Digital Commons Network^™

Revenue Cycle Management, Mary Scalf

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The healthcare industry continues to navigate through legislative changes requiring a change from the fee-for-service model to a value-based model. Healthcare is required to balance quality care of the patient and financial viability. The general problem to be addressed is the inefficient adoption of a revenue integrity program within the revenue cycle management process resulting in a revenue deficit for healthcare providers. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to add to the body of knowledge exploring the possible inefficient insurance denial management process within non-profit hospital-owned physician practices resulting in revenue deficits for the provider clinics. The study …

Development Of A Sms Rollout Plan And Evaluation, Gabriel Dadi, Hala Nassereddine, Farshid Taherpour, Salena Pham

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Many state transportation agencies have introduced safety management systems (SMSs) to improve employee safety and health programs. These systems let employees quickly access safety and health policies, procedures, training, responsibilities, resources, and incident reporting tools, often electronically. Instituting a SMS is a critical step in adopting a proactive, data-driven approach to organizational safety. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary’s Office of Safety (SOS) worked with Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) to acquire, adapt, and rollout the Boosting Occupational Outcomes in Transportation Safety (BOOTS) system, a new SMS. Researchers assisted KYTC by conducting pre-rollout focus groups, helping to bring the system online, providing …

Navigating The Ethical Terrain Of Ai In Higher Education: Strategies For Mitigating Bias And Promoting Fairness, Emily Barnes, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming higher education by enhancing personalized learning and academic support, yet they pose significant ethical challenges, particularly in terms of inherent biases. This review critically examines the integration of AI in higher education, underscoring the dual aspects of its potential to innovate educational paradigms and the essential need to address ethical implications to avoid perpetuating existing inequalities. The researchers employed a methodological approach that analyzed case studies and literature as primary data collection methods, focusing on strategies to mitigate biases through technical solutions, diverse datasets, and strict adherence to ethical guidelines. Their …

The Characteristics Of Digital Transformation Leadership: Theorizing The Practitioner Voice, Pat Mccarthy, David Sammon, Ibrahim Alhassan

Department of Computer Science Publications

Digital Transformation (DT) is more than simply integrating a new digital technology into the organization. Despite a growing volume of research, however, there is little coverage of the characteristics of DT leadership. Using a grounded approach, where 16 practitioner voices are central to the theorizing output, we present 10 DT leadership characteristics. Each characteristic links what action a DT leader needs to take and how a DT leader enables that action. We also asked 30 DT leaders to evaluate the importance of each of the 10 DT leadership characteristics. Our approach strengthens the relevance for practitioners striving for the best …

Bgen 342.50: People, Process, And Technology Ii, Kristen L. Govertsen

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Bgen 341.50: People, Process, And Technology I, Kristen L. Govertsen

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Covid-19 On Mental Health Workers' Job Satisfaction, Employee Burnout, And Intent To Leave, Colton Jacobs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 disease emerged in December 2019 and created a worldwide pandemic. As the COVID-19 virus spread, healthcare workers faced increased workloads and burnout due to increased stress. With a current abundance of research to better understand how the pandemic affected healthcare workers, minimal research has been conducted to investigate the effects on mental health workers. It is imperative to better understand how the consequences of the pandemic affected mental health workers due to their importance in supporting the mental well-being of our communities. This study focused on how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced job satisfaction, burnout syndrome, and intent to …

Learners' Lived Experiences For Filling Out A Professional Development Program's Formal Evaluation After Learning About The Kirkpatrick Evaluation Framework: A Transcendental Phenomenology Study, Judine Eleanor Bishop

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology study was to discover learners’ lived experiences for filling out a formal evaluation to complete a professional development program about the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Framework for African American librarians and educators who are members of a Black Caucus affiliate group. The theory guiding this study was the adult learning theory by Knowles et al., who hypothesized that adults learn by using self-direction to build on their experiences knowing why training courses will benefit their lives. The adult learning theory provided a framework to answer the central research question and two sub-questions: (CRQ) What are learners’ …

