Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Institution
-
- Air Force Institute of Technology (220)
- Louisiana State University (212)
- Clark University (67)
- The University of Southern Mississippi (63)
- University of Texas at Tyler (59)
-
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (56)
- Chulalongkorn University (46)
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (38)
- Edith Cowan University (37)
- World Maritime University (36)
- Munster Technological University (33)
- Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (29)
- Western Michigan University (28)
- University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (27)
- California State University, San Bernardino (26)
- Loma Linda University (26)
- UMass Global (25)
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville (25)
- University of Richmond (24)
- Old Dominion University (23)
- Louisiana Tech University (22)
- Universidad de La Salle (18)
- City University of New York (CUNY) (16)
- Eastern Kentucky University (16)
- Abilene Christian University (15)
- Lindenwood University (15)
- Minnesota State University, Mankato (14)
- Western University (14)
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (13)
- Loyola University Chicago (13)
- Keyword
-
- Leadership (61)
- Job satisfaction (35)
- MPA (33)
- Management (30)
- Training (30)
-
- Education (26)
- Personnel management (26)
- Retention (26)
- Diversity (25)
- Employee retention (25)
- Human resources (23)
- Motivation (21)
- Human Resources (20)
- Performance (18)
- Employee engagement (17)
- MSIT (17)
- Workplace (17)
- Higher education (16)
- Mentoring (16)
- Communication (15)
- Human capital (15)
- Turnover (15)
- Compensation (14)
- Human resource development (14)
- Millennials (14)
- Police (14)
- Social media (14)
- Employees (13)
- Engagement (13)
- MSPC (13)
- Publication
-
- Theses and Dissertations (260)
- LSU Doctoral Dissertations (188)
- Dissertations (109)
- School of Professional Studies (67)
- Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations (59)
-
- UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones (56)
- Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD) (46)
- Theses (44)
- Master's Theses (40)
- Electronic Theses and Dissertations (38)
- Doctoral Dissertations (35)
- Dissertations and Theses (34)
- Theses: Doctorates and Masters (28)
- World Maritime University Dissertations (28)
- Honors Theses (26)
- Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects (26)
- Masters Theses (21)
- Theses Digitization Project (18)
- LSU Master's Theses (16)
- Online Theses and Dissertations (16)
- All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects (14)
- Graduate Theses and Dissertations (14)
- Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects (12)
- Management Undergraduate Honors Theses (10)
- Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access) (9)
- Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository (9)
- Theses : Honours (9)
- Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations (8)
- LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses (8)
- Maritime Safety & Environment Management Dissertations (Dalian) (8)
Articles 1 - 30 of 1619
Full-Text Articles in Business
The Impact Of Soft Skills Training On Guest Satisfaction In The Hospitality Industry, Lawrie Colaco Mr
The Impact Of Soft Skills Training On Guest Satisfaction In The Hospitality Industry, Lawrie Colaco Mr
Culminating Experience Projects
The hospitality industry has become immensely fast-paced, and prioritizing guest satisfaction levels has been one of the main objectives. While hard skills such as technical expertise and operational proficiency are important aspects which are required by the hospitality staff, soft skills also play a pretty significant role. Soft skills enable the staff to be adaptive and communicative, it raises their empathy levels and teaches them to control their emotions and perform under stressful working environments. The importance of soft skills in this sector cannot be overemphasized, not only does this help with harbouring a positive attitude among the employees but …
A Phenomenological Study On The Perceived Impact Of Bass's Four I'S Of Transformational Leadership, Yarissa Marn
A Phenomenological Study On The Perceived Impact Of Bass's Four I'S Of Transformational Leadership, Yarissa Marn
Dissertations
Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe World of Warcraft game leaders’ perceptions of the impact on their guilds regarding Bass’s 4 I’s of transformational leadership.
Methodology: This qualitative study interviewed 13 World of Warcraft game leaders who have led their guild members for at least one year. The main source of data collection was semi-structured open-ended interview questions with other resources to include artifacts. The researcher coded and analyzed data for themes and patterns.
