This article addresses the two major issues involved in the teaching of an introductory methodolo... more This article addresses the two major issues involved in the teaching of an introductory methodology course versus face-to-face instruction. The first issue incorporates a rich-media solution, specifically streaming video, to precede traditional notes on any topic and second the use of a computer simulation software created by the authors, which can be placed on a matriculated distance education student's desktop remotely, without the legal or logistical problems of using commercial software, for example, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) or Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Technical and pedagogical dimensions of these particular issues are discussed as well.
msnt has Wen feDroduceo ferce.red from the person of otganZaton of,gmafing ?Amor changeS hav() be... more msnt has Wen feDroduceo ferce.red from the person of otganZaton of,gmafing ?Amor changeS hav() been moor, tA, rtIptt,ve tePrOCitiCt.orl Quakly. . _ Pornt5 Of vrew of opm.ofts staled 0 th.s dot L.
International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior, Mar 1, 2004
This study examines the administrative role played by the state of North Carolina in the provisio... more This study examines the administrative role played by the state of North Carolina in the provision of welfare. A survey of county professionals was conducted in April 2000 assessing perceptions of how well the state was performing its administrative functions. Fifty-three survey items composed ten indices that were grouped into three categories of resources, leadership and accountability. Logistic regression analyses examined perceptions of the state's Resources, Leadership, and Accountability administrative capacity in relationship to the four Work First Report Card measures of (1) putting people to work, (2) having them stay off of welfare, (3) reducing the number on welfare, and (4) collecting child support. Findings indicate that the state's efforts are not perceived as contributing to the success of welfare reform. Administrative capacity perceptions account for little of the variation explained by the logistic regressions. The state is not perceived as contributing to putting people to work or helping them to stay off of welfare subsequently. It actually is seen as slightly hindering efforts at reducing the welfare rolls. Only in the area of child support collection does state administrative capacity (in leadership and budgeting) improve the odds for success.
Survey research is chosen as this year's theme in the review of the state of the art of compu... more Survey research is chosen as this year's theme in the review of the state of the art of computing in political science because of its importance to this discipline. However, coverage applies to other social science disciplines as well. This essay reviews use of computers in computer-assisted survey research (CASR), computer-assisted interviewing, computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), touch-tone data entry (TDE), and related technologies. A second portion of the essay gives special attention to continuous audience response technology (CART), with an example—the California Proposition 103 campaign. Keywords: survey research, interviewing, computers, CATI, CART.
To operate efficiently and effectively in a world of constant change, organizations must be willi... more To operate efficiently and effectively in a world of constant change, organizations must be willing to change their strategy and structure. Most importantly, they must be willing to change the ways their employees are managed. Scholars must also be willing to reshape their publications to convey new perspectives and approaches of understanding organizations. This book, in its third edition, provides a good starting point for students studying organizational behavior (OB) with emphasis on management in the public sector. Considering the trend toward E-commerce and the growing need for partnerships between private enterprise and the public sector, it can be useful for manufacturing enthusiasts to see the most updated schools of thought on these matters. In this revised and expanded edition, the authors have included a new chapter on total quality management (TQM), reflecting the pervasive influence of this philosophy in managing organizations in the public sector. Those with interests in organizational design and management (ODAM), who would typically see TQM from a macro-ergonomics perspective, may be particularly interested in this section. Focusing on the social-psychological forces and factors that influence employees, the authors give an overview of the key issues in OB and public sector organization in the opening chapter. This lays a foundation for the following chapters to build on. Various approaches to organization theory (e.g., classical, human relations, bureaucratic politics, systems, etc.) are reviewed in Chapter 2. This helps students use different theoretical lenses to view human behaviors within an organization. Three OB topics at the individual level-motivation, leadership, and role behavior-are discussed in Chapters 3, 4, and 5. With a focus on the group level, communication, decision making, participation, and TQM are covered in Chapters 6, 7, and 8. Organizational culture and climate, structure, technology and environment, which are the key factors at the organizational level in influencing organizational change, are discussed in Chapter 9. Having provided the students with important concepts and theories of OB at the individual, group, and organizational levels, the authors put forward four applied management problems-management systems, computers and information technology, performance appraisal, and management ethics-in Chapters 10, 11, 12, and 13. The students are provided with the opportunity to integrate related OB concepts to understand and predict human behaviors in a particular work setting.
