Organizational Investment Research Articles

Rethinking Workplace Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Through Multiple Levels and Lenses

Including persons with a disability within workplaces serves as an important return on investment for organizations as well as societies. The Valuable 500 initiative which originated from the World Economic Forum’s New Economy and Society Platform in 2019 is focused on building prosperous as well as inclusive economies and societies. Their work suggests that employing persons with a disability can increase revenue by 28%, double organizational net income, and propel profit margins by 30%. Alternatively, the cost of excluding persons with disabilities can represent up to 7% of GDP within some countries (World Economic Forum, 2021). Recognizing the importance of such inclusion, several governments have enacted legislations, and numerous organizations have attempted to nudge employment as well as promote positive treatment of employees with disabilities. Joining this global conversation, the papers in this symposium showcase how state intervention may help workplace entry of persons with a disability (Kruse et al; Nittrouer et al), how organizational support systems may increase employee well-being (Keating et al), how organizational diversity statements may influence disability discrimination lawsuits (Chalise et al), and yet how employees continue to face barriers within workplaces (Samosh et al), attesting to much work that is needed in this area of inclusion. Our discussants (Bruyere and Colella) will bring together these ideas to suggest directions for future research a well as takeaways for managers, organizations, and policymakers. Paid Leave Mandates and Employment of People with Disabilities Presenter: Douglas Kruse; Rutgers U. Presenter: Lisa Schur; Rutgers U. Presenter: Mason Ameri; Rutgers Business School Presenter: Lauren Gilbert; Rutgers U. Day-to-day Identity Management Among Workers with Hearing Loss Presenter: Robert Keating; Northern Illinois U. Presenter: Jesus Martinez; Northern Illinois U. Presenter: Alecia Marie Santuzzi; Northern Illinois U. Presenter: Lisa M Finkelstein; Northern Illinois U. Presenter: Larissa K. Barber; San Diego State U. Presenter: Deborah Elizabeth Rupp; George Mason U. Inclusion of ‘Disability’ in Corporate Diversity Statements: A Review of Fortune 500 Companies Presenter: Shasanka Chalise; PhD Candidate, Memorial U., NL, Canada Presenter: Silvia Bonaccio; Telfer School of Management, U. of Ottawa Presenter: Catherine Connelly; McMaster U. Presenter: Sandra Fisher; Münster U. of Applied Sciences and U. of Twente Presenter: Abigal Leah Kogan; McMaster U. Reducing Discrimination against Individuals with Mental Impairments Presenter: Christine Nittrouer; Texas Tech U. Presenter: Michelle Hebl; Rice U. Presenter: Naomi Fa-Kaji; Rice U. Presenter: Roshni Janakiraman; Florida State U. Presenter: Peter Rutigliano; Mercer-Sirota Consulting An Empirical Investigation of Career Advancement “Glass Barriers” and Disability Presenter: Daniel S. Samosh; Queen's U. Presenter: Anna Brzykcy; Technical U. of Munich Presenter: David Baldridge; Oregon State U. Presenter: Brent John Lyons; Schulich School of Business, York U.

Imprinting Interrupted? Examining the Role of Remote Onboarding onNewcomers’ Work Socialization

Socialization of new employees, involving the imprinting of workplace norms and practices, has long been recognized as a driver of organizational performance through mechanisms such as employee-workplace fit. Yet the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a rapid, and potentially long-run, move to remote working practices for organizations that has interrupted the well understood processes of socialization that occur through face-to-face onboarding. Drawing on unique interview data (n= 30) from employees who started a new role during the pandemic, we build an inductive model of the effects of remote onboarding on newcomer socialization experiences. We explore a multi-stage model of how a lack of early physical and social immersion in the workplace triggers processes of individualization and reduced workplace identification for newcomers. Further, we highlight how these processes are driven by the degree of digital mediation, and attenuated by organizational investments in technology, the initial resources provided to the new employee, and the employee’s prior experience of remote work. We find that in contexts of high digital mediation newcomers experience reduced access to both formal and informal resources, such as opportunities to shadow colleagues or to form social connections. The absence of these resources heighten experiences of work intensification and lead to a reduced orientation of the employee to their new workplace. We discuss the implications of these insights for the research on imprinting and socialization, as well as the practice of remote onboarding.

