Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Relationship Between Leader Behavior And Subordinate Organizational Commitment In Higher Education Administrators, Christy L. Leduc

Theses and Graduate Projects

Organizational commitment (OC) is the psychological link betrveen employees and their organizations that reduces the likelihood that ernployees rvill voluntarily leave. OC is an important dimension of organization effectiveness; it has been shown to impact productivity, work performance. and rurnover. It is instructive to recognize how a leader's behavior impacts the overall stress and the organizational commitment of employees. Fifty-five administrators at a private college in the Midwest completed a 56-question electlonic survey to explore the relationship arnong leaders' behavioral scores for (1a) structure-initiation and (1b) consideration as assigned by their employees and the (2) self-reported organizational commitment levels of …

The Identification Of Leadership Strategies Among Leaders Of Successful Mergers Or Acquisitions, Andrew F. Luce

Theses and Graduate Projects

This project investigates the leadership strategies used by leaders of successful mergers or acquisitions. Fifteen current or former Augsburg MAL students who have participated in a merger or acquisition were interviewed for this report. A significant cross section of Upper Midwest industries was represented as well as diverse segments of management among the interviewees.

Key techniques used by leaders include town-hall style meetings, integration or transition teams, employee panels and internal social media. Leader behaviors using these mediums govern the successful dissemination of vital information and the integration or creation of new corporate cultures. Effective leaders understand mergers or acquisitions …

A Case Study Examining Gender And Self-Efficacy In A Newsroom, Kathryn Eileen Parry

Theses and Graduate Projects

The challenging work atmosphere that is the newspaper industry in the early part of this century requires employees, and in particular those who serve in leadership roles, to exhibit a high sense of perceived self-efficacy if they are to survive and thrive. By analyzing in depth the groundbreaking research in self-efficacy by Albert Bandura, this paper seeks to apply Bandura's research and survey tools to examine self-efficacy in a large newsroom and whether there is a difference in the perceived level of self-efficacy depending on gender. In a case study of middle managers in the newsroom, a survey was developed, …

Collaborative Leadership Strategies: A Look Into The Funding Models Of Alternative Service And Nonprofit Organizations, Charles H. Pratt

Theses and Graduate Projects

This project will address the current issues of the funding environments of Alternative Service and Nonprofit Organizations. The material highlights major components of a healthy organization. This includes, but is not limited to, attracting and maintaining the interest of donors, volunteers, and staff as well as collaborating through knowledge, expertise, and resources and sharing successes that both organizational types may cooperatively lead their respective missions into the future. The overall approach was to discover organizational problems and enable both organizational types to develop and sustain through organizational tips that strengthen vital processes inside and outside of the workplace. The findings …

Staff Retention In Small Non-Profit Organizations, Michelle A. Redding

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study is an exploratory analysis of employee perceptions affecting staff recruitment, staff retention and job satisfaction in the small, human service non-profit organization. The study uses a human resource framework to address staff retention and provides conceptual guidance for advancing understanding about staff retention in the non-profit human services sector. The statistical findings are, however, inconclusive without further rigorous examination. A three category typology based on job recruitment factors, job retention factors, and job satisfaction is initially presented to define the strategies. Select dimensions of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors are explored in the recruitment stage of employee decision-making …

Strengths-Based Leadership And Its Effect On Intrinsic Motivation And Employee Performance Within A Corporate Setting, Kimberly A. Jatko

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper examines the relationship between Strengths-Based Leadership and the way that style of leadership affects intrinsic motivation and, in turn, performance within a corporate setting. I center my research utilizing several works done by one of the principal researchers of intrinsic motivation, Edward Deci, and the Father of Strengths Psychology, Donald Clifton. Also, included is supporting literature authored by a variety of scholars. Through a concentrated and thorough analysis of this existing work concerning each topic, a conclusion will be reached regarding the relationship these ideas have with one another as well as their effect on performance when understood …

Study Of Leadership Characteristics During Transformational Change In Health Care Organizations, Susan Long

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative research study explores the behavior of leaders during transformational change in health care organizations. For this study, health care workers, who had experienced transformational change within their organization in the previous three years, were interviewed about the behaviors of their leader. Findings of this study suggest leaders who regularly communication and support of team members; build organizational culture that supports collaboration and team work; and effectively plan for change initiatives, including providing adequate resources for the change, have more positive change initiatives than leaders who not demonstrate these behaviors

A Study Of The Crisis Leadership Model At Marshall University, Michele Kidwell

Theses and Graduate Projects

This research addresses the question: what factors contribute to a group successfully navigating times of crisis and what roles does the leader play in this navigation. Given recent events such as the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, the tsunami that devastated Indonesia in 2004, the catastrophic force of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the most recent earthquake in 2010 that decimated Haiti, coupled with the current tenuous international political climate, the need to understand how groups move through crisis and what role leadership plays is vitally important.

