Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Identification Of Participation Barriers Associated With Employment Testing In The Ontario Constable Selection System, Glenn Hadley

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the Ontario Constable Selection System (OCSS) to assess whether barriers within the process discourage candidates from competing for a career in policing. Interviews with 11 newly sworn police officers and 12 individuals who chose not to participate in the OCSS testing were conducted. The findings reveal that factors related to the perceived validity of the test, financial cost, and perceived fairness discourage potential applicants from competing.

Policy Process In Ontario: An Analysis Of The Process For The Implementation Of A By-Law To Restrict Or Limit The Number Of Cats In A Household In An Urban Municipality, Lois O’Neill

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the policy process for the implementation of a by-law to restrict or limit the number of cats in a household in Owen Sound. An analysis of the policy process and the identified problem was conducted, in addition to a consideration of the external factors that influence the municipal policymaking process and a survey of other small urban municipalities to determine if they had encountered a similar problem and considered implementing a similar by-law. The findings reveal that the policy process for the implementation of this type of by-law was alike in all municipalities with the outcome depending …

The Kenyan Woman: Her Historical Relationship With The State, Rosalia Wanja Ngugi

Theses and Dissertations

The historical relationship between the Kenyan state and women provides lessons and insight as to how women in a colonized state relate to the government and the gains, or lack thereof, that exist. Kenyan women were critical in the nationalist movement that intensified in the 1950s, culminating in independence in 1963. Some women fought in the forests and others were information and food distributors. Many women played a role in furthering the nationalist movement. Independence promised fruits that few women received. Through a historical analysis and an understanding of two women's organizations in Kenya, Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization and The …

The Role Of Tuition In Financing Higher Education, Jay Craddock, Amjad Kisswani, Krista Kurvers, Hillery Leslie, Kumiko Primm, Abigal Sills

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In May 2009, six students enrolled in a graduate level policy analysis course at the University of Nevada- Las Vegas engaged in discussion concerning the effects of recent trends in the financing of higher education within the State of Nevada. This discussion was further narrowed down to the effects of tuition revenues. To what extent the University of Nevada-Las Vegas exercises control of their individual tuition revenues (how tuition revenues are expended and/or invested), and the amount of tuition revenues retained (to be expended and/or invested to maintain institutional operations) became the basis of this paper. While comparing the University …

Talking Us Into War: Problem Definition By Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson And George W. Bush, Barbara Ellen May Warner

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

How presidents talk us into war merges the study of problem definition in public policy with the study of rhetoric in communications. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, this research analyzes the key words used by two presidents, Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush, to persuade us into escalating a war in Vietnam and engaging in a pre-emptive war in Iraq, respectively. The findings indicate that presidents repeat words that are patriotic, emotive, metaphorical, symbolic and religious, tapping into American themes of Manifest Destiny and even predicting dire outcomes if we do not accept their definitions of the dangers …

City Management Theory And Practice: A Foundation For Educating The Next Generation Of Local Government Administrators, Scott Douglas Lazenby

Dissertations and Theses

Due to the retirement of the baby boom generation, many individuals, in a relatively short period of time, will need to be trained and educated to step into local government senior leadership positions. Ideally, the education and training of this new leadership cadre should be guided by a well known and proven body of theory that helps us understand the competencies the next generation of public service need to possess in order to be effective in their work. The purpose of this research is to assess whether such a body of work exists and, if so, whether it is successfully …

Electoral Cycles In Ontario Municipalities: Does Election Proximity Make Local Politicians More Competitive?, Mathew Daley

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether an electoral cycle is present in Ontario municipal governments and whether the proximity of an election causes municipal councillors to become more competitive. An analysis of 18,675 municipal council votes between 2003 and 2006 was conducted for the following municipalities: Ottawa, Hamilton, Brampton, London, Markham, Vaughan, Windsor, and Kitchener. The findings reveal a positive correlation between time and competition in three-quarters of the observed municipal councils, indicating the presence of an electoral cycle in Ontario.

