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The Role and Importance
of `Glue People' in Projects
-- Thommie Burström and Mattias Jacobsson
Almost 40 years ago the importance of liaison roles—a way for management to handle
an increasing need to process information—was pointed out. The liaison role, which is
described as managerial means to achieve coordination amongst different knowledge domains
by facilitating communication, has been a subject of extensive interest during the years. Most
of this interest has either focused on (1) the liaison position with no decisional authority,
formal power, but is formally established, or (2) the integrating manager which is a formal
position with recognized formal authority. This paper aims at highlighting the importance of
people in projects. Based on a theoretical underpinning of projects as temporary organizations,
and the need for project teams to manage interdependent sets of diverse skills and knowledge
sets, within a limited time frame, this paper analyses hands-on project work. The analysis is
based on two comprehensive in-depth qualitative case studies, one in the construction industry
and the other in the truck industry. Both of these cases focus on the actual everyday work of
the project participants. In this paper we argue that `glue people' possess specific soft skills
such as: the ability to facilitate communication among professional groups, create
commitment, and reduce uncertainty. These are all important skills in order to handle the
everyday complexity and manage the interdependent sets of diverse skills and knowledge
domains present in temporary organizations. The paper concludes that `glue people' share
some characteristics of formal liaisons and integrating managers, but that new novel
explanations for understanding `glue people' are necessary.
© 2011 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Culture Differences in Leadership
-- Almarie E Munley
This paper is a study of the impact culture has on leadership.
It gives a comprehensive review of cultural differences
in leadership and emphasizes the importance of understanding
cultural differences between countries by examining the work of Geert Hofstede and the GLOBE
(Global Leadership Organizational Behavioral Effectiveness). In earlier
studies, Bernard Bass (1990) pointed out the different units of analysis in the study of leadership and culture: within
and among countries, organizations and groups.
In addition, he underscored the importance of understanding cultural differences,
between countries. Studies such as Hofstede's and the GLOBE project have shown that the success of
the work of one nation's individual in another culture is dependent upon understanding
cultural differences, including the variations among attitudes
towards and the practice of leadership styles. This article is a summary of the study of leadership in different cultures. The
globalization of many organizations and the increasing interdependence of nations make the
understanding of culture and its influence on leadership increasingly important.
© 2011 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Smooth Talk, Smart Attire, Efficient Practice and a Tinge
of Humor: Way to Presentation
Skill for Beginners
-- Rima Namhata
Rules, patterns or be it format, cannot always frame a piece of writing. Articles written can
even be beyond the formal structure of writing. This article
explains the points of a good presentation. Presentation in any form is nowadays not new to anyone be it class
lectures, debates, extempores, group discussions,
interviews, sales presentation, etc. The list is endless. Plenty of books
and articles have focused on the concept of how to be a good
presenter, giving the do's and don'ts. There may be
many articles on good presentation skills and other
nitty-gritties related to presentation, but this article is just an attempt in
smoothening the delivery skills and preparing the content for the newcomers in the world of public speaking or who are habitual
presents yet somewhere the phobia lies in a deep corner of the mind.
This article is based on experience, books and websites.
© 2011 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Developing Positive Habits in the Workplace
-- Catherine Joseph and Sree Sai Lakshmi
People create their work habits and then it is
these work habits which they frame and follow that help them grow at work. Identifying profitable work habits and following them, in order to
establish a good work life balance, leads to a successful career. The whole system becomes
easier to work, leading to more efficiency. Adopting various good work habits helps one work smarter
without working harder. Then, life and work become more balanced and enjoyable.
© 2011 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
A Relative Study on the Impact of Entrepreneurial Training
for Women at Bangalore, Karnataka
-- U M Premalatha
A great deal of attention has been paid to the subject of entrepreneurship over the past few
years, stemming primarily from the discovery by economic analysts that small firms
contribute considerably to economic growth and vitality. Realizing the need for training,
the government started introducing several
programs. There are many training institutes and associations
at the State, National and International level, providing effective and proficient training to
potential and existing women entrepreneurs. But unfortunately there are very few who are
involved in the better utilization of these programs. The problem statement of the research is expressed in
terms of research importance, society's
apprehensions and scholastic contribution to the
discipline. The objective of the research is to conduct a relative study of
Association of Women Entrepreneurs in Karnataka
(AWAKE) and Regional Vocational Training Institute
(RVTI) that imparts training and development programs
to women entrepreneurs. Primary analytical research
methodology was adopted to carry out the research. Both primary and secondary data
are considered and the survey is done by administering the questionnaire to potential and existing
entrepreneurs who will be trained and developed at AWAKE and
RVTI, Bangalore, Karnataka.
© 2011 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
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