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1 – 10 of over 2000Ali Bassam Mahmoud and William D. Reisel
This paper aims at investigating the relationships among patient satisfaction, and nurses' job security, job satisfaction, and obedience OCBs within the setting of private…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims at investigating the relationships among patient satisfaction, and nurses' job security, job satisfaction, and obedience OCBs within the setting of private hospitals in Damascus and Rural Damascus Governorates.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey conducted within private hospitals in Damascus and Rural Damascus Governorates had resulted in (325) subjects of nurses, and (393) subjects of patients. Double-translation, face validation, exploratory factor analysis, and Cronbach's alpha were used to validate measures used in this study with respect to the Syrian context. Afterwards, the two samples were aggregated on the basis of hospital-department. That is, 217 cases had resulted, and were used to test the proposed model, and revise it if required.
Findings
The results indicate that job security positively influences both job satisfaction and obedience OCBs. Both job satisfaction and obedience OCBs fully mediate the relationship between job security and patient satisfaction. Obedience OCBs partially mediate the relationship between job satisfaction and patient satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
Further investigations in other service-providing settings (e.g. telecommunications) are needed for more evidence of the model validity. Using cross-sectional design in testing causalities has been criticized by several researchers, so longitudinal method is recommended in further investigations for the model. Wider views could be delivered if more of other attitudinal variables are included in the model.
Practical implications
Better levels of patient satisfaction could be achieved through enhancing nurses' perceptions towards job security. Job satisfaction would be an important factor in keeping positive levels of patient satisfaction, especially when employment at one private hospital lacks security and stability.
Originality/value
This research comes to be one of the first studies to provide evidence of the full mediation that job satisfaction and obedience OCBs play regarding the relationship between job security and patient satisfaction. In addition, this study proves the partial mediation that obedience OCBs play between job satisfaction and patient satisfaction.
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Damai Nasution and Ralf Östermark
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of improper social pressures on auditors’ judgment in the setting of a high power distance and low individualism society…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of improper social pressures on auditors’ judgment in the setting of a high power distance and low individualism society. Auditors’ judgment in this paper is related to the case of auditors’ willingness to sign off on net equipment balance for assets in question. Second, the paper investigates the role of locus of control and the relationship of multidimensional professional commitment on auditors’ judgment under conditions of social pressure.
Design/methodology/approach
The experimental method is used in this research. The paper uses a case that was developed by Lord and DeZoort to manipulate the interest variable, social pressures. The paper also uses locus of control and multidimensional professional commitment as the explanatory variables.
Findings
The research finds that social pressures affect auditors’ judgment in a high power distance and low individualism society. Auditors who contend with improper social pressures make judgments that violate their integrity and professionalism. The paper also finds that locus of control and multidimensionality of professional commitment might potentially affect auditors’ judgment.
Originality/value
The research takes into account cultural influence on auditors’ judgment. The paper uses subjects who are in a high power distance and low individualism society. As Public Accountant is a worldwide profession, it is important to understand the impact of cultural dimensions on the profession. Moreover, insights drawn from this paper may be of assistance to regulators and the public accountant profession in considering and developing a mechanism that can mitigate the impact of improper social pressures.
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If we know something about the patterns and conditions of crime against humanity, we may perhaps at an early point be able to diagnose and identify developments that lead to these…
Abstract
Purpose
If we know something about the patterns and conditions of crime against humanity, we may perhaps at an early point be able to diagnose and identify developments that lead to these acts. If such developments can be diagnosed, it will be easier for the international community to intervene and stop developments that can lead to a human catastrophe. Consequently, the main reason to examine the patterns and conditions for crime against humanity is to contribute to efforts that will ensure that this crimes likely do not happen again. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Designing system of propositions to develop a theory of crime against humanity, using a typology and conceptual models.
Findings
Development of a model for management by obedience leading to evil acts.
Research limitations/implications
Understanding patterns leading to evil acts.
Practical implications
A model of management by obedience. The model is a way to understand and explain crimes against humanity from a systemic perspective.
