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Theses/Dissertations

2015

Theses and Dissertations

Dissertations (EdD) -- Organizational leadership

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A Profile Of The Chief Student Affairs Officers Of The California State University System, Jarrett D. Fisher Jan 2015

A Profile Of The Chief Student Affairs Officers Of The California State University System, Jarrett D. Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to establish a current profile of the chief student affairs officers (CSAOs) of the 23 campuses that comprise the California State University (CSU) system. This study provides descriptive data on CSAO (a) demographics and characteristics; (b) roles; (c) functions; (d) career patterns; and (e) leadership styles. The data was obtained using a 20 item questionnaire designed to address each of the five research questions, which included: (a) What are the current characteristics of the CSAO?; (b) What are the roles of the CSAO?; (c) What are the functional areas of the CSAO?; (d) …


Assessment Of The Relationship Between Organizational Culture And Lean Implementation In The Aerospace Industry, Jesus Arroyo Jan 2015

Assessment Of The Relationship Between Organizational Culture And Lean Implementation In The Aerospace Industry, Jesus Arroyo

Theses and Dissertations

The aerospace industry is facing a wide range of economic and global challenges that are working together to put tremendous pressure to become more efficient. These challenges are forcing organizations to utilize the skills and competencies of its human resources more effectively. Firms must encourage behaviors and work practices that help elicit the organization’s potential. For most aerospace organizations, lean—a total quality management approach—has become a tool for addressing these challenges and meeting expectations. Many researchers see lean as a general system to improve the profitability of manufacturing, but there is some discontent in implementing lean manufacturing. Some researchers explain …


Does Professional Development In A Los Angeles Charter School Produce Teacher Leaders?, Nykia Smith Jan 2015

Does Professional Development In A Los Angeles Charter School Produce Teacher Leaders?, Nykia Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Do professional development sessions in charter schools produce teacher leaders? This is the main question examined in this study. Professional development was established to help with the leadership process and increase teachers’ capacities overall. Teacher leaders have been deemed as incredibly important to student success and school reformation. Knowing these facts, the researcher sought to probe the utility of professional development in terms of teacher leadership at a charter school whose main intent was reformation. Through a review of the literature, the defining factors for complicated matter such as professional development and teacher leadership were outlined. The literature review helped …


Long Term Effects Of Foster Care On Social Relationships, Angela Hackworth-Wilson Jan 2015

Long Term Effects Of Foster Care On Social Relationships, Angela Hackworth-Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

Ainsworth and Bowlby's Attachment Theory suggest that young children experience lasting effects of disconnection if separated from their primary caretaker. Foster children are legally removed from their primary caretakers, yet the effects of foster care on later social relationships of foster children is unknown. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the perceptions of adult foster children, ages 18 years and over, who were placed into foster care under 5 years of age. The major challenge was to obtain qualifying participants, first, because this is an invisible population in the American culture and, secondly, these individuals are hesitant …


Measuring Leadership Practices Of Independent School Heads Using The Lpi Self-Report, Randy R. Bertin Jan 2015

Measuring Leadership Practices Of Independent School Heads Using The Lpi Self-Report, Randy R. Bertin

Theses and Dissertations

This study identified the self-perceived leadership practices of heads of schools in California independent schools as determined by the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI). Quantitative analysis was used to determine the extent of endorsement of statements on each of the five leadership practices, which comprise the LPI subscales. Small but statistically significant differences were found in the means for the subscales, with enable others to act having the highest mean rating, and model the way having the second highest. The scores of the respondents for the present study were compared to scores from a recent study of California public school principals. …


Work-Life Balance Of Women Leaders In The Association Of Theological Schools, Kelly Campbell Jan 2015

Work-Life Balance Of Women Leaders In The Association Of Theological Schools, Kelly Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

Although women make up more than 50% of the student population at a theological institution, they are significantly underrepresented in leadership as evidenced by Lowe's 2011 study, which found that women account for fewer than 10% of CEOs in theological education. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine work-life balance as it relates to organizational commitment for women leaders in Association of Theological Schools (ATS) accredited schools. The researcher used a qualitative methodology employing the life course theoretical framework, sometimes called the narrative life story framework, which is based on Giele's (2008) original study. The interview questions were …


Identified Enrollment Management Practices In The California State University System, Ginger Q. Reyes Jan 2015

Identified Enrollment Management Practices In The California State University System, Ginger Q. Reyes

Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on the California State University system's enrollment management activities. For schools in California who rely on state funds, managing enrollment has to be balanced with competing campus priorities, limited resources, volatile economic times, and the primary mission of the system which is serving students whose goal is to achieve a college degree. Hossler and Bean (1990) defined enrollment management as the activities a campus conducts and how it organizes itself in order to influence student enrollment. Enrollment management components consist of marketing, admissions and recruitment, academic advising, career planning and placement, academic assistance programs, institutional research, orientation, …


A Study Of The Influence Of Leadership Competencies On A School Culture Organization, Veronica Glover Jan 2015

A Study Of The Influence Of Leadership Competencies On A School Culture Organization, Veronica Glover

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine teachers' perceptions of an association between principal leadership and their leadership competencies on a schools' culture. This paper explored teachers' perceptions of principal leadership and the health of the school culture. In a Southern California school district 835 teachers were e-mailed 2 surveys for a quantitative study, 68 participants completed the surveys. The first survey focused on teachers' perceptions of principal leadership competencies, which were identified in the literature. The other survey from Dr. Christopher Wagner (2006) focused on the health of the school culture. The survey included 4 teacher demographic …


Comic Art And Humor In The Workplace: An Exploratory Study ...Zzzzzz, Kella Brown Jan 2015

Comic Art And Humor In The Workplace: An Exploratory Study ...Zzzzzz, Kella Brown

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a qualitative, exploratory examination of the phenomena of humor in the workplace. The purpose is to derive a better understanding of how real people enact humor in the workplace by examining the humor depicted by and through fictional characters in comic art. The body of work of cartoonist, Scott Adams, was the primary source of data. The study relies on what the imaginary characters of Dilbert find absurd, funny, and ridiculous about an imaginary workplace, the employee-employer relationship, the content of the characters' jobs, or in the social relationships of fictional characters. It involves analyzing specific cultural …


An Examination Of The Issues Impacting Athletic Directors At Ncaa Division I Football Bowl Series Non-Automatic Qualifying Institutions, Wayne Joshua Stickney Jan 2015

An Examination Of The Issues Impacting Athletic Directors At Ncaa Division I Football Bowl Series Non-Automatic Qualifying Institutions, Wayne Joshua Stickney

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempted to identify the issues confronting athletic directors at the NCAA Division I FBS membership institutions from the following athletic conferences: American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mid American Conference, Mountain West Conference, and Sun Belt Conference. These conferences are considered to be non-BCS automatic qualifying conferences. Since the literature showed a lack of research on most of the issues that impact the university athletic director, this research attempted to present an enhanced perspective of the issues that the athletic director must confront in his or her career and daily life. The researcher utilized an explanatory sequential mixed methods …


Avid Leadership: A Skills Approach To Transformational Change, Shannon Mcandrews Jan 2015

Avid Leadership: A Skills Approach To Transformational Change, Shannon Mcandrews

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study investigated a cross population of active Elementary Leaders (Kindergarten-8th grade) of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Center, a non-profit international educational organization. This dissertation's primary purpose was to explore the phenomenon of AVID Leadership as it related to individual's perspectives of their leadership traits. After attending skills-based sessions designed to enhance transformational leadership mindsets and transformational change skillsets, participants were invited to engage in an online survey. This survey contained both the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and researcher developed demographic questions. The study explored the similarities, differences, and impact of exposure to AVID Professional Learning, the relationship …


How The Army Hispanic Access Initiative Is Helping Hispanic Students Graduate From College, Sidney S. Mendoza Jan 2015

How The Army Hispanic Access Initiative Is Helping Hispanic Students Graduate From College, Sidney S. Mendoza

Theses and Dissertations

The United States (U.S.) Army and the nation have a growing population of Hispanics. Yet Hispanics are still lagging in filling white-collar positions in the U.S. and Army. The Army has taken notice and implemented the Hispanic Access Initiative (HAI) through its Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at colleges and universities that are classified as Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). It has done this in order to recruit more Hispanic Officers into its Officer Corps. This study follows seven Hispanic students and discusses their experiences with ROTC at an HSI. They faced the same issues many Hispanic students deal with when …


The Life Stories Of Women Warriors: An Exploratory Study Of Female Student-Veterans Balancing The Transition To College, Jodi M. Senk Jan 2015

The Life Stories Of Women Warriors: An Exploratory Study Of Female Student-Veterans Balancing The Transition To College, Jodi M. Senk

