Digital Commons Network^™

Effective Strategies Call Center Managers Use To Develop And Sustain Team Collaboration In A Virtual Work Environment., Daivon M. Bruce

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some small business virtual call center managers struggle to implement effective remote communication strategies, leading to inefficient team collaboration. As a result, decreased productivity and poor communication can negatively impact customer service, employee engagement, and overall business performance. Grounded in Tuckman's group development theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic study was to explore communication strategies that five virtual call center managers used to develop and sustain team collaboration in Northern New Jersey. The data collected from semistructured interviews were thematically analyzed, revealing three key themes: (a) communication, (b) teamwork, and (c) challenges with the use of technology. A primary …

Effects Of Foreign Aid On Developing Countries: Case Of Turkana County, Kenya, Baraka M. Akeyo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite substantial foreign aid investments in road construction projects in Turkana County, Kenya, anticipated benefits of improved access to social facilities, economic development, and rural and urban growth have not been fully realized. This study involved assessing the impact of foreign aid for road construction in Turkana County. Grounded in the social constructivism perspective, the research acknowledges subjective realities shaped by individual and societal experiences. The agency theory served as the theoretical foundation, framing the donor-recipient relationship as one where donors act as principals imposing conditions on recipient communities as agents. The study addressed the central research question: What is …

Do Universities Choose The Right Strategies For X Engagement? The Case Of Six Universities In Thailand, Mathupayas Thongmak

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand how Thai public universities engage their stakeholders on X (the social media platform previously known as Twitter). This article answers the following research questions: 1) What are the X message strategies of six public universities? 2) Do they choose the most effective strategies to drive X engagement in terms of favorites and reposts?

Method: Data was automatically collected using anX analytic tool, and the potential variables were extracted semi-automatically using tools appropriate to text mining, sentiment analysis, word cloud, and so on. Posts from six universities in Thailand were investigated.

Results: …

Strategies Head Start Program Managers Use To Acquire External Funding During Economic Downturns, Judith Angella Maxwell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Head Start programs risk limited external funding due to economic downturns, leading to difficulty managing programs effectively and competitively. Head Start program managers will continue to struggle if they do not develop strategies to acquire external financial support in response to economic downturns, like the COVID-19 pandemic, while enhancing staff and student experiences. Grounded in the resource-based view theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study research project was to explore the strategies employed by Head Start program managers to effectively acquire external financial support in response to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were …

Strategies U.S. Hospital Leaders Use To Recruit, Hire, And Retain Physicians To Sustain Profitability, Terence Christopher Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor physician retention negatively impacts the quality of community healthcare, leading to financial losses and increased operational costs for hospitals. Hospital administrators and the governing boards are particularly concerned with addressing this issue to ensure sustainable healthcare delivery. Grounded in the Hertzberg’s two factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies that hospital administrators can utilize to improve physician retention. The participants included eight high-ranking hospital administrators within the geographic region of North Carolina who had an active role in provider retention. Data was collected using semistructured interviews, identify five critical themes: (a) implement mentorship, …

Capital Structure Strategies For Catalyzing The Growth Of Mining Companies In Developing Countries, Pepe Kalombo Kapompa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of effective strategies to develop capital structures affects operational profit and growth. Consequently, leaders of mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo are concerned about the significant financial losses resulting from these deficiencies. Grounded in trade-off theory of capital structure, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that leaders of mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo used to develop capital structures that enhance operational profit and growth. The participants included three business leaders from three mining companies who successfully implemented such strategies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company …

Strategies For Independent Restaurant Business Leaders In The United States To Retain Employees, Ayman Hussein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover poses a significant threat to the stability and growth of businesses, particularly in the restaurant industry. Independent restaurant owners and managers are especially concerned about the consequences of high turnover rates, which can negatively impact their operations. This includes disruptions in productivity, declines in profitability, and diminished competitiveness, all of which undermine the long-term viability of their establishments. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective strategies employed by leaders of independent U.S. restaurants to retain employees. The participants included 10 leaders from independent Florida-based restaurants, each with at least …

School Counselor Wellness And Organizational Support, Pamela Spence Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Wellness is at the core of the counselor profession, yet school counselors face daily wellness challenges in the environments in which they work. Organizational support in the form of supervision and school support has been shown to mediate burnout, yet research had not investigated its mediating role in school counselor wellness. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between school counselor organizational support, as measured by the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support-Short Form, and school counselor wellness, as measured by the Helping Professional Wellness Discrepancy Scale, in a sample of 78 practicing school counselors. Results of …

