Program Chair: Paul Olk, University of Denver (Paul.Olk@du.edu)
An enduring theme of the Western Academy of Management (WAM) is the acceptance and promotion of different ways of thinking, researching, teaching, and managing our careers. Portland, OR, the location of our 2016 conference, is a city that exemplifies this theme. With the city's emphasis on green energy, craft beers, and urban forests, Portland has shown that alternatives to a traditional, singular mainstream do not need to remain niches but can grow, thrive, and coexist with the traditional approach. In 2016, a time in which many institutions (including universities) are being challenged by increasingly viable options, we invite everyone to gather in Portland, OR to explore how alternative mainstreams are created and flourish in our lives, in organizations, in management theory, and in our profession.
In keeping with the theme, we encourage submissions that reflect the concept of the emergence, development, and simultaneous existence of alternative mainstreams. Research on motivation, social networks, career paths, business models, organization design, or technology might investigate when and how do previous niche practices achieve greater acceptance and what are the consequences? We also encourage submissions that discuss the development and latest research into theoretical approaches (e.g., Positive Organizational Scholarship, Entrepreneurship Theory) that have emerged from traditional approaches (e.g., OB and Strategy, respectively) to become viable alternatives. Finally, some submissions might focus on alternative mainstreams in the essentials of our profession – research methods, publication outlets, teaching (e.g., MOOCs, flipped classrooms) -- or career paths.
Our program will include a Fireside Chat with Mary Jo Hatch and Alan Meyer, our Journal of Management Inquiry (JMI) Scholars, the Doctoral/Junior Faculty Consortium, and a special event centered around Craft Brewing Micro-beer sponsored by and located at the Pamplin School of Business at the University of Portland. We will continue to feature full and developmental paper sessions, workshops, symposia, panels, and other signature WAM events. such as the Ascendant Scholars session. If you are not familiar with WAM, please visit our homepage at wamonline.org.
The Hilton Portland & Executive Tower, located in downtown Portland, will be the location for the 2016 conference. It is the largest hotel in the state, with a full set of amenities. The accommodations are set at a reasonable rate and will provide access to many of the city's attractions. www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/oregon/hilton-portland-and-executive-tower-PDXPHHH/index.html
For more information, please contact Paul Olk (Paul.Olk@du.edu)