Analysis of Organizational Change Outcomes

Analysis of Organizational Change Outcomes An Analysis of Understanding Change in Organizational Outcomes-Article in Journal of Management Problem Addressed by the Study The study suggests that experimental research designs are not suitable for examining change in organizations because they require a lot of resources, are badly timed, and due to ethical reasons (Arvey, 2011).Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Analysis of Organizational Change Outcomes specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Sexual harassment is a strong instance of this issue since it can be both legally and ethically wrong to hold back harassment learning and related organizational interventions from a portion of the population to be utilized as a control group (Arvey, 2011). Thus, organizations often investigate sexual harassment involvements by making surveys to evaluate the incidence of these behaviors before and after the execution. Survey responses though are prone to several subjective factor s that affect the soundness of their interpretation. Surveys are especially influenced by response distortion, communication customs and memory ability of the subjects, measurement, reactivity, and phrasing of the questions (Arvey, 2011). In addition, interpretation of survey results can be perplexed by risk of internal and external accuracy presented by historical influences, maturation, non-response preconceptions, etc. Despite the fact that various approaches have been advanced for reducing these threats to validity of surveys such as the internal referencing method, these approaches cannot take care of all the potential influences of personal factors on survey responses. As a result, additional measures are required before valid findings are drawn from survey investigations. This article discusses methods that can be employed to examine whether a change in the average of a variable is a real change or a result of subjective influences on survey responses (Arvey, 2011). These app roaches have been examined in relation to sexual harassment in the US military during seven year duration. In particular, the study sought to find out whether the reported drop in incidences of sexual harassment in the military resulted from behavior change or it was just caused by change in the responses of the subjects. Stakeholders in the Research The stakeholders in this study are researchers and organizations in general. Researchers will benefit from the research as they will know the effectiveness of surveys in generating valid responses from subjects and the methods they can employ to ensure that such responses are not affected by respondent’s subjective factors. This will ensure that whenever surveys are used to generate information they will generate accurate information and data from which valid conclusions can be drawn. The other group of stakeholders in the research study is the various types of organizations (Waldo, 2008). The idea of change is very important in organizational settings and these entities usually administer surveys to measure incidences of various change variables.Advertising Looking for article on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, the validity of these surveys cannot be guaranteed because of the subjective influences on subjects’ responses. Thus, evaluating the effectiveness of the various methods available for reducing this subjectivity would help in ensuring that change surveys yield only valid results (Waldo, 2008). The Data Collected and How it was Measured The data for this study was based on a 2008 survey administered to members of the US armed forces. The data questionnaires were given to respondents who consisted of members of the US Department of defense who had been actively engaged for at least the last half year. The study employed a non-standardized stratified random sample in a bid to obtain adequate sample si zes for the targeted populations. The study subjects involved both men and women unlike in past studies where samples included women alone. To measure the sexual harassment variable, the study used the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire. This form of questionnaire has been employed extensively in the assessment of the prevalence of inappropriate gender connected behavior in the past few years (Antecol, 2003). The questionnaire comprises of a four-factor model. The four variables covered were sexist behavior, unsolicited sexual attention, offending behavior, and sexual duress. The study measured the responses based on a four-point Likert scale. The responses ranged from never to very often. Quantitative vs. Qualitative This study was quantitative in nature. The research employed quantitative techniques to analyze the responses to the study variables. This entailed calculation of means, standard deviations, as well as correlation coefficients between the variables that were being invest igated. Other measures used were covariance, variance, and standardized root mean square. For levels of significance, the study utilized the F-test. Hypothesis The research employed two hypotheses, hypothesis 1 and hypothesis 2. Hypothesis 1 stated that responses to the sexual harassment questionnaire are influenced by subjective factors of the respondents. Hypothesis 2, on the other hand, stated that responses to the sexual harassment questionnaire are not influenced by the subjectivity of the respondents. The first hypothesis was an alternative hypothesis while the second one was a null hypothesis. The research used the F-test with a 95 percent confidence level to test the null hypothesis. If the null hypothesis was wrong by over 5 percent it would be rejected. In contrast, if the null hypothesis was wrong by less than a 5 percent margin it would be accepted.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Analysis of Organizational Change Outcomes specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Dependent and Independent Variables In this research, the dependent variable was the change in sexual harassment behavior among members of the US armed forces. Conversely, the independent variable was the cause of the change in sexual harassment behavior. That is, was the cause related to the research approach or instrument or a real change in behavior? Data Analysis To analyze the research data, the study employed several approaches including univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. Univariate analysis was used to depict variables such as the study populations and sample constituents among others. In contrast, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to study the relationship between the research variables. Multivariate analysis methods employed included calculating the means and standard deviations of the responses, determining covariance, and regression analysis. Scatter graphs were also utilized to depict t he relationship between the key variables. Research Findings The aim of this study was to investigate the methods for understanding change in organization outcomes. Though crediting the decline in sexual harassment to organization efforts is obviously appealing, the study results indicates that the significant decline in these behaviors is not completely as a result of measures taken by organizations to curb it. This finding is based on the study’s investigation of the association between sexual harassment incidences and organization interventions to reduce the behaviors. Further, the study revealed that incidences of sexual harassment in organizations have not changed significantly as implied by earlier investigations into the subject. What have changed instead are organizational members’ responses to cases of sexual harassment. Additional Research Questions The present study sheds light on the impact of subjective factors on survey responses. Specifically, it shows h ow change in organizational members’ reaction to cases of sexual violence can influence survey results despite the fact that incidences of sexual harassment have not reduced. Potential research questions arising from this research are the causes of change in organizational members’ responses to incidences of sexual harassment and the most effective ways of measuring such incidences. References Antecol, H. (2003). ‘‘Does sexual harassment training change attitudes? A view from the federal level.’’ Social Science Quarterly, 84: 826-842.Advertising Looking for article on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Arvey, A. (2011). ‘‘Using surveys to assess the prevalence of sexual harassment: Some methodological problems.’’ Journal of Social Issues, 51: 117-138. Waldo, C. (2008). ‘‘The sexual harassment of men? Exploring the concept with theory and data.’’ Psychology of Women Quarterly, 20: 527-547.

