Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Reputation Management: The Effect Of Ceo Behavior During A Crisis, Ellen J. Shockley

Theses and Dissertations

This purpose of this thesis was to study how CEO behavior during a crisis impacts the organization's lasting reputation.

A thorough review of relevant publications, as well as intercept surveys, content analyses and email surveys, was conducted to test the hypotheses.

Fifty intercept surveys were conducted over two weekends to discover opinions about the issue. Respondents appearing to be age 25 or older were randomly selected. A content analysis was conducted using articles from Newsweek and The Wall Street Journal to determine the media's tone on the CEOs of Odwalla, Jack in the Box, Dow Coming and Exxon. A total …

Airline Reputation: Customer Service In Crisis, Mary Catherine Demarco

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to show that listening to customer concerns can improve the reputation of the airline industry. The results show through quantitative and qualitative research that the airlines are experiencing a decline in customer service and may be on the verge of a reputation crisis.

A content analysis of articles from The New York Times and USA Today was done to show the type of message the media is sending to the public. Results show that the media is reporting on the airline industry in a negative light. The media is warning that the decline in …

The Power Of One: The Effect Of One Athlete's Behavior On A Sport, Jennifer L. Field

Theses and Dissertations

This is a study of whether or not the effects of one athlete's behavior are broad enough to be felt throughout a sport. The researcher focused on three athletes whose behavior was thought to have left a permanent scar on the three sports involved. The athletes were: (1) Pete Rose, who was part of the Philadelphia Phillies 1980 World Series team and later became the manager of the Cincinnati Reds, who was accused of betting on baseball games, (2) Mike Tyson, former undisputed heavy weight champion of the world, who was convicted of rape and bit the ear of opponent …

The Efficacy And Application Of Cause-Related Marketing Techniques, Ralph S. De Simone

Theses and Dissertations

This study determined what was the attitude of the general public and public relations practitioners toward three distinctive cause-related marketing techniques (event sponsorship, product sale donations, and licensing). The study required 203 telephone surveys of the general public and 23 interviews via phone, electronic mail, and in-person with public relations and marketing practitioners involved with cause-related marketing. This researcher proved that both the general public and the causal marketing practitioners prefer or favor event sponsorship over licensing and product sale donations, and females favor the three techniques and causal marketing more than males.

A Case Study Of Three Cities: Revitalization Through Public Relations, Rebecca Acevedo

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to determine if public relations played a vital role in revitalizing major cities. It also tested which tactics were implemented in public relations campaigns to create awareness and draw tourism to the revitalized area. The study used Baltimore, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh as its case studies.

The study involved a review of related secondary research of articles and interviews with public relations professionals who worked for various cities. Primary research involved a content analysis of random articles from 1989 through 2000 from the major papers in each city, in-depth interviews with public relations directors, and intercept surveys …

The Efficacy Of Public Affairs In The Federal Courts, Jacqueline Todd

Theses and Dissertations

The federal courts are undeniably one of the most important institutions in our society, yet we know little of this nebulous entity since the federal court system does not directly communicate to the public. The judiciary relies solely on the media to disseminate court decisions and information to the public.

The purpose of this study was to underscore the need for a public affairs office in the federal court system. This researcher held that a court public affairs office would serve to educate the public about the judiciary, as well as correct media accounts of court decisions that exhibit negative …

What Can't Public Relations Graduates Write? A Study And Evaluation Of Professional Writing Skills Lacked By Public Relations Graduates, Ginger Buganski

Theses and Dissertations

Through a survey of roughly 50 public relations practitioners, this study identified specific writing skills public relations graduates lack and compiled recommendations for improving public relations education.

The author sent double post-cards to 100 public relations professionals nationwide. The post-cards asked for participation in a public relations writing questionnaire. At the same time, the author posted the questionnaire to two professional listservs (e-mail groups). A total of 46 professionals completed the questionnaire.

Nearly 90 percent of respondents ranked writing as one of the top three skills essential for public relations success. However, 70 percent of the professionals rated recent graduates' …

Recognized Nonverbal Behaviors Of Leaders: Appearance Graphocentrism, Kinesics, Object Language And Proxemics, Carrie D. Hall

Theses and Dissertations

This study shows nonverbal behaviors adult students recognize as those leaders in classrooms use to convey their position of leadership.

