Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Business Viability Assessments In Microcredit - The Case Of Egypt, Ahmed Fadl

Theses and Dissertations

This paper aims to examine the role of business assessments of microfinance applicants and its correlation with microbusiness success as measured in income generated. The key research question of this study is: How do the results of business viability assessments influence the income generated by these businesses? The research methodology used in this study is a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative research includes in-depth interviews with 10 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in five governorates (Al-Sharqia, Assiut, Beni Suef, Giza, and Minya) across Egypt. The quantitative research includes an interviewer-administered questionnaire of 151 micro-business owners who have been in …

Chief Executive Officers, Accountability And Hidden Violations, Alan Saquella

Publications

Corporate governance demands transparency, ethical leadership and accountability from Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). However, numerous cases suggest that CEOs often wield significant influence over what is reported to their boards of directors, particularly when it comes to internal misconduct, regulatory violations, and criminal activity. This lack of transparency raises serious concerns about ethical and legal obligations, as well as the effectiveness of board oversight.

Exploring The Perceived Importance Of Servant Leadership Core Characteristics By Direct Support Professionals Serving Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In Massachusetts, Timothy Johnson

JWU Dissertations & Theses

This research examined servant leadership in academic literature indicating that its framework can be uniquely effective in human services, contributing to an enhanced employee experience, stronger retention, and improved service outcomes. In the human services sector for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), there is a workforce crisis of direct support professionals (DSPs) that is forecast to worsen by age-based projections (Lin et al., 2015; Pettingell et al., 2022). Turnover of DSPs in the IDD sector has remained high for a quarter century, a problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic with DSPs leaving the workforce (Desroches & Tyo, 2023; …

Ideological Influences On Skills And Knowledge In Nonprofit Leadership, Faiza Venzant, Julianne Gassman

Journal of Ideology

Understanding the skills and knowledge required for effective nonprofit leadership can be challenging. This position paper suggests that skills and knowledge come from both formal training programs at colleges, universities, professional associations, and consultant presentations but is also based on the personal lived experiences of leaders. While Ideology such as neoliberalism intentionally or unintentionally influence both formal training and lived experiences, common good ideology, an ideology that grounds the idea that nonprofits exist for the betterment of society, should guide leaders of the nonprofit sector and be an important consideration. Embracing common good ideology better centers equity appropriately for the …

We Feel, We Understand: Examining The Moderating Effects Of Publics' Empathy On Crisis Outcomes Across Crisis Types And Response Strategies, James Ndone

Communication, Media, and Culture

This study examines how empathy, operationalized into affective and cognitive dimensions, influences stakeholders' perceptions during organisational crises. Also, the study explores the mediating role of account acceptance in the relationship between crisis response strategies and organisational outcomes. An online three (crisis type: victim vs. accidental vs. preventable) × two (crisis response strategy: apology vs. denial) between-subjects experimental design with 686 participants randomly assigned to different crises (victim, accidental, preventable) and response strategy (apology, denial) was conducted. The findings reveal that account acceptance mediates the relationship between crisis response strategies and key organisational outcomes such as reputation, forgiveness, and purchase intention. …

The Relationship Between Anthropometric Sizing, Fit Issues, And Return Rates In Plus-Size Women's Apparel, Cassondra Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Retail business owners remain concerned with apparel sizing and return sales, as sizing is a frequent predictor of apparel returns and decreased revenue. Grounded in new product development theory (NPD), the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between anthropometric apparel sizing standards, sizing and fit issues, and return sales. The participants were 89 women’s bridal apparel owners and leaders within the retail business sector who completed a 5-point Likert-type survey. The results of the multiple linear regression were significant, 3, 85) = 32.301, p < .001, R2 = .533. In the final model, there were two predictors which were significant, sizing and fit (t = 9.718, p = <.001, ß = .735) and sizing standards (t = 2.478, p = .01, ß = .205). A key recommendation is for retail business leaders to acknowledge the growth in the U.S. female apparel consumer. Further, the alignment of sizing standards and product offerings provides functional apparel and mitigates return sales due to sizing. The implications for positive social change include the potential for the apparel industry to acknowledge the growing complexity of women’s sizing, which is influenced by diverse cultural backgrounds and body types. This shift could promote greater inclusivity, enhance consumer confidence, reduce return rates, and foster broader acceptance of diverse female body types within the industry.

