Paula O'Kane, Our staff, Department of Management, University of Otago, New Zealand

BSc PhD PGDCHEP (Ulster) FHEA Paula_O'Kane_image

Senior Lecturer
Room: OBS 711
Tel: +64 3 479 8181
Email: paula.okane@otago.ac.nz
Skype: paulaokane

Paula has been teaching and researching for over 10 years in both the UK and New Zealand. She is primarily interested in how technology impacts how we work, from the way we communicate to how we ‘do’ work. This extends into how work might look in the future and how we use conversations as effective performance management tools. Paula is an expert in the qualitative analysis tool, NVivo hosting both training and workshops throughout the world. Paula completed her PhD in organisational communication at the University of Ulster before taking up an academic position in Ulster (2005-2010). Her PhD explored the role of technology in Organisational Communication.

Read about Paula's research, with other colleagues from the Department, about the future of work in 'Dateline Dunedin 2063' on page 34 of the Otago Magazine 36.

Read the Future of Work Research Centre report (PDF, 2.4MB), 'Future of Work: Dunedin', and visit the blog that contains the latest news, reports and presentations from this research team in the department.

Teaching responsibilities

Paula’s teaching responsibilities include:

Other responsibilities

Paula’s other responsibilities include:

Director Human Resource Management major & minor
Course advisor and approver

Research interests

Paula’s current research interests fall across five broad areas:

The use of technology for communication within organisational settings, with specific focus upon the use and efficacy of social media.
The future of work
Performance management practices
The transfer of training from the classroom to the workplace, which considers how educators and other stakeholders can make training more effective for the individual and their organisation.
The role of computer-aided qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) within the research process.

PhD Opportunities

Paula is seeking research students along the broad areas of:

Organisational Communication
Social Media
Performance Management (from a HR Perspective)
Workplace Well-Being and Work-Life balance

Current Supervisions

Paula is currently supervising the following students:

PhD

Wan Noraini Wan Mansor -The Settling-in Experience of International PhD Students’ Trailing Partners within New Zealand (Supervisors: Steven Grover, Paula O'Kane) - under examination

Completed

Fa Martin-Niemi (2013). Developing new knowledge in organisations: Engagement with virtual social networks in problem solving. (Supervisors: Bronwyn Boon,Paula O'Kane, Richard Greatbanks)

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Publications

Hill, A. D., McKenny, A. F., O'Kane, P., & Paroutis, S. (2023). Introduction to methods to improve our field. In A. D. Hill, A. F. McKenny, P. O'Kane & S. Paroutis (Eds.), Methods to improve our field: Research methodology in strategy and management (Vol. 14). (pp. 1-4). Bingley, UK: Emerald. doi: 10.1108/S1479-838720220000014001

Hill, A. D., McKenny, A. F., O'Kane, P., & Paroutis, S. (Eds.). (2023). Methods to improve our field: Research methodology in strategy and management (Vol. 14). Bingley, UK: Emerald, 174p. doi: 10.1108/S1479-8387202314

Zainal, N., Ott, D. L., & O'Kane, P. (2022). Theory of gendered organizations: A systematic review and plan for future research. Proceedings of the 35th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference. (pp. 675-696). Retrieved from https://anzamconference.org

Sarfo, C., Zhang, J. A., O'Kane, P., & O'Kane, C. (2022). SME explorative and exploitative search through microfinance institutions. Proceedings of the 35th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference. (pp. 553-573). Retrieved from https://anzamconference.org

McCarthy, A., Garavan, T., Holland, D., Bohle Carbonell, K., Virtanen, T., O'Kane, P., & Van Wart, M. (2022). Talent management in public science funding organizations: Institutional logics, paradoxical tensions and HR actor responses. Public Management Review. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/14719037.2022.2133160

Edited Book - Research

Hill, A. D., Lê, J. K., McKenny, A. F., O'Kane, P., Paroutis, S., & Smith, A. D. (Eds.). (2021). Research methods in the time of COVID-19. Emerald.

