Intermediate Linkages Research Articles

Measuring the dynamic efficiency of socially responsible investment funds: evidence from dynamic network DEA with diversification

This article proposes some alternative multi-period diversification-consistent data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to assess the dynamic performance of socially responsible investment (SRI) funds accounting for both finance and SRI criteria. First, three portfolio possibility sets (PPSs) are constructed based on some alternative dynamic input-output processes of SRI funds. Second, three diversification-consistent DEA models are developed by combining the directional distance function (DDF) measure with the proposed PPSs. Finally, this article selects 45 SRI funds to investigate the impact of social responsibility scores (SRSs), intermediate linkages, efficiency weights, and projection directions on their efficiency and ranking, respectively.

Participative leadership and unit performance: evidence for intermediate linkages

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine the intermediate links and boundary conditions between unit-level participative leadership and unit-level unit performance. The study collects multiple resource data from 174 units in 75 high, medium, and low technology firms. In particular, unit-level co-worker knowledge sharing is found to partially mediate the relationship between unit-level participative leadership and unit-level performance. Unit-level absorptive capacity also positively moderates the positive relationship between unit-level participative leadership and unit-level co-worker knowledge sharing, as well as positively moderating the concept that unit-level co-worker knowledge sharing mediates the positive relationship between unit-level participative leadership and unit-level performance. The theoretical contributions of this study are in its attempts to use organisational learning theory to comprehensively understand the intermediate links and boundary conditions between participative leadership and performance. This study has two practical implications: 1) human resources practitioners in each firm should arrange specific educational trainings for each unit; and 2) firms should establish a knowledge exchange platform for every unit.

The role of group-level perceived organizational support and collective affective commitment in the relationship between leaders’ directive and supportive behaviors and group-level helping behaviors

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine a model linking directive and supportive leadership to group-level helping behaviors via group-level perceived organizational support (GPOS) and collective affective commitment (CAC).Design/methodology/approachUsing data from 115 business units of an international retailer, the authors tested and compared the theoretical model against more parsimonious solutions using χ² difference tests. The hypotheses were examined within a structural model.FindingsThe results show that GPOS acts as a mediator in the relationship between leadership behaviors and CAC and between directive leadership and group-level helping behaviors. Supportive leadership is directly related to CAC and group-level helping behaviors.Research limitations/implicationsImplications of these findings for research on supportive and directive leadership are discussed.Originality/valueThis paper proposed a model that examined intermediate linkages between directive and supportive leadership and group-level helping behaviors. In doing so, the authors provide a preliminary response to recent calls for examination of mediators of task-oriented and relations-oriented leadership effects (Judge et al., 2004).

How does work engagement mediate the association between human resources management and organizational performance?

The aim of this paper is to understand how workers’ perceptions and behaviors contribute to understanding the association between human resources management (HRM) and organizational performance (OP). Over the past few decades, theory construction has lagged the intermediate linkages between HRM and OP, and, therefore, there are still many unanswered questions with regards to such an association. To sustain the HRM-OP link, the authors highlight the potential influence of employees’ work engagement (WE), with the aim of exploring some of the intermediating variables, focusing on the perceptions of employees’ attitudes and behaviors. This research emphasizes that line managers have a crucial role to play in stimulating employees’ efforts and in shaping HR-related outcomes. Line managers act as crucial intermediaries in determining how HR policies that lead to OP can be designed and administered. Nevertheless, line managers have the capability to disrupt or stimulate the system, which has a significant impact on employees’ engagement with the organization. The empirical research is based on a sample of 1,609 employees and 40 organizations and was carried out in two settings. Results suggest that line managers and employees’ perceptions of HR policies were positively related to line managers’ perceptions of OP. The results also support a path model, whereby WE strengthens HR systems’ association with enhanced levels of OP. The discussion reviews the implications of these results and suggests future directions for research.

