Digital Commons Network^™

Volume 40, Issue 1

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

Navigating Outsourced Manufacturing: General Motors' Strategic Challenges In Mexico, Alvaro Soler, Jose Maria Gallegos

Posters - 2025

Outsourcing manufacturing has become a strategic necessity for many global corporations in today’s fast-changing global economy. Over the past decades, many U.S. companies have outsourced production to regions like Latin America and China, seeking geographical advantages, lower labor costs, and access to skilled workforces to remain competitive. General Motors, one of the largest automobile manufacturers globally, exemplifies this trend. By outsourcing production to Mexico since 1935, GM highlights how multinational companies strategically use outsourcing to optimize costs and improve efficiency. Employing over 25,000 workers and contributing over 12% of its annual production in 2023, GM demonstrates the broader significance of …

How Seeing Rural America As A Commons Can (Re)Build Mutual Respect Across The Rural-Urban Divide, Lisa R. Pruitt

West Virginia Law Review

This Essay, written for a symposium that honors and amplifies Ann Eisenberg’s 2024 book, Reviving Rural America: Toward Policies for Resilience, contemplates benefits that could flow from taking seriously Eisenberg’s conceptualization of rural America as a commons. In particular, I argue that the mutual respect and collaboration necessary for a successful commons could help heal the rural-urban rift, which has widened dramatically in the last few decades. Recent studies suggest that rural residents have what scholars call a rural consciousnesses, which means that living in a rural place is a key aspect of their identity. One feature of this identity …

Aging In Somerville: A Community Needs Assessment, Ceara Somerville, Caitlin E. Coyle

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the City of Somerville. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Somerville residents age 60 or older by engaging the community regarding their experiences and needs relevant to the Council on Aging’s (COA’s) objective to identify and serve the needs of all Somerville citizens 60 and older.

The Role Of Affordable Housing In Enhancing Tenants' Economic Stability In Connecticut: A Focus On Income, Employment, And Housing Stability, Osaid Zubi

Dissertations

This study examined the role of affordable housing in promoting economic stability among low- and moderate-income households in Connecticut. Focusing on income security, employment opportunities, and housing retention, this research highlighted the significance of affordable housing as a means to alleviate financial strain, support job retention, and foster community resilience. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the study gathered insights from tenants, policymakers, and developers through conducting interviews and a focus group. Connecticut was chosen as the study site due to its high cost of living and affordable housing shortage, exacerbated by its proximity to New York City. Findings underscore the economic …

Holding Ground In The Cerulean Tide: Minority Party Legislators' Strategies For Advancing Climate Policies In Landslide States, Sukjae Lee

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation addresses a key puzzle: Why do states sometimes adopt nationally polarized policies, such as climate change legislation, even when doing so does not align with strict partisan interests? The analysis focuses on “landslide states,” where a single party overwhelmingly dominates, and the minority party cannot realistically expect to gain a majority. In these environments, reduced partisan conflict allows minority party legislators to break from traditional partisan paths. As a result, I argue that electoral motivations drive them to signal moderation by advancing liberal policy agendas or incorporating provisions that minimize backlash from their core constituents in landslide states. …

Campaign Finance Reform At The State Level, Darren Borsini

School of Public Policy Capstones

Should restrictions on campaign financing in the United States be laissez-faire or stringent? This debate has been had at levels as high as the Supreme Court and as wide as the legislative chambers of all fifty states. This paper aims to create a broader understanding of campaign finance reform at the state level. Specifically, this paper analyzes state-level data on campaign finance reform adoption, educational attainment, and partisan lean to determine the strength of correlations between these variables. Additionally, this paper utilizes expert knowledge gained through interviews focused on campaign finance reform with a former FPPC chair and a California …

Beyond The Bickering: Examining Event, Victim, And Offender Characteristics For Sibling Abuse Incidents In Oregon, Isabella M. Starr

University Honors Theses

Sibling violence (SV) is the most prevalent form of intrafamilial and domestic violence, yet it remains underrecognized and lacks the systematic attention given to other forms of family violence. Often minimized or misclassified as typical sibling rivalry, SV can inflict serious and lasting physical, emotional, and psychological harm on its victims. This study explores the characteristics of sibling violence incidents reported to law enforcement in Oregon between 2016 and 2023, using data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). Through an analysis of 5,793 single-victim, single-offender incidents, the research examines demographic patterns among victims and offenders, incident dynamics, and typological …

