Ronald F. Cichy

Leader-Member Exchange: Testing the Measurement Model and Testing a Structural Equation Model in the Context of Internal Marketing

Abstract Retaining employees is a major goal of internal marketing. Internal marketing is often performed through direct interpersonal communication. Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory informs how such communication and retention may take place. The Leader-Member Exchange measurement model and a proposed structural equation model are tested. The test produced two factors, consistent with extant LMX-7 and LMX-6 measure, that combined into a second order factor. The model suggests that employees that communicate frequently with their immediate supervisor develop high quality LMX and will successfully negotiate different, and better, role and employment parameters, than those who do not engage in such communication, thus having less of an intent to turn. Findings regarding member pay appear counterintuitive. Multiple tests of the structural equation model using both ordinary least squares and maximum likelihood approaches were successful.

Private club leaders' emotional intelligence: development and validation of a new measure of emotional intelligence.

This study specifically focuses on identifying the emotional intelligence (EI) of leaders in the private club industry, via an online survey assessment. This study identifies emerging issues and theoretical gaps in the current existing EI framework and describes the development of a new measure of EI. An initial six-factor structure of EI model was not supported; however, confirmatory factor analyses of the responses of 926 private club participants suggests that the revised three-factor structure of EI model (20 items), comprising IN, OUT, and RELATIONSHIPS, shows evidences of convergent and discriminant validity. This newly developed EI scale is psychometrically sound and, practically, sufficiently short to be a useful tool for application to real private club organizational settings. This study concludes with theoretical and practical implications, together with suggestions regarding future study that can advance current knowledge of EI.

Food service leadership: could Attila run a restaurant.

Abstract As food-service operators address the challenges of labor issues, governmental regulations, litigation, and debt structuring, only the most capable and qualified leaders will be truly successful

Commitment and Volunteer-Related Outcomes Among Private Club Board and Committee Member Volunteer Leaders

This study examined the direct and indirect factors influencing volunteer leaders’ future intentions to continue to serve as board and committee members in private clubs. The proposed model was tested with a sample of 457 board and committee members, using mainly a Web survey. Findings showed that the volunteer leaders’ affective commitment had a direct and positive influence on both their volunteer dedication and involvement, whereas their normative commitment had a direct and positive influence only on their volunteer dedication. Both volunteer dedication and involvement were found to be important, direct factors for volunteer leaders’ future volunteer intentions to continue to serve as board and committee members in private clubs.

Hospitality Service Innovations in Private Clubs

Service innovation positions an organization to create and deliver anticipatory service that exceeds member expectations and ultimately strengthens relationships. However, service innovation remains one of the most under-researched topics in hospitality. This study begins to fill that gap by exploring the strategies and factors that drive service innovation in the private club industry. Drawing insights from approximately 700 critical incidents reported by private club general managers/chief operating officers, we examined the common strategies and factors that assist clubs in developing and launching new services and products. Moreover, we also categorize pressing issues in the industry that are ripe for future innovation. The findings may have implications not only for the club industry but also for the hospitality industry in general.

Shidō-sei Leadership in Japan's Commercial Food-Service Industry

Abstract Do Japans cultural norms dictate the style of leadership of its hospitality operations? Hai, Kaskikomarimashita!

The relationship between emotional intelligence and contextual performance: Application to automated and vending service industry executives

This study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and contextual performance among members of the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA), representing leaders of the vending, coffee service, and food service management industries. Canonical analysis was used to investigate the relationships between three dimensions of EI—IN, OUT, and RELATIONSHIPS—and two dimensions of contextual performance—Interpersonal Facilitation and Job Dedication. Canonical analysis of the responses of 191 individuals demonstrated that there is a positive relationship between EI scores and contextual performance of NAMA members, as predicted.

Financial Executives in U.S. Clubs: Foundations of Leadership

Private clubs in the United States require not only the leadership of a strong general manager, but of an excellent chief financial officer. Traditionally club CFOs have been expected to be strong in technical skills. This study finds that the essential leadership qualities of private-club financial executives include strong communication skills, maintaining trust in their employees, developing a vision, and being consistent and firm in decision making. In this particular sample, slightly more than half the responding financial officers were women. While the respondents stressed the importance of strong leadership from a general manager, the financial officers also made clear the importance of their own leadership, particularly in human resources, for which many of them had responsibility (in addition to their financial duties).

Polychlorinated biphenyl reduction in lake trout by irradiation and broiling

The Great Lakes Environmental contaminants surveys (1974-1975) have concluded that excessive concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are present in a specific species of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Over 30 ppM of PCBs have been detected in the edible fillet of this fat trout. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of gamma irradiation combined with broiling on the levels of PCBs in lake trout fillets.

Service Innovations: What the Managers Believe and What the Customers Say

Abstract Service innovation has become a critical organizational capability. It is crucial to understand not only what service innovations service managers introduce, but also what service innovations help improve customers’ experiences. This study examines the initiatives managers undertake to introduce new services and whether service innovations improve service experiences for the members. In this study, 300 critical incidents were reported by private club general managers/chief operating officers, and 956 were reported by their members in private clubs across the United States. The findings have both theoretical and practical implications.