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Article
Publication date: 28 October 2010

Jenell L.S. Wittmer, James E. Martin and Amanuel G. Tekleab

This study extends previous literature on social exchange by investigating the mediating effects of leader‐member exchange on the relationship between procedural justice, job…

Abstract

This study extends previous literature on social exchange by investigating the mediating effects of leader‐member exchange on the relationship between procedural justice, job attitudes and turnover in a unionized setting. Past research has shown that procedural justice and subordinate/supervisor exchanges are related to job attitudes and turnover. These relationships have normally been studied in non‐union settings, in which union contextual variables are not considered. The current study uses hierarchical linear modeling to test theoretical models of these relationships in a unionized setting, where procedures and managerial treatment are more clearly defined and regulated. Results reveal that both procedural justice and leader‐member exchange are related to organizational commitment and job satisfaction and leader‐member exchange is related to actual turnover. Leadermember exchange partially mediates the relationship between procedural justice and these job attitudes after accounting for the effects of union commitment (at the individual level) and union‐management relations (at the store level). From a managerial perspective, our results emphasize the importance of proper selection, training and performance appraisal of supervisors, with treatment and support of employees as a main focus.

Details

American Journal of Business, vol. 25 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1935-5181

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 April 2015

Jenell L.S. Wittmer, Agnieszka K Shepard and James E. Martin

Employees working nonstandard schedules outside the daytime hours of the Monday-Friday work week are increasing. Using Social Exchange Theory (SET), the purpose of this paper is…

Abstract

Purpose

Employees working nonstandard schedules outside the daytime hours of the Monday-Friday work week are increasing. Using Social Exchange Theory (SET), the purpose of this paper is to hypothesize relationships between scheduling preferences, attitudes, and retention indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 343 US Postal Service mail processors (day, evening, or night shift; all shifts working weekends) from three cities. Multivariate analysis of covariance and multiple linear regression were used to test hypotheses related to participants’ perceptions of scheduling preferences and attitudes.

Findings

The authors found that preferences and attitudes toward shift worked had stronger relationships with each other and employee retention indicators for the night and evening shifts than the day shift, and these same relationships were stronger for the day shift when focussing on days of the week worked.

Research limitations/implications

Although limited by generalizability concerns, this study provides a distinctive application of SET to work schedules and offers a unique perspective on how working nonstandard days and nonstandard times, individually, impact the employment relationship.

Practical implications

Better work schedule management, with increased flexibility and control, may be one way of reducing negative employee reactions to nonstandard schedules.

Originality/value

This study goes beyond the typical examinations of standard vs nonstandard shifts, to study multiple nonstandard shifts and examines the relationships of these schedules on employee retention variables, focussing on both shift and weekend work.

Details

American Journal of Business, vol. 30 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1935-5181

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 March 2023

Kurstyn Loeffler and Jenell Lynn-Senter Wittmer

Peer groups have been established as one of the best tools for leadership learning for family business leaders. However, these groups remain underutilized because business leaders…

Abstract

Purpose

Peer groups have been established as one of the best tools for leadership learning for family business leaders. However, these groups remain underutilized because business leaders disengage and voluntarily create turnover from these groups. This study explores the perceptions of family business leaders concerning the usefulness, growth opportunities, and equity within peer learning groups to determine what factors impact retention in these groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Two surveys were administered to 321 family business owners and leaders through three large family business centers in different regions of the United States. Leaders were grouped into those who left versus those who remained in a peer learning group. Data were collected about their learning experiences and why they remained or voluntarily left a group.

Findings

Lack of equity was found to be the main determinant of turnover in peer learning groups. Peer learning groups need to consist of business owners along the same trajectory, career stage, and in similar stages of growing a family business in order to equally contribute to the group’s learning. Business leaders who are in peer learning groups they report as being equal also report that their groups are more helpful, trustworthy and create better-quality learning experiences.

Originality/value

Peer groups are important for peer-to-peer learning and continued education for family business leaders. Having a group of peers whom have dealt with similar issues can help business leaders overcome problems successfully. However, little research exists that examines what factors make these peer groups successful.

Details

Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, vol. 37 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7282

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 July 2023

Jacqueline Deuling, Jenell Lynn-Senter Wittmer, Kimberly Wilson and Adrian Thomas

This study aims to provide a psychometrically sound measure intended to capture perceived/experienced sexism in the workplace, the perceived/experienced sexism scale (PESS). PESS…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide a psychometrically sound measure intended to capture perceived/experienced sexism in the workplace, the perceived/experienced sexism scale (PESS). PESS is used to consider the effects of perceived experiences of benevolent and hostile sexism at work, as well their relationships with perceived organizational support and the job attitudes of job satisfaction and turnover intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study revised the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (Glick and Fiske, 1996) to create and validate the PESS. Amazon Mechanical Turk was used to collect two samples (220 and 183) of perceptions of female employees.

