Digital Commons Network^™

The Adolescent Development Of Small Business Owners’ Entrepreneurial Mindset, Fern Arredondo

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how small business owners in Southern California interpret experiences before age 20 that influenced the development of the eight domains of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Entrepreneurial Mindset Index (EMI). This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore how adult small business owners reflect upon and interpret experiences before age 20 that influenced the development of their entrepreneurial mindset. By examining the influence of pre-adulthood on these owners, the study aimed to deepen the understanding of how early experiences shape entrepreneurial mindsets and contribute to long-term entrepreneurial success. …

A Holistic Approach To Country Branding: Examining A Master Brand And Sub-Brand Framework, Musa Pinar, Aycan Duran Tekoglu, Tulay Girard

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Recently, nation branding has drawn the attention of policymakers worldwide, as nations recognize its strategic importance in achieving and sustaining success in the global competitive landscape. This study provides a conceptual framework based on master brand and sub-brand architecture to examine country branding holistically by integrating macro and micro perspectives, country brand equity, and their effects on consumer preferences. The specific objectives are to 1) identify the dimensions of master brand, sub-brand, and country brand equity and develop reliable and valid measurement scales for each dimension, and 2) develop a conceptual framework that integrates the master brand, sub-brand, and brand …

When Social Inflation Pushes The "Good Neighbor" Away: How Market Exit Behavior Triggers Brand Betrayal And Trust Erosion, Waros Ngamsiriudom, Mohan Menon, Mitra Devkota

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Social inflation, marked by rising litigation severity, shifting jury attitudes, and expanding third-party litigation funding, has intensified financial pressures on insurers operating in disaster-prone markets. In response, many insurers have withdrawn or restricted coverage, creating a sharp disconnect between long-standing brand promises and current market behaviors. This article examines how these systemic pressures produce “brand betrayal,” a consumer perception arising when insurers’ market exit actions contradict their relational positioning as reliable, community-oriented partners. Drawing on signaling theory, relationship marketing, and institutional perspectives, the article develops a conceptual framework linking social inflation to brand trust erosion through market exit behavior. The …

Leading With Integrity: Ethical Leadership, Quota Fairness, And Salesforce Retention, James Deconinck

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This study examines how ethical leadership, ethical climate, quota difficulty, distributive quota fairness, and person–organization (P–O) fit jointly shape salespeople’s turnover intentions and actual turnover. Survey data from 203 salespeople in a national computer-industry firm were paired with organizational turnover records collected one year later. Ethical leadership strengthened ethical climate, distributive quota fairness, and P–O fit, while ethical climate further enhanced fairness and value alignment. Quota difficulty strongly reduced fairness. Fairness also contributed to P–O fit, indicating that justice experiences tied to quota allocation shape value congruence in meaningful ways. Both fairness and P–O fit predicted lower turnover intentions, and …

Performance Outcomes Of Critical Access Hospitals: A Resource Dependence Theory Evaluation Of Change Of Ownership Versus Independence, Colette Christina Martin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) play a vital role in sustaining healthcare access in rural communities, yet many face persistent financial and operational constraints. A change in hospital ownership is frequently seen as a strategy to sustain these hospitals, improve access to capital, supplement administrative infrastructure, and leverage system-level expertise. However, empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of acquisition for CAHs remains limited and mixed. Guided by Resource Dependence Theory (RDT) and the Balanced Scorecard framework, this study examines whether ownership change is associated with differences in financial performance, utilization, staffing, and quality outcomes among CAHs.

Using Medicare Cost Reports, the American …

Trump Accounts: New Irs Guidance On A New Retirement Account For Children, Heath Mcconnell, Michelle Freeman

Faculty Open Access Works

Excerpt: 

Among the changes made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was the creation of a new type of account called the “Trump account.” In simple terms, these accounts are designed to allow individuals under age 18 to begin saving for retirement, typically through contributions made by their parents or other eligible contributors. This article will begin with a discussion of the underlying reasons for creating these accounts and their enactment as part of the OBBBA. Following that, it will discuss the rules relating to these accounts from both the OBBBA’s statutory language as well as recently published …

Internal Talent Development Integration With Organizational Strategy: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Hermenia Faith Ricks