Findings: Several domains of Bass’s Four I’s Transformational Leadership framework were found to have an impact on World of Warcraft …
2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition, Joseph Kelly
2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition, Joseph Kelly
Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses
We studied a community bank in Danville, Arkansas named Chambers Bank. This was part of a 2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition, which illustrated the financial analysis, staffing, and training of the bank. We learned about technology implemented into the bank, and how the bank works with customers locally to ensure the best quality care.
2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition, Alivia Brewer
2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition, Alivia Brewer
Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses
Study of Chambers Bank, located in Danville, Arkansas for the 2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition. This paper covers financial analysis, training and technology, as well as staffing.
Examining The Career Path Of Certified Public Accountants In Audit And Tax Services: Perceptions Of Accounting Graduates' Competencies, Steven Mulhollen
Examining The Career Path Of Certified Public Accountants In Audit And Tax Services: Perceptions Of Accounting Graduates' Competencies, Steven Mulhollen
Dissertations
Accounting professionals claim there is a deficiency of individuals with the appropriate competencies to enter the accounting workforce (Pasewark, 2021; Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018; Thomson, 2017). Also, recent trends indicate a need to increase the number of qualified accounting professionals who can pass the Certified Public Accounting Exam (CPA Exam) and enter the public accounting workforce (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants [AICPA], 2021a; Dawkins, 2023). This quantitative, causal-comparative study expands existing studies by analyzing the impact of CPA's chosen career path of audit or tax on their perception of the required and attained accounting competencies. This study contributes to …
Financial Self-Efficacy Among Puerto Rican Women In The United States: An Ethnographic Action-Based Research Study, Melinda Jimenez Perez
Financial Self-Efficacy Among Puerto Rican Women In The United States: An Ethnographic Action-Based Research Study, Melinda Jimenez Perez
Theses & Dissertations
The purpose of this ethnographic action research study was to better understand the financial self-efficacy of Puerto Rican women in the United States. There is a gap in the literature in identifying the relationship between middle-class Puerto Rican women and financial literacy. In a pilot study, four major findings emerged from the survey about Puerto Rican women and their relationship with finances: (a) as children, mothers taught them to save, and as adults, they rely on the male figures in their families; (b) the traditional education systems did not provide financial education; (c) the childhood culture of poverty and scarcity …
The Phygital Design Process: Using Emerging Technologies To Create A Phygital Fashion Brand Rooted In Nostalgia, Madeline M. Mcdaniel
The Phygital Design Process: Using Emerging Technologies To Create A Phygital Fashion Brand Rooted In Nostalgia, Madeline M. Mcdaniel
Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects
This Master's Project is a comprehensive exploration of the intersection of digital fashion design, nostalgia, and sustainable practices. Its primary objective is to create 'project CYBERBAE,' a phygital fashion collection that draws inspiration from early 2000s video game characters, trends, and aesthetics. The project utilizes advanced digital tools like Clo3D to demonstrate a comprehensive digital fashion design process that emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability. It also pioneers the development of a 3D virtual world, providing users with an immersive environment to interact with and experience digital fashion. This virtual space serves as a platform for a community of fashion, technology, and …
What To Expect When Preparing To Transition For Working Abroad: Exploring Work-Focused Intercultural Transition Training, Hannah Johnson
What To Expect When Preparing To Transition For Working Abroad: Exploring Work-Focused Intercultural Transition Training, Hannah Johnson
All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present
Despite living in a highly globalized world with increased travels, interactions, and migrations across both physical and mental cultural lines, many individuals are still often unprepared to interact with those who are different successfully (Kupka et al., 2008). With all these increases in travel, interaction, and migrations across cultural lines, it is essential to understand the adjustment process and the potential challenges or barriers that individuals may face when transitioning to a new culture. This project systematically examines literature on intercultural transitions to improve training for individuals traveling to another culture for work. The literature examined includes pre-departure training and …
Straight From The Source: Three Perspectives On Best Practices For Hiring People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Elyse Whittemore
Straight From The Source: Three Perspectives On Best Practices For Hiring People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Elyse Whittemore
