Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
File Type

Articles 4051 - 4080 of 6524

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

The Effects Of Leadership On Faculty And Staff Job Satisfaction And Affective Commitment In Health-Related Professional Programs, Vitasha Ali Mar 2022

The Effects Of Leadership On Faculty And Staff Job Satisfaction And Affective Commitment In Health-Related Professional Programs, Vitasha Ali

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership is an essential component of higher education institutions as it influences the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission and achieve its goals. Leadership is vital as it affects employees in various areas that may influence their ability to perform their professional duties. Leadership is aligned with the success of an organization and impacts the motivation of employees on their achievement to successfully accomplish the institution’s goal. Transformational leaders encourage individuals to support each other and the organization as a whole and creates an environment of trust, loyalty and respect for the leader by the followers. This leadership style may …


Understanding Student Perspective Of Undergraduate Cybersecurity Programs And Experiences Across Christian Colleges And Universities, Brandon P. Grech Mar 2022

Understanding Student Perspective Of Undergraduate Cybersecurity Programs And Experiences Across Christian Colleges And Universities, Brandon P. Grech

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The number of Christian colleges and universities that are offering cybersecurity four-year degrees is rising. The workforce is in dire need of cybersecurity professionals; however, has anybody asked the new cybersecurity professionals in the workforce how their recent academic experience prepared them for such a global need? Research is well-documented about what industry currently needs in cybersecurity professionals; however, this research focused on asking graduates what students need for the workforce. The purpose of this explorative qualitative study was to gain an understanding of the phenomena of the holistic experience (technical, nontechnical, and whole-person) strengths and shortcomings (if any) recent …


A Phenomenological Study Of Scripture-Based Ethical Principles Embedded Within Corporate Leadership Practices, Steven T. Smith Mar 2022

A Phenomenological Study Of Scripture-Based Ethical Principles Embedded Within Corporate Leadership Practices, Steven T. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The ethical treatment of others within the corporate working environment is essential for that corporation's success. Ethical treatment of others applies to business transactions with customers and clients and engages the policies designed to formulate the ethical treatment of company employees. Although most major corporation documentation includes corporate code of conduct policies, the ethical principles used to define those policies and enact leadership based upon those policies are not always consistent. Four research questions defined the structure of this qualitative phenomenological study. The study’s purpose was to define the nature of Scripture-based ethics within the corporate environment. The theory guiding …


The Effects Of The Global Covid-19 Pandemic On Pastors In The Church Of The Nazarene, Beth Bleadingheiser Heath Mar 2022

The Effects Of The Global Covid-19 Pandemic On Pastors In The Church Of The Nazarene, Beth Bleadingheiser Heath

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experience of living through and ministering during the global COVID-19 pandemic for Nazarene pastors in Ohio. The theoretical framework that guided the research was Hope Theory and Resilience. The Conceptual Mapping Task was used to conduct interviews of eight ordained Nazarene pastors. Pastors described their experience and then worked with a researcher to create a concept map to organize their story. Pastors were asked to describe their story of living through and ministering during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Pastors were also asked how the global COVID-19 pandemic affected their church …


Perceived Leadership Communication, Modalities Of Communication, And Perceived Organizational Support, Allison Anne Maas Feb 2022

Perceived Leadership Communication, Modalities Of Communication, And Perceived Organizational Support, Allison Anne Maas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Organizations are constantly evaluating methods and looking for new ways to improve retention. Perceived Organizational Support (POS) is used as a predictor of intent to stay; therefore, it is important to know what behaviors lead to greater POS. Understanding this will enable organizations to coach their leaders on styles that are most effective so they can make the best use of their time. This study focused specifically on supervisor-employee engagements, evaluating the correlation between perceived leadership communication and POS, and the significance of modality. The study concluded that perceived leadership communication was positively correlated with POS. Of the five communication …


Overcoming Obstacles To Dna Group Engagement, Charles Edward Kelly Feb 2022

Overcoming Obstacles To Dna Group Engagement, Charles Edward Kelly

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Discipleship is the primary command given by Jesus to his disciples. The elements of discipleship growth are best carried out in smaller cell groups of ten to twenty people. In the model used by the researcher, these cell groups (called missional communities) are subdivided into groups of three comprised of the same gender. These subdivided groups are called DNA groups. It is within DNA groups that a more intimate environment is created for transparency, biblical learning, and accountability. The researcher found three primary obstacles to engagement in a previous iteration of DNA groups. Those three obstacles are overscheduling / busyness, …


