Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding The Effects Of Diversity In Mission From A Social Science Perspective, David R. Dunaetz

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

This study presents an overview of the results of empirical studies concerning diversity in work teams. Although these studies have most often been carried out in secular contexts, they support perspectives of human nature that are consistent with the biblical themes found associated with the Tower of Babel (the Similarity/Attraction Perspective) and Paul's metaphor of the Body of Christ and spiritual gifts (the Information/Decision Making Perspective). Key concepts are explained, including the measurement of diversity and team performance, task and relationship diversity, faultlines, cultural versus non-cultural diversity, and status. When the results of the various diversity studies are combined, it …

Madrid: Literary Fiction And The Imaginary Urban Destination, Graham Busby, Maximiliano E. Korstanje, Charlie Mansfield

Journal of Tourism Consumption and Practice

This study selects novels from French and Spanish language traditions, which may not be available to English-speakers, in order to determine if specific aspects throw light on our understanding of Madrid as a destination. Marc Lambron's L'Impromptu de Madrid and Antonio Munoz Molina’s Mysteries of Madrid are taken as proof of the influence the narrative can exert on social daily life and consumption. Narrative foregrounds the fictions which are at stake in imagining the city as destination and also provides a vehicle for presenting the much broader social forces that converge in the author at the time of imagining and …

A Cultural Analysis Of Information Technology Offshore Outsourcing: An Exercise In Multi-Sited Ethnography Of Virtual Work, Tara Eaton

Wayne State University Dissertations

This study is an exploration of how ethnography and anthropological analysis can provide new understanding of transnational, multi-sited research phenomena. Research focused on the work activities of one American client organization and its Indian IT service provider situated in the global virtual field of Information Technology (IT) offshore outsourcing. The Principal Investigator adapted and applied an ethnographic approach for her fieldwork in order to understand the norms, beliefs, and values about work, as well as the relationship between cultural differences and virtual communication. Dissertation findings offer new insight for anthropological discussions of globalization as well as suggest further development of …

The Role Of Leadership In Safety Performance And Results, Halina E. Caravello

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee injury rates in U.S. land-based operations in the energy industry are 2 to 3 times higher relative to other regions in the world. Although a rich literature exists on drivers of safety performance, no previous studies investigated factors influencing this elevated rate. Leadership has been identified as a key contributor to safety outcomes and this grounded theory study drew upon the full range leadership model, situational leadership, and leader-member exchange theories for the conceptual framework. Leadership aspects influencing safety performance were investigated through guided interviews of 27 study participants; data analyses included open and axial coding, and constant comparisons …

Knowledge Sharing And Competitiveness Of Professional Service Firms: A Case Study, Albert P. Cruz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study is that little action is taken to create the social aspects and social value of knowledge-sharing culture within organizations. There is a need for increased understanding of the behavioral side of knowledge management. The purpose of this study was to focus on knowledge sharing from a behavioral perspective. Knowledge management is defined as the accumulation, protection, and leverage of knowledge. This research study investigated the relationship between knowledge sharing and competitiveness and approached the field of knowledge management from the organizational, cultural, and behavioral perspectives. The research questions examined how knowledge workers described the …

Undergraduate Student Catalog 2011-2012, Nova Southeastern University

Undergraduate Programs Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Eastern Michigan University Undergraduate Catalog, 2011-2012, Office Of The Registrar

Undergraduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Eastern Michigan University Undergraduate Catalog, 2011-2012, Office Of The Registrar

Undergraduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

The Prospects For Family Business In Research Universities, Alex Stewart, Anne S. Miner

Management Faculty Research and Publications

Family business shows the promise of becoming a respected scholarly field in research universities. However, success is not a given. We inquire about its prospects, with reference to the sociology of science. A key requirement for success that has been met is identification with an important and distinctive domain of inquiry. This domain is at the intersection two phenomena - of kinship and business - but more attention has been paid to enterprise than to kinship. We suggest that this creates important windows for theoretical development, an important requirement for a core presence in research universities. We further suggest additional …

Eastern Ichigan University Graduate Catalog, 2011-2012, Office Of The Registrar

Graduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Consumer’S Motivation For Purchasing Fair Trade Clothing, Erika Ferrell

Theses and Dissertations--Retailing and Tourism Management

The purpose of this research is to determine if a consumer’s demographics, perceived consumer effectiveness, and awareness of fair trade practices affect their level of hedonic and utilitarian motivations that ultimately influence their purchase intentions. Two separate studies were conducted: a focus group and a survey. Middle-aged and older respondents were more motivated to buy fair trade clothing by both hedonic and utilitarian motivations than younger respondents. Respondents with only some college or an Associate’s degree are more hedonically motivated than other education levels. Respondents with a high household income are more motivated by their hedonic and utilitarian motivations than …

Boundary Work: An Interpretive Ethnographic Perspective On Negotiating And Leveraging Cross-Cultural Identity, Noriko Yagi, Jill Kleinberg

Scholarship and Professional Work - Business

The complexity of global organizations highlights the importance of members’ ability to span diverse boundaries that may be defined by organization structures, national borders, and/or a variety of cultures associated with organization, nation-based societal and work cultures, industries, and/or professions. Based on ethnographic research in a Japan–US binational firm, the paper describes and analyzes the boundary role performance of the firm's Japanese members. It contributes toward theory on boundary spanning by introducing a “cultural identity negotiation” conceptual framework. We show boundary spanning as a process shaped through the interplay of the contextual issues that make a boundary problematic; an individual's …

Organizational Culture And Brand : A Grounded Theory Assessment Of Employees' Enablement To Live The Brand At A Best Place To Work, Tyler Laird Magee

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

No abstract provided.