A Narrative Policy Framework Analysis Of Lgbtq+ Adoptive Fathers’ Experiences In Georgia, Seft George Hunter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face systemic discrimination and inconsistent policies when seeking to adopt, despite legal advancements and growing public support. Existing research has primarily focused on lesbian mothers or broadly on same-sex couples, with limited attention to LGBTQ+ fathers, especially those living in politically conservative states like Georgia. This gap in the literature limits the understanding of their adoption experiences and the development of responsive policies. The purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to explore the barriers and success factors experienced by LGBTQ+ fathers in Georgia and to identify the federal, state, and local policies they viewed as …

Evidence-Based Practices And Us State Government Civil Servants: Current Use, Challenges, And Pathways Forward, Yuan (Daniel) Cheng, Leslie Thompson, Shuping Wang, Jules Marzec, Chengxin Xu, Weston Merrick, Patrick Carter

Center for Policy Design and Governance

This brief summarizes "Evidence-based practices and US state government civil servants: Current use, challenges, and pathways forward," co-authored by Yuan (Daniel) Cheng, Leslie Thompson, Shuping Wang, Jules Marzec, Chengxin Xu, Weston Merrick, and Patrick Carter in Public Administration Review.

An Examination Of The Role Bureaucratic Discretion Plays In Public Education Policy And Administration: A Revelation Of How Discretionary Discipline Impacts Historically Marginalized Students, Regina Francine Turner

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

An under-researched area of public administration, bureaucratic discretionary practices regarding student discipline and resulting inequitable consequences are explored throughout this study from a theoretical perspective. The study examines student discipline outcomes for conduct violations in America’s schools. Further, research will determine if data supports the notion that school leaders’ administrative discretion contributes to inequitable student disciplinary practices. Evidenced by research and corresponding data regarding discriminatory student disciplinary actions, this study relies on Critical Race Theory (CRT) as its foundation and theoretical framework.

Using relevant literature, research questions were formed, hypotheses were crafted, and statistical analyses were performed to test means …

Leveraging Allies, Partners, And Technology: A Case Study Approach To Identifying Best Practices For Improving Us Military All-Domain Urban Training, Kevin Michael Felix

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

In this study, the researcher explored urban training gaps, opportunities, and synergies across the United States and five Allied and partner nations, and how synthetic training environments (STE) technologies should be optimized now and in the future to improve US all-domain urban training. The researcher adopted a qualitative multiple case study approach, analyzing military doctrine, urban warfare training strategies, and infrastructure in the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Israel, and Singapore to establish best practices across these countries. Urban warfare requires specialized skills to negotiate terrain, including high-rise buildings, subterranean networks, and dense civilian populations. However, the existing U.S. military …

How Does Adult Foster Care Affect Mental Health Outcomes In California?, Christopher A. Stanley

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Mental health in adult foster care is an important threat to the overall mental health of the citizens of California. Mental health has challenged professionals and recipients of adult foster care. Although mental health and adult foster care have had some connections (i.e., people with mental health issues typically live in adult foster care), the mental health effects of living in an adult foster care have been overlooked. In particular, mental health has been separated from general medical issues and has been overlooked as a necessary part of a person's overall health. This capstone paper will draw upon the literature …

Key Factors That Influence The Successful Implementation And Sustainment Of Dei Within Probation Departments, Natalie Martinez

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

The successful implementation and sustainment of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within probation departments is essential to create a fair and just criminal justice system. This paper examines the principal elements that impact the implementation and sustainability of DEI practices in probation settings. This research identifies best practices and challenges in integrating DEI principles into organizational structures by analyzing existing literature, case studies, and policy frameworks. The findings highlight the importance of leadership commitment, policy integration, and measurement, as well as an environment that fosters an inclusive culture. Additionally, the study examines barriers such as resistance to change, policy …

New Policy Tools And Traditional Policy Models: Better Understanding Behavioural, Digital And Collaborative Instruments, Michael Howlett, Sarah Giest, Ishani Mukherjee, Araz Taeihagh

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The study of policy tools has been undertaken for several decades. This work has isolated and examined many different types of instruments or levers utilized by governments to implement their policies and examined in detail how they are arranged into mixes, packages, or portfolios of tools. However, recent developments in society and technology have highlighted the potential to use new or previously underutilized policy instruments for both traditional tasks and to address new challenges associated with emerging technologies and other contemporary issues. These tools include social media platforms, collaboration, behavioral insights, and data-driven approaches to policy-making and policy design using …

