Business Faculty Articles

In order to meet varying environmental demands and ever-evolving technology, managers are often given the role of change agent in their organization. Any form of change can cause disruption of the status quo and can often be received with a certain level of resistance. Change management practitioners often speak on the importance of how successful change is achieved in an ...

Recently, while participating in the Silicon Valley discussion at the 2011 State of the Valley Conference, I was asked a resounding question: What is the caliber of students within your graduate School of Business and IS&T programs? My answer was very clear and direct: upcoming Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). Many people wondered how this was possible....

As patients become less passive in their health care and become more proactive and self-empowered, health care providers must begin implementing more consumer-oriented practices and processes. With the possibilities of advancements in technology and market forces, the main drive behind a patient-centric model is the societal desire to improve the health and ...

According to a study at Cornell University (2010), workplace diversity is a people issue, focused on the differences and similarities that people bring to an organization. It addresses issues specified legally in equal opportunity and affirmative action non-discrimination statutes. Too often, organizational perceptions and beliefs around workplace diversity are ...

Whistleblowing occurs when an employee reports what they perceive to be unethical, immoral or illegal corporate activity to an outside third party. The third party may be the media (i.e. newspaper, radio, television, etc.). It may be a governmental agency accountable for regulating the corporation’s activities. Or the outside party could even be interested groups and citizens ...

As patients become less passive in their health care and become more proactive and self-empowered, health care providers must begin implementing more consumer-oriented practices and processes. With the possibilities of advancements in technology and market forces, the main drive behind a patient-centric model is the societal desire to improve the health and ...

Ours is the new age of uncertainty. Individuals, organizations and governments attempting to find solutions to economic, political and environmental ills might want to look to the concept known as unlearning for help. Unlearning is a collaborative and creative change process used in times of flux and turbulence whereby old paradigms and practices that no longer ...

We are not in Kansas anymore. Our world has changed because of deep financial crisis, high unemployment, bailout and international unrest. As an article in Harvard Business Review said, “Today, more and more managers must deal with new government regulations, new products, growth, increased competition, technological developments, and a changing workforce” (Kotter and ...

We've all heard the adage, "The best things in life are free." Although it might apply to some things, it simply isn't true in business and commerce. Getting anything worthwhile in business requires an investment, whether it's time, money, personal effort or all three. It also requires an understanding of what it takes to be successful; in other words, it takes an ...

Our economy is drastically changing to a service-oriented economy driven by information. People are tasked with processing large and different types of information. That's what is necessary to succeed in this new economy, and it's what makes companies successful. They can't afford to have an uneducated work force. That's why investing in education by a company could potentially ...

While Internet gossip is often embarrassing and sometimes ill-mannered, it has taken on a more disparaging and libelous role that companies cannot ignore. The Internet has become a powerful tool to publicize one’s dissatisfaction through a variety of online media formats, such as anonymous Internet forums, chat rooms, and bulletin or discussion boards....

One of the keys to being successful in today's business world is to deliver superior customer service—it can give companies a definite competitive edge. But are today's companies always living up to the customer's expectations? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Many times businesses are not meeting consumer expectations of how they should be treated....

As an instructor at the University of Phoenix Dallas Campus, it’s very important to me to have an impact on my students, particularly because they’re working learners with limited time but a lot of determination. I want to make a difference for them. For that reason, I make sure that within the first several weeks I have with them, they understand what they’re learning ...

Ever since I was 17 years old, I wanted to be a college instructor. After completing my first bachelor’s degree in a little over three years, I wanted to be finished for life with college. That lasted four years and then I returned for life. After earning five degrees—with more than 500 credits to my name, plus assorted noncredit classes—I figured it was time to start ...

Trust is a topic that permeates nearly every aspect of our lives. Ask yourself the “5 W’s” of trust—who can I trust, what can I trust, when can I trust, where can I trust, and why should I trust—and you begin to understand how the concept can easily complicate our relationships. But, by understanding the benefits of trusting others and being trustworthy, you can ...

I began teaching at University of Phoenix in June of 2006. While I was finishing my Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership at the School of Advanced Studies within University of Phoenix, I was informed of the opportunity to teach courses. My advanced education as well as my nearly 35 years of professional experience within Fortune 100 companies and my passion ...

