Antoinette S. Phillips

Research Note: How Management Students Select Prospective Employers

Suggests that past research has revealed a number of determinants of selection decisions for college students. Given the trend towards “generalist” degrees, aims to examine how graduating seniors in a general business field (management) would rate certain job factors. Reports business management seniors′ ratings of 23 factors potentially present in workplaces. Discusses the most and least important factors and presents implications for organizational recruiting practices.

Job applicant past performance, interpersonal attraction and evaluator attributions in the selection decision process

Examines the interactive effects of applicant past performance, evaluator attributions and interpersonal attraction on selection decisions. A total of 172 male and female students evaluated an application for an on‐campus position and were asked to make selection decisions. Results indicated that internal attributions for good past performance were associated with more favourable selection decisions while internal attributions for poor past performance were associated with less favourable selection decisions. Hypotheses involving interactive effects of applicant past performance and interpersonal attraction on evaluator attributions and selection decisions were not supported.

Using Skills Gained Through Volunteerism in Job Searches: A Workable Strategy

A number of recent theoretical and empirical articles have examined various aspects of volunteerism. Research which has established the increasing importance of career development as a primary goal of many volunteers has largely been concerned with individuals already established in their careers. This article extends current research by focusing on recent or soon-to-be college graduates. It integrates career-development volunteerism research with recent work from the job search literature. The paper includes specific suggestions for obtaining volunteer experience which targets employer-identified desirable job skills.

Behavioral Styles of Path-Goal Theory An Exercise for Developing Leadership Skills

Path-goal theory is firmly established as a robust, comprehensive leadership model. Its applicability makes it attractive to students and practitioners alike. We have designed an exercise with two main goals: first, to help students better understand the path-goal behaviors (directive, supportive, participative, achievement-oriented), particularly those in which they feel weakest; and second, to provide practice modeling each behavior through generating explicit sample statements for the various behaviors that can be used in various leadership situations. The exercise is ideal for use by instructors of upper level or graduate organizational behavior or leadership classes, or in leadership training contexts. We provide focused discussion activities centered on situational diagnosis (when to use which behavior) and guidelines for conducting a behavioral styles exercise. Using the suggested video examples aids in teaching the concepts and is very helpful in preparing students for the exercise.

Understanding Antonio Gramsci's Ambiguous Legacy

Noting the failure of social economists to appreciate the “context” of Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci′s writings, attention is brought to the historical context of Gramsci′s writings by detailing his early life and work. Gramsci′s thoughts on worker ascendancy, labour unions, and political organisation are also received. Gramsci′s plans for the realisation of his ideas are presented as exemplary of worker movements in post‐First World War Italy. The fate of Gramsci′s factory council movement is also discussed.