Paula O'Kane, Our staff, Department of Management

BSc PhD PGDCHEP (Ulster) FHEA

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)

Publications

Sarfo, C., Zhang, J. A., O'Kane, P., & O'Kane, C. (2024). Crowdfunding's impact on small business performance through exploitative and exploratory search strategies: An entrepreneurial resourcefulness perspective. Strategic Change. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/jsc.2584 Journal - Research Article

Sarfo, C., Zhang, J. A., O'Kane, C., & O'Kane, P. (2024). Perceived value of microfinance and SME performance: The role of exploratory innovation. International Journal of Innovation Studies. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.ijis.2024.02.003 Journal - Research Article

Zainal, N., Ott, D. L., & O'Kane, P. (2024, January). From policy to practice: Exploring the influence of HR policy on female leadership aspirations. Verbal presentation at the 5th Human Resources International Conference (HRIC): Common Good Human Resource Management, Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

McCarthy, A., Garavan, T., Holland, D., Bohle Carbonell, K., Virtanen, T., O'Kane, P., & Van Wart, M. (2024). Talent management in public science funding organizations: Institutional logics, paradoxical tensions and HR actor responses. Public Management Review, 26(5), 1156-1177. doi: 10.1080/14719037.2022.2133160 Journal - Research Article

Bennett, H., McCracken, M., O'Kane, P., & Brown, T. (2023). The elusiveness of strategic HR partnering: Using paradox theory to understand tensions surrounding the HR business partnering role. Human Resource Management Journal. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/1748-8583.12538 Journal - Research Article

2024

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2023

Edited Book - Research

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

Chapter in Book - Research

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

Journal - Research Article

O'Kane, P., McCracken, M., & Brown, T. (2023). Reframing the performance management system: A conversations perspective. Personnel Review, 52(5), 1579-1596. doi: 10.1108/PR-07-2021-0492

Journal - Research Other

O'Kane, P., Ott, D. L., Smith, A. D., & Brown, T. C. (2023). Understanding computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software as a tool to enhance systematic literature reviews in human resource development [Instructor's corner]. Human Resource Development Review, 22(2), 291-307. doi: 10.1177/15344843221144668

2022

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

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

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

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

O'Kane, P., & Smith, A. D. (2022, August). Computer aided/assisted qualitative data analysis software in management and organizational research. Verbal presentation at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AoM), [Hybrid].

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].

2021

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.

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

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 Other

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].

2020

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

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]

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

O'Kane, P., Walton, S., & Ruwhiu, D. (2020). Remote working during COVID19: New Zealand National Survey: Initial report July 2020: A Work Futures Otago report. (pp. 1-15). Dunedin, New Zealand: Work Futures Otago. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/10211

2019

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

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 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? Personality & Individual Differences, 147, 8-11. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2019.04.017

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

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 - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Lux, A., O'Kane, P., Plimmer, G., & Walton, S. (2019, December). Take your lead with the Journal of Management & Organisation: Making our work intellectually and societally impactful [Panel 2]. Workshop presentation at the Australian & New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) 33rd Conference: Wicked Solutions to Wicked Problems: The Challenges Facing Management Research and Practice, Cairns, Australia.

2018

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

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

O'Kane, P., Walton, S., & Ruwhiu, D. (2018, December). Employee skills in 2040. Verbal presentation at the 32nd Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.

Walton, S., O'Kane, P., & Ruwhiu, D. (2018, December). Using qualitative methods to reimagine future work and workplaces. Workshop presentation at the 32nd Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.

Other Research Output

Dignum, F., O'Kane, P., Wooliscroft, B., & Cranefield, S. (2018, October). When will AI take your job? Otago Business School, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Public Discussion].

2017

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

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 Other

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

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].

2016

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.

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

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Brown, T. C., O'Kane, P. M., & McCracken, M. (2016, August). Developing a human resources business partner life cycle model. Verbal presentation at the 76th Meeting of the Academy of Management: Making Organizations Meaningful, Anaheim, USA.

Walton, S. C., O'Kane, P. M., Ruwhiu, D. R., & Cathro, V. I. (2016, August). The 'future of work': Developing plausible scenarios on work and business environments in 2030. Verbal presentation at the 76th Meeting of the Academy of Management: Making Organizations Meaningful, Anaheim, USA.

O'Kane, P. M., Walton, S. C., Ruwhiu, D. R., & Cathro, V. I. (2016, August). Using a 'scenario development' Delphi to understand the complexities of work in the future. Verbal presentation at the 76th Meeting of the Academy of Management: Making Organizations Meaningful, Anaheim, USA.

