The Faculty of Business Administration's research series will feature presentations from Dr. Amy Warren, Dr. Chansoo Park, Dr. Michael Withey and PhD candidate Mercy Oyet.

The Power of the Word Generation:  Dealing with Multigenerational Issues in the Slassroom

Dr. Amy Warren, Assistant Professor, Human Resources and Labour Relations

In recent years the multigenerational workplace has received much attention and this conceptual paper proposes using interactive discussion of the word 'generation,' both in terms of what we find in generational research and also how we handle teaching about and dealing with multigenerational issues in the classroom. Within the developing literature, there is little consensus as to whether or not generational differences exist and some scholars believe differences may have more to do with life or career stage than with generational membership. In addition, we often hear students accept generalizations about one generation or another and we can infer these negative perceptions may lead to issues causing some of our students to be members of dysfunctional teams. Using goal setting theory we propose activities in the classroom to help students better manage multigenerational issues.

Costco’s Global Strategy: Key Success Factors and Strategic Options

Dr. Chansoo Park, Assistant Professor, International Business with Raadhika Gopinath (MBA 2015) and Sara Parveen (MBA 2014)

With a global presence in nine distinct markets, Costco Wholesale Corporation is one of the leading transnational retailers. The global retail industry has been witnessing intensified competition, which is creating challenges even for top market players such as Costco to operate and expand. This case study provides insights into how Costco entered global markets and managed to reap success and grow, even with the turbulent economic conditions prevalent in the selected countries. The study also analyzes how the company successfully positioned itself as a market leader by breaking stereotypes and following unconventional business strategies. This case presents details on Costco’s global expansion, its current scale of operation, its plans of future expansion in the selected markets and key success factors.

The Effects of Prior Experienced Interpersonal Mistreatment on Newcomer Adjustment

Mercy C. Oyet (PhD student) and Dr. Michael J. Withey, Professor, Organizational Behaviour

Research on interpersonal mistreatment focuses primarily on its harmful effects within the organizational context in which it occurred. The goal of this paper is to offer theoretical arguments on how these effects may perpetuate for targets after they have left the abusive organizational context and entered a new organization. Specifically, we examine how targets-turned-newcomers’ cynicism (an enduring negative attitude that develops following interpersonal mistreatment) and their rumination (a maladaptive cognitive response to such experiences) impact adversely on their adjustment in a new organization. We suggest a possible avenue through which organizations can mitigate these negative outcomes.