Edited Book - Research

Chapter in Book - Research

Hill, A. D., Lê, J. K., McKenny, A. F., O'Kane, P., Paroutis, S., & Smith, A. D. (2021). Introduction to research methods in times of crisis: The case of COVID-19. In A. D. Hill, J. K. Lê, A. F. McKenny, P. O'Kane, S. Paroutis & A. D. Smith (Eds.), Research methods in the time of COVID-19. (pp. 1-11). Emerald. doi: 10.1108/S1479-838720210000013001

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Kane, P., Hargie, O., & Tourish, D. (2009). Auditing electronic communication. In O. Hargie & D. Tourish (Eds.), Auditing organizational communication: A handbook of research, theory and practice. (pp. 195-223). Hove, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

O'Kane, P., McCracken, M., & Brown, T. (2022). Reframing the performance management system: A conversations perspective. Personnel Review. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1108/PR-07-2021-0492

Journal - Research Article

Sarfo, C. A., Zhang, J. A., O'Kane, P., Podgorodnichenko, N., & Osei-Fosu, K. K. (2022). Perceived corporate social responsibility and employee ethical behaviour: Do employee commitment and co-worker ethicality matter? Journal of Management & Organization, 28, 184-201. doi: 10.1017/jmo.2021.42

Journal - Research Article

O'Kane, P., Smith, A., & Lerman, M. P. (2021). Building transparency and trustworthiness in inductive research through computer-aided qualitative data analysis software. Organizational Research Methods, 24(1), 104-139. doi: 10.1177/1094428119865016

Journal - Research Article

Brown, T. C., O'Kane, P., Mazumdar, B., & McCracken, M. (2019). Performance management: A scoping review of the literature and an agenda for future research. Human Resource Development Review, 18(1), 47-82. doi: 10.1177/1534484318798533

Journal - Research Article

Walton, S., O'Kane, P., & Ruwhiu, D. (2019). Developing a theory of plausibility in scenario building: Designing plausible scenarios. Futures, 111, 42-56. doi: 10.1016/j.futures.2019.03.002

Journal - Research Article

Bennett, H., McCracken, M., & O'Kane, P. (2018). ‘Engage for change’: The development of a Radical Change Engagement model. Journal of General Management, 43(3), 115-125. doi: 10.1177/0306307017749619

Journal - Research Article

Cathro, V., O'Kane, P., & Gilbertson, D. (2017). Assessing reflection: Understanding skill development through reflective learning journals. Education + Training, 59(4), 427-442. doi: 10.1108/ET-01-2017-0008

Journal - Research Article

McCracken, M., O'Kane, P., Brown, T. C., & McCrory, M. (2017). Human resource business partner lifecycle model: Exploring how the relationship between HRBPs and their line manager partners evolves. Human Resource Management Journal, 27(1), 58-74. doi: 10.1111/1748-8583.12125

Journal - Research Article

Allan, P., Edgar, F., & O'Kane, P. (2016). Obesity discrimination in selection: NZ millennials reactions to obese job candidates. New Zealand Journal of Human Resources Management, 16(1), 73-89.

Journal - Research Article

Hoek, J., O'Kane, P., & McCracken, M. (2016). Publishing personal information online: How employers' access, observe and utilise social networking sites within selection procedures. Personnel Review, 45(1), 67-83. doi: 10.1108/PR-05-2014-0099

Journal - Research Article

Edgar, F., Geare, A., & O'Kane, P. (2015). The changing dynamic of leading knowledge workers: The importance of skilled front-line managers. Employee Relations, 37(4), 487-503. doi: 10.1108/ER-06-2014-0068

Journal - Research Article

McCracken, M., Brown, T. C., & O'Kane, P. (2012). Swimming against the current: Understanding how a positive organisational training climate can enhance training participation and transfer in the public sector. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 25(4), 301-316. doi: 10.1108/09513551211244124

Journal - Research Article

Brown, T., McCracken, M., & O'Kane, P. (2011). ‘Don't forget to write’: How reflective learning journals can help to facilitate, assess and evaluate training transfer. Human Resource Development International, 14(4), 465-481. doi: 10.1080/13678868.2011.601595

Journal - Research Article

Palmer, M., O'Kane, P., & Owens, M. (2009). Betwixt spaces: Student accounts of turning point experiences in the first-year transition. Studies in Higher Education, 34(1), 37-54. doi: 10.1080/03075070802601929

Journal - Research Article

O'Kane, P., & Hargie, O. (2007). Intentional and unintentional consequences of substituting face-to-face interaction with e-mail: An employee-based perspective. Interacting with Computers, 19, 20-31. doi: 10.1016/j.intcom.2006.07.008

Journal - Research Article

O'Kane, P., Palmer, M., & Hargie, O. (2007). Workplace interactions and the polymorphic role of e-mail. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 28(4), 308-324. doi: 10.1108/01437730710752193

Journal - Research Article

Palmer, M., & O'Kane, P. (2007). Strategy as practice: Interactive governance spaces and the corporate strategies of retail transnationals. Journal of Economic Geography, 7, 515-535. doi: 10.1093/jeg/lbm015

Journal - Research Article

O'Kane, P., Ravenswood, K., Douglas, J., Edgar, F., & Parker, J. (2021). Doing things differently: IR practice and research beyond 2020. Labour & Industry, 31(1), 1-6. [Editorial].

