Cultural Variability in the Attribute Framing Effect

An intriguing phenomenon that arises from decision making is that the decision maker’s choice is often influenced by whether the option is presented in a positive or negative frame, even though the options are, de facto, identical to one another. Yet, the impact of such differential framing of equivalent information, referred to as the attribute framing effect, may not be the same for every culture; rather, some cultures may be more readily influenced by the differentially valenced frames than others (i.e., showing a greater difference in evaluation in a positive vs. negative frame). The present study investigates to what extent and why cultures may differ in their sensitivity to the attribute framing effect. Participants were recruited from South Korea and the United States, cultures characterized by their focus on prevention and promotion, respectively, to test for the cultural variability in the attribute framing effect. The results revealed that Korean participants were markedly more influenced by the valence of the frame than North American participants. Regulatory focus explained why Koreas showed a greater sensitivity toward the attribute framing effect than North Americans. Specifically, a greater prevention (vs. promotion) orientation of Korean participants led them to show a greater evaluation gap in the positive and negative frames. Implications for cultural significance on the attribute framing effect are discussed.

The impact of founder’s regulatory focus on the process of firm birth and firm abandonment

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how self-regulation influences the relationship between nascent entrepreneurial exploitation activities, firm birth and firm abandonment.Design/methodology/approachThis study draws from a unique longitudinal dataset of 181 nascent entrepreneurs from Switzerland who have been interviewed by phone in 2015 and 2016. It uses a moderated binary logistic regression to test the hypotheses.FindingsThis study provides evidence that discrepancies in promotion orientation can explain different ways exploitation can lead to an increased likelihood of firm birth and a decreased likelihood of firm abandonment while respectively increasing persistence. Findings suggest that this is attributed to the regulatory fit between a promotion orientation and exploitation activities.Research limitations/implicationsFor scholars, our findings provide insights into reasons for entrepreneurial persistence, as well as how firm birth can be achieved with different levels of exploitation activities.Practical implicationsThis study provides entrepreneurs with information on how to increase their persistence as well as the likelihood of firm birth while considering their regulatory focus.Originality/valueBased on regulatory focus theory, this paper highlights different paths to firm birth with varying quantity of exploitation activities. We contribute to a greater understanding of firm emergence by accounting for the impact of regulatory foci.

A healthy sports club initiative in action in Ireland

Objective: The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is part of the cultural fabric of Irish society with a club in almost every community nationwide. The aim of this project was to carry out a pilot evaluation of the GAA Healthy Club Project (HCP), which is a unique effort by a national governing body to include health as part of the core business of the organisation at grass roots level. Design: A pre–post intervention group only design was used across 18 clubs recruited to a pilot phase of the project. Setting: GAA grassroots sports clubs across Ireland. Methods: Twelve Healthy Club Officers completed a self-evaluation survey of their club at two time points to indicate the health promotion orientation of their club and the extent of health promotion activity in the club. Results: Data showed improvements in the health promotion orientation of clubs, from moderate to high health promoting overall and particular increases in policy and practice scores. This is likely due to the widespread appointment of Healthy Club Officers and the delivery of health-related initiatives in clubs. Conclusion: The impact of the project, while not demonstrable as an intervention effect at this stage, was real for the clubs involved. The GAA HCP is a novel way of carrying out health promotion in Ireland, serving as a meeting point between the ‘push of health’ and ‘pull of the sports club’.

Implementing a Life Cycle Approach through Establishment of a Multipurpose Behavior Therapy Room in PGIMER, Chandigarh for Enhancing the Fitness Level of Women

ABSTRACT Introduction In India, women in their natural role as mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters have been accepted as the principal providers of good health to their families and indirectly to the community. Yet, when it comes to their own health, it receives low priority. Health and fitness of women is compromised by gynecological morbidities that they consider as ‘normal' and part of their destiny. For example, in dysmenorrhea, girls remain grounded for 3 to 4 days. Uterine prolapse and urinary leakage compromise quality of women's life. Many of these problems of women can be resolved by nonmedicinal interventions. Therefore, every woman should have the opportunity to learn about the self-care of problems they experience. However, the doctors in the outpatient departments, particularly Obstetrics and Gynecology (OPG–OPD) are usually overworked to explain this to patients. Objective To document the feasibility and impact of instituting a health promotion orientation package in OPG–OPD in an apex hospital of North India. Materials and methods A health promotion orientation package of services was instituted in OPG–OPDs in an apex hospital of north India through a multipurpose behavior therapy (MPBT) room in December 2012. After referral from main OPD, patients of pregnancy, infertility, prolapse, urinary incontinence (UI), menopause, and dysmenorrhea were advised nonmedicinal interventions, such as dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, and simple exercises/yoga. Unlike main OPG–OPD, here patients were attended along with their husbands and other family members. Here patients shared their queries without hesitation. Patients were also given booklets (available in Hindi, English, Punjabi) and other IEC material on related problems free of charge. Results Favorable results of nonmedicinal interventions were reported. Around 5000 patients were successfully managed through this approach in three years. Out of 100 menopausal patients referred to the MPBT room, 64 were successfully followed up. Among 759 UI and prolapse of pelvic organs patients visiting the room, 66% reported total relief in symptoms and 26% patients reported partial relief after following behavior therapy instructions. Around 3000 antenatal care patients counselled reported relief in symptoms and satisfaction with the quality of counselling. They were also happy that they are being listened to patiently. Patients of polycystic ovarian disease, infertility, and dysmenorrhoea were also advised simple exercises, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications. Conclusion Establishing a counseling room/MPBT room in hospital, OPDs has a potential to help women cope better with the issues related to their health. Replication of this model in other medical colleges will also help in reducing the load on doctor while simultaneously enhancing patient satisfaction. How to cite this article Sharma R, Dhaliwal LK, Suri V, Kaushal P, Singhal N, Rana AK, Singh AJ. Implementing a Life Cycle Approach through Establishment of a Multipurpose Behavior Therapy Room in PGIMER, Chandigarh for Enhancing the Fitness Level of Women. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2017;51(3):115-122.

Motivation in Words: Promotion- and Prevention-Oriented Leader Communication in Times of Crisis

Research demonstrates that situational uncertainty or crisis strongly influences the endorsement of the more charismatic or decisive leadership styles and that inspirational communication is at the heart of these styles. However, there is currently little understanding of what leaders should convey through their communication to be endorsed in crisis. Based on regulatory focus theory, we argue that times of crisis make leaders who use more promotion-oriented communication more likely to be endorsed and leaders who use more prevention-oriented communication less likely to be endorsed. Results of Study 1, an archival study of U.S. presidents, show that presidents who use more promotion-oriented communication are more endorsed but only if economic growth is low or if inflation is high, while no effects of the use of prevention orientation of communication surfaces. Results of Study 2, a laboratory experiment, show that leaders who communicate a promotion orientation, as compared to a prevention orientation, motivate higher performance in participants in a crisis condition, but that there is no difference in a no-crisis (i.e. control) condition. Finally, results of Study 3, a scenario experiment, demonstrate that organizational leaders that communicate more promotion-oriented (as opposed to more prevention-oriented) have a higher chance of being endorsed but only in times of crisis and that this effect is mediated by followers’ motivation to realize the plans of the leader.