The field of Public Relations is involved with clear, truthful two-way communication between senders and receivers of messages. It is desirable that all communication exchanges be complete with positive understanding of messages, especially those where one represents others with messages s/he delivers.

Existing research was reviewed to determine nonverbal behaviors leaders use in the five areas studied. A questionnaire was designed and administered to a non-probability quota sample. Semantic differential scales determined attitudes and beliefs students had about nonverbal communication …

Increasing Your Organization's Visibility: A Study Of Business And Financial Print Media, Sandra L. Mccollum

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides advice to investor or public relations professionals seeking increased national print media exposure for their organizations.

The author contacted 112 writers, editors and reporters from 16 business publications using postcards or e-mail. Twelve respondents participated in telephone or e-mail interviews.

The author found that reporters prefer to interview a chief executive officer for their stories. Participants also indicated they use outside sources, such as ex-employees, competitors and on-line databases, to learn more about an organization.

Participants were most interested in covering unexpected news, such as a fundamental change in the business, for hard news stories. The journalists …

Decreasing The Rate Of Turnover By Enhancing Employee Morale, Kyra De Blaker

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis studies the impact of morale on employee turnover. High employee satisfaction levels can reduce turnover. Eight in ten highly satisfied employees intend to stay with a company for more than two years, when compared to only two in ten dissatisfied employees.

To counter the disastrous effects of employee turnover, companies are establishing programs to boost employee morale. This thesis examines the morale programs of a New Jersey financial institution and the company's turnover rates. The author surveyed current employees to determine the level of employee morale and effective long-term motivators.

The financial institution recognizes the importance of employee …

Public Service Announcements For Broadcast Television: A Guide For Non-Profit Agencies, Karen Anne Jess

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of preparing this guide was to create a reference for non-profit agencies to assist in creating a public service announcement for broadcast television. The author assumed that non-profit agencies are often working with no budget and the quality of the prepared PSAs is unacceptable. Also, the techniques used to create and distribute the announcements are incorrect. Since public service announcements are key to reaching a large audience for little or no money, the author felt it essential to create a reference for non-profit agencies to guide them in the production of their public service announcements. The primary research …

Cybercrisis Management: Handling Crises At The Speed Of Light, Thomas Stanley Jason

Theses and Dissertations

This study's purpose was to compile information on how to handle different types of cybercrises and compile them into an easy to use guide for experienced public relations professionals. The data search included library and Internet searches for information on handling cybercrises. Additionally, an e-mail survey was sent out to on-line public relations personnel to determine their experience with cybercrises. From that survey, professionals who stated that they have handled cybercrises were interviewed via e-mail.

The study determined that 20 percent of those surveyed had faced a cybercrisis. The study determined that the most important parts of cybercrisis management were …

Understanding Students With Diabetes: A Communication Handbook For High Schools, Karen M. Ferguson

Theses and Dissertations

Effective communication between students with diabetes and school personnel is essential to the well-being of the student. The author conducted this study to identify the needs, feelings, and behaviors of students with diabetes.

The author performed literature searches and conducted informal, qualitative research techniques to obtain information for the handbook. The author conducted telephone interviews with seven nurses from selected counties in Southern New Jersey. The author asked the nurses questions about diabetes management in their schools. The author also questioned 15 students with diabetes regarding communication efforts with the school, signs and symptoms of high and low blood sugars, …

New Jersey Municipalities' Methods For Building Non-Emergency Community Relations, Lizabeth Miller Galantino

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of conducting this study was to record the various methods of community relations held in New Jersey municipalities between January 1 and December 31, 1999.

A literature search was conducted; an original mail survey distributed to 210 mayors statewide; data was analyzed and presented in a quantitative format.

The following major conclusions were drawn:

A. If given an unlimited amount of funding, direct mail is conceived as the most effective way to publicize events and projects.

B. Newspapers were reported as the most effective, measurable publicity tool to get exposure for events and projects.

C. Mayors play a …

Public Relations Efforts To Promote New Sports Teams, Nancy Urban

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to accumulate information relative to the various public relations practices, methods, and procedures utilized by the four NHL expansion teams during the two-year period June 25, 1997 to October 7, 1999. The thesis determined the extent of common public relations elements among the four NHL expansion teams. The study was approached from four perspectives: public relations, media relations, community relations and player perspective.

