published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

No description available.

<p> This paper proposes an approach for research into environmental change. It is argued that research should take into account the subjective level of a person's experience in order to gain an understanding of the human consequences of change. Two methods of investigating subjective interpretations and evaluations of environmental change are discussed: phenomenological description and personal construct theory. However, it is contended that analysis of behavioural responses to change requires consideration of group processes and conditions operating independently of any one individual. In this regard, the problems and constraints associated with collective actions to protest environmental decisions are examined. The proposed approach thus attempts to link the micro-situation of the individual with the aggregate processes of environmental change.</p> / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston University

In the current dissertation I examined the relation between a new personality trait, core self-evaluations (CSE), and job performance, using the hierarchical model of approach and avoidance motivation as a theoretical framework. The hierarchical model of approach and avoidance motivation proposes that the effects of distal personality traits on performance outcomes are mediated through mid-range approach and avoidance motivational mechanisms. However, some controversy exists surrounding whether CSE is best conceptualized as an antecedent of approach or avoidance motivation. As such, prior to examining the CSE-performance relation, I examined whether CSE is best conceptualized as an indicator of approach or avoidance temperament. In Study 1, using confirmatory factor analysis, I demonstrated that mean CSE scores loaded more strongly on a latent avoidance temperament factor than on a latent approach temperament factor. Study 2 provided further evidence for the avoidance nature of CSE by examining the relation between CSE and a motivational construct: achievement goal orientations. In particular, using structural equation modeling, CSE was negatively related to performance-approach, performance-avoid, and mastery-avoid achievement goal orientations, and unrelated to a mastery-approach goal orientation. Such a pattern of results is consistent with the relation between achievement goal orientations and other indicators of avoidance temperament. Having demonstrated that CSE is best conceptualized as an indicator of avoidance temperament, in Study 3 I used the hierarchical model of approach and avoidance motivation as a framework for examining the relation between CSE and job performance. The results indicated that the effect of CSE on job performance was mediated through avoidance, but not approach, goals. The results of the three studies are discussed in terms of their implications for the conceptualization of CSE. As well, the application of the hierarchical model of approach and avoidance motivation framework to organizational behavior is discussed.

In the current dissertation I examined the relation between a new personality trait, core self-evaluations (CSE), and job performance, using the hierarchical model of approach and avoidance motivation as a theoretical framework. The hierarchical model of approach and avoidance motivation proposes that the effects of distal personality traits on performance outcomes are mediated through mid-range approach and avoidance motivational mechanisms. However, some controversy exists surrounding whether CSE is best conceptualized as an antecedent of approach or avoidance motivation. As such, prior to examining the CSE-performance relation, I examined whether CSE is best conceptualized as an indicator of approach or avoidance temperament. In Study 1, using confirmatory factor analysis, I demonstrated that mean CSE scores loaded more strongly on a latent avoidance temperament factor than on a latent approach temperament factor. Study 2 provided further evidence for the avoidance nature of CSE by examining the relation between CSE and a motivational construct: achievement goal orientations. In particular, using structural equation modeling, CSE was negatively related to performance-approach, performance-avoid, and mastery-avoid achievement goal orientations, and unrelated to a mastery-approach goal orientation. Such a pattern of results is consistent with the relation between achievement goal orientations and other indicators of avoidance temperament. Having demonstrated that CSE is best conceptualized as an indicator of avoidance temperament, in Study 3 I used the hierarchical model of approach and avoidance motivation as a framework for examining the relation between CSE and job performance. The results indicated that the effect of CSE on job performance was mediated through avoidance, but not approach, goals. The results of the three studies are discussed in terms of their implications for the conceptualization of CSE. As well, the application of the hierarchical model of approach and avoidance motivation framework to organizational behavior is discussed.

Prior research shows that when a firm uses an approach to innovation based on diverse, distant, and distinctive knowledge it can enhance its ability to develop innovations. However, less is known about how such an approach to innovation affects evaluations in financial markets by securities analysts and investors. In this dissertation I examine how a firm’s approach to innovation influences its ability to attract coverage and favorable recommendations from securities analysts. After considering the influence of innovation on analysts’ evaluations, I examine how analysts’ recommendations, in turn, influence a firm’s ability to attract investment. I argue that when a firm uses an approach to innovation based on diverse, distant, and distinctive knowledge it may complicate securities analysts’ efforts to evaluate its strategy, which may make them less willing to provide the firm with coverage and favorable recommendations. I also explore how disagreement among securities analysts’ recommendations may create opportunities for investors, which can ultimately help a firm to attract investment. This dissertation contributes to strategy research by highlighting an important trade-off related to a firm’s approach to innovation. Whereas prior research has shown that using diverse, distant, and distinctive knowledge helps a firm to develop knowledge-based resources, this research, in contrast, shows that such an approach to innovation may hinder efforts to capture value from these resources in financial markets. This research also contributes to the literature on financial intermediaries. It shows that financial markets are not fully intermediated by analysts’ recommendations and that uncertainty reflected in disagreement among analysts’ recommendations can signal valuable opportunities for investors that will make them more likely to buy shares in a firm. Furthermore, it also shows that characteristics of investors and aspects of a firm’s innovation strategy, which enhance investors’ ability to identify and profit from opportunities that arise under uncertainty, will make investors even more likely to buy shares when analysts disagree about their recommendations. / text

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

To meet the need of making clinical evaluations in the most efficient way, many scales and short forms of the MMPI have been developed. A review of the literature indicated that the Mini-Mult devised by Kincannon (1967) and the Short Form by Hugo (1971a) were the best short forms of the MMPI which have been constructed. The purpose of this study was to determine which of these short forms would most accurately predict the standard MMPI in a clinical population.

<p>Over the last few decades, increased flexibility and lack of stability in employment has made job insecurity a work stressor that keeps affecting more and more  employees. This study investigates to what extent core self-evaluations influence the appraisal of job insecurity in a Swedish sample of white-collar workers (N=425). By applying the Preacher & Hayes’ macro for multiple mediation the study also tests if there is a mediating effect of coping style on the relation between core self-evaluations and job insecurity. The results show that core self-evaluations have predictive validity in relation to job insecurity. Core self-evaluations are also associated with task-based coping style. However, no mediating effect of coping style was found on the relation between core self-evaluations and job insecurity.</p> / Stockholm Stress Center / Job insecurity from a gender perspective