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Exploring Leadership Skills Needed To Implement Mergers And Acquisitions In Ghana, Akwasi Effah-Adu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There has been consideration of increased investment in the banking industry in Ghana through mergers and acquisitions. Data shows that the financial performance of the merged banks does not support the investment in the industry, at least within the first 3 years after the merger or acquisition. Grounded in Burn’s transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the leadership skills used to implement the successful merger of two commercial banks in Ghana. Data were collected from eight senior officers using semistructured interviews, a review of relevant publications, and a reflective journal. The data …

Offshore Wind Industry Leaders’ Operations And Maintenance Management Strategies, Heather Louise Shimp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The difficulties offshore wind leaders have in managing operations and maintenance (O&M) costs threaten the ability to operate offshore wind farms profitably, diversify the energy supply, and reduce dependence on imported fuels. Grounded in the frameworks of Lean Six Sigma and McKinsey 7-S, the purpose of this qualitative multi-case study was to explore offshore wind farm leaders’ strategies to manage O&M costs in Europe. The participants were six offshore wind leaders who implemented strategies to successfully manage O&M costs for offshore wind farms located in Europe. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, participant observation, and reviewing public and participant-supplied documents. …

Leadership Skill Development In Master’S-Level Counselor Education, Charity A. Godfrey, Richard J. Cicchetti, Craig R. Blum, Gary Michael Szirony, Tamara Harris

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Student leadership identity is fast becoming one of the most critical challenges educational institutions face today. However, mental health counselors may be limited in the amount of education and training received as they become leaders in the field. There is currently no known mandate at the master’s level for leadership embedded within the counseling curriculum in the educational environment, although research suggests otherwise. The purpose of this correlational predictive empirical study was to investigate leadership identity characteristics as measured by the Socially Responsible Leadership Scale, Revision 2 (SLRS-R2), moderated by demographic factors. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine outcome …

Strategies For Creating Inclusive Learning Environments Through A Social Justice Lens, Beverly Araujo Dawson, Whitney Kilgore, Renee M. Rawcliffe

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Culturally situated and cross-cultural approaches to instructional design and research have become increasingly important in higher education, particularly in online learning environments. As higher education becomes increasingly racially and ethnically diverse, learning environments must be structured and facilitated to meet the learning needs of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) students. Based on the Community of Inquiry (CoI) and culturally inclusive pedagogy, this paper provides an overview of inclusive teaching practices and the necessity to take a holistic approach to online teaching with BIPOC students. This paper provides an overview of key instructional design elements to achieve equity-minded instructional design.

Strategies For Sustaining Automotive Dealerships Beyond 5 Years, Lyndon Fitzgerald Taylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small businesses in the United States employ 48% of the workforce, and only 50% percent of small businesses survive beyond 5 years. Business leaders are concerned with strategies to retain and expand their customer base to mitigate business failure and enhance survivability. Grounded in the leader-member exchange theory, the purpose of my qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies automotive dealership business leaders used to sustain their businesses beyond 5 years. The participants comprised five business leaders in the automotive industry in the Central and Southwest U.S. State of Michigan. Data were collected using semistructured face-to-face interviews and a …

Emotional Experiences Of Muslim Americans Regarding The Intolerance Displayed By Non-Muslims, Munder Abderrazzaq

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

Muslims in the United States report experiencing unequal treatment and racial profiling from non-Muslims. Recent literature (Simon et al., 2018) suggests the need for further research on the intolerance displayed by majority members from the point of view of minority members in the United States. The unwillingness or refusal to respect or tolerate individuals from a different social group or minority groups, who hold beliefs that are contrary to one’s own, is referred to as intolerance. The display of intolerance among members of different cultural and religious backgrounds can hinder the discovery of new information needed to promote positive social …

Quality Assurance, Meet Quality Appreciation: Using Appreciative Inquiry To Define Faculty Quality Standards, Ann M. Morgan, Rebecca L. Jobe, Juli K. Konopa, Lyda D. Downs

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: This study outlines the journey of an online university to evaluate faculty performance standards, key performance indicators, and systems for quality assurance using an appreciative inquiry summit model. The study reveals the power of quality appreciation as an approach that elicits a shared vision for quality definitions and standards and serves as a historical marker in the higher education shift from data-driven faculty performance approaches to strengths-based, inclusive methods.

Method: The retrospective business case outlines one university’s 2018 Appreciative Inquiry Summit, 5D (define, discover, dream, design, destiny/deliver) approach, resulting deliverables, lessons learned, and conclusions.

