Riccardo Sartori | Università di Verona (original) (raw)

Papers by Riccardo Sartori

Organizacija

Background/Purpose: Meaningful work is a topic of relevant interest to management and organizatio... more Background/Purpose: Meaningful work is a topic of relevant interest to management and organizational scholars. The study of meaningful work has been heavily characterized by theories from different disciplines, yet the common-sense perspective is often overlooked, i.e., a non-academic perspective of meaningful work. The paper presents a qualitative study on how non-academics define meaningful work. Methods: Adopting the lens of Aristotelian logic, the paper presents a methodological-theoretical approach to explore how non-academics define human resource management concepts. We asked 194 workers to propose ultimate definitions of the concept of meaningful work. The questions were submitted via a short survey collecting demographics. Results: The analysis of the collected definitions led to the proposition of an intensive definition of meaningful work according to which meaningful work is a positive experience associated with a sense of competence, the presence of positive relation wi...

The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 2020

This article presents a combined motivational and volitional intervention based on the theory of ... more This article presents a combined motivational and volitional intervention based on the theory of planned behavior aimed at promoting expansion-oriented job crafting behaviors. Participants were employees working in different companies, assigned to either an intervention ( n = 53) or a control group ( n = 55). Results of a field study (including premeasure, postmeasure, and weekly diaries) indicated that the intervention enhanced participants’ perceptions of behavioral control referred to job crafting and awareness regarding others’ engagement in job crafting. Latent change growth modeling showed that participation in the intervention led to participants shaping their job crafting intentions during the weeks, which translated into more frequent job crafting behaviors at the end of the study period. Besides, the intervention served to trigger weekly work-related flow experiences in terms of high absorption while working. Findings suggest that job crafting interventions can benefit fro...

The Routledge Companion to Reward Management, 2018

In this chapter, we propose a conceptual integration of perceived organizational support and effo... more In this chapter, we propose a conceptual integration of perceived organizational support and effort\u2013reward imbalance within organizational reward management. In order to deepen our understanding of the dynamic interplay between the psychological factors underlying the effectiveness of implemented reward strategies, we suggest perceived organizational support and effort\u2013reward imbalance as two key dimensions to be considered when approaching reward policy design. We highlight the need to consider the interplay between individual perceptions of reward and efforts to account for their dynamic influence on perceived organizational support. In turn, we argue that the latter is likely to be linked to the effectiveness of reward policies. We also explore how individual and organizational factors may represent antecedents and function as mediators in reward management implementations

Generational transition in small and micro-sized enterprises is at a crucial moment for the Europ... more Generational transition in small and micro-sized enterprises is at a crucial moment for the European economy. The survey proposes to understand some variables that involve the protagonists and see how marked they can be in the entrepreneurial profile between Senior and Junior (through the Entrepreneurial Aptitude Test) and varied visions concerning expertise, roles and relationships within the enterprise (through the Generational Transition Questionnaire). The subjects are 94 entrepreneurs (Senior: age average 57.9 \u2013 sd 7.4; Junior: 29.3 \u2013 6.5). The results on the entrepreneurial aptitude indicate light differences between the two generations but some significant statistics emerged (p value: <.05) for the Seniors\u2019 answers to specific items (if I give myself a goal at work, I want to realize it at all costs, I want my work to give me the opportunity to be fulfilled, I am willing to give up my days off if I have work that must be completed). Seniors are generally gifted with greater entrepreneurial aptitude compared to their Juniors and they show more commitment and involvement. The two generations find agreement on mutual attribution of expertise: Juniors on \u201ctechnological and data processing personal updating\u201d and Seniors on \u201ccash management and investments\u201d. Agreement is reached in describing generational transition as a little problem and in defining the relationships between them as being completely harmonious. However, in this last case, Juniors show significantly less satisfaction. The same is true for \u201cmutual positive comments\u201d: Juniors feel that they receive less appreciation from Seniors than vice versa. We can see that some differences emerge and that the resulting data reveal that this crucial moment can be influenced by these personal variables also