Strategies For Improving The Transition Process Home After Skilled Nursing For Chronically Ill Residents Who Are 65 Years Or Older, Tawauna Renea Mcclendon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

When skilled nursing facilities fail to implement, enforce, and follow up with the discharge planning process before and after the resident transitions home, it can lead to a hospital admission. The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize the literature to identify how the chronic care model (CCM) can support skilled nursing facilities with the pre- and postdischarge planning process and make recommendations for strategy or policy revisions. The review question was focused on determining how the CCM can be effectively implemented within SNFs to optimize pre- and postdischarge planning for residents with chronic conditions and what strategy revisions …

Exploring The Adaptation And Implementation Of Social–Emotional Learning Programs, Jennifer Poteet

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher led social–emotional learning programs are implemented in a variety of ways to mitigate the effects of school bullying, however little attention has been paid to their academic impact on middle school students. The theories and/or concepts that grounded this study include Bronfenbrenner’s (1977) ecological theory and social cognitive theory. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the impact of Second Step, a social–emotional learning program with 16,166 middle school students. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship between student gender, ethnicity, Second Step program participation, and program fidelity on the students’ mathematics and reading assessment …

Successful Strategies Used By Perfusion Managers To Increase Retention Of Perfusionists, Michelle Jaskula-Dybka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perfusion managers face challenges in retaining skilled perfusionists which can impact the continuity of care and overall hospital efficiency. Effective perfusionist retention strategies are important to perfusion managers who aim to mitigate employee turnover. Grounded in the job demands-resources model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore the successful retention strategies that some perfusion managers used in the United States. The participants were five perfusion managers who had successfully retained a team of perfusionists for at least 1 year. Data were collected through digital semistructured interviews and publicly available documents. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. …

Improving Care For Psychiatric Patients In Rural Emergency Departments, Tonya Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to an increase in the presentation of adults with mental health crises and substance use disorders in rural emergency departments (EDs), solutions should focus on the enhancement of patient outcomes, improving the quality of care, health conditions, and overall patient experience. The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize international evidence associated with initiatives to improve ED care identified through the concepts of the Donabedian framework model that can support ED managers in implementing evidence-based interventions to improve behavioral healthcare in rural EDs. An integrative review of literature published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted. The findings of …

Successful Leadership Strategies Used By Front-Line Leaders In Crises, Robi Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Unskilled front-line leaders in the production industry can contribute to operational inefficiencies and delays in crisis response. Effective crisis management requires front-line leaders to employ evidence-based leadership strategies that enhance organizational resilience. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore successful leadership strategies front-line leaders use for crisis management. The participants were seven front-line leaders in the central Mississippi production industry who successfully implemented leadership strategies for crisis management. Data were collected using semistructured virtual interviews and a review of public documents related to crisis management, public safety policies, and code of …

Experiences Of Grandparenting During Covid-19 For Grandparents Geographically Distanced From Their Grandchildren, Eva Louise Benevit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since 2015, the number of retirees relocating after retirement has increased significantly, leading grandparents to be distant from their grandchildren. Isolation and distance from families has increased due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to high rates of loneliness and isolation for older adults. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore experiences during COVID-19 for grandparents geographically distanced from their grandchildren. This research was grounded using Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory, with a focus on the maturity stage, and thematic analysis was used to guide interviews and analysis. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit five …

Strategies To Obtain Working Capital For Small Businesses, Solomon Ambili Atamaya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The inability to obtain working capital can affect small business continuity, especially in the long term. Small business owners must be able to access working capital or else risk business survival through liquidity shortages, lost customers, and falling profitability. Grounded in the pecking order theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore the strategies employed by small business owners to obtain working capital for business continuity beyond five years. The participants were eight small business owners in Maryland who had successful strategies to obtain working capital for business continuity beyond five years. Data were collected through semistructured …