To study this question, the crisis of Marshall University will be analyzed. …

Assessing The Adolescent Perceptions Of The Role Nonparent Adult Relationships Have On Character Development, Colin Thomas

Theses and Graduate Projects

Every day adolescents interact with nonparent adults. These adolescent and nonparent adult interactions have the potential to develop into unique relationships. Since the adolescent is at an impressionable stage in life, nonparent adult and adolescent relationships possess the unique potential to influence an adolescent's character development. For this study, I conducted my research utilizing an action research format. Utilizing in-depth interviewing this study strove to examine the adolescents' perceptions of the role nonparent adult and adolescent relationships had on their character development. Interview data was organized under three headings that developed from the interview responses. Themes that emerged from the …

Current Reading Methodologies Used In Classrooms: Grades K-6, Brett Ott

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of my research is to examine what reading strategies k-6 general education teachers use in their classrooms to support balanced literacy instruction. In its relevancy to leadership, this research is specific to the current body of knowledge on how to teach children to read. I surveyed 35 k-6 teachers' literacy practices and compared their choices with the methods promoted by leading advocates in the field of literacy.

Image And Ability: The Role Of Image In Female Leadership, Emily Loiacano

Theses and Graduate Projects

In a world where image is a pervasive part of society, research shows that the presentation of a personal image plays a critical role in the psychological and social contexts of leaders. The hypothesis of this study is that the image a leader projects can have significant influence over the perception of their capabilities, and the role that image plays is even more critical in female leaders. By being aware of image as a projection of their leadership qualities, a leader can make best use of the impression that they present.

"Build From The Inside Out": Integrating Difference Into Feminist Coalition Leadership, Erin E. Parrish

Theses and Graduate Projects

This research discusses the challenge of integrating difference into feminist coalition leadership. Based on qualitative interviews with thirteen leaders of feminist or woman-centered organizations and coalitions, I propose criteria and a model for evaluating an organization's difference competency as viewed through a feminist lens. Using the model to measure each organization's effectiveness at integrating difference into their leadership structure and programming, I describe challenges that have prevented the full integration of difference as well as the successes that have moved them toward a more holistic organizational model. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the implications a larger social system …

Father Angel Torrellas And Leadership Through Music At Batahola Norte Center In Managua, Nicaragua, Carolyn Spargo

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study examines the leadership style Father Angel Torellas used through music education at the Batahola Norte Center in Managuo, Nicaragua. The Center was established in 1983 by Father Angel Torellas and Sister Margarite and built on donated property and private donations to teach music fundamentals through voice and instruments. Twenty-one former students of the Batahola Norte Center were invited to participate in an interview at the Center to give their input of how music education had an impact on their adult lives. Research questions were gathered and based on an earlier Doctoral Dissertation written by Robert Stacke, "The Emergence …

The Influence Of Resonant Leadership Styles On Employee Engagement Within A Financial Services Organization, Ryan D. Maddux

Theses and Graduate Projects

Researchers suggest that job dissatisfaction in the United States is escalating rapidly. This is due in part to current economic issues but also to a growing disconnect between managers and employees. A recent study found that less than half of all employees are happy at work--the lowest satisfaction ratings in 22 years (Neal, 2010). This action research project focuses on one business line within a large international financial services organization and examines the relationship between resonant leadership styles and employee engagement. Internal surveys and interviews were conducted to establish a baseline understanding of organizational concepts including: Emotional intelligence, Resonant Leadership, …

Teaching Entrepreneurs, James R. Traeger

Theses and Graduate Projects

With the growing popularity of entrepreneurship, colleges and universities are scrambling to accommodate the increasing need for entrepreneurial education. This research paper takes an in-depth look at the characteristics of entrepreneurs, the methods educational institutions are using to teach them, and the curriculum used to prepare them. I will explore to see if there are common methods used in entrepreneurial education and will create a curriculum that will strive to help aspiring entrepreneurs be successful. I will also explore leadership theories that incorporate the characteristics of an entrepreneur. All this will help identify key elements associated with entrepreneurs and thus …

A Personal Inventory Of Transformative Experiences Resulting In The Development Of An Authentic Leadership Style, Trudy Hochradel

Theses and Graduate Projects

An analysis of personal experience triggers a transformative process for the leader, which results in the recognition of one 's authentic leadership style. This analysis is a three stage journey- taking inventory of oneself, recognizing transformative experiences, and embracing one's authentic leadership skills. This project includes a model for a personal inventory.