The Effect of Political Skill on Work Role Performance and Intention to Leave: A Moderated Mediation Model

Although political skill has received extensive and growing attention over the past decade, to date most research has focused on its direct relationship with individual outcomes. Only recently, a few researchers have begun to investigate the intermediate linkages between political skill and its outcomes. Based on social support and resources conservation theories, the current study explores the mediating role of perceived organizational support (POS) in the relationships between political skill and two relevant outcomes: work role performance (data provide by two different sources) and intention to leave. Moreover, it examines the moderating role of political skill in the relationships POS-work role performance and POS-intention to leave. Results, in a sample of engineers, support the proposed relationship except for the moderating role of political skill in the relationship POS-intention to leave. This research contributes to the political skill and POS literatures and, hopefully, it will stimulate more interest in these important areas of inquiry.

Monetary shocks and sticky wages in the U.S. great contraction: A multi-sector approach

We quantify the role of contractionary monetary shocks and nominal wage rigidities in the U.S. Great Contraction. In contrast to conventional wisdom, we find little increase in the economy-wide real wage over 1929–33, although real wages rose significantly in some industries. In the context of a two-sector model with intermediates and nominal wage rigidities in one sector, contractionary monetary shocks account for only a third of the fall in GDP. Intermediate linkages play an important role, as the output decline without intermediates is almost a third larger at the trough. The role of nominal wage rigidities beyond their interaction with monetary shocks is limited.

Single Molecule Measurements of DNA Decatenation by the Topoisomerase III-RecQ Helicase Complex

Topoisomerase III (Topo III) is an ATP-independent enzyme that cleaves a single strand of duplex DNA to relieve torsional strain. Topo III is able to unlink DNA catenanes if one strand contains a single stranded region, but not if both strands are intact. Topo III, however, can decatenate intact DNA when RecQ helicase is present. In vivo this complex is involved in resolution of late replication intermediate linkages and double Holliday junctions. More generally, the unique functions of the Topo III-RecQ complex have been shown to be important for preserving genome stability.We directly measured the effect of RecQ on Topo III's decatenase activity using a magnetic tweezer assay in which two strands of DNA attached to a single bead are interwound to produce a DNA braid. These DNA braids topologically mimic catenated DNA and thus provide an ideal substrate for measuring unlinking at the single molecule level. We tested the effect of RecQ on the rate of Topo III decatenation and unwinding activity. In addition we measured decatenation of intact DNA by the RecQ-Topo III complex. We compared these results to the effect of RecQ on two other topoisomerases that decatenate DNA but are not known to interact with RecQ: topoisomerase I, which acts on DNA with a single stranded region, and topoisomerase IV, which acts on intact DNA. We also probed the effect of crossover geometry on the decatenation activity of the Topo III-RecQ complex. Our results provide insight into the functional interactions between Topo III and RecQ.

Voltage/pH-Driven Mechanized Silica Nanoparticles for the Multimodal Controlled Release of Drugs.

The major challenges of current drug delivery systems for combination chemotherapy focus on how to efficiently transport drugs to target sites and release multiple drugs in a programmed manner. Herein, we report a novel multidrug delivery system, MSNPs 1, based on mechanized silica nanoparticles, which were constructed through functionalization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles with the acid-cleavable intermediate linkages and the monoferrocene functionalized β-cyclodextrin (Fc-β-CD) as supramolecular nanovalves. MSNPs 1 achieved zero premature release in the physiological pH solution and realized two different release modalities. In modality 1, MSNPs 1 released the encapsulated drugs gemcitabine (GEM) and doxorubicin (DOX) in sequence when they were successively applied to voltage and acid stimuli. The release time and dosage of GEM were precisely controlled via external voltage. The subsequent acid-triggered release of DOX was attributed to breakage of the intermediate linkages containing ketal groups. Modality 2 is the concurrent release of these two drugs directly upon acid exposure. Furthermore, the cell viability experiments demonstrated that MSNPs 1 had an improved cytotoxicity to MCF7 cells in comparison with single DOX- or GEM-loaded mechanized silica nanoparticles. We envisage that MSNPs 1 will play an important role in research and development for a new generation of controlled-release drug delivery system.

