Digital Commons Network^™

How Executive Leaders Build Trust: Navigating Organizational Disruption During The Covid-19 Mega-Crisis, Marji Karish

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic, declared a global health crisis by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, created a “mega-crisis” characterized by intersecting physiological, economic, political, social, and cultural disruptions. This study examines how senior organizational executives narrate their response to the crisis, focusing on their engagement with organizational stakeholders. Using a constructivist grounded theory methodology, I conducted in-depth interviews with 12 organizational leaders to construct the Theory of Social Crisis Leadership Communication (SCLC).

Findings highlight the centrality of trust as an interdependent relationship in which executive leaders and organizational stakeholders rely on each other to navigate crises successfully. …

Ai And Affective Polarization: The Ethos, Pathos, And Logos Of Political Rhetoric, Odette A. Henry

Student Theses and Dissertations

Campaign messages created using artificial intelligence (AI) tools were used in the 2024 Presidential election. AI videos, images, and audio recordings were used for the first time in campaign strategies to influence voters. The purpose of this research is to examine the AI campaign messages to identify rhetorical strategies used to influence voters. A selection of campaign artifacts was analyzed according to Aristotelian rhetorical strategies – ethos, pathos, and logos. Aristotle states that these techniques can be manipulated in the interest of political persuasion. The findings support his position and indicate that most 2024 AI campaign messages are partisan, manipulative, …

Let's Talk About Sex, Baby! Gender Roles In Parent-Child Sexual Communication, Alexandra Henrici

Dissertations and Theses

Parent-child sexual communication remains a fruitful avenue to increase safe sex behaviors, which are currently in decline by today's adolescents. Historically, mothers have reported engaging in parent-child sexual communication more than fathers do. Previous scholarship suggests this difference could be due to traditional gender role beliefs or conflicts with traditionally masculine attributes. Using social cognitive theory and social role theory, this study conducted a cross-sectional survey on parents of children aged 9 through 16. Positive relationships existed between outcome expectations, self-efficacy, and level of detail in sexual and reproductive health conversations between parents and children. Though no statistical difference was …

Joker Forum Theatre As A Classroom Teacher: Qualitative Research Data., Nadarajan Thambu

Spect-actor: A Journal of Pedagogy & Theatre of the Oppressed

The task of maintaining the focus and interest of students on the teaching and learning process in the classroom is still a challenge for teachers of Moral Education subject. Students who do not pay attention, cannot understand moral values, accept and show commitment to them. The failure of students to focus will also fail the effort to produce moral human beings. Meanwhile, the role of theater in the field of education is also undeniable. Therefore, a form of community theater named Forum Theatre has been used as a pedagogy of teaching Moral Education among preservice teachers. In the context of …

The Very Fine Line: Utilitarian Aesthetics And Threshold Politics In Now You See Me Moria, Nik Rye

Spect-actor: A Journal of Pedagogy & Theatre of the Oppressed

Now You See Me Moria (est. August 2020) is an international socially engaged art collective that brings visibility to the inhumane conditions of the Moria refugee camp, aiming to influence European Union migration policies. This paper examines the collective’s work across digital and physical gallery spaces, analyzing the role of utilitarian aesthetics in both image and process, and situating the project alongside the migratory journey of a specific member. The resonance of this initiative, and the actions it has catalyzed, reveals a societal push to disrupt the contemporary art mainstream in favor of an emergent movement that privileges lived experience …

This Is Theatre: Deconstructed Repetition And Theatre-In-Education During Covid-19, Subbah Mir

Spect-actor: A Journal of Pedagogy & Theatre of the Oppressed

This project report is a practical application of deconstructed repetition model, I devised by merging Augusto Boal and Baz Kershaw, in an undergraduate Composition Writing class in Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, U.S. As the facilitator Deconstructed repetition means cost-effective repetition of personal and local stories for introspection in order to engage the community members, address the oppression, and celebrate the local culture. The four stipulations of the models are: avoiding the Western canon (or hegemonic voice), making the audience(s) see direct and indirect oppression, circumventing commodification while maintaining audience interest, and celebrating local culture instead of downright criticizing it. …

What's So Funny About Theatre Of The Oppressed?, Jennifer Schaupp

Spect-actor: A Journal of Pedagogy & Theatre of the Oppressed

This article examines my 2023 Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference virtual workshop within the framework of comedy and embodiment. It considers the activities I facilitated and their origins along with my perception of participant reaction for other educators and facilitators to adapt for their own educational experiences.