Predicting Government Non-Manager Employees’ Creative Self-Concept Based On Their Leaders’ Transformational Leadership Qualities, Steven R. Palmer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative non-experimental, predictive, correlational study aimed to evaluate the predictive relationship between government leaders exercising transformational leadership attributes and government service employees' potential to engage in creative problem-solving. This study contributes to the existing knowledge on leadership and creative self-concept by focusing on the government civilian service sector. This sector represents a large population with limited exposure to the correlation between leadership and creativity. The sample for this study was 1,432 engineering and contracting professionals from a government acquisition center in northern Alabama who designed and built weapons systems for combat forces. The data analysis included 609 participants. The …

A Study Of Followership In An Organizational-Wide Change Of The Ministry Of Child Evangelism Fellowship, Michelle M. Russell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The influence of Child Evangelism Fellowship saw a significant increase across the United States of America after an organizational change following a 2001 Supreme Court case ruling. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the role of followership on the change and followership principles that emerged during the change that was implemented following the ruling Good News Club v. Milford Central School on the Good News Club ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship. Organizational change was defined as intentional actions promoted by leadership and intentional actions taken by followers who took advantage of the rights guaranteed by the ruling. …

Mental Toughness In The Workplace, Maiah E. Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Within the realm of the modern work organization, the employers role on employees’ mental health has emerged as a critical factor concerning job attrition. Frequently, work organizations prioritize their productivity and output, rather than recognizing the importance of individual contributions as a reflection of their well-being. Research on workplace satisfaction and adversity management has failed to address the challenges that non-military or law enforcement populations face in retaining talent. Current research on mental toughness, resilience, and grit has overlooked the importance of civilian population training interventions, leaving a gap in the literature. This mixed-method study used an explanatory sequential design, …

Wellness In Licensed Professional Counselors: Counselor Perception Of Documentation Expectations On Professional Satisfaction, Aleta Seay Gibbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Counselors are important parts of a community, helping people heal and learn to cope with life. Communities are seeing staffing shortages, counselors leaving the field, and increasing mental health needs of residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, regulations concerning documentation requirements and service provision rapidly changed, often several times. Counselors were permitted different ways of doing things in light of the constraints imposed by the virus. This included a reduction of how much documentation is required and might have included reductions in paperwork, policy changes, and service provision exceptions for licensed professional counselors (LPCs), like switching to telehealth for health and …

Impact Of Leadership Decisions On Police Officer Well-Being: A Covid-19 Response, Jason N. Spencer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative dissertation research project is to determine the impact that law enforcement leaders, their leadership styles, and decision-making processes have on the well-being of police officers. This study sought to understand this impact by focusing on the perspectives of frontline police officers, detectives, and first-line supervisors from various law enforcement organizations in the Central Virginia Region and within the context of leadership decisions made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the constructivist grounded theory approach to research design, 12 participants responded to an initial qualitative questionnaire, followed by a semi-structured interview to gain the rich, …

Formalized Succession Planning: A Need In East Tennessee Health Departments, Elizabeth A. Maples

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Gaps in employment competencies can hinder the government from serving the public and the community. The lack of succession planning and the turnover of employees can cause unnecessary strain and unstable situations within an organization. This problem can lead to decreased productivity. Undefined criteria for potential candidates remain an issue of succession planning because leaders have no best way to compare or evaluate applicants. With a growing need to fill jobs, employers complain about a lack of qualified workers. While research included the importance of succession planning, this study will include the need for a formalized succession planning process with …

Challenging The Cancer Of Consumerism Ravaging The American Protestant Church, John A. Thompson Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The American Protestant church is sick and, in some cases, dying. The primary factors adversely influencing the church contribute to church members’ warped view of Christianity. The American church is suffering from individualism, consumerism, and uncommitted Christianity. The church may be described as critically ill, and in the I.C.U. The purpose of this study was to address the effects of this cultural illness as it has impacted the people and ministry of Kingdom Life Community Church. This topic is chosen because of the researcher’s experience serving as the church’s lead pastor, observing members approach the church with a consumer bias. …

Virtual Coaching, Self-Directed Learning, And The Implementation Of Evidence-Based Practices: A Single Qualitative Case Study, Elisabeth Myers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single instrumental case study was to understand how a virtual coaching program provides opportunities for self-directed learning during the implementation of evidence-based practices for adults at Navigator Coaching. The theory guiding this study was Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory as conceptualizations of self-directed learning described in the literature mirror descriptions of self-determination. The central research question was: How does a virtual coaching program provide opportunities for self-directed learning during the implementation of evidence-based practices? As a single instrumental case, the setting for this study was one virtual life-coaching program in North America. The sample of participants …