Honors Thesis
The purpose of this research is to identify best practices for the successful employment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by exploring their employment from several perspectives. Despite the prominence of DEI initiatives in today’s organizations and federal legislation prohibiting discrimination, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities still struggle to find employment. This is unfortunate as employment is vital for people's physical, mental, and financial well-being, and because employers may be overlooking valuable potential employees. Through a qualitative analysis of first-hand accounts of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their family members, and employers who proactively hire people with …
Objective.Gg: Uniting Scholastic Esports, Martin Beirne
Objective.Gg: Uniting Scholastic Esports, Martin Beirne
Honors Program Theses and Research Projects
Objective.gg is a startup online recruitment platform within the scholastic esports scene that seeks to unite esports prospects with collegiate esports programs in an effective manner. Currently, there is a large divide that high school and transfer esports prospects must navigate through, and it is Objective.GG’s mission to build a bridge over that gap. Objective.gg seeks to accomplish its mission by operating an online platform that allows prospects and collegiate coaches to create their own profiles and connect with one another, building a community around the platform in the process. This platform will be accessible to both prospects and coaches …
Harnessing The Power Of Cliftonstrengths®: How Multinational Corporations Can Use Deep-Level Diversity To Enhance Organizational Inclusion, Trapper Kay Pace
Harnessing The Power Of Cliftonstrengths®: How Multinational Corporations Can Use Deep-Level Diversity To Enhance Organizational Inclusion, Trapper Kay Pace
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This research explicitly investigated how multinational corporations can enhance workplace inclusion through the novel use of the CliftonStrengths® assessment as a dimension of deep-level diversity. The study gleaned insights from employees’ perspectives, employing a constructivist grounded theory approach to explicate their experiences in rich qualitative narratives. Through open-ended surveys and intensive interviews, participants were selected using purposeful sampling to ensure meaningful data collection from the study organizations’ three global regions. The researcher conducted the analysis systematically through the constant comparison of data utilizing the NVivo14 software to assist in constructing codes, themes, and a theoretical schema. Results highlighted the significance …
Understanding The Impact Of Emergent Conflict On Communication And Team Cognition: A Multilevel Study In Engineering Teams, Francisco Cima
Understanding The Impact Of Emergent Conflict On Communication And Team Cognition: A Multilevel Study In Engineering Teams, Francisco Cima
Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations
The development of team cognition is crucial for fostering high-performing teams. In cognitive-intensive fields like engineering, effective communication serves as a primary precursor to team knowledge development, enabling group members to effectively retrieve and utilize each other's expertise. Despite the critical role of communication, there is a lack of empirical research examining how conflict situations, which are critical emerging factors inherent to teamwork, interact with communication processes to constrain team knowledge development and utilization. This study, rooted in information processing theory, investigates how emerging conflict shapes multilevel team knowledge structures by interacting with communication processes in engineering project teams. Prior …
Is It More State Than Trait? Within-Person Variability And Inter-Rater Agreement Of Feedback Orientation, Timothy J. Bartkoski
Is It More State Than Trait? Within-Person Variability And Inter-Rater Agreement Of Feedback Orientation, Timothy J. Bartkoski
Dissertations
Feedback is a critical component of almost all performance management systems (Aguinis, 2009), and is often positively associated with individual and organizational effectiveness (e.g., Kluger & DeNisi, 1996; Kim et al., 2016). Given this, researchers and practitioners have long sought to understand how and when feedback is likely to be most effective. Some promising new work has explored feedback orientation (FO), which describes a person’s overall receptivity to performance feedback (Linderbaum & Levy, 2010; London & Smither, 2002). Initial research has shown that FO is positively associated with feedback seeking (Dahling et al., 2012; Whitaker et al., 2012) and feedback …
The Organizational Socialization Of K–12 Classified Employees, Steven Dunlap
The Organizational Socialization Of K–12 Classified Employees, Steven Dunlap
Dissertations
Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify to what extent newly employed classified staff in K–12 school districts in Southern California experienced organizational tactics (content, context, and social) to support their socialization process during the 1st year of employment (G. R. Jones, 1986). In addition, it was the purpose of this study to identify and describe the degree to which newly employed classified staff saw these tactics as effective in supporting their socialization to their new role (role clarity, social acceptance, and task mastery).
