Need to downsize? Your future employees may like the idea of cutting pay more

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeongjoon Yoon

PurposeStudies comparing the consequences of payroll cost reduction methods (i.e. cutting pay and downsizing) have been limited, with no studies comparing these methods' impact on job-seeker attraction. The current research tries to close this gap by comparing the effects of cutting pay and downsizing on job-seeker attraction outcomes.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies are conducted. The first study compares the effects of the two payroll cost reduction methods (i.e. cutting pay vs downsizing) on job-seeker attraction through a within-subject design experiment of people in the United States. The second study analyzes secondary data in South Korea to compare the two methods' effects on the number of job applicants applying for job openings.FindingsThe results demonstrate that organizations with a history of pay cuts yield more favorable job-seeker attraction outcomes than organizations with a history of downsizing.Practical implicationsAlthough firms that choose to downsize may better maintain the morale of surviving employees, the decision of downsizing can have long-term costs, such as having a worse capability to attract job-applicants than firms that choose to cut pay and share the pain as a group.Originality/valueThe research provides an insight into which payroll cost reduction method yields better outcomes in terms of job-seeker attraction. The research responds to the call in the payroll cost reduction method literature of identifying a feasible alternative to downsizing in terms of various outcomes other than the morale of current (or remaining) employees.

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Peacock

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the relationship between childhood, consumption and the Cold War in 1950s America and the Soviet Union. The author argues that Soviet and American leaders, businessmen, and politicians worked hard to convince parents that buying things for their children offered the easiest way to raise good American and Soviet kids and to do their part in waging the economic battles of the Cold War. The author explores how consumption became a Cold War battleground in the late 1950s and suggests that the history of childhood and Cold War consumption alters the way we understand the conflict itself. Design/Methodology/Approach – Archival research in the USA and the Russian Federation along with close readings of Soviet and American advertisements offer sources for understanding the global discourse of consumption in the 1950s and 1960s. Findings – Leaders, advertisers, and propagandists in the Soviet Union and the USA used the same images in the same ways to sell the ethos of consumption to their populations. They did this to sell the Cold War, to bolster the status quo, and to make profits. Originality/Value – This paper offers a previously unexplored, transnational perspective on the role that consumption and the image of the child played in shaping the Cold War both domestically and abroad.


2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
April A. Estrada ◽  
Marcelo Gottschalk ◽  
Stephanie Rossow ◽  
Aaron Rendahl ◽  
Connie Gebhart ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTStreptococcus suisis a significant cause of mortality in piglets and growing pigs worldwide. The species contains pathogenic and commensal strains, with pathogenic strains causing meningitis, arthritis, endocarditis, polyserositis, and septicemia. Serotyping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) are primary methods to differentiate strains, but the information is limited for strains found in the United States. The objective of this study was to characterize the diversity of 208S. suisisolates collected between 2014 and 2017 across North America (mainly the United States) by serotyping and MLST and to investigate associations between subtype and pathotype classifications (pathogenic, possibly opportunistic, and commensal), based on clinical information and site of isolation. Twenty serotypes were identified, and the predominant serotypes were 1/2 and 7. Fifty-eight sequence types (STs) were identified, and the predominant ST was ST28. Associations among serotypes, STs, and pathotypes were investigated using odds ratio and clustering analyses. Evaluation of serotype and ST with pathotype identified a majority of isolates of serotypes 1, 1/2, 2, 7, 14, and 23 and ST1, ST13, ST25, ST28, ST29, ST94, ST108, ST117, ST225, ST373, ST961, and ST977 as associated with the pathogenic pathotype. Serotypes 21 and 31, ST750, and ST821 were associated with the commensal pathotype, which is composed of isolates from farms with no known history ofS. suis-associated disease. Our study demonstrates the use of serotyping and MLST to differentiate pathogenic from commensal isolates and establish links between pathotype and subtype, thus increasing the knowledge aboutS. suisstrains circulating in the United States.


mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward W. Davis ◽  
Javier F. Tabima ◽  
Alexandra J. Weisberg ◽  
Lucas Dantas Lopes ◽  
Michele S. Wiseman ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTRathayibacter toxicusis a species of Gram-positive, corynetoxin-producing bacteria that causes annual ryegrass toxicity, a disease often fatal to grazing animals. A phylogenomic approach was employed to model the evolution ofR. toxicusto explain the low genetic diversity observed among isolates collected during a 30-year period of sampling in three regions of Australia, gain insight into the taxonomy ofRathayibacter, and provide a framework for studying these bacteria. Analyses of a data set of more than 100 sequencedRathayibactergenomes indicated thatRathayibacterforms nine species-level groups.R. toxicusis the most genetically distant, and evidence suggested that this species experienced a dramatic event in its evolution. Its genome is significantly reduced in size but is colinear to those of sister species. Moreover,R. toxicushas low intergroup genomic diversity and almost no intragroup genomic diversity between ecologically separated isolates.R. toxicusis the only species of the genus that encodes a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) locus and that is known to host a bacteriophage parasite. The spacers, which represent a chronological history of infections, were characterized for information on past events. We propose a three-stage process that emphasizes the importance of the bacteriophage and CRISPR in the genome reduction and low genetic diversity of theR. toxicusspecies.IMPORTANCERathayibacter toxicusis a toxin-producing species found in Australia and is often fatal to grazing animals. The threat of introduction of the species into the United States led to its inclusion in the Federal Select Agent Program, which makesR. toxicusa highly regulated species. This work provides novel insights into the evolution ofR. toxicus.R. toxicusis the only species in the genus to have acquired a CRISPR adaptive immune system to protect against bacteriophages. Results suggest that coexistence with the bacteriophage NCPPB3778 led to the massive shrinkage of theR. toxicusgenome, species divergence, and the maintenance of low genetic diversity in extant bacterial groups. This work contributes to an understanding of the evolution and ecology of an agriculturally important species of bacteria.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-172
Author(s):  
Brent McKenzie ◽  
Emily Hunter

