Skip to main content
Sign In

Home Future StudentsCurrent StudentsFaculty & StaffPatientsAlumni

University of Colorado Denver Business School, offering Bachelor, MBA, MS, and PhD degrees

Business School, University of Colorado Denver
 

Edward O'Connor

Professor of Management
Edward O'Connor
  • Healthcare Leadership (XHAD 6361)
  • Visionary Leadership (MGMT 6803)
  • Physician-Hospital Relations (XHAD 6280)
  • Organizational Development (MGMT 6320)
  • Physician-hospital relations
  • Healthcare leadership
  • Healthcare strategy
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Change management
  • Teambuilding

Teaching Philosophy

My commitment is to learning, student inquiry, intellectual growth and support for the lifelong pursuit of personal revitalization. I seek to convey relevant content to students through reading and lectures, to develop their ability to conceptually grasp complex issues through in-class activities and project requirements, and to apply the content to current professional problems through applied projects.

Academic Experience

  • Professor of Management, University of Colorado Denver, 1988 to present.
  • Visiting Associate Professor of Management, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1987 to 1988.
  • Associate Professor of Management, The University of Texas at Dallas, 1980 to 1985.
  • Assistant Professor of Management, The University of Texas at Dallas, 1977 to 1980.
  • Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Georgia, 1975 to 1977.
  • Instructor in Economics and Business Administration, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 1970 to 1972.

Professional Experience

  • Manufacturing and marketing management positions, General Electric, 1965-1969.
  • President, Wealth Planning Resource Center, Inc., 1985-1987.
  • Management Consultant
    • Principal, O'Connor and Associates, 1979-1988.
    • Principal, Implementation Management Associates, Inc., 1988-1991.
    • Principal, The Meridian Institute, Inc., 1991-1993.
    • Principal, Implementation Institute, 1993-present.

