Arvind Bhambri

Organization Structure and Corporate Social Performance: A Field Study in Two Contrasting Industries

The relationship between public-affairs management structure and social performance was studied. We explored three dimensions of public-affairs management structure—receptivity to public affairs in...

The regulatory executives

A study of the chief executives of regulatory agencies: their backgrounds, their work, and how they view it is presented in this volume. Based on a study of state commissioners of insurance in America, it is both a thorough review of the types, history, processes, and impacts of regulation and the role played by regulators themselves. Some regulators view themselves as being arbiters between business and the public; others see themselves as watchdogs of the public interest. What difference do these views make to the agendas of the agencies?

Establishing the Initial Contract

The importance of the first class session in setting the tone for a course cannot be over-emphasized. It creates expectations and sets standards against which subsequent sessions are judged. The opening verbal and nonverbal signals also have a critical impact on subsequent student involvement and participation-both critical determinants of success in a casebased course (Christensen, 1981; Andrews, 1954; Nash, 1980). This article presents a case study of the opening session of one of the highest rated professors at a leading eastern business school that relies on the case method. In addition, student reactions and key aspects of the professor’s style in subsequent classes are discussed to highlight how the expectations raised on the first day were maintained and fulfilled in the course.