The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act And Medicaid Expansion: Leadership Strategies For Effective Change Management In Managed Care Organizations, Emily Aurand

Theses and Graduate Projects

As a result of tlie 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), eligibility requirements for the Medicaid program were revised resulting in a greater number of people eligible to enroll in tlie government healthcare program. These circumstances require numerous organizational changes for Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) that administer the Medicaid program in order to accommodate the healthcare needs of the growing Medicaid population and comply with applicable regulatory requirements. This case study sought to identify effective leadership strategies employed by Minnesota Medicaid MCO change leaders guiding organizational change processes and seeking quality change outcomes, resulting from the externally …

Driving Employee Engagement: Contemporary Trends In Engagement, Sarah A. Nelson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Employee engagement is an important concept in today's workforce. Engaged employees work harder and more efficiently, while disengaged workers may in fact work against the company's mission. Employee engagement can be increased with a number of different interventions and initiatives. Internal social media platforms promote communication and collaboration among employees. Employees who have had additional training and development are more engaged, as well as employees who receive feedback from managers. Promoting a balance between work and life also leads to more engaged employees, as well as recognizing employees for the work they do. Managers can also learn ways to increase …

Access To Higher Education For Undocumented Students, Meghan Flores

Theses and Graduate Projects

The framework for this research comes from my professional experiences with the undocumented student population at three small, private, liberal arts institutions. Through these experiences, I have encountered that due to the lack of policy and/or communications of policy, treatment of financial aid resources are not equitable among these students within the same setting. The agenda for the research comes from direct work with undocumented students who are seeking clarity on their options. There are no published data on how private higher education institutions are addressing the issue of access for undocumented students. Therefore, the purpose of this research was …

Can Leading Change Catalyze Innovation In The Workplace, Rebecca L. Smithwick

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper focuses on the importance of change in business in the twenty-first century, looking primarily at how to obtain effective change, sustain change, and enable the possibility of change Ieading to innovation within one device manufacturing company. I will present evidence from various theories from the mid-1900s to the present day which recommend how to effectively implement Iasting change. This article will discuss the possibility of a two-day workshop being able to influence the likelihood of change needed to catalyze innovation based upon response from recent workshop attendees. Recommendations will be made on additional steps the company may need …

The Effect Frequent Organizational Restructure Has On Employee Perceptions, Lisa Sabasteanski

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative study investigates the effect frequent organizational restructure has on employee perceptions. Frequent is defined as two or more restructures in less than eighteen months. For this study, I evaluated findings from ten employees who worked in various industries throughout the Midwest who had experienced at least two restructures in less than eighteen months. Interviews were conducted with individuals to understand their perspective of organizational restructures they've participated in at their company. Findings from this study suggested when leaders clearly articulate the rationale for the organizational restructure and when they are honest and transparent about what is going on …

How To Successfully Recruit Students In The Rapidly Changing World Of Higher Education: Ethical Leadership For Enrollment Managers Of Private Non-Profit Institutions, Charles R. Abbott

Theses and Graduate Projects

Throughout the history of Post-Secondary education in the U.S. private non-profit institutions have played a vital and leading role in helping to shape and prepare the youth of the nation intellectually, socially and emotionally. However the landscape of higher education has changed significantly over the past few decades with the entire purpose and focus of this education coming into question. By noting the importance of obtaining a higher education and defining the differences between non-profit and for-profit institutions This paper focuses on examining these changes. Furthermore, in particular this work will examine ethical leadership and concentrate on the techniques necessary …

Executive Turnover In The Chamber Of Commerce Industry, Lori R. Higgins

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this action research project was to design an executive director retention plan for chambers of commerce. A literature review was conducted, reviewing inf,ormation on executive turnover, Ieadership traits and skills, and nonprofit executive challenges. A qualitative survey was emailed to 103 current chamber of commerce executive directors of whom 55 responded. A similar survey was emailed to 19 former chamber of commerce executives of whom 14 responded. The results of the surveys showed that executive directors of chambers tend to be visionary leaders who enjoy effecting change, serving businesses, and having leadership opportunities. Overall, executives are satisfied …

A Qualitative Study On How Dialogue, Discussion, And Debate Manifest In A Corporate Setting, Lisa Wocken

Theses and Graduate Projects

How do dialogue, discussion and debate occur in the workplace? I explored this question through qualitative interviews of 14 high potential leaders at a Fortune 50 company, by asking them about their conversations at work.

