Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: M. Todd Royle
Author-Name: Wayne A. Hochwarter
Author-Name: Angela T. Hall
Title: The Mediating Effect of Informal Accountability for Others
Abstract: This study is a systematic inquiry into the relationship between personal and organizational antecedents
(i.e., self-regulation and embeddedness), informal accountability for others (IAFO), and organizational
citizenship behaviors (OCB). The novel contribution that this paper attempts to make to the literature is
showing that the relationships between embeddedness, self-regulation and OCBs are at least partially
mediated by IAFO. We investigated these hypotheses using data collected across two different samples:
an organizational sample of 105 employees from a physical fitness facility and the other an amalgam
sample of 187 working adults. Results indicated that IAFO fully mediated the relationship between selfregulation
and OCB and partially mediated the relationship between embeddedness and OCB in the
organizational sample. Data from the amalgam sample suggested that the relationship between selfregulation
and OCB also was fully mediated IAFO, and the embeddedness - OCB relationship partially
mediated. Strengths, limitations, directions for future research, and practical implications are discussed.
Classification-JEL: M1
Keywords: embeddedness, informal accountability for others, organizational citizenship behavior
Journal: International Journal of Management and Marketing Research
Pages: 1-22
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Year: 2008
File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/ijmmre/ijmmr-v1n1-2008/IJMMR-V1N1-2008-1.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:ibf:ijmmre:v:1:y:2008:i:1:p:1-22

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Qiang Gong
Title: Optimal Buy-Back Contracts with Asymmetric Information
Abstract: When demand is uncertain and it is costly for the retailer to forecast demand information more
accurately, the supplier faces a moral hazard problem. The supplier wishes to induce the retailer to
forecast more accurate information which will improve the total profit of the supply chain. This paper
provides a theoretical analysis of the optimal buy-back contract, in which the supplier chooses the
wholesale and buy-back price to maximize his profits given that the retailer’s inventory order level and
private information acquisition decision are both chosen to maximize the retailer’s profits. In contrast to
the standard buy-back contract model in which the first best of the system can always be implemented,
our model suggests that the supplier pays not only the cost of acquiring information, but also the
information rent to induce the retailer to invest in acquiring information. Consequently, the first best of
the system cannot be always implemented. Our model explains that Vendor Managed Inventory systems
are prevalent while the retailer is better informed than the supplier. Nevertheless, the standard buy-back
contract theory contradicts with the empirical facts.
Classification-JEL: C60, D8, M11
Keywords: forecast demand, asymmetric information, vender inventory systems, optimal buy-back
Journal: International Journal of Management and Marketing Research
Pages: 23-47
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Year: 2008
File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/ijmmre/ijmmr-v1n1-2008/IJMMR-V1N1-2008-2.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:ibf:ijmmre:v:1:y:2008:i:1:p:23-47


Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Grady Bruce
Author-Name: Rachel Edgington
Title: Ethics Education in MBA Programs:  Effectiveness and Effects
Abstract: Results of a survey of 3,225 MBA graduates from 75 schools located in the United States are analyzed to
determine (a) how and how effectively ethics is incorporated in the graduate business curriculum, (b)
how graduates assessed the corporate scandals that occurred prior to the study,; and (c) how these
scandals affected their job search behavior. Forty-two percent of graduates say that ethics is being
incorporated extremely or very effectively in the curriculum, but 18% say incorporation is not effective.
The effectiveness of ethics education is most influenced by the number of ways that ethics is incorporated
in the curriculum, based on the results of a multiple regression analysis. The inclusion of a required core
course, integrated case studies within most courses, and a reference to ethics in most courses also
contribute positively to predicting effectiveness. So, too, do ratings of the quality of program
management, curriculum, and faculty, as well as students’ willingness to recommend their schools.
Classification-JEL: M1
Keywords: Business Ethics, Business Education, MBA Programs
Journal: International Journal of Management and Marketing Research
Pages: 49-69
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Year: 2008
File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/ijmmre/ijmmr-v1n1-2008/IJMMR-V1N1-2008-3.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:ibf:ijmmre:v:1:y:2008:i:1:p:49-69