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of executives in a healthcare organization regarding internal talent development and integration with organizational strategy. The purpose of the study addressed the problem statement by examining the meaning executives ascribed to internal talent development as it relates to organizational strategy and the fostering of human capital. The problem addressed in this study was that internal talent development is often inadequately embedded in organizational strategies, limiting organizational competitiveness and long-term performance. The study sought to address the research question How do executives in a healthcare organization exploring the …

Advancing Ethical Innovation In Human–Ai Collaboration: Trust And Legitimacy In Technology-Mediated Teams, Sanket Ramchandra Patole

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

Human Resource Development (HRD) confronts a central paradox in the digital age. The technologies designed to broaden access to learning and collaboration often reproduce the same social hierarchies that HRD seeks to challenge. Artificial intelligence (AI), digital collaboration platforms, and algorithmic management are widespread features of organizational life. Yet these systems do not generate inclusive outcomes for all workers. Women of Color (WoC), situated at the intersection of racialized, gendered, and technological structures, experience digital transformation as both possibility and constraint. They encounter opaque decision systems, diminished authority in virtual teams, and digitally-mediated microaggressions, while also developing new capacities for …

Artificial Intelligence Adoption In The Workplace. An Exploration Of Augmentation, Oyinkansola O. Sodiya

Management Dissertations

As collaborative work with artificial intelligence (AI augmentation) gains interest, it is crucial to investigate factors that affect how employees perceive and use AI tools at work. Drawing on task-technology fit and technology adoption theories, this dissertation examines the ways in which task dimensions, organizational contexts, and individual differences affect the perceived usefulness of working with AI tools. This dissertation demonstrates that task-technology fit is fundamental. Employees in jobs with high information processing demands are likely to positively perceive the usefulness of AI augmentation relative to employees in jobs with high interpersonal demands. Employees with more proactive personalities perceive greater …

Should More Teams "Trust The Process" Of Tanking?, Eduardo G. Minuci, Alexander Cardazzi, Candon Johnson

Economics Faculty Publications

In many professional sport leagues, the worst-performing teams receive higher probability of earning top draft picks. This provides teams incentives to purposefully lose, or "tank," if they are not likely to contend for the playoffs or championships. We evaluate the effectiveness of tanking to improve team outcomes by examining the most explicit tanking case in the NBA: the "Trust the Process" Philadelphia 76ers. Using synthetic control, we demonstrate that tanking caused the 76ers to be more successful in terms of winning and operating income. However, only operating income had a plausibly positive present value when calculating discounted present values.

Heritage In Digital Literary Discourse: An Analytical Approach To Fawaz Al-Laboun's Tweets, Zuhir Hassan Saeed Alamri

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This study examines heritage in digital literary discourse through an analytical approach to the tweets of Fawaz Al-Laboun, within a contemporary narrative context shaped by the digital sphere, where narrative forms intersect with creative expression. The study traces transformations in the presence of heritage within the digital environment and explores the potential of short-form narration when employed to generate poetic, cultural, and rhetorical meanings on social media platforms, particularly X. The study relies on the analysis of six selected digital news texts drawn from Al-Laboun's posts. These texts were chosen based on their connection to cultural memory and narrative structure, …

Level Of Integration Of Learning Disability Program Services From The Perspective Of Learning Disability Supervisors And Teachers In Taif City, Abdullah Ahmed Ali Alghamdi

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This study aimed to investigate the level of functional integration among the core elements of learning disabilities programs in Taif, by surveying the opinions of those working in these programs within a comprehensive evaluation framework. This framework considered the governing legislation and regulations, the efficiency of diagnostic and assessment processes, the effectiveness of implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and other operational components that form the scientific and practical basis for the quality of educational services in these programs. The study adopted a descriptive approach, deemed most suitable for understanding the field reality, and its instruments as survey were applied to …

A Stylistic Analysis Of Abu Tammam's Poem "Aya Wayla Al-Shaji Min Al-Khali", Fatimah Abdullah Al Shammry

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This research undertakes a stylistic study of Abu Tammam's poem "Aya Wayl al-Shajiyy min al-Khaliyy," seeking to reveal the aesthetic and semantic characteristics that distinguish the stylistic structure of his poetry. The study adopted the stylistic approach as a theoretical and analytical framework for examining the poetic text through its phonetic, syntactic, semantic, and rhetorical levels, based on a perspective that views language as a tool for generating both meaning and emotion. The research consists of two main sections: the first addresses the theoretical framework, including the definition of stylistics, its origins, methods, and trends, alongside a biographical overview of …

