The Professional Mind-Set of City Managers: Implications for Public Administration

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-232
Author(s):  
Christopher G. Reddick ◽  
Tansu Demir ◽  
Greg Streib

We develop a theoretical model of city manager professionalism addressing professional guidance and commitment, and four public service values: ethical solutions, neutral competence, political responsiveness, and political solutions. We tested these professionalism values on a national survey sample of city managers in the United States. Using structural equation modeling, we found evidence that professionalism acted directly on reported ethical behavior, and ethical behavior indirectly explained political responsiveness positively and political solutions negatively through neutral competence. Our analysis supports arguments that public service professionalization is possible and clarifies the pathways toward this important goal. Our study focuses on understanding how involvement in professional associations and activities relates to city manager perceptions of their own values and competence.

2021 ◽  
pp. 089020702110140
Author(s):  
Gabriel Olaru ◽  
Mathias Allemand

The goal of this study was to examine differential and correlated change in personality across the adult lifespan. Studying differential and correlated change can help understand whether intraindividual trait change trajectories deviate from the norm and how these trajectories are coupled with each other. We used data from two large longitudinal panel studies from the United States that covered a total age range of 20 to 95 years on the first measurement occasion. We used correlated factor models and bivariate latent change score models to examine the rank-order stability and correlations between change across three measurement waves covering 18 years ( N = 3250) and four measurement waves covering 12 years ( N = 4145). We examined the moderation effects of continuous age on these model parameters using local structural equation modeling. The results suggest that the test–retest correlations decrease with increasing time between measurements but are unaffected by participants’ age. We found that change processes in Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness were strongly related, particularly in late adulthood. Correlated change patterns were highly stable across time intervals and similar to the initial cross-sectional Big Five correlations. We discuss potential mechanisms and implications for personality development research.


Author(s):  
Valentina Nicolini ◽  
Fabio Cassia

AbstractThis paper suggests a model that considers the effects of the children’s attitude toward Public Service Announcements—PSAs (measured through the likeability of PSAs) on their behavioural intention to eat fruits and vegetables. The suggested model was tested through an empirical analysis conducted with children aged 8 to 11 and the data were analysed through partial least squares – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) multigroup analysis. The findings indicate that the positive emotions PSAs generate and PSA credibility mediate the effects of the children’s perceived likeability of PSAs on their behavioural intention to eat fruits and vegetables. Overall, understanding the connections between PSA likeability, positive emotions, PSA credibility and behavioural intentions can facilitate the development of further social advertisements aimed at children covering healthy eating. Therefore, the findings of this study are relevant for non-profit organizations, government institutions and advertisers interested in creating effective social messages aimed at children.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlin P. Ward ◽  
Gordon E. Limb ◽  
Sarah Higbee ◽  
Helena Haueter

Stepfamilies are one of the fastest growing family structures among all racial groups in the United States. Stepfamily research among many racial groups, specifically American Indians, is virtually nonexistent. This is unfortunate, as American Indians are more likely to divorce and remarry compared with other populations. From a family systems perspective, this study examined whether retrospectively perceived closeness in three stepfamily relationships, namely child–residential biological parent, child–residential stepparent, and child–stepsibling, were negatively associated with depression scores in 226 American Indian emerging adults. A structural equation model showed that increased child–residential biological parent and child–stepsibling closeness predicted decreased depression scores, whereas child–residential stepparent closeness did not. We also found that depression scores significantly predicted retrospective perceptions of child–residential biological parent, child–residential stepparent, and child–stepsibling closeness. Findings encourage interventions that strengthen American Indian child–residential biological parent and child–stepsibling relationships, and underscore the need for further research that explores American Indian stepfamily relationships.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noni Zaharia ◽  
Kurt C. Mayer Jr. ◽  
Eric Hungenberg ◽  
Dianna Gray ◽  
David Stotlar

<p>This study sought to develop and test a cross-national sport sponsorship model. Sponsorship and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theories were utilized for the theoretical framework for this study. A survey was conducted with 522 Chelsea FC soccer club’s fans from the United States, the United Kingdom, and India in the area of sponsorship through a jersey sponsorship. Single and multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the global sport sponsorship model. The results acknowledged the measurement and structural invariance of a global model for five sport sponsorship outcomes (i.e., sponsorship awareness, sponsorship fit, attitude toward the sponsor, gratitude, and purchase intentions), controlling for age, gender, education, household income and the household’s decision maker. The statistical analyses indicated that structural relationships among the analyzed sponsorship outcomes were invariant among all three countries. The effect of sponsorship fit predicted the presence of purchase intentions, while the attitude toward the sponsor was the strongest predictor of purchase intentions.</p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolando Zubirán Shetler ◽  
Jesús Fabian López Pérez