Locational Data And The Public Interest, William A. Herbert, Micahel Goodchild, Richard Appelbaum, Jeremy Crampton, Gary Langham, Krzysztof Janowicz, Mei-Po Kwan, Katina Michael, Lisa Schamess

Publications and Research

This article presents a paper developed by the AAG Organizing Committee on Locational Information and the Public Interest through a summit held in Santa Barbara, California in June 2022. The summit resulted in goals and ideas for addressing the issues that arise from the present environment for geodata, whereby public, private, and third-sector entities can tap into publicly available locational information with relatively little regulation on its access or use. The Committee articulates four goals: (1) develop a research agenda extending across disciplines, (2) outline educational resources and strategies to guide ethical practice, (3) devise a pathway to increase public …

The Relationship Between Percentage Of Layoffs, Company Age, And Earnings Per Share In Tech Firms, Demarco Dejion Pope

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business owners and investors are concerned that layoff announcements and company age may negatively impact earnings per share (EPS), reducing investor confidence and ultimately lowering stock performance. This decline in stock value can affect a company’s ability to attract investment and sustain long-term growth. Grounded in the prospect theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between the percentage of layoffs, company age, and earnings per share. The participants were 107 technology firms with at least 1,000 employees on the NASDAQ Stock Index that initiated layoffs during the 2021–2022 calendar years. The data was collected …

2025-02-07 Agenda Book, Morehead State University. Board Of Regents.

Morehead State Board of Regents Agenda Books and Meeting Minutes

Agenda booklet for the Board of Regents meeting of February 7, 2025, which includes the meeting minutes of the meeting held on November 15, 2024.

Integrating Intercultural Competencies In An Introductory Business Information Literacy Course, Annette Bochenek, Heather A. Howard, Zoeanna A. Mayhook

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Librarians at a large Midwestern university integrated intercultural competencies into an information literacy course taught annually to over 100 first-year business students. The interventions aim to improve intercultural skills and characteristics as defined by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) Intercultural Knowledge and Competence VALUE Rubric. Student intercultural competencies were assessed via online surveys according to the VALUE Rubric, comparing pre-, retrospective, and post-self-assessments. Students' intercultural competencies changed as a result of engaging with the course material. This paper describes the classroom interventions implemented by librarians, results from survey data analysis, and implications for library instruction.

Navigating Artificial Intelligence Governance: Insights From South African Higher Education It Decision-Makers, John Mangundu

The African Journal of Information Systems

Academics and students alike can benefit from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. AI governance lowers AI risks while ensuring that anticipated AI use objectives are achieved. However, research on AI governance has been lacking, especially in higher education in emerging economies such as South Africa. In light of this serious research gap, the current study presents the findings of a qualitative exploratory investigation of the maturity and preparedness of AI governance in South African higher education institutions. Informed by a combination of the TOE framework, the traditional IT governance model and the adapted IT governance maturity assessment …

Examining Leadership Practices To Promote A Positive Culture Of Research Integrity In Higher Education Institutions, Seán Lacey, Jennifer J. Wilkinson

Publications

What is new?

While Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have, in recent years, placed greater emphasis on promoting good research practices, it is yet relatively unknown what leadership approaches are best suited to cultivating a positive culture of research integrity (RI) in HEIs. This small-scale exploratory descriptive study therefore sought to uncover initial findings from within the European context on practices research leaders found to be most effective in leading positive change in this space.

What was the approach?