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, there is an increase in veterans returning to colleges, yet little understanding exists of their unique circumstances. Limited resources, programs, and staff for veteran services, along with physical injuries, cognitive impairments, and emotional disturbances due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and military sexual trauma (MST) further complicate the transition to college. Further, female student-veterans have additional pressures, such as women's health issues and motherhood, creating additional exigencies which affect their return to college. Few studies have specifically sought to understand female student-veterans transitioning to college. Obtaining insight on the experiences of female student-veterans, utilizing the …


Cto Mentor Program: Examining The Effectiveness Of The Cto Mentor Program And Its Impact On The K-12 Technology Leader's Career, Julie Delcamp Judd Jan 2015

Cto Mentor Program: Examining The Effectiveness Of The Cto Mentor Program And Its Impact On The K-12 Technology Leader's Career, Julie Delcamp Judd

Theses and Dissertations

In order to support the 21st century learning initiatives facing California K-12 educational agencies--including the influx of mobile devices, common core standards, online high stakes testing, and student privacy--an educational organization must employ a well-trained, knowledgeable, and effective technology leader. The California Educational Technology Professionals' Association's (CETPA) Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Mentor Program certification provides assurance that the chosen technology leader has been exposed to, is familiar with, has a working knowledge of, and can apply the leadership, educational, and technology skills necessary to be a successful technology leader. The purpose of this mixed method study was to identify the …


A Phenomenological Study Of Women In India Striving To Achieve Work-Life Balance In Finance With Competing Priorities, Linda Shahisaman Jan 2015

A Phenomenological Study Of Women In India Striving To Achieve Work-Life Balance In Finance With Competing Priorities, Linda Shahisaman

Theses and Dissertations

There is a common phrase used in India, Na Stree Swathantrayam Arhati, which translates into women not deserving independence. This ideology gives women a disadvantage at an early age in life. This study strives to strengthen the ability of women that are enduring disabilities, gender issues, and inequality in the home and work place. There has been increased research on the topic in India especially due to the increased discrimination against women in the country. Women's empowerment can be viewed as women gaining control or power over their lives and this study strived to gain that. This particular study is …


Training Needs Analysis For Women In Educational Leadership In Saudi Arabia, Faten Alsari Jan 2015

Training Needs Analysis For Women In Educational Leadership In Saudi Arabia, Faten Alsari

Theses and Dissertations

Education is finally embracing school leadership as an important component in reform schools. School leaders have become central for building schools that promote powerful teaching and learning for all students. Therefore, well-prepared principals help to change schools and improve instruction. In contrast, the shortage of qualified school leaders has intensified interest in leadership development as a major strategy for developing schools and education. The purpose of this research was to conduct a training needs analysis for women in educational leadership in Saudi Arabia by identifying the gap, if any, between the current skills and the desired skills for female school …


Examination Of Cultural Intelligence Within Law Firm Librarians In The United States : A Mixed Methods Study, Michele A. L. Villagran Jan 2015

Examination Of Cultural Intelligence Within Law Firm Librarians In The United States : A Mixed Methods Study, Michele A. L. Villagran

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the research is to explore the cultural intelligence (CQ) of law firm librarians in the United States. This dissertation is motivated by three research questions: (a) What is the overall level of CQ of participating law firm librarians? (b) What variations among participating law firm librarians, if any, exist among the four capabilities of CQ?; and (c) What viewpoints do the librarians have about the value and importance of CQ within their law firms? This research contributes to the limited amount of empirical literature on CQ. Officially defined in early 2000s, the CQ framework is what guides …


The Leadership Process: An Analysis Of Follower Influence On Leader Behavior In Hospital Organizations, Shawn M. Warren Jan 2015

The Leadership Process: An Analysis Of Follower Influence On Leader Behavior In Hospital Organizations, Shawn M. Warren

Theses and Dissertations

The healthcare environment, specifically hospitals, face a turbulent environment and external forces that present difficult challenges to leaders. Hospital leaders are required to do more with less and navigate to ensure a profitable bottom line and high ratings of patient satisfaction. However, viewing solutions, such as developing a new force of leaders, to navigate through such a hostile environment may not be the only answer. This study seeks not to understand the leader solely, but is focused on the leadership process and the effect followers create due to their behaviors and attributes that influence leaders. The study draws from the …


Leadership Lessons From Entrepreneurial Failure: A Phenomenological Study, Yang Zou Jan 2015

Leadership Lessons From Entrepreneurial Failure: A Phenomenological Study, Yang Zou