Gen Z Hybristophilia: The Role Of Tiktok In Young Women’S Attraction To Deviant Men, Emma Virginia Treggia, Maria Ioannou, Calli Tzani, David Lester, Lucas Rogers, Thomas James Vaughan Williams, John Synnott, Michelle Drouin

Health Services and Informatics Research

This research explores hybristophilia (an individual’s sexual interest in and attraction to those who commit crimes) among Generation Z women, particularly through investigating how Gen Z female users interact with and feel about hybristophilic content and how this content impacts their attraction to offenders. Study 1 involved a content analysis of 66 videos and 91 comments on TikTok, identifying seven main themes: The Halo Effect, Actor-Offender Transference, Sympathy, Romance and APD, Protection and Loyalty, “I Can Fix Him,” Gen Z Irony, and Victim Fantasy. Study 2 used a cross-sectional survey with 95 women aged 18–27 to measure exposure to and …

Support Beyond Services: Examining The Role Of Neighbor Relationships, Housing Staff, And Place In Mental Health Recovery, Kenna Estell Dickard

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation explores the role of non-clinical support for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). Through three interconnected manuscripts, this dissertation highlights the importance of housing staff support, places in the community, and neighbor relationships in fostering recovery for individuals with SMI. The first manuscript analyzes how housing staff support influences residents' well-being through an ecological lens. This study found that staff support is associated with reduced loneliness, higher residential satisfaction, and increased sense of community. This study also considers the role of self-determination as a moderator, demonstrating the importance of resident agency in maximizing well-being outcomes. The second manuscript …

Analyzing The Intention To Volunteer Through The Integrated Model Of Behavioral Prediction, Sage Mendre

University Honors Theses

Nationwide, a significant portion of adults lack basic, functional literacy skills. To combat functional illiteracy in the United States, non-profit organizations who focus on literacy require the services of volunteers. In Portland, Oregon, the Portland Literacy Council (PLC) is responsible for training volunteer tutors to help people learning English as a second language (ESL) and native English speakers who want to improve their literacy skills. The integrated model of behavioral prediction (IMBP) is a communication theory that identifies the core factors that can lead to the intention to perform a behavior. The connection between volunteering in literacy environments and IMBP …

Quality, Suitability, Understandability, Actionability, And Readability Of Patient Education Materials: Baseline Findings From Slp Graduate Students, Bonnie K. Slavych, Greg Williams, Lauren Siemers, Lauren E. Jones, Alana Mantie-Kozlowski

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This study evaluated graduate SLP students’ ability to communicate complex health information, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. A cross-sectional analysis of 28 first-semester graduate students enrolled in a voice disorders course examined the quality of patient education materials they created based on fictional scenarios. Quality and credibility were assessed using the DISCERN instrument, suitability with the Suitability Assessment of Materials, and understandability/actionability with the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable materials. Readability was analyzed using five formulas: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog Index, FORCAST, New Dale-Chall, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook. DISCERN scores ranged from 17 to 31 …

#Clandestini: How Italy's Center-Right Parliamentary Coalition Frames The Migrant Crisis On Social Media, Jenna Lynn Depasquale

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation examines the intersection of Italian neo-fascism, the Mediterranean migrant crisis, and digital media. Through a qualitative content analysis of the Twitter and Instagram posts made by Italy's center-right parliamentary coalition from 2014-2018, this research outlines frameworks that facilitate both the physical and social deaths of migrants. Twitter is a platform on which bite-sized xenophobic messages characterize migrants as criminals, spoiled youth, spreaders of infectious disease, and future terrorists--sometimes in a contradictory fashion. Instagram is a medium for conveying Italian identity and history, which disregards the longstanding contributions of people of color, including Muslims, in Southern Italy. Comment sections …

Resilience Of Women Entrepreneurs In Mindanao And The Impact Of Access To Finance And Digital Technologies, World Bank, Ateneo Center For Social Entrepreneurship, Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc.

Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSEnt)

Executive Summary

This report examines the resilience of women nano- entrepreneurs in Mindanao and explores the impact of access to finance and digital technologies on their business sustainability. Utilizing data from the Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI) and focus group discussions (FGDs), the study identifies key challenges and coping mechanisms employed by women-led nano- enterprises. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and microfinance institutions (MFIs) to design targeted interventions that strengthen the sustainability of these enterprises, particularly in the face of economic and environmental shocks. Women-led nano-enterprises in Mindanao typically operate informally, with assets ranging from PhP3,000 to …

The Guardian The Month Of June 2025, Wright State Student Body

The Guardian Student Newspaper

News articles from The Guardian for the Month of June 2025. The Guardian is the official student-run newspaper for Wright State University. It has been published regularly since March of 1965.

Lindenwood Magazine, Spring 2025, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Magazine (2017- )

Lindenwood University news magazine.