Services Linkages and the Value Added Content of Trade

AbstractWorking with a set of global social accounting matrices spanning intermittent years from 1992 to 2011, this paper examines the services embodied in trade on a value added basis. Data include not only the direct and indirect contribution of services to value added contained in a given country's exports, but also the extent to which third‐country value added in services, through intermediate linkages of imported goods and services, is also embodied in production and trade. Our data indicate, in line with previous findings, that the ratio of value added to gross trade has been decreasing both for goods and for services, which is consistent with growing vertical production fragmentation. On the other hand, while value added in goods sectors including indirect exports is less than the gross value of exports, in services, it is greater, highlighting the service intensity of trade.

An application of Mobley's intermediate linkages turnover model to a full-time employee group typology

Recent research has supported the heterogeneity of full-time employees based upon demographics and outside of work roles. These factors are also related to many employee and organizational outcomes, specifically the constructs found within Mobley's intermediate linkages model of turnover. The current study hypothesizes and tests, using structural equation modelling, differences between full-time groups in the relationships within Mobley's model. The results generally support Mobley's model, as well as differences in the strength of the relationships for different full-time groups.

The worldly constituents of perceptual presence.

The worldly constituents of perceptual presence.

The determinants of regional specialisation in business services: agglomeration economies, vertical linkages and innovation

The article accounts for the determinants of sectoral specialisation in business services (BS) across the EU-27 regions as determined by: (i) agglomeration economies (ii) the region-specific structure of intermediate linkages (iii) technological innovation and knowledge intensity and (iv) the presence of these factors in neighbouring regions. The empirical analysis draws upon the REGIO panel database over the period 1999–2003. By estimating a Spatial Durbin Model, we find significant spatial effects in explaining regional specialisation in BS. Our findings show that, besides urbanisation economies, the spatial structure of intermediate sectoral linkages and innovation, in particular Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), are important determinants of specialisation in BS. The article contributes to the debate on the global versus local determinants of regional specialisation in BS by restating the importance of the regional sectoral structure besides that of urbanisation. We draw policy implications by rejecting the ‘footloose hypothesis’ for BS.

Testing a Model of Officer Intentions to Quit

Voluntary turnover among law enforcement personnel is a significant concern. However, few studies have considered potential intermediate linkages in the relationship between working conditions and officers’ quit/stay intentions. Utilizing a large cross-sectional sample of U.K.-based officers ( n = 1,789, response rate = 25%), a mediational model of officer turnover intentions was tested. Findings indicated that a number of key psychosocial conditions specified in the U.K. Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool (e.g., job demands, role clarity) were associated with officer intentions to leave; however, when job stress and job satisfaction were entered into the model, these relationships were either reduced, or no longer significant. Findings indicated that task-oriented conditions were more strongly associated with job stress while relational or socially oriented conditions were stronger predictors of job satisfaction. These results highlight that monitoring stress and satisfaction may be a valuable component of officer retention efforts, and could offer early-warning of impending turnover among staff.

Further specification of the leader political skill–leadership effectiveness relationships: Transformational and transactional leader behavior as mediators

The present investigation was a three-source test of the intermediate linkages in the leader political skill–leader effectiveness and follower satisfaction relationships, which examined transformational and transactional (i.e., contingent reward behavior) leader behavior as mediators. Data from 408 leaders (headmasters) and 1429 followers (teachers) of state schools in the western part of Germany participated in this research. The results of mediation analyses, based on bias-corrected bootstrapping confidence intervals, provided support for the hypotheses that political skill predicts both transformational and transactional leader behavior, beyond other established predictors, and that transformational and transactional leader behavior mediate the relationships between leader political skill and leadership effectiveness. The contributions to theory and research, strengths and limitations, directions for future research, and practical implications are discussed.

Vibration Suppression of Manipulator with Multiple-Mode Negative

The methodologies and application of multiple-mode negative impulses input shaping of a 3-DOF parallel manipulator with flexible intermediate linkages are presented in this paper. First, the structural system and the dynamic equations are expressed for a 3-DOF manipulator. Second, the multiple-mode negative impulses input shaping is introduced to reduce the residual vibration of the multiple-mode system and decrease the delay time of the system response at the same time. Finally, the theory of the multiple-mode ZV, ZVD and EI negative impulses input shapers are presented, and the two-mode negative impulses input shapers of a 3-DOF manipulator are established and compared with the positive impulses input shapers.

