Organizational commitment,turnover and absenteeism: An examination of direct and interaction effects

A three component model of organizational commitment was used to study job withdrawal intentions, turnover and absenteeism. Affective commitment emerged as the most consistent predictor of these outcome variables and was the only view of commitment related to turnover and to absenteeism. In contrast, normative commitment was related only to withdrawal intentions while no direct effects for continuance commitment were observed. Continuance commitment, however, interacted with affective commitment in predicting job withdrawal intentions and absenteeism. The form of the interaction was such that high sunk costs tempered relationships between affective commitment and the relevant outcome variables.     

Attributional conflict between managers and subordinates: An investigation of leader-member exchange effects

The present study investigated the discrepancies, or conflict, between the attributions of leaders and members as a function of LMX quality and explored the relation between attributional conflict and subordinate job satisfaction, perceptions of equity, and turnover intentions. Data for the study were provided by 141 supervisor-subordinate dyads from the managerial ranks of a large manufacturing organization. Both parties of the dyad made attributions for subordinate loyalty, affect, and contributions, member behaviors identified as critical in previous LMX research. Limited support emerged for the hypothesis that attributional conflict would be greater in dyads where subordinates reported lower rather than higher LMX quality. Findings suggested that attributional discrepencies are due, in part, to the tendency of leaders to make more favorable attributions for subordinates reporting higher LMX quality than for subordinates reporting lower LMX quality. Results also revealed that, while attributional conflict was negatively related to subordinate satisfaction and perceptions of equity and positively related to turnover intentions, attributional conflict did not predict subordinate work outcomes when the effects of LMX quality were controlled. Implications of these findings were discussed.     

An exploratory study of self-regulating activities and their effects on job performance

The present study attempted to assess the extent to which job incumbents engage in performance relevant self-regulatory activities. Specifically, the degrees to which 62 insurance salespersons; (1) set performance goals, (2) monitored performance levels, and (3) exercised contingent self-reward or punishment with respect to goal achievement or goal failure were measured; and, the consequences that such activities had on performance were examined. The results of this study indicate that, in general, subjects set goals, but typically of a distal/result-orientated, as opposed to a proximal/behaviourally orientated-nature. Goal setting per se had no effects on sales performance, although an objective measure of goal difficulty was related to this criterion. With respect to self-monitoring, it was discovered that the greatest amount of performance feedback came from oneself and one's supervisor, as opposed to one's co-workers. In terms of performance, there was an interaction of feedback source and feedback preference such that the ability to generate internal feedback was related to performance only for individuals who had a preference for such internal feedback. There appeared to be no substantial amount of contingent self-reward occurring within this organization, although contingent self-punishment (in the form of self-criticism) was in evidence; and, such self-admonishment seemed to have detrimental effects on performance. While the three classes of variables independently explained 26 per cent of the variance in performance, the interactive effects suggested by theories of self-regulation (Bandura, 1977; Kanfer, 1971) were not in evidence.     

An experimental study on the effect of mobile phone conversation on drivers' reaction time in braking response

Introduction

This paper presents an experimental study in which the effect of three factors (distance between cars, mobile call duration, and time of driving (day or night)) on drivers' reaction time in braking response was investigated.

Methods

The experiment was performed in a real driving environment in which 27 male adults between the ages of 22 and 24 years participated. Three levels of the first two factors (i.e., distance between cars and call duration) and two levels of the last factor (i.e., time of driving) were selected to conduct the experimental study. A full factorial design of experiment with 18 treatment combinations and three replicates of each combination were used. Fifty-four trial runs were performed in a random manner and for each run drivers' reaction time in braking response was measured, which served the data for further analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), interaction effect analysis, and various model adequacy tests were carried out using Design Expert software.

Results

The results of the study indicated that the most important factor affecting the drivers' reaction time in car braking response was the mobile call duration followed by the time of driving, with a high level of interaction between the two factors. It was also found that the distance between cars did not seem to have a significant effect on the reaction time in braking response. It is to be noted that these response times are expected to be higher under normal driving conditions where awareness of experimental environment is not present.

Impact on Industry

The findings of this study would help mobile phone industries in improving safety of mobile phone users in driving environment.     

