Organizational Control And Technological Capabilities: The Moderating Role Of Family Influence On The Firm, Sean Leahy

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the influence of organizational controls on technological capabilities in privately owned U.S. corporations, with a specific focus on family-owned businesses. The primary objective of the study was to investigate how formal controls (process and outcome) and clan controls (informal practices) impact technological innovation and competence. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 177 individuals and analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) path analysis. The findings indicate a significant relationship between formal controls and technological capabilities. However, the interaction of family influence on this dynamic was not supported. Results also revealed a robust association …

The Impacts Of Authentic Learning On Student Outcomes, Evan Sheppard, Cameron Conner

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the evolving American education system, emphasizing the role of authentic learning in bridging the gap between schooling and employment, especially in the context of the modern post-pandemic student. Authentic learning, characterized by hands-on activities and real-world applications, is posited as a solution to the skilled labor shortage impacting the economy. This study delves into the history and current practices of authentic learning, examining various programs and strategies implemented in educational settings. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, qualitative data was collected through interviews with recent high school graduates to assess the impact of authentic learning on their post-secondary trajectories. …

Ethical Leadership And Moral Foundations Congruence, Sarah Willey

Dissertations

Research has examined follower perceptions of ethical leadership, but rarely accounts for the (mis)alignment between a follower’s sense of ethics and morality and that of a leader. This research examined the effects of a leader’s expression of each of the five Moral Foundations dimensions on ethical leadership perceptions, moderated by the respondent’s preferences for each of these foundations. To address this question, a policy capturing design was used to manipulate leaders’ high and low levels of each of the five foundations. The results of multilevel analyses indicate that at least for some dimensions of Moral Foundations, a follower’s evaluation of …

Interdisciplinary Medication Reconciliation Approach For Arabic-Speaking Patients, Rebecca Rodman

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Limited English Proficiency (LEP), which includes Arabic speakers, presents challenges in healthcare and can impact medication reconciliation and adherence. Interdisciplinary collaboration involving patients and interpreters is crucial for improving medication reconciliation and adherence. This project aimed to examine the impact of an interdisciplinary medication reconciliation approach on medication adherence with Arabic-speaking patients ages 18-99 over three months.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) pilot project utilized a descriptive cohort design. A translated validated Morisky, Green, and Levine (MGL) adherence survey consisting of four questions was administered pre- and post-implementation to a convenience sample of Arabic-speaking patients 18 years …

Wiping Out Central Line Associated-Bloodstream Infections: Cleaning High Touch Surfaces In The Picu, Emily Heth

Dissertations

Problem: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a significant, preventable healthcare-related complication of hospital admission and medical management of critically ill and medically complex patients. CLABSIs result in significant adverse outcomes such as increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in the hospital, increased cost of treatment, and increased rates of readmission. Direct and indirect contact within the patient’s hospital environment are potential means of transmission for microorganisms, increasing the inherent risk of acquiring a CLABSI.

Method: For this quality improvement (QI) project, a pre-post design was utilized to evaluate the …

Improving Mental Health Outcomes For Amputees, Zachary Elmore

Dissertations

Problem: depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders are more commonly diagnosed in the amputee population related to changes in mobility, activities of daily living, and quality of life (Turner et al., 2020.) As the amputation population is projected to reach over 3 million Americans in the next 25 years, additional screening is imperative to identify patients at high-risk for mental health deterioration (Ziegler-Graham et al., 2018).