Lo studio indaga come la diversa operazionalizzazione dell\u2019occupabilit\ue0 (occupabilit\ue0 ... more Lo studio indaga come la diversa operazionalizzazione dell\u2019occupabilit\ue0 (occupabilit\ue0 auto-percepita vs occupabilit\ue0 etero-valutata) influenza le relazioni tra antecedenti (competenze e capitale umano) ed esiti (percezione di utilit\ue0 di percorsi di politiche attive per il lavoro)

Favretto G., & Sartori R. (2005). Le conseguenze del mobbing a livello personale. In G. Favre... more Favretto G., & Sartori R. (2005). Le conseguenze del mobbing a livello personale. In G. Favretto (a cura di) Le forme del mobbing: cause e conseguenze di dinamiche organizzative disfunzionali, Cortina, Milano, 61-7

Purpose – While agreement exists around the notion that teachers are one of the most important fa... more Purpose – While agreement exists around the notion that teachers are one of the most important factors contributing to students’ success, achievement and quality of learning, only limited attention has been paid on how to support teachers’ wellbeing. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the effects of a job crafting intervention focused on proactive strategies teachers can use on a daily basis to build better habits of work-related wellbeing. Methodology – This is a quasi-experimental study involving nonrandom assignment to an intervention (N=43) and a control (N=60) group, -pre-post, and diary measures. Participants in the intervention group received a training focused on (a) stimulating reflection on behavioral, normative, and control beliefs referred to the self-management of job demands and resources, and (b) self-monitoring, planning, and goal setting techniques. Results - Analyses indicate that participation in the intervention was associated with higher job crafting behaviors and work engagement. Further multi-level analyses are currently conducted to test the moderating role of social norms on the relationship between intentions to engage in job crafting and subsequent self-reported behaviors. Limitations – The study relies on self-reported measures of behaviors. Research/Practical implications - Findings suggest that job crafting interventions entailing reflection on norms and personal beliefs referred to teachers’ proactive self-management of job demands and resources are an effective tool to sustain teachers’ wellbeing. Originality/Value - This research contributes to the literature by providing evidence from an intervention study to support teachers’ proactive management of their own wellbeing.

\u2022 Purpose The aim of the research is to identify how employees of 11 different industrial se... more \u2022 Purpose The aim of the research is to identify how employees of 11 different industrial sectors assess their ability to respond to organizational demands such as time, innovations, guidelines, workload, fatigue and changes (self-evaluations), and to compare these evaluations with those expressed by the managers on the ability of employees to meet the same organizational demands (hetero-evaluations). It is hypothesized that, as the difference between self-evaluations and hetero-evaluations increases, the perceived probability of having an accident also increases. \u2022 Design/Methodology The sample consisted of 202 subjects, including 8 managers. A questionnaire asks: \u2018How much do you think you are able do the job according to your ability to manage time, innovations, guidelines, workload, fatigue and changes?\u2019 The answers are expressed on a 5-point rating scale, 1 = not able, 5 = highly able. Managers are asked the same question. They are also asked to assess the level of ability possessed by employees in relation to the previous organizational demands (time, innovations, guidelines, workload, fatigue and changes). Regarding the perceived probability of having an accident, the question is: \u2018As for your company, indicate a hazardous situation and assess the probability that you and others have a mayor accident or even be subject to death (0 = minimum probability, 100 = highest probability). \u2022 Results Analysis of variance supported all hypotheses. \u2022 Limitations The absence of a cross sectional study and the limited sample of managers. \u2022 Research/Practical Implications How to promote confrontation between managers and workers to prevent accidents. \u2022 Originality/Value Studying multi-level organization as concurrent causes of accidents

Nonlinear dynamics, psychology, and life sciences, 2018

It is likely that computer simulations will assume a greater role in the next future to investiga... more It is likely that computer simulations will assume a greater role in the next future to investigate and understand reality (Rand & Rust, 2011). Particularly, agent-based models (ABMs) represent a method of investigation of social phenomena that blend the knowledge of social sciences with the advantages of virtual simulations. Within this context, the development of algorithms able to recreate the reasoning engine of autonomous virtual agents represents one of the most fragile aspects and it is indeed crucial to establish such models on well-supported psychological theoretical frameworks. For this reason, the present work discusses the application case of the theory of planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991) in the context of agent-based modeling: It is argued that this framework might be helpful more than others to develop a valid representation of human behavior in computer simulations. Accordingly, the current contribution considers issues related with the application of the model pro...

