John (Jay) Michela

Professor Emeritus

Head shot of Dr. Michela
BS (Maryland), MA, PhD (California, Los Angeles)

Contact information

Research interests

My research concerns a variety of influences on employee development, satisfaction, motivation and performance. Most recently in the area of employee development I have been working with graduate students to develop a framework for undergraduate students’ professional competencies. The framework considers various “inputs and outputs,” and highlights the cyclic process in experiential learning. Regarding satisfaction, an enormously important factor is person-occupation fit, so I have been studying this fit in relation to early adulthood attraction to occupations or careers, including entrepreneurial and other emerging careers (project management and UX). Concerning motivation I remain interested in vision as a component of leadership. Can a leader's vision influence the direction and intensity of employees' efforts? If so, how and why? These and earlier lines of research have required use of state-of-the-art statistical methods including polynomial regression analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and various forms of cluster analysis. My published work has provided some of my field’s earliest demonstrations of non-linear multi-level modelling, structural equation modelling, and multi-dimensional scaling.

Recent Research Grants Received

"Promoting Post-secondary Students’ Acquisition of Enabling Competencies through Enhancing Experiential Learning and Motivational Processes," John L. Michela, Principal Investigator. Canadian Academic Accounting Association, 2018-2020.

"Identifying Training Needs and Approaches for Student Team Effectiveness," John L. Michela, Principal Investigator. University of Waterloo Learning Innovation and Teaching Effectiveness (LITE) grant, 2017-2018.

Selected publications and recent presentations

Books

Book chapters

  • Michela, J. L. & Greenstein, A. (2008). Explaining the effects of managers' or supervisors' influence tactics on employees' reactions. In M. A. Rahim (Ed.), Current topics in management (Vol. 13, pp. 109-129). Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers.

Journal articles

  • Michela, J. L. (2022). Toward understanding and quantifying halo in students’ evaluation of teaching (PDF) . Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education (advance on-line posting of in press article). 
  • Zugec, L & Michela, J. L. (2017).  The licensure issue in I-O Psychology: A Canadian perspective.  Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice, 10(2), 215-217.
  • Floricel, S., Michela, J.L., & Piperca, S. (2016). Complexity, uncertainty-reduction strategies, and project performance. International Journal of Project Management, 34, 1360-1383.
  • Fernandes, M.A., Miller, E., & Michela, J.L.  (2013, April-June). Alpha meals: Using cognitive psychology to boost restaurant server performance.  Sage Open, 3 (2), 1-6.