Last week my 8-year-old daughter went to her primary care physician for her annual “wellness checkup.” If you are a parent, you realize the importance of frequently taking your children to the doctor to check their health. The fundamentals of this proactive approach hold true in the world of commerce as well....

In both business and sports, LeBron James has become a pioneer in garnering creative incentive packages. But, while these salary packages and perks can readily be compared to those offered to “star” executives and highly talented employees, this practice has caused an imbalance in both industries.

The military stance toward an advanced education historically runs in waves. The military would push education for awhile, then it would gradually become less important. This ebb and flow has offered a unique opportunity to provide education regardless of the cycle.

There are those who take their place at the head of a classroom because they want to help others learn, to inspire and witness the “aha” moments when the mental light bulb suddenly flickers on in their students’ minds. I enjoy the light bulb moments a lot; but, I also approach teaching a bit differently. I teach because I want to learn....

You’ve heard it before: “Why is this person even in management?” You might have even gone so far as to think the manager you were referring to was managing just for the title and shouldn’t be managing at all. This article will explore some of the qualities that a manager needs to become a good leader....

Transformative change doesn’t just happen spontaneously, it is something that leaders embrace and sustain. With that viewpoint, it is not surprising that transformational leadership is a central theme for those who choose to become change agents.

The place I find myself today in my professional life actually began way back when I was an undergraduate student. I decided to work at a bank to gain some experience. And even though I was a business major, I thought it would ...

A large manufacturer I once worked for was building a new engineering campus. When the time came to put in sidewalks between buildings, the paving company suggested letting employee foot traffic establish the most logical locations for the paths. After three months of employees naturally selecting the most logical connections between buildings, the paver knew exactly where to place ...

In 1999, Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton released the groundbreaking book First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently, based on the Gallup Organization's 21-year research study of 80,000 managers. Their findings discovered 12 consistent practices (known as the Q12) exhibited by great managers. These practices focused on: ...

Many human resources departments are focusing on recruiting a strong talent base as they seek to rebuild into more profitable and efficient organizations. In this current wave of high unemployment, there are four generations simultaneously looking for positions in the job market. 

At the end of each year, we naturally reflect upon our accomplishments for that year. Have we been successful in achieving what we set out to do? Have we exceeded our expectations as well as those of others? If we haven’t met expectations, what will be done to improve? After evaluating our performance, we focus our sights toward setting goals for the upcoming year. ...

Throughout my education, I have had some wonderful teachers. They were positive, enthusiastic, effective in managing their classroom, insightful in their lessons and genuinely cared about their students. As an instructor new to University of Phoenix, I plan on following the great examples of instructors who’ve impacted my life and make these characteristics a part of ...

Since its inception in 1976, University of Phoenix has practiced a centralized curriculum for creating and teaching courses. This means that every faculty member who instructs a course does not create the syllabus for the course, choose the textbook or decide the learning objectives. While this may seem constricting, it is the opposite. ...

Almost everyone who is part of University of Phoenix—students, alumni, faculty and employees—knows that the University prides itself on its exceptional student support for military personnel of the United States. Although this is common knowledge within the University of Phoenix community, it may not be from an external point of view. ...

All organizations are political places. What do we mean by that?

Organizational politics involve power: Who gets what they want, how they get it and when they get it. Anyone who uses the informal network of an organization to get things done is using organizational politics. ...

Turn the pages of your mental calendar all the way back to the early 1990s. It’s hard to imagine that the terms "Internet," "information technology" and "IT" weren’t part of our daily vernacular. And yet by the mid-1990s, investment and employment opportunities in IT and anything Internet-related were proliferating—even IT Buzzword Bingo was being played at office meetings ...

It’s likely that you can name a bully in your workplace. According to studies, one in five U.S. workers is affected by bullying in the workplace (Keashly, as cited in Namie & Namie, 2000). Bullying is most common in organizations that lack respect, trust and openness, and where poor communication, gossiping and weak supervision are common (Townend, 2008). In ...

During the summer of 2008, signals of a faltering U.S. economy intensified. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (2009), unemployment rates increased. In addition, housing starts and auto sales decreased, stock prices plummeted and some of our financial institutions traveled to Washington, D.C. requesting federal financial assistance. Debate focused on the following ...

