Retention Of Members Research Articles

Recruiting faculty for first-year seminars: A review of the literature.

The majority of universities and four-year colleges in the USA currently offer first-year seminars in at least one format. These programs often pride themselves in recruiting from among their institutions’ best teachers to lead the seminars. In reality, this process of recruitment to teach in the program, as well as retention of faculty members who have received training and gained experience in the program, requires thoughtful strategies. Among other challenges, well-regarded faculty members often have many demands on their time already, including teaching and research. Department chairs may pressure them to focus on teaching courses that are seen as more crucial to their departments’ missions. Many institutions have found that appealing to potential instructors’ intrinsic motivations and building a strong sense of community among instructors help to recruit and keep groups of high-quality instructors. Those instructors are still prey to the challenges of extrinsic motivations, however. This article outlines and summarizes findings on both motivations and challenges shared by institutions across the USA.

Collaborative matrix factorization mechanism for group recommendation in big data-based library systems

PurposeAcademic groups are designed specifically for researchers. A group recommendation procedure is essential to support scholars’ research-based social activities. However, group recommendation methods are rarely applied in online libraries and they often suffer from scalability problem in big data context. The purpose of this paper is to facilitate academic group activities in big data-based library systems by recommending satisfying articles for academic groups.Design/methodology/approachThe authors propose a collaborative matrix factorization (CoMF) mechanism and implement paralleled CoMF under Hadoop framework. Its rationale is collaboratively decomposing researcher-article interaction matrix and group-article interaction matrix. Furthermore, three extended models of CoMF are proposed.FindingsEmpirical studies on CiteULike data set demonstrate that CoMF and three variants outperform baseline algorithms in terms of accuracy and robustness. The scalability evaluation of paralleled CoMF shows its potential value in scholarly big data environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed methods fill the gap of group-article recommendation in online libraries domain. The proposed methods have enriched the group recommendation methods by considering the interaction effects between groups and members. The proposed methods are the first attempt to implement group recommendation methods in big data contexts.Practical implicationsThe proposed methods can improve group activity effectiveness and information shareability in academic groups, which are beneficial to membership retention and enhance the service quality of online library systems. Furthermore, the proposed methods are applicable to big data contexts and make library system services more efficient.Social implicationsThe proposed methods have potential value to improve scientific collaboration and research innovation.Originality/valueThe proposed CoMF method is a novel group recommendation method based on the collaboratively decomposition of researcher-article matrix and group-article matrix. The process indirectly reflects the interaction between groups and members, which accords with actual library environments and provides an interpretable recommendation result.

Does a provider payment method affect membership retention in a health insurance scheme? a mixed method study of Ghana\u2019s capitation payment for primary care

BackgroundGhana introduced a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 applying fee-for-service method for paying NHIS-credentialed health care providers. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) later introduced diagnosis-related-grouping (DRG) payment to contain cost without much success. The NHIA then introduced capitation payment, a decision that attracted complaints of falling enrolment and renewal rates from stakeholders. This study was done to provide evidence on this trend to guide policy debate on the issue.MethodsWe applied mixed method design to the study. We did a trend analysis of NHIS membership data in Ashanti, Volta and Central regions to assess growth rate; performed independent-sample t-test to compare sample means of the three regions and analysed data from individual in-depth interviews to determine any relationship between capitation payment and subscribers’ renewal decision.ResultsResults of new enrolment data analysis showed differences in mean growth rates between Ashanti (M = 30.15, SE 3.03) and Volta (M = 40.72, SE 3.10), p = 0.041; r = 0. 15; and between Ashanti and Central (M = 47.38, SE6.49) p = 0.043; r = 0. 42. Analysis of membership renewal data, however, showed no significant differences in mean growth rates between Ashanti (M = 65.47, SE 6.67) and Volta (M = 69.29, SE 5.04), p = 0.660; r = 0.03; and between Ashanti and Central (M = 50.51, SE 9.49), p = 0.233. Analysis of both new enrolment and renewal data also showed no significant differences in mean growth rates between Ashanti (M = − 13.76, SE 17.68) and Volta (M = 5.48, SE 5.50), p = 0.329; and between Ashanti and Central (M = − 6.47, SE 12.68), p = 0.746. However, capitation payment had some effect in Ashanti compared with Volta (r = 0. 12) and Central (r = 0. 14); but could not be sustained beyond 2012. Responses from the in-depth interviews did not also show that capitation payment is a key factor in subscribers’ renewal decision.ConclusionCapitation payment had a small but unsustainable effect on membership growth rate in the Ashanti region. Factors other than capitation payment may have played a more significant role in subscribers’ enrolment and renewal decisions in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