Methods: this was a project that included screening all patients with the Personal Health Questionnaire for Depression (PHQ-8) meeting the inclusion criteria of being admitted to 7500 Vascular Surgery at Barnes-Jewish …

Social Work In Pediatric Primary Care, Courtney Maxey

Dissertations

Social Work in Pediatric Primary Care

Abstract

Social determinants of health significantly impact a child's health, and pediatric primary care providers are in the optimal position to help provide treatment and resources to children in need. Studies have shown that integrating social work and nurse care managers has improved many health outcomes for children. This study attempts to answer how the presence of a social work led team impacts pediatric primary care. This project includes children ages 0-18 years seen at a pediatric office with select chronic conditions. Epic was used to perform a medical record review to identify the …

A Guideline-Based Approach To Increase Early Mobilization In The Pediatric Patient Following Cardiothoracic Surgery, Kayla Keeven

Dissertations

A Guideline-Based Approach to Increase Early Mobilization in the Pediatric Patient Following Cardiothoracic Surgery

Problem: Prolonged bedrest during the post-operative period contributes to complications that lengthen hospital stay and increase mortality and medical costs. Early mobilization is recognized as safe and feasible in critically ill children. However, there is no standardized procedure nor method of identifying patients who are safe to mobilize in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (ICU).

Method: The quality improvement (QI) project employed a descriptive observational design utilizing a retrospective-prospective method to assess the effects of implementing an early mobilization guideline in a pediatric cardiac ICU. …

360 Degree Clinical Competence Evaluation For Pediatric Hospitalist Advance Practice Provders, Elizabeth A. Schickler

Dissertations

Problem: Advanced practice provider (APP) peer reviewed clinical competencies is an expected part of professional, organizational, and The Joint Commission (Joint Commission) requirements, however, is not well defined and subject to organizational application and interpretation. Providers favor peer review as a means to improve professional practice. There is a lack of data to support frequency of feedback and method of feedback to support readiness to change practice and comfort giving and receiving feedback.

Methods: The quality improvement project utilized an analytical experimental design.

The Cardin Hospitalist Advanced Practice Provider - Readiness Assessment (CHAPP-RA) tool was implemented to a convenience sample …

Implementation Of Skin-To-Skin Contact Immediately Post Cesarean Birth: A Quality Improvement Project, Sophia Cooke

Dissertations

Problem: Skin-to-skin contact implemented within the first hour of a newborn’s life improves health outcomes for both mother and infant. One of these health outcomes includes exclusive breastfeeding. The purpose of this quality improve project was to implement an infant securement device within the operating room after cesarean section births to decrease the time to initiate skin-to-skin contact and increase exclusive breastmilk feeding rates at discharge.

Methods: This study utilized a descriptive, observational design and was guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework. A pre-test, post-test design was utilized to compared retrospective and prospective data. The retrospective data was collected to assess …

Evaluation Of A Smoking Cessation Program In Primary Care, Yolanda Duncan-Watt

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: The adult tobacco smoking rate exceeds 12.5%. The problem is the insufficient attention given to smoking cessation education in low socioeconomic status(SES) communities. There is a lack of access to and awareness of smoking cessation programs for low-income populations.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) study will use a descriptive, observational approach. A retrospective medical record review will be conducted to determine the rate of individuals who got the smoking cessation intervention and the rate of those who successfully quit one month after the intervention. Data was collected throughout the spring of 2024, during primary care visits and phone …

Implementation Of The Process Improvement Toolkit For Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries, Christina Bearden

Dissertations

Problem: Approximately 2.5 million people within the United States receiving inpatient medical care will develop a pressure injury each year (Padula & Demarmente, 2018). Pressure injuries (PI) are a multifactorial complication that can often be avoided with general prophylactic measures. Despite this, inpatient settings around the United States continue to see a rise in PIs.

Method: The quality improvement initiative utilized a descriptive, observational design. The turn team toolkit was implemented and monitored over a two-month period. Patient descriptors and quantitative data were collected through a retrospective chart review. The primary data collected was on pressure injury rates and staff …

Implementation Of Intentional Hourly Rounding At Pediatric Hospital, Margaret Bernard

Dissertations

Problem: Intentional hourly rounding improves patient safety and can impact patient fall rates. At a pediatric hospital in suburban Missouri, the fall rate is 25%. This quality improvement project worked to implement a standardized intentional hourly rounding process at a pediatric hospital to bolster their fall prevention program.

