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Using theoryfrom both small group and conflict management research, this study examined how conflict is managed within work groups performing decision-making tasks. It was proposed that larger and more cohesive groups would show less competing and more avoidance, compromise, and accommodation in response to conflict. We assessed whether conflict would be handled differently depending on whether the group is focused on problem analysis, solution evaluation, or group process management, and whetherconflict handling would change as afunction of time. Contingency analyses of 25 group decisions content-codedfor conflict-handling behavior, task achievementfunction, group size, cohesiveness, and temporalphase indicated mixed supportforour expectations. Conflict-handling behaviors reflecting high concern for others occurred mostfrequently, whereas behaviors representative of low concern for others occurred leastfrequently. Results are discussed in terms of hypothesis generation and suggestionsforfuture research thatcould continue linking these two literatures.

AbstractVolunteer behavior is often difficult to manage or control since control systems of the sort that direct behavior in most for‐profit organizations are usually not available. This study introduces a tool—the psychological contract—that can give voluntary‐agency administrators a powerful way to help them understand and manage volunteers' contributions to their organizations. The study finds that elements of this approach, especially the level of support the volunteer believes he or she is receiving from the organization, are especially important tools that can both increase participation in various events and reduce withdrawal or turnover intentions.

This study of group support systems examined the effects of the fit of task demands for numeric, visual, and conceptual language with the ability of different communication channels to transfer these types of information. It was proposed that the quality of this task language demand-communication channelfit would affect group perfonnance and strategy. Fifty-four groups worked on two levels of a spatial-visual task that varied in level of information processing complexity. Audio conferencing groups whose communication channels were poorly matched to task language demands performed more poorly, made fewer decisions per time period, and used less appropriate strategies than did face-to-face and screensharing groups. Performance decrements in the audio conferencing groups were due partly to the use of improper strategies when unaware of infonnational differences, and partly due to communication problems that limited the ability of the audio channel to allow effective integration or coordination of members' contributions even when group members were aware of information differences. The results are discussed in the context of information sampling disadvantages that occur when a poor fit between task language demands and communication channels inhibits sharing of information between group members.

Entrepreneurship research has been criticized for a lack of methodological rigor, although evidence suggests that from a methodological perspective, it is improving (Davidsson, 2006). In this paper, we systematically review the methods used in the study of nascent entrepreneurs to identify challenges associated with the data used in these studies. We also review the field's achievements — notably, the successful use of representative sampling of populations of nascent entrepreneurs — and we raise concerns about the predominant use of secondary data sets and the use of scales originally developed for large, established firms. Drawing on methodological advancements in other fields, we offer suggestions related to study design, data collection, sampling and measurement. Although some of the challenges we note are inherent to the nature of entrepreneurship, we hope our discussion can help researchers design better studies and better interpret their findings.

Drawing from literature linking organizational politics with effects of challenge or hindrance stressors, this study investigated the effects of the frequency and psychological distance of positive and negative conceptualizations of perceived politics on the impact to the individual. It was hypothesized that the frequency of political behavior would exhibit an inverted-U-function relationship with favorable evaluations of political behavior and that this relationship would be moderated by distance. Two independent samples were used to test the hypotheses. Results for negative conceptualizations of perceived politics indicated a curvilinear frequency–evaluation relationship such that moderate levels of negative or dysfunctional politics are evaluated more favorably than either high or low levels. The distance of the political behavior was further found to moderate this relationship, with distant politics having little effect on the frequency–evaluation relationship, but politics with nearby impact yielding more negative evaluations as frequency increased. For positive conceptualizations of perceived politics, results revealed that respondents evaluated this form of politics more favorably the more it occurred. Further, positive political behavior was reported to be less desirable when its impact was believed to be at a distance rather than being felt by respondents personally. Implications are discussed.

Research on upward influence in organizations has often proposed that such influence is an episodic process, yet rarely does such research examine the use of influence after the employee has met with initial resistance. Based on the upward influence model of Porter, Allen, and Angle (1981), this study examined several predictors of subordinates' decisions to cease or persist in attempts to obtain work-related resources after an initial failure. ALISRE Lmodel indicated that upward influence actions following a failed influence attempt can be predicted with variables related to goal importance, influence agent characteristics (i.e., Machiavellianism and work experience), and aspects of the agent-target relationship (i.e., leader-member exchange and costs associated with influence). The implications of these findings are discussed.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to revise and revalidate the End‐User Computing Satisfaction (EUCS) instrument to measure satisfaction with a Web site from a usability perspective. This study is especially important given the increased significance of the Web and the uniqueness of the Web as a computing environment. A total of 176 students participated in a lab simulation that involved a usability evaluation of the Lands' End Web site (http://www.landsend.com). Students were asked to complete a set of tasks, record their answers, and then complete the EUCS instrument. Confirmatory factor analysis and invariance analyses were conducted to test the reliability, validity, and generalizability of the revised EUCS. The results show that the EUCS is a valid and robust instrument in the Web environment but that one of the subfactors, timeliness, will need further refinement in the future. Usability practitioners can use the EUCS to measure end‐user satisfaction with a Web site and use the feedback for improving Web‐site design. We describe a case study of an actual usability application that utilized the revised EUCS effectively to support the design of building supply Web sites involving two types of end users, homeowners and contractors. We also propose a typology that researchers can use as a starting point to judge when it is necessary to revalidate an instrument like the EUCS. Finally, we discuss the limitations of our study and present avenues for future research.