Contribution of personality factors to bullying in the workplace

Although many studies have investigated the contributing factors of workplace bullying, most have focussed on organisational factors, and few have explored the notion of personality as a contributory factor. This thesis represents an attempt to remedy this deficiency and to throw some light on the role played by personality.This thesis is based on three main studies and is divided into six main sections: The first explores the literature of bullying behaviour and personality; the second examines the antecedents of workplace bullying; the third and fourth sections explore the notion of a victim and bully profile respectively; the fifth section examines bullying at an organisational level, and the sixth section includes a final discussion of findings in this thesis.Chapter One of the literature review is divided into three parts, with the first part concerned with the various definitions of the behaviour, the second part surveys what is known about bullying in schools for the light it might throw on adult bullying practices, and the third part examines earlier work on bullying in the workplace. Chapter Two is concerned with the literature on personality variables in connection with bullying, and whether it is possible to find a personality profile for victims and for bullies.In the third chapter the results from a pilot study are presented, the first to be conducted in Ireland. It examines results obtained from 30 self-selected victims, who were interviewed and given a personality test (Cattells' 16PF5). Factors contributing to bullying and the effects of bullying were explored, as were the victims' personality and their perception of the situation.Organisational factors such as stressful and hostile working environments, also the senior position of bullies, their aggressive behaviour and personality were cited by victims as reasons for being bullied. Most victims reported psychological effects ranging from anxiety to fear, and physical effects ranging from disturbed sleep to behavioural effects such as eating disorders. In relation to personality, many victims felt they were different, and were found to be anxious, apprehensive, sensitive, and emotionally unstable. Action taken by victims ranged from consulting personnel to taking early retirement.The aim of the investigation reported in Chapter Four was to extend the pilot study and to attempt to make up for its limitations. Thus, a control group of non-victims was employed, the number of respondents was increased, interviews were conducted in the workplace, and a revised interview schedule and a more appropriate personality test was included. The sample comprised 60 victims and 60 non-victims, employees from two large organisations in Dublin. Both samples responded to a semi-structured questionnaire and completed the ICES Personality inventory (Bartram, 1994; 1998). Results showed that victims were less independent and extraverted, more unstable and more conscientious than non-victims. The results strongly suggested that personality does play a role in workplace bullying and that personality traits may give an indication of those in an organisation who are most likely to be bullied.In an extension to the main enquiry, the history of respondents with regard to their experience of bullying at school was examined. Four groups were formed: (1) those who had been bullied both at school and at work, (2) those who had been bullied at work, but not at school (3) those who had been bullied at school but not at work, and (4) those who had not been bullied at school or at work. The test results from each group showed that the victim profile was most marked for Group One; Group Four were nonvictims throughout their lives; Group Three also produced non-victim profiles; Group Two were most similar to Group One. In interpreting these findings it is tentatively suggested that Group Three (those without the typical personality characteristics of a victim) were able to shrug off the bullying they experienced at school, whilst Group Two had possibly escaped bullying at school because of the support available to them from family and friends, and from being team members of school debating societies and sports teams, support that was no longer available when they were adults.A subsidiary pilot study of Chapter Four re-assessed victims with additional tests of the Interpersonal Behavioural Survey (IBS) (Manger, Adkinson, Zoss, Firestone & Hook, 1980) and the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventories, second edition (CFSEI-2) (Battle, 1992). Results indicated that again, victims had high dependency and in addition, low self-esteem and direct aggression, poor assertiveness, and a tendency to denial and to avoiding conflict.Chapter Five represents an attempt to examine the personality characteristics of bullies, using the ICES and ms and a behavioural workplace questionnaire (BWQ). Although it proved difficult to obtain a large enough sample of bullies, findings were encouraging. Bullies proved to be aggressive hostile individuals, high in extraversion and independence. They were egocentric and selfish, without much concern for other's opinions. Most bullies said that they themselves had been bullied at work.Chapter Six extends the personality profiles of bullies and victims to consider their behaviour at an organisational level. Central to this chapter is an analysis of three case studies that serve to illustrate the view that it is a combination of personality and factors peculiar to the organisation that leads to institutional bullying. Case analyses revealed that hostile working environments tend to act as a trigger to release, for example, inherent aggression in bullies and inherent anxiety in victims. Findings suggest that bullying can be tolerated in organisations as long as it helps to achieve one or more goals of that organisation.Chapter Seven is devoted to a final discussion of the main findings, to suggest areas forfurther research, and to recommend policies to deal with bullying

Examining share repurchase executions: insights and synthesis from the existing literature