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Kurt Takamine
Title: The Delta Change Process:  A Multidimensional Cultural Change Approach
Abstract: This paper develops a new model for organizational change, called the Delta Change Process. This
methodology recognizes that change is complex and often viewed with skepticism, and this model
considers the various stakeholders in this organizational modification. This new process incorporates
elements from a number of previous models such as Appreciative Inquiry, Discontinuous Leap
Approaches, Generative Capacity, Cultural Antecedents, Systems Approaches and First/Second/Third
Order Transformational Change models. In particular, this model incorporates positive psychological
capital practices (as exemplified by Hope Theory and Authentic Leadership).
Classification-JEL: M1
Keywords: organizational change, Delta Change Process, psychological capital practices
Journal: International Journal of Management and Marketing Research
Pages: 71-82
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Year: 2008
File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/ijmmre/ijmmr-v1n1-2008/IJMMR-V1N1-2008-4.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:ibf:ijmmre:v:1:y:2008:i:1:p:71-82

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Janet Chew
Author-Name: Antonia Girardi
Title: Is Career Management the Panacea to Retaining Vital Staff?
Abstract: A continuing organizational issue for the management of human resource has been the retention of vital
employees. As organizations battle to get the most from their existing people in an environment
characterized by skill shortages, the role of human resource practices in fostering employee engagement
and commitment is paramount. As firms and employees struggle to find a balance between career
longevity and flexibility, the traditional role of career management as an inducement for individuals to
stay with the firm is questioned. This paper reports the findings of an Australian study, which examined
the current relationship between human resource management practices and the retention of vital
employees working in nine organizations. Although past research has pointed to career management as a
retention strategy tool, this research specifically points out that selection practices, remuneration and
recognition are key factors which influence employee commitment and thereby retention. The findings of
the study have salient implications for human resource academics and practitioners.
Classification-JEL: M1
Keywords: vital employees, organizational commitment, retention strategy, career management
Journal: International Journal of Management and Marketing Research
Pages: 83-98
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Year: 2008
File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/ijmmre/ijmmr-v1n1-2008/IJMMR-V1N1-2008-5.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:ibf:ijmmre:v:1:y:2008:i:1:p:83-98

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Xuefei Sophie Wang
Title: Generalists, Specialists:  Who Gets to the Top
Abstract: This paper tries to analyze the three aspects of hierarchy: (1) generalists or specialists: which should get to
the top? (2) How many agents should get to the top? (3) Can the agents who should be at the top in the
optimal hierarchy really get to the top? Using a T-period model with promotion, the paper finds that the
optimal hierarchy form depends on the size of the externality of coordinating multiple assets by generalists.
How many agents should be at the top depends on the elasticity of the externality of coordinating multiple
assets. Finally, promotion opportunity gives agents who should at the top more incentive to exert effort,
and thus are more likely to get promoted.
Classification-JEL: D23, D01, L23, M51
Keywords: hierarchy, incentive, promotion, promotion opportunities, generalists, specialists
Journal: International Journal of Management and Marketing Research
Pages: 99-110
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Year: 2008
File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/ijmmre/ijmmr-v1n1-2008/IJMMR-V1N1-2008-6.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:ibf:ijmmre:v:1:y:2008:i:1:p:99-110

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Angelina S. MacKewn
Author-Name: K.W. VanVuren
Title: Business Training, Reasoning Skills, and Philosophical Orientation:  Correlates of Ethical Decision-Making
Abstract: In today’s business world it is essential that managers/employees engage in ethical thinking and behavior
in making the decisions that are part-and-parcel of operating a successful business. Therefore, it would
benefit businesses to understand, as much as possible, the various characteristics, influences, or factors
which induce or predict ethical decision-making. This paper describes a study in which students at a
mid-south USA university were used as proxies for business-trained persons versus non-business trained
persons, to explore the issue of whether a business background, i.e., training, makes a difference
in the ethical decision-making of persons engaged in business situations. The major finding of the study
is that yes, in some instances, business-trained versus non-business trained persons do render
statistically significant different decisions in business-oriented scenario. Reasoning skills and
philosophical orientation were also examined as co-variates. Although the statistical evidence was not
as strong, results indicated that reasoning skills and philosophical orientation also explain some of the
variation observed in ethical decisions/judgments in business-oriented scenarios.
Keywords: Ethical thinking, ethical decision making, business ethics, philosophical orientation
Journal: International Journal of Management and Marketing Research
Pages: 111-127
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Year: 2008
File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/ijmmre/ijmmr-v1n1-2008/IJMMR-V1N1-2008-7.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:ibf:ijmmre:v:1:y:2008:i:1:p:111-127