Empowerment in the Public Sector: Testing the Influence of Goal Orientation

Empowerment has emerged as an important new issue in the public sector organization setting in the wake of mainstream new public management (NPM). Nevertheless, few studies in this frame have combined structural (managerial) and psychological (individual) approaches in an integrative study of empowerment. There is also a need to examine the moderating variables involved in this relationship, as well as to extend research on work motivation in public management. This study explores the effect of structural empowerment on psychological empowerment, and it also draws on goal orientation (GO) theory to examine the moderating role of employees’ GO in this link. The model is tested on a sample of 521 Spanish local authority employees. The results do not confirm the direct link between structural and psychological empowerment, but show that learning GO has considerable moderating power in this relationship, and its interaction with structural empowerment affects employees’ psychological empowerment levels

Telecommunications Course Content: Input from Information Technology Professionals

Preparing students to be competent in the Information Technology (IT) world is a goal of technology-based departments in colleges and universities. Telecommunications is one part of the IT area in which students need to be prepared. Many colleges and universities teach telecommunications courses at different levels or incorporate telecommunications topics in more than one course. This, along with the challenge of keeping up with an ever-changing information technology environment, provides a challenge to academicians. Seeking input from IT professionals is one way to help keep curricula current. This research is an extension of a 1997 Delphi study dealing with telecommunications course content for a beginning telecommunications course at the college or university level. The 1997 participants were members of the Organizational Systems Research Association (OSRA) and had either taught telecommunications topics and/or researched in the area. The final course content topics and subtopics from the 1997 study served as Round one data for the participants of this 2003 Delphi study. The participants were members of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP). This study identifies the common consent (two-thirds of the participants rating the topics/subtopics with a 5 - Definitely Do Include the Topic) and the consensus (all participants rating the topics/subtopics with a 5) course content lists for a telecommunications course taught at the college/university level

Understanding employees’ intrapreneurial behavior: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a deeper insight into the organizational factors and personal motivations of intrapreneurs that may foster intrapreneurial behaviors of employees in a new technology-based firm (NTBF). Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes a qualitative approach to explore organizational and individual antecedents of employees’ intrapreneurial behavior. A single case study was conducted on the basis of semi-structured interviews with the founders and top managers of the firm and with intrapreneurial employees. Findings – Results show that intrapreneurial projects may arise in firms whose top managers support corporate entrepreneurship (CE) in a non-active manner. Intrapreneurial behaviors of employees can emerge despite the lack of time and limited resources available for undertaking projects. Moreover, work discretion and mutual confidence and the quality of the relationship between employees and top managers are the most valued factors for intrapreneurs. Practical implications – Based on the intrapreneurial projects studied, this paper helps to contextualize intrapreneurs’ perception of organizational support and the personal motivations for leading projects within an NTBF. Originality/value – Traditionally, the literature has mainly focused on the top-down implementation of entrepreneurial projects within large firms. This paper contributes to the understanding of the combination of firm- and individual-level factors that facilitate intrapreneurial behaviors of employees. It also illustrates the contextual conditions and the firms’ orientation on CE within an NTBF

Comparison of Communication Skills Needed by Information Systems Undergraduates and Graduates as Perceived by Information Systems Professionals

Throughout information systems research, it is common to find studies examining necessary computer skills needed for information systems positions. However, a trend has appeared in studies showing a decrease in the employers\u27 desire for computer literacy skills and a greater emphasis on communications skills. This study involving 500 Association of Information Technology Professionals determined the top five communication skills needed by information systems undergraduates and graduates in each of three communication areas. The three areas researched were written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. The top three ranked communication skills for undergraduate students were writing clear directions and instructions, giving clear directions and instructions orally, and listening effectively. The top three ranked communication skills for graduate students were writing analytical reports, directing a meeting, and listening effectively. These skills should be implemented into the undergraduate and graduate curricula of information systems programs

Examining nonlinear relationships between quality management and financial performance

Purpose A thorough analysis of nonlinear relationships between quality management (QM) and organizational outcomes has largely been ignored in the current empirical QM literature, which can have profound theoretical and managerial implications. The existence of nonlinear relationships implies taking a contingent view in that QM practices are more effective depending on their level of implementation in an organization. The purpose of this paper is to focus on this possibility and undertake an in-depth study of the sparse nonlinear relationship suggested by the literature. Design/methodology/approach The authors introduce an empirical study carried out on a sample of 168 service firms belonging to sectors experienced in QM and, through polynomial regression analysis, identify the nature of the relationship between QM and financial performance (return on assets). Findings The results, by showing an S-shaped curve, support a nonlinear association between these two variables. The presence of this functional form provides a satisfactory solution to the growing debate among researchers who, from a linear perspective, defend the positive effects of QM on organizational outcomes, those who find no significant effect, and still others who claim that QM has a negative effect. Originality/value The results show that in organizations with a low level of QM implementation, managers should increase investment in QM, even though this increase will not be correspondingly beneficial in the same proportion. In contrast, in organizations with a high level of QM implementation, managers are advised to reflect on undertaking projects that represent an additional investment in QM, with the aim of finding their optimal level