Education

  • Ph.D. Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University of Akron, 1975
  • M.B.A. Management, Harvard Business School, 1970
  • B.S. Business Administration, Boston College, 1965
  • Selected as Distinguished Speaker, Health Care Management Division, Academy of Management, 2009.
  • Selected as Outstanding Teacher for Executive Healthcare Program, 2008.
  • Selected as Outstanding Professor for 11-Month MBA Program, UC Denver, 2003.
  • Selected as Outstanding Teacher for Executive Healthcare Program, 2000.
  • Selected as Outstanding Teacher for the College of Business, UC Denver 1991.
  • Bass, B.M., Cascio, W.F., & O'Connor, E.J. (1974). Magnitude estimations of expressions of frequency and amount. Journal of Applied Psychology, 59, 313-320.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Wexley, K.N., & Alexander, R.A. (1975). Single group validity: Fact or fallacy? Journal of Applied Psychology, 60, 352-355.
  • Barrett, G.V., Cabe, P.A., Thornton, C.L., & O'Connor, E.J. (1975). Cognitive styles and job attributes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60, 649-651.
  • Barrett, G.V., Alexander, R.A., O'Connor, E.J., & Forbes, J.B. (1978). Values and professional judgment in validating and litigating tests for civil service positions. Professional Psychology, 9, 137-144.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Peters, L.H., & Gordon, S.M. (1978). The measurement of job satisfaction: Current practices and future considerations. Journal of Management, 4, 17-26.
  • O'Connor, E.J., & Farrow, D.L. (1979). A cross-functional comparison of prescribed versus preferred patterns of managerial structure. Journal of Management Studies, 16, 222-234.
  • Gatewood, R.D., & O'Connor, E.J. (1979). Information dissemination and the increasing complexity of personnel work. Personnel Administrator, 24, 71-76.
  • Peters, L.H., O'Connor, E.J., & Rudolf, C.J. (1980). The behavioral and affective consequences of situational constraints. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 25, 79-96.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Rudolf, C.J., & Peters, L.H. (1980). Individual differences and job design reconsidered: Where do we go from here? Academy of Management Review, 5, 249-254.
  • Peters, L.H., & O'Connor, E.J. (1980). Situational constraints and work outcomes: The influences of a frequently overlooked construct. Academy of Management Review, 5, 391-397.
  • Barrett, G.V., Forbes, J.B., O'Connor, E.J., & Alexander, R.A. (1980). Ability-satisfaction relationships: Field and laboratory studies. Academy of Management Journal, 23, 550-555.
  • O'Connor, E.J., & Barrett, G.V. (1980). Informational cues and individual differences as determinants of subjective job perceptions of task enrichment. Academy of Management Journal, 23, 697-716.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Chassie, M.B., & Walther, F. (1980). Expended effort and academic performance. Teaching of Psychology, 7, 231-233.
  • Peters, L.H., Bhagat, R.S., & O'Connor, E.J. (1981). An examination of the independent and joint contributions of organizational commitment and job satisfaction on employee intentions to quit. Group and Organization Studies, 6, 73-82.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Arnold, G.C., & Bhagat, R.S. (1981). Job design task attributes: An evaluation of prior job design manipulations based on a retranslation technique. Journal of Management, 7, 9-16.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Peters, L.H., Rudolf, C.J., & Pooyan, A. (1982). Situational constraints and employee affective reactions: A partial field replication. Group and Organization Studies, 7, 418-428.
  • Peters, L.H., Fisher, C.D., & O'Connor, E.J. (1982). The moderating effect of situational control of performance variance on the relationship between individual differences and performance. Personnel Psychology, 35, 609-621.
  • Peters, L.H., Chassie, M.B., Lindholm, H.R., O'Connor, E.J., & Rudolf, C.J. (1982). The joint influences of situational constraints and goal setting on performance and affective outcomes. 8, 7-20.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Peters, L.H., & Segovis, J.C. (1983). Situational constraints, task relevant abilities, and experienced frustration. Personnel Selection and Training Bulletin, 4, 178-188.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Peters, L.H., Kline, C.R., & Brush, D.H. (1984). Improving performance and employee attitudes through the effective use of unconstrained resources. Personnel Administrator, 29, 90-98.