European Journal of Management, 2013

have strongly stressed what classical studies by famous Tversky and Kahneman among the others fou... more have strongly stressed what classical studies by famous Tversky and Kahneman among the others found in the Sixties or Seventies (Tversky and Kahneman, 1974; Kahneman, 1991): psychological assessment is a very delicate issue because of the quantity and the quality of information assessors have to manage. One of the reasons for stressing this concept again and again is the increase over years of psychological assessment activities. For example, assessment and development centers are procedures applied to professional, business and organizational contexts in order to assess employees potential according to career development. They are forms of psychological assessment making use of different methods and techniques, some (i.e. interviews) descending from the so called idiographic (or clinical) approach, and some (i.e. standardized instruments) descending from the so called nomothetic (or psychometric) approach. Different methods and techniques are believed to be necessary for assessors and decision makers in order to let them collect as much information as possible and come to an integrated judgment of people to be evaluated for human resources management. This is common sense, though, and it is hard to make assessors understand that the more the information collected, the higher the difficulties to manage it and to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information, with the result that assessment and decision making activities carried out in this way can be biased. Given these remarks, the article aims to be a brief critical review of what psychological science has found in the field of assessment, in the hope that people dealing with human resources management become aware of the risks related to gathering too much information for assessment purposes.

La presente ricerca realizzata tramite un\u2019indagine semistrutturata, analizza la situazione l... more La presente ricerca realizzata tramite un\u2019indagine semistrutturata, analizza la situazione lavorativa femminile durante il periodo di rientro al lavoro dopo la maternit\ue0. La ricerca prende in esame la categoria delle insegnanti delle scuole dell\u2019infanzia e il loro cambiamento nelle dinamiche relazionali e psicomotorie con il bambino. Diverse ricerche ed indagini (McRae, 1993; Joshi and Hinde, 1993; Glover and Arber, 1995; Joshi et al., 1996; Macran et al., 1996) hanno gi\ue0 messo in luce come la maternit\ue0 sia un\u2019esperienza capace di rinnovare e trasformare le relazioni nei contesti educativi e di cura. I cambiamenti rilevati sono generalmente positivi e si realizzano a diversi livelli: relazionale ed emotivo, nell\u2019ambiente lavorativo e non. Lo scopo della ricerca \ue8 di approfondire le conoscenze in merito alla questione lavorativa dopo l\u2019esperienza della maternit\ue0, al fine di analizzare situazioni problematiche non ancora segnalate dalla letteratura. La ricerca \ue8 stata condotta attraverso la distribuzione di un questionario somministrato ad un campione di 88 educatrici impiegate presso gli asili nido amministrati dal Comune di Brescia e dal Comune di Verona. Il requisito cardine per l\u2019intervistata era di aver vissuto recentemente l\u2019esperienza del rientro dalla maternit\ue0. Il questionario somministrato era composto da domande aperte e chiuse, finalizzate ad investigare aspetti sociali e lavorativi. Il questionario includeva lo strumento IFSAC (Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth) sviluppato da Fawcett (1988). I risultati confermano che la maternit\ue0 apporta un cambiamento positivo nella relazione educativa e del \u201cprendersi cura\u201d; dimostrano l\u2019emergere di pi\uf9 emotivit\ue0 e senso materno, empatia e comprensione nei confronti del bambino. D\u2019altra parte si evidenzia l\u2019emergere di un minor livello di coinvolgimento e di attaccamento nei confronti dei minori. Molte insegnanti accennano ad un comportamento pi\uf9 \u201cda manuale\u201d, e alla volont\ue0 di concentrarsi maggiormente sul proprio benessere. Alla luce dei risultati e considerata la letteratura sull\u2019argomento, la ricerca apporta un approfondimento significativo al tema, in quanto permette di far emergere problematiche non ancora affrontate dalla ricerca lavorativa in relazione alla maternit\ue0

Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2015

ABSTRACT What would induce householders to recycle their waste in a practicable way? This paper i... more ABSTRACT What would induce householders to recycle their waste in a practicable way? This paper investigates the determinants of recycling behavior through the develop-ment of an Agent-Based Model (ABM) simulation. Specifically, this contribution examines the effectiveness of a simulation based on different recycling behaviors to better understand the phenomenon. The perspective used takes into considera-tion the recycling attitude and the sensitivity to social norms based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict recycling outcomes. As a whole, this paper highlights the dominance of dynamics and interacting aspects of waste manage-ment for the formulation of effective recycling public policies based on behavioral aspects. In addition, it illustrates how it is possible to use such empirical models as the Structural Equation Models (SEM) as a starting point for developing ABM simulations that are closer to both theory and reality.

Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2015

ABSTRACT In the present study we developed a simulation where agents play repeatedly the ultimatu... more ABSTRACT In the present study we developed a simulation where agents play repeatedly the ultimatum game with the aim of exploring their earnings for several thresholds of willingness to accept proposals. At the same time, the scope is also to provide a simple and easily understandable simulation of the ultimatum game. Particularly, the simulation generates two kinds of agents, whose proposals are generated accordingly to their selfish or selfless behavior; subsequently, agents compete in order to increase their wealth playing the ultimatum game with a random-stranger matching. The trend emerged by simulation charts shows how, even when altruistic agents bid higher proposals than those following selfish behaviors, the average mean cash earned is higher for the former agents than the latter. A second fact is that, looking at the system as a whole, altruistic punishment leads to a reduction of the resources exploited by the agents. Finally, we introduced the psychological construct of trait emotional intelligence, briefly discussing the value of its implementation into computational simulations.

ABSTRACT Using a simulation named Agent Based Model (ABM) (Bonabeau, 2002; Epstein, 2006) we expl... more ABSTRACT Using a simulation named Agent Based Model (ABM) (Bonabeau, 2002; Epstein, 2006) we explore the effect of some prosocial behavior variables in a virtual environment, such as: Motivation to help, Warm- Glow feelings associated with helping (Andreoni, 1990), and the Pseudo-inefficacy effect. The Pseudoinefficacy effect found by Västfjäll &amp; Slovic (2011), describes how the anticipated warm glow related to the satisfaction associated with helping, and the resultant motivation to help, decreases when we learn that there are some people who cannot receive help. Based on empirical data, in the present ABM simulation present two types of agents that help: Pseudo-inefficacy helping agents (PI) and rational helping agents (R) not affected by Pseudo-inefficacy, and two types of agents that need help: agents that can be helped, and agents that cannot be helped. The study shows the value of ABM modeling by replicating previous laboratory results and then illustrating how these results might be affected particularly for the presence of agents ratios. With all the limitations of the present model, the research provides a clear representation of what might happen in organizations and in social environment where prosocial behavior plays a key role.

Acquiescence and social desirability in the Italian version of the Balanced Emotional Empathy Sca... more Acquiescence and social desirability in the Italian version of the Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES) by Mehrabia

Quaderni DIPAV, 2002

Multimedia and distance technologies, Internet above all, are commonly used in almost every spher... more Multimedia and distance technologies, Internet above all, are commonly used in almost every sphere in which there are some human activities: from school and education to research, from training to work and to spare time. Of course the opportunity of using these technologies needs to be verified. The use must be conformed to needs. The article deals with an experimentation in order to verify the possibility to make use of Internet both for self-assessment and distance learning (e-learning). It shows what has been done so far from the multidisciplinary resources of the Centre, in order to construct information tools for self-assessment and distance learnig.

Informing Science: The International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline

Aim/Purpose: The study aims to examine the mediating role of job motivation and affective and nor... more Aim/Purpose: The study aims to examine the mediating role of job motivation and affective and normative commitment on the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and job turnover intention. Background: POS refers to employees’ beliefs and perceptions concerning the extent to which the organization values their contributions, cares about their well-being, and fulfils their socio-emotional needs. To date, research has shown that employee turnover is a complex construct resulting from the interplay of both individual and organizational variables, such as motivation and climate. Methodology: Cross-sectional data were collected from 143 employees of an Italian industrial company. Paper-and-pencil questionnaires were used to assess respondents’ POS, job motivation, affective and normative organizational commitment, and turnover intentions. Contribution: Specifically, in this research, we aim at examining (i) the indirect effect of POS on turnover intention via (ii) job...