The Judgments Of The Commentators On Ibn Malik's Statements Concerning Apparent Discrepancies Between Al-Tashil And Its Commentary: A Critical Study, Sarah Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al-Sabih

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This study examines the instances in which commentators on al-Tashil pointed to what appears to be a difference between Ibn Malik's statements in Tashil al-Fawa'id wa-Takmil al-Maqasid and his Sharh al-Tashil. It aims to analyze these judgments and assess their validity considering textual context and grammatical methodology. Adopting a descriptive-analytical approach, the study correlates the concise formulations of the Tashil with their expanded explanations in the commentary and traces the criteria employed by the commentators in identifying difference or inconsistency. The findings indicate that most cases described as contradiction do not constitute genuine inconsistency. Rather, they result from variation in …

Psychometric Properties Of The Digital Psychological Competence Scale For University Students In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, Mona Saad Falih Alamri

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

Higher education has undergone a rapid digital transformation, requiring students to navigate technology-rich learning environments that demand integrated cognitive and psychological competencies. This study aimed to develop and validate a Psychodigital Competence Scale for university students in the western region of Saudi Arabia, using a sample of 523 students. The initial version included 21 items, which were revised through expert judgment (agreement >= 80%) to produce a final 16-item, four-factor scale. Construct validity was assessed using a pilot sample, and Pearson correlations demonstrated statistically significant item-scale relationships at the 0.05 and 0.01 levels. Reliability indicators showed significant split-half reliability (p < 0.01) and a high Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.908). Exploratory factor analysis supported data suitability (KMO = 0.85, Bartlett's test p < 0.01, determinant = 0.011), and confirmatory factor analysis validated the four-factor model. These findings confirm strong psychometric properties, establishing the scale as a reliable tool for psychological and educational research.

Presupposition In Shaqraa Al-Madkhali's "I Almost See Me": A Pragmatic Study, Hadiah Faiz Monawer Alrashidy

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This research investigates the presuppositions inherent in the poetic collection (Diwan) titled "Akadu Arani" (I Almost See Myself) by the poetess, Shaqra al-Madkhali. The study aims to categorize these presuppositions and analyze their functional role in articulating the poetess's intentionality, ultimately facilitating the efficacy of the communicative process. Methodologically, the paper adopts a pragmatic framework complemented by a descriptive-analytical approach. The study is organized into an introduction, a theoretical preamble on the concept of presupposition, and five core analytical sections: (1) Existential, (2) Factive, (3) Lexical, (4) Structural, and (5) Non-factive presupposition. The investigation concludes with several key findings, most …

Designing An Instructional Unit To Develop Skills In Sustainable Children's Clothing Production, Mona Omar Ali Al Omar

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

The manufacture of sustainable children's garments-particularly reverse-style transformative clothing-has recently emerged as an innovative approach aimed at maximising utilisation efficiency by designing multifunctional products that prolong service life and reduce waste. The significance of this study lies in preparing female students to engage with the rapid advancements in sustainable apparel production, thereby strengthening their capacity to meet the demands of a modern labour market that increasingly values innovation and sustainability. The study sought to design an instructional unit that would enhance students' knowledge and skills in producing sustainable, reverse-transformative children's clothing, and to implement the unit in order to assess …

The Factorial Structure Of The Positive Thinking Scale Among Graduate Students (A Case Study Of Tabuk University), Mohammed Abdullah Asiri, Hissah Suliman Albalawi

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

The aim of the research was to identify the factorial structure of the Positive Thinking Scale among graduate students, using confirmatory factor analysis, the level of positive thinking among graduate students, and the differences in the dimensions of positive thinking among graduate students, according to two variables: (gender and specialization). To achieve the research objectives, a descriptive analytical approach was used, and a scale was designed consisting of 36 items distributed across five dimensions (optimism and positive expectation, self-discipline and control of higher-level mental processes, mindfulness, critical thinking, and unconditional self-acceptance). The scale was applied to a stratified random sample …

Arabic Proverbs From The Perspective Of Ancient Logic: Al-Maydani's Collection Of Proverbs As A Model, Shihana Saeed Abdullah Al-Shahrani