Golden-Biddle, K., Ravasi, D., Langley, A., Furnari, S., Phillips, N., LeBaron, C., O'Kane, P. M., & Lerman, M. (2016, August). Coding in the trenches: Qualitative analysis boot camp. Workshop presentation at the 76th Meeting of the Academy of Management: Making Organizations Meaningful, Anaheim, USA.

O'Kane, P., & Edgar, F. (2016, November). The skills gap in 2040: What is it likely to look like? Verbal presentation at the Research Forum, Auckland, New Zealand.

2015

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 - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

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

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Ruwhiu, D., Walton, S., O'Kane, P., & Cathro, V. (2015, December). Gazing into the future of work: Implications for management education. Verbal presentation at the 29th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference: Management for Peak Performance, Queenstown, New Zealand.

O'Kane, P., Brown, T., McCracken, M., & Mazumdar, B. (2015, December). Performance management in research and practice. Verbal presentation at the 29th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference: Management for Peak Performance, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Lux, A., Grover, S., O'Kane, P., & Walton, S. (2015, December). Dear optimists, what happened to missing flight MH370? Verbal presentation at the 29th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference: Management for Peak Performance, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2014

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: 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 - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

McCracken, M., O'Kane, P., Brown, T., & Read, N. (2014, September). How are we doing? Understanding how organizational actors interact with performance management. Verbal presentation at the British Academy of Management Conference, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

McCracken, M., O'Kane, P., Brown, T. C., & Read, N. (2014, August). Performance management in practice: The power of words in the words of HR practitioners. Verbal presentation at the Academy of Management Conference: The Power of Words, Philadelphia, USA.

O'Kane, P. (2014, July). From innovative to everyday: How non-specialist organisations are utilising enterprise social software for internal Communication. Verbal presentation at the Australia & New Zealand Communication Association Conference: The Digital and the Social: Communication for Inclusion and Exchange, Melbourne, Australia.

Walton, S., O'Kane, P., Ruwhiu, D., & Cathro, V. (2014, June). Rethinking businesses to 2030: Scenarios & visioning futures. Verbal presentation at the 25th International Association for Business and Society (IABS) Annual Conference: Reclaiming the Societal Dimension, Sydney, Australia.

O'Kane, P. M., Walton, S. C., Ruwhiu, D., & Cathro, V. (2014, September). What will the world of work look like in 2030, 2060 and beyond? An evaluation of the Delphi Technique in futures based management research. Verbal presentation at the British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference, Belfast, UK.

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Walton, S., Ruwhiu, D., O'Kane, P., & Cathro, V. (2014). Future of work: Dunedin. Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Management, University of Otago. 55p.

2012

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

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: 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 - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Short, J. C., King, B. G., Zavyalova, A. A., Misangyi, V. F., Zachary, M. A., Kennedy, M. T., O'Kane, P. M., … Stimpert, L. (2012, August). Content analysis in organizational research: Techniques and applications. Verbal presentation at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting: The Informal Economy, Boston, USA.

O'Kane, P., & Hoek, J. (2012, July). Publishing personal information online: How employers access, observe and utilise social networking sites within selection procedures. Verbal presentation at the 28th European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS) Colloquium: Design!? Helsinki, Finland.

O'Kane, P. M., Le, J. K., & Smith, A. D. (2012, August). Using computer assisted qualitative data analysis software IV: CAQDAS in practice. Verbal presentation at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting: The Informal Economy, Boston, USA.

2011

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

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

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 - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

O'Kane, P., & Hegan, K. (2011, June). The role of Workplace Web 2.0 in New Zealand firms. Verbal presentation at the 5th International Conference on Communities and Technologies, Brisbane, Australia.

2010

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 - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Kennedy, M. T., Reger, R. K., Weber, K., Rindova, V., O'Kane, P. M., Zavyalova, A. A., … Hrivnak, G. A. (2010, August). Content analysis in organizational research: Techniques and applications [Workshop]. Verbal presentation at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting: Dare to Care: Passion and Compassion in Management Practice and Research, Montréal, Canada.

2009

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.

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

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 - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Reger, R. K., Pfarrer, M. D., King, B. G., Phillips, N., Pollock, T., Meyskens, M. A., … O'Kane, P., … Andrevski, G. (2009, August). Content analysis in organizational research: Techniques and applications [Workshop]. Verbal presentation at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting: Green Management Matters, Chicago, USA.

2008

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Palmer, M., O'Kane, P., & Owens, M. (2008, July). Betwixt spaces: Trajectories, transitions and turning points of the first year University student. Verbal presentation at the Academy of Marketing Annual Conference: Reflective Marketing in a Material World, Aberdeen, Scotland.

2007

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

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

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

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/