Servant Leadership Practices Of Principals: A Case Study, Bradley Benton Haga Feb 2022

Servant Leadership Practices Of Principals: A Case Study, Bradley Benton Haga

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify practices of servant leadership styles of principals in selected rural school divisions in Southwestern, Virginia. The theories that guided this research were Robert Greenleaf’s (1970) servant leadership and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1943). The central research question is: How do public school principals describe their servant leadership practices? The sub-questions include (a) what servant leadership practices are used with students? (b) what servant leadership practices are used with parents? (c) what servant leadership practices are used with faculty and staff? Participants were screened through purpose sampling by using the screening …


Project Management Skills For Highly Successful Virtual Project Teams, Andrea Hogge Feb 2022

Project Management Skills For Highly Successful Virtual Project Teams, Andrea Hogge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Virtual project teams gained wider acceptance in organizations over the past 30 years, supported by improved communications technology and spurred by global competition. Virtual working arrangements provide benefits to employers, employees, and the environment. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021 stimulated the transition from traditional to virtual project teams. Project management in the virtual environment requires different skills than leading in the collocated environment. Skills that lead to successful project outcomes in the traditional environment do not simply transfer to the virtual environment. Project managers must focus on new skills, especially those that contribute to developing open communication and building trust. …


Christian Education And The Examination Of Apologetics Curriculum, Sara Elizabeth Boyd Feb 2022

Christian Education And The Examination Of Apologetics Curriculum, Sara Elizabeth Boyd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this action research project was to evaluate the ability of Christian high school students to explain and defend their faith. The main focus of the project was to compare the current apologetics curriculum used by Cedar Park Christian School to a new curriculum designed for the sake of this study. The new curriculum sought to provide grade-level resources as source material for each student. Additionally, it approached the course with the expectation for students to articulate their learned knowledge conversationally. There were forty-nine total participants, all who were either a junior or senior at the start of …


Auditor Inability To Use Professional Skepticism, Tiffany D. Schuster Feb 2022

Auditor Inability To Use Professional Skepticism, Tiffany D. Schuster

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study sought to understand challenges to Louisville, Kentucky Certified Public Accounting firms and the development of auditor professional skepticism. The research considered the problem of the lack of professional skepticism and the importance of the skill in the auditor's role. The study focused on three levels of auditing roles, their experience in auditing, education levels, and overall experience in their current role. The research methodology was a single case study design and interviewed participants through gaining insight from their experiences in the auditing field, and the challenges faced. The research deepened the understanding of problems and contributing factors …


A Contemporary Model Of An Outreach Training Manual For The New Light Church, Antonio Orlando Beckford Feb 2022

A Contemporary Model Of An Outreach Training Manual For The New Light Church, Antonio Orlando Beckford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The life of a Christian church goes through cycles. New Light Church has experienced a few of them. The thesis project reveals the growth cycles and declines in membership of NL. The researcher believes that the church’s steady membership growth dropped because of the abstaining of regular and deliberate practice of New Testament church growth methods. Church growth is grounded in the work of God. The church engaged in hearing and obeying God will see his fruit manifested through in their local assembly. The researcher created a manual for evangelism as a training template for the Christian church to follow. …


Family Business Leadership Succession, Elissa A. Rogers Feb 2022

Family Business Leadership Succession, Elissa A. Rogers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Family businesses frequently experience business failure following succession from the first generation. Family businesses that lack effective succession plans have low sustainability beyond the second or third generations of family leadership. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore how to reduce family business failure following generational succession. Three theoretical models were included in the conceptual framework: (a) Lewin’s three-step change model, (b) Bass’s full range of leadership model, and (c) Rumelt’s strategic kernel. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews and internal documents relevant to the succession process. Six themes emerged: (a) reason for succession, (b) necessary …


An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Evangelical Pastors’ Competencies In Biblical Male Sexuality And Spiritual Formation, Kirby J. Silo Feb 2022

