Digital Commons Network^™

Leadership Adaptation In Persistent Turbulence: An Empirical Model Of Sensemaking, Sensegiving, Preparedness, And Human Capacity, Daragh King

Annual DBA Scholars Conference

Leaders increasingly operate within environments characterized by uncertainty, disruption, ambiguity, and accelerating technological change. This research study investigated how experienced leaders adapt to persistent turbulent environments and identified the practices that support effective leadership under such conditions. An interpretivist qualitative research design was employed, drawing upon semi-structured interviews with eighteen senior leaders from diverse organizational contexts. The findings revealed five interconnected leadership practices: iterative sensemaking, sensegiving as mobilization, adaptive authority modulation, preparedness as enacted routine, and human-capacity regulation. Participants described turbulence not as an episodic event but as a continuous operating condition requiring ongoing adaptation. The study proposes an empirical …

Microbusiness Owner-Managers And Financial Planning: A Transtheoretical Model Of Behaviour Change Approach, Christopher L. Gorman

Annual DBA Scholars Conference

The practitioner-scholar proposes a cross-sectional study to investigate how microbusiness owner-managers adopt financial planning behaviour through the lens of the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change (TTM). The study will examine the TTM’s stages of change and the factors that influence these owner-managers’ decisions to engage in financial planning. By applying a behaviour change framework to an underexplored area of financial planning research, the study will aim to identify barriers and opportunities to microbusiness owners’ adoption of financial planning. The findings will inform strategies CFP^® professionals can use to enhance client engagement, communication, and decision-making among microbusiness owner-managers.

Connecting Tourism And Mobility: The Emerging Role Of Interpreter-Driver Guides After Deregulation In Japan, Naoko Tanaka

International Journal of Tour Guiding and Visitor Attraction Research

Recent regulatory changes in Japan have enabled licensed interpreter-guides to engage in driver-guiding, combining guiding and driving within a single professional role. While driver-guiding has attracted attention as a means of improving tourist mobility and diversifying tourism services, limited research has examined how interpreter-guides themselves experience and negotiate this emerging form of work under conditions of deregulation. This study explores interpreter-guides’ engagement in driver-guiding through qualitative interviews with 14 licensed interpreter-guides operating in rural and urban contexts in Japan. Drawing on thematic analysis, the study examines how driver-guiding is practiced, understood, and experienced in relation to mobility, working conditions, and …

Harassment Risks, Reporting Decisions And Institutional Responses During Hospitality Internships In Ghana, Ebenezer Junior Afful, Yaa Akubia

ICHRIE Research Reports

Hospitality internships can expose students to sexual harassment while leaving them uncertain whether reporting will bring protection or further risk. This study examined exposure, reporting decisions and perceived institutional response among hospitality students in Ghana. It combined a survey of 277 students from three technical universities with follow-up interviews involving 13 participants. Among valid responses, 27.0% reported personally experiencing harassment, while 30.4% reported witnessing it during placement. Only 43.2% of personal incidents and 38.3% of witnessed incidents were reported. Interviews showed that silence was shaped by normalised conduct, customer-service expectations, supervisory power, fear of consequences, unclear reporting routes, and distrust …

Pet Humanisation Impact On Insurance Purchase Intentions: A Novel Predictive Model Integrating Health Beliefs And Planned Behaviour, Krittee Dejyong, Puripat Charnkit, Suree Khemthong

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study investigates pet health insurance purchase intentions in Southern Thailand by integrating the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Analysing 421 owners, the research identifies a profound sociocultural shift toward “pet humanisation” (79.1%), where ownership duration exceeding six years (P = 0.0053) is the primary demographic driver. Comparative analysis shows that the “pet humanisation” group exhibits significantly higher purchase intentions (P = 0.0374) and benefit recognition (P = 0.0012) than traditional owners. The integrated HBM-TPB model significantly outperforms. Multiple linear regression confirms the integrated framework’s superior predictive efficacy for purchase intention ( …

A Qualitative Content Analysis Of The Personal Branding Practices Of Forbes 30 Under 30 Honorees, Hannah Naylor Regitz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study examines the personal branding practices of 10 honorees from the Forbes 2025 North American 30 Under 30 list. Through a thematic content analysis of Instagram, the honorees’ posts, captions, and the conversation climate of their comments from October 2025 were analyzed to determine patterns and similarities in their personal branding practices. Grounded in cultivation theory, this study explored how repeated exposure to curated content of these high-achieving young professionals shapes their personal brand perception. Additionally, it explored their interaction with commenters and the types of comments they engaged with. The analysis revealed seven themes that were present …

