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Modified Pipelining Hybridization Of Job Shop Scheduling, P. Paul Pandian, S. Saravana Sankar, P. Ven Kumar May 2009

Modified Pipelining Hybridization Of Job Shop Scheduling, P. Paul Pandian, S. Saravana Sankar, P. Ven Kumar

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Hybridization involves generally genetic algorithm in a stage .Here instead of genetic algorithm,metaheuristics method Local search method, is applied as primary search routine, for tacklingcombinatorial search and optimization problems.The dispatching rule LPT is applied first, servingas a preprocessor. The local search methods are works on the iterative exploration of a solutionspace: at each iteration a local search algorithm start search from one solution to one of itsneighbor. The method is analysis the job shop bench mark problems. The comparison of theperformance measure is evaluated.

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Determining The Spinning Reserve In Power Systems By Corrected Recursive Pjm Method, Mohammad Taghi Ameli May 2009

Determining The Spinning Reserve In Power Systems By Corrected Recursive Pjm Method, Mohammad Taghi Ameli

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Security for grids in the electric industry is very important to the power gridsystem. Dispatching a consistent high quality to customers is the main goal. There is aneed for balance in power generation and power consumption.Consumption forecasts do not meet load amounts and grid system toleratesconsumption loads beyond actual amounts to be sure the spinning reserve is necessarynot only in order to be secure but also because of need for accurate calculating.In this research the amount of the Spinning Reserve needed in an instantsystem using the PJM method will be determined. Then, with an innovative recursivemodel, optimize and correct the …

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Celebrity Effect On Brand Positioning: A Study With Reference To Female Personal Care Products, G. Muruganantham, S. Kaliyamoorthy May 2009

Celebrity Effect On Brand Positioning: A Study With Reference To Female Personal Care Products, G. Muruganantham, S. Kaliyamoorthy

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

India is a developing country that is flooded with different brands. With too many products floodingthe market, companies find it difficult to differentiate their products based on their inherent productfeatures. In fact, advertising is an effective marketing tool available to marketers to create andpromote awareness for their products. To make the advertisement more attractive and avoid themedia clutter, companies use celebrities to endorse their products. The demand for instant recall,brand awareness, and emotional bonding with customers has made celebrity endorsements the latesttrend. Celebrities add new dimensions to a brand. As a result of the increase in celebrityadvertisements in various media, …

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Commitment To The Green Movement By Organizations And Individuals, Impacts Of Organizational Culture, And Perceptions Of Impacts Upon Outcomes, Susan M. L. Zee, Sandra J. Hartman, Lillian Y. Fok May 2009

Commitment To The Green Movement By Organizations And Individuals, Impacts Of Organizational Culture, And Perceptions Of Impacts Upon Outcomes, Susan M. L. Zee, Sandra J. Hartman, Lillian Y. Fok

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

In this research, we find support for a proposed set of linkages among individual andorganizational green orientation, organizational culture, employee perceptions oforganizational green orientation, Quality Management (QM) Maturity, and outcomes, interms of positive impacts of the green movement and organizational performance.Specifically, we find that in organizations which are oriented toward the green movementand which have organizational cultures which are supportive of the green movement,employees who believe that their organizations are aligned with the green movement aremore likely to also see the organization as higher in QM Maturity. In turn, outcomes interms of overall performance and positive impact of the green …

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Hyper Market Industry In Dubai – An Evaluation Using Ahp Technique, M. Hemalatha, V. J. Sivakumar May 2009

Hyper Market Industry In Dubai – An Evaluation Using Ahp Technique, M. Hemalatha, V. J. Sivakumar

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Among all retail formats hypermarket is growing very fast in UAE that is at the rate of 150 percent.The major players in this sector are Carrefour, Spinney’s, United, Choithram and Lulu.The focus of the problem is selecting a best hypermarket among the existing operators of Dubai andfor which we used seven major criteria for evaluating the hypermarkets such as product availabilityand variety, market coverage, channel density, customer density, nationality served, facilities andservices and customer spending pattern. We used Analytic hierarchy process (AHP), developed byThomas saaty (1980) to provide a simple but theoretically sound multiple criteria methodology forevaluating the alternatives.