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Evangelical Pastors’ Competencies In Biblical Male Sexuality And Spiritual Formation, Kirby J. Silo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis study was to understand how Evangelical pastors’ knowledge of biblical male sexuality, pedagogical knowledge, and relational knowledge affected their ministry praxis of teaching, educating, and discipling men in living sexually pure lives from a biblical perspective. Biblical sexuality is a significant component in the spiritual formation of Christian men. Current studies show that sexuality remains an awkward topic in Evangelical churches today. As a result, Christian men are not getting the help they need in this critical part of their spiritual development. Participants (N=7) were male Evangelical pastors serving as senior pastors in …


Black Men's Perspectives On Their Student-Faculty Relationships In Higher Education: A Phenomenological Study, Tyson J. Askew Feb 2022

Black Men's Perspectives On Their Student-Faculty Relationships In Higher Education: A Phenomenological Study, Tyson J. Askew

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the phenomenological study was to explore Black men’s perspectives of their student-faculty relationships in higher education. Utilizing a qualitative research design and Noddings ethics of care theory, the findings of the inquiry are useful for institutions of higher education as they strive to facilitate effective relationships with their Black men students. The central question for this study was how do Black men describe their relationships with their faulty in higher education? The setting for this study was a social media platform that consists of 207,577 Black men; of that number, 100,000 of these men have reported being …


Strategies And Internal Control Procedures For Decreasing Fraud In Faith-Based Nonprofit Organizations, Shawn Thomas Miller Feb 2022

Strategies And Internal Control Procedures For Decreasing Fraud In Faith-Based Nonprofit Organizations, Shawn Thomas Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study addressed the problem regarding the lack of strategies and internal controls in faith-based nonprofit organizations which resulted in a higher risk of fraud, waste of funds, or abuse of funds in charities, churches, and other related ministries. This risk was the result of trust by organizations that employees would not commit fraud and due to a lack of sufficient resources. This study specifically researched faith-based nonprofit organizations that are located in Texas. This qualitative case study included two faith-based nonprofit organizations located in or near Houston, Texas. The research found several themes including: frauds occur, segregation of duties, …


Perceptions Of Community Among Dual Credit Students Taking Stem Courses Offered Through A Community College, Teresa M. Johnson Feb 2022

Perceptions Of Community Among Dual Credit Students Taking Stem Courses Offered Through A Community College, Teresa M. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The United States is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified individuals to fill jobs in the fields of science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. Therefore, educational institutions are concerned with recruiting and retaining students in these fields of study. One means of introducing students to these fields of study is enrollment in dual credit coursework. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to determine whether a relationship exists between student perceptions of community for dual credit students enrolled in these courses through a local community college and end of term averages in these courses. This relationship was examined by collecting …


The Impact On Crime Rate During A Period Of Covid-19 Induced Jail Booking Restrictions, Nathan A. Jendrick Feb 2022

The Impact On Crime Rate During A Period Of Covid-19 Induced Jail Booking Restrictions, Nathan A. Jendrick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

COVID-19 has become a catalyst for profound changes not just in public health but in criminal justice as well. To reduce the close-quarters populations of correctional facilities in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus, law enforcement administrators in the Pacific Northwest have significantly limited the opportunity to make custodial arrests of criminal suspects. The effect on crime rate by not booking suspected criminals for misdemeanor and felony crimes alike remained largely unstudied. To assess this intervention, a paired samples t-test was used after acquiring call volume data for 13 crime types from the dispatch communications center of …


The African American Nuclear Family: Investigating The Healthy Habits Of Successful Long-Term Marriages In The African American Community, Derrick L. Smith Feb 2022

The African American Nuclear Family: Investigating The Healthy Habits Of Successful Long-Term Marriages In The African American Community, Derrick L. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study sought to understand what contributed to the success of long-term marriages in the African American community. Long-term marriage was defined as those lasting 20 years or more. The family systems theory developed by Dr. Murray Bowen guided this study. The study employed a phenomenological approach to qualitative inquiry. Due to the national health crisis, all interviews were conducted through a Zoom conferencing platform. Nine married couples who have been married for at least 20 years or more participated in the study. The following criteria had to be met to participate in the study: race, length of the …


A Phenomenological Study: The Lived Experience Of Self-Described Math-Anxious Students Attending College Online, Toni Nicole Sawhill Feb 2022