Through in-depth transcript analysis, I identified and quantified behavioral themes for each form of conversation. Each response was labeled as effective or ineffective and counted to determine the frequency with which it was cited. The results indicated that discussion behaviors were effectively and prevalently exhibited in 86% of examples. Dialogue behaviors were effective and common, and cited in 36% of examples. Debate behaviors were ineffective …

Youth Leadership Development In The Activism Context: A Case Study Of The Wilder Youth Leadership Initiative, Susan Marie Phillips

Theses and Graduate Projects

In conducting this research I investigated the effectiveness of youth leadership development programming in the Wilder Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), a program located in St. Paul, Minnesota. For this qualitative case study, I used participant observation, semi-structured interviews and a survey to explore the development and demonstration of specific leadership capacities and skills (communication and interpersonal skills, analytical and critical functioning, decision making skills, personal identity, project management, reflection, and sense of empowerment) among youth participants. I also explored the programmatic structures that facilitate Youth Leadership Development (in the context of a cause chosen by youth, explicit outcomes, developmentally appropriate …

Trials, Tribulations, And Triumphs: Writing The Major Paper Or Thesis As A Graduate Student With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Judy L. Chucker

Theses and Graduate Projects

Graduate students with attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) are at risk for failure to complete their graduate programs. Skills used in writing a major paper or thesis requirement incorporate those that are particularly compromised by the disorder. The literature does not address the problems facing graduate students with AD/HD, and disability service programs do not appear to offer support tailored to the needs of this population. This phenomenological study probes the experience of five graduate students with AD/HD who were in the process of writing, or had completed a major paper or thesis. This paper hopes …

Innovation Through Social Networking In Communities Of Practice, Patricia K. Brill

Theses and Graduate Projects

Innovation helps bring competitive advantage to organizations. Without competitive advantage organizations are in danger of not surviving. Two initiatives have recently emerged to support innovation: Communities of Practice (CoPs) and Social Networking. Communities of Practice provide an opportunity to organizations where innovation is created through the knowledge-sharing and informed ways of working. Social Networking is being utilized in organizations to foster collaboration and expose expertise for employees to tap into.

The purpose of this study is to determine the value of combining CoPs with social networks. This will be done by studying communities in the MIX (Medtronic Information Exchange) social …

Complexity Theory And Local Government Application, Scott A. Brink

Theses and Graduate Projects

Local governnent agencies are experiencing changes that are making the delivery of essential services more challenging. These changes can largely be attributed to increasing demands for more services while budgets are reduced. That trend, combined with globalization, rapid advancements in technology, changing demographics, and other factors limit the ability of agencies to adapt and react to change fast enough. In more recent years, the rate of change has accelerated to the point that traditional methods of planning and adapting to change no longer work. Many organizations feel overwhelmed and helpless. The factors driving change influence each other in complex ways …

The Bible And The Ballot: The Christian Right In American Politics, Terence L. Burns

Theses and Graduate Projects

The year was 2004. It was late October in Minnesota and winter was corning. So was an election. The Presidential election of 2004 pitted the sitting President George W. Bush against Senator John Kerry. As a self-described "political junkie", I had been watching the debates and developments during the long campaign with great interest. Of particular interest to me was watching the political involvement of Evangelical Christians and their leaders develop and grow. On this particular Sunday in 2004, I was at my post as musician at an evangelical "mega" church in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. The church was …

Communication In A Digital Age, Natalie M. Miller

Theses and Graduate Projects

The inundation of technology over the past twenty-five years in the form of desktop computing, cell phones and the Internet has transformed how we communicate with one another. Traditional communication such as face-to-face meetings, although critical to our everyday dialogue, has fallen flat within organizations. At this point, we lean towards advanced methods of communication provided in a digitally mediated format. Digitally mediated communication (DMC) provides us with a multitude of ways to communicate and has freed us from the boundaries of time and place. This study researches the transformation of communication with its progression into the digital age by …