Specialization Or Diversification? Creators’ Strategies On User-Generated Content Platforms, Ziwei Ye

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

Recent advancements in digital platforms have reshaped content creation and distribution. User-generated content (UGC), created and shared by internet users, is transforming entertainment, communication, and information sharing. The rise of UGC has fueled the growth of the "creator economy"—an ecosystem of creators, users, and advertisers facilitated by platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. While prior research has primarily explored how UGC platforms incentivize content quantity and quality, this study advances the literature by examining how creators' content strategies influence consumer attention and how platform mechanisms shape this relationship, offering new insights into the interplay between creator behavior and platform design. …

Hospitality At The End Of The World: An Ideological Rhetorical Criticism Of Tactical Technical Communication In The Prepper Journal, Ryan Cheek

English and Technical Communication Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Building Narratives And Probing Concepts: Preparing Materials For Co-Design With Autistic Livestreamers, Terrance Mok, Tyson Hartley, Anthony Tang, Adam Mccrimmon, Lora Oehlberg

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Based on ten semi-structured interviews with autistic Twitch streamers, we introduce a series of scenario-based design narratives coupled with technology design concepts as a starting point for co-design discussion about autistic streaming. This work builds on prior thematic analysis of the unique intersection between autism and livestreaming. Our user-centered scenarios highlight the needs, goals, and challenges of autistic individuals in livestreaming contexts. By using evocative narratives, the scenarios serve to facilitate empathy and deeper engagement with the needs of autistic users, and help facilitate and support co-creative dialogues and discussions about new technology designs. We contribute this starting point for …

Culturally Responsive Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv) Service Needs Among African Immigrant Women: Examining The Impact Of Cultural Norms And Psychosocial Barriers On Safety Perceptions And Help-Seeking Behaviors, Titilayo Ogunbambi

Dissertations

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) remains a pervasive public health and social justice issue globally, with African immigrant women in the United States facing compounded challenges as they navigate cultural, structural, and systemic barriers, including migration-related vulnerabilities and attachment to cultural values that shape their decisions and experiences. Although formal IPV services exist, they often fail to address the lived realities and culturally specific needs of this population, leading to underutilization and barriers in seeking help. This qualitative study examines how cultural norms, psychosocial barriers, and systemic inequities influence safety perceptions and help-seeking behaviors among African immigrant women survivors of IPV. …

Not Meant To Be Read: The Stories They Silence, The Resistance That Speaks, Cristina Onea

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In this dissertation, I trace the evolution of surveillance from overt state violence to the more insidious forms of ideological policing embedded in everyday life. Through lived experience, oral history, and critical autoethnography, I explore how surveillance moves through bodies, families, institutions, and memory—not simply as external control, but as internalized rhythms of fear, vigilance, and self-surveillance. I move between my father's life under Romanian dictatorship, my own embodied inheritance, and the contemporary struggles of librarians facing ideological suppression to reveal surveillance as a structure that persists through generations, mutates across contexts, and demands new forms of resistance.

I argue …

Unpacking The Orders, Leonard J. Santos

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

At the end of the first week of his presidency this year in 2025, Donald Trump signed a total of thirty-six executive orders. After only one month, that number had gone up to seventy-six. He is currently on track to sign the highest number of executive orders in his first year in office of any president in the last 50 years, and potentially even the last 100 years if he keeps moving at this rate. In the first 90 days of his term, Donald Trump has signed 159 executive orders, more than any other president in the history of the …

A Meso-Structure Reading Of Duterte’S Drug War As A Human Rights And Communicative Crisis, Augustus Ceasar D. Latosa

Social Transformations Journal of the Global South

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte launched the drug war in 2016 to address alleged rising criminality. His directive to kill those who resisted arrest became a symbolic articulation of a policy that led to the deaths of alleged drug offenders, particularly among marginalized urban poor communities. While the drug war has been extensively examined in relation to public policy and governance, few studies have approached it through the lens of communication, particularly crisis communication. Using the culture-centered approach (CCA) as its theoretical anchor, this paper investigated how human rights non-government organizations (NGOs) as meso-structural actors made sense of Duterte’s “war …

#Protestpolicing: Intersecting Race And Social Media Activism In The Mile High City, Nancy Rios-Contreras

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

Demonstrations addressing police use of force stress the importance of revisiting the organization strategies of social movements. Fatal use of force against individuals of color continues to tarnish police-community relations. Social media helps elevate the political movement addressing police use of force, but understanding social media as an activist resource remains underdeveloped. Resource mobilization theory is applied to the conceptualization of protest activities to describe how activists use social media as a resource to initiate and create local community change. This exploratory study consists of 20 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with activists over 18 years old and fieldwork observation. While social …

A Teacher, A Tutor, A Friend: Chatgpt And The High School Experience, Saisha Gupta, Vivek Mehta, Rebecca Kam, Caroline Ehmann, Alma Orgad, Emily Kuang, Alejandro Castro Barrantes, Matthew Posada, Samay Shah, Nikhita Prasad, Tara Pai, Eileen Ho, Shirley Xi, Tianyi Zhou, Elaina Li, Stephanie Wan, Shreya Paranjape, Zoe Dearling, Siqi (Grace) Peng, Aanya Kaveti, Gwendolyn Lowrance, Angela Ziyi Xie, Mira Xu, Adhiti Hariram, Alexa Muse

