Business, Dhillon School of
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- ItemThe decision making process for social issue behaviors : a stakeholder perspective / Katherine Carol Lafreniere(2010) Lafreniere, Katherine Carol; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management; Deshpande, SameerThis study argues that Stakeholder Theory (Mitchell, Agle, & Wood, 1997) can be applied from the stakeholder‘s perspective in order to understand how stakeholders perceive their claims in an organization and consequently decide how to influence an organization. Using this audience-centric perspective, organizations can influence the stakeholder‘s claims and ultimately how the stakeholder will support the organization. These arguments are supported based on the case of farmers who voted in the 2007 water transfer agreement between the Municipality of Rocky View and the Western Irrigation District (WID). Personal interviews, employing Narrative Research, were conducted to document the participant‘s interpretations. The interview transcripts were analyzed in order to test and expand Stakeholder Theory as well as determine how marketers can use this perspective to successfully target different groups of stakeholders. This understanding contributes to potential management effectiveness because it explains how managers can deal with multiple stakeholder interests.
- ItemWork-family interface in Iranian women : the roles of religiosity and gender-role ideology / Arezou Elliyoon(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, 2010, 2010) Elliyoon, Arezou; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management; Derry, RobbinThis research assessed the effect of religious orientation on experiences of Iranian women in balancing their work and family roles. Based on the proposed relationships among main variables of this study which are religiosity, gender-role ideology, work-family conflict and work-family facilitation, it was also hypothesized that gender-role ideology would mediate the relationships between religiosity and work-family conflict/facilitation. The participants of this study were 221 Iranian female employees working in the Wood and Glue Industry. The results supported some of the developed hypotheses. For instance, they showed that women with stronger religious beliefs felt the extra time spent on work responsibilities would have been better devoted to family roles. Further, the women who indicated that the role of religion is highly significant in their lives experienced less conflict between the behaviors performed at home and those performed at work. The results did not support the hypothesized mediating role of gender-role ideology.
- ItemEfficacy beliefs and team effectiveness : a meso approach / Ilona Berth(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Management, 2010, 2010) Berth, Ilona; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management; Ansari, Mahfooz A.; Kelley, HelenFollowing a meso-contingency approach (Rousseau & House, 1994), this study examined the relationship between efficacy beliefs and effectiveness outcomes in a team context. Specifically, the interaction effects of self-efficacy and group efficacy as well as their direct effects on effectiveness outcomes at the individual level and at the group level were examined. Forty-two work teams (174 members and 42 supervisors) from several industries within Western Canada completed a survey assessing their efficacy beliefs, their attitudes at work, and their performance. The cross-level hypotheses revealed that self-efficacy positively related to individual effectiveness and to team attitudes but not to team performance. Group efficacy positively correlated with team effectiveness but not with individual effectiveness. Moreover, group efficacy as a shared belief and as a perception of individual team members was hypothesized to moderate the relationship between self-efficacy and team members’ effectiveness. However, these moderation hypotheses were not supported.
- ItemPeer evaluations in self-managing work teams : the role of specific emotions in extra-role behaviours(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, 2010, 2010) Koike, Chiaki; Williams-Whitt, KellyThis study examined emotional reactions that occurred when participants compared the fairness of own outcomes to that of peer outcomes. The mediating role of emotions (pride, guilt, envy, or anger) on the fairness perceptions and the intention to engage in organizational citizenship (OCB) or counterproductive work behaviour (CWB) was assessed. Two hundred and sixty nine undergraduate business students participated in the main study. Peer evaluation vignettes were used to simulate four fairness conditions. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses. The results indicated that perceived fairness to self interacted with perceived fairness to others, which led to emotional reactions, including pride, guilt, envy, and anger. Perceived fairness also directly influenced behaviour. However, only the negative emotions of anger and envy acted as mediators. As such, anger decreased OCB intention and increased CWB intention. Envy decreased the intention to engage in OCB. Implications of the results were discussed.
- ItemFinancial integration of NAFTA : measurement and analysis of the North American financial markets convergence / Yueming (Roy) Sun(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, 2010, 2010) Sun, Yueming (Roy); University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management; Los, Cornelis A.Applying market arbitrage theory on daily data, we measure the empirical financial market convergence of NAFTA’s financial markets since 1994. Radar diagram and wavelet multi-resolution analysis (MRA) scalogram movies of the statistical moments of the term interest rate differentials visualize the multidimensional convergence. From the radar movies, we find: 1) a uniform disappearance of the average forward premia; 2) a non-uniform decline of bilateral financial market risk; 3) variation of bilateral financial market pressure measured by skewness; and 4) emergence of uniform market microstructures as measured by vanishing excess-kurtosis. From the MRA movies, we find that the national term structures of interest rates converge, since the stochastic resonance coefficients of the interest rate differentials lose significance: market energy at all frequencies dissipates into “white noise.” Testing Obrimah, Prakash and Rangan’s (2009) Lemma, we find that, after 2002, higher financial flow pressure is a necessary condition for lower financial market risk.