Analysis Of Boys Hope Girls Hope Of Nevada, Andrea Sundberg, Brad Giles, Cedric Pittman, Imelda Delatorre, Rebbeca Morris Fridley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

One of the most important components of any business is the ability to effectively market the organization. Marketing is critical in shaping the public's knowledge of services offered and how an organization distinguishes itself from other organizations within a community. This type of recognition ultimately affects an organization's sustainability. To effectively conduct outreach and create an effective marketing strategy nonprofit organizations are increasingly becoming reliant on volunteers to meet these missions. With nonprofit organizations taking on larger caseloads with limited staff, organizations are becoming more reliant on volunteers, which include the Board of Directors, to assist in marketing and fundraising. …

The Use Of Policy Analysis In Southern Nevada Planning And Development Departments, Dawn Barlow, Shane Dillon, Lynn Hunsinger, Ted Lendis, Neo Vidal, Wendy Yada

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of policy analysis by planning and development departments throughout the Southern Nevada region. The data for this study was collected from interviewing eight planning and development department heads within various jurisdictions. The interviews consisted of twelve questions that were designed to explore the roles of department heads with respect to the policymaking process as well as whom is conducting policy analysis to assist in Decision-making. The main research question this study attempts to answer is, do Southern Nevada planning and development agencies conduct and use policy analysis?

The data was …

The Corruption Enigma: Understanding Success And Failure Of Corruption Reform Programs In Highly Corrupt Countries, Matthew T. Hall

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

There exists a corruption enigma. Experts and analysts largely agree on the institutional reforms that constitute successful corruption reform programs—this is the 'Corruption Consensus.' Unfortunately, the well-designed and resourced reform programs created from this consensus and intended to improve national institutional capabilities rarely work. Yet the reform programs patterned on the Corruption Consensus continue on. Everyone agrees what to do in order to reform corruption but everyone also agrees that it will not work. This is the Corruption Enigma.

This dissertation employs a structured, focused analysis to determine the reasons for varying success levels between otherwise similar countries in order …

A Test Of Direct And Partially Mediated Relationships Between Leader Member Exchange, Job Embeddedness, Turnover Intentions, And Job Search Behaviors In A Southern Police Department, Mark D. Bowman

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

Job embeddedness has been found to predict turnover intentions, job search behaviors and turnover, and job embeddedness researchers assert, but have not tested, that job embeddedness is a mediator of other organizationally significant factors relative to organizational outcomes. A relationship not previously explored is the role of a supervisor in job embeddedness, which was operationalized in this study as leader-member exchange. A single panel survey was conducted in a police department in the southern United States with 276 current members holding the rank of police officer. Usable surveys were completed by 128 of those police officers, which is a response …

Municipal Voter Turn-Out In Ontario: An Analysis Of Community Theories And Their Application To A Prescription For Higher Voter Turn-Out In Municipal Elections, Stephen Chait

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines voter turnout as a proxy for civic engagement by applying the analytical lenses of Robert Putnam’s social capital theory and Richard Florida’s creative capital theory to test critical assumptions regarding the impact of size (population), diversity (immigration), creativity (education and employment), and mobility (length of residency) on voter turnout. A sample of 30 Ontario urban municipalities was analyzed based on data from the 2006 Census. The findings reveal that there is a negative correlation between voter turnout and population size and density; a negative correlation between voter turnout and non-official mother tongue and immigrant status; a negative …

Hopelink: A Program Evaluation, Cheryl Edwards, Telma Lopez, Bryan Osborne, Erik Pappa

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In January 2009, a four-member team of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Department of Public Administration students set out to evaluate the effectiveness of HopeLink, a transitional housing program in Henderson, Nevada. The research team was tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of the agency and assisting the Committee on Homelessness in deciding future funding allocations. This paper provides our review and analysis, including program strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations for future program and funding improvements.