Organizacija

Background/Purpose: Meaningful work is a topic of relevant interest to management and organizatio... more Background/Purpose: Meaningful work is a topic of relevant interest to management and organizational scholars. The study of meaningful work has been heavily characterized by theories from different disciplines, yet the common-sense perspective is often overlooked, i.e., a non-academic perspective of meaningful work. The paper presents a qualitative study on how non-academics define meaningful work. Methods: Adopting the lens of Aristotelian logic, the paper presents a methodological-theoretical approach to explore how non-academics define human resource management concepts. We asked 194 workers to propose ultimate definitions of the concept of meaningful work. The questions were submitted via a short survey collecting demographics. Results: The analysis of the collected definitions led to the proposition of an intensive definition of meaningful work according to which meaningful work is a positive experience associated with a sense of competence, the presence of positive relation wi...

The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 2020

This article presents a combined motivational and volitional intervention based on the theory of ... more This article presents a combined motivational and volitional intervention based on the theory of planned behavior aimed at promoting expansion-oriented job crafting behaviors. Participants were employees working in different companies, assigned to either an intervention ( n = 53) or a control group ( n = 55). Results of a field study (including premeasure, postmeasure, and weekly diaries) indicated that the intervention enhanced participants’ perceptions of behavioral control referred to job crafting and awareness regarding others’ engagement in job crafting. Latent change growth modeling showed that participation in the intervention led to participants shaping their job crafting intentions during the weeks, which translated into more frequent job crafting behaviors at the end of the study period. Besides, the intervention served to trigger weekly work-related flow experiences in terms of high absorption while working. Findings suggest that job crafting interventions can benefit fro...

The Routledge Companion to Reward Management, 2018

In this chapter, we propose a conceptual integration of perceived organizational support and effo... more In this chapter, we propose a conceptual integration of perceived organizational support and effort\u2013reward imbalance within organizational reward management. In order to deepen our understanding of the dynamic interplay between the psychological factors underlying the effectiveness of implemented reward strategies, we suggest perceived organizational support and effort\u2013reward imbalance as two key dimensions to be considered when approaching reward policy design. We highlight the need to consider the interplay between individual perceptions of reward and efforts to account for their dynamic influence on perceived organizational support. In turn, we argue that the latter is likely to be linked to the effectiveness of reward policies. We also explore how individual and organizational factors may represent antecedents and function as mediators in reward management implementations

Generational transition in small and micro-sized enterprises is at a crucial moment for the Europ... more Generational transition in small and micro-sized enterprises is at a crucial moment for the European economy. The survey proposes to understand some variables that involve the protagonists and see how marked they can be in the entrepreneurial profile between Senior and Junior (through the Entrepreneurial Aptitude Test) and varied visions concerning expertise, roles and relationships within the enterprise (through the Generational Transition Questionnaire). The subjects are 94 entrepreneurs (Senior: age average 57.9 \u2013 sd 7.4; Junior: 29.3 \u2013 6.5). The results on the entrepreneurial aptitude indicate light differences between the two generations but some significant statistics emerged (p value: <.05) for the Seniors\u2019 answers to specific items (if I give myself a goal at work, I want to realize it at all costs, I want my work to give me the opportunity to be fulfilled, I am willing to give up my days off if I have work that must be completed). Seniors are generally gifted with greater entrepreneurial aptitude compared to their Juniors and they show more commitment and involvement. The two generations find agreement on mutual attribution of expertise: Juniors on \u201ctechnological and data processing personal updating\u201d and Seniors on \u201ccash management and investments\u201d. Agreement is reached in describing generational transition as a little problem and in defining the relationships between them as being completely harmonious. However, in this last case, Juniors show significantly less satisfaction. The same is true for \u201cmutual positive comments\u201d: Juniors feel that they receive less appreciation from Seniors than vice versa. We can see that some differences emerge and that the resulting data reveal that this crucial moment can be influenced by these personal variables also