Determinants of health care professional association members' intention to renew and recommend membership to others

This study was designed to explore the determinants of membership retention and expansion within a health care professional association. Analyzing empirical data from 824 members of the largest and most internationally representative health care professional association, this study found membership dues value and member attitude toward the association are key predictors of the decisions to renew membership and recommend it to others, whereas membership drop experience was a negative predictor of the 2 behavioral outcomes regarding members. Personal benefits provided by membership in the association are a determinant of recommending membership to others but not a significant factor in renewing membership.

Toxicity in the Work Environment: Retaining Staff Members of Color at a Predominantly White Institution

There continues to be a gap between growing, racially diverse student body and predominantly White faculty and staff members who work with students. As of 2004, populations of faculty, staff, and administrators are still disproportionately dominated by White Americans. This qualitative study investigated how an institution can better retain staff members of color by seeking to understand difficulties faced by staff of color and what circumstances led them to leave or stay at their institution and what work environments influence that decision. Participants of this study consisted of 18 current and past staff members of color from one university within Midwestern United States. Findings from this study contribute to limited research on professional staff members of color in higher education. The experiences shared by participants are organized into four categories: (1) impact of a negative environment, (2) the invisible employee, (3) support, or lack thereof, and (4) navigating institution. Findings of this study suggest that staff members of color's experiences are greatly impacted by campus climate and issues of racial diversity are placed upon them to solve or cope with on their own. The theme of isolation was also nuanced throughout stories of participants. Recommendations developed from findings and participant suggestions are presented at conclusion of article to inform institutions, particularly predominantly White institutions, on ways to ensure retention of staff members of color.

The Retention of Expertise and Productivity in State Legislative Committees

AbstractLegislative committees rely on the expertise and experience of their members, but instability in committee systems threatens the enhancements in productivity associated with specialization. This can occur in two ways, both of which are more common in state legislative committees than they are in Congress. First, membership retention on committees is generally lower, even after accounting for differing levels of legislative turnover across legislatures. Second, many state legislative committee systems undergo reorganization between sessions, changing the policy jurisdictions, and, therefore, the applicability of members' previously developed expertise. In this article, I examine the consequences of these two sources of committee instability on legislative output in 14 state legislatures. I find that both membership retention and jurisdictional reorganization significantly affect the number of bills processed through committees and the number of bills ultimately enacted. These linkages are also conditioned on several committee and institutional factors, particularly legislative turnover. Last, I find a weaker but discernible effect of membership retention on committees' propensity to perform their gatekeeping role.

Member Retention Tips

Member Retention Tips

Exploring the Functions of Different Forms of Trust in Collaborative Natural Resource Management

ABSTRACTSuccessful natural resource management increasingly requires collaboration across boundaries and between diverse stakeholder groups, and trust is a key ingredient of successful collaboration. This study represents an early qualitative empirical attempt to understand how different forms of trust develop, function, and interact in collaborative natural resource management initiatives. We conducted case studies of four landscape-level initiatives in the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP). Our results suggest that three forms of trust, affinitive, rational, and procedural trust, were all important for successful collaboration, but different forms of trust appeared to function more powerfully during convening, recruitment, retention, and ongoing collaboration of stakeholders, with affinitive trust particularly important for convening, and rational and procedural trust gaining importance for recruiting and retention of members. We discuss the implications of the findings in both theoretical and practical terms.

