Iranian Academy of Management scienceIranian journal of management sciences2717-26196Number 2120120303Revising Teamwork Quality Construct and Team Interaction Measurement Instrument: A Conceptual and Empirical AnalysisRevising Teamwork Quality Construct and Team Interaction Measurement Instrument: A Conceptual and Empirical Analysis194792FAJournal Article20120303Criticizing and revising constructs, especially prevalent constructs, is necessary for the development of the organizational field of research. One of the constructs which is frequently used in organizational research is teamwork quality. Hoegl and Gemuenden defined teamwork quality as a comprehensive construct which embraces all team interaction concepts. However, this construct has some important shortcomings which are theoretically and empirically discussed in this paper. Here, it is shown that this construct could not be used as an underlying concept of team interactions. Moreover, its conceptualization and operationalization encounter serious difficulties. This paper proposes that it is needed to unify “effort” and “balance of contributions” to alleviate these shortcomings. Besides, it is needed to add “conflict”, “goal setting”, and “decision making” concepts to team interaction framework. Accordingly, new combination of items, in a questionnaire instrument is suggested. Using a sample of 152 Iranian students and structural equation modeling it is shown that the new model for team interaction fits better to the data than the previous teamwork quality model. Finally, the research implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.Criticizing and revising constructs, especially prevalent constructs, is necessary for the development of the organizational field of research. One of the constructs which is frequently used in organizational research is teamwork quality. Hoegl and Gemuenden defined teamwork quality as a comprehensive construct which embraces all team interaction concepts. However, this construct has some important shortcomings which are theoretically and empirically discussed in this paper. Here, it is shown that this construct could not be used as an underlying concept of team interactions. Moreover, its conceptualization and operationalization encounter serious difficulties. This paper proposes that it is needed to unify “effort” and “balance of contributions” to alleviate these shortcomings. Besides, it is needed to add “conflict”, “goal setting”, and “decision making” concepts to team interaction framework. Accordingly, new combination of items, in a questionnaire instrument is suggested. Using a sample of 152 Iranian students and structural equation modeling it is shown that the new model for team interaction fits better to the data than the previous teamwork quality model. Finally, the research implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.Iranian Academy of Management scienceIranian journal of management sciences2717-26196Number 2120120303Development and Manipulation of Business Models Using System Dynamics ApproachDevelopment and Manipulation of Business Models Using System Dynamics Approach11893FAJournal Article20120303In today’s ever-changing world of business, organizations are required to align with environmental changes and it is also extremely necessaryfor organizations to forecast the impacts of managers’ decisions on business model change. In response to these requirements, this study addressesdesigning dynamic business models. Simulating management decisionscenarios is an effective way to investigate the impact of decisions on business model components, relationshipsamongthe components, and business results and benefits of resolution. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to takeadvantage of system dynamics approach as an operational, quantitative, andflexible approach for business model simulation. In this study, relatedliterature has been thoroughly reviewed, proportionate to the leveland approach of the current study, Business Model Ontology (BMO) wasselected to serve as the model of this study. The modelwas then designed using system dynamics approach and its structure wasevaluated using expert judgments. In the next step, some scenarios were developed and executed to confirmthe behavior of the model and also to evaluatethe importance of applying system dynamics approach in business model simulationespecially in the process of business model design and change. Although systemdynamics approach precedents in business studies, this research contributes to operationalization of this approach in BM design and analysis.In today’s ever-changing world of business, organizations are required to align with environmental changes and it is also extremely necessaryfor organizations to forecast the impacts of managers’ decisions on business model change. In response to these requirements, this study addressesdesigning dynamic business models. Simulating management decisionscenarios is an effective way to investigate the impact of decisions on business model components, relationshipsamongthe components, and business results and benefits of resolution. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to takeadvantage of system dynamics approach as an operational, quantitative, andflexible approach for business model simulation. In this study, relatedliterature has been thoroughly reviewed, proportionate to the leveland approach of the current study, Business Model Ontology (BMO) wasselected to serve as the model of this study. The modelwas then designed using system dynamics approach and its structure wasevaluated using expert judgments. In the next step, some scenarios were developed and executed to confirmthe behavior of the model and also to evaluatethe importance of applying system dynamics approach in business model simulationespecially in the process of business model design and change. Although systemdynamics approach precedents in business studies, this research contributes to operationalization of this approach in BM design and analysis.Iranian Academy of Management scienceIranian journal of management sciences2717-26196Number 2120120303Foresight of Iran Health & Hygiene’s NGOs AccountabilityForesight of Iran Health & Hygiene’s NGOs Accountability477694FAJournal Article20120303The purpose of this study is to foresight accountability of Iranian NGO in Health and Hygiene field. Data of this study was collected via cross-impact questionnaire, Uncertainty questionnaire, Semi- structural interviews, expert panels & explanatory studies. The first step is to review literatures and determine the key factors and cross impacts of them in the primary questionary. After cross impact analysis of primary questionary by structural analysis, we indicated the uncertainties of Irananian NGOs. This method is completely expert based and finally we write scenarios by the expert panels and interviews.
