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Dow Scott

Professor, Management

Professor Scott’s work in human resources (HR) spans global HR, talent management, HR development, compensation, incentive pay and creating highly productive teams and organizations.

His current research focuses on variety of pay (i.e., compensation) related issues including: 1) how pay programs can encourage innovation, 2) how future jobs should be rewarded, 3) how pay preferences differ across gender, age and nationality, 4) how to improve pay program by evaluating their effectiveness, 4) pay fairness and transparency, and 5) how compensation professionals can support corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Education

  • PhD, Michigan State University
  • MLIR, Michigan State University
  • BBA, Idaho State University

Research Interests

  • Determining what characterizes high performance and employer of choice organizations
  • Examining the impact of pay systems and incentive plans on employee and organizational performance
  • Retaining key and high performing employees
  • Finding human resource strategies, policies and practices that can be used to build company competitiveness
  • Identifying the elements of effective global pay strategies, policies and programs
  • Examining the impact of pay transparency on employee performance, commitment, retention, pay satisfaction and perceptions of pay fairness

Professional/Community Affiliations

  • Academy of Management
  • WorldatWork (formerly American Compensation Association)
  • Chicago Compensation Association
  • Human Resources Management Association of Chicago
  • Society of Human Resource Management

Professional Activities

  • Member of Chicago Compensation Association Board and Program Committee
  • Award grants to examine global rewards strategies, programs and policies
  • Conference presenter on designing effective compensation strategies and programs, retention of key employees during economic recovery, employee engagement, fair pay practices and creating high performance organizations
  • Pulbishes frequently in WorldatWork Journal, Compensation and Benefits Review and other applied journals
  • Consults with businesses on human resources and compensation issues

Courses Taught

  • Human Resource Management
  • Compensation Management
  • Incentive Pay Programs
  • Incentive Pay and Employee Benefit Programs
  • Human Resource Development / Training
  • Training Needs Assessment and Evaluation
  • Global Compensation and Benefits Program
  • Global Human Resources Management

Publications/Research Listings

Refereed Articles

Scott, D. & McMullen, T.D. (2019) Pay fairness: Insights from reward leaders. WorldatWork Journal. 28 (1), 18-30.

Scott, D. (2018) Communications and fairness: An employee perspective. Compensation & Benefits Review, 50 (1), 5-20.

Scott, D. & Jordan, D. (2018) Pay transparency:  What do employees think. WorldatWork Journal. 27 (4), 34-42.

Scott, D. & Jordan, D. (2018) The future of work and rewards: A survey of reward leaders. WorldatWork Journal. 27 (3).

Scott, D. & McMullen, T.D. (2017) Current thinking on counteroffers: A survey of reward and HR Professionals. WorldatWork Journal. 26 (3), 6-18.  

Scott, D., McMullen, T. and Larson, E. (2017) The future of work and rewards: Forward thinking from the C-suite and total reward leaders. WorldatWork Journal. 26 (1), 13-24.

Scott, D. (2016) A “Tried and True” Method for Encouraging Innovation. WorldatWork Journal. 25 (4), 30-35.

Scott, D., McMullen, T. and Larson, E. (2015) Rewarding great ideas: Do incentives encourage organizational innovation.  WorldatWork Journal. 24 (4) 30-41.

Scott, D., Brown, M., Shields, J., Long, R. Antoni, C., Beck-Krala, E., Casademunt, A.M..L., and Perkins, S. (2015) A global study of pay preferences and employee characteristics. Compensation and Benefits Review.  47 (2) 60-70. 

Scott, D., Somersan, R., and Repsold, B. (2015) Is there merit in merit pay?  A survey of reward professionals.  WorldatWork Journal. 24 (1), 6-17.  

Scott, K.D. and McMullen, T. (2014) Assessing reward effectiveness: A survey of reward, HR and line executives. WorldatWork Journal. 23 (4),  7 - 19.

Scott, K.D. and McMullen, T. (2013) Rewards next practices: 2013 and beyond. WorldatWork Journal. 22 (4),  43-54.

Scott, K. Dow, Patel, S., Klien, D., Moyer, D., Six steps to implement a mentor program. WorkSpan, 56(10), (2013). 3.