According to the 2007 U.S. Census, there are approximately 11,000 homeless people in Clark County, Nevada, with 75% of those utilizing transitional housing programs, …

City Of Las Vegas Detention And Enforcement Commission On Accreditation Of Law Enforcement Accreditation Program Evaluation Report, Karen Kelly, Cecelia Mcneely, Sandy Seda

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The City of Las Vegas Detention and Enforcement (CLVDE) is a highly efficient, professionally managed, unique law enforcement agency. The CLVDE has a multifaceted mission and is responsible for providing diverse law enforcement, patrol, code enforcement and support services for the City of Las Vegas. The agency is comprised of several operational divisions: A city Jail, an Animal Control division, Parking Enforcement and the Marshals (police). For many years, the CLVDE, has enjoyed the unique distinction of being a "Triple Crown" accredited agency1. The agency currently has attained accreditation status from several nationally recognized professional organizations such as: The American …

Program Evaluation Of Help Las Vegas Genesis Apartments, Shauna Davis, Bristol Ellington, Alexis Mussi, Jason Lamarr Wasden

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Our group conducted a program evaluation of HELP Las Vegas Genesis Apartments (HELP Genesis). We began the evaluation on November of 2008 and concluded May 2009. HELP Genesis is a permanent supportive housing facility for veterans and homeless with disabilities. It was a concern that they may be a transitional housing facility because of their turnover rate. We concluded that this was not the case.

We have identified the following limitations in our analysis. There was a lack of accessibility to the budget and accounting documents, limited access to key contacts for necessary information, and time constraints which prohibited us …

A Study Of The School Principal Labor Market In Arkansas: Implications For Incentive-Based Compensation Policies To Improve Principal Quality, Marc Jacob Holley

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Improving principal quality in Arkansas may be a partial solution to the public policy problem of low performing public schools. Just as policymakers in other states are beginning to explore incentive-based compensation policies to improve principal quality, education policymakers in Arkansas should look to these policies as a way to align goals and minimize agency costs. Setting incentives tied to transparent, publicly available performance measures can resolve monitoring difficulties inherent in principal-agent relationships and can improve goal congruence by signaling clearly about policy priorities. Before plowing forward with performance pay reforms for school principals, Arkansas policymakers could make better decisions …

Evaluating The Policies That Lead To Substantial Tuition Variation At Public Land-Grant Universities, Brent Alexander Burgess

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Since the 1980's, the tuition at public colleges and universities has increased at a rate far beyond that of normal inflation. During this period, many public institutions have increased their tuitions exponentially, while others have chosen or been able to retain stable and relatively inexpensive tuition rates. The aim of this study was to examine what policies and external trends are responsible for public institutions having such wide variation in their tuition costs. Therefore, this study isolated one type of public institution, which was land-grant universities, that have a mission and tradition of providing affordable educations to examine the causes …

City Of Las Vegas Detention And Enforcement Accreditation Evaluation Program, Daniel Bennett

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The City of Las Vegas, Detention and Enforcement is a law enforcement organization that is significantly unique in its mission and organization. On March 15, 1982, the City of Las Vegas determined that, due to extreme overcrowding at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments holding facility, it was time to create the Las Vegas Department of Detention and Correctional Services. As the population of Las Vegas continued to grow, the Las Vegas Department of Detention and Correctional Services also increased in both size and degree of responsibilities. In 1986, the Las Vegas Park Rangers were absorbed and became the law …

E-Verify And The Potential Effects On Government Contractors, Brad Mclean

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Regional Analysis and Public Policy at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Administration by Brad McLean on April 20,2009.

Getting On Track: Consolidating And Streamlining Positions At Clark County, Elaina Bhattacharyya, Kevin Cerny, Craig Christiansen, Elizabeth Muto

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

For more than a decade, Clark County, Nevada was the fastest growing county in the nation and its government (and government services) rapidly expanded in an attempt to keep pace with the ever-increasing needs of County residents. In 1996, Clark County Human Resources (CCHR) endeavored to improve its managerial efficiency by reducing its number of position classifications and succeeded in collapsing some 1100 job classes down to 500. As the population boom continued well into the new millennium, the County was operating largely from a reactive position and experienced yet another spike in classifications; this time reaching 765 job classes …

A State Comparative Study Of The Factors Influencing Nursing Home Quality Of Care Regulation, Tancy Joe Vandecar-Burdin

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

While over one million elderly reside in U.S. nursing homes, little attention has been given to the factors that influence state nursing home regulation and how state regulations differ from the federal regulations. The focus of nursing home research literature has been on factors that impact quality of care at the individual patient and organizational level. The state comparative literature, which examines the differences between state policy choices, focuses on fiscal nursing home policymaking. An important gap exists in the literature in that state decision-making regarding nursing home quality of care policy has not been explored.