Lo studio indaga come la diversa operazionalizzazione dell\u2019occupabilit\ue0 (occupabilit\ue0 ... more Lo studio indaga come la diversa operazionalizzazione dell\u2019occupabilit\ue0 (occupabilit\ue0 auto-percepita vs occupabilit\ue0 etero-valutata) influenza le relazioni tra antecedenti (competenze e capitale umano) ed esiti (percezione di utilit\ue0 di percorsi di politiche attive per il lavoro)

Favretto G., & Sartori R. (2005). Le conseguenze del mobbing a livello personale. In G. Favre... more Favretto G., & Sartori R. (2005). Le conseguenze del mobbing a livello personale. In G. Favretto (a cura di) Le forme del mobbing: cause e conseguenze di dinamiche organizzative disfunzionali, Cortina, Milano, 61-7

Purpose – While agreement exists around the notion that teachers are one of the most important fa... more Purpose – While agreement exists around the notion that teachers are one of the most important factors contributing to students’ success, achievement and quality of learning, only limited attention has been paid on how to support teachers’ wellbeing. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the effects of a job crafting intervention focused on proactive strategies teachers can use on a daily basis to build better habits of work-related wellbeing. Methodology – This is a quasi-experimental study involving nonrandom assignment to an intervention (N=43) and a control (N=60) group, -pre-post, and diary measures. Participants in the intervention group received a training focused on (a) stimulating reflection on behavioral, normative, and control beliefs referred to the self-management of job demands and resources, and (b) self-monitoring, planning, and goal setting techniques. Results - Analyses indicate that participation in the intervention was associated with higher job crafting behaviors and work engagement. Further multi-level analyses are currently conducted to test the moderating role of social norms on the relationship between intentions to engage in job crafting and subsequent self-reported behaviors. Limitations – The study relies on self-reported measures of behaviors. Research/Practical implications - Findings suggest that job crafting interventions entailing reflection on norms and personal beliefs referred to teachers’ proactive self-management of job demands and resources are an effective tool to sustain teachers’ wellbeing. Originality/Value - This research contributes to the literature by providing evidence from an intervention study to support teachers’ proactive management of their own wellbeing.

\u2022 Purpose The aim of the research is to identify how employees of 11 different industrial se... more \u2022 Purpose The aim of the research is to identify how employees of 11 different industrial sectors assess their ability to respond to organizational demands such as time, innovations, guidelines, workload, fatigue and changes (self-evaluations), and to compare these evaluations with those expressed by the managers on the ability of employees to meet the same organizational demands (hetero-evaluations). It is hypothesized that, as the difference between self-evaluations and hetero-evaluations increases, the perceived probability of having an accident also increases. \u2022 Design/Methodology The sample consisted of 202 subjects, including 8 managers. A questionnaire asks: \u2018How much do you think you are able do the job according to your ability to manage time, innovations, guidelines, workload, fatigue and changes?\u2019 The answers are expressed on a 5-point rating scale, 1 = not able, 5 = highly able. Managers are asked the same question. They are also asked to assess the level of ability possessed by employees in relation to the previous organizational demands (time, innovations, guidelines, workload, fatigue and changes). Regarding the perceived probability of having an accident, the question is: \u2018As for your company, indicate a hazardous situation and assess the probability that you and others have a mayor accident or even be subject to death (0 = minimum probability, 100 = highest probability). \u2022 Results Analysis of variance supported all hypotheses. \u2022 Limitations The absence of a cross sectional study and the limited sample of managers. \u2022 Research/Practical Implications How to promote confrontation between managers and workers to prevent accidents. \u2022 Originality/Value Studying multi-level organization as concurrent causes of accidents

Nonlinear dynamics, psychology, and life sciences, 2018

It is likely that computer simulations will assume a greater role in the next future to investiga... more It is likely that computer simulations will assume a greater role in the next future to investigate and understand reality (Rand & Rust, 2011). Particularly, agent-based models (ABMs) represent a method of investigation of social phenomena that blend the knowledge of social sciences with the advantages of virtual simulations. Within this context, the development of algorithms able to recreate the reasoning engine of autonomous virtual agents represents one of the most fragile aspects and it is indeed crucial to establish such models on well-supported psychological theoretical frameworks. For this reason, the present work discusses the application case of the theory of planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991) in the context of agent-based modeling: It is argued that this framework might be helpful more than others to develop a valid representation of human behavior in computer simulations. Accordingly, the current contribution considers issues related with the application of the model pro...