Al Arkoubi, K., Bishop, J. W., Scott, K. Dow  An investigation of determinants of turnover intention among truck drivers in the USA. Advances In Management, 6(3), (2013). 55-61. www.shankargargh.ne

Scott, K.D., McMullen, T., Royal, M.,  Retention of key talent and the role of rewards. WorldatWork Journal. 21 (4), (2012). 12

Mahajan, A., Bishop, J.W., and Scott, K.D.,  Does Trust in Top Management Mediate Top Management Communication, Employee Involvement and Organizational Commitment Relationships? Journal of Managerial Issues. 24(2), (2012). 18

Shields, J., Scott, D., Bishop, J.W., and Goelzer, P.,  Pay perceptions and their relationships with cooperation, commitment and intent to quit: a field study.  International Studies of Management and Organization. 42 (1), (2012) 69-87.

Scott, D., McMullen, T.D., and Royal, M.,  Reward Fairness: Slippery slope or manageable terrain? WorldatWork Journal. 20(4), (2011) 50-64.

Scott, D., McMullen, T.D., and Royal, M., The Role of Rewards in Building Employee Engagement WorldatWork Journal. 19(4), (2010) 29-40.

Scott, Dow., McMullen, T., Shields, J., & Bowbin, B. "Reward Alignment: High Hopes and Hard Facts." WorldatWork Journal, 18. 4 (2009). 32-47.

Shields, J., Scott, D., Sperling, R., & Higgins, T. "Rewards communication in Australia: A survey of policies and programs."Compensation and Benefits Review, 41. 6 (2009). 14-26.

Scott, Dow., Sperling, R., McMullen, T., & Bowbin, B. "A study of pay communications: Methods for improvement of employee understanding." WorldatWork Journal, 17. 3 (2008). 6-20.

Scott, Dow., Davis, P., & Cockburn, C. "Scanlon Principles and Processes: Building Excellence at Watermark Credit Union." WorldatWork Journal, 16. 1 (2007). 29-37.

Scott, Dow., McMullen, T., Sperling, R., & Bowin, B. "Reward Programs: What Works and What Needs to be Improved." WorldatWork Journal, 16. 3 (2007). 6-21.

Scott, Dow., Manny, B., McMullen,, T., & Sperling, R. "The Future of Compensation Professionals: According to Your Colleagues." WorkSpan, 49. 1 (2006). 28-31.

Scott, Dow., Morajda, D., & McMullen, T. "Evaluating Pay Program Effectiveness." WorldatWork Journal, 15. 2 (2006). 50-59.

Scott, Dow., McMullen, T., & Sperling,, R. "Evaluating Pay Program Effectiveness: A National Survey of Compensation and Human Resource Professionals." WorldatWork Journal, 15. 3 (2006). 47-53.

Scott, Dow., Watson, G., Bishop, J., & Turnbeaugh, T. "Dimensions of interpersonal relationships and safety in the steel industry." Journal of Business and Psychology, 19. 3 (2005). 303-318.

Scott, Dow., McMullen, T., & Nolan, J. "Taking control of your counter-offer environment." WorldatWork Journal (2005).

Scott, Dow. & Rielly, M. "An inside look at compensation committees." WorldatWork Journal, 14. 2 (2005). 34-40.

Scott, Dow., Bishop, J., Goldsby, M., & Cropanzano, R. "A construct validity study of commitment and perceived support variables: A multi-foci approach across different team environments." Group & Organization Management, 30. 2 (2005). 153-180.

Scott, Dow., McMullen, T., & Sperling, R. "The fiscal management of compensation programs." WorldatWork Journal, 14. 3 (2005). 13-25.

Scott, Dow., Morajda, D., & Bishop, J. "Employee opinion surveys in the internet age: Remember the fundamentals." WorldatWork Journal, 14. 4 (2005). 32-43.

Refereed Proceedings

Scott, K.D.,  and Grodzichi, J. (2019) Pay Transparency: A comparison of Employee Perceptions in Poland and the United States. Proceedings of the International Conference on Human Resource Management (ICRHRM) in London, United Kingdom.  March 7-9, 2019.