  • Peters, L.H., O'Connor, E.J., Weekley, J., Pooyan, A., Frank, B., & Erenkrantz, B. (1984). Sex bias and managerial evaluations: A+
  • replication and extension. Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 349-352.
  • Wise, S.L., Peters, L.H., & O'Connor, E.J. (1984). Identifying moderator variables using multiple regression: A reply to Darrow and Kahl. Journal of Management, 10, 227-233.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Peters, L.H., Pooyan, A., Weekley, J., Frank, B., & Erenkrantz, B. (1984). Situational constraint effects on performance, affective reactions and turnover: A field replication and extension. Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 663-672.
  • Peters, L.H., O'Connor, E.J., Pooyan, A., & Quick, J.C. (1984). The relationship between time pressure and performance: A field test of Parkinson's Law. Journal of Occupational Behavior, 5, 293-299.
  • Weekley, J., Frank, B., O'Connor, E.J., Peters, L.H. (1985). A comparison of three methods of estimating the standard deviation of performance in dollars. Journal of Applied Psychology, 70, 122-126.
  • Peters, L.H., O'Connor, E.J., Eulberg, J.R., & Watson, T.W. (1988). An examination of situational constraints in Air Force work settings. Human Performance, 2, 133-144.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Parsons, C.K., Liden, R.C., & Herold, D.M. (1990). Implementing new technology: Management issues and opportunities. Journal of High Technology Management Research, 1, 69-89.
  • Parsons, C.K., Liden, R.C., O'Connor, E.J., & Nagao, D.H. (1991). Employee response to technologically driven change: The implementation of office automation in a service organization. Human Relations, 44, 1331-1356.
  • O'Connor, E.J., Parson, C.K., & Liden, R.C. (1992). Responses to new technology: A model for future research. Journal of High Technology Management Research, 3, 111-124.
  • Zammuto, R.F., & O'Connor, E.J. (1992) Gaining advanced manufacturing technology's benefits: The role of organizational design and culture. Academy of Management Review, 17, 701-728. (Reprinted in The History of Management Thought: Innovation, Gerald Hage (ed.) Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 1998).)
  • Shortell, S.M., O'Brien, J.L., Hughes, E.F.X., Carman, J.M., Foster, R.W., Boerstler, H., & O'Connor, E.J. (1994). Assessing the progress of TQM in US hospitals: Findings from two studies. The Quality Letter for Healthcare Leaders, 6, 14-17.
  • O’Brien, J.L., Shortell, S.M., Hughes, E.F.X., Foster, R.W., Carman, J.M., Boerstler, H., & O’Connor, E.J. (1995). An integrative model for organization-wide quality improvement: Lessons from the field. Quality Management in Health Care, 3, 19-30.
  • Shortell, S.M., O’Brien, J.L., Carman, J.M., Foster, R.W., Hughes, E.F.X., Boerstler, H., & O’Connor, E.J. (1995). Assessing the impact of continuous quality improvement/total quality management: Concept versus implementation. Health Services Research, 30, 377-401.
  • Carman, J.M., Shortell, S.M., Foster, R.W., Hughes, E.F.X., Boerstler, H., O’Brien, J.L., & O’Connor, E.J. (1996). Keys for successful implementation of TQM in hospitals. Health Care Management Review, 21, 48-60.
  • Boerstler, H., Foster, R.W., O'Connor, E.J., O'Brien, J.L., Shortell, S.M., Carman J.M., & Hughes, E. F.X. (1996). Implementation of total quality management: Conventional wisdom versus reality. Hospital and Health Services Administration, 41, 143-169.
  • Zammuto, R.F., Keaveney, S.M., & O'Connor, E.J. (1996). Assessing and improving service quality. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 7, 1996.
  • Fiol, C. M., O’Connor, E. J., & Aguinis, H. (2001). All for one and one for all? The development and transfer of power across organizational levels. Academy of Management Review, 26, 224-242.
  • Fiol, C. M. & O’Connor, E. J. (2002). When hot and cold collide in radical change processes: Lessons from community development. Organization Science, 13, 32-546.
  • Fiol, C. M. & O’Connor, E. J. (2003). Waking up! Mindfulness in the face of bandwagons. Academy of Management Review, 28, 54-70.
  • Fiol, C. M. & O’Connor, E. J. (2004). The power of mind: What if the game is bigger than we think? Journal of Management Inquiry. 13, 342-352.
  • Fiol, C. M. & O’Connor, E. J. (2005) Identification in face-to-face, hybrid, and pure virtual team: Untangling the contradictions. Organization Science. 16, 19-32.
  • Fiol, C. M., Pratt, M. & O’Connor, E. J. (2009) Managing Intractable Identity Conflicts. Academy of Management Review. 34, 1, 32-55.