曝气量及亚硝酸盐浓度对SBBR单级自养脱氮系统性能的影响

为了提高单级自养脱氮工艺的脱氮性能及稳定性,采用SBBR反应器,通过连续试验及间歇试验研究了曝气量对单级自养脱氮系统脱氮效率及脱氮负荷的影响,分析了反应器内不同曝气条件下氨氮降解特征、亚硝酸盐质量浓度与氨氮降解速率的关系,并探讨了污泥的亚硝酸盐氧化活性与SBBR反应器稳定性的关系。连续试验结果表明,曝气量从48 L/h提高到88 L/h,总氮平均去除率由72.46%增长至93.00%,总氮平均去除负荷由0.29 kg N/(m3·d)提高至0.57kg N/(m3·d)。间歇试验结果表明:氨氮降解速率随曝气量增加而提高,出水氨氮及总氮质量浓度随曝气量增加而降低;同时曝气期DO质量浓度随曝气量增加而有所升高;在整个SBBR周期内未出现亚硝酸盐积累的现象,亚硝酸氮质量浓度一直较低(低于2.00mg/L),向反应器中添加亚硝酸盐可以促进氨氮的降解;随曝气量增加,由于污泥的亚硝酸盐氧化活性较低,硝化作用产生的硝酸盐并未大幅增长,系统表现出了较好的稳定性;氨氮未完全降解时,反应器内DO质量浓度曲线缓慢下降或基本保持不变,当氨氮完全被去除时,系统不再耗氧,DO质量浓度迅速升高,曲线出现拐点,DO拐点对单级自养脱氮控制有重要参考价值。     

浅议企业安全文化建设与安全标准化建设的关系

目前由于国内各企业正在开展企业安全标准化建设工作,很多企业对安全标准化建设与企业安全文化建设之间的关系感到困惑。本文首先介绍了企业安全文化的层次和各层次间的关系以及安全标准化建设的相关内容,然后分析了企业安全文化建设与安全标准化建设之间的关系,最后得出安全标准化建设是企业安全文化的重要组成这一结论。安全标准化建设是建设安全文化的重要措施之一,企业可以通过安全标准化的建设来完善其在安全文化建设中的不足。本文能为企业进行安全标准化建设和安全文化建设的实施提供参考依据。     

Cognitive and motivational frameworks in U.S. research on participation: a meta-analysis of primary effects

In this paper we classify 86 published studies of participation conducted in the U.S. according to whether they are based on cognitive or motivational conceptual frameworks, then conduct a meta-analysis of 124 correlation coefficients obtained from them to determine whether distinguishing between conceptual frameworks portends differences in the findings of U.S. research on the effects of participatory processes on performance and satisfaction. Results reveal noticeable differences in the findings of participation–satisfaction research, but also indicate that these differences diminish substantially upon elimination of research based on single-source self-reports. If interpreted as evidence of percept–percept inflation, these findings are wholly consistent with those of other recent analyses. If interpreted as evidence of the greater accuracy of self-report measures of intra-psychic phenomena, they suggest that research on the relationship between participation and satisfaction has been influenced by the conceptual frameworks used to design studies and formulate conclusions. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of dyadic duration on the relationship between leader behavior perceptions and follower outcomes

This research focused on the role of dyadic duration, the amount of time a subordinate has worked for the same supervisor, in leadership dynamics. Specifically, a field study of engineering personnel examined dyadic duration as a moderator of the relationships between supervisory leadership behavior and subordinates' attitudes and behavior. Moderated regression analysis revealed that the length of time a subordinate had served under the same supervisor influenced the relationship between supportive and directive leader behaviors and follower performance. Implications of these findings were discussed, focusing on the exchange process between individual leaders and followers.     

兰州市蔬菜基地蔬菜体内As污染及累积效应研究

对兰州市蔬菜基地蔬菜体内As质量比进行方差分析和多重比较.结果表明,同一区域土豆、西红柿、茄子、辣椒、豆角、白菜和大葱体内As质量比之间表现出极显著差异,大葱体内As质量比显著高于其他蔬菜体内As质量比,白菜体内As质量比最低;不同区域相同土豆、西红柿、茄子、辣椒、白菜和大葱体内As质量比之间表现出显著差异.豆角体内As质量比之问没有表现出差异,兰州市七里河区蔬菜基地蔬菜体内As质量比显著高于其他各区蔬菜基地蔬菜体内As质量比,永登县蔬菜基地蔬菜体内As质量比最低.蔬菜体内As质量比与土壤As质量比呈显著正相关性.     

