Print VersionA Sampling of CIBER-Funded Research
Spring 2008
Comparative Research: Effects of Consultants on the Diffusion of Innovative Work Practices
Larry W. Hunter, associate professor, management and human resources, UW-Madison
CIBER will support this research project to expand understanding of the ways in which human resources and information technology consultants shape work practices. Particular attention will be paid to the ways in which national differences in institutional environments shape the definitions of consultants’ roles as well as the constraints they face in implementing such practices. Research shows that innovative work practices contribute to measurable improvement in business performance, yet such practices have been relatively slow to diffuse across organizations. This project seeks to gather exploratory data on IT consultants’ roles as they effect changes in work practices in the U.K., France, and Germany; and to develop curriculum materials from these data; and to generate lessons for managers and policy-makers who are interested in continued diffusion of high-performance practices.
Research on the Role of Core Confidence and Coping with Organizational Change: Evidence from Vietnam and Korea
Alex Stajkovic, associate professor, management and human resources, UW-Madison
CIBER will provide support for the collection of data for this research project dealing with the role of confidence in coping with organizational change in transition economies. Professor Stajkovic will travel to Vietnam and Korea to begin research collaboration discussions and data collection. The results of this project will provide initial answers regarding the role of confidence in addressing this critical global management question, which may enhance global curriculum, create new global collaboration opportunities for faculty and students, and offer new relevant research knowledge that may contribute to the national interests by providing answers that may enhance the ability of U.S. businesses to compete globally.