A Multiple Case Study: Servant Leadership And Ethical Practices In Ethically Complex Organizational Environments, Gregory Antoine Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore how organizational leaders applied servant leadership to inform ethical practices within ethically complex organizational environments. Guided by a constructivist paradigm and Greenleaf’s servant leadership theory, the study examined leaders’ experiences navigating ethical challenges while balancing organizational demands with ethical responsibility. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with organizational participants and document analysis across three organizational cases. Methodological triangulation, member checking, reflexive journaling, and an audit trail enhanced the credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability of the findings. Analysis revealed six interconnected themes: servant leadership, ethical leadership, organizational culture, leader development, …

Interpreting Visibility: Leadership And Employee Perspectives On Performance, Trust, And Commitment In Hierarchical Organizations, Joshua A. Hart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to examine how leaders and employees interpreted workplace visibility and presence within hierarchical organizations. The researcher conducted semistructured interviews with 30 participants, including 15 leaders and 15 employees, across nongovernmental, civilian government, and military cases. The researcher organized 43 codes into seven themes. Participants described workplace visibility as selective access to employee activity rather than complete evidence of performance, commitment, reliability, motivation, or engagement. They described attendance, responsiveness, communication, and visible output as more perceptible aspects of work, while preparation, technical reasoning, informal coordination, and internal experience were less apparent. Participants depicted …

Exploring New Managerialism In Human Resource Membership Organizations, Pamela J. Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nonprofit membership organizations increasingly adopt new managerialism and for-profit-style business practices to strengthen sustainability, improve performance, and respond to changing revenue conditions. However, these practices may create tension when they appear to conflict with member-focused mission, collaborative decision-making, knowledge sharing, volunteer capacity, and leadership loyalty. The purpose of this flexible, multiple-case study was to explore the challenges nonprofit human resource membership organizations faced when adopting new managerialism and to investigate how this business model influenced organizational mission, leadership values and practices, knowledge sharing, organizational conflict, and leadership loyalty to the nonprofit mission. Guided by a constructivist paradigm, the study explored …

Refereed Research - Hybrid Institutional Co-Adaptation From Subsistence To Resource-Rich Markets: A Study Of Refugee Farmers In The United States, Priyanka Jayashankar Dr, Rifka Verma

Subsistence Marketplaces

This paper investigates how refugee farmers from subsistence contexts navigate and establish themselves in U.S. agricultural markets through hybrid institutional co-adaptation. We analyse qualitative data from focus groups and interviews with refugee farmers from the African continent and agricultural value chain stakeholders across the Midwest. We derive a multi-stage process consisting of institutional sensemaking, pushback during market navigation, hybrid institutional co-adaptation and market legitimacy.

Ai-Generated Phishing Attacks: Emerging Threats And Detection Strategies For Security Operations Centers, Bahzad Khalid

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cybersecurity by strengthening defensive capabilities while simultaneously enabling more sophisticated phishing attacks. AI generated phishing emails increasingly evade traditional detection methods through improved grammar, contextual relevance and realistic communication styles creating significant challenges for Security Operations Centers (SOCs). This study investigates the effectiveness of current email security systems in detecting AI generated phishing emails compared with traditional phishing emails. A mixed method experimental approach was employed using controlled Gmail and Outlook environments to evaluate the detection and classification of multiple phishing scenarios. The results demonstrate that several AI generated phishing emails successfully bypassed initial security …

A Narrative-Driven, Socratic Instructional Framework For Teaching Adversarial Cognition In Cybersecurity, Joshua K. Goossen

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The Socratic method has demonstrated, in studies across law, medicine, and nursing, that dialectic structured questioning improves expert reasoning. Cybersecurity currently teaches tools and techniques but lacks Socratic dialogic leaving graduates underprepared for novel scenarios requiring cross-domain reasoning. Because law, medicine and nursing cultivate similar reasoning as security there is principled reason to expect reasoning benefits could transfer to security students. This paper argues that the correspondence warrants investigation. Investigation requires a named, teachable reasoning target analogous to clinical reasoning and we specify that target as adversarial cognition, a framework integrating adversary features, system architecture, implementation logic, governance structure, human …

What Does It Mean To Be Entrepreneurial In Extension–And Does It Really Matter?, Julie Fox

Journal of Extension

Awareness of entrepreneurial application in everyday Extension occurrences can improve Extension's impact in a rapidly changing environment. An entrepreneurial spirit remains evident throughout Extension's history, beginning with the Smith–Lever Act of 1914 that created value by cooperatively mobilizing resources of federal, state, and county governments; land-grant universities; and communities. More than 100 years later, entrepreneurial actions continue to demonstrate Extension's commitment to recognizing opportunities, engaging stakeholders, and fostering innovation. With an increasingly diverse constituency, complex funding mix, multifaceted issues, and rapidly evolving technologies, the Cooperative Extension System, like other established organizations, can benefit from proactively advancing individual and organizational entrepreneurship.