Methodology: This study used a sequential explanatory mixed methods design to engage …
Empowering Voices: Exploring The Career Trajectories Of Women Of Color Hr Professionals Amid Disruptive Change, Brandi R. Muñoz
Empowering Voices: Exploring The Career Trajectories Of Women Of Color Hr Professionals Amid Disruptive Change, Brandi R. Muñoz
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This study investigated strategies to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives in organizational leadership, focusing on supporting women of color in the workplace. The specific problem addressed was the underrepresentation and barriers faced by women of color in leadership positions despite their potential contributions to organizational success. The study employed a qualitative approach, combining qualitative interviews with socioeconomic data analysis. Data collection methods included semistructured interviews with women of color and a survey to gather demographic and employment information. The sample consisted of 16 women of color human resource professionals working in various industries and organizational settings across the …
Medical School Middle Managers Learning To Successfully Work With Leadership To Navigate Organizational Change, Elizabeth G. Smith
Medical School Middle Managers Learning To Successfully Work With Leadership To Navigate Organizational Change, Elizabeth G. Smith
Doctor of Education Program Dissertations
There is a lapse in research exploring middle managers at medical schools during an organizational change. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the perceptions of middle managers during an organizational change to mitigate burnout and build resilience. The literature reviewed explored how stressors from organizational changes may impact medical school middle managers, leading to feeling less secure about their position and increasing middle managers’ stress leading to burnout. For an organizational change to be successful, middle managers must build trust with their staff, communicate with middle managers, and engage middle managers in the change process. Burnout …
Containerization Of Seafarers In The International Shipping Industry: Contemporary Seamanship, Maritime Social Infrastructures, And Mobility Politics Of Global Logistics, Liang Wu
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
This dissertation discusses the mobility politics of container shipping and argues that technological development, political-economic order, and social infrastructure co-produce one another. Containerization, the use of standardized containers to carry cargo across modes of transportation that is said to have revolutionized and globalized international trade since the late 1950s, has served to expand and extend the power of international coalitions of states and corporations to control the movements of commodities (shipments) and labor (seafarers). The advent and development of containerization was driven by a sociotechnical imaginary and international social contract of seamless shipping and cargo flows. In practice, this liberal, …
Motivation, Learning, And The Workplace: A Study Of Community College Student Affairs Professionals And Continued Professional Learning, Joseph M. Ginese
Motivation, Learning, And The Workplace: A Study Of Community College Student Affairs Professionals And Continued Professional Learning, Joseph M. Ginese
Theses and Dissertations
Continued professional learning is a consistent focus of attention for the field of student affairs within higher education. Yet, very little research has been conducted on the factors that influence the motivation of student affairs professionals to pursue continued professional learning, especially professionals within community colleges. This study utilized a quantitative research design to examine the physical and psychological factors of the work environment that can influence a community college student affairs professional’s motivation to pursue continued professional learning. Through the theoretical lens of Lewin’s Field Theory and Eccles’ Expectancy-Value Theory, I designed a 58-item survey (N = 41) …
Employability Of Graduate Journalists In Modern Media Houses: A Case Study Of Nation Media Group As An Employer., Caroline Wayeta Wafula
Employability Of Graduate Journalists In Modern Media Houses: A Case Study Of Nation Media Group As An Employer., Caroline Wayeta Wafula
Theses & Dissertations
The study set out to establish the current status of the employability of graduate journalists in modern media houses in Kenya, with Nation Media Group (NMG) as the case study.
