1,721,010 research outputs found
Entrepreneurial spirit: an Italian study on the values of entrepreneurs.
No full textFor years entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship have been the subject of multidisciplinary studies and nowadays they are the main actor of the European economic scene (Brandstätter, 1997). They are very important to increasing wealth—both personal and societal (Baron, 1998). The entrepreneurs avowed as the capital of the economy and so the European Union seeks to promote more effectively the entrepreneurial spirit (Commission of European Communities, 2003). Effort to answer this claim has focused on the personal characteristics of entrepreneurs in terms of personality factors (Brandstätter, 1997, Ciavarella et al. 2003, Zhao & Seibert, 2006). The present study suggests that valuable insight into the questions posed above may be obtained through careful analysis of the values of entrepreneurs. “The values are a motivational construct. They refer to the desirable goals people strive to attain” (Schwartz, 1992, pag.1). The construct of personal values increase the likelihood to answer to some questions: What motivation to use one’s own resources in order to begin a new economic activity? What values draw entrepreneurial activity? 309 entrepreneurs answered the Italian version of Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ – Capanna, Vecchione & Schwartz, 2005). We expect that even within the entreprenuers’ group there are significant differences, and these are noted in particular in the importance given to the opposing values of each of the bipolar dimensions proposed by Schwartz (Openness to change vs. Conservation, Self-transcendence vs. Self- Enhancement )
"Moving" to a job. The role of locomotion in job search and (Re)employment
No full textThis research examined the relationship between individual differences in the tendency towards locomotion (i.e., the aspect of self-regulation concerned with movement from state to state), job search behaviors, and positive employment outcomes (i.e., number of interviews, number of job offers, employment status). Data from two studies with unemployed Italian job seekers found support for a chain reaction towards employment that is initiated by locomotion orientation: individuals who are characterized by high locomotion show more intense job search behavior, as a result, they receive more interviews and job offers, and are more likely to attain employment. These findings are consistent with the literatures on locomotion orientation (Kruglanski, Thompson, Higgins, Atash, Pierro, Shah, & Spiegel, 2000) and job search success (Saks, 2006). Implications for the effect of locomotion orientation on job search success and employment status are discussed
Are some stereotypes hard to die? Need for Cognitive Closure and Attitudes Toward Woman as Managers
No full textWomen are historically underrepresented in a series of employment fields (e.g., finance and banking) and in some job roles (e.g., leadership and management that are typically associated with men) (for a review, see Burton, 2015). The aim of this research is to verify if an epistemic motivation, namely Need for Cognitive Closure (NFCC) can be associated with negative attitudes toward female leaders, regardless to the gender of the followers (Hypothesis 1).
Furthermore, we investigated the mechanisms and the conditions under which this relationship can been exacerbated. Our hypotheses are that hostile sexism (i.e., negative stereotypes about nontraditional women) can explain the relationship between NFCC and attitude toward women as managers (Hypothesis 2); and that quality of interactions with female leaders moderates the NFCC-prejudice against female leaders’ relationship (Hypothesis 3). Thus, followers with high NFCC who experienced satisficed interactions with female leaders and high score on NFCC decrease the effect of NFCC on negative attitudes towards women as managers. In two studies with heterogeneous samples (Study: N= 99 students and Study 2: N =197 employees,) the results give support to our hypotheses. This research has theoretical and practical implications by suggesting that NFCC, can lead people to be more sensitive to positive contact with female leaders and determines more positive attitudes towards women as managers
Intenzione imprenditoriale e orientamento alla locomotion
No full textCosa spinge alcune persone ad intraprendere una carriera di tipo imprenditoriale? In linea con la letteratura volta ad identificare gli antecedenti disposizionali dell’intenzione imprenditoriale, il presente studio, condotto su un campione di 71 partecipanti, intende indagare la relazione tra orientamento alla locomotion e intenzione a creare impresa. I risultati confermano l’ipotesi di una relazione positiva tra le due variabili prese in esame: gli individui caratterizzati da alto (vs. basso) orientamento alla locomotion esprimono una forte intenzione a diventare imprenditori. Nelle conclusioni vengono discussi i possibili sviluppi del presente contributo.What drives some people to an entrepreneurial career? According to the literature on the dispositional antecedents of entrepreneurial intention, this study, conducted on a sample of 71 participants, aims to investigate the relationship between orientation to locomotion and the intention to create new venture. The results confirm the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between the two variables considered: individuals with a high (vs. low) locomotion orientation express a strong intention to start their own businesses. In the conclusions we discuss possible developments of this study