Books

  • O'Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2002). Reclaiming Your Future: Entrepreneurial Thinking In Health Care. Tampa, FL: American College of Physician Executives.
  • Fiol, C. M. & O’Connor, E. J. (2009). Separately Together: A New Path To Healthy Hospital-Physician Relations. Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press.
  • O'Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (In Press). Creating Readiness for Change: Preparing Physicians and Administrators for Collaboration. Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press. (Self-Study Course)
  • O'Connor, E. J., Fiol, C. M., & Panico, P.H. (In Press). Working Together While Maintaining Distinctiveness: Healthy Hospital-Physician Relations. Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press. (Self-Study Course)

Book Chapters

  • Peters, L.H., O'Connor, E.J., & Wise, S.L. (1984). The specification and testing of useful moderator variable hypotheses. In T.S. Bateman and G.R. Ferris (Eds.), Method and analysis in organizational research. Reston, Virginia: Reston Publishing Company, 128-139.
  • Peters, L.H., O'Connor, E.J., & Eulberg, J.R. (1985). Situational constraints: Sources, consequences, and future considerations. In G.R. Ferris and K.M. Rowland (Eds.), Research in personnel and human resources management. Vol. 3, Greenwich, CT: JAI Press, 79-113.
  • Peters, L.H., & O'Connor, E.J. (1988). Measuring work obstacles: Procedures, issues and implications. In D. Schoorman and B. Schneider (Eds.), Facilitating work effectiveness. Lexington, Kentucky: Lexington Books, 105-123.
  • O’Connor, E.J., & Zammuto, R. F. (1995). From here to AMT success: How will we travel? In L. Gomez-Mejia & M. W. Lawless (Eds.), Advances in Global High-Technology Management. Greenwich, CT, Vol. 5, Greenwich, CT: JAI Press, 125-147.
  • Shortell, S.M., O’Brien, J.L., Carman, J.M., Foster, R. W., Hughes, E.F.X., Boerstler, H., O’Connor, E.J., & Gillies, R.R. (1995). Physician involvement in quality improvement: Issues, challenges, and recommendations. In D. Blumenthal & A.C. Scheck (Eds.), Improving Clinical Practice: Total Quality Management & the Physician. San Francisco, Jossey-Bass, 205-228
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (1997). A roadmap for Managing Change: Energizers, Barriers, and Action Steps. In J. Lowery (Ed.), Culture Shift: A Leader’s Guide to Managing Change In Healthcare. Chicago: American Hospital Publishing, Inc., 39-60.
  • Fiol, C. M., & O'Connor, E. J. (2000). Making the most of conflict: Its value, sources, and opportunities. In J. Hammon (Ed.), Fundamentals Of Medical Management: A Guide For The New Physician Executive, 2nd. Edition, Tampa, Fla.: American College of Physician Executives, 97-111.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2003). Making conflict work for you: Its value, sources, and opportunities. In W. Curry & B. Linney (Eds.), Essentials Of Medical Management. Tampa, Fla.: American College of Physician Executives, 231-245.
  • Fiol, C. M. & O’Connor, E. J. (2006). Stuff matters: Artifacts, social identity, and legitimacy in the U.S. medical profession. In A Rafaeli & M. Pratt (Eds.), Artifacts and Organizations: Beyond Mere Symbolism, Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, pp. 241-257.
  • Fiol, C.M. & E.J. O’Connor. Hollow at the top: (Re)claiming the responsibilities of leadership in strategising. (2007). In L. A. Costanzo & R. B. MacKay (Eds.), The Handbook of Research on Strategy and Foresight. Camberley Surrey GU15 3LW UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Fiol, C. M. & O’Connor, E. J. (2009). Nurture the divide: Toward maximizing the value of management research from both sides of the Atlantic. In D. Barry & H. Hansen (Eds.), Handbook of New & Emerging Approaches to Management & Organizations. London: Sage, 251-254.
  • Fiol, C. M. & O’Connor, E. J. (In Press). Separately together: Managing intractable identity conflict. D. J. Christie (Ed.) The Encyclopedia of Peace Psychology. Wiley- Blackwell. Hoboken, NJ.

Professional Articles

  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2002). Diving into white lightning: Herd behaviors in group practices. MGMA Connexion, October, 2, 22-24.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2003). From the Peace Corps to Health Care: Building Support for Your Leadership Agenda. MGMA Connexion. 3, August, 17-18.
  • O’Connor, E. J., Liebscher, L. A., & Fiol, C. M. (2004). Beating them or joining them: Your radiology group’s path to the future. Journal of the American College of Radiology. 1, 10, 755-761.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2004). Expand your practice … carefully. MGMA Connexion. 4, February, 51-54.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS:

