Digital Commons Network^™

Questions With Purpose: Utilizing Technology To Maximize The Parent/Child Reflective Discourse, Earl Tubbs

Masters Theses

For a young child, parents are the “no one” and “everyone” that Saint Augustine spoke of. Providing a positive example through action is important but shaping their moral compass by reflecting on their life experiences is equally important. Stated succinctly, reflective discourse is an interactive conversation between parent and child where the parent guides one’s children through recent life experiences, viewed through a specific lens. By reviewing logic driven and emotional responses, the positive and negative consequences to their behavior, and the people involved, parents can aid their children as they shape their definition of right and wrong. By reviewing …

The Underrepresentation Of Women In Senior Leadership Positions Within The Healthcare Industry, Gloria I. Choquette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In today’s business world the importance of bias, stereotyping, and prejudice, needs to be taken into account, as it leads to the underrepresentation of women in senior leadership positions. A crucial leadership gap exists in the current healthcare system as theories, cases, and models have influenced the strategies used in the healthcare industry. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to understand the causes behind the underrepresentation of women in senior leadership positions within the healthcare industry in Winter Haven, Florida when compared to population demographics resulting in the organizations inability to leverage their skill-sets. Through participants responses the …

A Case Study On Gender Inequality In A Defense Setting, Nicole L. Hicks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Women are gaining education, skills, strength, and have adequate drive yet, gender inequality is still blocking their advancement into senior leadership especially in the United States (U.S.) Defense Industry. The purpose of this study was to explore gender inequality within organizational leadership, specifically within the Department of Defense (DoD) civilian sector, to identify potential barriers to ceasing the advancement of qualified women. The main research question driving this research is, what internal and external barriers exist in the defense department regarding the professional advancement of women and what factors contribute to advancement into leadership. Follow-up questions include how veteran status, …

The Underrepresentation Of Minority Women In Senior-Level Positions Employed By The Federal Government, Amy M. Freeman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to understand the underrepresentation of minority women in senior-level positions employed by the federal government. The study generated from the glass ceiling theory that has been previously studied and explored through different aspects related to barriers associated with discriminatory acts aimed at minorities and women. A thematic approach was utilized to display the data obtained from the participants, illustrating insufficient progress being made over the course of 40-plus years with regards to the advancement of minority women obtaining a senior-level role within the federal government. Participants defined their understanding of the glass ceiling and …

The Importance Of Strategic Communication For Building Employee Resource Groups In Aviation, Lynnette Darnell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this qualitative case study, the research explores the importance of strategic communication for building employee resource groups in aviation, specifically at a regional airline. To expand and develop knowledge regarding employee resource groups, the researcher looks at a widely distributed workforce to understand how the lack of strategically planned communication can impact employee resource group development and employee engagement. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and a focus group of the employee resource group members, which provided insight on their experience engaging with the employee resource groups, preferred communication methods and tools, and their perception of leadership involvement. …

A Qualitative Study On The Underrepresentation And Minimal Advancement Of African Americans In Higher Education, Sylvester Allen Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative case study explored the underrepresentation and disproportionate advancement of African American leaders in higher education. The general problem addressed is the minimal advancement, and the disproportionate representation of African Americans compared to their White counterparts in leadership positions at higher education institutions, resulting in a lack of diversity among individuals in a leadership capacity. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to add to existing bodies of research that address the underrepresentation and low advancement of African Americans in leadership positions in higher education. The research questions explored why African Americans leaders are disproportionately represented in leadership …

The Effects Of Advanced Analytics And Machine Learning On The Transportation Of Natural Gas, Bj Stigall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative single case study describes the effects of an advanced analytic and machine learning system (AAML) has on the transportation of natural gas pipelines and the causes for failure to fully utilize the advanced analytic and machine learning system. This study's guiding theory was the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model and Transformation Leadership. The factors for failure to fully utilize AAML systems were studied, and the factors that made the AAML system successful were also examined. Data were collected through participant interviews. This study indicates that the primary factors for failure to fully utilize …