Methods: This quality improvement project was conducted using a descriptive, observational design utilizing patient chart review and hospital quality department records. The setting was a 60-bed pediatric hospital in the Midwest with 2 inpatient units that specializes in chronic, complex care. The sample was a convenience sample of 92 male and female …

Implementation Of Quantitative Blood Loss In Cesarean Section Births, Madeline Skelton

Dissertations

Problems: Postpartum hemorrhage is a major complication following birth. Although some bleeding is normal after birth, excess bleeding can lead to maternal morbidities including, but not limited to, blood transfusions, admission to the ICU, emergency hysterectomy, and potential death. Postpartum hemorrhage is responsible for approximately 11% of maternal deaths in the United States and is a leading cause of death occurring on the same day as delivery (ACOG, 2019). Lastly, 54-93% of deaths occurring from postpartum hemorrhage are preventable (ACOG, 2019).

Methods: Quantitative blood loss was initiated in a large, midwestern, suburban hospital to increase identification of postpartum hemorrhage, decrease …

Improving Nurse Response To Seizure Events In A Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit With Use Of A Standardized Process, Stacey Obst Paule

Dissertations

Problem: Nurses responding to seizure events in the pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) should initiate a neurological exam in addition to managing seizure activity. When nurses respond to these events, however, there can be significant variability, which can result in diagnostic inaccuracy and adverse patient outcomes. The purpose of this project is to implement a nursing response checklist and neurological assessment guide to standardize the process of response to seizure events in the pediatric EMU.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) project utilized a cohort study design. Standardized tools were placed in an accessible area outside patient rooms. Education was provided …

Shattering The Mask: Unveiling The Destructive Force Of Misogynoir, Ledominique Hubbard

Dissertations

As a Black woman, my professional journey has been consistently marred by encounters with racism and gender bias. In this research, I employed autoethnography to shed light on my experiences and meticulously examine the challenges of misogynoir I faced while holding pivotal positions, including that of a detested team leader, an ingenious instructional teacher, and an anti-racist assistant principal across three distinct school campuses in two states. My narrative unfolds in various contexts, notably as the sole Black female teacher and team leader within nine elementary schools in a predominantly white, female-staffed rural district. Furthermore, I underscore my role as …

Perspectives Of College Students With Disabilities Regarding Their High School Transition Experience: Notes For High School Transition Planning, Lindsay Hartzler, Kitty Dong, Andrew Johnson Kliethermes, Kaitlyn Sandheinrich, Mark Wheatley

Dissertations

Students with disabilities face many challenges as they transition to postsecondary education. These students are often unprepared for the rigor of postsecondary academics; they often lack self-efficacy skills and have limited awareness of postsecondary supports or cannot successfully access them. This study aims to give voice to college students with disabilities to inform practices of high school personnel involved with transition and higher education professionals supporting them. Using Kohler’s Transition Taxonomy 2.0 (2016), researchers sought to study the perspectives of eleven college students on their high school transition experiences in the areas of academic preparedness, self-advocacy skills, and experiences with …

Experiential & High Impact Learning As Catalysts For Change: Exploring The Historical Inquiry Process And Experiences Of High School And College History Educators, Brian Thomas

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This study explores how high school and college history instructors’ perspectives of experiential learning opportunities and high-impact practices influence their epistemic beliefs as history teachers. The research considers educators’ pedagogical practices to align inquiry and historical thinking with experiential learning opportunities and high-impact practices (HIPs). This study promotes the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) notion that college success is not determined by earning a degree but by becoming a civic-minded, engaged graduate. Kuh (2008a) and the AAC&U created the HIPs framework to transform higher education and prepare students to meet the challenges of a changing global world. …

The Spirit-Murdering Of Black Students From White Educators, Brian C. Guilfoyle, Casetta D. Brown, Sarah J. Guilfoyle, Courtney D. Jude