  • Weekley, J., & O'Connor, E.J. (1982, September). Conducting lawful employment interviews. Dallas, pp. 63-64.
  • O'Connor, E.J., & Weekley, J.A. (1983, March). The selection interview: Getting your dollar's worth. Dallas, pp. 83-84.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (1997). Leading the way. The Physician Executive, November-December, 6-13.
  • Annison, M. H. & O’Connor, E. J. (1999). Trustees as guardians of the future. Michigan Health and Hospitals, September, 8-10.
  • O’Connor, E. J. (2000). Strategic choices: Today commitments required for tomorrow’s success. Michigan Health and Hospitals, July-August, 57-59.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Bujak, J. S. (2000). Looking for answers in new places: Applying Lessons from winning organizations. The Physician Executive, September-October, 56-63.
  • Peters, L. H. & O’Connor, E. J. (2001). Informal leadership support: An often-overlooked competitive advantage. The Physician Executive, May-June, 35-39.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Bujak, J. S. (2001). Trust, the strategic imperative: How to successfully build physician-system partnerships. Leadership and Management Report, May, 6-9.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Annison, M. H. (2002). Building trust through promises and performance. The Physician Executive, January-February, 28, 68-72.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Annison, M. H. (2002). Building trust and collaboration between physicians and administrators. The Physician Executive, March-April, 28, 48-52.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2002). Mindful over mindless: Learning to think like an entrepreneur. The Physician Executive. July-August, 28, 18-23.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2002). When hot and cold collide: Riding the spirals of emotions and logic. The Physician Executive. November-December, 28, 18-21.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2003). Reclaiming your future: Entrepreneurial thinking in health care. The Physician Executive. January-February, 29, 48-49.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2003). Putting your money where your people are: Investing in enduring success. The Physician Executive. July-August, 29, 12-15.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2003). From them to us: Going Where Others Have Gone Before. Michigan Health and Hospitals. July-August, 39, 34-36.
  • O’Connor, E. J., Fiol, C. M., & Dewil, G. (2003). Naked reverse: Unexpected plays for exceptional results. The Physician Executive. September-October, 29, 28-33.
  • O’Connor, E. J. & Fiol, C. M. (2003). Time and your future. Michigan Health And Hospitals. September-October, 39, 30-31.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2004). Spinning your winning web: Investing in attracting and retaining top performers. The Physician Executive. September-October, 30, 40-43.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2005). Getting from here to there in healthcare. The Physician Executive. March-April, 31, 56-58.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2005). Following a proven path to success. The Physician Executive. May-June, 31, 77-78.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2005). Clarifying your vision and objectives. The Physician Executive. July-August, 31, 64-65.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2005). Moving Into and Through Transitions. The Physician Executive. September-October, 31, 64-65.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2005). Resistance to Patient Safety Initiatives. The Physician Executive. November-December, 31, 64-67.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2006). Focusing Your People: The Power of Entrepreneurial Thinking. The Physician Executive. January-February, 32, 18-23.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2006). Creating Readiness and Involvement. The Physician Executive. January-February, 32, 72-74.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2006). Building The Relationships Required To Influence Others. The Physician Executive. March-April, 32, 68-69.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2006). Creating Organizational Support for Change. The Physician Executive. May-June, 32, 76-78.
  • O’Connor, E. J., Fiol, C. M., & Guthrie, M. (2006). Separately Together—Build Unity By Strengthening Physician Groups. The Physician Executive. July-August, 32, 16-21.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2006). Do Your People Want To Do What Is Needed?. The Physician Executive. July-August, 32, 58-61.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2006). Moving From Resistance To Support. The Physician Executive. September-October, 32, 68-69.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2006). Reclaiming Physician Power: Your Role as a Physician Executive. The Physician Executive. November-December, 32, 46-50.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2006). Handling Emotional Reactions. The Physician Executive. November-December, 32, 78-80.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2007). Carrying The Load Together. The Physician Executive. January-February, 33, 68-70.
  • O’Connor, E. J., & Fiol, C. M. (2010). Separately Together: Achieving Physician-Administrator Collaboration Through a Single Purpose. Healthcare Executive. January-February, 25, 72-75.