Beck-Krala, E. Klimkiewicz, K. and Scott, K.D.  (2017)   Shaping corporate social responsibility - Contribution of Reward professionals to CSR.  Proceedings of 6rd European Global Rewards Conference, Brussels, Belgium

Long, R., Scott, D., Shields, J., Brown, M. and Perkins, S. (2016) Equity Sensitivity: A Cross National Study. IABPAD Conference. Orlando, Florida. January 2 – 5, 2016. (Best Conference Paper Award)

Scott, K. Dow, Brown, M., Shields, J., Long, R., Perkins, S., Beck, E. A global perspective on pay preferences. (1st ed., vol. 4). Brussels: 4rd European Global Rewards Conference.

Scott, K. Dow Research design for compensation system evaluation (vol. 4). Brussels: 4rd European Global Rewards Conference.

Bishop, J.W., Scott, K.D., and Daily, B.F., Integrating Role Theory and Self-belief Theory to Investigate the Commitment-Performance Relationship from a Multiple Foci of Commitment Perspective. Proceedings at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Management Association. St Pete, Florida, (2011).

Mahajan, A, Bishop, J.W., and Scott, K.D.,  Does trust in top management mediate the impact of employee communication and employee involvement on organizational commitment? Proceedings at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Management Association. St Pete, Florida (2010).

Bishop, J.W., and Scott, K.D.,  Multiple Approaches to the Commitment-Performance Relationship. Proceedings at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Management Association. St Pete, Florida, (2010).

Scott, Dow., Bishop, J., Shields, J., & Goelzer, P., "Antecedents and consequences of fair pay." EIASM - 2nd European Reward Management Conference,(2009).

Bishop, James. & Scott, D., "Performance differences among self-directed work teams: A multilevel approach." Southern Management Association,(2007).

Scott, Dow. , Mahajan, A., & Bishop, J. "Effect of organizational trust and pay satisfaction on organizational commitment and intent to quit." South West Decision Sciences Institute @ Federation of Business Disciplines (2007).

Scott, Dow. , Arkoubi, K., & Bishop, J. "An investigation of the determinants of turnover intention among drivers." South West Decision Sciences Institute @ Federation of Business Disciplines (2007).

Scott, Dow. , Bishop, J., Daily, B., & Lara, R. "Police Officers' performance and intent to quit: The role of professional commitment. Southwest Decision Sciences Institute (SWDSI)." Federation of Business Disciplines (2006).

Book

Scott, Dow, Incentive Pay: Creating a Competitive Advantage. WorldatWork Press (2007).

Book Chapters

Scott, K.D. & Beck-Krala, E. (2019) Evaluating reward strategies, programs, and policies: Research and practice. The Routledge Companion to Reward Management.  Edited by Stephen Perkins. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. 97-111 (Competitive Blind Review).

Beck-Krala, E., Scott, K.D. & Klimkiewicz, K (2019) Socially responsible and sustainable reward programs: The new frontier. The Routledge Companion to Reward Management Edited by Stephen Perkins.  London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. (Competitive Blind Review).

Scott, D. & Davis, P., (2015)  Scanlon gainsharing: Principles and processes that revolutionize workplace cultures.  Edited by L.A. Berger and D.R. Berger, The Compensation Handbook (6th Edition). New York:  McGraw-Hill.

Bishop, J.W., Scott, K.D., Maynard-Patrick, S., & Wang, L. (2013) Teams, team process and team building.  Clinical Laboratory Management, 2nd Edition. Edited by L.S. Garcia. Washington, DC: ASM Press. 

Scott, Dow. & Davis, P. "Scanlon gainsharing: Principle based leadership and incentive pay strategy.", The Compensation HandBook (5th Edition). Ed. McGraw-Hill, (2008).

Presentation of Refereed Papers

Cleary, N. Paleka, T., Scott, D., and Wiltz, S. Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability: The New Challenge for Rewards Leaders WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference,  Orlando Florida. May 6, 2019 (authorship alphabetical)

Cabanelas, R., McMullen, T., and Scott, D. Scary, Ugly, Nasty Compensation Questions You Fear Being Asked. WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference,  Orlando Florida. May 6, 2019 (authorship alphabetical)

DeBellis, P., and Scott, D. The future of rewards, in focus. WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference, Dallas, Texas. May 22, 2018 (authorship order alphabetical)

Hubbartt, D. McMullen, T., Scott, D., and White, S. Scary, ugly, nasty compensation questions you fear being asked. WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference, Dallas, Texas. May 22, 2018. (Authorship order alphabetical)

Carroll, D. McMullen, T.D., Patell, S. and Scott, K.D. Does money buy engagement? Learn from the “Worlds Most Admired” companies. Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Annual Conference in Chicago. April 19-21, 2018. (Authorship order alphabetical)

Scott, K.D., Antoni, C., Cotton, C., and Shields, J. Future of Work and Rewards Panel. 6rd European Global Rewards Conference, Brussels, Belgium, December 2017.