Military, Work, and Health Characteristics of Separated and Active Service Members From the Study for Employment Retention of Veterans (SERVe)

The Study for Employment Retention of Veterans (SERVe) is focused on improving the health, well-being, and employment retention of military service members who are now civilian employees. The SERVe sample was comprised of employed post 9/11 service members who represent 3 categories of service members: (a) separated active duty service members (n = 235), (b) separated National Guard/Reservists (NG/R; n = 171), and (c) actively drilling NG/R (n = 87). We did not include currently serving full-time active duty military because they are not represented in the current civilian workforce, which is the focus of SERVe. Survey responses reflecting a description of military, work, and support characteristics, as well as physical and psychological health indicators, were collected from a total of 493 employed service members from 35 organizations. Separated and active service members had similar military backgrounds and reported similar work characteristics. However, there were significant differences in social support and health indices, such that separated veterans reported less support and worse physical and psychological health on many indicators compared to active NG/R. This study of employed service members is among the first to examine and show significant health and well-being differences between those who separated from military service and those still serving in the NG/R.

When study participants are vulnerable: getting and keeping the right team.

Research assistants (RAs) are critical members of all research teams. When a study involves vulnerable populations, it is particularly important to have the right team members. To describe the motivations, personal characteristics and team characteristics that promoted the job satisfaction of RAs who worked on two multi-year, randomised clinical trials involving older adults with dementia. A survey was conducted with 41 community members who worked as RAs for up to five years. Measures included demographics, work engagement, personality and characteristics of effective teams, as well as open-ended questions about respondents' experiences of the study. Quantitative analyses and coding of open-ended responses were used to summarise results. Almost all the RAs surveyed joined the team because of previous experiences of interacting with cognitively impaired older people. The RA respondents scored higher in 'dedication to work', 'extraversion', 'agreeableness' and 'conscientiousness' than average. An important aspect of their job satisfaction was team culture, including positive interpersonal interaction and the development of supportive team relationships. A positive work culture provides RAs with an opportunity to work with a study population that they are personally driven to help, and promotes motivation and satisfaction in team members. Results from this study can guide the recruitment, screening and retention of team members for studies that include vulnerable populations.

Retention and recruitment of general dentists in an adjunct teaching model-A pilot study.

Purpose/ObjectivesRetention and recruitment of part time clinical adjunct faculty members in dental education is becoming increasingly difficult as dental schools come to rely on this workforce for their increased involvement in clinical education. Contributing factors include full time faculty shortage, aging workforce, practice and student debt, practice and family commitments, and financial compensation. This study attempts to ascertain barriers to teaching so appropriate strategies can be formulated to address this issue.MethodsIn the spring of 2016 an email survey was sent to current and former adjunct faculty members to ascertain demographics and retention and recruitment strategies. Descriptive analyses were completed for all variables in the sample.ResultsTwenty nine of forty six subjects responded to the survey with a response rate of 63%. Subjects over the age of sixty comprised 55% with only 17% being under the age of forty five. Overall family and practice commitments along with compensation were the primary barriers to teaching part time. For new dentists, student loan debt was the primary barrier to teaching. Travel to teach was also a barrier as 70% of respondents drove 200 miles or less to the dental school.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that the aging part time work force is a great concern and new part time clinical adjunct faculty members must be recruited. Barriers to recruitment and retention of faculty must be considered and addressed to sustain this teaching model.

An Analysis of Factors Influencing Membership Retention at a Children’s Museum

ABSTRACTMembership fees are an important source of sustained revenue for not-for-profit organizations. Moreover, these membership programs facilitate loyalty to the organization and provide certainty to a percentage of revenue intake. In this study, we examine how frequency of visits, satisfaction with membership programs, length of membership, age, average household income, and driving time affect membership retention in a children’s museum. Findings indicate that all of the factors above influence membership renewal intention. We summarize this study with recommendations for both member recruitment and retention for not-for-profit organizations that utilize membership programs.

Information Technology Strategies for Honor Society and Organization Membership Retention in Online Nursing Programs.

Membership retention in an honor society or organization is of utmost importance for sustainability. However, retaining members in organizations that serve online education nursing students can be a challenging task. Understanding the importance of creating a sense of community to promote retention within an honor society chapter, nursing faculty at a small private university implemented different online approaches. This article highlights successful information technology strategies to promote membership retention in organizations for online nursing students.