Definition and Examples of Verbal Paradox

Definition and Examples of Verbal Paradox Definition A verbal paradox is a  figure of speech in which a seemingly self-contradictory statement is nevertheless foundin some senseto be true. Also called a  paradoxical statement. In  A Dictionary of Literary Devices (1991),  Bernard Marie Dupriez defines verbal paradox as an assertion which runs counter to received opinion, and whose very formulation contradicts current ideas.   Irish author Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was a master of the verbal paradox. He once said, Life is much too important to be taken seriously. See Examples and Observations below. also: ParadoxContradictory PremisesEnantiosisOxymoron Examples and Observations The old verbal paradox still holds tree, that blackberries are green when they are red.(Ezra Brainerd, The Blackberries of New England. Rhodora, Feb. 1900) It is the wonderful paradox . . . that the best way to achieve happiness for oneself is to give happiness to others.†(David Michie, The Dalai Lamas Cat. Hay House, 2012) Paradoxes of G.K. Chesterton- It is so easy to be solemn; it is so hard to be frivolous. . . .These articles have another disadvantage arising from the scurry in which they were written; they are too long-winded and elaborate. One of the great disadvantages of hurry is that it takes such a long time.(G.K. Chesterton, The Case for the Ephemeral. All Things Considered, 1908)- There is nothing that fails like success.(G.K. Chesterton, Heretics, 1905)- It is of the new things that men tireof fashions and proposals and improvements and change. It is the old things that startle and intoxicate. It is the old things that are young.(G.K. Chesterton, The Napoleon of Notting Hill, 1904)- The object of verbal paradox, then, is persuasion, and its principle is the inadequacy of words to thoughts, unless they be very careful ly chosen words.(Hugh Kenner, Paradox in Chesterton. Sheed, 1948) Paradoxes of Oscar Wilde- Lord Caversham: I dont know how you stand society. A lot of damned nobodies talking about nothing.Lord Arthur Goring: I love talking about nothing, Father. Its the only thing I know anything about.Lord Caversham: That is a paradox, sir. I hate paradoxes.(Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband, 1895)- If one tells the truth, one is sure, sooner or later, to be found out.(Oscar Wilde, The Chameleon, 1894)- Cyril: But you dont mean to say that you seriously believe that Life imitates Art, that Life in fact is the mirror, and Art the reality?Vivian: Certainly I do. Paradox though it may seemand paradoxes are always dangerous thingsit is nonetheless true that Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life.(Oscar Wilde, The Decay of Lying. Intentions, 1891) More Verbal Paradoxes Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.(Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract, 1762)â€Å"Im an atheist, thank God.†(Luis Buà ±uel)- Much is published, but little printed.(Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854)- Of course, what [Thoreau is] saying here is that with all of the flood of publishing, virtually none of it is ever imprintednone of it ever makes a difference.(Donald Harrington, quoted by Paul A. Doyle in Henry David Thoreau: Studies and Commentaries. Associated University Presses, 1972)[W]hereas a world rises to fall, a spirit descends to ascend.(E. E. Cummings, I: Six Nonlectures. Harvard Univ. Press, 1953)Most marriages recognize this paradox: Passion destroys passion; we want what puts an end to wanting what we want.(attributed to John Fowles)This statement is false.(Greek philosopher Eubulides, The Liar Paradox or pseudomenon) Paradox itself is paradoxical; that is what makes it paradox. It cannot be reduced to lowest terms, only deferred. But neither is it ever present before our eyes; it is always in a state of deferral. . . .Paradox is the form taken within the world of representation by the conflict that representation was created to avoid.(Eric L. Gans, Signs of Paradox: Irony, Resentment, and Other Mimetic Structures. Stanford University Press, 1997)