Arab Americans’ Views Of Arab Lobbying Efforts Related To The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, Samar Farha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on ethnic lobbying has largely neglected the perspectives of Arab Americans, creating a disconnect between this community and their lobbying efforts. This gap is crucial because it threatens to widen the disconnect between Arab Americans and their lobbying groups, where effective lobbying depends on a unified message. Existing studies highlight this gap, pointing out the lack of unified organization and ongoing resource constraints that limit the influence of Arab American lobbyists on U.S. foreign policy. The purpose of this generic qualitative was to explore Arab Americans’ perceptions of their lobbying efforts and the factors shaping these perceptions based on …

Navigating Challenges: Public Community College Leadership In The Face Of Existential Crisis, Sarah Lynne Lupton-Houston

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

This study answers the question: "When faced with an existential crisis, indicated by declines in key performance indicators, how do public leaders make decisions?" The research uses the Garbage Can Model and Incrementalism combined theoretical framework to explore how public administrators navigate crises in complex, hierarchical, and bureaucratic structures where unpredictable challenges often demand adaptive responses. This study offers insights into decision-making processes that blend reactive, opportunistic choices with measured, gradual adjustments.

The findings from this research contribute to the field of public administration by examining the decision-making strategies used by leaders at public community colleges in Virginia during a …

Piecing Together The Past: Documenting The Philanthropic History Of Lincoln’S Arts And Culture, Audrey L. Ellis

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This project explores the creation of a book chapter discussing the history of philanthropy in Lincoln, Nebraska, focusing on its impact on arts and culture. The chapter will be published in Fall 2025 by the Lincoln Community Foundation. By documenting philanthropy in the arts and culture spaces, this book and chapter hope to inspire further giving by showcasing the benefit that has been reaped through giving. Through research of public records and a series of interviews, this chapter examines Lincoln’s key donors and arts organizations from the mid-19th century to the present. This project explores the process and key takeaways …

Ethical Ai Use And Classroom Integration Training Modules, Daniel Boudon

Open Educational Resources

This project focuses on developing comprehensive training modules to equip students and faculty with the knowledge and skills necessary to ethically and effectively use AI tools in academic settings. The training consists of interconnected modules that cover a wide range of topics, including the ethical use of AI, evaluating AI-generated content, integrating AI tools into curriculum design, and creating AI-enhanced classroom activities. Additional modules emphasize fostering digital literacy, staying updated with AI advancements, and collaborating on best practices for AI in education.

Designed for flexibility, the modules cater to diverse academic disciplines, making them suitable for undergraduate and graduate courses, …

2025 April, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for April of 2025.

Navigating Food Insecurity: Families’ Coping Strategies, Challenges, And Insights For Educators, Ndũcũ Ngũgĩ

Theses & Dissertations

Food is essential for life. It fuels growth, well-being, and stability. Yet, food insecurity -uncertain or inadequate access to sufficient food- remains a jarring reality for millions. In the U.S. alone, 47 million people, including 14 million children, experience food insecurity despite government efforts. Addressing this crisis is essential for public health, socioeconomic progress, and societal welfare. This narrative study’s main objective was to understand the lived experiences of food-insecure families by examining how they navigate the challenges they face, their inventive coping mechanisms, and the insights they can provide for educators. While research has shown the adverse effects of …

Policymakers’ Perceptions About Providing Affordable Housing In Rural Georgia, Robert Joseph Wiley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The literature showed that low-income households face a persistent deficit of affordable housing, forcing these families to live in dilapidated housing or to live beyond their means to pay for adequate housing, and that this problem transcends rural and urban counties. Further, researchers indicated that solving this problem provided a stable workforce and a better quality of life for all income groups. A gap in the literature showed the need for more research on nonmetropolitan communities addressing housing and neighborhood revitalization; therefore, through this qualitative multiple-case study local policymakers' perceptions of the affordable housing problem in rural Georgia were explored. …

#Discreetshipping: Selling E-Cigarettes On Tiktok, Page D. Dobbs, Eric D. Schisler, Charlotte Mccormick

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction

Youth and young adult use of e-cigarette products continues to remain high despite regulatory approaches to reduce youth access. This study sought to examine TikTok content regarding the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes.

