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Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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Early Childhood Teachers' Experiences In Collaboration Practices Related To Developing Professionally: A Qualitative Case Study, Linda Alston-Morgan Jul 2023

Early Childhood Teachers' Experiences In Collaboration Practices Related To Developing Professionally: A Qualitative Case Study, Linda Alston-Morgan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine early childhood teachers’ experiences in collaboration practices to support teacher professional development in three early childhood schools in Central New Jersey. The theory guiding this study was social cognitive theory by Bandura (1986), which focuses on learning through observations and social interactions. Bandura’s theory aligned with the study and revealed how collaborative opportunities are utilized as an approach to help teachers learn from each other and develop professionally. However, specific activities underlying the professional development of teachers during the collaborative sessions need more exploration. The research included data regarding early …


Organizational Behavior, Molly Xiong Jul 2023

Organizational Behavior, Molly Xiong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A survey method was designed to collect data from 334 non-management level public servant employees working in a public sector organization, specifically a local government entity. Employee motivation is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, and the findings of this study identified a positive link in the relationship between Organizational Behavior and employee motivation within a public sector organization. The findings recognized that while staff levels, expertise, and knowledge are all fundamental in public service, they are not enough to secure desirable organizational performance. Employee and organizational performance rely heavily on organizational actions, behaviors, information management processes, and employee commitment. These …


Enhancing Knowledge Management Practices: A Multiple Holistic Case Study With Principals And Teachers In A Western Canadian Province, Kathleen Marie Grad Jul 2023

Enhancing Knowledge Management Practices: A Multiple Holistic Case Study With Principals And Teachers In A Western Canadian Province, Kathleen Marie Grad

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple holistic case study was to understand how principals and teachers in a school division in a western Canadian province enhance their knowledge management practices. Knowledge management was generally defined as the organization, capture, use, and analysis of the impact of a group’s collective knowledge. The theory guiding this study was Davenport and Prusak’s theory of knowledge management as it explained the relationship between principals and teachers and how they use knowledge management. This qualitative research study was a multiple holistic case study which involved six principals and six teachers in a school division in a …


An Embedded Single-Case Study: Identifying Jrotc Teachers' Leadership Practices That Influence Secondary Learning Environments, Naangela Lolee Sue O'Neal Jul 2023

An Embedded Single-Case Study: Identifying Jrotc Teachers' Leadership Practices That Influence Secondary Learning Environments, Naangela Lolee Sue O'Neal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory embedded single-case study was to identify the effective JROTC teacher’s leadership practices in five U.S. public secondary schools in Virginia that positively influence classroom learning environments. This study’s central question was: How can JROTC teachers’ leadership practices and behaviors influence innovative classroom instructions? The conceptual framework was Kouzes’ and Posner’s leadership model on positive leadership transformation. The research was conducted to identify factors attributed to the problem that leadership used by the JROTC teachers was ineffective, despotic, and irrelevant to modern students’ needs. The methodology used a qualitative exploratory embedded single-case study design because …


Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study: The Lived Experiences Of School Leaders Who Have Worked Through A Merger, Olga Nelly Collazo Jul 2023

Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study: The Lived Experiences Of School Leaders Who Have Worked Through A Merger, Olga Nelly Collazo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of school leaders who worked through the processes of school mergers in New York State. The central research question that guided the study was: What are the lived experiences of school leaders who worked through the processes of a school merger? In addition, guiding questions were implemented to understand the phenomenon of school mergers. The guiding questions are: How do school leaders maneuver and manage the organizational structures impacted by the processes of a school merger? What role do school leaders play in the environmental demands influencing the processes of a …


A Phenomenological Understanding Of K-12 Leaders’ Lived Experiences Of Changing From Teacher-Centered Practices To Student-Centered Practices, Claudia Burregi Jul 2023

A Phenomenological Understanding Of K-12 Leaders’ Lived Experiences Of Changing From Teacher-Centered Practices To Student-Centered Practices, Claudia Burregi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the process of changing from teacher-centered practices to student-centered practices for K-12 educational leaders at Blue Ocean school district (pseudonym) in Louisiana to equip students with 21st-century skills. The theory guiding this study is Lewin’s change theory, which undergirds the premise that as individuals embrace change, they are better equipped to support the vision of why change is needed, ultimately leading to lasting change. A transcendental study was used to capture the essence of the change from TCL to SCL experience of ten educational leaders from seven schools in BOSD …