The study’s finding shows that NGO’s empowerment and public participation in NGO’s activity are the main uncertainties which our Iranian NGS’s will involve in future. Governmental approaches, NGO’s role in empowerment & public awareness will affect the accountability of Iranian NGO.The purpose of this study is to foresight accountability of Iranian NGO in Health and Hygiene field. Data of this study was collected via cross-impact questionnaire, Uncertainty questionnaire, Semi- structural interviews, expert panels & explanatory studies. The first step is to review literatures and determine the key factors and cross impacts of them in the primary questionary. After cross impact analysis of primary questionary by structural analysis, we indicated the uncertainties of Irananian NGOs. This method is completely expert based and finally we write scenarios by the expert panels and interviews.
The study’s finding shows that NGO’s empowerment and public participation in NGO’s activity are the main uncertainties which our Iranian NGS’s will involve in future. Governmental approaches, NGO’s role in empowerment & public awareness will affect the accountability of Iranian NGO.Iranian Academy of Management scienceIranian journal of management sciences2717-26196Number 2120120303Organizational silence: concepts, antecedents, and consequencesOrganizational silence: concepts, antecedents, and consequences7710495FAJournal Article20120303Current management and organizationliterature has focused on employee empowerment and use of open communication channels. Despite this fact, results of empirical research has shown that employees believe that open communication, information, explicit or implicit knowledge sharingare not supported within their organizations. Lack of information and trust and presence of organizational silence is one of the most important obstacles to organization success. Organizational silence refers to situationswhere employees withhold information, ideas and suggestions about potential problems. In response to the need for further research regarding organizational silence, this paper addresses the concept of organizational silence and voice, types of employee silence and voice, and the philosophical dimensions of silence. In addition, negative consequences of this behavioral problem are discussed in this paper.Current management and organizationliterature has focused on employee empowerment and use of open communication channels. Despite this fact, results of empirical research has shown that employees believe that open communication, information, explicit or implicit knowledge sharingare not supported within their organizations. Lack of information and trust and presence of organizational silence is one of the most important obstacles to organization success. Organizational silence refers to situationswhere employees withhold information, ideas and suggestions about potential problems. In response to the need for further research regarding organizational silence, this paper addresses the concept of organizational silence and voice, types of employee silence and voice, and the philosophical dimensions of silence. In addition, negative consequences of this behavioral problem are discussed in this paper.Iranian Academy of Management scienceIranian journal of management sciences2717-26196Number 2120120303A Study of Subject Areas and Research Methods of Public Administration Master’s Theses: The Case of University of TehranA Study of Subject Areas and Research Methods of Public Administration Master’s Theses: The Case of University of Tehran10512396FAJournal Article20120303This article reports the findings of the content analysis of 184 public administration theses defended at university of Tehran within a 10-year period (1998-2007). The content of the master’s theses were analyzed regarding their subject areas and research methods. Results revealed that some trends in subjectsareas and research methods in public administration theses could be identified. The master's theses focused mainly on threefields: human resources (79 of 252), organizational behavior (78 of 252), and organization theory & design (72 of 252). Therefore, it could be concluded thatsubject areas did not include topics which are considered to be more related to public administration issues (e.g. policy making). Regardingdata analysis techniques, most of the theses used correlation coefficient (132 of 323), analyze of variance (72 of 323), or mean difference tests (69 of 323). Questionnaire was the most frequently employed tool for collecting data (174 of 257), compared to interviews (43 of 257), archival analysis (36 of 257), and observations(4 of 257).This article reports the findings of the content analysis of 184 public administration theses defended at university of Tehran within a 10-year period (1998-2007). The content of the master’s theses were analyzed regarding their subject areas and research methods. Results revealed that some trends in subjectsareas and research methods in public administration theses could be identified. The master's theses focused mainly on threefields: human resources (79 of 252), organizational behavior (78 of 252), and organization theory & design (72 of 252). Therefore, it could be concluded thatsubject areas did not include topics which are considered to be more