PurposeThe focus of this research is to present a case study of a small Latvian-based non-profit organization (NPO), O fonds (Oncology Foundation), and how they are an exemplar of the challenges facing NPOs in countries that do not have a strong history of NPO success. The research is supported through primary data collection of multiple interviews and correspondence with the key informant of O fonds, the CEO. These insights were supported with secondary data analysis of the history of NPOs in emerging markets, as well as the history of cancer screening in Latvia.Design/methodology/approachIn order to address the gap in the existing research literature, a single firm case analysis was selected to provide the context of the study. A series of semi-structured questions focused on O fonds branding and rebranding activities were posed to the CEO of the firm. Subsequent personal interviews were conducted to analyze and interpret the original results. This primary data were linked to secondary data about the practices of O fonds, NPOs in Latvia and the roles and challenges of NPOs in emerging markets.FindingsThe analysis of the findings from the primary data collection found that O fonds' rebranding effort helped to achieve a more stable and significant place for NPOs in the healthcare sector in Latvia and of equal importance with the Latvian general public. Tangible results included more financial support from donors, with an added benefit of increased joint marketing activities with corporate donors. Furthermore, active involvement with O fonds and medical professionals resulted from the rebrand. Also, there was an increase in referral patients to O fonds so they could attempt to get these people support for cancer screening.Research limitations/implicationsQuestions as to issues of validity from the use of a single case study, and greater issues with a single case, single interview method are acknowledged. This potential limitation, with respect to this study, was deemed to be lessened based on the use of multiple interviews and sourcing of secondary company material with the CEO of O fonds. Further support by way of sharing of a secondary data, and organizational insights helped to address any major limitations in the research methodology, as helpful information and materials that might not have been readily available, or unavailable without this level of trust, could be obtained.Practical implicationsExploring how NPOs can rebrand their firm to better meet the needs of society and be most impactful will contribute to both managerial practice and academic literature. By examining how a non-profit rebranding process occurs, in an emerging economy, and determining how effective rebranding can be utilized as a turnaround strategy, is a contribution of this research. Given the limited non-profit rebranding literature, particularly in emerging markets, this study provides exploratory insights within a new context to help propel the field of knowledge.Social implicationsNPOs have been shown to play a valuable role in communities across many regions of the world as NPOs enable citizens to come together to collectively work toward a common goal with the purpose of bettering society. With respect to the focus on O fonds their aim of increasing early detection of cancer continues to rise, but more positively, the incidents of treatable cancer are also rising as the result of the former. Regrettably, this positive trend in increased cancer screening does not equate to lower mortality rates across all countries, particularly countries in emerging markets such as Latvia.Originality/valueThis is one of the first known studies of an NPO in the emerging market of Latvia, in general, and in the Latvian healthcare sector specifically. As there is a dearth of research in this field of study, and the fact that NPO growth is a critical component of society growth in emerging markets, there is an important contribution to be made to both practice, and society, from the findings from this research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (21) ◽  
pp. 6317-6325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niuniu Wang ◽  
Yongjie Zhang ◽  
Xianzhi Jiang ◽  
Chi Shu ◽  
M. Imran Hamid ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTHirsutella rhossiliensisis a parasite of juvenile nematodes, effective against a diversity of plant-parasitic nematodes. Its global distribution on various nematode hosts and its genetic variation for several geographic regions have been reported, while the global population genetic structure and factors underlying patterns of genetic variation ofH. rhossiliensisare unclear. In this study, 87H. rhossiliensisstrains from five nematode species (Globoderasp.,Criconemella xenoplax,Rotylenchus robustus,Heterodera schachtii, andHeterodera glycines) in Europe, the United States, and China were investigated by multilocus sequence analyses. A total of 280 variable sites (frequency, 0.6%) at eight loci and six clustering in high accordance with geographic populations or host nematode-associated populations were identified. AlthoughH. rhossiliensisis currently recognized as an asexual fungus, recombination events were frequently detected. In addition, significant genetic isolation by geography and nematode hosts was revealed. Overall, our analyses showed that recombination, geographic isolation, and nematode host adaptation have played significant roles in the evolutionary history ofH. rhossiliensis.IMPORTANCEH. rhossiliensishas great potential for use as a biocontrol agent to control nematodes in a sustainable manner as an endoparasitic fungus. Therefore, this study has important implications for the use ofH. rhossiliensisas a biocontrol agent and provides interesting insights into the biology of this species.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 1438-1453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Sturm ◽  
Gernot Kaiser ◽  
Evi Hartmann

Purpose The dynamics of quality performance and quality cost are gaining renewed interest in quality management literature. Using large sample secondary data, the purpose of this paper is to build up empirical evidence for increasing quality performance in manufacturing in the long-run. The authors then examine whether it is possible to reduce internal and external failure cost over time without increasing prevention and appraisal expenditures in return. Finally, a scale effect in reducing quality cost is measured to clarify the long-run dynamics between quality cost and quality performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors conduct statistical analysis on a large sample secondary data set to reveal relationships between total cost of quality, its components and overall quality performance. Findings Significantly higher quality performance and lower quality cost are observed in the long-run. Quality costs grow less than half as fast as sales volume, pointing to a significant scale effect in quality cost reduction. Practical implications Businesses can use these implications for targeting failure costs and budgeting appraisal and prevention costs. Based on company-specific historical learning behavior through prevention and appraisal activities, an increasingly reliable prognosis of failure cost shall be possible. Originality/value For the first time, quality performance and cost dynamics are assessed using a secondary data set with more than 400 observations. A scale effect for quality cost reduction is measured. The results are of great importance to quality management practice and research.