Методика сравнительного анализа инвестиционной привлекательности организаций

The methods of comparing the organizations in terms of their investment attractiveness in order to choose the best alternative have been developed. The main external and internal factors of the organization's investment attractiveness are selected as the stages of the methodology. Evaluation criteria are defined for each factor, depending on the compliance with which the factor score is determined. To assess the level of investment attractiveness of the country it is proposed to use the Global Attractiveness Index (GAI). The index allows to divide the countries into groups with high attractiveness, medium-high level of attractiveness, medium-low level and low level of attractiveness. In the methodology, the score depends on the group to which the country is assigned according to the GAI index. The assessment of the investment attractiveness of the region is carried out according to the integral indicator of investment attractiveness of the regions, which is calculated by the Expert RA agency. The regions are divided into three groups of investment attractiveness: A, B, C. The score of this factor depends on the group to which the region is assigned. It is proposed to assess the financial well-being of the organization based on the analysis of indicators of financial stability, liquidity, profitability, probability of bankruptcy. The degree of compliance with the standards will determine the score of the factor. The score of the investment experience factor is stipulated by the assessment of the organization’s investments during its operation, their size and effectiveness. It is proposed to evaluate the attitude of the market to the enterprise in accordance with the dynamics of indicators (applying the Golden Rule of Economics). The listed factors are proposed to be considered through the prism of the investor’s goals: minimizing country risks, financial feasibility of projects and dynamic development of the organization. The weight of the factors depends on the choice of the goal. The sum of the products of each factor score on its weight determines the value of the indicator of the organization investment attractiveness, according to which it is possible to compare various alternatives to the investor’s investments, as well as to evaluate the dynamics of the attractiveness of an individual object over time.

Agricultural leasing as a mechanism of investment and innovative development of agricultural organizations

Agricultural leasing as a mechanism of investment and innovative development of agricultural organizations

Regional and national insurance mechanisms in developing countries

The article is focused on the regional and national insurance mechanisms in developing countries. Their activities and these in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as strengthening geopolitical tension are considered. The subject of the analysis is the mechanisms of the functioning stabilization funds in developing countries, such as the Chong Mai Agreement, BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement, FLAR, EFSD, and the national insurance mechanisms in such countries as Russia and Saudi Arabia. The authors analyse the main formation stages and the purpose of creating these mechanisms, sources of funding and the main activities, as well as the structure of investment portfolios. The study is based on general scientific methods of cognition, such as analysis, synthesis, comparison, as well as the presentation of tabular and graphical interpretation of statistical information, and time series. The novelty of the article lies in a comprehensive analysis of both regional and national insurance mechanisms in developing countries. Stabilization mechanisms, taking into account the volume of their financial resources, perform significant functions both at the level of the national economy of the member countries and at the regional level, while also influencing the world economy. However, their organizational activities and investment strategy are not always effective, and in this regard, it is advisable to conduct further research in this field.

Not by trees alone: Centering community in urban forestry

Urban forestry and urban greening efforts are blossoming as cities and towns work to enhance their open spaces as green infrastructure that provides multiple benefits. This work has reached new urgency given the need for both high-performance landscapes that can mitigate the effects of climate change and accessible, safe greenspaces that can support community well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, activists, practitioners, scholars, and decision-makers--particularly those within Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and frontline communities who bear the brunt of negative impacts--are calling for the need to attend to environmental justice implications of greening efforts. Following a review of the literature, we draw upon our observations as researchers embedded in the field of urban and community forestry to offer three themes and related guiding questions that can help advance that work: 1) supporting human capacity and care (investments in people and organizations); 2) community organizing beyond the green silo (intersectional and cross-sectoral approaches); and 3) re-envisioning the functions of the urban forest (productive systems and biocultural approaches). Our perspective is inspired by the work of residents, practitioners, and decision-makers who are engaging in reflection and innovation in pursuit of “just cities” that can enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion as critical to and inseparable from sustainability and resilience. We suggest that the field of urban forestry draw upon a community forestry ethos as we center the needs, capacities, and priorities of historically marginalized communities at the heart of the work of creating more just, sustainable cities.