Specifically, the study sought to identify essential skills that media houses in Kenya currently need from journalism graduates, assess the skills capacity of fresh journalism graduates and determine challenges currently faced by employers in accessing skills needed in modern media houses. The study employed a qualitative research approach, and the researcher conducted in-person interviews with respondents. The study established that the skilling demands on the journalism profession are changing because …
Assessing The Impact Of Human Resource Management (Hrm) Practices On Organizational Commitment: An Examination Of The Role Of Temporal Focus, Monty Clint Taylor
Assessing The Impact Of Human Resource Management (Hrm) Practices On Organizational Commitment: An Examination Of The Role Of Temporal Focus, Monty Clint Taylor
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
This study explores how organizational commitment is associated with employee satisfaction regarding the human resource management (HRM) practices of training/development and compensation. Drawing on Affective Events Theory (AET), this research also examines the role of past temporal focus as a moderating variable of the proposed relationships. During times of historically low unemployment rates below 4% in the United States (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024), organizations face major challenges in hiring and retaining employees to fill existing job vacancies (Conklin, 2022). Overall organizational stability (i.e., productivity and financial capabilities) is maintained when skilled employees are successfully recruited and trained as …
Boeing: A Human Resources Analysis For Issues And Solutions, Lene Anette Oest-Larsen
Boeing: A Human Resources Analysis For Issues And Solutions, Lene Anette Oest-Larsen
Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts
The study presented has analyzed Boeing, an aircraft manufacturing company, and its issues as a company through a human resources based standpoint, and thus providing human resources based solutions. Issues that have been identified include a toxic workplace, union difficulties, lack of quality, and more that have caused additional sub-issues as well. These various problems have been identified to stem from human resources practices, and it is suggested that Boeing address these issues through human resources. They may reevaluate their hiring and onboarding process to focus on strong ethics and valuing safety in their operations. It is crucial for Boeing …
An Accessible Life Sills Training Program: Mentoring An Individual's Internal And External Growth Simultaneously, Alana Hayes
An Accessible Life Sills Training Program: Mentoring An Individual's Internal And External Growth Simultaneously, Alana Hayes
Doctor of Leadership
Within Lubbock County there is not an accessible life skills training program that mentors an individual's internal (emotional) and external (financial) growth simultaneously. My focus is on mentoring at risk individuals with a hand up and not a hand out within my community. It is also applicable to individuals who want to help strengthen the lives of disadvantaged and/or at risk members in their community. It is most helpful to mentors as business owners, a manager, or a non-profit organization. However, it could also be useful to community members that would like to complete a long term service project. Ideally …
The Gig Economy And Labour Resource Practices: A Case Study Of Africa Uncensored Limited, John Allan Namu
The Gig Economy And Labour Resource Practices: A Case Study Of Africa Uncensored Limited, John Allan Namu
Theses & Dissertations
The following capstone paper discusses an emergent issue in labour relations within the media sector; contract or “gig” work. It draws on a context of nearly a decade of falling profits and failing business models within the news media sector, juxtaposed against the rising dominance of revenue models that are derivative of digital media businesses. The objectives of the capstone were to determine sustainable remuneration models that can be explored by Africa Uncensored Limited(AUC) staff in gig work and build a framework for engagement with individuals doing gig work. Employing a case- study approach, the researcher facilitated an understanding of …
Understanding Neurodiversity And Executive Disfunction To Discover More Effective Accommodations And Create A More Inclusive Workforce For Neurodivergent Individuals, Carley Dahlstrom
Honors Theses and Capstones
The goal of this paper is twofold. One: understand executive disfunction to gain a broader understanding of neurodiversity and the challenges those with neurodiversity face in the workforce. And two: research different accommodations to combat executive disfunction and evaluate their effectiveness. To accomplish these goals, an extensive literature review was conducted to understand neurodiversity, executive disfunction, government requirements relating to accommodations, and an exploration of current accommodations available. Additionally, research was conducted in the form of interviews and a survey to expand and add to the overall understanding of this research area.
Results of the survey indicate an overall lack …
Analyzing Employee Perceptions On Monitoring In The Workplace, Jacob W. Holden
Analyzing Employee Perceptions On Monitoring In The Workplace, Jacob W. Holden
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
This literature review will focus on companies' and employees' views on electronic workplace monitoring, surveillance, and tracking, the ethicality of such activity, and the benefits and drawbacks of such activity. I conducted a literature review with the specific research question "How does a company's policy on workplace monitoring, surveillance, and tracking affect employees' or potential candidates' view on working for the company?". I discuss four scholarly articles and the implications they have on how electronic performance monitoring (EPM) systems are perceived in the workplace.