Significance The Middle East has long been polarised between US allies and enemies, while Beijing has historically retained a comparatively smaller footprint and rejected taking sides in regional political and security disputes. However, its economic interests are increasing. Impacts The United States will maintain a comparative advantage from its long history of political, military and economic cooperation in the region. Beijing could leverage its control over large industrial conglomerates in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure and biotechnology. The Belt and Road Initiative will be an attractive project for all Middle Eastern countries, maximising their geographical advantages.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 314-340
Author(s):  
Rio Sundari

The purpose of this research “United States strategy in Suppressing Iran's Nuclear Development” as a critical analysis related to the controversy over nuclear development conducted by Iran. In the history of Iran's nuclear development, the United States is one of the countries that fully support this nuclear development. However, the dynamics of relations between Iran and the United States are a factor in the status of nuclear development. As a result, Iranian attitudes and policies that are not in line with the United States will result in a decline in American support for Iran’s nuclear development. Finally, in 2018 the US announced its exit from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and decided to impose economic sanctions on Iran which coincided with Iranian support for Syria which was contrary to US political attitudes. This research uses qualitative research methods using secondary data such as books, journals, articles, and other sources to provide analysis of this case. This research results in a finding of efforts and strategies carried out by the United States to suppress Iran’s nuclear development. This was done because of two things, first, related to the interests of the United States in the Middle East. Iran’s political stance is often at odds with the politics of the United States. Second, reduce and maintain the hegemony of Israel as a close ally of the United States in the Middle East.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-20
Author(s):  
Devon Powers

Purpose The paper examines the birth of trend forecasting in the USA and position trend forecasters and professional futurists within the wider history of marketing, market research and advertising. Design/methodology/approach The study is based upon archival research, interviews and close readings of primary and secondary literature. Findings Trend forecasters split from traditional market and opinion research in the early 1970s, as concerns about the future became paramount for businesses. At this time, entrepreneurial trend forecasters such as Faith Popcorn started firms, adopting futurological methods to make predictions about the future of culture. The field continued to grow into the 1990s as it developed or modified a host of mostly qualitative research methods, including environmental scanning, consumer ethnography and scenarios. Trend forecasting reveals the complexity of the relationship between business and “the future” and how trends aimed to predict as well as direct that future. Originality/value The article is among the first academic treatments of trend forecasting, drawn from original interviews and exclusively accessed archival research. It contributes to a theory and a history of the concept of a trend, which is understood here as a way to package the movement of culture as sellable. It likewise offers a unique exploration of the relationship between futurology and business.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liya A ◽  
Qian Qin ◽  
Hafiz Waqas Kamran ◽  
Anusara Sawangchai ◽  
Worakamol Wisetsri ◽  
...  

PurposeThis study purposes to measure the influencing relations between macroeconomic indicators and the prices of gold. Further study measures several factors with the gold price in the context of the United States.Design/methodology/approachThe secondary data are collected to measure relationship and fluctuation of gold prices the data collected from the website world development indicators (WDI) for the period of 31 years 1990–2019. This paper uses different econometric analysis such as analytical unit root test for stationary of data, descriptive statistical analysis for description of data, correlation coefficient test for measuring the inter correlation, and ordinary least square regression analysis for determine the impact of dependent and independents variables. In this research paper, gross domestic product (GDP), inflation rate (IR), unemployment rate (UR), real interest rate (RIR), gross national product (GNP), standard trade value (STV) are included in macroeconomic indicators and consider as independent. The gold prices are considered as dependent variable.FindingsThis study's overall results show an important and optimistic association between GDP, IR and STV with the gold price. Moreover, the RIR shows negative and does not show significant relation with the gold prices.Originality/valueSince several economic crises were included during the data selection studied in this research paper, data error may be present, resulting in the instability of the overall data. However, the study still hopes to find the guiding role of these macro gold price factors in the price of gold from the limited data set. The basic scope of research is that research is limited in the United States.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document