients’ decisions about when to claim their Social Security retirement benefits. Three-quarters advise the majority of their clients on when to claim. In addition, the study finds that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is the leading and preferred source of information and education for financial advisors and their clients. Over half of advisors say it is a major source of Social Security-related information, more than any other source. However, advisors are critical of the job SSA does in educating advisors and the public, and are interested in additional resources from the Agency. Financial advisors also indicate that the financial services companies they work with could improve their communication and education efforts as it relates to Social Security. The research findings uncover a need for improved methods of educating and disseminating information to financial advisors and the public on Social Security.

Transgendered in Alaska: Navigating the Changing Legal Landscape for Change in Gender Petitions

Background: Detecting intracellular bacterial symbionts can be challenging when they persist at very low densities. Wolbachia, a widespread bacterial endosymbiont of invertebrates, is particularly challenging. Although it persists at high titers in many species, in others its densities are far below the detection limit of classic end-point Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). These low-titer infections can be reliably detected by combining PCR with DNA hybridization, but less elaborate strategies based on end-point PCR alone have proven less sensitive or less general. Results: We introduce a multicopy PCR target that allows fast and reliable detection of A-supergroup Wolbachia -even at low infection titers -with standard end-point PCR. The target is a multicopy motif (designated ARM: A-supergroup repeat motif) discovered in the genome of wMel (the Wolbachia in Drosophila melanogaster). ARM is found in at least seven other Wolbachia A-supergroup strains infecting various Drosophila, the wasp Muscidifurax and the tsetse fly Glossina. We demonstrate that end-point PCR targeting ARM can reliably detect both high-and low-titer Wolbachia infections in Drosophila, Glossina and interspecific hybrids. Conclusions: Simple end-point PCR of ARM facilitates detection of low-titer Wolbachia A-supergroup infections. Detecting these infections previously required more elaborate procedures. Our ARM target seems to be a general feature of Wolbachia A-supergroup genomes, unlike other multicopy markers such as insertion sequences (IS)

Sustainable Building without Certification: An Exploration of Implications and Trends

Background: Sustainable buildings play a pivotal role in meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). However, the criteria and process for certification associated with sustainable building rating systems have been seen by many as either cumbersome or too expensive. As a result, some buildings are constructed following sustainable building guidelines without necessarily pursuing external certification. This paper takes a critical look at sustainable building without certification in the US and addresses 3 questions: (1) What is the rationale behind not pursuing certification? (2) When certification is not part of the objective, how are particular sustainability criteria selected? (3) To what extent do sustainable building projects that undergo certification differ from those that do not, and what are the potential implications for building performance? Methods: The study is based on a survey of thirty-two professionals in the building, engineering, and construction industries, followed by semistructured interviews with nine participants about their experience with sustainable building certification. Results: The main rationale for not pursuing certification was associated with cost. The results also suggest that while buildings that have been formally certified may have higher capital costs, they are perceived more favorably with regard to brand reputation, marketability, credibility, meeting sustainability goals, building performance, and value to occupants than buildings without certification. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the implications of assessment-related decisions in building design and construction as we look to transform our societies into more sustainable, healthier, and livable places, and support global goals for sustainable development

The Importance of Religion in Adolescents’ Lives

This study examines the importance and relative impact of religious behaviors in the development of adolescents. The links among adolescents’ positive emotional and behavioral outcomes, religious practices in the home, and extracurricular activities at school are explored

How Financial Advisers and Defined Contribution Plan Providers Educate Clients and Participants about Social Security

American workers have demonstrated relatively low levels of knowledge of how Social Security works. Most claim benefits at age 62, far earlier than many experts believe is optimal. Early claiming has a particularly negative impact on women. A significant proportion of workers use professional financial advisors and most workers participate in a defined contribution plan. Through a survey and in-depth interviews information was collected on how advisors and plan providers counsel clients and participants on Social Security. The results indicate steps that could increase the effectiveness of these channels to provide effective education and advice on Social Security and claiming