Theses and Dissertations

Small businesses are the backbones of the American economy and contribute nearly 46% of the U.S. gross domestic product. However, the failure rate for small businesses is high. Only half of all small businesses will be able to survive for 5 years, and only 20% of small business can survive 10 years. Failure is a common phenomenon among entrepreneurs of small businesses. This qualitative phenomenological study involved examining entrepreneurs’ perceptions of their failure experiences. The study involved exploring the impacts of failure on entrepreneurs, the valuable lessons that entrepreneurs have taken from their failure experiences, and how they have applied …


A Phenomenological Study Focused On The Lived Experiences Of Cable Television Executives Surrounding The Phenomenon Of Candor With Their Teams, Pao Lo Jan 2015

A Phenomenological Study Focused On The Lived Experiences Of Cable Television Executives Surrounding The Phenomenon Of Candor With Their Teams, Pao Lo

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation study examines how cable television executives are able to experience the phenomenon of candor with their teams. The research used a phenomenological research framework to gain an understanding of how cable executives are able to experience candor. Face to face interviews was the method and tool used to obtain the data. The cable executives were purposefully selected from the researcher’s professional network to participate. The research analyzed the data to reveal any common themes or undertones in how the phenomenon of candor is experienced. The research discovered that cable executives do experience candor and the environment to foster …


Blended Learning In Context: An Exploration Of The Effectuality Of Math Blended Learning Programs On Minority Students' Standardized Test Scores, Shannon Jennifer Verrett Jan 2015

Blended Learning In Context: An Exploration Of The Effectuality Of Math Blended Learning Programs On Minority Students' Standardized Test Scores, Shannon Jennifer Verrett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to determine whether or not adopting a school-wide math blended learning (MBL) model led to significant differences in the Algebra I math standardized test scores on the California Standards Test (CST), between underrepresented minority students from Title I high schools in Los Angeles who had a school-wide MBL program during the 2011-2012 school year compared to underrepresented minority students from Title I high schools who did not have a school-wide MBL program. This study focused on the efficacy of the math intervention program, and was intended to further research in the area …


The Organization Culture Assessment Of Area Agencies On Aging In The State Of California, Maria Carmen Victoria E. Painter Jan 2015

The Organization Culture Assessment Of Area Agencies On Aging In The State Of California, Maria Carmen Victoria E. Painter

Theses and Dissertations

The world is undergoing a key demographic shift and a restructuring of its population due to the increase in the relative size of the aging population. Based on the latest world census data, the number of people aged 65 or older is expected to increase from an estimated 416 million in the year 2000 to 853 million in the year 2025. The US Census Bureau estimated that in 2050 the number of Americans aged 65 and older would reach 88.5 million, more than double the projected population of 40.2 million in 2010. The state of California has 3.5 million people …


A Phenomenological Study Of Families Who Participate In Long Term Independent International Travel: The Family Gap Year, Carrie A. Pullen Jan 2015

A Phenomenological Study Of Families Who Participate In Long Term Independent International Travel: The Family Gap Year, Carrie A. Pullen

Theses and Dissertations

Moustakas (1994) emphasizes that phenomenological study arises from the experiences and passions of the researcher that in turn focus and drive the research. This researcher’s own experiences include a 9-month trip around the world with my family that led me to conduct this study exploring the phenomenon of the family gap year. Existing research focuses on the traditional gap year taken by a young person in between graduation from high school and beginning college. This study seeks to add to that knowledge by exploring the related, but also unique, experience of families who take an extended time period off from …


Women In Nonprofit Leadership: Strategies For Work-Life Balance, Amanda Colleen Green Jan 2015

Women In Nonprofit Leadership: Strategies For Work-Life Balance, Amanda Colleen Green

Theses and Dissertations

The nonprofit sector is the third largest employing industry in the United States and impacts almost 10% of the economy (Roeger, Blackwood, & Pettijohn, 2012; Salamon, Sokolowski, & Geller, 2012). Women comprise over 75% of the nonprofit workforce, yet men hold over 80% of leadership positions (Bronznick & Goldenhar, 2009; McInnes, 2008). The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to examine the work-life balance practices of women leaders in nonprofit organizations and determine experiences impacting their life course. The ultimate goal was to gain insight from women leaders in nonprofit organizations to identify strategies for more women to advance …


Women Leaders In Healthcare: Going Beyond The Glass Ceiling, Cortney Baker Jan 2015