Journal - Research Other

Grover, S. L., Hyde, A., Lux, A. A., O'Kane, P., & Walton, S. (2019). Optimism and attribution about uncertain events: What happened to missing flight MH370? [Short communication]. Personality & Individual Differences, 147, 8-11. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2019.04.017

Journal - Research Other

Edgar, F., McAndrew, I., Geare, A., & O'Kane, P. (2017). Occupational health & safety: Introduction to the collection. New Zealand Journal of Employment Relations, 42(2), 2-4. [Editorial].

Journal - Research Other

Edgar, F., O'Kane, P., & Allen, P. (2017). Obesity in the workplace. Human Resources, 22(2), 32-33.

Journal - Research Other

O'Kane, P. (2015). Should social networking sites be used when selecting a candidate? Human Resources, (June/July), 30-31.

Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Wan Mansor, W. N., Grover, S. L., & O'Kane, P. (2014). Voices of the neglected society: Do they need to be entertained or ignored? In C. Higgins, J. R. Hendry & C. V. VanSandt (Eds.), Proceedings of the 25th International Association for Business and Society (IABS) Annual Conference: Reclaiming the Societal Dimension. (pp. 167-178). IABS. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

McCracken, M., Bennett, H. R., & O'Kane, P. M. (2012). Competing perceptions: Contrasting employee experiences of change in a UK public sector agency. Proceedings of the Academy of Management Annual Meeting: The Informal Economy. Retrieved from http://meeting.aomonline.org/2012/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

McCracken, M., & O'Kane, P. (2011). Why Workplace Web 2.0? Implications of adoption for organisations. Proceedings of the 27th European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS) Colloquium: Reassembling Organizations. Retrieved from http://www.egosnet.org

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

O'Kane, P. (2011). A typology of email personas: Social and political manoeuvring within email exchanges. Proceedings of the 27th European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS) Colloquium: Reassembling Organizations. Retrieved from http://www.egosnet.org

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Falls, D., O'Kane, P. M., & McCracken, M. (2010). Workplace Web 2.0: Mapping the research agenda. Proceedings of the Academy of Management Annual Meeting: Dare to Care. Retrieved from http://program.aomonline.org/2010/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Brown, T. C., McCracken, M., & O'Kane, P. M. (2009). Revisiting transfer through a qualitative analysis of reflective learning journals. Proceedings of the Academy of Management Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http://program.aomonline.org/2009/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Edgar, F., & O'Kane, P. (2020). The silent curse of Schadenfreude in the workplace. Proceedings of the Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand (AIRAANZ) Annual Conference: Doing Things Differently? IR Practice and Research Beyond 2020. (pp. 159). [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Sarfo, C., Zhang, J. A., O'Kane, P. M., & Podgorodnichenko, N. (2020). Perceived corporate social responsibility and employee ethical behavior. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2020(1). doi: 10.5465/AMBPP.2020.15032abstract

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Koehler, T., Harley, B., Sheng, Z., & O'Kane, P. (2019). How to write research methods papers for publication [Workshop]. Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) 33rd Conference: Wicked Solutions to Wicked Problems: The Challenges Facing Management Research and Practice. (pp. 1250). Retrieved from http://www.anzamconference.org

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Walton, S., Ruwhiu, D., & O'Kane, P. (2019). The future of work: wicked thinking to tackle grand challenges. Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) 33rd Conference: Wicked Solutions to Wicked Problems: The Challenges Facing Management Research and Practice. (pp. 1233). Retrieved from http://www.anzamconference.org

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Cathro, V. I., O'Kane, P. M., & Gilbertson, D. (2014). The role of reflective journals in developing global virtual team competencies. In K. Meyer & T. Kiyak (Eds.), Proceedings of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business: Local Contexts in Global Business. (pp. 131). East Lansing, MI: Academy of International Business. [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

O'Kane, P., & Cathro, V. (2012). Where are our people? The utility of Facebook as an employee crisis communication tool during the Christchurch earthquake. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference: Managing for Volatility and Instability. [CD-ROM] [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

O'Kane, P. M., & Palmer, M. J. (2007). Musical mails: Social and political manoeuvring within e-mail exchanges. Proceedings of the Academy of Management Annual Meeting: Doing Well by Doing Good. Retrieved from http://program.aomonline.org/2007/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Anand, S., Anseel, F., Besic, A., Biron, M., Hu, D., Hyde, S., Ott, D. L., O'Kane, P., … Ruwhiu, D., … Walton, S., … Dhaenens, A. (2022, August). Hybrid work arrangements [Caucus]. Panel discussion at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AoM), [Hybrid].