Findings

Results suggest perceived organizational support and trust perceptions mediate the relationships between perceptions of sexism and organizational outcomes of job satisfaction and turnover intentions.

Originality/value

Existing measures of sexism are intended to identify and measure sexism by examining perpetrators’ actions or thoughts. However, researchers must make assumptions as to the effect such sexist acts or behaviors has on the target. Thus, this study provides a measure of sexism from the perspective of the target.

Details

Gender in Management: An International Journal , vol. 39 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2413

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 October 2013

Jenell Lynn-Senter Wittmer and James E. Martin

Research on work status differences has yielded inconsistent results and is not relevant for today's workforce, economic circumstances, or the changing nature of work…

Abstract

Purpose

Research on work status differences has yielded inconsistent results and is not relevant for today's workforce, economic circumstances, or the changing nature of work. Inconsistencies may be due to substantial heterogeneity, rather than homogeneity, within each group (part-time (PT) and full-time (FT)). Thus, researchers created a PT worker typology based on demographics and personal life roles. Systematic differences in attitudes and behaviors across derived groups of PT workers were found. The purpose of the current study is to test the applicability of this PT worker typology on FT workers and to extend the typology's foundational theory, partial inclusion theory (PIT).

Design/methodology/approach

The current study employs cluster analysis on three diverse samples (n=3,747) to establish a basis for the generalizability of the FT typology.

Findings

Strong support was found for a similar, but distinct, FT employee typology. Attitudinal and behavioral differences were also found among the various FT groups which were similar to the differences found among the PT groups.

Research limitations/implications

The current study has implications both for the application of PIT as well management and human resources. Targeted wellness and retention programs can be designed for various groups of FT employees, including scheduling flexibility and benefit plans.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to examine the heterogeneity of the FT workforce, understanding that FT workers also have substantial life roles outside of work that likely affect their involvement and attitudes at work.

Details

American Journal of Business, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1935-5181

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 September 2021

Jenell Lynn-Senter Wittmer, Clinton Oliver Longenecker and Angie Jones

The current study explores the necessary leadership skills required for leadership succession in family businesses as well as best development activities for each skill. The…

489

Abstract

Purpose

The current study explores the necessary leadership skills required for leadership succession in family businesses as well as best development activities for each skill. The current study provides suggestions for best practices in developing and utilizing peer groups as a leadership development method.

Design/methodology/approach

A needs assessment was conducted by surveying 150 family-business leaders. Leaders were asked, “What are your most pressing leadership development needs for your organization as you move toward succession? A follow-up question was then asked: “For each of these skills, what method would best help develop this skill for family business leaders?” The responses were content analyzed, placed into themes, and rank ordered.

Findings

High agreement amongst business leaders was found as eight leadership skills were cited by high percentages of family-business leaders. Leaders overwhelmingly reported peer developmental activities as being the best method for developing these skills.

Originality/value

Succession planning in family-businesses is critical as many family business fail to make it past the first or second generation. However, little research explores what specific leadership skills are necessary for optimal succession. As well, many leaders in public organizations seek individual methods of development, such as executive coaching, whereas family business leaders seek group activities to learn with/through their peers.

Details

Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, vol. 36 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7282

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 May 2022

Clinton Oliver Longenecker and Jenell Lynn-Senter  Wittmer

The purpose of the current study is to explore the lessons learned by CEOs during the pandemic on how to develop themselves and their workforce to bring success during this…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to explore the lessons learned by CEOs during the pandemic on how to develop themselves and their workforce to bring success during this chaotic and uncertain time.

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty CEO interviews were conducted with two trained interviewers that lasted an average of 76 minutes. Three independent reviewers conducted a content analysis.

Findings

Through the content analysis, six main themes emerged that we have labeled “success lessons”: Your workforce really is your most important resource, leaders, at all levels, must lead effectively and with empathy, leaders must practice 360° two-way communication with honesty and transparency, equip your workforce for success and leverage technology, trust and empower your workforce, and invest more time reinforcing and celebrating victories.

Originality/value

The size and scope of the pandemic provides for lessons on leadership and workforce development never experienced before. The current study provides in-depth insights from CEO experiences during the pandemic.

Details

Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, vol. 37 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7282

Keywords

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