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Business & Society Online First Alert

2011 SIM Dissertation Award forum scheduled to appear in December 2012, Volume 51, Issue 4.

K. Praveen Parboteeah

Social Issues in Management Division Dissertation Award Competition for 2011: Acknowledging Exemplary Research Processes and Outcomes in Doctoral Study

Business & Society published June 6, 2012, doi:10.1177/0007650312446733

http://bas.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/0007650312446733v1

Abstract

This dissertation forum continues the tradition started last year by Business & Society to recognize and recognize the achievements of the finalists of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Management</st1:placename></st1:place>'s Social Issues in Management (SIM) Division dissertation award. The dissertation forum includes an introductory essay by the chair of the committee. The essay details the procedure behind choosing a winner as well as reflection on the process. The special dissertation forum also includes the three dissertation abstracts by the finalists. The forum includes a description of each of the finalists as well as a critical evaluation of the works. Similar to last year, each finalist was also asked to provide some insights into "for producing exemplary dissertation research." These insights are also documented at the end of each abstract.

Darline Augustine

Good Practice in Corporate Governance: Transparency, Trust, and Performance in the Microfinance Industry

Business & Society published 11 July 2012, doi:10.1177/0007650312448623
http://bas.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/0007650312448623v1

Abstract

This dissertation abstract and reflection essay presents the work of Dr. Darline Augustine. The dissertation examines variance in firm performance in the microfinance industry. The investigations unfold throughout six dissertation chapters, four of which are empirical. Each chapter illustrates the complex nature of the practice of corporate governance within microfinance firms, and the relationship of transparency to performance. In particular, the dissertation illustrates the influence of firm-level transparency-a proxy for good practice in corporate governance-and positive firm performance. The chapters focus primarily on financial performance and, and to a lesser extent, social performance is also examined. This extended abstract explains the research question, setting, and methods. The reflection essay in the appendix discusses the author's journey in the research process as a junior scholar.

Joel Marcus

Human Values and Corporate Actions Propensity: Examining the Behavioural Roots of Societal Sustainability

Business & Society published 11 July 2012, doi:10.1177/0007650312448891
http://bas.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/0007650312448891v1

Abstract

This dissertation abstract and reflection essay presents the work of Dr. Joel Marcus. The research examines the behavioural underpinnings of corporate actions that either benefit or harm society, defined as strength and concern actions respectively. Specifically, the author explores how different personal values relate to the propensity to engage in strength or concern actions across the economic, social, and environmental domains. This extended abstract explains the research question, setting, and methods. The reflection essay in the appendix discusses the author's journey in the research process as a junior scholar.

Judith Schrempf

The Delimitation of Corporate Social Responsibility: Upstream, Downstream, and Historic CSR

Business & Society published June 12, 2012, doi:10.1177/0007650312446734

http://bas.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/0007650312446734v1

Abstract

The dissertation abstract and the reflection commentary present the work of Dr. Judith Schrempf. The dissertation examines the latest trends in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and advances a social connection approach to CSR to understand and explain those recent trends. The dissertation abstract provides an overview of the research questions and conclusions of the three-article dissertation. The reflection commentary discusses the author's views of research process as a junior scholar.

Duane Windsor, PhD

BAS Editor

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rice</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>

<st1:personname w:st="on">odw@rice.edu</st1:personname>