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Showing posts from April, 2013

Job Characteristics Model-An Internalized Experience

Classic economic theory, based as it is on an inadequate theory of human motivation, could be revolutionized by accepting the reality of higher human needs, including the impulse to self actualization and the love for the highest values .-Abraham Maslow According to Maslow the concept of motivation entails the idea that higher human needs should spark a productive evolution. Those who are internally motivated are more likely to accomplish more than those who rewarded only by externalized rewards. Through job characteristics model it is possible to theorize how employers can make adjustments that encourage higher levels of work effort and development. The job characteristics model seeks to explain how jobs can be designed to encourage intrinsic motivation Organizational Behavior researchers Richard Hackman and Greg Oldham tried to create higher levels of performance through redesigning jobs (Kinicki & Kreitner, 2009). Their goal was to create higher psychologically mo

Vervet Monkeys Teach Us About Social Learning

Recent research on monkeys that have the capacity to socially learn from each other is an interesting concept in behavioral emulation that helps to define how societies operate. Like humans, it would appear that these monkeys learn to adapt to social cues in order to both learn and socially connect with their tribal members.  The study published in the journal Science helps show how monkeys taught to eat particular colors of corn changed their preferences when socializing with monkeys taught to prefer a different color. A Vervet Monkey that moved from one group to another watched the other monkeys to determine what food choices they should make.  Erica van de Waal, a research leader from the University of Saint Andrews, indicated that baby monkeys only ate what their mothers ate and ignored other colors. Dominant males almost never tried other non-preferred colors and when entering groups with non dominant males continued to eat their learned color. Only less dominant monkeys

Book Review: The Assessment of Doctoral Education

The book The Assessment of Doctoral Education by Peggy Maki and Nancy Borkowski offers insight into the modern Doctoral education and common methods of assessment and evaluation. The work moves into significant detail on a number of topics that include New Models of Assessment of Doctoral Programs and Emerging Assessment of Student Learning. Through this book, readers should come to understand the overall assessment process and growing trends in the modern educational process.  The book lists the following trends administrators should expect: -Increase in accountability through accreditation process, assessment and state money, and assessment responsibilities. -Increase in diversification of education through assessment of individual students, core-competencies, and degree integrity. -Student-centered learning that focuses on value-added, technology incorporation, and campus cultural assessments.  The book indicates that there will be a number of difficulties

Wired Café Le Bistro Serves Neighborhood Patrons with a French Twist

Rarely do you find a place that fits many of your personal needs. Those rare finds often bring customers back again and again over the years. Businesses are aware of their customer profiles and seek to continually tune-in on their customer needs by providing the right atmosphere consistently and flawlessly. Even though all businesses make mistakes it is those that offer maintain their focus that are likely to overcome any shortcomings. There are a number of factors associated with the success of individual businesses. Convenience (location), food offerings (variety), price (relative value), atmosphere (servicescape), customer focus (customer profile),and social benefits are a few you can consider. Wired Café is a neighborhood café, with a variety menu, at   prices under $15, which provides a relaxed environment with a touch of ethnic flavor. The staff has an opportunity to become familiar with their regular customers which helps strengthen their customer base. Wired Café

Wine Review: Candy-Apple Red Cabernet Sauvignon

In the perpetual search for the perfect wine I am forced to try interesting varieties. Sometimes these wines tantalize the right taste buds and other times they do not do justice. Being in the mood for something a little sweet, I picked up a bottle of Jellybean the Candy-Apple Red Cabernet Sauvignon. Thinking this was a type of flavored wine with blackberry jam, boysenberry pie and hints of cherry licorice that was to give me “candy flavors” I was excited to give it a shot. A few days later, I had my chance and poured myself just a little. With a red tone associated with dark cherries it looked a little like fruit punch in a glass. It had a heavy look and clung slightly to the edges of the glass. Something akin to heavy punch in both smell and texture. Raising the glass to my lips, I noticed the first taste of berries that seemed to excite the senses. However, the aftertaste was not particularly that exciting. Not bad…but not exciting. Don't be afraid to try it as your tast

Hotel Management and Service Improvement Through Job Embeddedness

Casa del Mar Hotels and resorts hire a higher percentage of service employees and are constantly seeking ways to improve on service delivery. To create seamless service it is necessary to have stronger performance the moment the bell person takes the customers bags to the server who delivers their order. Research in job embeddedness helps to highlight how training, empowerment, and rewards can lead to higher levels of performance by service workers. Yet this research also indicates that rewards and training may not be the most important consideration. Job embeddedness is a concept that refers to, “the combined forces that keep a person from leaving his or her job” (Yao et. al, 2004,pp. 159). This concept can include compensation, organizational fit, personal abilities, management style, etc… The concept is closely associated with employee satisfaction in terms of how and what employees feel about the organization. Turnover rates and poor performance can be expensive fo