The Perceptions of Politics Scale (POPS) that the researchers use to measure organizational politics vary greatly among different scholars of different countries. Even the inventors, (Kacmer & Ferris) themselves were inconsistent in using the measurement scales. Therefore, the motive and purpose of this study were to construct generalizability, confirmation, validity scale, the predictive relations between the perceptions of organizational politics and job stress, effect of the cross-sample and cross-circumstance so as to apply the model to other sampling population, hoping to faithfully reflecting the variables observed in them. This study used the scale of 26 items collected by Dr. Ho Chin-ming et al. using the statistics of 2002 and 2003 measured among 36 organizations of 9 industries in Taiwan. A total of 6,143 questionnaires (return rate of 63.44%) were used. Up to 82.9% of the valid questionnaires were adopted in the final analysis. The data were analyzed by applying statistical methods, including item analysis, reliability (Cronbach¡¦s £\), consistency corrected item-total correlation, alpha if item deleted and exploratory factor analysis for data-reduction. The structural model for POPS was empirically derived and developed. Model development strategy was used to choose the best from four measurement models, all 25 items mapping to one factor (perceptions of organizational politics), five factors retained, three factors retained (19 items), four factor retained (17 items). All were competing models. One measurement model was job stress. First order of hybrid model and second order of hybrid model forecast relationship between the perceptions of organizational politics and job stress. The result of hybrid model factors produced the most parsimonious set of items of acceptable reliability as the best model chosen. Models needed to follow, model specification, parameter estimates ( factors were analyzed and mean values for each item across the factors were calculated ), model identification, t-rule and overall model-fit (e.g., absolute fit indexes: £q2, df, GFI, SRMR, RMSEA & ECVI; relative fit indexes: NFI, NNFI, CFI, IFI & RFI; parsimonious fit indexes: PNFI, PGFI, AIC, CN & Normed £q2) using the available LISREL indicators. The result of using discriminating validity measure ¡¨supervisor behavior¡¨ and ¡§coworker and clique behavior¡¨ indicates that they are different constructs. Criterion-related validity measure is also distinct form criterion. Discriminate validity measures three factor and four factor model which are unidimension. The chi-square difference test comparison of three and four factor model is significant. Indicators of AIC, ECVI, CAIC and double cross-validation indicate the first order hybrid model is the best model chosen by the study. Loose replication strategy and tight replication strategy of cross-validation indicate model effect of the cross-sample and cross-circumstance and extension to other sampling population.

The study aims to explore some antecedents to products usage and its consequences in which a series of process of experiential evaluation is involved to center on the role of customer¡¦s experiential value after using personal computer. The conceptual model in this study is to extend the Use-Diffusion Model proposed by Shih and Venkatesh (2004) by including the framework of customer value based on Holbrook (1994). The survey method was employed in this study in which questionnaire was for data collection. The total sample size of 1114 was used in statistical analysis. According to the analytical results, we not only confirm the relationships suggested in the Use-Diffusion literature but also find the mediating effect of customer experiential value. That is, the evaluation of after-use experience leads to customer experiential value that in turn affects partially the customer intention of the sequential adoption of new technology. Besides contributing to the field of consumer research, the research findings in this study may provide insightful information that, we believe, helps managers to understand their incumbent customers.

Job Satisfaction of employees is the most important topic in organization today. There are many scles to measure the degree of employees¡¦ satisfaction. But it also has some problems. To resolve these issues, the study uses item analysis and factor analysis to reconstruct a new job satisfaction scale with 6 subscales and 33 items. Finally the study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to confirm the new scale. The findings indicate that the six subscales and 33 items job satisfaction scale is a reasonable and an accurate measurement model. The scale includes ¡§Job Achievement¡¨, ¡§Payroll Satisfation¡¨, ¡§Supervision Satisfaction¡¨, ¡§Job Support¡¨, ¡§Coworkers Satisfaction¡¨, and ¡§Promotion Satisfaction¡¨. The study wishes that the reconstruction of Job Satisfaction Scale can be a useful tool in Taiwan.

