Gerry Kerr

Performance, HR Practices and the HR Manager in Small Entrepreneurial Firms

Abstract Research indicating a positive relationship between effective Human Resource (HR) activities (high-performance work systems [HPWS]) and performance has focused primarily on large organizations. The present study provides evidence that the relationship also holds for small firms. As well, the presence of an HR manager is related to having HPWS. However, the effects of firm size on the presence of an HR manager, the incidence of HPWS, and on organizational performance were insignificant. Differences between our findings and similar research are also discussed.

The development history and philosophical sources of Herbert Simon's Administrative Behavior

Purpose – To examine the impact of the philosophical sources on Herbert Simons Administrative Behavior, a central work in the management canon.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a conceptual approach, tracing the influence of the major philosophers – William James, John Dewey and the logical positivists (A.J. Ayer and Rudolph Carnap) – cited in the book.Findings – An understanding of the philosophical platform supporting Administrative Behavior is crucial to a more complete reading of the book and to furthering research in the area.Practical implications – Future research focused either on extending Herbert Simons work or, more generally, on advancing the study of management, will benefit from deeper consideration of the implications of the chosen philosophical platform supporting the endeavour.Originality/value – The paper provides the reader a means for better understanding the contributions of a key work in management, with implications that extend to its overall study.

What Simon said: the impact of the major management works of Herbert Simon

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to trace the impact of a major management scholar, Herbert Simon.Design/methodology/approach – A novel approach was employed in identifying the most influential research articles that have made use of Simons two great management works, Administrative Behavior and Organizations (with James March). The list allowed the close analysis of the nature of the influence wielded by Herbert Simon on management scholarship. The process of analysis was guided by a targeted search. Google Scholar allowed the compilation of a list of top‐cited research articles that made use of the two books. The 25 most‐cited articles associated with each were then categorized by their subject matter and examined for the impact of Simons research.Findings – As measured by citations, Herbert Simons influence on management scholarship has been immense. Administrative Behavior and Organizations have incurred huge numbers of citations, more than 7,000 each. Moreover, not one of the 50 papers popul...

The motivations, business satisfaction and commitment of career and later-life older entrepreneurs

The demographics, motivations, rewards, satisfaction, and commitment of Canadian career and later-life older entrepreneurs were examined. The two groups of respondents exhibited noteworthy contrasts. In terms of demographics, later-life older entrepreneurs were significantly less likely than career older entrepreneurs to be in management, and they were more likely to be female, unmarried, working alone, and engaged part-time. In terms of motivations, the career-long pursuit of entrepreneurship is strongly connected with the urge for independence; with a more singular approach to business, as registered by a significantly lower motivation for achieving work–life balance; and with higher values attached to start-up rewards, career success, and overall satisfaction with the business. By comparison, later-life older entrepreneurs focus significantly more on intrinsic rewards like work–life balance and achieving personal fulfillment. However, both groups posted high, statistically indistinguishable satisfaction with their businesses and commitment to self-employment.

Offshore Pricing with Onshore Management: A Case Study in Innovation and Technology Management

This chapter is a case study on Deerwalk, Inc., a premier healthcare software company located in Lexington, Massachusetts. Founded in June 2009 by Dr. Rudra Pandey after the establishment, development and phenomenal success of D2Hawkeye leading to its eventual acquisition by Verisk, Deerwalk appears to be well poised for another round of similar growth and accomplishment as before. The primary goal of this study is to understand Deerwalk’s (DW, hereafter) core competency and strategic advantage which has enabled the company to grow and become profitable in today’s highly competitive software development business. The information needed for writing this case has primarily come from the interviews with DW’s Executive Chairman, Dr. Rudra Pandey and from various case studies published by the company.