Dissertations

In this collection of autoethnographies, four researchers explored our deeply personal experiences and encounters with racialized oppression in the form of spirit-murder. Using Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Critical Whiteness Studies, this dissertation explores how two white educators have committed spirit-murder against Black students and how two Black educators have both experienced spirit-murder as students and have spirit-murdered their Black and Brown students as classroom teachers. We wanted to elevate our voices using counter-stories as a tenet of CRT and examples of our teaching practices. We aimed to elicit relatable suggestions to combat spirit-murdering from white educators toward Black students …

Why We Stay - Considering The Past, Contemplating The Present, And Suggestions For The Future, Joelle Mcintosh, Erika S. Johnson

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the complex teaching landscape through historical and contemporary lenses, exploring the various societal changes and challenges that have shaped teacher motivations over the decades. The researchers use autoethnography and duoethnography methodologies to explore two educators' personal and professional lives, highlighting their resilience and adaptability amid evolving educational demands and societal pressures. These educators' narrative journeys and dialog reveal the deeply personal and contextual nature of teaching, underscoring the importance of identity, cultural background, and the ability to find joy and fulfillment despite challenges. This research sets the stage for a reflective and insightful exploration of the teaching …

In What Ways Do Perceptions By Faculty, Students, And Advisors In An Urban University Contribute To Undergraduate Student Success?, Carla Jordan

Dissertations

This study employs a mixed-methods approach to explore perceptions of academic advising among faculty, advisors, and undergraduate students at an urban university in the Midwest, focusing on its implications for student success. Utilizing Creswell’s research design framework, the research integrates quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to understand the relationship between academic advising and student outcomes.

Informed by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, the study examines how beliefs, behaviors, and environmental factors shape academic experiences and success. It employs the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) from George Kuh’s student engagement framework as a quantitative tool to measure student engagement and …

Confronting Whiteness: When Critical Whites Studies And Racial Trauma Collide: An Autoethnography, Tracy Barron

Dissertations

This autoethnographic dissertation research explores Critical White Studies (CWS) and racial trauma and their impact on Students of Color in a higher education setting. This study aims to challenge the deficit thinking of white educators who perpetuate racism in higher education. The relationship is examined to dismantle the white ideology of white educators who believe they have the same experiences of their Students of Color regardless of their own similar experiences. Through personal narratives the author will share the complexity of CWS and Racial Trauma. The findings suggest white educators need to examine their white identity and become culturally responsive …

Enhancing The First-Year Experience Program For Community College Students: Creating A Cohort Model To Encourage Success, Engagement, And Sense Of Belonging, Vicky Herbel, Christina Cox, Amy M. Koehler, Kim Mercurio, Barbara Stratman

Dissertations

Community Colleges are facing significant challenges to enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impending enrollment cliff which will require higher education administration to adapt, get creative, and lead change in recruiting and retention strategies. Using the Sense of Community Theory (Serason, 1974) and the Involvement Theory (Astin, 1984), this study aims to evaluate student success, engagement, and sense of belonging. Through a qualitative comparative case study, students in a Men of Color (MOC) cohort, a pre nursing (NUR) cohort, and a baseline group of students in the standard college success seminar course enrollment were evaluated using in vivo, …

An Examination Of The Impediments To Implementing Student-Centered Teaching Methods In Public Schools, Nicole R H Adewale, Robert L. Bloch, Garry D. Gibbs

Dissertations

In education, traditional methods have long relied upon static textbooks and blackboards to impart knowledge to students. Unfortunately, the lack of dynamism with this approach has failed to foster creativity, motivation, inquiry, individualization, and other practices crucial to serving diverse learners, especially Black children. We sought to uncover barriers and potential solutions to this problem by elevating the voices of educators, from classroom teachers to building and district administrators, at a predominantly African-American suburban secondary school in the Midwest.

