The offshore services value chain : developing countries and the crisis

This paper analyzes the recent evolution and impact of the global economic crisis on the offshore services industry. Using a global value chains framework, the authors classify the offshore services sector in a comprehensive set of general and industry-specific activities that correspond to different segments and stages in the value-adding process for services. Through an analysis of the impact of the economic crisis on the industry, a small decline in demand was found; however this did not cause any structural changes in the market. The crisis has created two opposing effects: general contraction of demand by existing customers due to the recession; and, at the same time, a substitution effect by which new services are being moved from developed countries to emerging economies in search of cost reduction. The paper concludes that the offshore services industry will continue to offer growth opportunities for developing countries not only among existing market players, but also a range of new countries. The industry has the potential to become an important source for employment and economic growth around the globe.ICT Policy and Strategies,E-Business,Water and Industry,Housing&Human Habitats,Public Sector Corruption&Anticorruption Measures

Stop “Going Over” Exams!: The Multiple Benefits of Team Exams

This article describes the use of team exams as a means of postexam feedback and explains the benefits of their use. Team exams are a simple procedure for those who use exams in their classrooms. Team exams can be a valuable experiential exercise in management classes but offer educational benefits in any class. Among the benefits of team exams are accurate feedback and active engagement of students in postexam review. Team exams can also serve to check the validity of exam questions and reduce the angst often associated with “going over” exams

EXTRA CREDIT AND PERCEIVED STUDENT ACADEMIC STRESS

This article examines the impact of extra credit availability on students’ perceived stress. The study looks at two areas. First, what type of extra credit students prefer be made available. Second, how student academic stress is impacted by the availability of extra credit. Results show that undergraduate business students at a private university prefer merit based extra credit and that perceived academic stress is higher for students when extra credit is available. Stress is particularly high for higher-performing students

The Effect of Managerial Status on Performance Appraisal Quality and Feedback Seeking.

This paper compares the performance appraisal quality and feedback seeking of managers to that of non-managers. This study answers Ashford et al’s (2003) call for more research on the feedback seeking of managers, especially compared to non-managers. This study also extends work by Ashford and Tsui (1991) and Tsui et al’s (1995) on negative feedback seeking by examining the phenomenon among managers. Data were collected via survey from 355 employees of two parts of an international retail chain. Results indicate that managers receive lower quality feedback than non-managers, do not feel inhibited by the psychological and impression costs of feedback seeking, relative to non-managers, and seek feedback, more than non-managers do. This study helps us understand factors that may help us improve the feedback managers receive. This study is limited by use of a single question measure of managerial status and generalization will require sampling more broadly