Sílice cristalina respirable: Metodologías de análisis

This paper describes different analysis methodologies in occupational environments and raw materials. A review is presented of the existing methodologies, the approximations made, some of the constraints involved, as well as the best measurement options for the different raw materials. In addition, the different factors that might affect the precision and accuracy of the results are examined. With regard to the methodologies used for the quantitative analysis of any of the polymorphs, particularly of quartz, the study centres particularly on the analytical X-ray diffraction method. Simplified methods of calculation and experimental separation are evaluated for the estimation of this fraction in the raw materials, such as separation methods by centrifugation, sedimentation, and dust generation in controlled environments. In addition, a review is presented of the methodologies used for the collection of respirable crystalline silica in environmental dus

The relationship between EFQM levels of excellence and CSR development

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) development, in accordance with the dimensions of Maon et al.’s (2010) model, which could be achieved when organisations adopt the EFQM model, as well as how the EFQM model can foster this CSR development. Design/methodology/approach The research method chosen was a qualitative methodology involving multiple case studies. The empirical research relies on an in-depth study of four cases of organisations recognised by the EFQM model in Spain. Findings The findings show that, although a higher commitment to the EFQM model implies a greater level of CSR development, with the knowledge and attitudinal dimensions more developed than others, organisations still have to make CSR an internalised management ideology. Research limitations/implications The very nature of the process of EFQM assessment does not ensure uniformity in all aspects of management. Limitations that are inherent to case studies: factors that can be chosen by the researcher, such as geographical location, size, sector and ownership, can have an influence on the characteristics of the CSR practices that are found. Practical implications This study contributes to the literature on excellence by approaching the EFQM model as a tool to integrate CSR issues into management. Social implications A relationship between commitment to excellence and CSR development does exist. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous analysis has been performed to address the potential relationship between CSR development in accordance with Maon et al.’s (2010) model and commitment to excellence

Converting Assessment of Traditional Classroom Assignments to the e-Learning Environment

While assessment in an e-classroom continues to develop, with a myriad of advantages and disadvantages, it must be explored to provide assistance to e-instructors so that students receive optimal feedback. Assessment is no longer the periodic formal process of exams and graded activities, which may or may not be discussed with the class; it is now in the context of a one-on-one relationship with the e-instructor and each student in the online course (Meyen, Aust, & Issacson, 2002)

The Effect of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy on Survival in People Living with HIV/ AIDS: A New Evidence from Wamena, Papua

Background: Life expectancy and healthcare for people living with HIV (PLWHAs) have improved substantially in the last two decades since effective antiretroviral therapy has been available, and still continue to improve. However, a fewstudies have reported that some PLWHAs did not adhere to take anti retroviral therapy (ART), which might have lessen the effectiveness of ART. Limited studies have reported about the effect of non-adherence on patient survival in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of adherence to ART on PLWHA survival in Wamena, Papua, after controlling for nutritional status and age. Subjects and Method: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in Wamena Hospital, Papua from December 2017 to February 2018. A cohort of 304 PLWHA was selected for this study from the medical record at Wamena Hospital. The dependent variable was survival. The independent variables were adherence to ART, nutritional status, and age. The data were collected from medical record and questionnaire. The data were analyzed by Cox regression model. Results: The risk of dying of PLWHA if adherent to take the ART was much lower than not adherent to take the ART (HR= 0.04; 95% CI= 0.01 to 0.29; p= 0.001). The risk of dying of PLWHA with poor nutritional status was much higher than good nutritional status (HR= 15.06; 95% CI= 8.14 to 27.88; p< 0.001). The risk of dying of PLWHA aged ≥35 years was slightly higher than <35 years (HR= 1.45; 95% CI= 0.98 to 2.13; p= 0.062). Conclusion: The risk of dying of PLWHA decreases if adherent to take the ART, but increases with poor nutritional status and age ≥35 years. Keywords: survival, adherence to treatment, people living with HIV/ AIDS