related to public administration issues (e.g. policy making). Regardingdata analysis techniques, most of the theses used correlation coefficient (132 of 323), analyze of variance (72 of 323), or mean difference tests (69 of 323). Questionnaire was the most frequently employed tool for collecting data (174 of 257), compared to interviews (43 of 257), archival analysis (36 of 257), and observations(4 of 257).Iranian Academy of Management scienceIranian journal of management sciences2717-26196Number 2120120303Green Supply Chain Management within Iranian Automobile IndustryGreen Supply Chain Management within Iranian Automobile Industry12314197FAJournal Article20120303Today, environmental issues such as ozone depletion, air and water pollution, global warming, jungles demolition, acid rains, etc. are among the most serious threats to human beings lives. In the field of business and management, the role of organizations in society has changed and they have become more responsible to minimize their effects on the environment. Green supply chain management integrates supply chain management with environmental management system in all stages. This paper aims to describe some aspects of green supply chain management including sustainable and green supply chain management and GSCM drivers, practices and performance within Iranian automobile industry. We conducted a survey to collect data from automobile enterprises in Iran. Data from the GSCM practices in Iranian automobile industry are ranked using fuzzy TOPSIS decision making method.Today, environmental issues such as ozone depletion, air and water pollution, global warming, jungles demolition, acid rains, etc. are among the most serious threats to human beings lives. In the field of business and management, the role of organizations in society has changed and they have become more responsible to minimize their effects on the environment. Green supply chain management integrates supply chain management with environmental management system in all stages. This paper aims to describe some aspects of green supply chain management including sustainable and green supply chain management and GSCM drivers, practices and performance within Iranian automobile industry. We conducted a survey to collect data from automobile enterprises in Iran. Data from the GSCM practices in Iranian automobile industry are ranked using fuzzy TOPSIS decision making method.Iranian Academy of Management scienceIranian journal of management sciences2717-26196Number 2120120303Expected Performance Improvement of Privatized Industries: Fact or Fiction?Expected Performance Improvement of Privatized Industries: Fact or Fiction?14117298FAJournal Article20120303In theory, it is often expected that the financial performance and productivity of state owned firms are improved after privatization. But some empirical researches conducted in western countries have found findings which do not confirm this expectation. In addition, there is no solid research evidence available regarding the performance of Iranian firms being privatized in recent decade. Thus, there exist considerable doubts about the real effects of privatization on the performance of such firms. This research was carried out to investigate the effects of privatizing state owned Iranian firms on theirfinancial/operational performance. Therefore, six years of financial/operational performance of 42 firms was examined against some generally accepted criteria. All of the sample firms were privatized during 1990-2008 by transferring at least 50% of their shares to the private sector. Performances of these firms three years before and three years after privatization were studied. Results revealed that the transfer of shares (change in ownership of the firms) has caused only small amount of improvement in the firms' profitability and human resource productivity, whereasprivatizationhas had no significant effects on the firms total factor productivity (TFP), total assets turn over, and capital productivity.In theory, it is often expected that the financial performance and productivity of state owned firms are improved after privatization. But some empirical researches conducted in western countries have found findings which do not confirm this expectation. In addition, there is no solid research evidence available regarding the performance of Iranian firms being privatized in recent decade. Thus, there exist considerable doubts about the real effects of privatization on the performance of such firms. This research was carried out to investigate the effects of privatizing state owned Iranian firms on theirfinancial/operational performance. Therefore, six years of financial/operational performance of 42 firms was examined against some generally accepted criteria. All of the sample firms were privatized during 1990-2008 by transferring at least 50% of their shares to the private sector. Performances of these firms three years before and three years after privatization were studied. Results revealed that the transfer of shares (change in ownership of the firms) has caused only small amount of improvement in the firms' profitability and human resource productivity, whereasprivatizationhas had no significant effects on the firms total factor productivity (TFP), total assets turn over, and capital productivity.