The Executive Summary is:

Past studies have explored exogenous and endogenous factors affecting a country’s growth rates. This empirical study extends prior research by focusing on a country’s level of competitiveness which impacts its ability to sustain economic growth. Specifically, this study looks at the impact of ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity on competitiveness while controlling for economic and institutional factors. The results indicate that while ethnic and linguistic diversity have a significant role in explaining competitiveness, religious diversity has no effect. As corporations look to expand global operations, such results can be extremely helpful in determining suitable venues for such expansion.

From the book jacket: “The sixth edition continues its interdisciplinary approach to the study of leadership. Reviewing hundreds of articles published since the fifth edition, Rosenbach and Taylor have collected new, quality essays describing components of leadership such as vision, values, culture, development and outcomes. This new material, combined with classic essays from prior editions, forms a collection of work that clearly illustrates the contradictions and paradoxes of leadership from historical to contemporary perspectives and global to individual considerations. The interdisciplinary approach to presentations of cutting-edge research and applications of leadership set this book apart from other collections. Contemporary issues are updated to reflect the best thinking of our time.”

The article addresses leadership in the public sector. It analyzes the impact of leader, follower and situational variables on unit and organizational effectiveness in public organizations, arguing that the context of public work creates a greater need for charismatic leadership behaviors, adaptive culture development and an understanding of the role of crisis in public work. The book contains 21 articles — other authors with articles in the sixth edition include James Kouszes and Barry Posner, Marshall Sashkin, Warren Bennis, Daniel Goleman and Jay Conger.

An abstract of the article reads:

“Immigration and globalization forces are changing the U.S. marketplace in regard to the level of cultural knowledge needed to succeed in personal selling and sales management activities. The purpose of this article is to raise issues related to the role of culture in contemporary sales practices that our students, the future salespersons and sales managers of leading firms, should know. Most current sales management textbooks address culture, but not in an integrated way and few USCA institutions offer formal cultural classes. In a telephone survey, USCA Directors reported that less emphasis is currently placed on culture, but this will likely change in the future. Based upon the findings, six recommendations are offered that allow sales faculty to enhance their students’ level of cultural knowledge.”

The complete paper will also be published in the NCSM Conference Proceedings.

Abstract

The recovery paradox theory advances the contention that if a service firm exhibits an excellent recovery in the event of a service failure, then the customer’s satisfaction may exceed pre-failure levels. While a number of researchers have provided evidence in support of the recover paradox, several recent studies have failed to find such support. This study theoretically and empirically examines factors that moderate the occurence of a ‘recovery paradox’ in the event of a service failure. Research findings indicate that, under appropriate conditions, a custoer can experience a paradoxical satisfaction increase after a service failure.

Basically, how do consumers respond to service firm efforts to recover from inevitable service failures–cable not working in a hotel room or unsatisfactory service in a restaurant. If the service firm can correct the situation quickly and to the satisfaction of the consumer, overall satisfaction can occur. When there are excessive service failures, it is unlikely the firm can recover!

An abstract of the article entitled, “IACIS: A Profile of Conferences (1990-2004),” is provided below.

Abstract:

This study examines conference programs of the International Association for Computer Information Systems from 1990-2004. Papers are profiled according to their strategy (research vs. pedagogical) and theme (content focus); institutions are profiled by location (US vs. non-US), type (academic or other), and frequency on program; authorship is examined through number of authors per paper and country of origin for non-US participants. The data revealed definite growth in the number of papers, authors, and institutions associated with the conference. Research papers outweighed pedagogical papers; co-authored papers outweighed single-authored papers. Geographical diversity has increased in terms of number of US states represented. Growth in international participation has possibly leveled off. Non-academic affiliations represent about 5% of all institutions. Program content reflects a wide range of interests by IACIS participants. Results of the study provide a point of reflection on the development of the IACIS organization.

The Southern Business Administration Association (SBAA) is the regional association of collegiate business programs offered by colleges and universities in the U.S. The mission of SBAA is to improve management education by providing networking opportunities for business educators, showcasing best practices, promoting innovation in teaching and scholarship, and encouraging leadership in the management of educational programs.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Linda Poulson, alum and past President Adam Davis, current President Sarah Murphy, and other undergraduate members of the executive board for Beta Alpha Psi have worked hard for the past two years to make this chapter a reality.

Mr. Alvis indicated he would make a strong recommendation to approve our chapter to the governing board of Beta Alpha Psi during their January meeting when the final decision will be made regarding the status of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s chapter.