Exploring How Self-Leadership Influences Team Building In The Department Of Defense, Joseph Wolemonwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research case study explored the influence of self-leadership in team-building abilities among leaders within a Department of Defense (DOD) component in Quantico, Virginia. The general problem to be addressed was the lack of self-leadership among leaders resulting in ineffective team building. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to discover what tools, approaches, skills, methodologies, or theories are needed to prepare those in authority for self-leadership better to assist team building and to evaluate those tools, methods, or theories. Research questions explored how self-leadership supports team-building abilities among leaders. If any, the barriers to self-leadership could prevent …

Correlational Study Of Embezzlement And Economic Conditions In New England, Patricia Conn Ryan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research study was conducted to contribute to the body of knowledge related to embezzlement, a classification of occupational fraud. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE, 2020), it is estimated that losses from occupational fraud represent 5% of revenue each year and that 86% of occupational fraud included asset misappropriation or embezzlement. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to investigate the relationship between economic indicators and incidents of embezzlement. The study population included all incidents of embezzlement reported in New England between 2004 and 2018. Archival data were collected from various governmental sources for both …

Cash Infusion Uncertainty: Hindrances To Northeast United States Small Business Owners Desiring Growth, Carol Bartlo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative case study explored how cash infusion uncertainty impacted small business owners’ growth goals and strategies. Small business owners navigate varying business environments and use tactics or long-term strategies as they desire to grow. Scenario planning is a tool that entrepreneurs can use for understanding past events or trends to identify actions for managing uncertainties and turbulent business environments or capitalize on opportunities. Potential themes of this study’s research were the presence of cash infusion uncertainty for small business owners, that uncertainty hindered small business owners’ desired growth, and that strategic planning aided growth attainment. The interview data were …

The Importance Of Business Ethics As A Project Management Professional (Pmp®), James Burrows

Senior Honors Theses

The Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification is the most industry-recognized certification due to the rigorous requirements and credibility of the Project Management Institute (PMI), (Alexander, 2020). PMI requires members and certification holders to abide by the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, which prioritizes four main value areas: responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty (Project Management Institute, 2006). The following research and analysis aim to define each value area by connecting project management methodologies and ethical business dilemmas through each value area’s accompanying subsections.

Executive Coaching And Its Impact To Women At Augusta University, Stacy Roberts, Betty Ahmed

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Applied

Generational Communication Disparities In Leadership, Janelle Andrea Jordan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Companies seek to strategically utilize their resources and personnel to obtain an advantage over competitors. With generational diversity being a relevant topic, emphasis is placed on the strategic management of its personnel as they are essential in the innovative practices’ companies implement to evolve organizations and enable them to be viable in a dynamic business environment. The aspect of leadership methodologies is demonstrative in not only their verbal communication, but also nonverbal behaviors. Contributors to leadership styles displayed through communication cues may be emblematic of cultural upbringings and demographic differences. As organizations develop the skillsets of their personnel, diversification should …

Attracting Generation Z Students To Higher Education Institutions, Marcelyn Candace Nauman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

U.S. Higher Education institutions (HEIs) have faced declining enrollment since 2011. At the same time, the generational cohort of first-time freshman changed from Millennials to Gen Z students, bringing with them a change in wants, needs, and values. A qualitative multiple case study was conducted to understand how to attract Gen Z students to Higher Education Institutions. The two research questions were: 1) What marketing strategies are successful HEIs using to attract Generation Z students? and 2) What are they doing differently to attract Gen Z compared to Gen X or Y? This study was based on marketing theory, generational …

Intrinsic And Extrinsic Factors And Their Effects On The Long-Term Retention Of Business Analysts Within Organizations, Quiana Shanti Campbell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Business analysts continue to be in high demand across multiple industries. Because of this, organizations face the challenge of trying to maintain high-level talent long-term. The study looks at the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the long-term retention of business analysts within organizations in the New England region of the United States. Participants in the study represented multiple industries to include education, health insurance, and business. All participants had at least three years of work experience under their belt. With the qualitative research method using a case study design, the study found a potential relationship between intrinsic and …

Connecting Healthcare – Leveraging Technology To Promote Value-Based Care In The Emergency Department, Ahnna Michelle Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The emergency department is a fast-paced and complex environment that serves hundreds of thousands of people a day across the state of Georgia. The establishment of a culture of value-based care in the emergency department is attainable but often falls short when the staff cannot properly leverage the technology available to them. Framed by the Complex Adaptive Theory and The Input/Throughput/Output Model of ED Patient Flow, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how emergency department leaders and staff could better leverage technology to develop and sustain a culture of value-based care. The 30 participants in this …