Results: The summit and subsequent …

Seeking Equity, Agility, And Sustainability In The Provision Of Emergency Remote Teaching During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Center For Teaching And Learning Takes An Expanded Role, Henry Trotter, Cheng-Wen Huang, Laura Czerniewicz

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to illuminate and assess the experiences and feelings of the staff of a center for teaching and learning at one South African university during the early months (April–June 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns when it switched from face-to-face teaching to emergency remote teaching (ERT). It explores the practical, operational, ethical, cultural, and emotional questions that the staff of this center dealt with as they supported the university in ERT provision.

Method: This paper draws on in-depth interviews with 23 staff members of the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT) who …

Effective Internal Control Strategies For An Enterprise Resource Planning System, Tatara Ratliff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of effective internal control over enterprise resource planning (ERP) increases risks associated with financial reporting and erroneous transactions. Business leaders who develop effective enterprise resource planning internal controls reduce the risk of fraud and improve the quality of financial reporting. Grounded in the COSO internal control framework, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies business leaders use for adequate internal controls. The participants were seven business leaders from a single business in Mississippi, the USA, who successfully employed enterprise resource planning and internal control strategies. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, observations, and …

A Quality Improvement Evaluation On A Nurse Residency Program, Mary Christine Richards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe purpose of this DNP project was to explore new graduate nurse (NGN) residency program retention data in a large healthcare system to assess if participant retention met or exceeded identified retention benchmarks. The second project question explored NGNs’ reasons for leaving the organization after the first year of experience. The Plan Do Study Act model framed this quality improvement evaluation project. The total number of NGN residency participants for the system in 2020 was 586 and 680 in 2021.Year one retention in 2020 was 539 (92%). Year one retention in 2021 was 625 (92%). Year two retention data were …

Staff Education On Hepatitis C Screening Guidelines, Duy Le Trinh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is found worldwide, but the burden is much higher in correctional settings compared to general populations. In a detention centered located in Washington, the nurses at booking do not know who are at risk for Hepatitis C. This Doctor of Nursing (DNP) project attempted to answer the question of if educating nursing staff at the detention facility in Washington increase their knowledge of the importance of screening inmates for hepatitis C.The purpose of this project was to educate nursing staff about the risk factors for HCV so that proper screening can be done. Knowles’s adult learning …

A Phenomenological Study Of Mental Health Providers' Cultural Sensitivity Towards Latinx Clients, Nohemi Vasquez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the lived professional experiences involving mental health providers’ cultural sensitivity towards Latinx clients in the context of mental health service delivery. Pedersen and Essadoh’s multiculturalism framework, known as the “fourth force” of psychology, was used as a guiding framework. Fifteen mental health providers were recruited. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews via Skype, in-person, or phone interviews with participants who had from two to over thirteen years of working experience with Latinx populations. Interviews were examined using an interpretive phenomenological analysis. Four themes emerged from participant responses. Findings revealed that cultural competence and cultural awareness …

Novice Nurses’ Perceptions And Expectations Of What Constitutes Nursing Practice, Mcfrances Catherine George

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfter completing preceptorship programs, novice nurses work independently to provide patient care at the bedside. Novice nurses may leave bedside nursing with a minimum of 1 year of experience, resulting in vacant bedside nurse positions. These vacant positions are a problem because this could lead to low patient satisfaction, higher patient mortality rates, and failure to rescue in emergent cases. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and expectations of nursing practice related to performance, demands, and requirements from novice nurses. Afaf Meleis's 1960 transition theory guided the understanding of novice nurses' perceptions and expectations of nursing …

Workaholism Development As A Self-Efficacy Behavior Among Black Women In The Workplace, Tiffany Nicole Johnson Lemon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Understanding how workaholism develops in Black women and the role organizational culture plays in its development, specifically individuals who work in predominantly White organizations, is needed to address this phenomenon. Data were gathered from individuals who identify as Black women and are self-proclaimed workaholics who work in settings comprised predominantly of White employees. Understanding workplace culture and the events that may lead to behavioral changes has been limited, specific to the minority group of Black women. The key research questions investigated the development of workaholism in Black women who work in predominantly White organizations and the role organizational culture plays …