The design was constructed using semi-structured interviews with five senior research leaders. Countries that were members of the European Network of Research …

Examining Factors Affecting Consumers’ Daily Fantasy Sports And Sports Betting Participation: Comparing Motivation And Perception Of Skill Versus Luck, Koo Yul Kim, Colin Lopez

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

With the Supreme Court lifting the federal ban on sports betting, dominant Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operators including DraftKings and FanDuel have entered the sports gambling market and operate in legalized states in the United States. These providers of both DFS and sports betting are making efforts to better understand the characteristics of both DFS and sports betting consumers and develop effective marketing strategies to target each consumer segment. This research investigates the differences in motivation to participate and perception of skill vs. luck between DFS and sports betting participants. 934 adults (sports betting = 434, DFS = 500) were …

Evaluation Of A Timetabling Software Implemented In Tanzanian Higher Education Context, Anna Kayanda, Lazaro Busagala, Matti Tedre

The African Journal of Information Systems

It is not known whether the combination of two IS system implementation approaches, Design Science Research and eXtreme Programming, can help improve information systems success in the Tanzanian HEI context. To investigate this, this study evaluated a system that was implemented using both approaches. The evaluation used DeLone and McLean’s Information Systems Success Model(D&M) and a mixed research method. The results showed that while neither the system quality nor the information quality influenced the use of the system, service quality and user satisfaction both had an influence on system use (p<0.001). System quality, information quality and service quality, however, were found to have a significant effect on user satisfaction, all three with p<0.001. Furthermore, using the system influenced the perceived net benefits (p<0.001) obtained from using the system. The findings may be helpful to other Tanzanian HEI wishing to implement information systems for their organizations as it shed light on factors that should be considered for a successful implementation. Although the D&M model has been useful on this study, it is limited by its lack of explicit recognition of contextual variables, such as organizational culture, user characteristics, and environmental factors, which can significantly impact system success.

What Does Chatgpt Know About Information Systems?, Daniel O'Leary, Veda C. Storey, Aaron M. French, Joseph R. Buckman, Cecil Chua, Andrew William Green, Grace Gu, Fred Niederman, Francis Pereira, Gary Templeton, Linda Wallace

Faculty Articles

Large language models such as ChatGPT provide efficient access to a wealth of information. However, there are significant questions regarding the depth and quality of knowledge in any one domain. This paper focuses specifically on the information systems (IS) field and assesses ChatGPT’s knowledge. To analyze the extent and quality of information systems knowledge derived from queries to ChatGPT, we used over 3,000 queries from a broad range of exam and quiz questions. These queries were obtained from university courses and professional information system certification exams. The query topics are based on a framework for information systems education, with queries …

Are Positive And Negative Leader Humor Two Different Coins? A Meta-Analysis, Xiaohong Xu, Richard Hayes, Lixin Jiang, William P. Jimenez

Psychology Faculty Publications

Scholars disagree on the distinction between positive and negative leader humor, which may hinder the integration and advancement of the leader humor literature. Thus, we meta-analyzed the correlation between positive and negative leader humor, as well as their shared nomological networks (k = 161; follower N = 45,759; leader N = 7,820). Our meta-analysis indicates that (1) there is a very small but significant correlation between positive and negative leader humor (ρ = -.07); (2) positive and negative leader humor have differential relationships with most antecedents (e.g., positive affectivity) and outcomes (e.g., innovation and citizenship behavior); (3) positive affect …

From Classroom To Boardroom: An In-Depth Look At Critical Thinking Amongst Accounting Students, Dorothy A. Thompson, Timothy G. Bryan

Accounting Faculty Research

The 2020 Guiding Principles and Standards of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation Standard 4.3 requires business students to be equipped with critical and analytical thinking skills. Killian (2013) states that by engaging students in a problem-based case study in an introductory-level managerial accounting course, students can acquire critical thinking skills, rather than memorize. Results from this study suggest critical thinking skills increased when it came to detecting, explaining, and defining a problem. Just as significant, critical thinking skills increase when a student encounters a problem and can solve it and make a conclusion. The paper concludes …

When Leaders Self-Sacrifice In Times Of Crisis: The Roles Of Employee Emotional Suppression And Leader Coping Strategies, Xingyu Wang, Xueqi Wen, Zihan Liu, Yixing Lisa Gao, Juan M. Madera

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

While literature articulates the relevance of self-sacrificial leadership to crisis situations, little attention has been paid to employees’ attitudinal and behavioral responses to self-sacrificial leadership. This is a particularly salient gap in the scholarship, given the decisions leaders must make to address challenges in the hospitality industry (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic). Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this pair of field and experimental studies examines how individual differences in employee emotional suppression and leader coping strategy moderate the impacts of self-sacrificial leadership on employee perceptions of leader effectiveness. By sampling U.S. hospitality employees, the studies reveal that leaders who display …

J Mich Dent Assoc February 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association provides news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It is the primary publication reaching Michigan dentists. The February issue sets the tone for the MDA’s Annual Meeting, Revving Up Dentistry, this April in Detroit.

