Desegregating HRM: A Review and Synthesis of Micro and Macro Human Resource Management Research

Since the early 1980’s the field of HRM has seen the independent evolution of two independent subfields (strategic and functional), which we believe is dysfunctional to the field as a whole. We propose a typology of HRM research based on two dimensions: Level of analysis (individual/ group or organization) and number of practices (single or multiple). We use this framework to review the recent research in each of the four sub-areas. We argue that while significant progress has been made within each area, the potential for greater gains exists by looking across each area. Toward this end we suggest some future research directions based on a more integrative view of HRM. We believe that both areas can contribute significantly to each other resulting in a more profound impact on the field of HRM than each can contribute independently

Gas engines for domestic engine-driven heat pumps

An experimental and theoretical investigation has been undertaken into the performance of a small prototype, water-cooled, gas-fuelled engine designed for use as a domestic heat pump prime mover. In light of the application, fuel type and capacity, both experimental and theoretical study of similar engines is at best poorly documented in the literature. A comprehensive engine test facility has been set up, incorporating extensive calorimetry, a separate lubrication system, emissions monitoring and high speed data acquisition for in-cylinder pressure measurement and analysis. Two new experimental cylinder heads have been designed together with new induction and exhaust systems, both to improve performance and to enable further investigation of the combustion process. A preliminary parametric study of the combustion process established that the thermal efficiency and emission levels are strongly dependent on operational and design variables and that a lean, fast-burning combustion process in a slow speed engine coupled with careful control of other operating variables had the potential for improving efficiency, reducing emissions, and lowering frictional losses and noise levels with enhanced durability. Accordingly, new information has been obtained relating to rates of heat release, energy flows and emission levels over a wide range of design and operating conditions with utility for and consistent with an envelope of conditions appropriate to such a lean burn strategy. Modelling techniques have been developed and used as diagnostic tools in conjunction with the experimental data to investigate the influence of operating and design variables on rates of heat release and energy flows. The models have been validated using the experimental data over a wide range of operating conditions and incorporated into a thermodynamic engine model for use as a sub-model in an overall heat pump model. The experimental and theoretical programme has provided a valuable insight into the lean burn strategy and realised a considerable improvement in the performance of the prototype engine. The theoretical study benefits from a new approach to small gas engine design and development

The Influence of Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment on Executive Withdrawal and Performance

This research examines the influence of job satisfaction and three dimensions of organizational commitment (i.e., affective, continuance, and normative) on the intention to leave, job search activity, performance, and leadership effectiveness of executives. Job satisfaction and the commitment dimensions were hypothesized to negatively predict the retention-related variables. Results generally supported the hypotheses. Job satisfaction had the strongest relationship, but both affective and continuance commitment showed an incremental effect even in the presence of job satisfaction. We also hypothesized that job satisfaction and affective commitment would positively and continuance commitment would negatively associate with general performance and leadership. As predicted, job satisfaction associated positively with performance, though not with leadership. Continuance commitment negatively associated with both performance and leadership

Insincerity and Depravity Get Noticed

Previous studies have shown that people use environmental cues to identify the intentions of others with whom they interact. This study sought to examine how an observer’s incidental memory for strangers was influenced by the emotional expression displayed by the stranger as well as the type of action in which the stranger was involved. Incidental memory was assessed using a memory task that first asked observers to view a series of faces (“targets”) that were each paired with an action. Later, observers were asked if they recognized previously viewed targets amongst novel targets. Incidental memory tasks are used to investigate whether or not observers (a) recognize where they had seen targets that they had been exposed to earlier (a.k.a. source memory) and (b) recognize the details that are idiosyncratic to a given target (e.g., facial expression, behavior within their environment, etc.). Overall, as expected in an incidental memory task, observers displayed a source memory advantage for novel targets that were not originally presented. Inconsistent with previous research, observers’ memory for the targets was not greatly impacted by the nature of the activity that they were involved in during the early phase of the experiment (e.g., deed or misdeed). However, the emotional expression displayed by the target did have a substantial influence on the observer’s ability to recognize the target. Specifically, observers recognized targets the best when they had been previously seen displaying negative emotions. In addition, although prior research suggests that individuals who perform good deeds are not readily recognized relative to those who perform bad deeds, observers were far superior at recognizing targets that performed good deeds but that also expressed negative emotions. The inconsistency between the target’s emotional expression and action may have strengthened the observer’s representation of the target, suggesting that observers may be more sensitive to the actions performed by others if ill-intentions are perceived through their emotional displays

Enhanced Surface Melting of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet during Stadials