Enhancing Inclusion: Neurodiversity In The Workplace, Micah Cox
Enhancing Inclusion: Neurodiversity In The Workplace, Micah Cox
Dissertations, Theses, and Projects
Neurodiverse individuals have long been viewed negatively, particularly in the workplace. Many recruiters or hiring managers have never considered the benefits that hiring a neurodiverse candidate could bring to their organization, rather looking at the additional costs of accommodation. The results of analyzing several case studies show that companies who incorporate neurodiverse candidates into their labor pool have seen increased productivity, creativity, process innovation, and cost reductions. This paper reviews several case studies combined with data obtained from interviews with a neurodiverse individual and a direct support care professional to develop a list of methods to be used in the …
Embodying Compassion: Striving Towards Sensitivity, Inclusion And Synergy, Arva N. Anees
Embodying Compassion: Striving Towards Sensitivity, Inclusion And Synergy, Arva N. Anees
Student Theses and Dissertations
Inspired by the author's experience as the sole Muslim woman in a company of over 100 employees, the capstone project addresses the observed lack of prioritization for minority inclusion in the workplace. The capstone project outlined aims to address this issue by developing a cultural sensitivity and inclusion workshop that surpasses superficial efforts and encourages participants to internally reflect on their daily workplace interactions. The workshop, designed with an experiential approach lasting 1.5-2 hours, seeks to foster practical knowledge and instigate changes towards a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse working environment. Emphasizing increased awareness, engagement in reflective and collaborative activities, …
Exploring The Job Market Before And After Covid-19, Abigail E. Hostman
Exploring The Job Market Before And After Covid-19, Abigail E. Hostman
Honors Capstones
The global job market has undergone profound changes in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, three industries- education, healthcare, and manufacturing- experienced hardships. This study scrutinizes how each industry adapted to the disruptions, exploring the intricacies of remote work adoption, hiring struggles, and the evolution of job roles. Moreover, a thorough examination of diverse professions within these industries aims to identify the differential impacts experienced by various job categories, offering insights into the nuances of employment resilience and vulnerability. Due to the observed changes, the paper endeavors to provide actionable recommendations for each industry to strategically recover employment opportunities. …
Coworkers And Leaders: The Relationship Between Trustworthiness, Trust, And Employee Engagement, Lianne Young
Coworkers And Leaders: The Relationship Between Trustworthiness, Trust, And Employee Engagement, Lianne Young
Dissertations
A highly engaged workforce provides numerous organizational and individual benefits (Shuck et al., 2016), the culmination of which leads to a competitive advantage difficult to emulate (Burke et al., 2013). It remains challenging to understand how engagement develops, with little research available explaining the process (Shuck, 2020). High employee engagement levels provide a competitive advantage, but stagnant engagement levels remain a significant obstacle (Shuck, 2020).
Shuck (2020) recommends further research focusing on methods to increase engagement. Trustworthiness and trust are antecedents and drivers of engagement (Chughtai & Buckley, 2008; Federman, 2010; SHRM, 2017). A lack of trust has negative impacts …
Developing A Blueprint For Health Equity Programs And Investigating Interventions And Metrics, Belita Strudwick
Developing A Blueprint For Health Equity Programs And Investigating Interventions And Metrics, Belita Strudwick
MUSC Theses and Dissertations
Racial and ethnic minority groups and rural and low-income populations are examples of populations who continue to experience health disparities despite policy mandates to eliminate them. This doctoral project will provide a foundational blueprint to aid health plans in addressing and improving health equity internally and with external stakeholders. The blueprint will be based on research comparing the robust health equity initiatives of four states to the NCQA national guidelines. The barriers to achieving and recommendations for advancing the field of health equity by implementing and analyzing policies and data that target health disparities through improved access to quality care …