MediaSite by Sonic Foundry is a web communication and content management system that automaticall... more MediaSite by Sonic Foundry is a web communication and content management system that automatically webcasts lectures and presentations. These presentations can be viewed as a live stream or as an archive over the Internet. MediaSite is frequently used to supplement traditional classes and distance education applications. In this review, the authors share their experience in using a rich-media tool MediaSite that added a great teaching quality and affectivity to an undergraduate survey methodology course within distance education format. Their experience leads them to believe that this technology can enhance a methods course such as survey research by providing visual reinforcement of what are otherwise textbook lectures. This is also true with respect to the expectations of assignments and reviews for final exams.
Strategic human resource management (SHRM) enhances productivity and the effectiveness of organiz... more Strategic human resource management (SHRM) enhances productivity and the effectiveness of organizations. Research shows that when organizations employ such personnel practices as internal career ladders, formal training systems, results-oriented performance appraisal, employment security, employee voice/participation, broadly defined jobs, and performance-based compensation, they are more able to achieve their goals and objectives. Using a survey of North Carolina county social service professionals, this study examines (1) the extent to which strategic human resource management is perceived, (2) the relationship of these SHRM practices to demographic variables such as age, ethnic status, sex, education, supervisory status and tenure, and county population, and (3) the relationship between SHRM and outcome assessments for welfare reform (unemployment change and organizational report card measures). While SHRM practices are perceived to be present in North Carolina counties, they clearly are not a predominant feature. Weak demographic influences, especially in terms of population and supervisory status and tenure, are evident. Especially disturbing are the influences those demographic influences have on employment security. Few relationships are found (and those only weak) involving outcome assessments.
The American Review of Public Administration, Jun 1, 2005
Strategic human resource management enhances productivity and the effectiveness of organizations.... more Strategic human resource management enhances productivity and the effectiveness of organizations. Research shows that when organizations employ such personnel practices as internal career ladders, formal training systems, results-oriented performance appraisal, employment security, employee voice and participation, broadly defined jobs, and performance-based compensation, they are more able to achieve their goals and objectives. Using ordinal regression analyses of data from a survey of North Carolina county social service directors and supervisors, this study examines the extent to which strategic human resource management is perceived to affect outcome assessments (or performance measurements) for welfare reform. Although strategic human resource management practices are perceived to be present, with training and employment security having notable impacts, they clearly are not a predominant feature in North Carolina counties.
The first-line supervisor is a major linkingpin in the chain of organizational outputs. Using a r... more The first-line supervisor is a major linkingpin in the chain of organizational outputs. Using a random sample of North Carolina state employees, this paper explores dimensions of supervisory effectiveness. Employing regression ana[ysis with cross-sectional data, it examines employee attitudes linked to the evaluation of their supervisor. Eliminated as important predictors of supervisory eflectiveness were numerous extraneous factors+ducation, prrygrade level, race, and gender. The remaining job and work characteristics (job satisfaction, degree of political interference, andeflorts at team building), variables over which supervisors indeed exercise some degree of direct control, were clearly related to evaluation of supervisory eflectiveness. This research, focused on public sector workers, underscores that in terms of supervisory evaluations employees take pains to link authority and responsibility. A s s u m i n g a capable and willing workforce, most organizations succeed or fail due to the quality of the direction provided by their leaders and managers. The middle manager or first-line supervisor is a major linking pin in this entire effort (Heclo 1977). For most employees, he or she is the physical embodiment of the organization. The supervisor transmits and translates the organization's missions, values, and messages. In addition, the supervisor voices employee concerns to those further up the hierarchal chain. Hence, how the suprvisor is perceived is also likely to be how the organization is
Increasing or merely haltin the decline of the nation's f standard of living depends on t a e abi... more Increasing or merely haltin the decline of the nation's f standard of living depends on t a e ability of the U S. work orce economic environment. Failin the esta E lishment of a national human resource policy, states a ave significant res onsibility in to raise its productivity in an increasin ly competitive g obal the arena of preparin non-college-bound high sc 001 students for t%e industrial work force.