Clinical Specialists’ Perceptions Of Their Ability To Diagnose Autism In Toddlers, Donna Morgan Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism is diagnosable by a clinical specialist, and toddlers who receive an early diagnosis by a clinical specialist are more likely to receive the appropriate early intervention services and supports that meet their needs. However, researchers have found that clinical specialists have doubts regarding the accuracy of their diagnoses in toddlers. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to provide an understanding of clinical specialists’ perceptions of their abilities to make an early diagnosis of autism in toddlers. Self-efficacy theory served as the theoretical framework. Semi-structured interview data were collected from 12 clinical psychologists with experience diagnosing autism in …

Staff Education On The Use Of Gad-7 To Screen For Anxiety, Abena Ofori Atta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This staff education project aimed to implement the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale for anxiety screening during routine patient visits. Integrating such tools into nursing practice is essential for early identification and timely intervention of anxiety disorders. The project investigated the effectiveness of staff education on the use of GAD-7 in enhancing the identification and management of anxiety in patients during routine visits. Its purpose was to equip providers with the skills to use the tool effectively, improving their ability to manage anxiety disorders. The practice focus question “Will an interactive educational program improve the knowledge of the …

The Healing Potential Of The Use Of Racial Socialization By School Counselors For African American Students, Vameker Banks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American adolescents experience racial discrimination incidents more frequently than their peers from other racial backgrounds. Racial socialization (RS) has been proven to be effective in assisting African American youth in coping with racial stressors. School counselors play a crucial role in supporting African American youth dealing with race-related stress (RRS). Research has focused on the use of RS among African American parents and children, yet there is a research gap regarding the use of RS among school counselors. Further research is necessary to explore how school counselors implement RS to help students cope with and respond to stressful discriminatory …

Integrating Information And Communication Technologies To Enhance High School Students’ Research Capabilities, Kareen Marie E. Palines, Jenie Mary U. Moreno, Aron G. Tatlonghari, Ruth Ortega-Dela Cruz

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Integrating information and communication technologies into research curricula can help students become more proficient researchers. Students need strong research capabilities in the modern educational environment to handle the challenges of information access and analysis. This article reveals the results of a study that explored the use of Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS), a program developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for use in public schools in the Philippines. The study investigated the effect of this technology on 36 purposefully selected Grade 9 students working on science investigatory projects in the Science, …

Adult Sexual Grooming: A Systematic Review, Christin Aletky, Bonita Sharma, Jose Carbajal, Tia Eubank

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Grooming is the manipulation and intimidation of people into acts that may appear consensual but are in fact exploitative and harmful, activities they would not have chosen otherwise. Different legal definitions and shifting social perspectives on consent complicate efforts to determine whether a given behavior is a result of informed consent or a response to grooming behaviors. Most studies on grooming and sexual assault focus on adults grooming and abusing children—research on adults grooming other adults is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to conduct a systematic review of current research on the grooming of adults. We used …

Guardians Or Bystanders? Examining School Shooting Responses In The Southern United States, Andre L. Tompkins Ed.D.

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

School shootings challenge educational safety, demanding effective leadership strategies. The Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which claimed the lives of 19 children and 2 teachers, heightened concerns about campus vulnerabilities, urging administrators to prioritize student protection. I performed a qualitative study interviewing principals, teachers, parents, and community leaders to examine their experiences addressing campus threats. The findings revealed three themes: (1) ineffective leadership affects campus safety, (2) prompt actions enhance trust in leadership, and (3) connecting with others enhances safety. In this study, I spotlight the crucial role that proactive leadership plays in building the coalitions needed to …

Preanalytical Errors, Analytical Errors, And Postanalytical Errors And The Financial Performance Of Hospitals, Rachele Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital administrators and financial decision-makers face ongoing challenges in maintaining positive operating margins, which are critical for sustaining healthcare services and delivering high-quality patient care. Errors in clinical laboratory testing—preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical—can lead to inefficiencies, increased costs, and reduced financial performance. Grounded in total quality management, the purpose of this quantitative correlation study was to examine the relationship between preanalytical errors, analytical errors, and postanalytical errors and hospital operating margin. The participants were clinical laboratory leaders who completed an anonymous survey using Survey Monkey as a data collection tool. The sample size for this study included 77 participants. The …

The Academic And Social Meaning Of Transcendental Meditation Practice For Students And Their Guardians, Holly Erica Squires