Family Farm Succession: Factors Of Business Transfer Intention, Shannon Dill

Journal of Extension

The transfer of farm assets across generations is essential for the continuity and sustainability of farming operations. As the number of farms decreases and the population ages, the need for effective succession planning becomes increasingly urgent. This paper investigates the factors influencing the intention to transfer family farm businesses, providing insights and recommendations. Four critical factors in farm transition were identified: (a) family dynamics and connection to the farm; (b) farm assets, abilities, and innovation for the future; (c) willingness and mechanisms to transfer the farm; and (d) barriers and conflict in farm transfer.

From Consumers To Makers: A Community-Based Model Of The Diy Food And Beverage Kit Ecosystem, Mark Mitchell, Richard Martin, Sheila Mitchell

Atlantic Marketing Journal

The market for do-it-yourself (DIY) food and beverage kits continues to expand as consumers seek experiences that combine convenience, learning, creativity, and participation. This conceptual paper proposes a four-community ecosystem model consisting of consumers, makers, marketers, and consumption communities. Drawing on value co-creation, prosumption, experiential consumption, and diffusion of innovation theories, the model suggests that participation in DIY production transforms consumers into makers, fosters a maker identity, and encourages engagement in product-category consumption communities. Through sharing experiences and outcomes, participants attract new consumers into the marketplace, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of growth. The framework extends value co-creation theory by explaining …

Where Shoppers Look First: How Navigation Bar Design Shapes Visual Attention Online, James Coyle, Linh Nguyen, Lee Hillman

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Abstract

Despite the crucial role that a website navigation bar can play in affecting consumer behavior, there has been a lack of theory-driven studies to investigate how to most effectively design navigation bars. Grounded in cognitive fit theory and visual attention theory, this study investigates how the effects of navigation bar design and content can influence visual processing of an unfamiliar online retailer’s website. A total of 40 subjects participated in a controlled experiment in which we gathered eye-tracking data. We find that navigation bar placement strongly affects how quickly participants locate the navigation bar: an unexpected placement more than …

Reducing Cognitive Load To Strengthen Customer Engagement: The Strategic Role Of Digital Tools, Neda Mossaei, Maryam Tofighi

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This paper examines how advanced technological interfaces, particularly chatbots and augmented reality, influence customer engagement by reducing the cognitive effort required to interact with firms. As digital tools become increasingly embedded in everyday life, companies are leveraging these technologies to streamline communication, personalize experiences, and foster long-term relational outcomes. Guided by cognitive load theory, this study argues that minimizing mental effort in customer–firm interactions improve engagement by making interactions more seamless and intuitive. At the same time, relationship marketing theory emphasizes that reducing cognitive barriers can cultivate customer engagement, trust, and loyalty over time. Together, these perspectives suggest that implementing …

The Role Of Organizational Passion In Reducing Counterproductive Work Behavior: A Field Study At The College Of Administration And Economics, University Of Fallujah, Mustafa Amjed Ibrahim, Zaid Khawam Mahmood, Wael Ismail Khalaf

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This research aims to analyze the role of organizational passion in reducing negative work behavior among employees at the College of Administration and Economics, University of Fallujah. The research employed a descriptive-analytical approach, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. For data analysis, the researchers used (Smart PLS v.4) and (SPSS 28 The research community included 127 individuals, but the research sample was made up of 104 college members, and when the questionnaire was distributed the exact number retrieved was 97. The research concluded that there is a strong and statistically significant relationship between organizational passion and negative …

The Impact Of Inclusive Leadership On The Quality Of Banking Services An Analytical Study Of A Sample Of Private Bank Employees In Iraq, Kamal Kadhim Al-Hassani, Iltifat Abdullah Touma

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This study aims to explore the relationship between inclusive leadership and banking service quality in the Iraqi private banking sector. The study adopted a descriptive–analytical approach, and data were collected through questionnaires distributed to (280) employees working in private banks in Iraq. The questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed using the AMOS program to analyze the data and test the hypothesized relationships among the study variables. The results showed a positive and statistically significant relationship between inclusive leadership and banking service quality, reflecting the vital role of comprehensive and supportive …