Scott, K.D. Pay transparency: Controversy and reality. Chicago Compensation Association Monthly Event. September 27, 2017

Scott, K.D. (Leader), Kennelly, A., McMullen, T.D., Prescott, G.A. & Savage, M. Future of Work and Rewards Panel. Chicago Compensation Association Annual Conference. June 14, 2017.

McMullen, T. & Scott, D. (2017) The use of counter-offers. Chicago Compensation Association Conference. Chicago, IL. April 2017

Bremen, J., Scott, D., and Wisper, L.. (2016) Consumer Driven Total Rewards: Using Employee Preference Data to Shape the Total Reward Programs of Tomorrow. WorldatWork 2016 Total Rewards Canadian Conference. Toronto, Canada. September 15, 2016.

Spahr, D., Hubbartt, D., Scott, D., and Reiman, P. (2016) The Right Pay Mix to Target the Changing Pay Preferences: Views from Practitioners, Consulting and Academia. WorldatWork 2016 Spotlight on Sales Compensation. Chicago. August 2016.

Bremen, J., Scott, D. and Wisper, L.. (2016) Consumer Driven Total Rewards: Using Employee Preference Data to Shape the Total Reward Programs of Tomorrow. WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference, San Diego, CA. June 2016.

McMullen, T., Scott, D., and Stark, M. (2016) The Future of Work and Rewards: Forward Thinking from the C-Suite and Total Reward Leaders. WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference, San Diego, CA. June 2016.

McMullen, T., Scott, K.D. and Larson, E. (2016) Future Work and Rewards. Chicago Compensation Association Monthly Event,  Chicago, IL. April 2016. 

Scott, K.D., McMullen, T. and Larson, E. (Accepted) Incentive pay: Employee understanding, perceptions, and impact. Chicago Compensation Association Conference,  Chicago, IL. April 2016

Scott, D., Wisper, L. and Bremen, J. (2015)  Building more effective reward programs by understanding employee reward preferences. Chicago Compensation Association Conference, Chicago, IL. December 16, 2015.

Scott, K.D., McMullen, T. and Larson, E. (2015) The Role of Rewards in Enabling Organization Innovation. WorldatWork Annual Conference,  Minneapolis, MN.

Scott, K.D., McMullen, T. and Larson, E. (2015) Encouraging innovation through reward programs.  Chicago Compensation Association Conference,  Chicago, IL.

Scott, K.D., Repsold, B., and Somersan, R. (2015) Merit pay program design and effectiveness.  Chicago Compensation Association Conference,  Chicago, IL.

Scott, D. and McMullen, T. (2014) Determining the effectiveness and efficiency of reward programs.  Chicago Compensation Association Conference,  Chicago, IL.

McMullen, T., and Scott, D. (2013) Reward next practices: A study of reward leaders.  Chicago Compensation Association Conference,  Chicago, IL.

McMullen, T., and Scott, D. (2013) Reward next practices. WorldatWork Annual Conference,  Philadelphia, PA.

McMullen, T., and Scott, D. (2013) Reward next practices: A study of reward leaders.  Chicago Compensation Association Conference,  Chicago, IL.

Scott, D., McMullen, T., and Royal, M. (2012) Retention and the role of rewards: Challenges during an Economic Recovery. WorldatWork Annual Conference,  Orlando, CA.

McMullen, T., Scott, D. Royal, M., and  Jolly, J. (2012) The role of rewards in retaining top talent.  Chicago Compensation Association Conference,  Chicago, IL.

Long, R., Perkins, S.J., Scott, D., and Shields, J.,  Global Socio-Economic Context of Pay Differentiation and Variability, 3rdEuropean Global Rewards Conference, Brussels, Belgium (2011).

Long, R., Perkins, S.J., Scott, D., and Shields, J.  Pay Differentiation and Variability: An East-West Comparison and Research Agenda Academy of Management Annual Meeting. San Antonio (2011).