Originality/value
Development of a typology of crimes against humanity and development of a theory (system of propositions) of crimes against humanity.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore human issues within subordinate and leader interaction and guide police leaders in how they can achieve success. Although focussed on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore human issues within subordinate and leader interaction and guide police leaders in how they can achieve success. Although focussed on uniformed services, leaders from all areas will find the arguments presented here useful.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on a number of catastrophic case studies, including the collision of two war ships, two Jumbo Jets, the defeat of the Spanish Armarda and the failure of Hitler’s military to respond effectively to the D-Day landings. It will examine work by Rittel and Webber (1973) and Grint (2005), who propose different styles of leadership for different problems.
Findings
The paper will find that humans are inherently obedient and reluctant obedient, reluctant to challenge authority and introduces the concept of blind obedience into police leadership. A distinction will be drawn between commanding in critical situations, which are rare, and leading in routine situations; the paper will conclude that to lead the police service through the turbulent times ahead, police leaders must be on guard against blind obedience and create an environment where subordinates have a voice and will be heard. The paper also finds that “micro-management” from a remote location is ineffective and that staff must be afforded time and space to undertake tasks and that strategic leaders must allow their subordinates, at the tactical and operational levels, freedom to act with the overall strategy; the paper recommends leaders adopt a mission command approach.
Originality/value
The paper will contribute to understanding how subordinates and leaders interact and will be of value to all who lead, particularly in structured organisations like the police, where rank plays a factor in establishing a strict hierarchy. It introduces the concept of blind obedience into police leadership and warns that police leaders, and indeed leaders in all hierarchal organisations, must be on constant guard against it.
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The major thesis of this article is how social contract theory sheds light on the interaction of structure and agency. A minor thesis is to rebut the conclusions drawn from…
Abstract
Purpose
The major thesis of this article is how social contract theory sheds light on the interaction of structure and agency. A minor thesis is to rebut the conclusions drawn from Stanley Milgram's famous obedience experiments.
Design/methodology/approach
The argument rests in large part on an extensive review of authentic, empirical evidence found in studies of medical compliance.
Findings
Patient agency is choosing not to comply with medical orders has over the years forced structural changes in the doctor–patient relations. These changes can be understand through the evolution of three kinds of social contract.
Practical implications
One important implication is that non‐compliance can be a relational choice in one's lifeworld.
Originality/value
No other study has brought together Milgram's evidence with the medical compliance literature to demonstrate the integration of agency and structure.
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William E. Shafer and Zhihong Wang
The purpose of this paper is to addresses the impact of organizational ethical context (ethical climate and ethical culture) and Machiavellianism on organizational‐professional…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to addresses the impact of organizational ethical context (ethical climate and ethical culture) and Machiavellianism on organizational‐professional conflict (OPC) and affective organizational commitment (OC) among Chinese accountants. The paper also aims to test for interactive effects of ethical context and Machiavellianism.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on a field survey of 89 professional accountants employed by companies operating in Mainland China.
Findings
Two aspects of the organizational ethical culture, expectations of obedience to authority and strong ethical norms/incentives, emerged as the dominant influences on both OPC and affective commitment. Strong negative correlations are observed between OPC and OC, and between Machiavellianism and OC. Contrary to expectations, the organizational ethical context had the greatest impact on OC among high Machiavellians. For low Machiavellians, OPC fully mediated the relationship between ethical context and OC, but no such mediation effects are found for high Machiavellians.
Originality/value
This is the first study of the relationships among ethical context, OPC and OC among industry accountants in China, and the first study of the effects of Machiavellianism on these relationships. The results generally support our contention that organizational ethical context will be a key determinant of OPC and OC. The fact that weaker ethical cultures were strongly associated with increased conflict and decreased commitment suggests that managers of accounting/auditing departments should take a proactive approach to developing and nurturing positive or supportive cultures. The differences in results for high and low Machiavellians also raise interesting questions that should be addressed in future research.