Designing For Who Actually Shows Up: A Signal Framework For Online Adult Learners In Cybersecurity And Information Technology, Chad Whistle, Mayyada Al-Hammoshi

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Online adult learners pursuing cybersecurity and information technology credentials represent one of the fastest-growing student populations in American higher education, yet the frameworks institutions use to support their success were not designed for them. This population, disproportionately drawn from the 41.9 million Americans who hold some college credit but no credential, arrives workforce-embedded, time-constrained, and skeptical of institutional systems that previously failed to serve them. Existing persistence models grounded in traditional student integration theory inadequately account for the behavioral patterns, motivational structures, and credential expectations that define this learner. This paper proposes the SIGNAL Framework (Skills-based credential architecture, Integrated AI-informed …

Strategic Ambidexterity And Its Role In Achieving Organizational Brilliance: An Analytical Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Employees In Private Schools In Nineveh, Shuaib Ahmed Aziz Al-Mawla

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

Purpose: This research aims to study the relationship between Strategic Ambidexterity and organizational Brilliance in private schools in Nineveh Governorate.

Design/Methodology: Based on a stratified random sample, 118 questionnaires were distributed to principals, assistant principals, and staff members across several private schools in Nineveh Governorate; 115 questionnaires were found valid for use. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using AMOS 24 and SPSS 27 software.

Theoretical Results: The results reveal a knowledge gap regarding the nature of the relationship between Strategic Ambidexterity and organizational Brilliance. Therefore, we conclude that the Strategic Ambidexterity of private school administrations will lead to the exploration …

The Impact Of Digital Transformation On The Advancement Of Functional Intelligence: An Analytical Study At The Ministry Of Labor And Social Affairs – Department Of Retirement And Social Security For Workers, Arwa Ahmed Abdel-Wahab

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The substantial magnitude of digital transformation and the manner in which its operations are conducted necessitate a high level of attention and careful consideration prior to organizational implementation. Accordingly, this study was initiated to investigate the main and underlying challenges associated with the digital transformation process. The present research examines the impact of digital transformation on intellectual staffing among employees. It also seeks to determine the extent to which digital transformation affects job performance. To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire was employed as one of the primary data collection instruments. The questionnaire consisted of three axes. The first axis …

The Impact Of External Audit Quality On Reducing Financial Distress Risk For Companies: The Mediating Role Of Liquidity Management, Ammar Abid Al-Kader Atta, Ghadah Tareq Abd Ulmajeed

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The present study aims to examine the effect of external audit quality on the financial distress risk of non-financial listed companies in Iraq, especially the role of liquidity management as a mediator. The research uses panel regression analysis and the Sobel test based on panel data of 65 companies from 2014 to 2024 (715 firm-year observations). Altman's Z-Score is used to measure financial distress risk, the external audit quality is measured by a Big Four auditor dummy, and the liquidity management is measured by the current ratio. The results indicate that the quality of external audit has a significant positive …

The Importance Of A Gay Or Lesbian Community When Job Seeking – Psychological And Demographic Factors, Mark X. James, Zhimin Hu

Journal of Business, Industry, and Economics

In this study, sexual orientation disclosure, impression management, neuroticism, education, and age are statistically significant predictors of the importance of a gay and lesbian community when seeking a job in a new city. Internal locus of control was not a statistically significant predictor of the importance of a gay and lesbian community when seeking a job in a new city. This research potentially offers insights into other minority or stigmatized groups, suggesting that when those individuals are seeking jobs in a new city, a supportive community may be an important decision factor. From a human resource perspective, diversity and a …

Why Publish With Mssj?

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Editorial History

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

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A Commentary On Bisbey Et Al. (2025): Unpacking The Coordination Dynamics And Contextual Contingencies Of Team Resilience, Farzaneh Fouladi

Management Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Editor-In-Chief's Note, Surekha K. Rao

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

George C. Roberts Award Recipients

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

The Survival Of Sugar In Post-Emancipation British Guiana: East Indian Indentured Immigration And The Cheapening Of Labor, Wazir Mohamed

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

This Paper revisits the post-emancipation changes in the labor market of British Guiana. British Guiana, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, and several other locations were spaces where East Indian Indentured Immigrants from Idia became pivotal in the economy.[1] In the decade after emancipation (1838-1848), the rise of global free trade in sugar spurred by the equalization of duties in sugar factored in the search for a cheaper and the importation of a more pliable labor force to keep the wheels of sugar turning in British Guiana. With this background in mind this paper focuses on indentured immigration of East …