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Downsizing And Organizational Change Survivors And Victims: Mental Health Issues, J. B. Schiro, R. L. Baker May 2009

Downsizing And Organizational Change Survivors And Victims: Mental Health Issues, J. B. Schiro, R. L. Baker

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Survivors and victims of organizational change are experiencing mental health issues afterdownsizing and organizational change. The purpose of this study was to determine whether whitecollarworkers were aware of major changes in corporate America and how these changes mightaffect them. The research question, “Do survivors or victims of downsizing or organizationalchange experience mental health issues after downsizing or organizational change?” This was thefoundation of this study. This quantitative approach involved surveying 196 white-collar workers intwo industries: manufacturing and health. An analysis showed that the literature has sensationalizedthe health-related problems because only about 20% of the people surveyed acknowledged therewas a problem. …

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Using Design Patterns, Analysis Pattern, And Case-Based Reasoning To Improve Information Modeling And Method Engineering In Systems Development, Sean Chen, Bonnie W. Morris May 2009

Using Design Patterns, Analysis Pattern, And Case-Based Reasoning To Improve Information Modeling And Method Engineering In Systems Development, Sean Chen, Bonnie W. Morris

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Information modeling (IM) is the process of identifying information needs and models based onuser requirements and systems analysts’ perceptions during systems analysis and design. WhenIM is done correctly, it facilitates communication between the analysts and end-users about thefinal software product. In addition, successful IM provides a formal basis for both the analystsand the end-users about the tools and techniques that will be used in software development(SD), which, in turn, reduces costly overruns in time and money during systemsimplementation. Method engineering (ME) is the process of designing, constructing, andadapting information modeling methods for information systems development. As Siau (2003)and Kavakli (2005) …

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A Novel Approach For Extraction Of Design Features Using Dxf Files, P. Srikanth, C. S. P. Rao, G. Ranga Janardhan May 2009

A Novel Approach For Extraction Of Design Features Using Dxf Files, P. Srikanth, C. S. P. Rao, G. Ranga Janardhan

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Feature recognition is the key linking element between CAD and CAPP. Different CAD/geometricmodeling packages store the design related information in their own databases. Structures of thesedatabases are different from each other. Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) is the process ofextracting such feature data for use in the other stages of product life cycle viz., process planning,CNC code generation and inspection etc. This paper presents different algorithms to extract thedesign data stored in the form of Data Exchange Format (DXF) files and to store such data in anorderly form. . A software program is developed in ‘C++’, for extraction of the features …

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Social Analysis Of Cleft Lip And Palate Abnormality In Nigeria, Alice Umweni, Kokunre Agbontaen-­‐Eghafona, Hartwig Sauter Jan 2009

Social Analysis Of Cleft Lip And Palate Abnormality In Nigeria, Alice Umweni, Kokunre Agbontaen-­‐Eghafona, Hartwig Sauter

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This study examined cleft lip and palate from the sociological point of view. It looked at the social aspects of a health issue by examining the social problems that may emanate from cleft lip/palate deformity. Questionnaires were administered in northern Nigeria to 32 patients between the ages of 10 and 60 who had been born with the defect. Oral interviews using the same set of questions were conducted with 18 patients with similar defects of cleft lip/palate deformity in southern Nigeria. The questionnaire method was preferred by the respondents in the north, whereas the respondents in the south preferred the …

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A Study Of Direct Instructional Spelling Strategies And Their Effect On Students With Special Needs Who Are Classified With Mild Mental Disabilities, Steven Douglas Preast Jan 2009

A Study Of Direct Instructional Spelling Strategies And Their Effect On Students With Special Needs Who Are Classified With Mild Mental Disabilities, Steven Douglas Preast

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Spelling is a challenging task for many individuals, especially for those classified as Mild Mentally Disabled. Although considerable literature exists in the areas of special education and spelling, little research is evident involving these two areas in combination. In an attempt to address this gap, the researcher conducted a single subject research study to investigate the hypothesis that direct instruction of spelling enhances the spelling skills of students with special needs. Perceptions of parents, students, and teachers on how this program impacted student spelling skills was also investigated. Quantitative data from this study was collected from the SRA Spelling Mastery …

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Survey Study Of The Relationship Between Parents' And Teachers' Perceptions Of What Constitutes Effective School -To -Home Communications, Jill L. Murphy Jan 2009

Survey Study Of The Relationship Between Parents' And Teachers' Perceptions Of What Constitutes Effective School -To -Home Communications, Jill L. Murphy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Even though guidelines at a suburban elementary school in Georgia were in place for teachers regarding frequency and methods of parent communication, it was unclear if these methods were being used consistently and effectively. Research has shown that effective communication increases student achievement, but there is a lack of research examining communication preferences of teachers and parents. Therefore, this study evaluated current practices by comparing parents' and teachers' perceptions of what constitutes effective school-to-home communications. The researcher administered questionnaires to a random sample of teachers and parents of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to compare their perceptions of the …

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Understanding Middle School Students' Perspectives Regarding Physical Activity And Fitness, Susan Yesalonia Jan 2009