This article addresses the two major issues involved in the teaching of an introductory methodolo... more This article addresses the two major issues involved in the teaching of an introductory methodology course versus face-to-face instruction. The first issue incorporates a rich-media solution, specifically streaming video, to precede traditional notes on any topic and second the use of a computer simulation software created by the authors, which can be placed on a matriculated distance education student's desktop remotely, without the legal or logistical problems of using commercial software, for example, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) or Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Technical and pedagogical dimensions of these particular issues are discussed as well.
msnt has Wen feDroduceo ferce.red from the person of otganZaton of,gmafing ?Amor changeS hav() be... more msnt has Wen feDroduceo ferce.red from the person of otganZaton of,gmafing ?Amor changeS hav() been moor, tA, rtIptt,ve tePrOCitiCt.orl Quakly. . _ Pornt5 Of vrew of opm.ofts staled 0 th.s dot L.
International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior, Mar 1, 2004
This study examines the administrative role played by the state of North Carolina in the provisio... more This study examines the administrative role played by the state of North Carolina in the provision of welfare. A survey of county professionals was conducted in April 2000 assessing perceptions of how well the state was performing its administrative functions. Fifty-three survey items composed ten indices that were grouped into three categories of resources, leadership and accountability. Logistic regression analyses examined perceptions of the state's Resources, Leadership, and Accountability administrative capacity in relationship to the four Work First Report Card measures of (1) putting people to work, (2) having them stay off of welfare, (3) reducing the number on welfare, and (4) collecting child support. Findings indicate that the state's efforts are not perceived as contributing to the success of welfare reform. Administrative capacity perceptions account for little of the variation explained by the logistic regressions. The state is not perceived as contributing to putting people to work or helping them to stay off of welfare subsequently. It actually is seen as slightly hindering efforts at reducing the welfare rolls. Only in the area of child support collection does state administrative capacity (in leadership and budgeting) improve the odds for success.
Survey research is chosen as this year's theme in the review of the state of the art of compu... more Survey research is chosen as this year's theme in the review of the state of the art of computing in political science because of its importance to this discipline. However, coverage applies to other social science disciplines as well. This essay reviews use of computers in computer-assisted survey research (CASR), computer-assisted interviewing, computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), touch-tone data entry (TDE), and related technologies. A second portion of the essay gives special attention to continuous audience response technology (CART), with an example—the California Proposition 103 campaign. Keywords: survey research, interviewing, computers, CATI, CART.
To operate efficiently and effectively in a world of constant change, organizations must be willi... more To operate efficiently and effectively in a world of constant change, organizations must be willing to change their strategy and structure. Most importantly, they must be willing to change the ways their employees are managed. Scholars must also be willing to reshape their publications to convey new perspectives and approaches of understanding organizations. This book, in its third edition, provides a good starting point for students studying organizational behavior (OB) with emphasis on management in the public sector. Considering the trend toward E-commerce and the growing need for partnerships between private enterprise and the public sector, it can be useful for manufacturing enthusiasts to see the most updated schools of thought on these matters. In this revised and expanded edition, the authors have included a new chapter on total quality management (TQM), reflecting the pervasive influence of this philosophy in managing organizations in the public sector. Those with interests in organizational design and management (ODAM), who would typically see TQM from a macro-ergonomics perspective, may be particularly interested in this section. Focusing on the social-psychological forces and factors that influence employees, the authors give an overview of the key issues in OB and public sector organization in the opening chapter. This lays a foundation for the following chapters to build on. Various approaches to organization theory (e.g., classical, human relations, bureaucratic politics, systems, etc.) are reviewed in Chapter 2. This helps students use different theoretical lenses to view human behaviors within an organization. Three OB topics at the individual level-motivation, leadership, and role behavior-are discussed in Chapters 3, 4, and 5. With a focus on the group level, communication, decision making, participation, and TQM are covered in Chapters 6, 7, and 8. Organizational culture and climate, structure, technology and environment, which are the key factors at the organizational level in influencing organizational change, are discussed in Chapter 9. Having provided the students with important concepts and theories of OB at the individual, group, and organizational levels, the authors put forward four applied management problems-management systems, computers and information technology, performance appraisal, and management ethics-in Chapters 10, 11, 12, and 13. The students are provided with the opportunity to integrate related OB concepts to understand and predict human behaviors in a particular work setting.