Addressing resistance to change through a micro interpersonal lens: an investigation into the coaching process

PurposeThis study aims to investigate resistance to change and change management through a micro-level interpersonal perspective. Specifically, this paper addresses in what way external change experts, such as coaches, identify distinctive emotional and behavioural indicators of resistance and facilitate individuals to develop positive strengths and motivation to change.Design/methodology/approachThe authors drew upon critical realism and abductive research methodology to understand connections between coaching intervention and individual change resistance through 21 in-depth interviews with independent coaches listed in coaching associations in Germany.FindingsThis study first re-evaluates the implications of resistance and extends its meaning from negative obstacles into natural emotional responses of individuals and constructive resources for change. In addition, the study results indicate resistance can be distinguished through both explicit behaviours, body language along with implicit emotional reactions, like being tired or making small jokes. Moreover, several micro-level interpersonal approaches for coaches to apply in dealing with resistance, including understanding coachees' cognitive status and working environment, adapting varied communication styles as well as drawing upon coachees' strengths.Practical implicationsThe research results offer organisations (e.g. managers and human resource professionals) essential guidelines in micro-level change management strategy by considering external coaching as a valuable option to deal with varied individual, social and contextual factors (e.g. organisational power and politics). From the organisational investment perspective, indicators of resistance and approaches to facilitate coachees' emotional reactions can be served as a preliminary protocol for stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of their change management schemes. Moreover, the framework outlined in this research can be considered in the future coaching education and professional development programmes.Originality/valueOverall, this study demonstrates that external coaching is one of the valuable approaches in responding to individual resistance in organisational change management. The research findings widen existing bipolar paradigms of resistance (either change obstacles or positive resource) into a neutral spectrum that holds an impartial view on emotional reactions to change. Furthermore, individual differences and contextual factors play essential roles in the change process, e.g. coachees' personality, personal experiences, knowledge, interpretations to change process and topics as well as organisational context (e.g. power, hierarchy and culture) need to be considered into change management strategy.

Editorial: Time to move away from compliance – cybersecurity in the context of needs and investments of organizations

Editorial: Time to move away from compliance – cybersecurity in the context of needs and investments of organizations

A dynamic and integrated approach of safety investment decision-making for power grid enterprises

Recently, the consequences caused by frequent large-scale power grid accidents are more significant with arousing great attention of power grid enterprises. Scientific safety investments are essential to improve the overall safety level of the power grid enterprises and promote safe production. This study proposed a dynamic and integrated approach for safety investment decision-making of power grid enterprises based on the entropy weight method (EWM) and the system dynamics (SD) theory. By applying the accident loss assessment and the safety performance evaluation, the SD-based model for the safety investment decision-making for power grid enterprises was developed. The results show that risk assessment is the critical factor for power grid safety, followed by safety training, organizational investment, and technological investment. Moreover, the proposed safety investment decision-making model can be continuously updated and optimized with future emerging data to support the dynamic prediction of power grid safety investment.

Leader, context and CSR: evidence from Taiwan

PurposeThis study examines the influence of context on Taiwanese senior managers' corporate social responsibility (CSR) decisions. The study seeks to identify the current profiles of managerial CSR perspectives and organizational CSR investments in Taiwan. In particular, whether a non-Friedman perspective is more prevalent than a Friedman perspective and whether community-related CSR is more prevalent than other CSR practices in Taiwan remain unclear. The study also seeks to identify the relationship between managers' CSR perspective profiles and organizational CSR investment profiles in Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachThe sample was selected from the Taiwanese top companies list. Altogether, 150 valid responses from senior managers of 150 companies were returned.FindingsThe reported evidence shows that senior managers' Friedman/non-Friedman CSR perspective has a great influence in directing a firm's CSR decision in Taiwan. Managers holding the Friedman perspective are slightly more than those holding the non-Friedman CSR perspective, but both perspectives are popular. There is a tendency for firms to make either more or less investments in all CSR dimensions. A Friedman perspective tends to be associated with low CSR investments, and a non-Friedman perspective tends to be associated with high CSR investments.Originality/valueA major contribution of this study is to offer a different perspective from the Western view regarding CSR implementation in a Chinese-dominant culture society. The study extends the upper echelon theory that managerial CSR perspectives can be a driver of a firm's CSR decision-making. The study also offers further evidence for the institutional theory that CSR is contextually dependent.

The High Flying Leadership Qualities: What Matters The Most?

Like many U.S. companies, the Department of Defense (DoD) invests in leadership development. The DoD recognizes equal benefits and has instituted various programs to enable it. However, not every DoD organization invests in leadership development the same way. The ones that do think more deeply about their future have thoughtful and effective leadership development programs that combine training, practice, and cultivation—all intended to professionally nurture future leaders. DoD organizations that have more defined hierarchical leadership structures such as mid-level managers (MLMs), senior-level managers (SLMs), senior-level leaders (SLLs), or equivalent offer a gateway to learn more about what leadership qualities matter to them. At the Defense Acquisition University, 37 MLMs and 32 SLMs provided valuable insights in their survey responses. No SLLs participated in this study.

Financing Approaches to Social Prescribing Programs in England and the United States.