A detailed Annual Session Preview is included within the Journal with course listings and activities planned for the four-day event. Regular Departments: News You Need, New Dentist Column, MDA Insurance, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, MDA at your Service, Governmental Affairs, and a Michigan Dental …

Unveiling The Nature Of Peer Development Groups: A Systematic Review, Conceptual Framework, And Research Pathways, Roman Terekhin, S. R. Aurora

Management Faculty Publications

This research provides a systematic review of the literature on peer development groups (PDGs), a promising yet underexplored tool for individual and leadership development. Despite the growing interest in PDGs from both scholars and practitioners, the field remains fragmented, with inconsistent terminologies and limited theoretical grounding. This review seeks to clarify the core components, boundary conditions, inputs, processes, and outcomes of effective PDGs in professional settings, addressing the confusion and gaps in existing research. By adopting an adjudication approach, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the evidence regarding the defining characteristics of PDGs and their impacts on individual development. We …

Determinants Of Market Participation Among Milk Producers In Kyrgyzstan, Akhmadjon Nurullaev, Eunchun Park, Bruce L. Ahrendsen, Stijn Speelman, Lawson Connor

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Numerous studies have been conducted to comprehend the economic importance of market participation for producers. However, a significant gap remains, particularly in Central Asia. This study assesses market participation drivers for Kyrgyzstan's milk producers using the Life in Kyrgyzstan dataset, encompassing a comprehensive nationwide farm-level survey. Findings reveal that household assets boost market entry and sales volume, whereas distance from markets discourages participation but can increase sales for active sellers, reflecting transportation cost strategies. The insights inform policy interventions benefiting rural small-scale milk producers in Central Asian countries that share similar cultural backgrounds.

Curriculum Preferences And Engagement Of Online Entrepreneurship Students: The Influence Of Age And Gender, S. Andrew Starbird, Jill M. Martin, Trish A. Kalbas-Schmidt

Information Systems and Analytics

It is important for instructors and institutions to create learning experiences that are engaging, effective, and meaningful for students. To achieve these goals, instructors must understand the preferences and interests of their students, build engaging lessons based on those interests, and mitigate content that might make students feel excluded. In-person learning allows instructors to gather information about interests and engagement through direct interaction with students. Gathering information about student interests and engagement is more difficult for asynchronous, self-paced, online training programs. In this paper, we assess the interests, engagement, and disengagement of learners accessing online content focused on entrepreneurship. We …

Comparison Between The Partial Least Squares Method And Principal Components Using Genetic Algorithm With An Application, Hayder Osman Hussein, Rabab Abdul Rida Al-Bakri

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The problem of multicollinearity among independent variables in a regression model was addressed in this study using Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The influence exerted by multicollinearity can deteriorate the results of regression modeling; that is, it makes the traditional technique OLS less reliable. The research is centered on applying advanced algorithms for Partial Least Squares (SIMPL and O-PLS) as well as for PCA (NIPALS and SVD) on real-life data scenarios, as well as integrating genetic algorithm (GAs) with these algorithms to optimize predictive performance. The relative efficiency of these methods is evaluated primarily through the …

Strategic Leadership And Their Impact On The Quality Of Work Life: An Analytical Study In The Directorate Of Intelligence And Counter-Terrorism, Omar Abdul Rasool Abdul Karim, Tala Asim Faiq

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The present study investigates the linkage between strategic leadership practices and quality of work life (QWL) within the Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Directorate. Data was drawn from 115 freshly acquired respondents from senior and middle management by means of a multi-item questionnaire. The analysis that follows - SPSS, AMOS and SMART PLS V.4 - shows that the Directorate's clear defining of strategic direction and decisive decision making largely affects QWL. The study deduces critical issues pertaining to strategic leadership towards the improvement of work conditions and job security and human capital development where all will lead to better performance by the …

Mda Insurance: Simple Tips To Improve Your Property’S Insurability, Jeff Spindler Mda Ifg

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article discusses the importance of proactive home maintenance in maintaining property insurability and managing insurance premiums. It highlights how insurance companies are responding to increased claims from weather events, particularly wind and hail damage in Michigan. The author emphasizes that while insurance covers unexpected damage, it doesn't cover normal wear and tear or deferred maintenance. The piece provides six practical tips for homeowners to reduce risk and prevent insurance claims, ultimately helping to stabilize premium rates.

