Research Interests
Allison Ambrose, Higher Education
Monica Forret, Networking
Mark Maltarich, Role identity modification of university scientists involved in commercialization activity
Patrick O'Leary, Job Satisfaction of Physicians in Russia
Arun Pillutla, Organizational Visioning
Randy Richards, Use of Credit Scores by the Insurance Industry
Allison Ambrose, PhD, Professor of Accounting
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Abstract: My research interest is in higher education studies, which includes investigating all types of phenomenon that occur in today's higher education setting. I am particularly interested in higher education policy, specifically how financial aid, both public and institutional aid, is used to increase access to and affordability of higher education. Policy making by states is another area of policy interest. I am also interested in investigating the "business" workings of institutions of higher education. These include faculty motivation and productivity; organizational effectiveness of higher education institutions; and marketing of higher education institutions, etc. Currently, I'm reviewing the literature on organizational commitment behaviors by faculty at various types of institutions. I am also exploring the issue of college athletics in terms of how institutions use athletic programs strategically and what the student gets out of being a collegiate athlete. Lastly, the "scholarship of teaching" has proven useful to me in the classroom and fruitful for conference presentations.
Monica Forret, PhD, Professor of Managerial Studies and DBA Program Director
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Abstract: One of my primary research interests revolves around the topic of networking. More specifically, I have been investigating the types of networking behaviors that individuals utilize, who is more likely to participate in networking behavior, as well as the outcomes of individuals' networking efforts. By networking, I am referring to proactive behaviors by individuals to develop and maintain relationships with others for the purpose of mutual career benefits. There are a variety of networking behaviors that individuals engage in ranging from increasing visibility in their organizations (e.g., volunteering for task forces, socializing after work), actively participating in their professional organizations (e.g., Society for Human Resource Management), or becoming involved in their local communities (e.g., joining a service organization). My research has found that certain individuals are more likely to engage in networking than others. For example, individuals who are more extraverted, have higher self-esteem, have more favorable attitudes towards workplace politics, are at higher levels in the organization, and are from higher socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to participate in networking behavior. Furthermore, besides its helpfulness for obtaining jobs, networking is associated with a variety of career outcomes including number of promotions, compensation, career satisfaction, and organizational commitment.
Mark Maltarich, PhD, Assistant Professor of Managerial Studies
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Abstract: Establishing the microfoundations of academic entrepreneurship requires closer scrutiny of the key actor contributing to this phenomenon-the university scientist. We investigate the sense-making that scientists engage in as part of their participation in technology transfer and postulate that this process involves a potential modification in their role identity. We analyzed more than 70 hours of interview data at a premier U.S. public research university. We observe that scientists invoke rationales for involvement that are congruent with their academic role identity. They typically adopt a hybrid role identity that comprises a focal academic self and a secondary commercial persona. We delineate two mechanisms - delegating and buffering - that these individuals deploy to facilitate such salience in their hybrid role identity. Overall, these patterns suggest that university scientists take active steps to preserve their academic role identity even as they participate in technology transfer. Our findings clarify the social psychological processes underlying scientist involvement in commercialization activity, and offer fresh insights to the academic entrepreneurship, science policy and role identity literatures.
Patrick O'Leary, PhD, Associate Professor of Managerial Studies
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Abstract: This research project sought to determine the relationship between job characteristics and job satisfaction amongst physicians in Russia. To date, there is scant empirical data on the job satisfaction of physicians in Russia. Using the perception-expectation paradigm, we measured the relative and overall satisfaction of physicians in four Russian cities. We found that male doctors report higher levels of satisfaction than their female counterparts while those who work in polyclinics are more satisfied than those employed by hospitals. Female physicians are more satisfied in their relations with patients and colleagues than their male counterparts. The majority of physicians are dissatisfied with administration and time constraints. This paper found that job characteristic variables such as clinical autonomy, resources, time, and administration moderate physician satisfaction relationships and provides practical advice to hospital and polyclinic managers as attempts at reforming and restructuring the healthcare system gather momentum.
Arun Pillutla, PhD, Professor of Managerial Studies and Managerial Studies Chair
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Abstract: Building on empirical, theoretical and normative literatures, we develop an integrated discussion of organizational vision, including a range of factors, from the reasons for visioning to the impacts of vision on individuals, groups and organizations. The goal is to help integrate the field and to provide direction for both future research and leadership practice. Building on prior reviews, we update the literature and contrast group visioning process with leader-driven vision development. The paper offers a comprehensive look at vision development, implementation and the impact of visioning and suggests a number of propositions for future research.
Randy Richards, PhD, Professor of Managerial Studies
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Abstract: Since the 1990s, most large insurance companies have used consumers' credit history to predict an insured's likelihood of filing a personal lines claim and thus informs the insurance premium. The practice has drawn criticism from a variety of consumer groups who claim the practice is unfair to minorities and the economically disadvantaged. Drawing on a sample of 1240 insurance customers, this paper investigated their knowledge of the practice and beliefs about its fairness. Though 40 percent of respondents claimed to have obtained their credit scores, less than 10 percent believe that insurance companies use them to predict behavior. The paper found no significant association of credit knowledge with either income or educational levels. Confusion over the issue of fairness receives extensive treatment and the authors recommend ways to make the practice fairer.
