Therese Macan

How Can Leaders Foster Team Learning? Effects of Leader-Assigned Mastery and Performance Goals and Psychological Safety

ABSTRACT Learning and adapting to change are imperative as teams today face unprecedented change. Yet, an important part of learning involves challenging assumptions and addressing differences of opinion openly within a group—the kind of behaviors that pose the potential for embarrassment or threat. How can leaders foster an environment in which team members feel it is safe to take interpersonal risks in order to learn? In a study of 71 teams, we found that psychological safety and learning behavior were higher for teams with mastery than performance goal instructions or no goal instructions. Team psychological safety mediated the relationship between mastery and performance goal instructions and learning behavior. Findings contribute to our understanding of how leader-assigned goals are related to psychological safety and learning behavior in a team context, and suggest approaches to foster such processes.

Economic Sanctions in Criminal Justice: Dilemma for Human Service?

The present study analyzes data from a large metropolitan adult probation jurisdiction to investigate the impact of various types of economic sanctions (e.g., supervision fees, restitution, fines) on revenue and clients’ compliance. Fee collections and delinquency rates reflected higher compliance among misdemeanor than felony probationers. Lower compliance among felony probationers was attributable to the imposition of multiple economic sanctions and the demographic characteristics of offenders. The findings on recovery rates indicated that the courts employed inadequate financial screening procedures. However, the analysis showed that judges were reluctant to revoke probation of delinquent probationers. The effects of economic sanctions on the role of probation officers are also discussed.

The effects of probation service fees on case management strategy and sanctions

Abstract In recent years, with rising inflation and decreasing financial support from taxpayers, it has been necessary for states to assess probation supervision fees as a means of revenue. Critics of the probation service fee have cited the potential negative effects of fee collection on both the probationer and society. However, these criticisms have received only minimal examination by probation officials. Five of these arguments are examined in light of the evidence from a large metropolitan adult probation department. The results provide little support for the objections outlined against collection of fees. In fact, counter arguments are given with supporting evidence to illustrate the potential gains for probation services when fees are collected.

Case management and outreach: similarities and differences in worker tasks.

Case management and outreach are two important services provided to many individuals, particularly people with multiple problems. Unfortunately, no taxonomy or measuring instrument has been developed that captures the many dimensions of the jobs performed by both case managers and outreach workers. This study conducted a job analysis that led to the development of an instrument that has a variety of potential uses. It can be (a) a method for classifying both case management and outreach programs on a number of dimensions that can be used in comparing different models of case management and outreach, (b) a means to identify specific case management and outreach activities that might be correlated with client outcomes, and (c) a tool for developing selection criteria as well as performance appraisal dimensions to assess case management and outreach work activities.

Utility analysis: do estimates and format matter?

Purpose – The present study aims to examine how adjustments to utility analysis (UA) estimates and restructuring UA information to include a tabular format affect managerial acceptance of a selection test.Design/methodology/approach – Managers across organizations (n=185) indicated whether they would accept and implement a new selection test based on a hypothetical scenario. They were randomly assigned to different scenarios based on UA dollar estimate size and visual format of the information.Findings – Overall, managers were indifferent to the dollar size of the UA estimate and were not influenced by presentation format. Managers did report use of UA information when making decisions and qualitative analyses revealed several patterns that help explain why this information was useful.Practical implications – When presenting UA information, practitioners should reexamine how they build support for both sides of the benefits‐costs equation, potentially adding information beyond UA dollar amounts such as le...