Presentations

  • Factor, E., Fiolleau, K., Michela, J. L., & Stirling, P. (2020, February 5). Experiential learning processes in professional competency development. Paper presented at the 2020 Waterloo ExL Symposium. Fed Hall, University of Waterloo.
  • Merkand, R. H., & Michela, J. L. (2019). Distinguishing individual and normative congruence effects upon career attraction. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 31-June 2.
  • Michela, J. L., & Lim, C. H. B. (2019). Personal values in the identity congruence-seeking process in career choice. Poster presented at the Southern Ontario Behavioural Decision Research (SOBDR) Conference, University of Waterloo, May 3, 2019.
  • Merkand, R.H., & Michela, J.L. (2019). Identifying training needs and approaches for student team effectiveness in on-campus teams. Poster presented at the annual University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference (TLC), Waterloo, Ontario, May 2, 2019.
  • Stirling, P., & Michela, J. (2018, April). Expanding on Kolb's experiential learning cycle for professional competency development. Paper presented at the University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference 2018, Waterloo, ON.
  • Stebner, G. & Michela, J. (2018, April). Motivating factors for students’ involvement in professional development activities. Poster presented at the University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference 2018, Waterloo, ON.
  • Floricel, S., Michela, J.L., & Piperca, S.  (2016, July 7-9). The cognitive role of knowledge representations in innovation projects. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS), Naples, Italy.
  • Bhaskar, C., & Michela, J. L. (2016, May). Implicit career theory underlies identity-based attraction to entrepreneurial careers. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.
  • Kim, Y. K., Michela, J. L., & Bhaskar, C.  (2016, May). Fostering change in entrepreneurial intention: Experimental evidence of an intervention based on career choice factors. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.
  • Larocque, N., & Michela, J. L. (2016). The motivational impact of an ideal self intervention on goal-directed behaviours as mediated by positive of negative affect. Poster presented at the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology, Niagara-on-the-Lake, June 15-17.
  • Chan, V. W., Michela, J. L., Kim, K. Y., & Bhaskar, C. (2015, August). Development and validation of a measure of idiosyncratic RIASEC profiles for specified occupations. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, ON.
  • Chan, V. W., Michela, J. L., Kim, K. Y., & Bhaskar, C. (2015, June 4-6). An alternative approach to assess asymmetrical person-environment fit phenomena. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, Ontario.
  • Kim, K. Y., Michela, J. L., Chan, V. W., & Bhaskar, C. (2015, June 4-6). Forms of person-environment congruence: Individual and consensual. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, Ontario.
  • Floricel, S., Piperca, S., Michela, J. L. (2015, July 2-4). Complexity, uncertainty and project performance.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the European Group for Organizational Science, Athens, Greece.
  • Kim, K. Y., Michela, J. L., Chan, V. W., & Bhaskar, C. (2015, May 8).  Understanding change in entrepreneurial intent: Application of an expanded model of career choice motivation. Poster presented at the Southern Ontario Behavioural Decision Research Conference, Toronto.
  • Leung, K., & Michela, J.L.  (2014, May 23).  Value congruence induces support for organizational visions.  Poster presented at the annual meeting Factor, E., Fiolleau, K., Michela, J. L., & Stirling, P. (2020, February 5). Experiential learning processes in professional competency development. Paper presented at the 2020 Waterloo ExL Symposium. Fed Hall, University of Waterloo.
  • Merkand, R. H., & Michela, J. L. (2019). Distinguishing individual and normative congruence effects upon career attraction. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 31-June 2.
  • Michela, J. L., & Lim, C. H. B. (2019). Personal values in the identity congruence-seeking process in career choice. Poster presented at the Southern Ontario Behavioural Decision Research (SOBDR) Conference, University of Waterloo, May 3, 2019.
  • Merkand, R.H., & Michela, J.L. (2019). Identifying training needs and approaches for student team effectiveness in on-campus teams. Poster presented at the annual University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference (TLC), Waterloo, Ontario, May 2, 2019.
  • Stirling, P., & Michela, J. (2018, April). Expanding on Kolb's experiential learning cycle for professional competency development. Paper presented at the University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference 2018, Waterloo, ON.
  • Stebner, G. & Michela, J. (2018, April). Motivating factors for students’ involvement in professional development activities. Poster presented at the University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference 2018, Waterloo, ON.
  • Floricel, S., Michela, J.L., & Piperca, S.  (2016, July 7-9). The cognitive role of knowledge representations in innovation projects. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS), Naples, Italy.
  • Bhaskar, C., & Michela, J. L. (2016, May). Implicit career theory underlies identity-based attraction to entrepreneurial careers. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.
  • Kim, Y. K., Michela, J. L., & Bhaskar, C.  (2016, May). Fostering change in entrepreneurial intention: Experimental evidence of an intervention based on career choice factors. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.
  • Larocque, N., & Michela, J. L. (2016). The motivational impact of an ideal self intervention on goal-directed behaviours as mediated by positive of negative affect. Poster presented at the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology, Niagara-on-the-Lake, June 15-17.
  • Chan, V. W., Michela, J. L., Kim, K. Y., & Bhaskar, C. (2015, August). Development and validation of a measure of idiosyncratic RIASEC profiles for specified occupations. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, ON.
  • Chan, V. W., Michela, J. L., Kim, K. Y., & Bhaskar, C. (2015, June 4-6). An alternative approach to assess asymmetrical person-environment fit phenomena. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, Ontario.
  • Kim, K. Y., Michela, J. L., Chan, V. W., & Bhaskar, C. (2015, June 4-6). Forms of person-environment congruence: Individual and consensual. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, Ontario.
  • Floricel, S., Piperca, S., Michela, J. L. (2015, July 2-4). Complexity, uncertainty and project performance.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the European Group for Organizational Science, Athens, Greece.
  • Kim, K. Y., Michela, J. L., Chan, V. W., & Bhaskar, C. (2015, May 8).  Understanding change in entrepreneurial intent: Application of an expanded model of career choice motivation. Poster presented at the Southern Ontario Behavioural Decision Research Conference, Toronto.
  • Leung, K., & Michela, J.L.  (2014, May 23).  Value congruence induces support for organizational visions.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco.
  • Leung, K., Michela, J. L., Chan V. W-S., & Mitchell, J.  (2013, May 23). Enhancing teamwork effectiveness and team-based learning in coursework through training.  Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, D.C.
  • Michela, J. L., Chan, V. W-S., Schröeder, T., & Leung, K.  (2013, May 25).  Affective identity in attraction to an entrepreneurship career.  Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, D.C.
  • Leung, K., Michela, J. L., Chan V. W-S., & Mitchell, J.  (2013, April 25).  Enhancing teamwork effectiveness in coursework through training.  Paper presented at the Fifth annual Opportunities and New Directions Conference on Teaching and Learning, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
  • Leung, K., Michela, J. L., Daniels, C., & Serec, J. (2012, April). Value Congruence in Perception and Support for Organizational Visions. Interactive poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, San Diego, CA.ng of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco.
  • Leung, K., Michela, J. L., Chan V. W-S., & Mitchell, J.  (2013, May 23).  Enhancing teamwork effectiveness and team-based learning in coursework through training.  Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, D.C.
  • Michela, J. L., Chan, V. W-S., Schröeder, T., & Leung, K.  (2013, May 25).  Affective identity in attraction to an entrepreneurship career.  Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, D.C.
  • Leung, K., Michela, J. L., Chan V. W-S., & Mitchell, J.  (2013, April 25).  Enhancing teamwork effectiveness in coursework through training.  Paper presented at the Fifth annual Opportunities and New Directions Conference on Teaching and Learning, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
  • Leung, K., Michela, J. L., Daniels, C., & Serec, J. (2012, April). Value Congruence in Perception and Support for Organizational Visions. Interactive poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, San Diego, CA.