Understanding Middle School Students' Perspectives Regarding Physical Activity And Fitness, Susan Yesalonia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research confirms inactivity increases in adolescence and that unfit youth are at risk of acquiring cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, or other significant physical disorders later in life. Thus, the purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experience of chronically inactive children who were exposed to an exercise intervention program. The specific focus of the research was to better understand the essential educational needs of the participants and the effective elements of the program, Moving for Fun (MFF), a 7-week after-school fitness intervention program designed to modify chronic inactivity. Open-ended interviews and 3 observations were conducted with 8 middle …

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Menopausal Problems Among Rural And Urban Women From Eastern India, Doyel Dasgupta, Subha Ray Jan 2009

Menopausal Problems Among Rural And Urban Women From Eastern India, Doyel Dasgupta, Subha Ray

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The present study sought to examine variations in menopausal characteristics between rural and urban women and the ways in which these characteristics could be predicted from differential sociodemographic variables related to the residential status. Data on sociodemographic variables, reproductive history, and menopausal symptoms were collected from 180 postmenopausal women (rural 110; urban 70) belonging to the Bengali-speaking Hindu ethnic group of eastern India. Bivariate analyses confirmed rural-urban differences in menopausal age and in the reporting of menopausal problems (e.g., vasomotor, psychosomatic, psychological, and urinary problems). Multivariate analyses revealed that rural-urban residential status and duration of breastfeeding of child were significant …

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Public Policy, Social Change, And The Ethics Triangle: Undocumented Immigrants And Higher Education In The United States, Matthew Collins, Giselle Reid Jan 2009

Public Policy, Social Change, And The Ethics Triangle: Undocumented Immigrants And Higher Education In The United States, Matthew Collins, Giselle Reid

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

The institutions of higher education in the United States face the dilemma of deciding whether to admit and matriculate students without legal immigration status. This public policy question involves careful interpretation of federal and state law, general public sentiment, the effects on the individual institutions, as well as the plight of undocumented immigrant students and their parents. The purpose of this research was to analyze the ethical dilemma facing colleges and universities concerning whether to allow or deny admission to undocumented immigrant students, utilizing the ethics triangle. This research argued that the benefits of facilitating higher education for undocumented students …

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The Ability Of Firefighting Personnel To Cope With Stress, David Milen Jan 2009

The Ability Of Firefighting Personnel To Cope With Stress, David Milen

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of the coping strategies and resources that firefighters use to deal with personal and workplace stressors. One hundred and fifteen firefighting personnel from 4 fire departments in Illinois and Indiana participated. The Coping Resources Inventory for Stress (CRIS) Scale measured stress levels and coping strategies. The results showed that firefighters who were not physically fit, who lacked social support, and who were unable to control tension and structure daily activities experienced feelings of low confidence. The findings from this study can provide fire department administrators and company officers with ways …

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Bridging The Divide: Principles For Healthy Corporate Social Responsibility Partnerships, Mark Gordon, Donna Daniels Jan 2009

Bridging The Divide: Principles For Healthy Corporate Social Responsibility Partnerships, Mark Gordon, Donna Daniels

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

In its infancy, corporate social responsibility (CSR) focused on environmental issues rather than the provision of a wider array of support to local communities. Today, CSR includes strong partnerships between multinational corporations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Previous research has demonstrated that corporations that partner with NGOs are more visible to their key stakeholders. Through a longitudinal, in-depth study of Merck Thailand and the Raks Thai Foundation in Bangkok, Thailand, this case study identified best practices for a multinational company interested in partnering with a local NGO. From those practices, the research identified the key principles that sustain the partnership: leadership, …

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Effect Of Cooperative Learning And Traditional Strategies On Academic Performance In Middle School Language Arts, Susan Queen Jan 2009

Effect Of Cooperative Learning And Traditional Strategies On Academic Performance In Middle School Language Arts, Susan Queen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates that the use of cooperative learning techniques fosters higher order thinking and problem solving skills in students. However additional information is needed to determine how cooperative learning affects various groups of learners. Based in constructivist theory, this quasi-experimental study examined the effects of cooperative learning verses traditional teaching strategies on the academic performance of 216 6th grade language arts students in north central Georgia. The single stage convenience sample was divided into a control group that was instructed using traditional strategies; and a treatment group that was instructed using cooperative learning strategies. Pre and posttest scores from a …

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A Survey Of Community College Faculty, Their Teaching Methodologies, And Congruence With Student Learning Needs, Susan J. Campbell Jan 2009

A Survey Of Community College Faculty, Their Teaching Methodologies, And Congruence With Student Learning Needs, Susan J. Campbell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