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Ni Wayan Rustiarini, Sutrisno Sutrisno, Nurkholis Nurkholis and Wuryan Andayani
This study aims to examine the effects of fraud triangle (pressure, opportunity and rationalization) on individual fraudulent behavior in Indonesian public procurement. Empirical…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effects of fraud triangle (pressure, opportunity and rationalization) on individual fraudulent behavior in Indonesian public procurement. Empirical research in this area is relatively sparse.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using laboratory experiments.
Findings
The results revealed that fraudulent behavior is higher when an individual has high pressure and high opportunity. These factors play an important role in determining individual rationalization. Most of participants used “displacing responsibility” to rationalize their actions. This study also demonstrated that negative affect mediates the relationship between fraudulent behavior and rationalization.
Research limitations/implications
First, fraudulent behavior research cannot be separated from social desirability bias. Second, the experiments only involved individual decision-making, not in groups. Finally, this study did not examine the effectiveness of rationalization in reducing negative affect.
Practical implications
Over the years, the government has only focused on the identification of pressure and reduction of opportunities, but ignored individual psychological reasons. Considering that procurement fraud is always increasing, the government must more focus on individual reasons to design an effective prevention and detection system.
Social implications
There are various conflicts of interest in public procurement budgeting. These conflicts can distort resource allocation and causes budget leakage. As a result, the government is incapacitated to achieve social and economic goals of the community.
Originality/value
There is limited research about fraud in public procurement budgeting, especially in developing countries. In addition, the fraud triangle research, which focuses on rationalization is still limited.
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Carol C. Bienstock, Carol W. DeMoranville and Rachel K. Smith
What is the best way for service organizations to evaluate and motivate service employees so that customers are retained and new customers are attracted? What motivates service…
Abstract
What is the best way for service organizations to evaluate and motivate service employees so that customers are retained and new customers are attracted? What motivates service employees to deliver high quality service? Are there actions a service organization can take, e.g. way of evaluating, training, and rewarding employees, which encourage them to perform to the organization’s advantage? Answers to these questions would enable a service organization to formulate a system that links human resource management policies to desired service employee performance, thus enhancing customer perceptions of service quality and organizational financial outcomes. This research investigated organizational citizenship behavior, with its framework of organizational rights and responsibilities, to explore these issues. The research shows that service employee perceptions of how they are treated by the service organization, i.e. what organizational rights they receive, are positively associated with organizational citizenship behaviors. Furthermore, it demonstrates that these behaviors result in more effective service delivery to organizational standards and enhanced customer perceptions of service quality.
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The development of a sociological theory is a process which can often only reach a temporary conclusion. A new theory's potential and an old theory's stagnation are invariably a…
Abstract
The development of a sociological theory is a process which can often only reach a temporary conclusion. A new theory's potential and an old theory's stagnation are invariably a matter either of solved problems which require a new theoretical construction or of the old theory failing which means that a new one is needed. The anomie theory finds itself precisely in that stage of its development in which the old concept for explaining the current “social facts” is considered unsatisfactory, yet more promising prospects are not yet clearly in view. This, therefore, is our objective, to attempt to provide the anomie theory with new insights and meaning.
David L. Turnipseed and Eugene Murkison
This exploratory study describes an empirical comparison of organization citizenship behavior (OCB) between samples from the United States and Romania. The economic and work…
Abstract
This exploratory study describes an empirical comparison of organization citizenship behavior (OCB) between samples from the United States and Romania. The economic and work environment distance between the U.S. and Romania was theorized to result in a dissimilar structure and strength of good citizenship behaviors and differential contributions of OCB to productivity. Data from Romania produced a unique factor structure with lower factor scores than those of the comparable organization in the United States. The citizenship behaviors in both countries were positively related to productivity, but links were stronger in the U.S. There were significant differences in the individual citizenship behaviors and productivity between the U.S. and Romania. National and organizational cultures appear to be significant determinants of OCB. The results are interpreted with respect to the stage of development, histories, and economies of the two countries.