A Phenomenological Study: The Lived Experience Of Self-Described Math-Anxious Students Attending College Online, Toni Nicole Sawhill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe the lived experience of mathematics anxiety for self-described math-anxious students who completed an undergraduate mathematics course online at a university in the Pacific Northwest part of the United States. The theory guiding this study is community of inquiry (COI) introduced by early pragmatist philosophers C. S. Peirce and John Dewey and further developed by D. Randy Garrison, Terry Anderson, and Walter Archer as mathematics anxiety is a learned behavior based on students’ experiences. This research study answers the central research question: What are the lived experiences of mathematics anxiety for …


Improving Post-Secondary College And Career Awareness And Readiness At A Rural Career And Technical Center In Northern Virginia, Janet Lynn Pack Feb 2022

Improving Post-Secondary College And Career Awareness And Readiness At A Rural Career And Technical Center In Northern Virginia, Janet Lynn Pack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of a lack of post-secondary college and career awareness and readiness among students in a rural Career and Technical Education (CTE) center in Northern Virginia and to formulate a solution to address the problem. The central research question was “How can the problem of a lack of post-secondary college and career readiness (CCR) and awareness among students be solved at a rural CTE Center in Northern Virginia?” The researcher used a multimethod design consisting of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The first approach was semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Shared Lived Experiences Of Students With Disabilities In Inclusion Classrooms, Michelle Lynette Brown Feb 2022

A Phenomenological Study Of The Shared Lived Experiences Of Students With Disabilities In Inclusion Classrooms, Michelle Lynette Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of inclusion for students with disabilities regarding the practice of inclusion at a rural middle school in Southwest Virginia. The theories guiding this study were Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of cognitive development and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The central research question for the study was: What are the shared lived experiences of students with disabilities in an inclusion classroom? Other questions addressed social and academic experiences of students with disabilities in inclusion classrooms. The study took place in intermediate and middle schools in rural Southwest Virginia. Purposeful sampling …


Engaging Middle School Students Through Music History Mini-Lessons: A Mixed-Methods Study, Jessica Bentley Frerich Feb 2022

Engaging Middle School Students Through Music History Mini-Lessons: A Mixed-Methods Study, Jessica Bentley Frerich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Understanding history is a vital part of learning. Nearly every question asked in a music classroom about musical context involves its history, from notation to gestures or technicality to aural listening. History can bring music to life for both the performers and listeners. Despite multiple studies on specific historical music events, music history perspectives have not been addressed in the choral classroom. Moreover, research forums have yet to explore engagement factors of middle school students through a music history curriculum in the choir classrooms. Such research could provide a valid model for educators. This mixed-methods research study seeks to determine …


Military Deployed Parent Perceptions Of Involvement In The Education Of Their Children: A Phenomenological Study, Bennett Eder Garrincha Feb 2022

Military Deployed Parent Perceptions Of Involvement In The Education Of Their Children: A Phenomenological Study, Bennett Eder Garrincha

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of deployed military parents regarding active involvement in their child’s education. The research question was: What are the perceptions of deployed military parents regarding active participation in their child’s education? The methodology included using a qualitative phenomenological research design, applying Epstein's theory regarding the triangle relationship between parents, teachers, and the community to help explore and make sense of the stories and experiences of parents who have or are currently experiencing challenges associated with military deployment. Data were collected using questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, artifact …


Using Intentional Relationship Building And Community Presence To Minister To An Addicted Population In Cookeville, Tennessee, James Bailey Simpson Feb 2022

Using Intentional Relationship Building And Community Presence To Minister To An Addicted Population In Cookeville, Tennessee, James Bailey Simpson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Addiction and substance abuse are banes in American society as they destroy lives, families, hopes and dreams. Individuals with potential for productive lives and societal contributions are reduced to hollow shells and find themselves laser-focused on their next fix. Cookeville, Tennessee, is no different than any other rural American town as addiction and substance abuse are prevalent, especially within the northwestern areas of the city. West View Baptist Church was planted in this area in 1950 and has actively attempted to minister to the community's residents for the last 71 years. Recently, internal issues in the congregation and increasing disconnections …


Overcoming Barriers To Social Enterprise Expansion, Growth, And Financial Sustainability: The Leadership Challenges, Elizabeth A. Lee Feb 2022