National movements for greater quality in education have increased concerns about student learning and the effectiveness of teaching for the community college. Faculty are responsible for student learning, yet criticized for using ineffective teaching methods despite limited data on community college teaching practices. The purpose of this study was to gain a descriptive understanding of current teaching practices in three community colleges. This single-phase study used a concurrent mixed-method exploratory research design. A purposeful sample of 185 community college faculty across three colleges in the southwestern United States were surveyed about what methods they use, how they perceive their teaching …

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General And Special Educators' Attitudes Toward Students With Severe Disabilities Included In The Regular Education Classroom, Tracie Davis Jan 2009

General And Special Educators' Attitudes Toward Students With Severe Disabilities Included In The Regular Education Classroom, Tracie Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Federal legislation mandates the inclusion of students with disabilities into the regular classroom. This integration is often met with resistance from the educators. The purpose of this study was to determine teachers' attitudes toward the inclusion of students with severe disabilities in the general education classroom. The research problem addressed the attitudes of educators who are implementing inclusion practices for students with severe disabilities. These attitudes are an integral part of successful inclusion practices. The theoretical basis for inclusion can be found in Wolfensberger's normalization principle and his examination of social role valorization which support placing a person with a …

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A Mixed Methods Study Of Secondary Distance-Learning Students: Exploring Learning Styles, Jennifer M. Roberts Jan 2009

A Mixed Methods Study Of Secondary Distance-Learning Students: Exploring Learning Styles, Jennifer M. Roberts

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public education in the United States has experienced an increase in distance-learning (DL) opportunities. Because research has focused on student achievement in post-secondary DL programs, little is known about secondary students' experiences. The purpose of the current study was to explore DL applicability within secondary education. Specific research questions addressed by the concurrent mixed methods nested study included examining students' opinions and experiences in a secondary DL course and determining whether individual learning styles were addressed. Structured interviews, group discussions, and a survey were used to gather data over 2 months from 14 students in grades 9 through 12 participating …

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A Phenomenological Study Of Assessment Methods In The Inquiry -Based Science Classroom: How Do Educators Decide?, Gina G. Tash Jan 2009

A Phenomenological Study Of Assessment Methods In The Inquiry -Based Science Classroom: How Do Educators Decide?, Gina G. Tash

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of science educators as they select and develop assessment methods for inquiry learning. Balancing preparations for standardized tests and authentic inquiry assessment experiences can be challenging for science educators. The review of literature revealed that current research focused on instructional methods and assessment, students' assessment experiences, and teachers' instructional methods experiences. There remains a gap in current literature regarding the experiences of science educators as they select and develop assessment methods for inquiry learning. This study filled the gap by providing a description of the experiences of science educators …

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Promoting Breast Cancer Screening Among Chinese American Women Through Young Children's Theatrical Performance, Angela Sun Jan 2009

Promoting Breast Cancer Screening Among Chinese American Women Through Young Children's Theatrical Performance, Angela Sun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has revealed that underutilization of breast cancer screening by ethnic minorities often is related to language difficulties and cultural values and beliefs about cancer. The problem addressed in this secondary data analysis was the late diagnosis of breast cancer in the Chinese immigrant community. The purpose of the quasi-experimental study was to test the efficacy of a theatrical preschool performance, guided by the diffusion of innovation theory, in educating Chinese American women about breast cancer detection. The research questions sought to determine whether the performance increased the participants' knowledge of breast cancer screening guidelines and whether country of origin, …

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Evaluating Earnings Management With Derivatives And The Use Of Accounting Accruals: A Quasi Experimental Approach, Margot S. Geagon Jan 2009

Evaluating Earnings Management With Derivatives And The Use Of Accounting Accruals: A Quasi Experimental Approach, Margot S. Geagon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Most companies listed on the S&P 500 index have reported smoothed earnings since the 1990s inspiring questions from regulators about the accuracy of financial statements. In 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133 (Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities) to establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. In 2002, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) was issued to eradicate earnings management activities and improve transparency in financial reporting. Although many studies have been conducted to evaluate changes in reporting requirements, much less is known about the effectiveness of these regulations on earning smoothing with discretionary accruals (DA) …

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Mandated Differentiated Instruction Effectiveness Examined, Kathlyn Joan Graham Jan 2009

Mandated Differentiated Instruction Effectiveness Examined, Kathlyn Joan Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Educational institutions are implementing curriculum mandates without data to support the benefits of the mandates to students. The purpose of this concurrent, mixed-method study, which utilizes quasi-experimental and case study approaches, was to address the effectiveness of mandated differentiated instruction in a suburban high school. This study investigated the significant differences in achievement before and after the implementation of differentiation as well as differences in achievement between a school that mandated the use of differentiation and one that did not. The study also investigated strategies used to implement differentiation and student and teacher attitudes toward it. For ninth grade literature …

