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Comprehensive Models (comprehensive + models)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Psychology	40%

Selected Abstracts

Examining the Nature and Significance of Leadership in Government Organizations

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW, Issue 2 2008
Tracey Trottier
Though the mainstream organizational literature has advanced in the last 20 years with the integration of transformational and distributed leadership theories, as well as genuine attempts at comprehensive models, the public sector literature has lagged, especially in utilizing large-scale empirical studies. This study takes advantage of a very large government data set to test the utility of one of the best known theories, the "full range" leadership theory of Bernard Bass. It addresses three important research questions: How inclusive is Bass's operational definition of leadership? How much of an impact do Bass's leadership competencies have on follower satisfaction? Finally, how important is transformational leadership compared to transactional leadership in government settings? The results indicate that Bass's broad definition of leadership comes quite close to capturing what federal employees perceive to be effective leadership. The relationship between good leadership in an organization and follower satisfaction is also presented as an important outcome in the federal government. Finally, both transactional and transformational leadership are perceived as important in the federal government, although transformational leadership is considered slightly more important even after shifting one important factor, individualized consideration, back to the transactional model. [source]

The significance of volcanic eruption strength and frequency for climate

THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 602 2004
G. M. Miles
Abstract A simple physical model of the atmospheric effects of large explosive volcanic eruptions is developed. Using only one input parameter,the initial amount of sulphur dioxide injected into the stratosphere,the global-average stratospheric optical-depth perturbation and surface temperature response are modelled. The simplicity of this model avoids issues of incomplete data (applicable to more comprehensive models), making it a powerful and useful tool for atmospheric diagnostics of this climate forcing mechanism. It may also provide a computationally inexpensive and accurate way of introducing volcanic activity into larger climate models. The modelled surface temperature response for an initial sulphur-dioxide injection, coupled with emission-history statistics, is used to demonstrate that the most climatically significant volcanic eruptions are those of sufficient explosivity to just reach into the stratosphere (and achieve longevity). This study also highlights the fact that this measure of significance is highly sensitive to the representation of the climatic response and the frequency data used, and that we are far from producing a definitive history of explosive volcanism for at least the past 1000 years. Given this high degree of uncertainty, these results suggest that eruptions that release around and above 0.1 Mt SO2 into the stratosphere have the maximum climatic impact. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society [source]

Understanding Disparities in Transplantation: Do Social Networks Provide the Missing Clue?

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2010
K. Ladin
Although the National Organ Transplant Act calls for equity in access to transplantation, scarcity and racial disparities persist. To date, even the most comprehensive models have been unable to adequately explain these racial disparities, leaving policymakers unsure how best to intervene. Previous individual-level analyses, which have implicated risk factors such as race, financial status, cultural beliefs, unemployment, lack of commitment to surgery and lack of continuous access to care, overlook contextual and social network exposures. Social networks present a compelling way to examine cumulative risk clustered across individuals. Social networks have been shown to influence health outcomes and health behaviors through various pathways, including shared social capital, engaging in similar or group risky behaviors, diffusion of information and adopting or propagating social norms. Precursors to chronic kidney disease, including obesity, have been shown to spread through social networks. Social network analysis can reveal shared risks between potential donors and recipients in a given network, clarifying the likelihood of finding an appropriate match through either direct donation or paired exchanges. This paper presents a novel application of social network analysis to transplantation, illustrating implications for disparities and future clinical interventions. [source]

A Look Back to Move Ahead: New Directions for Research on Proactive Performance and Other Discretionary Work Behaviours

APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Doris Fay
Over the last two decades, the multi-dimensional notion of job performance has been fully brought to life. The differentiation between core task performance and various aspects of discretionary work behaviour is now commonly applied. A multitude of empirical studies, enhancing our knowledge of the antecedents and consequences of the different performance aspects, have recently been summarised through various meta-analyses. We use this as an occasion for taking stock in order to identify new areas of theorising and empirical research. Focusing in particular on proactive performance aspects, the present paper identifies three themes that could inspire new research and model development. We suggest taking a new approach to the treatment of time in order to account for the dynamic nature of performance on the one hand, and to consider life-span changes on the other, developing comprehensive models on proactivity-enhancing interventions, and more strongly incorporating a cross-cultural perspective. Durant les deux dernières décennies, la notion multidimensionnelle de performance au travail a été portée sur le devant de la scène. La différence entre la performance centrale dans la tâche et divers aspects de la conduite intentionnelle au travail est désormais entrée dans les esprits. Une multitude d'études empiriques qui enrichissent nos connaissances sur les antécédents et les conséquences des multiples facettes de la performance ont récemment été globalisées dans plusieurs méta-analyses. Nous les exploitons afin d'ouvrir de nouveaux champs recherches théoriques et empiriques. En se focalisant en particulier sur les dimensions proactives de la performance, cet article identifie trois thèmes qui pourraient inspirer de nouvelles recherches et favoriser le développement de nouveaux modèles. On propose de traiter le temps différemment afin de prendre en compte d'une part le caractère dynamique de la performance et d'autre part les changements au cours de la vie, de développer des modèles exhaustifs des interventions améliorant la proactivité, et d'intégrer plus étroitement la perspective transculturelle. [source]

Peer Group Socialization of Homophobic Attitudes and Behavior During Adolescence

CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2007
V. Paul Poteat
A social developmental framework was applied to test for the socialization of homophobic attitudes and behavior within adolescent peer groups (Grades 7,11; aged 12,17 years). Substantial similarity within and differences across groups were documented. Multilevel models identified a group socializing contextual effect, predicting homophobic attitudes and behavior of individuals within the group 8 months later, even after controlling for the predictive effect of individuals' own previously reported attitudes and behavior. Several group characteristics moderated the extent to which individuals' previously reported attitudes predicted later attitudes. Findings indicate the need to integrate the concurrent assessment of individual and social factors to inform the construction of more comprehensive models of how prejudiced attitudes and behaviors develop and are perpetuated. [source]