Overcoming Barriers To Social Enterprise Expansion, Growth, And Financial Sustainability: The Leadership Challenges, Elizabeth A. Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social enterprise organizations are emerging worldwide as effective businesses that are willing and able to address major social problems, yet leadership challenges exist that impede long-term survival, financial viability, and positive social impact. The general problem addressed was the failure of leaders within social enterprise organizations to delegate tasks and responsibilities and build strong teams resulting in the inability to expand the business, while achieving growth and financial sustainability. The purpose of this qualitative, flexible design, single case study was to understand the reasons behind the failure of social enterprise organizational leaders to delegate tasks and responsibilities and build strong …


The Impact Of A Formal Leadership Development Program On Charge Nurse Leadership Competencies: An Integrative Review, Ellen Mae Hudson Feb 2022

The Impact Of A Formal Leadership Development Program On Charge Nurse Leadership Competencies: An Integrative Review, Ellen Mae Hudson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This integrative review focuses on the current body of evidence for charge nurse leadership development (CNLD). It identifies common skills and competencies, provides a synthesis of existing training practices, and identifies gaps in the evidence. A thorough literature search of electronic databases and reference lists was completed, resulting in the identification of 22 studies published between 2011 and 2020. Data from the selected studies were evaluated and categorized into common themes; virtually all reported positive outcomes for the charge nurse development program implemented. Two of the studies reviewed were integrative reviews that compared identified themes and methodologies. Four studies were …


A Case Study Examining How Teachers And Parents Provide Strategies That Nurture The Academic And Social Development Of Young Black Children In Low-Socioeconomic Communities, Naomi Nyambura Karaya Feb 2022

A Case Study Examining How Teachers And Parents Provide Strategies That Nurture The Academic And Social Development Of Young Black Children In Low-Socioeconomic Communities, Naomi Nyambura Karaya

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to describe how teachers and parents provided strategies that nurture the academic and social development of young Black children in schools located in low-socioeconomic communities in the United States. The study explored how teachers and parents balance nature with nurture in their instructional and parenting practices to positively impact students' academic growth and behavior. All participants in this case study were Black and included five teachers, four parents, two school counselors, two psychologists, and two social workers. Both males and females from diverse ethnic backgrounds were selected as participants and identified as co-researchers. …


A Predictive Correlational Study Of Collegiate Educational Leader's Cultural Orientations And Their Cultural Intelligence Scores, Erica G. Badru Feb 2022

A Predictive Correlational Study Of Collegiate Educational Leader's Cultural Orientations And Their Cultural Intelligence Scores, Erica G. Badru

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A predictive correlational study was conducted to determine predictive capabilities between collegiate educational leader’s horizontal collectivism scores and their motivational cultural intelligence scores. While researchers have used cultural intelligence (CQ) and cultural orientations (CO) as theoretical frameworks in previous studies, this study relies heavily on Robert Bandura’s social learning theory (SLT). The differentiation in theoretical framework indicates that a group’s social norms, religious customs, and their cultural constructs are learned through direct experience within their communal upbringing or learned through observing others. Therefore, just as these cultural responses to external stimuli were learned, they can be unlearned, and relearned to …


Leadership Adaptability Within The Higher Education Industry, Rebecca Niemeyer Rens Jan 2022

Leadership Adaptability Within The Higher Education Industry, Rebecca Niemeyer Rens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Dynamism in the higher education industry (HEI) has created unprecedented complexity and uncertainty for leaders at colleges and universities across the globe. The challenges to competitive advantage and sustainability created by dynamic conditions have been exacerbated and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and health crisis. HEI leaders are struggling to adapt antiquated and traditionally held methods and practices to navigate the rapid changes and survive the resulting chaos. The ability of leaders to adapt to dynamism in contemporary industry conditions is influenced by the external and internal environments; in term, these leaders’ capacity for change impacts the adaptability of the …


A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Couples Attending Experiential, Attachment-Based Premarital Workshops, James Joseph Kasten Jan 2022

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Couples Attending Experiential, Attachment-Based Premarital Workshops, James Joseph Kasten

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of couples who attended an experiential, attachment-based premarital workshop. Schlossberg’s transition theory provided this study’s theoretical framework, which strived to answer the following research questions: How do couples describe their experiences attending an experiential, attachment-based premarital workshop? How do participants describe their expectations for the workshop prior to their participation in the workshop? In what ways were the participants’ expectations met, and what were the unexpected outcomes experienced while participating in the premarital workshop? How do participants describe the short-lived and enduring influences of their workshop experience? Data …