Aims and Methods

TikTok videos (n = 475) and metadata posted between June 2022 and August 2023 were scraped using a TikTok application programming interface and popular hashtags used to sell vaping products (ie, #discreetshipping [40.8 million], #puffbundle [14.8 million], #hiddennic [1.0 million]). After watching the 25 most viewed videos (39 600–868 800 views), a codebook was developed. All metadata were annotated using 11 unique …

Process Of Determining Multilevel Performance Indicators To Assess Network Effectiveness: A Qualitative Case Study Of Usaid’S People-To-People Reconciliation Programs, Prapti Sedhain

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

Although the literature considers networks as effective mechanisms for resolving complex policy issues and delivering public services, assessing network effectiveness through proper evaluation is necessary to determine whether networks really work (Provan & Milward, 2001). However, evaluating effectiveness in networks is more complicated than in single organizations. Due to the multilevel structure of the network and the involvement of various key stakeholders with multiple and diverse interests, it becomes challenging for network managers and evaluation practitioners to determine relevant performance indicators for evaluation (Provan & Milward, 2001; Babiak, 2009; Herranz, 2019). Despite previous efforts by scholars to address this issue, …

The Insurgent Smart City: How A Social Movement Created An Alternative Imaginary Of The Smart City, Andrew Stokols

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Urban scholars have critiqued smart cities for their association with neoliberal governance, narrow focus on quantifiable aspects of urban systems, and failure to incorporate citizens’ needs or aspirations. The “smart city” remains a contested concept and as such is subject to reappropriation. Here, I analyze the case of an urban social movement, the 2019–2020 Hong Kong Anti-ELAB protests, as an alternative, “insurgent smart city.” Following from an earlier network analysis of Telegram channels used during the protests, I show how the communications system underpinning much of the protest action simultaneously enabled coordination while also remaining open to grassroots decision-making and …

From Flames To Change: An Exploration Of Housing, Fire, And Inequity, Helen Underhill, Charles R. Jennings, Brian Meacham, Danielle Antonellis

Publications and Research

Housing and fire safety are deeply connected: inadequate and poorly maintained housing poses heightened fire risk for occupants. An individual or household’s housing situation (including limited or constrained choice) interacts with issues such as affordability, access, location, quality, safety, occupancy levels, tenure type, and resident or immigration status. These dynamics shape vulnerability, and inequity becomes most visible in the event of a fire. The extreme end of this spectrum includes the unhoused, who occupy structures entirely outside of regulatory systems with little or no fire protection.

Ethical Considerations For Sharing Aggregate Results From Pragmatic Clinical Trials, Stephanie R Morain, Abigail Brickler, Joseph Ali, Patricia Pearl O'Rourke, Kayte Spector-Bagdady, Benjamin Wilfond, Vasiliki Rahimzadeh, Caleigh Propes, Kayla Mehl, David Wendler

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

A growing literature has explored the ethical obligations and current practices related to sharing aggregate results with research participants. However, no prior work has examined these issues in the context of pragmatic clinical trials. Several characteristics of pragmatic clinical trials may complicate both the ethics and the logistics of sharing aggregate results. Among these characteristics include that pragmatic clinical trials may affect the rights, welfare, and interests of not only patient-subjects but also clinicians, meaning that results may be owed to a broader range of groups than typically considered in other research contexts. In addition, some pragmatic clinical trials are …

Managing The Cost Of Services For People With Disabilities: International Approach. Part Ii: Ohio, United States, Dana Pugh, Jaroslaw Richard Romaniuk

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Four years of managing a housing network for people with disabilities prompted a rethinking of the financial management of the services offered. Clients with different needs require diverse professional staff for their home care. Emergency situations require that professionals offering assistance maintain the highest level of education possible. Financial resources often limit the quality of care for people with disabilities. Method: This paper is based on a literature search and on professional experience (Dana Pugh) in the management of a housing program for people with disabilities in Cleveland, Ohio (USA). Findings: In Poland, people with disabilities usually live with …

Leading Nonprofit Success Through Collaboration And Partnerships, Lakell Archer, Erica Bassett

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Abstract

Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in addressing societal challenges, yet they often operate in a competitive environment with limited resources. To maximize impact and long-term sustainability, strategic partnerships and cross-sector collaborations have emerged as essential approaches. This paper explores the benefits of nonprofit collaboration, emphasizing its role in creating strategic advantages, improving service delivery, fostering innovation, and ensuring long-term resilience. The discussion highlights how collaborative leadership is key to overcoming barriers such as competition for funding, misaligned objectives, and trust deficits among partners. By examining real-world examples, the paper illustrates how effective partnerships enhance resource sharing, streamline operations, …

Review Of Algorithms Of Resistance: The Everyday Fight Against Platform Power, John G. Mcnutt

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.