Nursing Faculty Experiences Of An Academic Merger: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Sherry Michelle Boone Jul 2023

Nursing Faculty Experiences Of An Academic Merger: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Sherry Michelle Boone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experience of undergoing a merger of two or more academic institutions within the United States for nursing faculty who chose to voluntarily depart the organization following the merger. The theoretical framework guiding this study was social capital theory as it discusses the importance of relationships and the resources those relationships provide. While assets may be acquired during a merger, social capital must be developed over time and is important for building a new combined healthy organizational culture. The study included nine participants who departed the institution in the timeframe …


An Embedded Case Study To Understand The Barriers To Cultural Progression In Aviation, Scott Phillip Trepinski Jul 2023

An Embedded Case Study To Understand The Barriers To Cultural Progression In Aviation, Scott Phillip Trepinski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, revelatory, embedded case study was to understand the barriers to cultural progression aviation leaders experience within airlines based in the United States. The study was guided by the research question: What can be learned about the barriers hindering the progression of safety culture within the aviation industry? The research design used a single embedded case study model utilizing participants responsible for managing, participating in, and designing programs and policies associated with an organization's safety management system. The study's theoretical framework was the cognitive dissonance theory and the dialogue-supported organizational learning theory. Data was collected utilizing …


The Relationship Between Leadership Transparency And Accountability On Public Rural Basic Education In Amenfi Central District, Western Region Of Ghana, Emmanuel Osei-Kissi Jun 2023

The Relationship Between Leadership Transparency And Accountability On Public Rural Basic Education In Amenfi Central District, Western Region Of Ghana, Emmanuel Osei-Kissi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation assessed the relationship between leadership, accountability, and transparency in basic public rural schools in the Amenfi Central district of Ghana. Over the past decade, leadership, transparency, and accountability measures have addressed developmental failures in the educational sector. However, most of these studies are done in isolation. The problem is that studying the concepts (leadership, accountability, and transparency) in an isolated manner does not provide a holistic examination of the effect of these concepts in the educational sector, especially in basic rural schools. The dissertation sought answers to whether the leadership style, accountability, and transparency techniques affect school management …


Succession Planning In The Federal Government, Christine Noel Roberts May 2023

Succession Planning In The Federal Government, Christine Noel Roberts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Succession planning is a term that refers to the systematic and methodological efforts an organization uses to plan for organizational stability and proficiency. Organizations must provide employees the training, experiences, and knowledge required to assume positions of increased responsibility when those jobs are vacated. Agencies should strive to create a diversified pool of qualified candidates to avoid a talent gap, workforce shortages, or a loss of agency knowledge. Over the past fifteen years, the Federal Government has continued to highlight the need to take a proactive approach to succession planning by first identifying the skill sets needed for critical positions …


Jena And Auerstadt: Reorganization Of The German Military From 1807-1945, Blake Cole Lucy May 2023

Jena And Auerstadt: Reorganization Of The German Military From 1807-1945, Blake Cole Lucy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The twin battles of Jena and Auerstadt in 1806 and the defeat of the Prussian army by Napoleon I set in motion a series of reforms that transitioned Prussia into a modern state both economically and militarily. From these reforms and key reformers, the Prussian state established itself amongst other European powers of the time helping defeat Napoleon in 1815 ending the Napoleonic period. After the Napoleonic age, the Prussian state again faced a dire situation during the 1848 revolutions and whether it would continue the reforms through a conservative or liberal approach. The military reforms of the 1850s during …


Organizational Preparedness Required For System Implementation, Kaitlyn Marie Mccollum May 2023

Organizational Preparedness Required For System Implementation, Kaitlyn Marie Mccollum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are currently in high demand as organizations seek to streamline, synchronize, and synthesis operational information, efforts, and resources to make decisions swifter and operate more efficiently and effectively. As the results and benefits of system output are realized within the market, organizations seek to implement ERP systems but are not successful because their organizations are not prepared prior to implementing the system. As a result, organizations search for a roadmap or collection of best practices as a guide for organizational preparation prior to system adoption and implementation. But these materials are lacking within the industry. …


The Role Of Spiritual Fitness On Burnout And Organizational Commitment In High-Stress Environments, Amy Mcdonald Stevens Apr 2023