K-12 Teachers’ Experience With Professional Development On Implementing Intervention For Cognitive Reading Disorders And Dyslexia: A Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Rosemary Balestieri

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the experiences of the 10 K-12 teacher participants who may implement instruction and interventions for students who struggle with cognitive reading disorders and dyslexia. Instruction for intervention of cognitive reading disorders at the K-12 education level was generally defined as the multisensory approach more commonly found in schools. Instructional methods of 10 teachers at the K-12 education level for cognitive reading disorders was explored by implementing the central research question (CRQ), “What are the experiences of K-12 teachers who receive professional development to provide cognitive reading instruction with interventions specific to …

Special Education Teacher Perspective On Implementation Of Assistive Technology Among Students With High-Incidence Disabilities, Olga Volkov

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of implementing assistive technology with students who have high-incidence disabilities for special education teachers at a large school district. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. Self-efficacy is one’s belief in one’s capabilities to organize a course of action to achieve a desired outcome. Self-efficacy determines how individuals think, behave, and self-motivate. Previous studies that investigated technology utilization in schools found that teachers’ self-efficacy is one of the key factors in determining and predicting technology integration. The study employed hermeneutic phenomenology as its research methodology. A …

[Re]Thinking Digital Infrastructure: Centering Humans In Integrated Systems Work, Mark Lane, Bodeene Amyot Cairdeas, Rebecca B. French, Jody Condit Fagan

Libraries

In this talk, librarians and archivists from an academic library will discuss establishing and cultivating a Digital Infrastructure Working Group (DIWG). The DIWG was born out of a need to create interoperability between metadata, preservation, discovery, and access systems for archival materials, and demanded a radical rethinking of prior organizational approaches to digital asset curation, including leveraging available APIs and vendor contracted system development. Learn how team members approached technological work by centering each other’s well-being and intentionally making visible the often-invisible human labor invested in developing and maintaining digital infrastructure. We will share how the DIWG challenged organizational silos, …

Importance Of Intergenerational Leadership In Organizations, Kelta Tabaku Ms.

M.S. in Leadership

Abstract

This study delved into the details of leadership within intergenerational settings, spotlighting the pivotal role of effective communication and cultural comprehension. It underscores how intergenerational leadership shapes organizational dynamics, necessitating innovative methods and meticulous succession planning. The research emphasizes the imperative of acknowledging each generation's distinct contributions and the deployment of leadership training and mentorship initiatives to cultivate inclusive leadership spanning generations. This capstone research thesis aims to explore the challenges in executing effective intergenerational leadership practices in contemporary organizations, potentially uncovering issues like communication barriers, change resistance, or generational misunderstandings. The hypothesis posits that adeptly implemented intergenerational leadership …

The Importance Of Intergenerational Leadership In Organizations, Kelta Tabaku Ms.

M.S. in Leadership

Abstract

This study delved into the details of leadership within intergenerational settings, spotlighting the pivotal role of effective communication and cultural comprehension. It underscores how intergenerational leadership shapes organizational dynamics, necessitating innovative methods and meticulous succession planning. The research emphasizes the imperative of acknowledging each generation's distinct contributions and the deployment of leadership training and mentorship initiatives to cultivate inclusive leadership spanning generations. This capstone research thesis aims to explore the challenges in executing effective intergenerational leadership practices in contemporary organizations, potentially uncovering issues like communication barriers, change resistance, or generational misunderstandings. The hypothesis posits that adeptly implemented intergenerational leadership …

Self-Study Portfolio Evi Francey Kampouri Lagonik, Evi Francey Kampouri Lagonik

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership Portfolios

No abstract provided.