安全产品的供求特性及其与行业安全形势的关系初探

基于安全经济学的基本原理，通过对不同行业的自动安全水平和法定安全水平之间的关系的分析，论述了不同行业安全产品的需求特性，以及与此相适应的安全产品供给特性；并对安全产品的特殊供求机制与特定行业的安全形势之间的关系进行了初步的探讨，提出了提高行业安全水平的对策。     

基于ANP和物元可拓模型的航空公司安全水平评价

通过构建网络层次分析(ANP)和物元可拓模型相结合的评价方法,研究航空公司安全水平评价中各指标间的相互依赖、相互影响和安全水平的变化趋势。为使评价指标在实际工作中更有针对性和可操作性,根据安全管理体系(SMS)组成要素,提出了由4个准则、20项具体指标组成的航空公司安全水平评价指标体系;又因该体系中各指标间存在相互依赖、相互影响,从而引入网络层次分析法(ANP)以确定各指标权重;并与物元可拓模型结合,建立航空公司安全水平评价模型。运用该评价模型对南方某航空公司的安全水平进行评价,结果显示该模型具有可行性。     

Facilitating and inhibiting effects of job control and social support on stress outcomes and role behavior: a contingency model

High levels of job control and social support are often related to effective job performance and coping with work stressors. However, support may have more positive effects on role behavior when job control is low. In addition, despite theoretical expectations, simple demands–control and demands–support interactions are infrequently found to predict health and psychological strain outcomes. The ‘demands–control–support’ model (Johnson and Hall, 1988) of stress coping integrates these ‘stress buffering’ and ‘decision latitude’ models and observes more consistent findings. This model posits that social support buffers the adverse effects of high demand, low control jobs. However, explicit tests of the interaction of these variables suggest that control can have positive or negative effects on strain, depending on the level of social support. In this study, supervisor consideration was positively related to subordinate job performance, extra-role behavior, and in-role prosocial behavior (conscientiousness) among subordinates perceiving low job control. The relationship between consideration and performance and extra-role behavior was negative among high control subordinates. The demands×control×support interaction predicted health symptoms, organizational commitment, supervisor satisfaction, and absence due to illness, but the interaction plots do not support the prevailing perspective that support buffers the effects of ‘high strain’ (i.e. low control, high demand) jobs. Patterns were similar for different demands and different social support loci (i.e. supervisor, co-workers). An alternative theoretical process of the demands–control–support interaction is proffered, and implications for organizational intervention are discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

胶合竹材单面受火炭化及温度场试验研究

格鲁班(Glubam)胶合竹材作为一种新型建筑材料,研究其耐火性能并与木材进行比较,对胶合竹材单板及杉木单板分别进行了恒温及ISO 834标准升温条件下的单面受火试验,测得了其炭化速率及不同受火条件下试件内部的温度-时间变化曲线。结果表明,胶合竹材的炭化速率低于杉木,其炭化规律与木材相似,即在受火初期炭化层厚度增加较快,炭化速率较大,随时间延长炭化速率逐渐降低,且受火温度越高,材料的炭化速率越大,同时试验测得在标准火灾条件下,胶合竹材受火20 min的平均炭化速率为0.64 mm/min。此外,通过温度场数据的分析比较发现,胶合竹材的传热速率明显低于杉木,其具有优于杉木的隔热性能,且能够满足相关规范对建筑构件隔热性能的要求。     

An empirical study for the direct and indirect links between trust in regulatory institutions and acceptability of hazards

Several studies have identified a significant relationship between trust in regulatory institutions and the extent of a hazard’s acceptability. Many, however, have overlooked the potential impact perceived risk and perceived benefit may have on the relationship. Our principal goal is to assess empirically the link between social trust in regulatory entities and the degree of public acceptability of hazards in view of interactions among social trust, perceived risk, perceived benefit and public acceptability. A survey was conducted in 2006 in three cities representative of central Mexico. A total of 356 participants answered the survey. Each participant assessed 30 hazards for perceived risk, perceived benefit, acceptability, social trust in regulatory entities, and personal knowledge. Our main finding was that social trust retained a direct as well as an indirect causal link with the degree of a hazard’s public acceptability, independent of hazard, the extent of knowledge, and the magnitude of the hazard’s perceived risk and benefit. The relationship encountered between perceived risk and acceptability was unexpected, as numerous studies have demonstrated empirically the influence perceived risk on how acceptable an activity or technology is. In our results the statistical significance of the perceived risk-acceptability relationship practically disappeared when controlled for institutional trust and perceived benefit. In other words, the net linear relationship between perceived risk and acceptability is mediated by the extent of social trust and the benefit perceived. Comparisons with several prior studies are conducted, and implications for regulatory entities are discussed.     

柴油在土壤中迁移的试验模拟研究

通过土柱模拟试验研究了0#柴油在不同类型的土壤(壤土、砂土)中分别以连续和间歇方式入渗的渗流特征.结果表明:柴油在壤土中的入渗速率小于砂土;相同类型的土壤中,连续入渗的速率大于间歇入渗;柴油饱和溶液入渗条件下,绝大部分的柴油集中在深度小于25 cm的土层里,只有在连续入渗砂土情况下,大量的柴油迁移到了35 cm深度的土层;柴油以无水液流态(NAPL)间歇入渗条件下,壤土和砂土中各土层的柴油质量比与土层深度服从相应的负指数关系.通过对比静态吸附的结果,发现迁移过程中存在吸附、截留和生物降解作用等.     