The Role Of Spiritual Fitness On Burnout And Organizational Commitment In High-Stress Environments, Amy Mcdonald Stevens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationships between burnout, spiritual fitness, and organizational commitment in National Guard servicemembers. Recent deployments and chronic stressors have resulted in an emergence of mental health concerns, burnout, and turnover intentions in this population. Research has indicated that elements of spirituality address these concerns and suggest that more spiritual individuals are more resilient, less susceptible to burnout, and find positive meaning in work. This study examined these variables using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981), the Organizational Commitment Scale (Meyer & Allen, 1997), and the SOCOM Spiritual Fitness Scale (Alexander et al., 2020). Correlations …


Examining The Role Of Authentic Leadership In Job Embeddedness And Turnover Intent, Abigail J. Jamison Apr 2023

Examining The Role Of Authentic Leadership In Job Embeddedness And Turnover Intent, Abigail J. Jamison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hospital turnover has increased at alarming rates, particularly since the onset and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. While traditional theories of turnover look at why employees leave, job embeddedness is both a theory and a framework that examines why people stay. Authentic leadership is a relational leadership style comprised of components of self-awareness, internalized moral perspective, relational transparency, balanced processing, and caring. This quantitative correlational research investigated the relationship of authentic leadership as mediator between job embeddedness and turnover intent, as well as the relationships between the five constructs of authentic leadership, to determine which, if any, caused …


Managing Cyber Defense As A Business Threat For Small And Medium Enterprises, Binh Quang Vo Apr 2023

Managing Cyber Defense As A Business Threat For Small And Medium Enterprises, Binh Quang Vo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The U.S small and medium businesses (SMBs) are constantly attacked by cybercriminals. Alarmingly, the number of victimized SMBs is growing considerably every year. This results in the increasing loss of billions of dollars and risks to the national economy. The problem addressed was the rising number of cyberattacks critically harming SMBs resulting in revenue loss, damages to reputation, and business closure. The purpose of this research was to reveal the contemporary barriers and challenges that impact cybersecurity competencies of SMBs. This study used semi-structured interviews of participants who are currently working as cyber professionals in SMBs across industries. The goal …


Secondary Teacher Experiences In Professional Learning Communities: A Phenomenological Research Study, Tiphani Jo Morris Apr 2023

Secondary Teacher Experiences In Professional Learning Communities: A Phenomenological Research Study, Tiphani Jo Morris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological research study was to describe secondary mathematics, science, English Language Arts (ELA), and social studies teachers’ experiences with PLCs at Central Texas secondary schools. Using Wenger’s (1998) social theory, the study answered the central research question: What are the lived experiences of secondary mathematics, science, ELA, and social studies teachers involved in PLCs in Central Texas? The sub-questions included: What collaborative experiences do secondary teachers have during PLCs? What professional learning experiences do secondary teachers have during PLCs? The setting included two middle schools and one high school located in Central Texas. The sample …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Underrepresentation Of Blacks In Leadership Roles In Professional Services Organizations, Marcia E. Stokes Apr 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of The Underrepresentation Of Blacks In Leadership Roles In Professional Services Organizations, Marcia E. Stokes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of Blacks in professional services organizations who were promoted into leadership positions. The theories which guided this study were Spence’s theory on signaling and the Critical Race Theory (CRT). They provided lenses that were used to view the problem of access to advancements and promotions for Blacks in professional services organizations. The research design used for this study was qualitative, and the approach was hermeneutical phenomenological. The qualitative design provided an opportunity to gather the data by hearing the lived experiences of the participants and by capturing …


A Phenomenological Study Of Pastors Leaving Employment Due To Experienced Poor Person-Organization Fit, Stephen T. Buys Apr 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of Pastors Leaving Employment Due To Experienced Poor Person-Organization Fit, Stephen T. Buys

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe pastors’ experiences who have served full-time in a lead/senior pastor role in evangelical churches after having lost or left their employment as a result of experiencing poor person-organization fit. For this study, pastoral staff turnover was defined as the employment of full-time pastoral staff employed for at least one year who have resulted in voluntary or involuntary resignation from their place of employment because of value incongruence. In this phenomenology, the church is viewed as an educational institution, including similarities between pastoral roles and educator and administrator roles. As …