Assessing Organizational Culture And Climate Dimensions In Support Of Continuous Improvement At A Private, Christian University, Kathy L. Milhauser

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

No abstract provided.

Chinese Cultural Factors Affecting The Culture Shock And Sociocultural Adjustment Of American Business Expatriates Working In The People's Republic Of China : An Exploratory Study, Alain Gracianette

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

No abstract provided.

Isp Thesis, Joseph Michael David

Wayne State University Theses

Abstract

AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE ON TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

By: JOSEPH DAVID

December 2010

Advisor: Dr. Richard Raspa

Degree: Master of Interdisciplinary Studies

Many people in today's world often submit to broad assumptions, generalizations and faulty reasoning in determining what constitutes a competent leader. Qualities such as high energy, positive attitude and charisma are unfortunately the sole traits that elect leaders. While positive thinking does help to produce compelling visions to inspire people, high energy is necessary for leadership given the workload and charisma needed to win people over. These are components for election not successful leadership.

Such narrow sighted values for …

The Importance Of Leadership And Culture In Mergers, Aravind Swaminathan

CMC Senior Theses

The purpose of this paper is to show how leadership and culture are critical factors in organizational change. The vehicle through which this point is proved is by

analyzing the organizational change processes of mergers, as mergers involve

leadership and culture. Successful mergers are very rare, and it is hypothesized

that not enough attention is paid to leadership and culture during mergers. This

paper analyzes many of the factors that related to leadership and culture, such as

transparency, trust, communication, and vision. Not only does this paper analyze

these topics, but it also examines and applies a successful change strategy, …

Scholarship In International Technical Communication, 1950-1989: A Historical Study, Xiaoyan Huang

Masters Theses

"This thesis is a study of the published scholarship in international technical communication from 1950 to 1989. It provides insight into the four decades' worth of scholarship as well as a resource for the development of present and future scholarship in international technical communication. It attempts to answer the following research questions: What did scholars of international technical communication study in each decade? What are the similarities and differences among the four decades in terms of scholarship in international technical communication? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the relevant scholarship in the four decades? What can we learn from …

Following The Path Of Involuntary Change: The Emotional Effects, Susan B. Carriere

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceived emotional effects of the seven Medical Case Managers who moved from the role of “consultants” of a Railway to “employees” of a Managed Health Care Company in order to maintain employment within their field of telephonic disability case management of railway employees. This research followed the path of an unintended change with two interviews, 2003 and 2010. The participants were seven Medical Case Managers with a combined institutional knowledge base of over fifty years. The study was a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews. Results showed that the Medical Case …

Uncovering Hidden Meanings, Values And Insights Through Photos [Journal Article], Maria Ryan, Madeleine Ogilvie

Research outputs 2011

Photographs have been used as a means of data capture for many years. Their use in recording observable phenomenon in anthropology is well documented. They also provide a valuable tool for researchers from other disciplines. This paper explores the use of photographs in qualitative business research. It demonstrates how the use of photographs can enrich the business research process through a range of techniques such as photo-elicitation, autodriving, projective prompts and phenomenological interviews. Drawing from a selection of the researchers‟ past studies, a comparative review of the use of photographs and the benefits they bring to the data capture process …

Using Photo-Elicitation To Explore Place Attachment In A Remote Setting, Joanna Tonge, Susan Moore, Maria Ryan, Lynnath Beckley

Research outputs 2011

People are often attracted to unique natural environments, but what makes them continually return to these locations, especially when considerable time and effort are required to get there? This paper discusses the methods and findings of a research project aimed at identifying and exploring how visitors develop an attachment to the remote Ningaloo Marine Park in north-western Australia. This Marine Park attracts a high percentage of repeat visitors (55%) and in order to determine the complex aspects contributing to this attachment, photo-elicitation was employed. Photo-elicitation is a qualitative technique where participants are asked to take photographs relating to the concept …

Seminal Exchanges: Exchanges That Change Our Life, Stephen Fanning

Research outputs 2011

The purpose of this paper is to revisit and advance a classic marketing concept; Copeland‟s (1923) classification of convenience, specialty and shopping exchanges. In doing so, product involvement, the three time zones of the buyer decision process and the three estimation, assessment and evaluation qualities, are also discussed. The findings are the result of a larger interpretive, qualitative study that explored a number of classic marketing concepts through the consumption experiences of a group of immigrant consumers. In this paper a new classification – seminal exchanges is proposed. Seminal exchanges have distinguishing features (1) they are high in total involvement; …