Key words: Diffusion of innovations, electronic commerce, structural equations, Smart-PLS, technology acceptanceAbstract. The following article analyzes the principal factors that have an impact in the adoption of new telecom convergent services, through electronic commerce, that have been explored and studied primarily in developed markets such as the United States and that have been deemed as critical factors in the development and growth of online electronic transactions. Specifically, factors and latent variables of this study derive from the models of Technology Acceptance (Davis, 1989) and Diffusion of Innovations (Rogers, 2003). A summary of past empirical studies is provided deriving from the aforementioned theoretical models followed by results of an exploratory field study comprising of 253 valid observations randomly selected from within the population of urban internet users in Mexico. The methodology used to determine the causal relationship between variables (Betas) was factor analysis (Principal Components) and structural equation modeling, specifically Smart-PLS. The study determined that perceived utility and trust variables are statistically relevant and significant in determining purchase online of new telecom convergent services and the development of electronic commerce in the Mexican Market.Palabras clave: Aceptación de la tecnología, comercio electrónico, difusión de las innovaciones, ecuaciones estructurales, Smart-PLS.Resumen. Este artículo analiza los principales factores que influyen en la adopción de los nuevos servicios convergentes de telecomunicaciones, a traves del comercio electrónico, que han sido explorados y estudiados principalmente en mercados desarrollados como el de Estados Unidos y que han sido confirmados como factores críticos en el desarrollo y el crecimiento de las transacciones electrónicas en linea. Específicamente, los factores y variables latentes en este estudio se derivan de los modelos de Aceptación de la Tecnología (Davis, 1989) y la Difusión de las Innovaciones (Rogers, 2003). Se presenta un resumen de los antecedentes de estudios empíricos derivados de los mencionados modelos teóricos, seguido de los resultados de un estudio exploratorio de campo que comprende 253 observaciones válidas seleccionadas en forma aleatoria dentro de la población de usuarios urbanos de Internet en México. La metodología utilizada para determinar las relaciones causales entre las variables (Betas) fue análisis factorial (Componentes Principales) y el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales, específicamente Smart-PLS. El estudio determina que las variables percepción de utilidad y confianza son estadísticamente relevantes y significativas en la determinación de compra en línea de nuevos servicios convergentes de telecomunicaciones y en el desarrollo del comercio electrónico en el Mercado Mexicano.


2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 29-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Hee Shin

This study surveyed mobile users in the United States and Korea to determine the key differences between the two countries. Survey questions, developed in two languages, were presented in each country to explore the influences of informativeness, entertainment, interactivity, and availability on mobile user dimensions. The study design methods were based on the revision of a uses and gratifications approach, and a relational model of antecedents and consequences was tested with a structural equation modeling approach. Mobile Internet service uses and gratifications were analyzed cross-nationally in a comparative fashion focusing on the differences in the composition of motives in the two countries. Based on the results of this study, practical implications for marketing strategies in mobile service markets and theoretical implications for cross-country studies are recommended accordingly.


Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendall Pogue ◽  
Jamie L. Jensen ◽  
Carter K. Stancil ◽  
Daniel G. Ferguson ◽  
Savannah J. Hughes ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, with the United States being highly affected. A vaccine provides the best hope for a permanent solution to controlling the pandemic. However, to be effective, a vaccine must be accepted and used by a large majority of the population. The aim of this study was to understand the attitudes towards and obstacles facing vaccination with a potential COVID-19 vaccine. To measure these attitudes a survey was administered to 316 respondents across the United States by a survey corporation. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships of several factors with attitudes toward potential COVID-19 vaccination. Prior vaccine usage and attitudes predicted attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. Assessment of the severity of COVID-19 for the United States was also predictive. Approximately 68% of all respondents were supportive of being vaccinated for COVID-19, but side effects, efficacy and length of testing remained concerns. Longer testing, increased efficacy and development in the United States were significantly associated with increased vaccine acceptance. Messages promoting COVID-19 vaccination should seek to alleviate the concerns of those who are already vaccine-hesitant. Messaging directed at the benefits of vaccination for the United States as a country would address the second predictive factor. Enough time should be taken to allay concerns about both short- and long-term side effects before a vaccine is released.


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Xie ◽  
Shu-Sha Angie Guan ◽  
David Boyns

The student recreation center (SRC) promotes quality of life among college students. Grounded in self-determination theory, this study examined the relationship between SRC use and subjective vitality using a sample of 540 students at a large state university in the United States. Results of structural equation modeling indicated that use of fitness and group sport facilities both had a positive relationship with subjective vitality, which were mediated by competence need satisfaction, relatedness need satisfaction, and perception of physical health. Implications of the study findings were discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 633-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsien-Yuan Hsu ◽  
Tze-Li Hsu ◽  
KoFan Lee ◽  
Lori Wolff

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the construct validity of Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB) using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). The data were drawn from the national survey of Midlife in the United States conducted during 1994 and 1995. Measurement models assuming different number of factors (1-6 factors) and considering the effect of negatively wording items were specified and compared to determine optimal number of underlying factors. The discriminant validity was assessed following Farrell’s suggestions. The results showed the discriminant validity was questionable due to five indicators with considerable cross-loadings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaela Palma ◽  
Alessandro Hinna ◽  
Gianluigi Mangia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore whether a pro-social motivation called user orientation (UO), which aims at helping specific others, may affect performance of public sector employees in addition to public service motivation (PSM), and whether any personal, and/or contextual factors affect this relationship (age, tenure, role, and context). Design/methodology/approach Utilizing cross-sectional survey data obtained from 618 Italian public teachers, PLS-structural equation modeling is used to investigate the relationship between PSM, UO, and performance, along with the moderating effects of individual/contextual factors. Findings Findings show positive relationships between the two levers (PSM/UO) and individual performance (IP), depending on job and organizational tenure, role, and the social environment of the areas the schools are located in. Research limitations/implications There might be problems related to causal inference and common method variance, due to the use of the cross-sectional self-reported data. Practical implications Managers should be aware of the crucial role UO and PSM play in order to improve IP in contexts where there is direct contact with the service beneficiaries. Originality/value The paper contributes to a clearer understanding of which motives are involved in the process that leads public service employees to enhance their performance.


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