"Employment fell in construction, manufacturing, and wholesale trade, while temporary help services and health care added jobs.” -Bureau of Labor Statistics

While the statement above may not sound like your dream come true, there is ...

Marketing Over the past 15 years of teaching, I have realized that the most important product people market is themselves. For those that have taken a marketing class, there may have been a discussion on Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA). This product differentiator is a critical element for long-term success and creates unique value to your customer. It is the ease ...

University of Phoenix takes its commitment to the environment seriously. The University supports sustainability initiatives, purchases millions of renewable energy certificates every year and recognizes employees for their environmental contributions.

Today’s college experience extends far beyond dorm life and the social habits of 18, -19- and 20-something year-olds or hanging out with one’s sorority or fraternity between classes. While such activities still have a place, there is also a place—and a need—for much more.

In today’s technology-driven world, online education is booming. The convenience of learning on your own time, at your own pace and in the setting of your choice is attracting millions of non-traditional students who are balancing work, school and family.

The days of staying with one employer until you receive the gold watch at retirement are long gone. Most of us will have numerous jobs in our lifetime. Regardless of how we obtained these jobs, we acquired a host of skills that became transferrable. Many people ignore their skill achievement and assume that what they are doing is part of their daily job requirement. They do not ...

“The world has changed in the last couple of years. I feel bad for those who are losing their jobs and their homes. At least I still have a job. Well, at least for now I do. I’m not sure what to think or to expect. It seems that the more cutbacks the company makes, the more they expect from me. I’m only one person and some of the things they have assigned to me I’ve never done ...

Today’s tough economic times have spawned a grim new phenomenon: people getting laid off more than once within a short period of time. These “repeat victims” may have a difficult time proving their worth to prospective employers and returning to the workforce in a timely manner. If you have experienced another layoff, remember that the basic rules of job-seeking ...

The aftermath of a layoff is a critical moment for any organization—and, too often, a moment mishandled by human resource management. Employees are often left in a haze of confusion and distress. Good managers must recognize that low morale and job security issues always follow a layoff. They must address these concerns directly in order to re-energize their workforce and restore ...

Whether you represent your company or own your own, your chance for increased profitability comes from referrals and added business from loyal customers. Here are a few tips in creating good relationships with customers to work toward those results.

Have you ever had “one of those days” at work? I am sure that most of us have. We would all be happier, more productive and more motivated if our bosses, co-workers and employees would just think, act and work like we do.

Since that is not going to happen (not on this planet, anyway), what other ...

Research surveys have held the position that customers who were satisfied were more likely to remain loyal to a company (Klein & Einstein, 2003). When organizations delivered a customer experience that met their needs, customers returned to that organization more frequently than to its competition. However, current thought reveals only the top echelon of satisfied customers ...

Ever since J. Richard Hackman from Yale University and Gregg R. Oldham from the University of Illinois published their groundbreaking book “Work Redesign” in 1980, Organizational Development (OD) specialists have continued their quest to create the perfect organization comprised of the perfect jobs. This elusive pursuit for the Holy Grail of motivating environments continues ...

Business leaders are searching for solutions to help their employees stay productive, engaged at work and positive about the future. To maintain high levels of engagement, managers can find some answers in an unlikely resource.

Gary Chapman’s The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment ...

Aligning people with their jobs is not a new or revolutionary idea. Today, most employees fantasize about the possibility of exceptional job alignment, where employees skip to work each day as if in a fairy tale. If you ask U.S. employees how satisfied or fulfilled they are at work, only 30% would say they are to a large extent and to a very large extent. And only 32% would say ...

Several interrelated trends stand out when scanning the landscape of post-secondary educational activities and innovations. There is a growing availability of digital content; an expansion of mobile broadband fueling increasing capabilities of mobile devices; a breaking apart of large blocks of information into smaller chunks that can be re-assembled as customized ...

With the troubled U.S. economy causing credit lines to dry up at banks, there is an increasing level of concern over the time it will take for the U.S. economy to rebound. During this crisis, Gary Dvorchak, CFA, explains strategies for surviving lean budgets and how to recognize forthcoming signs of economic improvement for the U.S....

One of the biggest issues in the last presidential election was energy—particularly the high and unpredictable cost of gasoline. In these tough economic times, energy continues to be an issue causing anxiety in households across the country. Scott Cain, an energy expert and economist, gives insight into your future....