This study of U.S. …

Regional Emergency Response Teams: Case Studies In Hampton Roads, Virginia, Thomas E. Poulin

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

The majority of local governments lack sufficient resources to respond effectively in an independent manner to a disaster or large-scale emergency. To achieve success, they must work closely with other organizations. The research problem is that regional emergency response relationships are not well understood, which could lead to ineffective or inefficient practices. The research purpose was to describe and analyze regional emergency response in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The research methodology involved a qualitative approach, utilizing interviews and archival research. Organizational leaders of the Hampton Roads Marine Incident Response Team and the Southside Tidewater Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team were interviewed …

Air Force Users' Perceptions Of The Value Of Information Technology-Enabled Enterprise Business Systems, Kathleen Thome-Diorio

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Based on the Government Performance and Results Act, the United States Air Force is transforming its business through e-government, the adoption of information technology enabled enterprise business systems. The problem this research addressed was the lack of theory on implementation success of enterprise business systems, especially when users perceive that organizational mission and the value of the systems differ from the enterprise vision and goals. The purpose of the study was to conceptualize the acceptance of enterprise business systems by internal users. The research was based on theories about the influence and interaction of drivers of technology adoption and user …

An Overall Assessment Of The Ontario Municipalities Benchmarking Initiative (Ombi), Feven Gebremicael

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the success of the Ontario Municipal Benchmarking Initiative (OMBI) based on the performance measurement data reported in its annual publications of 2006, 2007, and 2008. The findings reveal that, although the program is important for municipalities in principle, the OMBI’s objectives are barely met and issues related to accountability and standard measures, which are at the heart of the initiative, have failed to ensure service excellence and the sharing of good practices.

The Effectiveness And Adoption Of Market-Based State Health Care Expansion Programs, Nathan Gregory Myers

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Market-based state health expansion programs are alternatives to government programs like Medicaid and SCHIP which also seek to expand access to health insurance for uninsured populations. These programs either utilize the private health insurance market or function according to market principles. The market-based policies at issue in this research are state high-risk health insurance pools, limited benefit plans, group purchasing arrangements, reinsurance programs, and Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability waivers. This research addresses two separate but related research questions: (1) Do these market-based programs provide general economic and social benefits for the citizens of a state? (2) What role does …

The Effect Of Mental Models On Creating Organizational Alignment Around A Change Vision, William A. Brantley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The communication of an organizational change vision is a key to the success of organizational transformation. Theorists have prescribed models of how to make change vision communication successful but these models have no empirical data to support them. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of change agents in communicating a change vision that compels employees to accept a perception of reality (mental model) that aligned with the change agents' vision. A case study of the merger of two metropolitan agencies was conducted to examine the relationship between the communication of a change vision and its effect …

Impacts Of Nebraska Legislative Policies On Selected Small Nebraska School Districts, Curtis Cogswell

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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A Case Study Of Intended And Implemented Tanf Policies In The New York State Bridge Program, Yi-Jung Wu

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act changed public policy. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), affecting both educational policy and social welfare policy. Simultaneously, policy implementation responsibilities devolved to states.

Leadership Behaviors In Cross-Boundary Information Sharing And Integration : Comparing The Us And China, Lei Zheng

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study comprises a comparative analysis between the US and China regarding public sector leadership behaviors in the context of cross-boundary information sharing and integration. Based on the literature on leadership, public sector information sharing, and cross-cultural analysis, the research begins with an original case study in China set in the product safety and food safety policy domain. The case explores leadership behaviors of middle-level information leaders in the technological, organizational, and legal context of cross-boundary information sharing in this domain. Qualitative data were collected from in-depth interviews and government documents. The data were analyzed with an inductive approach to …

Collaboration As Paradox : The Case Of The Patuxent River, Md Nutrient Control Strategy, Morris Bidjerano

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Collaboration has increasingly emerged in recent years as a new paradigm in public management. This collaborative trend, however, has contradicted the longstanding American political tradition of conflictual contestation of competing interests and adversarial legalism. Consequently, it has presented public managers with the challenge of dealing in reality with the "tensions between alternative forms of management practice" (Huxham and Vangen 2005, 245). In most accounts, watershed management has recently become a particularly active arena for that clash of opposing collaborative and conflictual managerial practices.