The Qualitative Report

Given the increasing emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, high school students' perspectives on ChatGPT are underrepresented in current research literature. As high school student researchers in an English Language Arts course, we approached this gap in literature by asking the question: In what ways do pressures within high school communities influence students’ perspectives on justifying or rejecting the use of ChatGPT? We interviewed 24 secondary students and conducted a thematic and discourse analysis, coding the interviews through the lenses of social goods (Gee, 2014), Figured Worlds (Holland et al., 1998), and positioning theory (Holland et al., 1998; Ingram …

The Red Thread: Objects As Medium, Hsin-Ning Alin Yang

Masters Theses

There are moments when people hesitate to speak their emotions or needs
—whether it’s love that feels too shy to articulate, needs that risk sounding too forceful, or feelings too vague to verbalize. By shifting the priority of emotion and communication factor ahead of pure functionality, this thesis posits that objects can serve as an alternative medium of communication.

This thesis begins by examining the root causes of communication difficulties and the coping strategies people use, ultimately identifying five situations in which objects can effectively substitute for verbal interaction. Building on these categories, the thesis explores how an object’s features, …

Framing The Sudanese Refugee Flows To Egypt Across Traditional And Social Media., Ghada Abdullah

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the framing of Sudanese refugees in Egyptian media during the first year of the Sudanese conflict (April 2023–March 2024). Employing a content analysis framework, the research investigates content from three Egyptian newspapers—Al Ahram, Al Masry Al Youm, and Al Wafd—alongside tweets from the social media platform X. The study identifies recurring frames, themes, and narratives, highlighting differences between traditional media and social media platforms in their portrayal of Sudanese refugees. Key findings reveal that neutral tone dominate traditional media, focusing on factual reporting, followed by negative, then positive tones. Conversely, social media predominantly features negative narratives, such …

Finding Meaning In Mourning: Building Empathetic Responses To Grieving Individuals Using Immersive Technologies, Brooke C. Strong

Theses and Dissertations

Immersive grief narratives offer a novel approach to fostering emotional support by deeply engaging audiences and eliciting empathetic responses. Grounded in the narrative transportation theory theoretical framework (Green & Brock, 2000), grief narrative research, and supported by existing literature on immersive media, this study examines how immersive 360-degree grief narratives compare to traditional video formats' ability to elicit sympathy, affective empathy, and cognitive empathy towards those grieving. Specifically, the study investigates how presence, conceptualized as realism and sense of being there, and narrative arousal shape empathetic responses toward individuals experiencing grief. By integrating these theoretical frameworks, this research seeks to …

Photojournalism In The Age Of Deepfakes: The Role Of Media Literacy And Ethical Standards In Restoring Trust In Visual Reporting, Ionnnis Kontos, Katerina Chryssanthopoulou, Ioannis Galanopoulos-Papavasileiou

All Works

This article explores the impact of deepfake technology on photojournalism, highlighting its role in undermining trust in visual media. As deepfakes allow for the creation of highly realistic manipulated content, they pose significant challenges regarding the authenticity of journalistic imagery and erode the authority of visual truthfulness. The widespread use of deepfakes has led to a decline in public confidence in the credibility of news, raising concerns about the future of photojournalism in an era of digital deception. As a solution to regaining viewers’ trust, this article suggests a twofold approach: First, it emphasizes the importance of media literacy in …

Elbow Patches To Eye Patches: A Phenomenographic Study Of Scholarly Practices, Research Literature Access, And Academic Piracy, Lance Eaton

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Changes to academic publishing in the form of digital technologies and copyright law over the late 20th century have created increasing roadblocks for scholars to consistently and conveniently access research literature in their pursuit of scholarly work. As a result, academic pirate networks (APNs) such as Sci-Hub and Library Genesis have risen to fulfill the unmet needs of scholars. This study examined the experiences of scholars using APNs with a focus on how scholars make sense of their experiences with participating on APNs. By identifying meanings that scholars attributed to their participation on these networks, the study clarifies how these …

Digital Transformation In Indonesia Healthcare Systems Towards Intelligent Accountability: A Critical Discourse Analysis, Ghina Fitri Ariesta Susilo

Journal of Global Awareness

This research studied the digital transformation implemented in the Ministry of Health in Indonesia. It happened after the COVID-19 outbreak forced the government to act more rapidly to provide real-time information. To date, the digital transformation initiative in the Ministry of Health Indonesia aims to reach more intelligent accountability by establishing a Digital Transformation Office (DTO). This study used critical discourse analysis to study how the discourse of technology became a government tool, particularly using social media accounts created by DTO. The result shows that DTO’s work and progress since its establishment from the perspective of social media discourse aim …