Knowledge that Transforms

Most research on trust has taken a static, “snapshot” view; that is, it has approached trust as an independent, mediating, or dependent variable captured by measuring trust at a single point in time. Limited attention has been given to conceptualizing and measuring trust development over time within interpersonal relationships. The authors organize the existing work on trust development into four broad areas: the behavioral approach and three specific conceptualizations of the psychological approach (unidimensional, two-dimensional, and transformational models). They compare and contrast across these approaches and use this analysis to identify unanswered questions and formulate directions for future research.

The importance of ethical behavior to an organization has never been more apparent, and in recent years researchers have generated a great deal of knowledge about the management of individual ethical behavior in organizations. We review this literature and attempt to provide a coherent portrait of the current state of the field. We discuss individual, group, and organizational influences and consider gaps in current knowledge and obstacles that limit our understanding. We conclude by offering directions for future research on behavioral ethics in organizations.

A number of studies in strategic management rely on panel (longitudinal) data to test theory. The advantages of panel data notwithstanding, such data introduce analytic problems (e.g., autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity, contemporaneous correlation) that make traditional estimators (e.g., ordinary least squares) inappropriate. This study highlights the influence of contemporaneous correlation, a statistical problem that affects the analysis of panel data. Using Monte Carlo simulations, the authors find that contemporaneous correlation is particularly problematic when analyzing data sets typically used in strategic management research. They suggest straightforward techniques to mitigate the harmful effects of contemporaneous correlation.

The authors used exchange theory to clarify distinctions between organizational justice types and considered the implications of recent conceptual developments regarding justice associated with interpersonal treatment (interactional justice) and the inclusion of justice associated with outcomes (distributive justice) for an exchange model of justice. Using two samples (401 part-time and 272 full-time employees), they found unique relationships of interactional justice and justice concerning informational adequacy with supervisor relationship quality, justice concerning procedures with organizational support, and distributive justice with pay satisfaction. Also, an updated measure of interactional justice appears to capture more of the interpersonal fairness domain than the current measure.

Past work leaves open whether conflict helps or hinders team innovation. Reconciling this inconsistency, Study 1 showed that work teams were more innovative when the level of task conflict was moderate instead of low or high. Study 2 showed that this curvilinear effect exists for task conflict, but not for relationship conflict, and that the effects of task conflict are mediated by collaborative problem solving. Study 2 also showed that although moderate levels of task conflict may promote team innovation, it simultaneously reduces short-term goal attainment in teams. Implications for conflict (management) theory and work on innovation are discussed.

This article attempts to reflect the current state and progress of strategy-process research. Based on a literature review, an integrative framework is developed encompassing key antecedents, process and outcome factors, and the interrelationship among them. The review reveals that strategy-process research has made considerable progress in the past, shifting the focus from strategic planning to new areas, thereby emphasizing the exposed position of the individuals involved. The authors recommend that researchers conduct more studies that explore the effects of the individuals involved in strategy processes and the phases prior to and after the actual decision making.

Pursuit of international markets and resources from foreign sources has increased dramatically during the past two decades, and the academic study of international diversification has increased concurrently. Reviewing the literature in management and related disciplines, the authors discuss recent findings of research on international diversification. A conceptual model groups key relationships, including antecedents, environmental factors, performance and process outcomes, moderators, and the characteristics of international diversification. The authors synthesize intellectual contributions, highlight unresolved issues, and provide recommendations for future research.

Using longitudinal survey data from a matched sample of 94 administrative employees across a range of job levels in an organization that was implementing a Web-based enterprise-wide resource planning software system, the authors examined the relationships between technology training and employees’ acceptance and preparation for mandated technology use. Structural equation analyses indicated that employees’ beliefs about resources to support use of new software mediated the relationship between technology training and intention to use new software outside of formal training and prior to mandated use. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.