- ItemSocially conscious consumer behaviour : the role of ethical self-identity in the use of mental accounting / Vanessa K. Hanel(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, 2010, 2010) Hanel, Vanessa K.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management; Basil, DebraConsumers are becoming more socially conscious in their purchasing behaviours (Freestone & McGoldrick, 2008), and for some it is becoming a more salient aspect of buying criteria (Memery et al., 2005). Individuals‟ conceptions of themselves can influence behaviour (Aquino et al., 2009). An on-line experiment demonstrated the importance of consumers' ethical self-identity (ESI) in the mental processing of socially conscious consumer decisions. Findings reveal not only how individuals process decisions, but how they react to external stimuli. This study categorizes consumers into three levels of ESI, and shows differences and similarities between them. Individuals who feel an ethical orientation is part of their core self-identity were more inclined to mentally consult upon their previous behaviours when considering their current choice. Additional findings indicate that an assimilation effect took place; priming the environment led to more environmental purchase intentions (Herr, 1989). This study provides important insight into socially conscious consumer behaviour.
- ItemDynamic moment analysis of non-stationary temperature data in Alberta(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, 2010, 2010) Zhou, Qixuan; Asem, EbenezerStrong seasonality is observed in the volatile hourly Alberta temperature and its low- and high-order statistical moments. We propose a time series model consisting of a linear combination of an annual sinusoidal model, a diurnal sinusoidal model and a fractional residual model, to study the characteristics of these spatial and time-dependent Alberta temperatures. Wavelet multi-resolution analysis is used to measure Hurst exponents of the temperature series. Our empirical results show that these Hurst exponents vary over various time scales, indicating the existence of multi-fractality in the temperatures. Such temperature models are of importance for the pricing and insurance of agricultural crops, of tourist resorts and of all forms of energy extraction and generation of importance to the resource-based economy of Alberta. Of particular interests are the observed extreme volatilities in the winters, caused by the unpredictable Chinook winds, which may be an important reason to introduce a Chinook insurance option.
- ItemExploring an experiential marketing phenomenon : the dining experience(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, c2011, 2011) Azizi, Taha; Basil, Michael D.This research focuses on dining experience as an example of experience marketing. In this study, the qualitative research method has been used to derive particular concepts involved in the dining experience from the bodies of reviews. Similarly, quantitative content analysis method has been used to provide rich and valuable information about the concepts explored from the qualitative data. Inferential statistics has been used in the study to test hypotheses about the relationships between elements in the dining experience context. The results indicate that food quality is the most important predictor of the dining satisfaction while service quality may not be an effective factor to create satisfaction. Moreover, social needs in dining experience are more evident in dinners than in lunches. The results of the study reveal the effectiveness and applicability of the online review analysis in bringing new insights from dining experience to contribute to the field of experience economy.
- ItemGet mad, stay mad : exploring stakeholder mobilization in the instance of corporate fraud and Ponzi schemes(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, c2011, 2011) McCormick, Cameron Anthony; Derry, RobbinUsing a multi-case study, three Ponzi schemes were investigated: Road2Gold, Bernie Madoff’s empire, and the Earl Jones affair. This grounded study used an inductive bottom-up methodology to observe and describe stakeholder mobilization in reaction to corporate fraud. This research on stakeholder behaviour in Ponzi schemes articulates new theory for describing stakeholder behaviour and possible determinants for successful mobilization to action. The data presented here point to a useful distinction in the stakeholders in a corporate fraud: reluctant and engaged stakeholders. Reluctant stakeholders seek only interest-based ends, whereas engaged stakeholders have additional identity and ideological goals shared by a mobilized group.
- ItemAn exploration of nonprofit governance configurations(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, 2011, 2011) Vadnais, Patricia R; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management; Williams, BernardThere has been limited research on the characteristics inside the nonprofit (NP) boardroom. Much of the prescriptive NP governance literature is based on for-profit (FP) assumptions. Following a contingency approach, this multiple case-study of two Alberta organizations looks into the NP boardroom to observe the board characteristics alongside organizational and environmental contexts as proposed in a framework by Bradshaw (2009). To build on the proposed framework, this study also explored the combination of internal and external social capital. Using a pattern-matching analysis, support was found for the theorized board characteristic and social capital propositions. While limited by the cross-sectional and exploratory nature, the findings support future research. Future studies can explore the implications of such characteristics and contingencies on board effectiveness and organizational performance.