Individual differences in preference for thought suppression: components and correlates of the White Bear Suppression Inventory
No full textThis study examines the psychometric properties of the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI, Wegner & Zanakos, 1994) in a sample of Italian undergraduate students. The WBSI was designed as a self-report measure of people's chronic tendency to suppress thoughts. Consistent with Blumberg's (2000) analysis, in the present sample factor analysis of the scale revealed three correlated factors: unwanted intrusive thoughts, thought suppression, and self-distraction (to avoid thoughts). Individual differences needed for cognitive closure (NfCC) and regulatory mode orientations (locomotion and assessment) were found to be diversely correlated with the three factors of the WBSI scale. Specifically, NfCC was positively correlated with thought suppression, assessment was positively correlated with unwanted intrusive thoughts, and locomotion was positively correlated with self-distraction as a cognitive avoidance strategy. The theoretical meaning of these findings is considered
Ethical leaders and leadership effectiveness. The moderating role of individual differences in need for cognitive closure. Leader etici ed efficacia della leadership. Il ruolo moderatore delle differenze individuali relative al bisogno di chiusura cognitiva
No full textEthical leadership is an important factor in leadership effectiveness, but the study of the contingencies of its influence is still in its infancy. Addressing this issue we focus on the moderating role of followers’ need for cognitive closure, the disposition to reduce uncertainty and swiftly reach closure in judgment and decision, in the relationship between ethical leadership and its effectiveness. We propose that need for closure captures followers’ sensitivity to the uncertaintyreducing influence of ethical leadership. In a field survey study we found support for the hypothesis that perceived ethical leadership has a stronger (positive) relationship with leadership effectiveness for followers higher in need for closure. This support is found across two indicators reflecting different aspects of leadership effectiveness: effort investment and job satisfaction. We discuss how these findings advance our understanding of the uncertainty-reducing role of ethical leadershi
Cheating, inequality aversion, and appealing to social norms
Full text linkWe conduct a field experiment involving 143, 9-years old children in their classrooms. Children are requested to flip a coin in private and receive a big or a small prize depending on the outcome they report. Comparing the actual and theoretical distribution of reported wins, we find evidence of cheating at the aggregate level. By using behavioral data gathered on previous and subsequent meetings with the same children, we are able to explore the relationship between cheating behavior, other regarding preferences, and the tendency to appeal to social norms in judging unfair behaviors. Children who are classified as concerned about inequality are less likely to cheat. Similarly, children who are more likely to appeal to social norms in judging unfair behaviors are also less likely to cheat. We find no significant relationship between inequality concern and social norms sensitivity, suggesting that these mechanisms work differently interacting with children moral behavior. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Regulatory modes and time management: How locomotors and assessors plan and perceive time
No full textThis research investigated the relationship between regulatory mode orientations (locomotion and assessment), time management behaviours and the perceived control of time. "Locomotion" refers to the aspect of self-regulation involving the movement from state to state, whereas "assessment" is the comparative aspect of self-regulation that refers to the critical evaluation of alternative goals and the means for achieving them. The Italian versions of the Time Management Behavior Scale and the Perceived Control of Time Scale, as well as the Locomotion and Assessment Regulatory Modes Scales were administered to 339 Italian participants (249 students and 90 employees). The results supported the notion that locomotors and assessors differ in the ways they perceive the control of time. Locomotion was found to be positively related to perceived control of time. In contrast, assessment was negatively related to perceived control of time. Furthermore, the two time management dimensions of setting goals and priorities and preference for organisation were shown to mediate the relationship between locomotion and perceived control of time, whereas assessment proved to be unrelated to all time management behaviours. These findings highlight the importance of regulatory modes for human behaviour regarding time management and perceived control of time. © 2014 International Union of Psychological Science
Quando il leader interagisce in maniera equa. Gli effetti dell'equità interazionale e il ruolo moderatore del bisogno di chiusura cognitiva
No full text- …