Unexpected melting of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets during periods of regional cooling characterizes the climate of the last glacial period. While the Heinrich Events are the most well-studied example of this phenomenon, Samuel Toucanne and colleagues recently documented evidence of Fennoscandian Ice Sheet melting during Heinrich Stadials, the cold periods during which Heinrich Events occur. In this dissertation, I use the geographic provenance of sediments in the Bay of Biscay, a proxy for Fennoscandian Ice Sheet melting, along with other paleoclimate records to: (1) demonstrate the persistence of abrupt Fennoscandian Ice Sheet melting as a feature of the Pleistocene climate system, (2) develop a self-consistent explanation for the synchronous melting of ice sheets in the North Atlantic region, and (3) elucidate the timing of abrupt climate change in the Northern Hemisphere. I begin by introducing a framework for inferring the subglacial transport distance of fine sediments from coupled provenance and grain size analyses. This chapter untangles the relationships between the source, size, transport history, and geochemical signature of glacigenic sediments in northern Europe, clarifying the geographical significance of sediment provenance in the Bay of Biscay. I then develop a new method for the spectral analysis of unevenly sampled time series. In the following chapter, I apply the new spectral method to time series of Fennoscandian Ice Sheet melting, Laurentide Ice Sheet melting, and solar activity changes during the last glacial period. Doing so reveals a coherence between ice sheet melting and solar activity and helps explain the quasi-periodic melting of ice sheets on millennial timescales. I then extend the neodymium isotope provenance record of Fennoscandian Ice Sheet melting through Marine Isotope Stage 6, demonstrating that enhanced summertime melting of the FIS during Heinrich Stadials is a recurring feature of glacial periods. In the final chapter, I document a relationship between the occurrence of abrupt ice sheet melting in the Northern Hemisphere and the precession of Earth’s spin axis to reveal an astronomical forcing of millennial-scale climate change

School Level Predictors of Bullying Among High School Students

Bullying is a universal problem affecting the emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of school-age children worldwide. Individual level correlates of bullying have been well-documented; however, there is limited research identifying variables at the school level which contribute to bullying involvement, especially among high school students. In this dissertation, school characteristics associated with bullying were investigated using an ecological systems framework. In the first paper, a comprehensive review of the bullying literature was conducted. Research in the following areas were summarized: definitions of bullying, measures of bullying, individual correlates, influences of cognitive development and social context across age groups, contextual variables (family, school, and community), evidence-based interventions, and bullying from a socio-ecological perspective. In the second paper, research findings are presented for an original study investigating school level predictors of bullying involvement across Kentucky high schools. The study used aggregated data from a survey of 9th to 12th grade students in 26 high schools across the state, combined with existing school datasets, in order to examine: (1) the prevalence of bullies, victims, and bully-victims across Kentucky high schools and (2) school characteristics associated with elevated rates of bullying involvement. Results revealed important differences in school bullying incident reports and student reports of bullying experiences, as well as unique differences between school environments with high and low rates of bullying involvement. Overall, academic performance and parent involvement were the strongest predictors of bullying involvement at the school level; however, the relationships between these variables and prevalence rates were not as expected. In several analyses, individual level findings from the bullying research did not translate to the school level as hypothesized. Overall, these findings have important implications for researchers when using multilevel analyses in the school context, when investigating the impact of bullying interventions at the school level, and when investigating how the school environment contributes to bullying. Results also provide important information for schools developing or revising bullying data collection procedures

The Effect of Closed versus More Liberal Visitation Policies on Work Satisfaction Beliefs and Nurse Retention.

Nurses believe that more liberal visitation policies will cause greater work overload and decrease the quality of patient care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a liberal visitation policy on work satisfaction, beliefs, and retention of nurses. In this study, nurses were asked to complete a survey before and after implementation of a more liberal visitation policy. The nurses were surveyed using Stamps (1997) Index of Work Satisfaction and the Boswell Beliefs Inventory. Statistical analyses were conducted to discover nurses level of satisfaction and beliefs related to the new policy. Results indicate that nurses were more dissatisfied with the components of pay, task requirements, and organizational policy six months after the new policy was implemented. Beliefs about the new policy did not change over the six month period. Increased dissatisfaction with work indicates that the policy did have an effect on work satisfaction of nurses

A study of Friedrich Hebbel's poetic language with special reference to the use of imagery and symbols

In this thesis an attempt has been made to present the poetic language of Friedrich Hebbel as an organic whole, rather than to give preference to his writings either in the lyric or the dramatic form. It is first shown developing to comparative individuality in the early poems by which Hebbel became known to the public. Then certain dominant features of imagery and symbolism which can already be seen emerging in the early poems are examined in those after 1836, the year in which Hebbel left his native region and gained access to wider spheres of knowledge, experience and acquaintanceship, with a view to shedding light both on the nature of the man and on his poetic method. In the third section the characteristic image-groups and symbols are considered as they are adapted to meet the needs of dramatic presentation in Hebbel's major plays. Finally certain conclusions are suggested as to the nature of the poet's task in presenting his ideas through the medium of language, in view of the conditions imposed by the requirements of the lyric and the dramatic form. Hebbel's diaries are regarded throughout as the prime source of information concerning the movements of his life, as a record of his emotional, spiritual and intellectual development and as artist's notebooks in which he collected potential poetic material. The evidence found in the diaries is supported and supplemented by reference to Hebbel's letters and theoretical writings in an attempt to give a comprehensive analysis of him as a creative linguistic artist.<p