Technological Employees’ Experiences Of Psychological Contract Breach: A Phenomenological Study, Dr. Uganda Knapps, Ph.D.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The aim of this study was to understand the importance of employee relations, ethics, and values; how psychological contracts form through the lenses of ethics, values, organizational justice, and perceptions; and how a psychological contract breach (PCB) may occur in certain situations. The psychological contract is imperative for positive employee relations. The foundation on how psychological contracts form and how psychological contracts may be breached and, in extreme circumstances, violated is based in theory by Argyris and in Rousseau’s theory to differentiate between psychological contract breaches and violations. An interpretive phenomenological analysis approach was used in this study to understand …

Facilitating Executive Succession For Female Hospitality Managers, Ryann Hanna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of women in leadership roles continues to be a diversity concern, and a lack of knowledge regarding the male experience promoting female advancement when in a gatekeeper role is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the male experience promoting women within the hospitality industry. Role congruity theory and leader member exchange are foundational concepts for understanding bias around gender diversity and the facilitators of succession; however, what is not known is the experience of male executives facilitating female advancement, what affects their support of female successors, and the perceptions they have when considering …

Elementary Principals’ Instructional Leadership Challenges Supporting Inclusive Special Education Students’ Ela Achievement, Teresa Bey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As instructional leaders, principals must apply leadership to ensure achievement of all students. There is a gap in practice involving challenges principals face while supporting the ELA achievement of their inclusive special education students. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand instructional leadership challenges elementary principals perceived were necessary to overcome in order to support ELA achievement of inclusive special education students. The conceptual frameworks for this study were Weber’s instructional leadership model and Hornby’s theory of inclusive special education. The research question sought to explore the instructional leadership challenges elementary principals perceive as necessary to overcome in …

Enterprise Resource Planning Implementation Strategies In Small- And Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises, Tatianna Gilliam

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The difficulty SME leaders of manufacturing firms experience in the executing of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems threatens the longevity of innovative change within firms seeking to adopt ERP systems. Grounded in the diffusion of innovation theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to examine critical success factors used to successfully implement ERP systems. The participants were four ERP business leaders of small to medium size manufacturing firms based on the east and west coasts of the United States. Data were collected using semistructured online interviews and a review of company documents. Through thematic analysis, five themes were …

Phenomenological Exploration Of Followers’ Lived Experiences And Their Perception Of Ethical Leadership, Saad R. Maklad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of followers under unethical leadership in private and public organizations in the United States. Data collection involved interviewing 20 participants from private or public U.S. organizations with open-ended interview question. Participant selection was limited to followers and frontline employees who directly contact stakeholders. Utilitarianism, Adams’s equity theory, social learning theory, stakeholder theory, and Eudaimonia were the conceptual frameworks used to guide this study. The data analysis process in this phenomenological study consisted of using the two-cycle analysis and the modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method. The findings demonstrated eight overarching …

Capacity-Building Strategies Leaders Of Nonprofit Organizations Use To Improve Performance, Ashley Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Capacity-building strategies to improve nonprofit organizational performance are essential, as 60% of nonprofit organizations are experiencing increased service demands while struggling to maintain adequate operational funds and fulfill their mission. Leaders of nonprofit organizations who fail to implement capacity-building strategies risk their organization’s ability to adapt, maintain solvency and relevance. Grounded in the strategic agility framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies leaders of nonprofit organizations implemented to build capacity and positively impact organizational performance. The participants comprised four leaders of nonprofit organizations in Texas who successfully used strategies to improve growth, capacity, and …

International Development Project Strategies To Reduce The Negative Impact Of Triple Constraints, Syreeta S. Bond

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With the growing number of international development projects not meeting the triple constraint requirements every year, organizational leaders exceed their budgets and increase schedule delays. Some project managers lack strategies to minimize the negative impact of these constraints, resulting in projects that exceed their budgets and have more delays. Grounded in the theory of constraints, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies project managers use to reduce the negative impact of the triple constraints of cost, schedule, and scope on international development projects. The participants were five project managers from five different global development companies. Data …

Vicarious Trauma Experienced By Human Trafficking Victim Service Providers, V'Hesspa Glenn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human trafficking involves the commercial exploitation of others for labor or sexual purposes and is underreported, underdetected, and underprosecuted. Vicarious trauma is described as negative reactions to working with individuals experiencing complex trauma and includes changes in helping professionals’ self and disruptions in cognitive schemas, identities, memories, and belief systems about others and the world. Many researchers have explored various aspects of human trafficking and secondary trauma in trauma-exposed helping professionals, but there is a dearth of qualitative literature that explored vicarious trauma in human trafficking victim service providers. The research question and purpose of this qualitative, interpretative phenomenological study …