This literature review aims to address the critical knowledge gap in the field of share repurchase executions, a financial activity involving companies repurchasing trillions of dollars' worth of their own shares. The significance of understanding these mechanisms and their impact is underscored by their potential influence on the global economy. The paper employs a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, focusing on share repurchase mechanisms and motivations. It scrutinizes both open-market repurchases and Accelerated Share Repurchase contracts. Methodological approaches in current research, such as the use of partial differential equations and tree methods, are also evaluated. The review reveals that the execution phase of share repurchases remains largely unexplored. Unanswered questions persist about trading schedules, implications, costs, broker and corporate performance, and psychological effects of beating a buyback benchmark. Additionally, the review identifies significant limitations in current research methodologies. The paper advocates for the application and development of more advanced tools like machine learning and artificial intelligence to address these gaps. It also suggests potential areas for future research, including the role of technology in share repurchase execution, psychological factors influencing corporate buybacks, and the development of performance metrics for brokers and corporations. The review serves not only to highlight existing gaps in literature but also to suggest avenues for future research that could fundamentally enhance our understanding of share repurchase executions

Unraveling market mysteries: a comprehensive review of financial anomalies and puzzles [version 1; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]

This comprehensive literature review consolidates various market anomalies and puzzles, providing an aggregated perspective to understand these complex dynamics that challenge the traditional Efficient Market Hypothesis. We examined numerous academic works to reveal insights into long-term return irregularities, earnings management influence on equity offerings, and information uncertainty’s impact on stock returns. The review delves into unique phenomena like persistent mutual fund performance, the day-of-the-week returns, the January effect, weather-induced mood shifts on the market, and the dynamics of multiple anomalies. International asset pricing and weekend anomalies were also discussed, with a particular focus on cryptocurrency efficiency. Incorporating behavioral finance perspectives, we explored social transmission bias, emotional finance, biased beliefs, investor optimism, sentiment, and global market inefficiencies. The influence of unique events and seasonal factors, such as the Super Bowl, daylight saving time, and the Halloween effect, were also analyzed. The review concludes by highlighting the evolving landscape of market anomalies, discussing ma- chine learning approaches to anomaly research, investor behavior challenges, and the disappearing anomalies in country and industry returns. It sets the groundwork for holistic comprehension of market anomalies, suggesting future research directions such as exploring new data sources, comprehensive theoretical modeling, and the role of technology, market regulations, and environmental changes on market anomalies

Examining share repurchase executions:insights and synthesis from the existing literature

This literature review aims to address the critical knowledge gap in the field of share repurchase executions, a financial activity involving companies repurchasing trillions of dollars' worth of their own shares. The significance of understanding these mechanisms and their impact is underscored by their potential influence on the global economy. The paper employs a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, focusing on share repurchase mechanisms and motivations. It scrutinizes both open-market repurchases and Accelerated Share Repurchase contracts. Methodological approaches in current research, such as the use of partial differential equations and tree methods, are also evaluated. The review reveals that the execution phase of share repurchases remains largely unexplored. Unanswered questions persist about trading schedules, implications, costs, broker and corporate performance, and psychological effects of beating a buyback benchmark. Additionally, the review identifies significant limitations in current research methodologies. The paper advocates for the application and development of more advanced tools like machine learning and artificial intelligence to address these gaps. It also suggests potential areas for future research, including the role of technology in share repurchase execution, psychological factors influencing corporate buybacks, and the development of performance metrics for brokers and corporations. The review serves not only to highlight existing gaps in literature but also to suggest avenues for future research that could fundamentally enhance our understanding of share repurchase executions. JEL classification: G1, G12, G14, G02, G4.</p

Fontaines et adduction d’eau à Gerasa (Jerash, Jordanie)

Bien que les tracés des aqueducs soient encore aujourd’hui quasi inconnus, l’étude des différentes fontaines actuellement visibles sur le site de Jerash tend à prouver que l’antique Gerasa fut dotée d’un système d’adduction d’eau permanent sous l’empereur Trajan, «  fondateur de la cité ». La capacité de ce premier réseau, sous pression, aurait été considérablement augmentée à la fin du iie siècle de notre ère, permettant la multiplication des fontaines mais également des bains publics.The Gerasa’s aqueducts are almost completely unknown. Yet the analysis of the different fountains preserved on the site at the present time lead to assign to Trajan, the “City founder”, the construction of the first permanent water supply of the ancient city. The capacity of the aqueducts was considerably increased at the end of the iind century AD, allowing the multiplication of the fountains number and the construction of great public baths.خلاصة - على الرغم من أن آثار الأقنية ومساراتها لا تزال مجهولة حتى اليوم، فإن دراسة مختلف السبل الحالية المرئية في موقع جرش تميل إلى البرهان أن جراسا Gerasa القديمة كانت مجهزة بمنظومة نقل مياه دائمة في عهد الامبراطور تراجان، "مؤسس المدينة". وقد تم رفع استطاعة هذه الشبكة الأولى، تحت الضغط، بشكل كبير في نهاية القرن الثاني للميلاد، مما سمح بمضاعفة السبل بل وايضاً الحمامات العامة