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transcendental meditation (TM) is a unique meditation practice that uses a personal mantra to help the practitioner create a quiet state of mind, greater mental clarity, better concentration, and emotional control. TM has not been examined for its value to help students academically and socially. In this generic qualitative study, high school students and their guardians were asked to describe the meaning of TM practice in their academic and social life. The competencies of social emotional learning (SEL) theory were utilized as the conceptual framework to guide the study’s methodology. Data from semistructured interviews with six students and five guardians …

Staff Education Program On Medication Reconciliation, Chika Nweze-Muoghalu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A minimum of one medication error occurs daily in the life of a hospitalized patient, which confirms the research that medication errors constitute the most significant patient safety issue and that about 20% of these errors result in patient harm. Many errors could have been averted if an accurate medication reconciliation process had been practiced. Medication reconciliation is a formal process whereby the patient’s current medication list is compared to the patient’s record or medication orders whenever the patient’s level of care changes. Framed within the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model of instructional design, the purpose of …

Parent-Teacher Communication In The Infant-Toddler Setting, Shaquonna A. Alston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of understanding in terms of how to support effective parent-teacher communications in infant and toddler education programs. Early childhood educators are necessary to communicate with parents about what occurs in classrooms as parents are vital sources about what occurs in homes. The purpose of this study was to explore parent and teacher perspectives on parent-teacher communication to determine ways to improve and support home-school communication and support early learners. Bronfenbrenner's theory of ecological systems, particularly the mesosystem, which involves interactions between two or more settings such as homes and schools, guided the research. For this basic …

Experiences Of Teachers Who Left The Profession In Their First 5 Years, Rashemia Bennett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent studies show that teachers are leaving the profession at a rapid rate, which is leading to a shortage in the classroom that is impacting school districts across the United States. Teachers are leaving the profession within their first 5 years of teaching as opposed to finishing their careers and retiring. Studies show that teachers leave the profession for various reasons, such as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, lack of resources, student behaviors, and personal accomplishment. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to learn about the experiences of teachers who left the profession within the first 5 years of teaching …

Participant Experiences With Mobile Integrated Health In Underserved Communities While Managing Chronic Disease: Grounded Theory, Margaret Piwowar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals in underserved communities face barriers to the management of chronic disease compounded by the lack of consideration of the social determinants of health in health education interventions. This qualitative study explored the perspectives and experiences of adults living in underserved communities who have graduated from an integrated program in a large metropolitan area in the United States. Mobile integrated health programs, conducted by community paramedics, work in underserved communities within citizens' homes, managing chronic disease. Limited research exists regarding the perspectives of participants who have received interventions from integrated programs and the perceived impact these interventions have on reducing …

Marketing Strategies To Engage Multicultural Consumers, Nazanin Weck

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of marketing strategies that engages multicultural consumers is a concern for marketing managers because it can adversely impact their business profitability and sustained market competitiveness. Grounded in identity management theory (IMT), this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was conducted to explore the marketing strategies that successful marketing managers use to engage multicultural consumers. The participants were six marketing managers from distinct companies in the southeastern United States who specialize in acquiring and engaging multicultural customers. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, analysis of public company documents, and a systematic review of secondary sources, including social media content and corporate websites. …

More Than Numbers: Black Adolescents’ Journey With Type 1 Diabetes Management, Vanessa Di Felice

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) face significant health disparities, yet their unique treatment journeys remain largely underreported. This phenomenological qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Black adolescents with T1DM. The study addressed two research questions examining how these individuals experience and navigate T1DM self-management, self-efficacy beliefs, and perceived barriers and facilitators to optimal self-care. Virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 Black adolescents with T1DM recruited from a pediatric hospital in Washington, DC. The study utilized Bandura's social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework. Thematic data analysis identified four key themes: (1) character development through knowledge …

Level Of Consensus For A Forward-Thinking Cyberterrorism Model, Latreecia P. C. Folkes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cyberterrorism jeopardizes national security and fiscal systems and its potential gains and risks to public safety. U.S. corporate and government leaders must understand the ineffective collaboration to mitigate cyberterrorism risks. The purpose of this qualitative e-Delphi study was to develop information that may reveal a consensus among a panel of corporate cybersecurity experts as to the elements of an appropriate and feasible forward-looking collaborative model between U.S. corporate and government leaders for mitigating the risks of cyberterrorism. The research questions were used to gather experts’ perceptions on the solutions or deterrents to collaboration across the public and private sectors. Pruitt-Mentle’s …