Does Felt Obligation Or Gratitude Better Explain The Relationship Between Perceived Organizational Support And Outcomes?, Robert Eisenberger, Xueqi Wen, Dianhan Zheng, Jia Yu, Zihan Liu, Jing Zhang, Lei Wang, Tae-Yeol Kim, Sara Krivacek, Thomas J. Zagenczyk, Min-Kyu Joo, Salar Mesdaghinia, Deog-Ro Lee, Tae-Hyun Kim

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The employee-organization relationship (EOR) is a key component of organizational behavior. Researchers have consistently shown that employees who perceive that they are supported by their organizations (favorable EORs) tend to have positive attitudes and behave in a manner that helps the organization to reach its goals. For many years, the reciprocity norm (e.g. felt obligation) has been a widely accepted explanation for the EOR. Yet, despite calls to explore additional pathways, little work has examined other mediating mechanisms between favorable EORs and outcomes. We draw on the affect theory of social exchange to argue for the mediating effects of gratitude, …

Exploring The Trust Paradox: Adoption Dynamics Of Family Trusts Among Chinese High-Net-Worth Individuals, Janet Jing Di Zhang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This research explores the adoption dynamics of family trusts among Chinese High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs), focusing on the key barriers and facilitating factors. Despite the formal recognition of family trusts in China under its Trust Law (2001), the adoption rate remains low. This paradox is addressed through a comparative study between Chinese HNWIs in China and those in Canada, examining the impact of legal, regulatory, and cultural factors on adoption rates. By employing a two-stage quantitative approach, the research develops a Trust Adoption Model that incorporates factors like perceived benefits, professional trust, complexity, and regulatory transparency. The study identifies significant barriers …

Beauty Comes With A Price: But How Much Is It Worth It, Fabliha Afia

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The global skincare market, valued at 104.24 billion dollars in the year 2022, is very heterogeneous, ranging from prestige brands to more drugstore types. Even when the same key ingredients are present, the latter often sells for much higher due to branding and packaging and the aura of prestige created. This capstone project entitled "Beauty comes with a price: but how much is it worth?" investigates if such higher costs are justified due to superior quality or are driven by non-functional factors. It systematically compared the high-end versus drugstore skincare products in categories like sunscreens, serums, and exfoliants with respect …

Technology-Enhanced Personalized Learning: Lessons From Online Teaching At Three South-East Asian Universities, Kiran Kaur, Rohaida Mohd Saat, Lieven Demeester, Magdeleine Lew, Wei Leng Neo, Nopphol Pausawasdi, Thasaneeya Ratanaroutai Nopparatjamjomras

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic compelled many instructors to seek efficient and effective ways to stay connected with their students and improve the learning experience by using a wide range of available technologies. This multiple-case study, in three South-East Asian universities, investigated whether the use of technology in university teaching and learning during that period influenced personalized learning, and if so, how. The study also explored the kinds of institutional support for teachers and learners that led to increased technology-enhanced personalized learning (TEPL). Using a qualitative approach, the study analyzed 23 individual interviews and 3 document analyses (circulars, announcements, …

Leadership Practices For High-Performing Teams: Insights From Senior Military General Officers And Flag Officers, Kimberly Mitchell

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify and describe how senior military general officers and flag officers (GOFOs) used the three competencies of high-performance teams (HPTs; clarity, connection, and communication) to achieve objectives in their organizations. The second purpose of this study was to determine the degree of importance that senior military GOFOs perceived the three high-performance team effect (HPTE) core competencies impacted their leadership for creating HPTs.

Methodology: This mixed methods study identified and described nine senior military officers’ perceptions of strategies to lead HPTs while focusing on the three core competencies: clarity, connection, and …