McMullen, T., Royal, M., and  Scott, D., Fairness in rewards: Slippery slope or manageable terrain? WorldatWork Annual Conference,  San Diego, CA. (2011).

McMullen, T., Royal, M., and  Scott, D., Fairness in rewards: Slippery slope or manageable terrain? Chicago Compensation Association Conference,  Chicago, IL. (2011).

Scott, D., McMullen, T., and Royal, M.,  Employee Engagement and the Role of Rewards. Chicago Compensation Association Conference,  Chicago, IL. (2010).

Scott, D., Stark, M., and Royal, M.,  Enabling, engaging and rewarding employees: A study of WorldatWork Reward Professionals WorldatWork Annual Conference, Dallas, TX. (2010).

Scott, Dow, J. Bishop, J. Shields, and P. Goelzer., (2009)."Antecedents and consequences of fair pay." EIASM - 2nd European Reward Management Conference, Brussels, Belgium (2009).

Scott, Dow, and W. Bowbin.,"Does strategic alignment of your reward Programs really affect organization performance?" Chicago Compensation Association Conference, Chicago, Illinois (2009).

Scott, Dow, and W. Bowbin. "How many degrees of separation between your reward and business strategies?" WorldatWork Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington (2009).

Scott, Dow, R. Kennedy, J. Rohan, and K. Wollensak., "Developing your career during difficult times." Chicago Compensation Association, Chicago, Illinois (2009).

Scott, Dow, and J. Bishop. "Commitment and job performance: The mediating role of felt responsibility." Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois (2009).

Scott, Dow, R. Sperling, and W. Bowbin.,"Rewards communication strategies, methods and effectiveness: A survey of rewards professionals." Chicago Compensation Association, Chicago, Illinois (2008).

Scott, Dow, R. Sperling, and W. Bowbin. "What we have here is a failure to communicate: A survey of reward communications practices." WorldatWork Annual Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2008).

Scott, Dow, and J. Bishop., "How individual effort and team support mediate the relationship between commitment and performance: A multilevel analysis of self directed work teams." 68th Academy of Management Meeting, Unknown, Unknown (2008).

Scott, Dow, R. Sperling, and W. Bowbin."Rewards Effectiveness: A Best Practices Survey of CCA and WorldatWork Members." Chicago Compensation Association, Chicago, Illinois (2007)

Scott, Dow, R. Sperling, and W. Bowbin.,"In the Trenches: What Works and What Doesn't When It Comes to Rewarding Employees." WorldatWork Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida (2007).

Scott, Dow, J. Bishop, and B. Daily. "Responsibility and Job Performance of Professionals." The 67th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2007).

Scott, Dow, R. Sperling,, and W. Bowbin.,"In the Trenches: What Works and What Doesn't When It Comes to Rewarding Employees." WorldatWork Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida (2007).

Scott, Dow, T. McMullen, and J. Nolan. "The Use of Counter-Offers." Chicago Compensation Association, Chicago, Illinois (2007).

Scott, Dow, T. McMullen, and J. Nolan., "The Use of Counter-Offers." Chicago Compensation Association, Chicago, Illinois (2007).

Scott, Dow, T. McMullen, and R. Sperling., "Evaluating Pay Program Effectiveness: Survey of Compensation, HR and Finance Professionals." WorldatWork Annual Conference, Anaheim, California (2006).

Scott, Dow, T. McMullen, and R. Sperling., "Evaluating Pay Program Effectiveness Survey of Compensation, HR and Finance Professionals." Chicago Compensation Association, Chicago, Illinois (2006).

Scott, Dow, T. McMullen, and R. Sperling.,"Obtain Financial Control of your Pay Programs." 19th Annual Wisconsin Society for Human Resource Management State Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, (2005).

Scott, Dow, T. McMullen, and R. Sperling., "Fiscal Management of Compensation Programs." WorldatWork Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana (2005).

Scott, Dow, S. Taylor, and J. Bishop., "Variable pay and stock-based compensation programs: Do they impact organizational performance." WorldatWork Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana (2005).

Scott, Dow, J. Bishop, and D. Morajda.,"Employee opinion surveys in the internet age: Remember the fundamentals." 2005 South West Decision Science Institute Conference, Dallas, Texas (2005).

Scott, Dow, T. McMullen, and R. Sperling., "Fiscal Management of Compensation Programs." Chicago Compensation Association., Chicago, Illinois (2005).