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This research aims to reveal the manifestations of logic in Arabic proverbs, as short, condensed texts that express the Arab mind's experience in deconstructing the contents of Arabic proverbs and maxims in light of the concepts of ancient logic and analyzing them as anthropological tools for establishing cultural truths that reflect the structure of collective Arab consciousness. The research dealt with the logical structure in proverbs in terms of the relationship between premise and conclusion, signifier and signified, and induction and deduction. This demonstrates that the Arabic proverb was not merely a literary or social expression, but rather a rational …

Evaluating The Quality Of Learning Disabilities Programs In Saudi Arabia From Teachers' Perspectives: Qualitative Study, Ahmed Lowiheg Aldousari

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This study investigates the quality of learning disabilities (LD) programs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from the perspectives of teachers directly involved in their implementation. The study adopts a qualitative research design, utilizing semi-structured interviews conducted with ten teachers of learning disabilities, including five male and five female teachers. The aim of the study is to explore teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of current LD programs, identify key challenges encountered in practice, and highlight areas for improvement. The findings reveal that while teachers demonstrate strong commitment and positive attitudes toward supporting students with learning disabilities, several challenges persist, …

Level Of Cognitive Load Among Students With Learning Disabilities In The Middle Stage In Riyadh Region, Khalid Munahi Hudaib Alqahtani

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

The study aimed to investigate the level of cognitive load among middle school students with learning disabilities in Riyadh and to identify differences in cognitive load levels according to gender (male-female) and grade level (first, second, third). The study adopted a descriptive approach and was conducted on a sample of (80) students with learning disabilities, whose ages ranged from 14 to 16 years. To achieve the study objectives, a Cognitive Load Scale consisting of (30) items distributed across three dimensions was developed: intrinsic load, extraneous load, and germane load. The results revealed that the overall level of cognitive load among …

The Level Of Faculty Members' Awareness At The University Of Tabuk Of The Importance Of Using Artificial Intelligence Applications In Teaching According To Selected Demographic Variables, Mufleh Bin Qublan Bin Bajad Al Judea

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

The present study investigates the level of awareness among faculty members at the University of Tabuk regarding the importance of employing artificial intelligence (AI) applications in teaching. To achieve this aim, the study examines the influence of several demographic and professional variables, including academic rank, gender, years of teaching experience, and the level of training in artificial intelligence. A descriptive-analytical approach was adopted, and data were collected through a questionnaire administered to a sample of faculty members in the College of Education. The results revealed no statistically significant differences in awareness levels attributable to academic rank, gender, or teaching experience. …

The Extent Of Acquiring Scientific Concepts In Science Curricula In The Primary Stage For Hearing, Deaf, And Hard-Of-Hearing Students: Evaluating Achievement, Teaching Practices, Challenges, And Improvement Mechanisms, Rashdan Bin Humeed Bin Masoud Al-Mutarrfi

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This study aimed to investigate the level of acquisition of scientific concepts among hearing, deaf, and hard-of-hearing students in the fifth and sixth grades, and to identify the teaching practices used by science teachers when teaching scientific concepts to these students. Additionally, the study sought to uncover the challenges faced by science teachers in teaching scientific concepts to hearing, deaf, and hard-of-hearing students and to propose mechanisms to help science teachers in primary education increase the acquisition of scientific concepts among these students. The study sample consisted of 136 male and female students and 137 male and female teachers. The …

Micro-Behavioral Analysis Of Online Shopping Patterns For Blind Users, Yash Prakash, Akshay Kolgar Nayak, Nithiya Venkatraman, Sampath Jayarathna, Hae-Na Lee, Vikas Ashok

Computer Science Faculty Publications

While online shopping platforms provide convenience and autonomy to blind users, their non-visual interactions remain underexplored at a micro-behavioral level. Existing studies have primarily emphasized accessibility and usability challenges but have overlooked how fine-grained, screen reader-driven keystroke-level behaviors reflect users’ cognitive strategies. In this paper, we present the findings of a longitudinal study with 25 blind participants to examine their micro-behavioral patterns, using keyboard activity and screen reader logs on both familiar and unfamiliar e-commerce websites. We complemented this study with semi-structured interviews to contextualize the uncovered micro-behavioral patterns. Our results revealed patterns in how blind users draw upon cognitive …

The Global Onboard Training Programme (Gobt) : A Comprehensive Review, World Maritime University