A Quantitative Study Of Relationships Between Compassion Fatigue And Burnout To Turnover Intention In Alabama Trauma Center Nurses, Wendell Waters

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Registered nurses are fundamental members of the care team who provide skilled healthcare services in trauma centers. Research reports that trauma center nurses demonstrate high levels of compassion fatigue, burnout, and turnover. Turnover among trauma center nurses results in patient care challenges and increased healthcare costs. Although there have been multiple studies on burnout, compassion fatigue, and turnover, literature did not reveal research on how compassion fatigue, burnout, and turnover intention relates to nurses in trauma centers. Turnover intention is a concept that assesses why people stay with their job. Turnover intention has been established to rationalize intent to depart …

The Underrepresentation Of Women In Senior Leadership Positions, Marchelle Chemar Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Women have remained stagnant within lower level to middle management roles, very rarely exceeding to senior level positions. The gender preference for senior level management, such as chief executive officers, vice presidents, senior vice presidents, and directors, has been that of men, with perceptions, biases, and stereotypes hindering advancement. The purpose of this study was to understand the reasons behind the underrepresentation of women as senior level leaders in the financial industry, as well as create or increase awareness for those within financial institutions that are responsible for the hiring and promotion of talent into these senior level positions.This study …

Associate Engagement, Customer Satisfaction, And The Impact On The Shopping Experience, Deborah J. Hufford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative case study focuses on levels of associate engagement, customer satisfaction and the customer shopping experience. The qualitative research presents a case study design that looks to develop an understanding of how the different levels of associate engagement and customer satisfaction will impact the shopping experience, which could result in a loss of future revenue through reduced future visits and decreased spending. It addresses the general problem of low levels of associate engagement, customer satisfaction and the impact on the customer shopping experience. This research looks to question how important customers perceive levels of associate engagement when they are …

Understanding The Impacts Of Altering Safe Harbor Plans Within Small Business Organizations, Svetlana Kirilova Velikova

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the past three decades, many companies have adopted less expensive, relatively easier to establish, modify, amend, and terminate safe harbor 401 (k) retirement plans. By adopting the safe harbor, 401(k) plans, smaller private employers have enacted retirement incentives, shared the investment and managing responsibilities, and assisted their employees with building their retirement savings (Ali & Frank, 2019; Clark et al., 2019a). Furthermore, many small companies have reflected the impacts of the economic fluctuations and the retirement legislation changes, amended their safe harbor 401(k) plans, and lowered their retirement investments (Card & Ransom, 2011). The high number of plan amendments …

Promotion Of Leaders Based On Skills Not Related To Leadership, Emily Kathryn Stites

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A qualitative case study allowed for understanding the skills and achievements desired for individuals holding formal leadership positions in rural businesses located in Indiana. The general problem to be addressed was leaders being promoted based upon achievements and skills not related to leadership resulting in diminished morale and lower productivity. The purpose of the study was to add to the body of knowledge by expanding on the understanding of reasons behind promoting leaders based on non-leadership skills and abilities and the impact it has on employee morale and company productivity. Three primary research questions evaluated the skills and achievements of …

Factors Influencing Small Construction Businesses From Implementing Information Security: A Case Study, Carl Andrew Mayes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study described the influence of small businesses’ failure to properly implement information security technologies resulting in the loss of sensitive and proprietary business information. A collective case study approach was used to determine the most effective way to gain a holistic picture of how small construction businesses make security technology implementation decisions to support their workforce. The theory guiding this study was the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model which is related to the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Technology Acceptance Model which helped explain the intentions of individuals to use information systems. …

Employee Perceptions Of Honesty And Integrity Within National Park Service Leadership, Christy Lea Strand

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study focuses on employee perceptions of leadership honesty and integrity within the National Park Service in response to the 2018 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey results. Answers to two questions on the survey returned highly negative reactions to employee perspectives on senior leaders’ honesty and integrity and low measures of employee motivation and commitment levels. The qualitative nature of the research presents a case study design that develops an understanding of negative employee perceptions of honesty and integrity within leadership and employee commitment and motivation. It addresses the general problem of negative employee perceptions of leadership honesty and integrity and …