Associations between sleep,risk and safety climate: A study of offshore personnel on the Norwegian continental shelf

The demands and constraints of the offshore working environment can have adverse effects on health, particularly the quality of sleep. Perceived risk and safety are significant psychological stress factors which may interfere with and deteriorate the sleep quality of offshore personnel. The present study explores the relationship between risk perception, safety climate and sleep quality. Data were collected under the auspices of the Petroleum Safety Authorities in Norway using a cross-sectional design. A total of 9601 offshore workers from 52 offshore installations on the Norwegian continental shelf participated in the study. Our findings indicate that both risk perception and safety climate are significantly related to sleep quality. The results of the present study suggest that risk perception and safety climate not only are important aspects of safety performance in the offshore industry, but also have an impact on sleep quality.     

The effects of the checkpoints program on parent-imposed driving limits and crash outcomes among Connecticut novice teen drivers at 6-months post-licensure

INTRODUCTION: Because crash rates are highly elevated during the first months of licensure, it is advisable for parents to limit teen driving so that teens can gain independent driving experience under less dangerous driving conditions. This report describes the effect of the Checkpoints Program on parent limits on novice teen driving through six months post-licensure. METHODS: Nearly one-quarter of all Connecticut teens who obtained a learner's permit over a 9-month period were recruited, providing a final sample of 3,743 who obtained licenses within the next 16 months. Families were randomized to the intervention or comparison condition. Intervention families received by mail a series of persuasive communications related to high-risk teen driving and a parent-teen driving agreement, while on the same schedule comparison families received standard information on driver safety. RESULTS: Families who participated in the Checkpoints Program reported significantly greater limits on teen driving at licensure, 3-months, and 6-months post-licensure. However, there were no differences in reported risky driving behavior, violations, or crashes. CONCLUSION: This is the first statewide study testing the efficacy of the Checkpoints Program. The results indicate that it is possible to foster modest increases in parental restrictions on teen driving limits during the first six months of licensure using passive persuasive communications, but that the levels of restriction obtained were not sufficient to protect against violations and crashes.     

Solubility and calorimetric study of the effects of gas environment on the decomposition of o-nitrobenzoyl chloride

When ortho-nitrated benzoic acids are chlorinated in xylene and acetonitrile, the product gases, HCl and SO₂, dissolve in the solvent mixture. Previously measured solubilities [Lever, S. D., Papadaki, M. (2004a). o-Chlorination of 2-nitrobenzoic acid with thionly chloride in xylene and acetonitrile. Solubility study of hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide in xylene and acetonitrile, IChemE transactions part B. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 48–60.] were compared to other published data and found to be in very good agreement. The heat of solution of SO₂ in xylene was evaluated calorimetrically and compared to the value obtained from our previous experimental work. In our previous work [Lever, S. D., Papadaki, M. (2004b). Study of condition-dependent decomposition reactions—the thermal behaviour and decomposItion of 2-nitrobenzoyl chloride part_I. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 115; pp. 91–100], it was reported that the products of the decomposition are condition dependent. The current study showed that the decomposition is extensively promoted by the presence of HCl. This has important safety implications should the process operating temperature be reduced and HCl solution in the solvent mixture be increased. If a thermal runaway began in the increased availability of HCl, an undesirable escalation of the runaway could occur.     

Use of isoperibolic calorimetry for the study of the effect of water concentration,temperature and reactor venting on the rate of hydroxylamine thermal decomposition

Hydroxylamine, NH₂OH, thermal decomposition has been responsible for two serious accidents. However, its reactive behavior and the synergy of factors affecting the rate of its decomposition are not understood. In this work, isoperibolic calorimetric measurements were performed in a metal reactor, in the temperature range 130–150 °C, employing 30–80 ml solutions containing 1.4–20 g of pure hydroxylamine (2.8–40 g of the supplied reagent). The calorimetric measurements were performed in order to assess the effects that NH₂OH concentration, temperature and reactor venting has on NH₂OH rate of decomposition. The measurements showed that increased concentration or temperature, results in faster reactions and probably higher pressure generation per mass of reactant, with concentration having a more pronounced effect. However, when both factors work synergistically the result is dramatically worse in terms of reaction rate. The pressure generation is also different, thus indicating that different reaction pathways predominate each time. Venting the produced gases in stages resulted in the highest mass loss of the solution.