Women Leaders In Healthcare: Going Beyond The Glass Ceiling, Cortney Baker

Theses and Dissertations

Between 2004 and 2014, healthcare jobs were among the fastest growing occupations in the U.S., adding 4.3 million positions and expected job growth of 30.3%. The majority of the healthcare workforce is overwhelmingly dominated by women. However, when it comes to leadership positions, especially executive and board levels, females are considerably underrepresented. Interestingly, though, women, more than men, are reported to demonstrate traits such as transparency, compassion, and support for teamwork, which would benefit organizations as they venture into the future of healthcare delivery. In recent years, women have made minimal entry into the highest ranks of managerial positions of …


The Motivational Factors Of Higher Educated Iranian Immigrant Women: A Phenomenological Study Of Iranian Women And Influences On Academic Achievement And Work-Life Integration In The United States, Maryam Rostami Jan 2015

The Motivational Factors Of Higher Educated Iranian Immigrant Women: A Phenomenological Study Of Iranian Women And Influences On Academic Achievement And Work-Life Integration In The United States, Maryam Rostami

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study provides information on the experiences and perceptions of women who immigrated to the U.S. after the 1979 Iran Islamic Revolution to pursue higher education and professional careers. The study offers new understanding of strategies used to overcome obstacles in completing academic goals in the U.S., pursuing professional careers, and negotiating balance between home-life and career. The study focused on 3 research questions: 1. How did family expectations and Iranian culture influence Iranian women’s academic goals and family-life balance decisions? 2. What experiences (motivations and drives) shaped the life course of high-achieving Iranian women, and how did these …


Leadership: The Role Of Mentoring In Work-Life Integration, Sudonna Moss Jan 2015

Leadership: The Role Of Mentoring In Work-Life Integration, Sudonna Moss

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological research was to review the literature and investigate the role of mentoring in work-life integration. The study also raised further awareness about women’s identity, relational style, drive, motivation and adaptive styles. The findings indicate that mentoring and mentoring relationships are meaningful and effective when implemented. The study allowed for a greater insight into who the chosen mentors were and what they did professionally. Additionally, the narrative life-course framework was utilized for interpretation of results.


What Are The Necessary Skills To Lead An Innovation Center In Saudi Arabia?, Abdulaziz Hamad Algabbaa Jan 2015

What Are The Necessary Skills To Lead An Innovation Center In Saudi Arabia?, Abdulaziz Hamad Algabbaa

Theses and Dissertations

In the early 2000s, technology innovation became a strategic choice for Saudi Arabia, supported by an increasing base of start-up technology businesses and young Saudis, who are considered a potential driving force for innovation and entrepreneurial activities. Since then, technological innovation encouraged more Saudi young people to become entrepreneurs or innovators. Thus, in mid 2000s, Saudi Arabia launched many initiatives related to innovation, science, and technology, such as the establishment of innovation centers and research parks, in an effort to support developing individuals who could potentially become future entrepreneurs. The purpose of this study was to identify the top leadership …


An Evaluation Of An Independent Study Program In Six Charter Alternative Schools, Carolyn Jun Jan 2015

An Evaluation Of An Independent Study Program In Six Charter Alternative Schools, Carolyn Jun

Theses and Dissertations

Alternative education programs were designed to meet the needs of at-risk students who were not succeeding in a traditional classroom environment. This mixed-methods study examined a particular type of alternative education program—a secondary independent study program—in six charter alternative schools in Los Angeles County, California. The data included student records, field notes, and semi-structured interviews from 24 current students, their parents, and 12 teachers—selected by a stratified random sample of the population at the six sites. This study examined the participants’ perceptions of the purpose of the program, their motivations to be at an alternative school, change in GPA from …


Applying Trait And Skills Leadership Approaches To Determine Leadership Style Of Shirin Ebadi, Human Rights Activist And Nobel Peace Laureate, Kathleen Clare Geisen Jan 2015

Applying Trait And Skills Leadership Approaches To Determine Leadership Style Of Shirin Ebadi, Human Rights Activist And Nobel Peace Laureate, Kathleen Clare Geisen

Theses and Dissertations

Dr. Shirin Ebadi was the first female Muslim judge to practice in Iran, is a human rights activist, and recipient of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize (Ebadi, 2003). At times called a “woman of steel,” Ebadi risks her life and freedom as she diligently promotes peace, democracy, and human rights particularly for women and children, through her voice in Iran and throughout the world,. Ebadi received the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts related to protecting the rights of individuals and groups trapped in a system of power stemming from Islamic law (Davis & Selvidge, 2006; Ebadi & Moaveni, 2006; …