Succession Planning Strategies Of Nonprofit Organization Executives, Mohamed Karaki

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonprofit organization executives lack strategies for effective succession planning. Executives who implement succession planning strategies can improve human talent, transition executive successors, and retain leadership continuity to preserve organizational success. Grounded in the human capital theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies nonprofit organization executives use for effective succession planning. The participants included four executives from multiple organizations in southeast Michigan who used strategies for effective succession planning. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company documents. Through thematic analysis, three themes emerged: effective strategies to formalize a succession plan, effective strategies to develop …

Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of Responsibilities During District-Mandated Changes To Curriculum, Hope Albritton-Terry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Systemic changes to curriculum are an inevitable part of education; however, understanding how teachers and administrators perceive their responsibilities in implementing district-mandated changes to curriculum is unclear. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to determine teachers’ and administrators’ perceptions related to their responsibilities in effective implementation of district-mandated changes to curriculum. The conceptual framework for this study was change theory to explore how teachers and administrators process district-mandated changes to curriculum. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight teachers and seven administrators who have implemented district-mandated changes in a public school in the mid-Atlantic region of the …

Identifying Interorganizational Leadership Barriers To Service Delivery Collaboration, Crystal L. Bonner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental healthcare is a primary focus for rural behavioral health nonprofit agencies. Often, multiple agencies have a similar purpose, client base, and sources of funding. In these situations, and especially in rural areas, interagency collaboration is critical for the organization's and stakeholders' success. This study examined the behavioral health leaders’ barriers to interagency collaboration and the perceived benefits of such cooperation. The Baldrige excellence framework grounded this case study and focused on the organizations' structures and leadership dynamics. Nine leaders within three nonprofit agencies served as the participants in this study. Secondary data included organizational records, website information, and an …

Probation Department Culture And Promotion Policies, Paul Chavez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With management influence evolving in organizations, changes occur slower than anticipated. The problem in my study addressed how management controls promotional policies for probation officers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate whether management has control over probation promotional policies. Maslov’s theory of self-realization was incorporated into the theoretical framework for my research. Audio interviews were conducted with 15 participants who were non managerial probation officers who had no subordinates. Data analysis included key elements impacting morale in the workplace, employee evaluations, training, and communications. The conclusion showed there was a need to improve several promotional policies based …

Strategies For Developing Leadership Development Programs To Meet Organizational Goals, James Christopher Edge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial business leaders lack strategies to successfully develop leadership development programs to meet organizational goals. Financial business leaders are concerned that all business organizations struggle with leadership development. Grounded in the substitutes for leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore strategies financial business leaders use to successfully develop leadership development programs to meet organizational goals. The participants comprised three financial executives located in the southeastern United States who are responsible for leadership development. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of organizational electronic information. Three themes emerged: training, resources, and communications. The key …

Empowerment Strategies For Sustaining Small Business Moving Companies, Leroy Jr Peter Fontenette

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of empowerment strategies can cause high employee attrition for small moving company owners and lead to business closures within 5 years. Small moving company owners using effective empowerment strategies can reduce attrition and increase business longevity. Grounded in the transformational theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore empowerment strategies three small moving company owners in California used for sustaining their business beyond 5 years. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company documents, such as logistics instruments, a combined agreement contract for moving services, and a freight bill. Using thematic analysis, the three …

Terrorism Preparedness, Collaboration, And Organizational Culture In The National Capital Region, Anderson Percival Padmore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Terrorism preparedness is essential for federal, state, and local governments. However, literature indicated that local governments may not be ready to respond to a terrorist event. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine terrorism preparedness levels related to collaboration in the National Capital Region (NCR) of the United States to determine first responders’ perspectives regarding challenges of organizational change. The research questions for this study concentrated on the evaluation of terrorism- preparedness and organizational changes among first response agencies since 2014, Schein’s ideas of organizational cultural change were the theoretical foundation. Four NCR public safety agencies were …

Policies That Support Emergency Department Staff In Providing Behavioral Health Care, Lizabeth Lepp Hennig

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A significant portion of individuals with a behavioral health (BH) condition return to emergency departments (ED) seeking care, resulting in reduced quality of care, and contributing to disproportionate healthcare costs. Care can be improved and return visits to the ED reduced where behavioral health care and follow-up care planning are provided as part of their treatment. However, policies expected to create declines in ED use for behavioral conditions are typically in short duration or are difficult to use given other funding and policy constraints. With little known about how policy is supporting the engagement of ED staff who are critical …