Eighteen questions were asked of each team: Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild to determine the extent of communication elements common among them.

Through in-depth interviews, it …

A Study To Determine How Casual Dress In The Workplace Affects Employee Morale And Productivity, Marisa Avallone Sharkey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide managers and key decision makers insight into how casual dress work environments compare to traditional corporate cultures by assessing the impact of casual dress on employee morale and productivity, two vital influencers of the bottom line.

Using a survey, based on a literature review, the author surveyed 148 human resources and performance management professionals serving in a human resources capacity in American companies. Responses were hand-coded and double-checked for accuracy.

This study has indicated that, overall, employee morale does improve as dress codes become more casual. However, the percentage of those surveyed …

Elementary School Use Of Interactive Distance Learning, Linda Spano

Theses and Dissertations

In an attempt to discover how distance learning (interactive videoconferencing) is being used in elementary schools, this study was designed to identify the enrichment and remedial applications of distance learning and assess its effectiveness as an instructional tool. Information was gathered using a questionnaire that consisted of 24 multiple choice and open-ended questions that was sent to 100 interactive distance learning coordinators in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Forty-seven coordinators responded to this survey, for a response rate of 47%. The majority (95.7%) of respondents rated interactive distance learning as a very effective or effective instructional tool. The most frequent …

A Guide To Effective Public Relations For The High School Athletic Director, Joseph T. Cranston

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this research project was to develop a handbook for high school athletic directors so they can apply effective public relations practices to their athletic program on a daily basis. Fifteen high school athletic directors from different counties in New Jersey were interviewed to gain first-hand knowledge of the athletic public relations activities that are most effective. A review of several sources, including physical education and administration books, athletic journals and public relations books, supplemented the primary research by providing supporting research by some of the most well-respected public relations practitioners in the athletic arena.

The finished …

Employee Efficiency: A Case Study Of Former Welfare Mothers, Julie Kozempel

Theses and Dissertations

Welfare is a social phenomenon that comes with a variety of stigmas and stereotypes. Recipients are often categorized as lazy, uneducated and socially unacceptable.

Recently, corporations and whole regions are unable to find the qualified labor force they need. This researcher will discover whether ex-welfare recipients make worthy hires, thereby reversing stereotypes and furthering efficiency in the workplace.

A major component of employee relations involves retaining good employees who will extend the company's good image. Image and profits matter to CEO's who worry about the second bottom line. After reading this study, public relations practitioners can approach the CEO and …

Recruiting Minority Teachers: A Guide For Vocational School Administrators, Carole H. Thornton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the severity of the minority teacher shortage in New Jersey's vocational schools and identify steps to be taken by administrators to attract and retain minority teachers.

A written survey was mailed to all 21 New Jersey county vocational school superintendents. Twelve surveys were returned.

The results of the study validate the need to hire more minority teachers to teach in our culturally diverse classrooms. Many vocational schools in the state reported difficulty in attracting minority candidates; however, weak or indifferent recruitment practices are partly to blame for the problem. Other causes of …

Can Computer Technology Help Elementary Students Achieve Information Literacy?, David Calvanico

Theses and Dissertations

In an attempt to determine if computer technology helps elementary students achieve information literacy, a quasi-experiment was conducted using the Solomon four-group design with two fourth grade and two fifth grade classes. Information Literacy Standards from Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning and Eisenberg and Berkowitz' Big 6™ Information Literacy model were used to structure the experiment. The researcher was a participant observer, the school's librarian. Two classes were pretested and posttested, the other two were only posttested following Solomon four-group protocol. The researcher used a rubric to assess students at each step of the Big 6™ Information Literacy model …

History Of The George J. Mitchell Elementary School Library Media Center, Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, Susan D. Lescure

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to identify the factors that led to the formation of the George J. Mitchell Elementary School Library Media Center and give local historical reference to the community about the library services offered. Data was collected through literature, personal communications, documents, observations, and site visitations. Historical developments illustrated relevant patterns in the evolution of library service to elementary schools. The research was used to inform the community about the history of the library using the district's web page.