Policy Points The number of social prescribing practices, which aim to link patients with nonmedical services and supports to address patients' social needs, is increasing in both England and the United States. Traditional health care financing mechanisms were not designed to support social prescribing practices, and flexible payment approaches may not support their widespread adoption. Policymakers in both countries are shifting toward developing explicit financing streams for social prescribing programs. Consequently, we need an evaluation of them to assess their success in supporting both the acceptance of these programs and their impacts. Investment in community-based organizations and wider public services will likely be crucial to both the long-term effectiveness and the sustainability of social prescribing.

Взаимосвязь между прозрачностью и административной ответственностью в сравнительном праве

The author considers the interrelationship between the legislative formalization of administrative responsibility and the acceptance or non-acceptance of the ethical and legal principle of transparency of power, understood as free access to information. The universality of the right to information is substantiated. The paper shows the transition of the legislation of various countries from the principle of secrecy of any information at the disposal of state bodies to the principle of transparency, considered as freedom of search, receipt and dissemination of information. This transition is shown in dynamics as going through several stages. The author considers various models of administrative responsibility adopted in various jurisdictions, mainly in European countries, in comparison with the American model. Their mutual influence is also taken into consideration. Much attention is paid to the need for the correct application of the principle of transparency. It is noted that the declarations underlying the new rules adopted recently cannot give real innovative effects if the reforms are not accompanied by changes in organizational structures and additional financial investments. At the same time, the completeness of the transition from the secrecy regime to the principle of transparency is determined by the legal traditions that have developed in different countries.

Fast as a gazelle – young firms gaining from educational diversity

ABSTRACT Young, high-growth firms, so-called gazelles, are an important source of growth and industry dynamics. However, our understanding is lacking on how knowledge competences support high growth among young firms. This article aims to fill this gap by utilising firm and employee knowledge stocks, and diversity in educational backgrounds. The firm’s stock of knowledge capital is measured by intangible capital that is calculated from organisational, product development and ICT investments. The employees’ knowledge stock is approximated by their completed educational degrees. Our data originate from Danish registers and covers 2000–2016. The findings indicate that intangible capital has the potential to increase the likelihood of becoming a gazelle. We further find that educational diversity is beneficial but is moderated by firms’ knowledge intensity.

Increasing capacity to address the physical health needs of patients in a mental health and addictions hospital.

This paper describes the strategy and outcomes of a quality improvement initiative focused on building the capacity of nurses at a mental health and addictions teaching hospital to provide an improved standard of physical health care. Education was provided via a series of e-learning modules and interactive workshops. To reinforce the education and enhance practice change, improvements were made to electronic documentation templates and organizational standards. Further, the organization provided increased access to physical health equipment, a mobile application to support assessments and a reference card for lanyards. Nurses identified increased confidence in performing physical assessments, and documentation improved with standards and automated forced functionality in the electronic health record. Ultimately, the organization successfully implemented a multifaceted strategy to improve physical healthcare services for people with mental health and substance use concerns. Organizational investment can lead to sustainable changes in nursing confidence and increased physical health assessment completion.

Models of Lobbying Practices in Maritime Affairs of USA and European Countries

The article is based on a comparative analysis of the most effective institutionally established models of modern lobbying practices for pursuing interests in the field of maritime activities in the developed countries of Europe and the United States. The study is carried out on several grounds: the Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of a lobbyist, the expected financial investments of organizations in lobbying activities, an assessment of the transparency of the activities of lobbying organizations. Based on the revealed correlation of FTE and expected investments, the analysis of the model’s efficiency is simplified to an estimate of the value of its total FTE of the described models. Particular emphasis is placed on the analysis of lobbying in cooperation with the European Commission. It has been determined that environmental organizations and groups of influence that are not directly related to maritime activities are particularly active in lobbying for maritime activities. When comparing the lobbying infrastructure of Western countries in the context of its effectiveness in defending national interests, there is a significant advantage of the United States over the European Union. Regarding the adoption of Western models of lobbying practices and the spread of institutionalization of lobbying on the territory of the Russian Federation, it is recognized that for Russia, its maritime policy, the most effective American model would be, based on a single legal basis, allowing taxed lobbying agents to act in concert on the domestic and global market in the interests of private companies and the nation state.