The transition of working patterns has led the work force today focus more on brain than labor, hence strengthen the desire for leisure. The relationship between leisure and work nowadays has different meaning. Besides of traditional concepts such as good for health or the release of work pressure, leisure is further considered to be a new goal to enhance job involvement. Factors of social capital such as trust and network are the significant elements of human interaction, which can not only create self-welfare but also bring better achievement on work. To work force with different degree of social capital, it is believed that different level of involvement to work would generate. From the start point of leisure instead of traditional point that focuses on work, the research combines and integrates perspectives of outdoor recreation, job involvement and social capital from different regions, exploring the relationship between leisure and work. Analyzed with SEM, questionnaire survey is adopted aiming at Kaohsiung Government¡¦s Officials. The research objects are divided into two groups with different degree of social capital, conducting the model construction and differentiation test separately. The research structure includes 9 variables: ¡§job involvement¡¨; ¡§net¡¨ and ¡§trust¡¨ in social capital; ¡§attitude¡¨, ¡§subjective norm¡¨, ¡§perceived behavioral control¡¨, ¡§self-efficacy¡¨, ¡§behavioral intention¡¨ and ¡§behavioral frequency¡¨ in Theory of Planned Behavior of outdoor recreation. The results of the research have verified 11 hypotheses, among which 7 have been significant in both two high and low groups. The significance of the above-mentioned results is the following: (1) interpersonal ¡§network¡¨ increases interpersonal ¡§trust¡¨; (2) interpersonal ¡§network¡¨ increases the degree of ¡§job involvement¡¨; (3) after officials reflect on the ¡§subjective norm¡¨, the ¡§behavioral intention¡¨ of outdoor recreation is remarkably promoted; (4) officials¡¦ ¡§attitude¡¨ increases the ¡§behavioral intention¡¨ of outdoor recreation; (5) the ¡§perceived behavioral control¡¨ of the resources and opportunities needed for officials to consider undertaking behavior outstandingly influence the ¡§behavioral intention¡¨ of outdoor recreation; (6) ¡§subjective norm¡¨ increases the brief of ¡§attitude¡¨ of outdoor recreation; (7) officials¡¦ ¡§self-efficacy¡¨ reflect on the ¡§perceived behavioral control¡¨ of the resources and opportunities in outdoor recreation. In high social capital group, officials¡¦ cognition of ¡§behavioral intention¡¨ of outdoor recreation reflects on the degree of ¡§job involvement¡¨. In low social capital group, after officials reflect on the ¡§perceived behavioral control¡¨ of the resources and opportunities in outdoor recreation, the brief of ¡§attitude¡¨ is increased.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is the critical software that streamlines processes and allocates internal resources, so firms can make quick responses to the market. However, not all firms can implement it successfully, so usually consultants are used to aid in the implementation process. Client firms expect consultants to transfer implementation knowledge to inner employees; therefore inner employees can contribute to the implementation process and learn how to maintain ERP systems by themselves. This research studies both consultant¡¦s and client¡¦s factors to achieve knowledge transfer in such complex system implementation. Based on prior researches including the antecedents of knowledge transfer and case studies on it, a sender-receiver model is developed. This model suggests that knowledge transfer is founded on proper mechanisms, which are influenced by consultant¡¦s and client¡¦s factors. Data were collected from both consultants and clients, and 175 samples were valid. Unlike prior studies, this model includes the client¡¦s information technology capability and consultant¡¦s agency behavior. The analysis suggests that knowledge transfer is founded on sound mechanisms, which are influenced by bilateral factors. The analysis also provides support for all 5 hypotheses and 12 of the 21 subhypotheses of bilateral factors, and it confirms two moderating relationships. These results (1) adapt antecedents of knowledge transfer and case findings to a sender-receiver model, (2) enhance the goodness of model by integrating antecedents and case findings, (3)incorporate new IS-related constructs and measures in an integrated model. This model can be applied to ERP implementation and other knowledge-outsourced IS contexts.

Within the context of construction projects, risk is generally defined as an uncertain happening which is the function of its occurrence probability and the severity of its possible impacts on pre-defined objectives. According to this definition, international construction projects are high-risk endeavors, since they are known with their complex natures, large sizes, multidisciplinary frameworks, and unfamiliar and uncertain environments. International construction projects have more complex risk emergence patterns as they are affected from multiple global and foreign country conditions as well as project-related factors. Huge and complicated interrelationships and dynamic interactions among these influencing factors necessitate more systematic, comprehensive, and multi-attribute risk management process for overseas projects. In order to satisfy the requirements of such a risk management system, a realistic, inclusive, and accurate picture of the real case, reflecting all the aforementioned aspects of the international projects, is necessary. The major aim of this study is to demonstrate that there are causal relationships between various risk factors which necessitate identification of risk paths rather than individual risk factors during risk identification and assessment phases. Identification of a network of interactive risk paths, each of which initiated from diverse v vulnerabilities of the project system, is considered to be a better reflection of the real conditions of construction projects rather than using generic risk checklists. In this study, using the data of 166 projects carried out by Turkish contractors in international markets, and utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique, 36 interrelated risk paths were identified and the total effects of each vulnerability factor and risk path on cost overrun were assessed. SEM findings prove the main hypotheses of the study. The results demonstrate that every risk path is generated from specific vulnerabilities of inherent in project environment. Risk identification using SEM helps decision-makers in answering &ldquo / what-if&rdquo / questions in early stages of a project, in tracing the effects of interdependent risks throughout the life of the project, and in evaluating the influence of alternative mitigation strategies, not only on specific risks, but also on the whole network of interrelated risk factors.