Courses taught in recent years

Undergraduate

Graduate

Training design and delivery

  • Emotional Intelligence Development for the Master's of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) program at the University of Waterloo (UWaterloo).  Program co-designed with Professor Joan Condie of Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, and co-delivered with graduate students in Psychology at UWaterloo.

Editorial positions held and recent service to the field

  • Associate Editor, International Journal of Organizational Analysis
  • Editorial Board Member, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Attitudes and Social Cognition
  • Editorial Board Member, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Personality Processes and Individual Differences
  • Ad hoc reviewer for
    • Academy of Management Journal
    • Appetite
    • Basic and Applied Social Psychology
    • Behavioural Research Methods
    • Canadian Psychology
    • Cognitive Therapy and Research
    • Current Topics in Management
    • Health & Psychology: An International Journal
    • Health Psychology
    • Human Relations
    • International Journal of Organizational Analysis
    • Journal of Accounting
    • Journal of Applied Social Psychology
    • Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
    • Journal of Management Education
    • Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology
    • Journal of Organizational Behaviour
    • Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
    • Journal of Research in Personality
    • Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
    • Management Science
    • Organizational Research Methods
    • Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
    • Political Psychology
    • Psychological Bulletin
    • Psychological Science
    • Psychological Review
    • Small Group Research
  • Member of the Ontario Psychological Association's committee for the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award

Recent research grants

  • "Outreach" Grant for Development of Trainer Materials for Emotional Intelligence Development. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, 2009-2011.
  • "Managing Innovation in the New Economy." Sub-grant to John L. Michela, Co-investigator; Sergei Floricel, Research Director; Roger E. Miller, Project Director, École Polytechnique, Montréal, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. 2003-2006.

Recent research findings

Findings promised to participants of research studies will appear here as they become available. Thank you for your participation in our scientific research.

Right click on this link for instructions to John Michela's Office at UW