Daniel Paunier, Thierry Luginbühl et al. - Urba I. La villa romaine d'Orbe-Boscéaz. Genèse et devenir d'un grand domaine rural / Dubois Y. - Urba II. Ornementation et discours architectural de la villa romaine d'Orbe-Boscéaz

C’est une monographie “ classique ”, que nous offrent Daniel Paunier et son équipe (36 auteurs, p. 15) pour les résultats de près de 20 ans (1986-2004) de fouilles et de recherches autour d’un établissement hors normes, la très grande villa-palais d’Orbe-Boscéaz (VD, CH), dans la cité des Helvètes. “ Classique ” au meilleur sens du terme, compte tenu de ce qui bous est offert à travers près de 2000 pages et cinq volumes A4, dont deux (Urba I) consacrée à l’ensemble de la villa, et trois autre..

Un exceptionnel document d’architecture à Gérasa (Jérash, Jordanie)

Résumé – Un bloc d’architecture exceptionnel a été découvert sur le chantier du sanctuaire de Zeus à Gérasa (Jérash, Jordanie). Identifié à la clef de voûte de l’entrée nord, il témoigne d’un dispositif technique très original. Le bloc, décoré et inscrit d’une épigramme, s’insère parfaitement dans les données concernant Diodôros de Gérasa, connu comme l’architecte des couloirs voûtés et du propylée de la cour inférieure du domaine de Zeus Olympien. Le donateur nommé par l’inscription, un certain Démétrios, pourrait être le personnage mentionné dans une autre inscription du sanctuaire, datée de 9/10 de n. ère, où il est dit ancien prêtre d’Auguste. Par ailleurs, à Abila, une épigramme méconnue s’apparente à celle de Gérasa.Abstract – An exceptional block of architecture was discovered on the construction site of the sanctuary of Zeus in Gerasa (Jarash, Jordan). Identified with the keystone of the north entrance, it testifies of a very original technical device. The block, decorated with an epigram, fits perfectly into the data concerning Diodôros of Gerasa, known as the architect of the arched corridors and the propylaeum of the lower court of Olympien Zeus’ area. The donor named by the text, Demetrios, could be the person mentioned in another inscription of the sanctuary, dated 9/10 ad, where he is identified as former priest of August. Furthermore in Abila, a largely unnoticed metrical inscription is similar to that of Gerasa.تم اكتشاف حجر خام استثنائي داخل حرم زيوس. هذا الحجر الذي يتطابق مع مفتاح العقد للمدخل الشمالي للحرم، يظهر جهاز فني مبدع. يعتبر هذا الحجر، المزخرف والمنقوش كشاهد عن ديودوروس والمعروف بمهندس الممرات المقنطرة وبروبليوم الباحة الأدنى لمنطقة زيوس الأولمبي. الواهب، المعروف بإسم ديمتريوس، يمكن أن يكون الشخص المذكور في نقش آخر من الحرم العائد إلى القرن التاسع ميلادي ككاهن قديم لأغسطس. يوجد أيضاً في أبيلا، وثيقة غير معروفة مماثلة لوثيقة جرش

MicroRNA Molecular Profiling from Matched Tumor and Bio-Fluids in Bladder Cancer

MicroRNAs have been identified as potential cancer biomarkers due to their presence and stability in many body fluids including urine and plasma, but the relationship of the pattern of expression of these messengers across various biological media has not been addressed and could provide important information in order to translate these biomarkers for epidemiologic or clinical use. We analyzed microRNA of matched FFPE-tumor tissue, plasma, urine exosomes (n = 16) and WBCs (n = 11) from patients with bladder cancer, using Nanostring miRNA assays and droplet digital PCR for validation. Pearson correlations were used to compare expression between media

Assembling and Validating Data from Multiple Sources to Study Care for Veterans with Bladder Cancer

Despite the high prevalence of bladder cancer, research on optimal bladder cancer care is limited. One way to advance observational research on care is to use linked data from multiple sources. Such big data research can provide real-world details of care and outcomes across a large number of patients. We assembled and validated such data including (1) administrative data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (2) Medicare claims, (3) data abstracted by tumor registrars, (4) data abstracted via chart review from the national electronic health record, and (5) full text pathology reports