The aim of this thesis is to identify factors that affect the university students&rsquo / acceptance of multi-purpose Smart Cards. The findings of this study will be beneficial to facilitate the use of Smart-Card enabled system both n universities and in other institutions which either have these systems in use or plan to invest on these systems in the future. The research methodology employed within this study is based on quantitative methods. A survey instrument comprising 51 5-point Likert-type questions has been developed and applied to 207 university Middle East Technical University students. The data collected has been analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis to categorize factors having items. According to analysis results, the data classified under 5 factors / Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Behavioral Intention, Anxiety, and Technological Complexity. Then, the relations between these 5 factors identified and a measurement model was created. For assessing the proposed model Discriminant and Convergent Validity scores were calculated by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Then, Structural Equation Modeling was conducted with Partial Least Squares for validating the model&rsquo / s estimated influence. The study has shown that the main Technology Acceptance Model constructs fit for determining the university students&rsquo / intention of Smart Card usage except for Perceived Ease of Use over Behavioral Intention. Moreover, study showed that Anxiety and Technological Complexity were the external factors that have effect on willingness of using multi-purpose Smart Cards. If students have Anxiety, this affects their perception of easiness of the system and it has negative indirect effect on the perceived usefulness and direct effect on intention. Technological Complexity is another factor which has direct affect on the perception of easiness and usefulness and intention.

The aim of this thesis was to examine the concept of self-compassion in relation to psychopathology with mediating effects of experiential avoidance and metacognition in a Turkish university student sample. Self-Compassion which is a recently formulated promising concept in western psychology consists of three components: self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. In addition to self-compassion, recent psychological concepts of cognitive (metacognition) and behavioral (experiential avoidance) perspectives were investigated through models. In this thesis, the negative relationship between self-compassion and psychopathology (depression and anxiety) with mediating effects of experiential avoidance and metacognition was tested. Prior to main analyses, psychometric properties of the scales measuring self-compassion and experiential avoidance were tested. Then, three different models were tested with structural equation modeling (SEM). In these analyses, the proposed full mediation models were compared to empirically alternative models. Self-compassion was found to be significantly and negatively related to both depression, and anxiety. In the first model experiential avoidance fully mediated the relationship between self-compassion and psychopathology. Moreover, metacognitive factors and metacognition as a whole concept mediated the relation between self-compassion and psychopathology. However, they were not as powerful as experiential avoidance. Results of this thesis supported the literature about empowering effect of self-compassion against psychopathology. Furthermore, relationships were mediated by concepts of both modern cognitive and behavior therapies. However, self-compassion, as a fundamental element of psychotherapy, was the focus of this thesis. Findings of the study were discussed in the context of the relevant literature.

This paper proposed a revised technology acceptance model for measuring end user computing (EUC) acceptance. An empirical study was conducted to collect data and the revised model was evaluated by structural equation modeling, and then confirmatory factor analysis was applied to test if the empirical data confirmed to the presumed model. The results demonstrated that the model explained 56% of the variance. The finding contributes to an expanded understanding of the factors that promote the EUC acceptance.

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate post-international strategic alliance (ISA) formation issues, which have been neglected in the ISA literature. The specific research questions were 1) how do ISA partners develop their relationships? 2) how does this relationship development impact effective management of resources contributed by each ISA partner? and 3) how does effective resource management influence ISA performance? Data were collected by mail and web surveys from those who were/are involved in ISA operations. Structural equation modeling using LISREL was employed to test the conceptual model and multiple regression analysis was adopted to test the moderating effects in the model. The model was modified by introducing second order factors to correctly interpret the relationships between factors and achieve a more parsimonious model. Results indicate that alliance partnership interactions between ISA partners (i.e., reciprocity, transparency, formal and informal communication, two-way and participative communication, and cultural sensitivity) positively influenced the development of desire for joint action between them which is based on trust and commitment. Desire for joint action positively influenced alliance coordination effectiveness (ACE: integration and utilization of resources) which underlies effective resource management between ISA partners. ACE positively affected ISA performance. Market environment turbulence (i.e., host government interference and technology turbulence), however, did not have moderating effects between ACE and ISA performance. The first question was answered by introducing alliance partnership interaction factors which influence the building of the positive relationship between ISA partners. The introduction of ACE explained how ISA partners manage the resources provided by each partner. The significant impact of ACE on ISA performance and the nonsignificant impact of the moderating variables indicate that ACE has strong impact on ISA performance that can absorb the effects of host government interference and technology turbulence in the operation of ISAs.