Reports

A stable supply of qualified seafarers is a critical component of the global maritime logistics industry, which relies heavily on maritime transportation. According to the 2021 BIMCO Manpower Report, an additional 89,510 officers will be needed by 2026. In 2021 alone, there was already a deficit of 26,240 STCW-certified officers, clearly indicating that demand continues to outpace supply. The report also noted a 45.8% increase in the number of female seafarers since 2015, although they still represent only a small share of the overall workforce. Maritime Education and Training (MET) institutions around the world continue to provide training to develop …

Signals Of Value: A Comparative Analysis Of Sde And Ebitda In Predicting Microbusiness Sale Price, Joseph E. Turley

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This dissertation compares the predictive accuracy and stability of Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) in explaining realized sale prices of microbusinesses. Microbusinesses, defined as firms with fewer than ten employees and annual revenue below $2.5 million, face persistent valuation challenges due to information asymmetry, owner dependence, and informal financial reporting. The study analyzes 5,499 completed U.S. transactions from the DealStats database (2014–2024) after applying microbusiness criteria and outlier trimming. Predictive accuracy is measured by absolute percentage error between actual sale prices and prices implied by each metric. Findings show that SDE-based predictions …

Meeting Battery Electric Vehicle Demand With A Focus On Throughput Capacity Across The Transport Nodes In The Upstream Cobalt Supply Chain, Nicholas J. Visconti

Dissertations

This study assesses whether cobalt transport capacity in sub-Saharan Africa is sufficient to support projected battery electric vehicle (BEV) demand under the Paris Accord. Using open-source data from ArcGIS, the Highway Capacity Manual, and the World Bank, the analysis applies a simplified linear programming approach to estimate the maximum throughput of the primary transport corridor connecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Port of Durban. The model identifies significant constraints along the Rutenga-to-Beitbridge segment, reducing network capacity to an estimated 42,494 tons of ore per day. When converted to refined cobalt, this capacity falls well short of the …

Overcoming The Challenges Faced By Leaders Of Purpose-Led Medium-Sized Businesses: The Role Of Corporate Communication And Its Interplay With Corporate Reputation And Organisational Identity, Taofeeq Ibn-Mohammed, Suranga Herath, Nicholas Swallow, Charlie Gower, Adriana P. Montes, Dawn Brooks, Andres P. Garcia, Angus Morrison-Saunders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Induced by worsening environmental conditions, pursuing purpose, not solely profit, now constitutes an ethical obligation for leaders of business organisations, towards future generations. Consequently, increasing numbers of businesses seek to become purpose-led (PLBs), but challenges exist. Despite the significant growth in PLB research since the turn of the millennium, attention has mainly focussed on multinational companies, although small- and medium-sized businesses (MSBs) hugely impact any economy. This research sets out to better understand the challenges faced by leaders of companies undergoing purpose-led MSB transitioning. Thematic analysis of the interview data from founders and leaders of B-Corp certified purpose-led MSBs revealed …

Bargaining Inefficiency Due To Mispricing Under Incomplete Information : Evidence From The Bilateral Oligopolistic Containership Time Charter Market, Jaeung Cha

World Maritime University Ph.D. Dissertations

A well-established body of bargaining studies theoretically demonstrates that inherent limitations in observing the counterplayer’s private information give rise to an incomplete information setting in bargaining, leading to efficiency losses associated with mispricing, costly delays, and even bargaining failures. As the shipping market, a business-to-business market in which products are generally heterogeneous and the number of both sellers and buyers is limited by high entry/exit barriers, relies on a bargaining mechanism to determine tailored transaction prices, market pricing is prone to inefficiencies associated with incomplete information. However, the relevant empirical evidence remains underexplored in both the shipping finance and bargaining …

Sociocultural Outsidership In Entrepreneurship: Rethinking The Double-Edged Role In Marginalisation, Robert J. Pidduck, Susana C. Santos, Eric W. Liguori, Reginald Tucker, Alexander Newman

Management Faculty Publications

This editorial introduces the special issue on marginalisation and entrepreneurship. While entrepreneurship research has long examined the impact of economic deprivation and structural barriers, far less attention has been given to sociocultural elements of outsidership – such as status incongruence, class-based identity conflict or cultural misalignment, among other related facets. We bring these dynamics to the fore, offering a conceptually rich yet ideologically neutral lens through which to understand how outsider dynamics can shape entrepreneurial cognition, legitimacy and venture development. Further, by synthesising emerging work across fragmented literatures, we propose a research agenda that explores sociocultural outsidership not only as …