A pragmatic evaluation of a public health knowledge broker mentoring education program: a convergent mixed methods study

BackgroundPublic health professionals are expected to use the best available research and contextual evidence to inform decision-making. The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools developed, implemented, and evaluated a Knowledge Broker mentoring program aimed at facilitating organization-wide evidence-informed decision-making in ten public health units in Ontario, Canada. The purpose of this study was to pragmatically assess the impact of the program.MethodsA convergent mixed methods design was used to interpret quantitative results in the context of the qualitative findings. A goal-setting exercise was conducted with senior leadership in each organization prior to implementing the program. Achievement of goals was quantified through deductive coding of post-program interviews with participants and management. Interviews analyzed inductively to qualitatively explain progress toward identified goals and identify key factors related to implementation of EIDM within the organization.ResultsOrganizations met their goals for evidence use to varying degrees. The key themes identified that support an organizational shift to EIDM include definitive plans for participants to share knowledge during and after program completion, embedding evidence into decision-making processes, and supportive leadership with organizational investment of time and resources. The location, setting, or size of health units was not associated with attainment of EIDM goals; small, rural health units were not at a disadvantage compared to larger, urban health units.ConclusionsThe Knowledge Broker mentoring program allowed participants to share their learning and support change at their health units. When paired with organizational supports such as supportive leadership and resource investment, this program holds promise as an innovative knowledge translation strategy for organization wide EIDM among public health organizations.

A systems framework for planning and evaluating capacity development in conservation: recommendations for practitioners

AbstractCapacity development is increasingly recognized as central to conservation goals. Efforts to develop individual, organizational and societal capacity underpin direct investments in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management, and sustain their impact over time. In the face of urgent needs and increasingly complex contexts for conservation the sector not only needs more capacity development, it needs new approaches to capacity development. The sector is embracing the dynamic relationships between the ecological, political, social and economic dimensions of conservation. Capacity development practitioners should ensure that individuals, organizations and communities are prepared to work effectively in these complex environments of constant change to transform the systems that drive biodiversity loss and unsustainable, unequitable resource use. Here we advocate for a systems view of capacity development. We propose a conceptual framework that aligns capacity development components with all stages of conservation efforts, fosters attention to context, and coordinates with parallel efforts to engage across practitioners and sectors for more systemic impact. Furthermore, we highlight a need for practitioners to target, measure and support vital elements of capacity that have traditionally received less attention, such as values and motivation, leadership and organizational culture, and governance and participation by using approaches from psychology, the social sciences and systems thinking. Drawing from conservation and other sectors, we highlight examples of approaches that can support reflective practice, so capacity development practitioners can better understand the factors that favour or hinder effectiveness of interventions and influence system-wide change.

Pushing a balloon: does corporate risk disclosure matter for investment efficiency?

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effect of corporate risk disclosure on investment efficiency. This study also seeks to contribute to existing literature of corporate risk disclosure by investigating voluntary and mandatory risk disclosure and its effect on the investment efficiency.Design/methodology/approachThis study used two measures of corporate risk disclosure, level and quantity of corporate risk disclosure. A content analysis approach is adopted for non-financial Malaysian firms over the period 2010–2018.FindingsThe empirical results show that level of corporate risk disclosure leads toward efficient investment, whereas quantity of corporate risk disclosure causes inefficient investment when firms disclose more voluntary risks. Further, categorizing corporate risk disclosure into mandatory and voluntary risk disclosure, this study finds that voluntary risk disclosure tends to have higher investment inefficiency, while no evidence was found for mandatory risk disclosure.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to narrow stream of research investigating corporate risk disclosure through level and quantity contributing to the understanding of the level and quantity of risk disclosure in determining organizational investment efficiency.

Socio environmental responsibility practices and organizational performance in public companies

Purpose: Analyze the relationship between socio-environmental responsibility practices in the economic and financial performance of companies listed in [B3].
 Methodology: Social and environmental information found in the annual sustainability reports published in accordance with the GRI 4 (Global Reporting Initiative) standard were used. For economic performance, the metrics EBITDA and ROA were considered, while for financial performance, market-to-book and Tobin's Q were used, collected on the Economática® platform. Binomial logistic regression was used to evaluate 220 observations corresponding to the period from 2014 to 2018.
 Results: It was not possible to verify the relationship between the disclosure of socio-environmental practices on economic performance, measured by the companies' accounting result variables. However, it suggests that there is a negative influence of the disclosure of information on socio-environmental practices on the financial performance measured by market variables.
 Study Contributions: Despite the demands made by the set of stakeholders on companies for the practice of socioenvironmental actions, the market does not favorably recognize the organizational effort. The results point to indications that investors may consider organizational investments in socioenvironmental practices as undesirable.