Representation And The Achievement Gap: A Case For Prioritizing Cultural Sameness In The Classroom, Taryn J. Fears

M.S. in Leadership

Abstract

This study examined the impact of cultural representation on achievement for minority students academically and socially across diverse contexts. Recognizing the importance of cultural diversity in educational and youth mentoring settings, this research explores how the representation of various cultural identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status, influences student achievement outcomes. Coming from a background in community based nonprofit organizations, I have seen how black and brown students respond in classroom and out-of-school time settings when having come in contact with teachers and mentors of similar culture. Having a teacher and/or mentor of a similar culture creates pathways …

Persistent Identifiers And The Next Generation Of Legal Scholarship, Aaron Retteen, Malikah Hall-Retteen

Faculty Scholarship

This article discusses the importance of the most common persistent identifiers in scholarly communications—the digital object identifier and the ORCID identifier—to legal scholarship. Persistent identifiers help preserve and disseminate academic content and data-driven services that leverage this information standard are now integrated into the publication process. Because legal publishers have not widely adopted persistent identifiers, the legal discipline cannot enjoy the benefits offered by this system. This article looks at barriers to implementing persistent identifiers among legal publishers and provides an anecdotal example of creating a sustainable workflow between the law library and student-run law journals.

The Journey To Project Management: Navigating The Transition From A Nonproject Environment, Renate Lian Mascarenhas, Shagun Verma, Shrishti Rana

School of Professional Studies

To facilitate a seamless transition from a non-project management environment to a project management environment, Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) passionately dedicated to their missions and operating with limited resources can establish a Project Management Office (PMO) as a pivotal organizational function. This PMO will collaborate closely with senior executives to devise a comprehensive strategic plan for this transformation. An essential component of this plan is the identification of dedicated representatives within key departments, including IT, HR, Human Services Program, and Learning & Development. These departmental representatives will serve as proactive Project Management advocates, responsible for initiating and executing the transition strategies, …

Student Enrollment And The Experiences Of Liberal Arts Faculty At A Historically Black College And University: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Sanford Derrick Dennis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand how liberal arts faculty members at a small private historically black college are affected by unstable student enrollment. The institution is being affected by various states of unstable student enrollment, which naturally creates many challenges. The study utilized the hermeneutic phenomenological approach, and the cognitive appraisal theory as the theoretical framework. The cognitive appraisal theory is based on how individuals mentally process an event or a condition. In application to this study, liberal arts faculty members are in a challenging environment, and how do they mentally process it as an …

Measuring Coporate Social Responsiblity Leading To Organizational Commitment And Belongingness, Clifford J. Strawder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Following the completion of the study, it was found that there exists a significant relationship between perceived Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) congruence and employee outcomes, particularly organizational commitment, as elucidated through the lens of social identity theory. The investigation aimed to elucidate how employees' personal values and assessments of CSR dimensions could positively shape their attitudes and commitment to their organizations. The study, conducted with participants from various organizations recruited via the Amazon Mechanical Turk (M-Turk) platform, delved into three key CSR dimensions: Discretionary, Ethical, and Economic Responsibility. Results indicated that organizations can bolster organizational commitment by fostering a sense …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Teacher Leader Experience, Leslie Magnanti

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of teachers in leadership roles in a rural, secondary school setting. The theory guiding this study was the theory of distributed leadership created by Spillane and developed by Groff, as it explained the power of teacher leadership as a method of distributing leadership to promote teacher retention and motivation alleviating some principal stress and burnout. Data was collected using interviews of the ten participants to better understand how teachers experience leadership and how administrators can promote it, focus groups to understand the phenomenon in more depth, and …

An Exploration Of The Lived Experience Of Novice Adjunct Nursing Faculty As They Transition From Clinical Expert To Novice Educator, Angelique Tolentino-Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study aimed to describe and understand the lived experiences of novice adjunct nursing faculty teaching in the United States in undergraduate nursing programs as they transition from clinical practice to academia. The theories that guided this study are Meleis’ transition theory and Schoening’s nurse educator transition model which provide a framework for the transition experiences for novice adjunct nursing faculty. The central research question is: What are the lived experiences of novice undergraduate adjunct nursing faculty transitioning from clinical expert to novice nurse faculty? Purposive sampling and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants who were novice …

Exploring The Relationship Between Leadership Style And Psychological Capital Constructs, Matthew Austin Clark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is currently a gap in knowledge regarding how leadership styles relate to employee psychological capital. Leaders can use this knowledge to emphasize employee health. It will also help organizations by promoting employee development and retention. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between each leadership style of situational leadership, servant leadership, authentic leadership, transformational leadership and levels of employee psychological capital. This research also examined whether age acted as a moderator in the relationship. The research questions that guided this study were does leadership style have a relationship with employee psychological capital, and does age act …