The Effect of Monetary Reward on Creativity: The Role of Motivational Orientation

The prolonged debate on the effect of monetary reward on creative performance is still ongoing. Research has shown monetary rewards to have both positive and negative effects on creative performance. We contend that a person’s motivational orientation moderates the effect of monetary rewards on creative performance. An experiment was conducted showing that creative performance can be influenced through two distinct causal pathways. The pathways appear different for people driven predominately by extrinsic motivation and those driven predominately by intrinsic motivation. The exact role of how motivational orientation affects the relationships between monetary reward and creative performance needs further investigation. However, this study generates some insights and suggests directions for future research

Integrating Self-Service Kiosks into Healthcare Delivery Organizations

Self-service kiosks in healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs) have the potential to provide operational efficiencies and customer service benefits. Yet to date there has been little research on how organizations can effectively integrate these self-service technologies into the point-of-service to achieve these potential benefits. This research-in-progress study addresses this research gap by studying a multi-phase pilot project being conducted within an integrated U.S. healthcare system. The same kiosk hardware and software is being deployed within several outpatient clinics at four medical centers, and adoption by several interdependent user groups is needed to achieve administrative and clinical benefits. Qualitative research methods are used to analyze interview data collected from key stakeholders. Pre- and post- implementation findings are presented as well as a preliminary model that details influential variables specific to the HDO context

Primary care provider perceptions and use of a novel medication reconciliation technology

Background Although medication reconciliation (MR) can reduce medication discrepancies, it is challenging to operationalise. Consequently, we developed a health information technology (HIT) to collect a patient medication history and make it available to the primary care (PC) provider. We deployed a self-service kiosk in a PC clinic that permits patients to indicate a medication adherence history. Patient responses are immediately viewable in the legacy electronic health record. This paper describes a survey developed to assess PC provider perceptions of our HIT and HIT implementation effectiveness. Methods We developed and administered a survey to all PC providers to assess technology implementation effectiveness. The survey included scales measuring (1) user attitudes towards MR, (2) perceptions of our HIT and (3) the local organisational climate for implementation. We also assessed the consistency and quality of tool use. Results Nearly 90% of PC providers responded to the survey and 58% indicated that they were familiar with the technology and had seen the tool output. Most providers believed that MR represented an important safety intervention, although 43% did not believe that they had the necessary resources to manage discrepancies. Composite scale scores for the 58% of respondents familiar with the HIT indicate that the majority favoured our tool over usual care. However, composite scale scores suggest that the climate for implementation at our facility was suboptimal. Overall, the quality and consistency of tool use among providers was very heterogeneous. Conclusions A patient self-service kiosk offers an efficientmechanismto collect amedication adherence history; provider survey responses indicate that they appreciated and used the MR kiosk output. Nonetheless, opportunities exist to improve data displays and embed decision support to facilitate discrepancy management

Conservation of resources theory and research use in health systems

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Health systems face challenges in using research evidence to improve policy and practice. These challenges are particularly evident in small and poorly resourced health systems, which are often in locations (in Canada and globally) with poorer health status. Although organizational resources have been acknowledged as important in understanding research use resource theories have not been a focus of knowledge translation (KT) research. What resources, broadly defined, are required for KT and how does their presence or absence influence research use?</p> <p>In this paper, we consider conservation of resources (COR) theory as a theoretical basis for understanding the capacity to use research evidence in health systems. Three components of COR theory are examined in the context of KT. First, resources are required for research uptake. Second, threat of resource loss fosters resistance to research use. Third, resources can be optimized, even in resource-challenged environments, to build capacity for KT.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A scan of the KT literature examined organizational resources needed for research use. A multiple case study approach examined the three components of COR theory outlined above. The multiple case study consisted of a document review and key informant interviews with research team members, including government decision-makers and health practitioners through a retrospective analysis of four previously conducted applied health research studies in a resource-challenged region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The literature scan identified organizational resources that influence research use. The multiple case study supported these findings, contributed to the development of a taxonomy of organizational resources, and revealed how fears concerning resource loss can affect research use. Some resources were found to compensate for other resource deficits. Resource needs differed at various stages in the research use process.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>COR theory contributes to understanding the role of resources in research use, resistance to research use, and potential strategies to enhance research use. Resources (and a lack of them) may account for the observed disparities in research uptake across health systems. This paper offers a theoretical foundation to guide further examination of the COR-KT ideas and necessary supports for research use in resource-challenged environments.</p

Discovery of [11C]MK-6884: a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent for the study of M4 muscarinic receptor positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) in neurodegenerative diseases