European Journal of Management, 2013

have strongly stressed what classical studies by famous Tversky and Kahneman among the others fou... more have strongly stressed what classical studies by famous Tversky and Kahneman among the others found in the Sixties or Seventies (Tversky and Kahneman, 1974; Kahneman, 1991): psychological assessment is a very delicate issue because of the quantity and the quality of information assessors have to manage. One of the reasons for stressing this concept again and again is the increase over years of psychological assessment activities. For example, assessment and development centers are procedures applied to professional, business and organizational contexts in order to assess employees potential according to career development. They are forms of psychological assessment making use of different methods and techniques, some (i.e. interviews) descending from the so called idiographic (or clinical) approach, and some (i.e. standardized instruments) descending from the so called nomothetic (or psychometric) approach. Different methods and techniques are believed to be necessary for assessors and decision makers in order to let them collect as much information as possible and come to an integrated judgment of people to be evaluated for human resources management. This is common sense, though, and it is hard to make assessors understand that the more the information collected, the higher the difficulties to manage it and to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information, with the result that assessment and decision making activities carried out in this way can be biased. Given these remarks, the article aims to be a brief critical review of what psychological science has found in the field of assessment, in the hope that people dealing with human resources management become aware of the risks related to gathering too much information for assessment purposes.

La presente ricerca realizzata tramite un\u2019indagine semistrutturata, analizza la situazione l... more La presente ricerca realizzata tramite un\u2019indagine semistrutturata, analizza la situazione lavorativa femminile durante il periodo di rientro al lavoro dopo la maternit\ue0. La ricerca prende in esame la categoria delle insegnanti delle scuole dell\u2019infanzia e il loro cambiamento nelle dinamiche relazionali e psicomotorie con il bambino. Diverse ricerche ed indagini (McRae, 1993; Joshi and Hinde, 1993; Glover and Arber, 1995; Joshi et al., 1996; Macran et al., 1996) hanno gi\ue0 messo in luce come la maternit\ue0 sia un\u2019esperienza capace di rinnovare e trasformare le relazioni nei contesti educativi e di cura. I cambiamenti rilevati sono generalmente positivi e si realizzano a diversi livelli: relazionale ed emotivo, nell\u2019ambiente lavorativo e non. Lo scopo della ricerca \ue8 di approfondire le conoscenze in merito alla questione lavorativa dopo l\u2019esperienza della maternit\ue0, al fine di analizzare situazioni problematiche non ancora segnalate dalla letteratura. La ricerca \ue8 stata condotta attraverso la distribuzione di un questionario somministrato ad un campione di 88 educatrici impiegate presso gli asili nido amministrati dal Comune di Brescia e dal Comune di Verona. Il requisito cardine per l\u2019intervistata era di aver vissuto recentemente l\u2019esperienza del rientro dalla maternit\ue0. Il questionario somministrato era composto da domande aperte e chiuse, finalizzate ad investigare aspetti sociali e lavorativi. Il questionario includeva lo strumento IFSAC (Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth) sviluppato da Fawcett (1988). I risultati confermano che la maternit\ue0 apporta un cambiamento positivo nella relazione educativa e del \u201cprendersi cura\u201d; dimostrano l\u2019emergere di pi\uf9 emotivit\ue0 e senso materno, empatia e comprensione nei confronti del bambino. D\u2019altra parte si evidenzia l\u2019emergere di un minor livello di coinvolgimento e di attaccamento nei confronti dei minori. Molte insegnanti accennano ad un comportamento pi\uf9 \u201cda manuale\u201d, e alla volont\ue0 di concentrarsi maggiormente sul proprio benessere. Alla luce dei risultati e considerata la letteratura sull\u2019argomento, la ricerca apporta un approfondimento significativo al tema, in quanto permette di far emergere problematiche non ancora affrontate dalla ricerca lavorativa in relazione alla maternit\ue0

Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2015

ABSTRACT What would induce householders to recycle their waste in a practicable way? This paper i... more ABSTRACT What would induce householders to recycle their waste in a practicable way? This paper investigates the determinants of recycling behavior through the develop-ment of an Agent-Based Model (ABM) simulation. Specifically, this contribution examines the effectiveness of a simulation based on different recycling behaviors to better understand the phenomenon. The perspective used takes into considera-tion the recycling attitude and the sensitivity to social norms based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict recycling outcomes. As a whole, this paper highlights the dominance of dynamics and interacting aspects of waste manage-ment for the formulation of effective recycling public policies based on behavioral aspects. In addition, it illustrates how it is possible to use such empirical models as the Structural Equation Models (SEM) as a starting point for developing ABM simulations that are closer to both theory and reality.

Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2015

ABSTRACT In the present study we developed a simulation where agents play repeatedly the ultimatu... more ABSTRACT In the present study we developed a simulation where agents play repeatedly the ultimatum game with the aim of exploring their earnings for several thresholds of willingness to accept proposals. At the same time, the scope is also to provide a simple and easily understandable simulation of the ultimatum game. Particularly, the simulation generates two kinds of agents, whose proposals are generated accordingly to their selfish or selfless behavior; subsequently, agents compete in order to increase their wealth playing the ultimatum game with a random-stranger matching. The trend emerged by simulation charts shows how, even when altruistic agents bid higher proposals than those following selfish behaviors, the average mean cash earned is higher for the former agents than the latter. A second fact is that, looking at the system as a whole, altruistic punishment leads to a reduction of the resources exploited by the agents. Finally, we introduced the psychological construct of trait emotional intelligence, briefly discussing the value of its implementation into computational simulations.

ABSTRACT Using a simulation named Agent Based Model (ABM) (Bonabeau, 2002; Epstein, 2006) we expl... more ABSTRACT Using a simulation named Agent Based Model (ABM) (Bonabeau, 2002; Epstein, 2006) we explore the effect of some prosocial behavior variables in a virtual environment, such as: Motivation to help, Warm- Glow feelings associated with helping (Andreoni, 1990), and the Pseudo-inefficacy effect. The Pseudoinefficacy effect found by Västfjäll &amp; Slovic (2011), describes how the anticipated warm glow related to the satisfaction associated with helping, and the resultant motivation to help, decreases when we learn that there are some people who cannot receive help. Based on empirical data, in the present ABM simulation present two types of agents that help: Pseudo-inefficacy helping agents (PI) and rational helping agents (R) not affected by Pseudo-inefficacy, and two types of agents that need help: agents that can be helped, and agents that cannot be helped. The study shows the value of ABM modeling by replicating previous laboratory results and then illustrating how these results might be affected particularly for the presence of agents ratios. With all the limitations of the present model, the research provides a clear representation of what might happen in organizations and in social environment where prosocial behavior plays a key role.

Acquiescence and social desirability in the Italian version of the Balanced Emotional Empathy Sca... more Acquiescence and social desirability in the Italian version of the Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES) by Mehrabia

Quaderni DIPAV, 2002

Multimedia and distance technologies, Internet above all, are commonly used in almost every spher... more Multimedia and distance technologies, Internet above all, are commonly used in almost every sphere in which there are some human activities: from school and education to research, from training to work and to spare time. Of course the opportunity of using these technologies needs to be verified. The use must be conformed to needs. The article deals with an experimentation in order to verify the possibility to make use of Internet both for self-assessment and distance learning (e-learning). It shows what has been done so far from the multidisciplinary resources of the Centre, in order to construct information tools for self-assessment and distance learnig.

Informing Science: The International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline

Aim/Purpose: The study aims to examine the mediating role of job motivation and affective and nor... more Aim/Purpose: The study aims to examine the mediating role of job motivation and affective and normative commitment on the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and job turnover intention. Background: POS refers to employees’ beliefs and perceptions concerning the extent to which the organization values their contributions, cares about their well-being, and fulfils their socio-emotional needs. To date, research has shown that employee turnover is a complex construct resulting from the interplay of both individual and organizational variables, such as motivation and climate. Methodology: Cross-sectional data were collected from 143 employees of an Italian industrial company. Paper-and-pencil questionnaires were used to assess respondents’ POS, job motivation, affective and normative organizational commitment, and turnover intentions. Contribution: Specifically, in this research, we aim at examining (i) the indirect effect of POS on turnover intention via (ii) job...