John G. Cope

Motivating online performance

This study investigated the effects of goal setting on Internet searches and examined the relationship between Internet self-efficacy and search task performance. Participants searched the Internet and listed the names of the industrial-organizational psychologists they found. Control participants were instructed to “do their best” to find as many names as possible, and experimental participants were assigned the goal of 70 names. As expected, participants in the goal condition worked longer than did those in the control condition. Furthermore, the data generally supported the hypothesis that individuals with goals would produce more results than their non-goal-directed counterparts. Compared to control participants, however, those with goals did not visit a smaller proportion of non-task-related web sites as predicted. Finally, the anticipated positive correlation was found between Internet self-efficacy and the number of correct search results produced. It is concluded that goal setting may be an effective method for increasing online productivity.

Sanctifying Work: Effects on Satisfaction, Commitment, and Intent to Leave

Sanctification involves perceiving objects or events: (a) theistically by viewing them as having spiritual significance, or (b) nontheistically by viewing them as extraordinary and worthy of veneration and respect without any reference to a higher being. Previous research has found positive outcomes associated with sanctification, including increased satisfaction with marriage (Mahoney et al., 1999), body image (Mahoney, Carels, et al., 2005) and sexual intercourse (Murray-Swank, Pargament, & Mahoney, 2002) to name a few. This study extends these findings into the world of work by demonstrating that those who sanctify their jobs are more satisfied, more committed to their organization, and at the same time less likely to intend to leave.

An evaluation of three corporate strategies for safety belt use promotion.

Different types of awareness sessions to promote employee safety belt use were evaluated. Across eight different employee safety meetings three dichotomous variables were manipulated: the type of presentation format (lecture vs discussion), the presence or absence of safety belt pledge cards, and the presence or absence of an incentive component. All groups showed a four-fold increase in safety belt use. Five months after the interventions, belt use was still significantly higher than baseline levels. Generalization across employees was demonstrated by a significant increase in safety belt use for those who did not attend the awareness session. The awareness session with a discussion format influenced greater increases in safety belt use than did the lecture-based sessions, but pledge cards and incentives did not increase the impact of these awareness sessions.

The effect of variable-rate cash incentives on safety belt use

Following an awareness campaign targeting the use of safety belts at a large pharmaceutical company, the present research examined the effects of a variable-rate cash-incentive strategy designed to further boost the level of plant-wide safety belt use. The observed percentage of belt use showed a sig- nificant increase during the incentive phase and a subsequent decline during short-term follow-up, although levels during follow-up were significantly higher than during baseline. Belt wearing was found to be essentially un- changed 6 months later during long-term follow-up.

The impact of recipient list size and priority signs on electronic helping behavior

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of recipient list size and priority signs on electronic helping behavior. Participants were sent an e-mailed request to complete a Web-based survey in one of the following conditions: alone, with 1 other person, with 14 others, or with 49 others. A high priority symbol (!) was attached to the e-mail message sent to half of the participants in each of the preceding conditions. We predicted that as the number of the people in the recipient list increased, (a) the number of individuals who completed the surveys would decrease and (b) the time that elapsed between the participant reading the e-mail request and completing the survey would increase. We also predicted that people who were sent the high priority request for help would (a) be particularly inclined to respond and (b) respond more quickly than those in the normal priority condition. Although no statistically significant results were obtained, the data did reveal notable concerns with the commonly used read receipt function. This research has important implications regarding the utility of read receipts, priority symbols, and personalized e-mail messages.

Policy capturing as a tool to enhance recruiting

During labor shortages, organizations that wish to recruit effectively must advertise jobs attractive to applicants. Demonstrates that policy capturing methodology can be used to uncover the job attributes of interest to potential applicants. Examines the influence of five organizational attributes on the willingness to apply for and accept a job offer in law enforcement. A total of 213 individuals seeking basic law enforcement training certification participated in this study. Each participant completed a survey made up of 32 scenarios varying on levels of five attributes. For the dependent variables “willingness to apply for a job” and “willingness to accept a job offer”, starting salary exerted the most influence on individuals’ job choice decisions. Relocation requirements, advancement opportunities, image, and retirement plan followed respectively in amount of influence exerted for each variable.

CONTROLLING ILLEGAL PARKING IN SPACES RESERVED FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED

Messages announcing the possibility of community intervention and the time of its occurrence were used to examine illegal parking in spaces reserved for the disabled, during specified and nonspecified time periods. Observations were recorded during two consecutive 1-hour shifts (4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.). An ABACA reversal design was used at Space 1 and an ABACAB reversal design was used for Spaces 2 and 3. A sign was used to indicate that either the 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. (B) or the 4:00 to 5:00 p.m

Use of Signs to Enhance Way-Finding in a University Bookstore:

The major goal of this study was to design signs which reduced the time and distance students required to locate textbooks in a college bookstore. Based upon the 1992 research of Arthur and Passini, three new sign conditions were devised-. (a) iconic presentation, (b) new verbal labels, and (c) a combination of icons and new words. It was hypothesized that the changes to the design of the sign system would decrease the time and distance students traveled to locate textbooks. The 328 subjects had no previous experience or knowledge of the university bookstore. During the iconic presentation condition the signs used only drawings to display the message. This change to the sign system resulted in a significant increase in the time and distance students traveled to find their textbooks in comparison to the original signs. Conversely, the redesigned signs using new verbal labels or a combination of icons and new words to display content significantly reduced the time and distance students traveled to locate their textbooks compared to the original signs.