Lipstick: More Than A Fashion Trend, Madeleine Ogilvie, Maria Ryan

Research outputs 2011

This paper explores and discusses why women purchase and wear lipstick and the behaviours associated with its use. Design/methodology/approach: A study of 300 female lipstick users were interviewed using a semi structured questionnaire. Findings: The study indicated that women use lipstick in a significant way to transform and present themselves; using it to reflect their daily fluctuations in moods and identity. Although lipstick is a mainstream fashion discourse, Western Australian society (where the study was located) maintains strict codes of conduct in applying and using the product. Behaviours associated with lipstick use are steeped in ritual and cultural customs. Research …

The Role Of Organizational Climate And Culture In Service Encounters, Beth Ann Heyart

Wayne State University Dissertations

This study explored the link between culture and climate with respect to customer service ratings. Two hospital units, one with high customer service ratings and one with low customer service ratings, were identified for analysis. A mixed-method design was implemented to assess climate and culture on each unit. Climate was assessed with a survey that combined elements of Schneider, White, and Paul's (1998) Assessment of Service Climate Instrument and Litwin and Stringer's (1968) Organizational Climate Questionnaire. An ethnographic approach using observation, interviews and archival data analysis was completed to understand each unit's culture. Findings indicate high customer service environments rated …

The Effect Of Interactive Technology On Informal Learning And Performance In A Social Setting, Timothy Clay Boileau

Wayne State University Dissertations

This study is based on a qualitative multiple case study research design using a mixed methods approach to provide insight into the effect of interactive technology on informal learning and performance in a social business setting inhabited by knowledge workers. The central phenomenon examined is the variance in behavioral intention towards interactive Web 2.0 technologies in learning and performance-related activities, depending on social and cultural setting, observable in individual and group usage patterns.

The theoretical foundation for this study is drawn primarily from the activity theory model developed by Engeström (1987) and related research enabled by an ongoing review of …

Narrative Approach To Corporate Strategy: Empirical Foundations, Michael S. Carriger

WCBT Faculty Publications

Purpose - This paper aims to present theoretical and empirical foundations for the use of a particular type of narrative skillfully deployed by senior leaders in an organization as an effective tool for creating, disseminating and executing corporate strategy. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents original research on the effectiveness of the use of a "springboard story" as a leadership tool. Findings - Data are presented to substantiate that a "springboard story" presentation of corporate strategy and competitive advantage is more effective at producing a consistent and confident choice of competitive advantage among an audience than a presentation of corporate strategy …

The Myth Of Endless Accumulation: A Feminist Inquiry Into Globalization, Growth, And Social Change, Martha Freymann Miser

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This theoretical dissertation examines the concept of growth and its core assumption—that the continual accumulation of wealth is both socially wise and ecologically sustainable. The study challenges and offers alternatives to the myth of endless accumulation, suggesting new directions for leadership and social change. The central question posed in this inquiry: Can we craft a more ethical form of capitalism? To answer this question, the study examines conventional and critical globalization studies; feminist scholarship on standpoint, political economy, and power; and the Enlightenment notions of progress and modernism, drawing on a number of works, including Aristotle on the three intelligences, …

A First Step Toward Assessing Organizational Identification In A University Setting, Didier Hernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Organizational culture research has been steadily growing during the last two decades, and has become an essential component for assessing an organization's capacity to adapt and survive. Discovering the underlying assumptions within an organization offers a more accurate insight on how its members perceive, think, and feel about the environment they work in, thus providing the opportunity of assessing the group's cohesiveness and culture strength. This study was designed to establish an initial assessment of an organization within a university setting, and to provide insight to its membership sense of identification. The study reflects the analysis of different information made …

Youth And Risky Consumption: Moving Toward A Transformative Approach, Marlys J. Mason, John F. Tanner, Maria Piacentini, Dan Freeman, Trena Anastasia, Wided Batat, Wendy Boland, Murad Canbulut, Jenna M. Drenten, Anne Hamby, Priyamvadha Rangan, Zhiyong Yang

School of Business: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Recent statistics indicate that youth continue to engage in a wide variety of risky behaviours in spite of significant investment devoted to improving their well-being. One possible factor is a paternalistic view in understanding risk and promoting well-being. Participants in the Youth and Risk track of the Transformative Consumer Research conference challenge the paternalistic view, arguing in this paper for a more inclusive perspective that requires a reexamination of the nature of risk. The paternalistic view is discussed, and then countered with a more participatory approach that develops a role for youth in research in order to achieve socially desirable …

Representing ‘The Real’: Realism And Visual Culture In Tourism, Leisure And Ethnography, Ian Gilhespy, Dave Harris

Journal of Tourism Consumption and Practice

The collection and use of visual evidence is widespread in a wide range of academic and professional activities. The paper explores the similarities and differences of a range of related phenomena: realism, documentary and authenticity. The status of the ‘realism effect’ is evaluated in a range of leisure activities with an emphasis on tourism and the significance of realist texts in popular culture in narrative and nonnarrative forms. The creative treatment of the representation of reality in the documentary tradition is highlighted. The paper emphasises the pleasures to be gained from ‘experiencing the real’ using semiotics and film theory, in …