The measurement of receptor occupancy (RO) using positron emission tomography (PET) has been instrumental in guiding discovery and development of CNS directed therapeutics. We and others have investigated muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 4 (M4) positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) for the treatment of symptoms associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. In this article, we describe the synthesis, in vitro, and in vivo characterization of a series of central pyridine-related M4 PAMs that can be conveniently radiolabeled with carbon-11 as PET tracers for the in vivo imaging of an allosteric binding site of the M4 receptor. We first demonstrated its feasibility by mapping the receptor distribution in mouse brain and confirming that a lead molecule 1 binds selectively to the receptor only in the presence of the orthosteric agonist carbachol. Through a competitive binding affinity assay and a number of physiochemical properties filters, several related compounds were identified as candidates for in vivo evaluation. These candidates were then radiolabeled with 11C and studied in vivo in rhesus monkeys. This research eventually led to the discovery of the clinical radiotracer candidate [11C]MK-6884

Determinants of work group effectiveness in a manufacturing setting

Thirteen hypotheses which investigated relationships between specific sets of predictors and three dimensions of work group effectiveness--efficiency, quality, and cohesiveness--were tested on a sample of 61 work groups employed in a manufacturing setting. The model which predicted work group efficiency to be determined by technology and three properties of work group structure, was generally supported. No support was found, however, for the second model which specified quality of the group\u27s output to be determined by characteristics of the group\u27s communication processes and task design characteristics. A third model which predicted work group cohesion to be determined by decentralized decision making, the group\u27s ability to resolve conflicts in a constructive manner, group based performance rewards, and small group size was partially supported. Decentralized decision structures and the group\u27s ability to resolve conflict in a constructive manner were found to be positively related to work group cohesiveness. In addition, openness of communication was found to be an important predictor of work group cohesion. Exploratory analyses were conducted on a fourth model which tested a measure of work group performance. Properties of the work group structure and three characteristics of the group\u27s communication processes were found to interact with technology in determining work group performance. Comparing the observed results across the four models tested, we find properties of the work group structure and intra-group communication processes to be key determinants of the outcomes studied. In some models the effects of these predictor variables were found to interact with technology. While in other models the predictors were found to have direct effects on the outcomes studied. This is an important finding. Implications for theory and practice are discussed

An Alternative Approach to Understanding Conflict Management: Exploring the Mutation from Cognitive to Affective Conflict

To a large extent, project success depends on human behavior - particularly the behavior of the team leader. Project management training most often focuses on mastering the tools and applications of project management, such as operational performance, planning and budget management. Good leadership skills enable a project manager to harness the energy and capabilities of a project team in such a way that the performance of the team is greater than the sum of its parts. Often referred to as the human side of project management or people skills, leadership is widely accepted as the critical factor in determining the ultimate success or failure of a project. The Human Side of Project Leadership is a collection of academic studies related to the human side of project management. Taken as a group, these three studies illuminate the ways in which leadership, project spirit and conflict management skills impact project success. Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Transformational Leadership and Hypotheses III. Method IV. Results V. Discussion VI. Introduction VII. Conceptual Background VIII. Spirit-Building Activites IX. Expression Components of Spirit X. Research Design XI. Findings and Analysis XII. Conclusions XIII. Introduction XIV. Theoretical Development XV. Hypotheses Development XVI. How to Avoid the Mutation from Cognitive to Affective Conflict XVII. Research Methods XVIII. Research Reults XIX. Discussion and Analysi

Adopting technological innovations in work organisations: the role of attitude, subjective norm, and procedural fairness

Theoretical frameworks fail to adequately explain technology adoption in settings where management, not the user, makes the initial adoption decision. This study integrates research on innovation adoption, behavioural intention, and procedural fairness to predict one\u27s intention to use a new technology in the organisational context. We find the innovation\u27s attributes predict the user\u27s attitude; attitude and subjective norm predict intention. Furthermore, we find procedural fairness moderates the relationship between attitude and intention. Also, procedural fairness moderates the relationship between subjective norm and intention. These findings suggest that procedural fairness may be an important lever in gaining acceptance of new technologies in work organisations

Karol Kaye HarrisParent Media Attitudes and Guidance and Child Media Use for a

Many people supported this project with their knowledge, encouragement, and help. The members of my dissertation committee, Nell Gottlieb, Alex Loukas, Carole Holahan, Kathleen Tyner, Pat Stout, and Karol Kaye Harris, each planted the seeds of inspiration to explore media use by children. My thanks also go to Dr. Fernando Guerra and Norma Zuniga of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District for allowing me to involve their clients in my research. Staff of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Mary VanEck and Amanda Hovis in particular, opened doors and offered technical assistance with WIC policies and procedures. Cindy Wachtler at the City of Dallas Department of Health and Human Services was generous in helping me conduct pilot studies at WIC clinics. Jennifer Loyo provided tangible support by developing the Spanish version of the survey and helping me interview WIC clients, and the invaluable support of her friendship and encouragement. Over 500 WIC moms (and a few dads) were kind enough to participate in my research and share their opinions, and I thank them. Finally, my family receives my deepest thanks. My husband Robert and my children Boone, Amanda, Chris, and Cassie were always patient and encouraging; I could not have done it without them