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| International Paper Session - OBM Paper Series: Research in OBM |
| Saturday, May 26, 2007 |
| 2:30 PM–3:20 PM |
| Emma C |
| Area: OBM |
| Chair: Hyeyeon Hwang (Western Michigan University) |
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| Impact of Rules on Productivity and Communication in Organizations. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| GREGORY SCOTT SMITH (University of Nevada, Reno), Melany Denny (ReStart), Erick M. Dubuque (University of Nevada, Reno), Ramona Houmanfar (University of Nevada, Reno) |
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| Abstract: The literature to date suggests that inaccurate rules, constituted by experienced contingencies that do not adhere to the explicitly stated contingency within the rule, create an ambiguous environment which facilitates generation of rumor. The current study examined the impact of inaccurate rules on generation of rumor and, subsequently, the effect of rumor generation on productivity (i.e., response accuracy and response latency) in an organizational setting. Each experimental session consisted of two subjects working cooperatively on a computerized mathematics and memory tasks toward an incentive bonus. The subjects were given an explicit rule which described the contingency they would experience (number of points earned for correct responding) throughout completion of the tasks, toward their goal. Using Alternating Treatment design, session conditions randomly alternated such that subjects were either exposed to the rule-stated contingency (accurate condition) or a variation of the contingency that was stated in the rule (inaccurate condition). Throughout these conditions the computer program recorded latency and accuracy of responses. The data showed that inaccurate conditions increased generation and duration of rumor. Inaccurate conditions were also found to negatively impact productivity by means of increased latency and lower accuracy of responses. |
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| The Relative Effects of Individual and Social Comparison Feedback when Individuals Earn Individual Monetary Incentives. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| HYEYEON HWANG (Western Michigan University), Alyce M. Dickinson (Western Michigan University) |
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| Abstract: This study examined the relative effects of individual and social comparison feedback when individuals were paid monetary incentives. The experimental design was an ABA reversal design in which A = individual incentives with individual feedback and B = individual incentives with social comparison feedback. During the social comparison feedback phase (B), participants were given a graph that categorized their performance, based on the performance of peers, as: (a) extra high, (b) high, (c) medium, (d) low, or (e) extra low. Participants were 8 college students. Participants entered the numeric value of simulated bank checks on a computer screen. The main dependent variable was the number of checks correctly entered per 45-minute session. Other dependent variables were the percentage of checks completed correctly, the rate of check completion (the number of checks completed per minute), and the number of minutes spent performing the experimental task during the session. |
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| Functional Analysis of Athletic Performance. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| JOHN STOKES (Simmons College), Chris Burns (Billerica Highschool) |
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| Abstract: Using a multi-element design, this study investigated the effects that environmental stimuli on the athletic performance of high school football players. Three conditionswere used to determine enviornmental control: escape, coach attention and peer attention. The dependent variables were tackling behavior, which was task-analyzed and broken down into 5 separate behaviors. All sessions were video taped and coaches were trained in data collection and in providing consequences. The results indicated that the methodology was effective in distinguishing specific environmental variables that were controlling behavior. Results were used to prescribe reinforcement schedules which were successful in increasing tackling performance in all athletes. Inter-observer agreement was collected for 100% of trial with a mean of 89.34%. Results are displayed graphically. |
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