Research

The research and publications interests of Professor Chet Labedz focus on systems thinking, the dynamics of strategic human resource management, and unintended consequences of managerial and public policy actions. The research employs a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques, often incorporating system dynamics modeling to predict and estimate future outcomes emerging over time. This table lists refereed journal publications, copy-and-paste internet links to their abstracts or summaries (when available), and brief descriptions in lay terms of the authors’ conclusions.

Journal of Management & Organization 17:1 (2011). Labedz & Lee, The mental models of HR professionals as strategic partners.
- Abstract link: http://www.atypon-link.com/EMP/doi/abs/ 10.5172/jmo.2011.17.1.56
- Surveyed HR professionals offer a business-traditional, not an HR-distinctive, consensus as to elements important to a firm’s strategy, and their linkages.
Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship 16:2 (2011). Labedz & Berry, Making sense of small business growth: A Right WorkForceTM template for growing firms.
- Executive summary and paper link: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5383/is_201104/ai_n57973140/?tag=content;col1
- Traces increasing “footprint” of Federal employment laws as a small firm’s workforce grows, subordinating a strategic Right WorkForceTM role to more-tactical HR efforts, competencies.
Intl. J. Organisational Transformation & Social Change 9:1 (2012). Labedz & Berry, Emerging systemic-structural threats to workforce diversity: beyond inadequate agency.
- Abstract link: forthcoming
- Financial markets’ swoons threaten individuals’ retirement income adequacy. Resulting decisions to postpone retirements threaten firms’ diversity promotion and retention results, through no fault of management.
Intl. J. System Dynamics Applications (2012). Cavaleri, Labedz & Stalker, Emergent dynamics of workforce program reductions: A hybrid multi-level analysis.
- Abstract link: forthcoming
- Akin to prior paper. Traces computer modeling, focused on pension plan reductions as the trigger for postponed retirements, which “demonstrated” unintended and unwanted consequences.
J. Knowledge Management 15:4 (2011). Labedz, Cavaleri & Berry, Interactive knowledge management: putting pragmatic policy planning in place.
- Abstract and paper link: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1939765
- Hastily-enacted stimuli (here, the U.S. “cash for clunkers” law) may cause unintended, undesired consequences without delivering intended gains.