MediaSite by Sonic Foundry is a web communication and content management system that automaticall... more MediaSite by Sonic Foundry is a web communication and content management system that automatically webcasts lectures and presentations. These presentations can be viewed as a live stream or as an archive over the Internet. MediaSite is frequently used to supplement traditional classes and distance education applications. In this review, the authors share their experience in using a rich-media tool MediaSite that added a great teaching quality and affectivity to an undergraduate survey methodology course within distance education format. Their experience leads them to believe that this technology can enhance a methods course such as survey research by providing visual reinforcement of what are otherwise textbook lectures. This is also true with respect to the expectations of assignments and reviews for final exams.
Strategic human resource management (SHRM) enhances productivity and the effectiveness of organiz... more Strategic human resource management (SHRM) enhances productivity and the effectiveness of organizations. Research shows that when organizations employ such personnel practices as internal career ladders, formal training systems, results-oriented performance appraisal, employment security, employee voice/participation, broadly defined jobs, and performance-based compensation, they are more able to achieve their goals and objectives. Using a survey of North Carolina county social service professionals, this study examines (1) the extent to which strategic human resource management is perceived, (2) the relationship of these SHRM practices to demographic variables such as age, ethnic status, sex, education, supervisory status and tenure, and county population, and (3) the relationship between SHRM and outcome assessments for welfare reform (unemployment change and organizational report card measures). While SHRM practices are perceived to be present in North Carolina counties, they clearly are not a predominant feature. Weak demographic influences, especially in terms of population and supervisory status and tenure, are evident. Especially disturbing are the influences those demographic influences have on employment security. Few relationships are found (and those only weak) involving outcome assessments.
The American Review of Public Administration, Jun 1, 2005
Strategic human resource management enhances productivity and the effectiveness of organizations.... more Strategic human resource management enhances productivity and the effectiveness of organizations. Research shows that when organizations employ such personnel practices as internal career ladders, formal training systems, results-oriented performance appraisal, employment security, employee voice and participation, broadly defined jobs, and performance-based compensation, they are more able to achieve their goals and objectives. Using ordinal regression analyses of data from a survey of North Carolina county social service directors and supervisors, this study examines the extent to which strategic human resource management is perceived to affect outcome assessments (or performance measurements) for welfare reform. Although strategic human resource management practices are perceived to be present, with training and employment security having notable impacts, they clearly are not a predominant feature in North Carolina counties.
The first-line supervisor is a major linkingpin in the chain of organizational outputs. Using a r... more The first-line supervisor is a major linkingpin in the chain of organizational outputs. Using a random sample of North Carolina state employees, this paper explores dimensions of supervisory effectiveness. Employing regression ana[ysis with cross-sectional data, it examines employee attitudes linked to the evaluation of their supervisor. Eliminated as important predictors of supervisory eflectiveness were numerous extraneous factors+ducation, prrygrade level, race, and gender. The remaining job and work characteristics (job satisfaction, degree of political interference, andeflorts at team building), variables over which supervisors indeed exercise some degree of direct control, were clearly related to evaluation of supervisory eflectiveness. This research, focused on public sector workers, underscores that in terms of supervisory evaluations employees take pains to link authority and responsibility. A s s u m i n g a capable and willing workforce, most organizations succeed or fail due to the quality of the direction provided by their leaders and managers. The middle manager or first-line supervisor is a major linking pin in this entire effort (Heclo 1977). For most employees, he or she is the physical embodiment of the organization. The supervisor transmits and translates the organization's missions, values, and messages. In addition, the supervisor voices employee concerns to those further up the hierarchal chain. Hence, how the suprvisor is perceived is also likely to be how the organization is
Increasing or merely haltin the decline of the nation's f standard of living depends on t a e abi... more Increasing or merely haltin the decline of the nation's f standard of living depends on t a e ability of the U S. work orce economic environment. Failin the esta E lishment of a national human resource policy, states a ave significant res onsibility in to raise its productivity in an increasin ly competitive g obal the arena of preparin non-college-bound high sc 001 students for t%e industrial work force.
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Papers by Michael Vasu