We designed a qualitative research study to answer a single yet layered research question: What impedes Black students from experiencing and …

Black Female Educator: Underappreciated, Overworked, And The Indelible Quest For Agency Within The Educational System, Sharena Stevenson

Dissertations

In this study, I examined my experiences in the educational system as a Black female who feels overworked and underappreciated, like I must constantly prove my credibility and fight stereotypes, and feel strain of trying to remain healthy, physically and mentally, while trying to find agency in the educational system. I recount the trauma I faced as a Black female student and then as a Black female educator. I documented my experiences from my time in K-12 and my years as an educator. I utilized the Critical Race Theory tenet, persistence of racism, Intersectionality, and Black feminist thought as the …

Who Cares?! Fostering Inclusive And Empowering Environments For Black Students In Predominantly White Institutions: Strategies For Retention And Cultural Engagement, Joel Mandell Stancer, Danielle Allen, Angela Haywood-Gaskin, Kelly Atkins, Rhonda Lingard, Kuriston White-Dunlap

Dissertations

This research focuses on the critical components of caring relationships and how they relate to first-generation Black students’ achievement in higher education. It will reveal how staff-led collegiate programming could benefit first-generation Black college students by allowing them to establish caring relationships and mentorships that allow them to construct a solid support system that is easily accessible to them from the moment they begin college until graduation.

Using data collected from interviews with current college students enrolled in a retention program at a PWI (Predominately White Institution) and in connection with a conceptual framework informed by theorists Nel Noddings, Vincent …

Nursing Interventions For Psychosis And Other Mental Health Crises: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study Of Nurses’ Experiences, Christopher Jasensky

Dissertations

The nursing profession experiences caring for patients suffering psychosis and managing crises events in a way that is unique to all other healthcare providers. A gap in research and literature exists related to this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of nurses caring for patients experiencing psychosis or some other severe mental health issue. By analyzing the common expressions and behaviors of nurses in situations involving care of psychosis, the meaning of the care giving experience and thus, an understanding of the interactions involved with caregivers in psychosis was revealed. Participants provided experiential, firsthand …

My Story Is In The Structure: An Autoethnographic Study By An Instructional Designer Working In A Centralized Academic Reporting Line, Pamela Williams

Dissertations

Although not officially named in the shared governance of an institution, instructional designers play an important role as they collaborate with administrators and faculty to create high quality, regulatory-compliant courses for enrolled students. Instructional designers working in centralized, academic reporting units may be well-positioned to advance the work of institutions to maintain good standing with the industry and regulatory bodies. To illustrate the challenges, opportunities, and strategies employed by an instructional designer working in such a position, an autoethnographic study was conducted to elucidate how shared governance influences, empowers, and disempowers an instructional designer’s ability to lead and collaborate on …

Exploring Strategies For Placement Stability Among Foster Care Children, Gabrielle Sewester

Dissertations

Children in foster care are considered a vulnerable population because of the maltreatment and abuse that previously occurred. In addition to the trauma resulting from previous abuse or neglect, children in foster care face ongoing exposure to trauma due to the lack of stability within the system. Instability in the foster care system is displayed by frequent changes in placement providers, multiple school changes, inconsistent mental and physical health treatment, prolonged permanency, and loss of connections with biological family members. The aim for this study is to fill the gap in the literature on foster parent’s experiences with successful placement …

A Qualitative Case Study Of An Ultra-Brief Trait Emotional Intelligence Intervention For University Student Leaders, Britne K. Bacca-Haupt, Melinda R. Dilley, Fletcher J. Ferguson, Lisa C. Gillis-Davis, Jacqueline M. Schneller

Dissertations

Emotional intelligence gained interest in the early 1990s from researchers in hopes of assessing how understanding and developing emotions can help individuals be “healthy, rich, successful, loved, and happy” (Mayer et al., 2001, p. xi). Because of the expanded interest, increasing implications began occurring at the postsecondary level of education (Petrides et al., 2018). Trait emotional intelligence focuses on perceptions of oneself and others, illustrating how we regulate our emotions and recognize them in others. This qualitative study aimed to explore the impact of an ultra-brief intervention on the trait emotional intelligence development of university student leaders and how they …