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An Examination Of Cooperative Learning Models And Achievement In Middle And Secondary Level Social Studies, Jeffrey R. Niemi Jan 2009

An Examination Of Cooperative Learning Models And Achievement In Middle And Secondary Level Social Studies, Jeffrey R. Niemi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of understanding of different cooperative learning methods and their effects on student achievement in middle and secondary level social studies education. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to compare two different cooperative learning models in terms of their effects on student achievement in middle level social studies classes. The research question addressed in this study involved understanding the nature of the relationships between different cooperative learning models, gender, ability level and achievement in social studies students. The two cooperative learning models compared were the structured dyad model, which was effective in studies on reading achievement, …

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The Effects Of Art Education On Self -Efficacy In Middle School Students, Ellen P. Mitchell Jan 2009

The Effects Of Art Education On Self -Efficacy In Middle School Students, Ellen P. Mitchell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have theorized that student achievement and its contingent effects on self-efficacy are important factors in art education. There is, however, a paucity of research addressing this relationship, which in turn affects students' and educators' levels of success. Accordingly, this study was an investigation of the relationship between art education and self-efficacy in middle school students and tested the constructivist theory, as embodied in Bandera's theories on the foundations of self-efficacy beliefs. This pretest-posttest control-group true experimental design tested the relationship between the independent variable, art education and the dependent variable, self-efficacy in middle school students. The instrument, Patterns of …

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Exploring Knowledge Loss In The Contact Center: Key Loss Areas, Contributing Factors, And Performance Metric Implications, Elizabeth M. Herman Jan 2009

Exploring Knowledge Loss In The Contact Center: Key Loss Areas, Contributing Factors, And Performance Metric Implications, Elizabeth M. Herman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Knowledge loss, or organizational forgetting, is often overlooked in knowledge management frameworks, yet it costs organizations money, personnel, efficiency, and customer service. The purpose of this mixed model case study was to understand, using a model of forgetting as the conceptual framework, where and why loss occurred and to examine performance implications. An inbound telephone contact center was studied because of prolific changes in that industry regarding knowledge complexity and performance. The researcher interviewed 20 participants, observed 63 calls, and reviewed 3 months of performance data including average handle time, first call resolution percentages, and time spent on after call …

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The Application Of Learning Organization Principles To Church Growth, Colleen S. Bryan Jan 2009

The Application Of Learning Organization Principles To Church Growth, Colleen S. Bryan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While many studies showed evidence of the use of learning organization theory in a variety of venues, these theories have been studied in a limited capacity in church settings. This research attempted to substantiate the presence of learning organization principles in churches experiencing growth, and to refine a tool to measure these characteristics in churches. Relationships and strengths of association between and among 3 learning organization principles of leadership, job structure and systems, and performance and development, and degrees of growth defined as negative, plateau, and positive growth were examined in a sample of Nazarene churches via a revised survey …

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The Intersection Of Punctuated Equilibrium And Leadership Emergence Within The Framework Of Naturalistic Decision Making, Linda Moerschell Jan 2009

The Intersection Of Punctuated Equilibrium And Leadership Emergence Within The Framework Of Naturalistic Decision Making, Linda Moerschell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Punctuated equilibrium, a theory of unexpected and sudden change arising out of evolutionary biology and paleontology, has been applied to decision sciences, physics, organizational theory, and group behavior but never to leadership emergence theories. The purpose of the study was to discover how leadership emerges during a period of punctuated equilibrium, a sudden and unexpected change event, using a naturalistic decision making framework. Thus, the research question probed how leadership emergence could be theoretically modeled in a critical event. This grounded theory study was particularly unique because it drew from, and helped unify the four scientific foundations of complexity science, …

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An Examination Of Differences Between Online Learning For Hispanic And Caucasian Community College Students, Edward J. Beyer Jan 2009

An Examination Of Differences Between Online Learning For Hispanic And Caucasian Community College Students, Edward J. Beyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hispanic students are enrolling in community colleges at an increasing rate, and they do not succeed in community college online courses at a rate comparable to Caucasian students. Increasing Hispanic success in online education could potentially enhance their socioeconomic status. Drawing from the theoretical frameworks of andragogy and constructivism, the purpose of this case study was to examine differences between Hispanic and Caucasian students in online learning and identify factors that might contribute to the reported differences in success across Hispanic and Caucasian online students. Research questions contrasted the impact of course design, Internet access, learning preferences, and motivation on …

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