- ItemBridging and bonding in HEI research centres : exploring the moderating influence of social capital on performance outcomes under NPM-driven MACSs(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, c2011, 2011) Kellerman, Carolin; Usher, JohnThe impact of social connectedness on the effectiveness of management accounting and control systems (MACSs) is little understood. The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of the theory of social capital for the challenges of European research centres of higher education institutions (HEIs). Based on a comparative case study design of research centres in a European NPM (New Public Management) forerunner and latecomer country, I explore how social capital can enrich our understanding in the field of management accounting and control while highlighting its implications for HEIs’ practitioners. Applying the work of Chenhall, Hall and Smith (2010) to the higher education context, I draw on Simons’ (1995) Levers of Control (LOC) framework to study how research directors proactively shape the MACSs-social capital relationship and observe contradictory effects on research performance across different research centre missions (Schubert, 2009).
- ItemDoes the stereotype fit? : NGO/government relations in Malawi(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, c2011, 2011) Peiris, Mututantrige J.N.R.; Chiste, KateThis study focuses on gaining an understanding of the relationship between NGOs and the government of Malawi at an administrative level. Though this relationship is integral to the success of the NGO’s mission, from the literature it is apparent that this is often a difficult one. The study was conducted through interviews with NGO personnel, which were analyzed using narrative inquiry. The author obtained a clearer understanding of the situation in Malawi through the eyes of practitioners in the country and their views of the good and the bad in the relationship, as well as possible solutions to problems.
- ItemBranded and non-branded tobacco counter-advertisements : an experimental study of reactance and other maladaptive and adaptive coping responses(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, c2012, 2012) Wehbe, Michelle S; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management; Basil, Debra; Basil, Michael D.An experiment was done to investigate whether or not there is a need to treat smokers and non-smokers as separate target audiences when creating tobacco counter-advertisements. The Extended Parallel Process Model (Witte, 1992) and Reactance Theory (Brehm, 1966) were used to guide the development of predictions. The study revealed that social marketers need to have different advertising tactics for smokers and non-smokers, since smokers have reported more maladaptive coping responses and fewer adaptive coping responses than non-smokers. Moreover, based on the fact that a smoker’s brand forms an essential part of their self-identity (Goldberg et al., 1995) the experiment was also designed to see if smokers would have differing levels of reactance and other maladaptive coping responses if they saw a counter-advertisement attacking their brand, one attacking a competing brand, and a non-branded one. The study did not reveal any significant differences in reactions among the three conditions.
- ItemThe Alberta carbon market : an exploration of alternative policy options through agent-based modeling(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, c2012, 2012) Aiyegbusi, Olufemi; Yalamova, RossitsaOur study examines some design alternatives for a carbon market by exploring the fledgling Alberta carbon market. We attempt to evaluate the performance of these designs on the bases of trade volume, cost efficiency and stability. To achieve this we construct an empirically-calibrated but simple agent-based model, certain aspects of which we selectively modify to incorporate various design options. We make comparisons among these options based on data simulated from the ensuing family of models. We find strong evidence that in general, market design features such as source-of-credits, the scale of the market, and pricing-mechanism are very important considerations that influence the performance of the market. In addition, we find support for the notion that the level of the price cap relative to the average cost of abatement in the market matters, and beyond a threshold, higher price caps are associated with lower levels of performance.
- ItemIs the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) detrimental to the Euro-area firms' performance?(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, c2012, 2012) Kar, Anirban; Alam, ShamsulThis thesis provides new insight into the EMU’s impact on the Euro-area firms’ performance, by examining the firms’ accounting rates of return and financial cash flows. The impact is evaluated separately for the EMU formation and the physical Euro adoption, and over different time horizons. The existing literature does not directly examine these issues. This study uses the regression model of the difference-in-differences approach to examine 121 Euro-area and North American firms, covering 14 sectors, over the period from 1992 to 2008. The results indicate a positive impact of the EMU on the firms’ financial cash flows, especially after the Euro adoption, which support the related literature. However, the accounting rates of return suggest a mostly negative impact. The magnitude of the impacts declines over time. The results are robust with respect to GDP as a control variable. The study also reports the EMU’s impact on 4 major industrial sectors.