Teaching Research Skills With Electronic Reference Tools: A Study Of Curriculum Development And Articulation, Johanne Milnes

Theses and Dissertations

Elementary teachers and elementary school library media specialists are expected to prepare students to be able to complete independent research using a variety of print and electronic reference tools. The purpose of this study was to examine what programs are available in elementary schools that prepare students to do independent research. The subjects were library media specialists who taught grades three, four, five, and six in schools in New Jersey. The schools were part of the FG group of the New Jersey District Factor Grouping System. Using a self-administered questionnaire the subjects described the essentials of their library programs, responded …

Program Accommodations Made By New Jersey Elementary School Librarians To Meet The Needs Of Exceptional Readers, Beverly S. Siti

Theses and Dissertations

As teacher and educational partner, the elementary school library media specialist must accommodate the diverse abilities and interests of students in all stages and degrees of literacy development. In order to examine if and how school librarians in New Jersey meet the needs of students who read either above or below grade level expectations, a survey was designed to measure key attributes of a library program that successfully accommodates all readers: the librarian's background knowledge of the reading process, his/her collaboration with others who have knowledge of students' strengths and needs, the accessibility of appropriate materials to students within the …

Leisure Reading Among Fourth And Sixth Grade Boys, Linda Kissling

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempted to determine whether middle school boys read less for leisure than elementary school boys. Forty-eight boys and 45 girls in fourth grade and 48 boys and 52 girls in sixth grade maintained a log for one week to determine how their time outside school was spent and responded to a survey to describe their attitudes toward leisure reading. Time outside school was divided into three categories; personal, including sleeping, eating, and hygiene; structured or demand time, including homework, chores, and sports and music practice; and leisure, including television, reading, time with friends, etc. The survey asked respondents …

The Information-Seeking Experience Of Users In The Reference Section Of The Rowan University Library, Faye E. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to learn about the information-seeking experience of users of the Rowan University library. The data were collected by way of a self-administered questionnaire. One hundred and five library users participated in the study; the average respondents were male undergraduates 18-22 years old. The data were analyzed by examining the percentages of responses. One major finding of the study is that 92% of the respondents did not think they needed the help of the librarian to use electronic resources. Another relevant finding was that users found one-on-one assistance from a librarian was more effective than …

Information Literacy Skills: Successful Cross-Curricular Integration At The Secondary Level In New Jersey, Susan T. Rohrman

Theses and Dissertations

Focusing on information literacy skills instruction at the secondary level, the purposes of the field research were to examine the impact of national and state curriculum standards on library skills curriculum; to explore the instructional role of the school media specialist; and to create a model for successful information literacy skills projects. Field research was conducted at the media centers of two secondary schools, grades 9 - 12 in southern New Jersey. Two educational media specialists in secondary schools and their 10th grade Biology classes were observed during an instructional period. Application of information literacy skills was incorporated into the …

Development Of The Avalon And Stone Harbor School Library Media Programs: A Case Study, Roberta A. Dean

Theses and Dissertations

This case study was an attempt to discover the circumstances that prompted the Avalon and Stone Harbor schools to establish school library media centers and how each school district developed its program. The people who were personally involved in establishing the libraries and former students who attended the schools at the time each library was established were interviewed. Questionnaires were designed to collect oral history data. Archival documents, such as school board minutes, annual reports from the Cape May County Free Library, and New Jersey Department of Education records were consulted to verify the oral history information and provide additional …

Accommodating Learning Disabled Students In New Jersey Middle School Media Centers, Dawn Duelly

Theses and Dissertations

Learning disabled students are being placed in regular education classrooms because of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act '97 (IDEA'97). A questionnaire was sent to library media specialists in New Jersey middle schools asking how they accommodated learning disabled students. It questioned the library media specialists' training, programs, feelings and how they service this population. It also asked about the accommodations made for the learning disabled student in the library media center. The results of the survey indicated that more staff training is needed. School library media specialists are concerned about finding materials that are low level reading, but high …

Gender Preferences In The Recreational Reading Of Sixth Grade Students, Dorothy H. Holmes

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared what sixth graders like to read for pleasure by gender with the collection of the Voorhees New Jersey Middle School media center. An interest survey was given to 105 sixth-grade students. A sample of the Voorhees Middle School library was done. A comparison of the two analyzed what is available in the library with what the students like to read. The influence of the Harry Potter books on recreational reading was also studied. This study showed that males and females have favorable attitudes towards recreational reading and enjoy both fiction and nonfiction as well as a variety …