Broadening Participation in the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.

SynopsisThe goal of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology’s Broadening Participation Committee (SICB BPC) is to increase the number of underrepresented group (URG) members within the society and to expand their capabilities as future researchers and leaders within SICB. Our short-term 10-year goal was to increase the recruitment and retention of URG members in the society by 10%. Our long-term 25-year goal is to increase the membership of URG in the society through recruitment and retention until the membership demographic mirrors that of the US Census. Our plans to accomplish this included establishment of a formal standing committee, establishment of a moderate budget to support BPC activities, hosting professional development workshops, hosting diversity and mentor socials, and obtaining grant funds to supplement our budget. This paper documents broadening participation activities in the society, discusses the effectiveness of these activities, and evaluates BPC goals after 5 years of targeted funded activities. Over the past 5 years, the number of URG members rose by 5.2% to a total of 16.2%, members who report ethnicity and gender increased by 25.2% and 18%, respectively, and the number of members attending BPC activities has increased to 33% by 2016. SICB has made significant advances in broadening participation, not only through increased expenditures, but also with a commitment by its members and leadership to increase diversity. Most members realize that increasing diversity will both improve the Society’s ability to develop different approaches to tackling problems within integrative biology, and help solve larger global issues that are evident throughout science and technology fields. In addition, having URG members as part of the executive committee would provide other URG members role models within the society, as well as have a voice in the leadership that represents diversity and inclusion for all scientists.

Use Omni‐Channel Communications To Increase Retention Rates

The Membership Management ReportVolume 13, Issue 6 p. 1-1 Member Retention Use Omni-Channel Communications To Increase Retention Rates Megan Venzin, Megan VenzinSearch for more papers by this author Megan Venzin, Megan VenzinSearch for more papers by this author First published: 16 May 2017 https://doi.org/10.1002/mmr.30701Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume13, Issue6June 2017Pages 1-1 RelatedInformation

Eight Member Retention Ideas Worth Doing

Eight Member Retention Ideas Worth Doing

Member Retention Tips

Member Retention Tips

A Member Saved Is a Member Earned? The Recruitment-Retention Trade-Off and Organizational Strategies for Membership Growth

A long line of research documents the essential role of social networks in mediating the recruitment and retention of members in organizations. But organizations also comprise a primary context where people form social ties. We investigate how the network structure an organization creates among its members influences its ability to grow and reproduce. In particular, we propose that two dimensions of organizational strategy influence affiliation dynamics: (1) the extent to which an organization induces social interaction among its members (social encapsulation), and (2) the time and energy that an organization demands of its members (time and energy demand). We examine membership dynamics in an ecology where competitor organizations deploying varied strategies vie for the same pool of members. Results show a curvilinear relationship between membership growth and the rate of social encapsulation. Furthermore, we find that time and energy demand mediates the effect of social encapsulation by shaping its members’ opportunities for maintaining external affiliations. Different opportunity structures result in different levels of network turnover, thus either reinforcing or dissolving intra-organizational ties. For most types of organizations, attaining sustained growth requires a balance between open networks (for recruitment) and network closure (for retention).

The Sheep-Stealing Dilemma

AbstractAmong Kenyan Christians, the distinction between the terms ‘church member’ and ‘visitor’ is widely used, and occasional visits to non-membership churches are a common practice. In our ethnographic research in urban Kenya (Nairobi and Kisumu), we observed how, across denominations, church visits abide by similar, formalized, and ritualized codes. Through an analysis of the subtleties of this institutionalized practice, we expose a fundamental tension in which even as church leaders are expected to act in the spirit of Christian unity and avoid proselytizing visitors from other churches, they also seek to maximize the use of church visits as an effective instrument for recruiting new members. Investigating how churches manage this ‘sheep-stealing dilemma’, we analyze some institutional strategies that favour membership retention and attraction without formally undermining the social legitimacy of church visits.

Buckling analysis for Effectiveness of energy absorption and shape retention of members receiving shear deformation.

Buckling analysis for Effectiveness of energy absorption and shape retention of members receiving shear deformation.