“Impact of high-performance work systems on individual- and branch-level performance: Test of a multilevel model of intermediate linkages": Correction to Aryee et al. (2012).

“Impact of high-performance work systems on individual- and branch-level performance: Test of a multilevel model of intermediate linkages": Correction to Aryee et al. (2012).

Impact of high-performance work systems on individual- and branch-level performance: Test of a multilevel model of intermediate linkages.

We proposed and tested a multilevel model, underpinned by empowerment theory, that examines the processes linking high-performance work systems (HPWS) and performance outcomes at the individual and organizational levels of analyses. Data were obtained from 37 branches of 2 banking institutions in Ghana. Results of hierarchical regression analysis revealed that branch-level HPWS relates to empowerment climate. Additionally, results of hierarchical linear modeling that examined the hypothesized cross-level relationships revealed 3 salient findings. First, experienced HPWS and empowerment climate partially mediate the influence of branch-level HPWS on psychological empowerment. Second, psychological empowerment partially mediates the influence of empowerment climate and experienced HPWS on service performance. Third, service orientation moderates the psychological empowerment-service performance relationship such that the relationship is stronger for those high rather than low in service orientation. Last, ordinary least squares regression results revealed that branch-level HPWS influences branch-level market performance through cross-level and individual-level influences on service performance that emerges at the branch level as aggregated service performance.

TEST OF A MULTISTAGE MODEL OF DISTAL AND PROXIMAL ANTECEDENTS OF LEADER PERFORMANCE

The authors developed and tested a multistage model of distal and proximal predictors of leader performance in an effort to shed greater light on the intermediate linkages between broad leader traits and performance. Predictor and criterion data were obtained from 471 noncommissioned officers in the U.S. Army. A model with cognitive ability and 3 of the Big 5 personality factors as distal antecedents, leadership experiences and motivation to lead as semidistal antecedents, and the knowledge, skills, and ability (KSAs) to lead as proximal antecedents of leader performance provided a good fit to the data. More specifically, the effects of the distal and semidistal antecedents on leader performance were partially mediated by more proximal variables, whereas leader KSAs demonstrated a relatively strong, direct influence on performance. The 1 exception was that Conscientiousness—a hypothesized distal antecedent—had a notable direct effect on leader performance. The implications of these findings for leadership research and practice are discussed.

Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Reputation

Holding people answerable for their actions captures the essence of accountability, which is one of the most fundamental constructs in the organizational sciences and, unfortunately, one about which little is known. This study formulated and tested a model that sought to explicate the intermediate linkages between accountability and job performance and satisfaction. Specifically, the hypothesized model suggests that accountability affects organizational citizenship behavior, which in turn influences job performance and satisfaction through personal reputation. Three alternative models were also examined, but the hypothesized model demonstrated the best fit to the data. Strengths and limitations of the study, directions for future research, and implications for practice are discussed.

Design of DNA-Conjugated Polypeptide-Based Capture Probes for the Anchoring of Proteins to DNA Matrices

A new method for protein surface functionalization was developed that utilizes DNA-conjugated artificial polypeptides to capture recombinant target proteins from the solution phase and direct their deposition onto DNA-functionalized matrices. Protein capture is accomplished through the coiled-coil association of an engineered pair of heterodimeric leucine zippers. Incorporating half of the zipper complex directly into the polypeptides and labeling these polymers with ssDNA enables the polypeptide conjugates to form intermediate linkages that connect the target proteins securely to DNA-functionalized supports. This synthetic route provides an important alternative to conventional DNA-conjugation techniques by allowing proteins to be outfitted site-specifically with ssDNA while minimizing the need for postexpression processing. We demonstrate these attributes by (i) using the capture probes to prepare protein microarrays, (ii) demonstrating control over enzyme activity via deposition of DNA, and, (iii) synthesizing finite-sized, multiprotein complexes that are templated on designed DNA scaffolds in near quantitative yield.