- ItemRole of market microstructure in the relationship between market co-movement and market efficiency(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, c2012, 2012) Zhang, Xiaofei; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management; Asem, Ebenezer; Yalamova, RossitsaThis study examines the effects of changes in stock market microstructure on internal market efficiency and explores the relations among internal market efficiency, market co-movement and cross-market efficiency using evidence from Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges. The results show that changes in the market microstructure have significant effects on the internal market efficiencies of the two markets. Second, the developed market (Hong Kong stock exchange) is not always more efficient than the emerging market (Shanghai stock exchange). Third, the cross-market efficiency is only affected by the internal market efficiency of the emerging market during normal economic conditions, but is determined by the internal market efficiency of the emerging market and the market co-movement during the financial crisis period. Finally, this study confirms Dwyer and Wallace's (1992) statement that strong market co-movement does not apply cross-market inefficiency.
- ItemNear or far : psychological distance construal and its role in ethical(Lethbridge, Alta. :|bUniversity of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management,|cc2013, 2013) Wiebe, Jeff; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management; Basil, Debra; Runté, MaryA focus group and experiment were conducted to test the effects of psychological distance on participant affect, intentions, and behaviours in the realm of ethical consumption. Construal Level Theory (Liberman and Trope, 1998) posits that psychologically-near concepts are viewed differently than their psychologically-far counterparts, and this framework was used to guide the development of predictions relating to four dimensions of distance: temporal, spatial, social, and hypothetical. The study revealed that participants exhibit significantly higher levels of affect and intention when presented stimuli involve psychologically near impacts rather than psychologically-far impacts. This finding did not carry over into actual behaviour, however. Subject disposition toward psychological distance was measured but was found to not impact affect, intentions, or behaviour. Perceived Consumer Effectiveness (Kinnear, Taylor, & Ahmed, 1974) was found to be an important predictor of behaviour.
- ItemMorningstar ratings and performance of mutual funds(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, 2013) Sinha, Partha Sarati; Alam, ShamsulIn this study, we examine the predictive power of Morningstar’s new ratings for mutual funds’ future performance and compare its predictive power with four competing predictors. We also examine Morningstar’s new ratings’ predictive power in bull and bear periods. Furthermore, we compare the predictive power of the new and old star-ratings. We perform all these tests for both U.S. and Canadian equity funds. We use a regression model and non-parametric tests in this study. The results suggest Morningstar’s new ratings accurately rank funds and predict out-of-sample performance of only five-star rated complete funds for short- and medium-terms for U.S., and for medium-term only for Canada. Also, predictive power of Morningstar’s new ratings is low compared to four alternative predictors for both countries. Further, the new star ratings accurately predicts for bear period for both markets. The old ratings (new ratings), however relatively predict better for U.S. funds (Canadian funds).
- ItemOpen source framework usage : an investigation of the user's intention to continue using a framework(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, 2013) Lemnaru, Alexandru; Dobing, BrianTo increase productivity, application developers are using tools that allow them to create higher quality applications faster. One such set of tools, open-source frameworks, allows application developers to reuse software artifacts and should increase application quality. However, given the vast number of open-source frameworks available, users must be able to differentiate among frameworks and select the one best suited for them. In this study, we expand the taxonomy of open-source frameworks and analyze the impact of the framework's characteristics, technical quality, and social pressure on perceived usefulness and continued framework usage intention. Our findings suggest that understandability and flexibility have a significant impact on perceived ease of use, while perceived usefulness is mainly determined by flexibility and efficiency. Our research can be used to understand what influences developers to continue using frameworks and to improve framework development.
- ItemProfitability of Islamic banks in Malaysa(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, 2013) Ahangi, Parviz; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management; Alam, Shamsul; Richert, RobertThis thesis analyzes the effect of internal and external factors on the profitability of all full-fledged Islamic banks in Malaysia. Additionally, this study examines the robustness of results by using the financial crisis of 2008-2009 as a control variable. The study uses regression analysis to examine the data from 16 Islamic banks in Malaysia for the period from 2008 to 2012. The results suggest that a high equity-to-asset ratio significantly increases the profitability of Islamic banks, while negatively affecting the return on equities. Simultaneously, an increase in total expenses leads to high returns on assets and return on equities. However, an increase in deposit-to-asset and loan-to-asset ratios does not significantly affect the profitability of Islamic banks. The taxes imposed on banks significantly decrease their profits. Additionally, the results indicate a positive and significant relationship between the concentration and the profitability of the banks. Moreover, an increase in the inflation rate negatively affects the profitability of Islamic banks. Finally, the results are robust with respect to the financial crisis of 2008-2009.