Effective Public Sector Leadership In A Mandatory Remote Work Environment, Sara Janene Valdez Hoffer Apr 2023

Effective Public Sector Leadership In A Mandatory Remote Work Environment, Sara Janene Valdez Hoffer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study research was to identify effective public sector leadership skills when operating in a mandatory remote work environment. The research topic was driven by the adjustments many public sector organizations were mandated to make due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to attract and retain a talented workforce in the future, many government agencies have been faced with implementing reconstitution efforts that include more flexible schedule options for employees following the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, these organizations began exploring offering additional remote opportunities that were previously not available. Thus, identifying effective leadership skills …


Transformative Learning Theory As Applied To Worship Studies, Loueda B. Bleiler Mar 2023

Transformative Learning Theory As Applied To Worship Studies, Loueda B. Bleiler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite extensive research regarding the application of Transformative Learning Theory in adult education, there is very little literature promoting applying these principles and practices within Christian Worship Studies. Transformative Learning Theory is an educational theory that researches and promotes perspective-changing teaching and learning. Structured educational opportunities and spiritual development through Christian worship both have the potential to be life-altering events in human experience. In each of these dimensions of learning, the final result may include a change in perspective which then leads to modified behaviors. Transformative change occurs in the life of the learner. This qualitative research study explores the …


Best Strategies To Address Burnout Among Healthcare Professionals: An Integrative Review, Kimberly Ann Delbo Dec 2022

Best Strategies To Address Burnout Among Healthcare Professionals: An Integrative Review, Kimberly Ann Delbo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this integrative literature review (ILR) is to provide a comprehensive summary and analysis of past empirical and theoretical literature related to the phenomenon of burnout while sharing a synthesis of literature. This ILR explores, critiques, summarizes, and analyzes best practices and interventions to address burnout and promote engagement and well-being among health care workers within acute care hospitals. The scientific basis for this ILR was the premise that a relationship exists between burnout interventions and organizational cultures which can be positively influenced by relational and social leadership styles that reduce work-related stressors and create positive, professional, healthy …


The Influence On American Post-Secondary Education By United States Military And Veteran Programs Resulting From Changing Technology, Reform-Minded Leaders, And Large Military Operations, Scot Douglas Cates Dec 2022

The Influence On American Post-Secondary Education By United States Military And Veteran Programs Resulting From Changing Technology, Reform-Minded Leaders, And Large Military Operations, Scot Douglas Cates

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Scholars have explored the United States military from the lens of battles, campaigns, operations, and leaders with depth and zeal. When discussing the influence of the Army on education in America, the G.I. Bill is consistently the main topic of conversation. However, the contributions of the Army to American higher education are much more complicated than simply the passage of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944. A wide variety of programs and efforts championed by the Army during the first half of the twentieth century lack in-depth research and analysis. This study examined the American military transformation from the American …


Implementation Of A Medical Emergency Chain Of Command Protocol In The School Setting, Vikki Shannon Brannon Dec 2022

Implementation Of A Medical Emergency Chain Of Command Protocol In The School Setting, Vikki Shannon Brannon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Medical emergencies occur every day in school settings across America. School nurses have a vital role in providing care for individuals experiencing a medical emergency and leading a multidisciplinary team during a medical emergency event. Since incidences of medical emergencies are commonplace, it is standard to have protocols and guidelines for these events. To address this concern, an evidence-based practice project was implemented in a rural school district in North Georgia. The pilot project was developed and implemented to assess the effectiveness of implementing a “Medical Emergency Chain of Command Protocol.” The protocol was developed to improve the effectiveness and …


A Case Study Of Transformational Leadership Practices Utilized To Increase National Rankings Of An Hbcu Through Strategic Planning, Titilayo B. Evans Dec 2022

A Case Study Of Transformational Leadership Practices Utilized To Increase National Rankings Of An Hbcu Through Strategic Planning, Titilayo B. Evans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single instrument case study was to explore the transformational leadership practices utilized by university leaders in the implementation of a strategic plan first executed in 2011 at Pride University, a pseudonym used for the setting of the study, a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The central research question of this study was, “How were transformational leadership strategies utilized in the execution of the strategic plan implemented at Pride University?” Over the years, transformational leadership has been commonly embraced by organizations and has worked well for leaders and followers alike. Although there has been much research …


Organizational Factors Influencing Campus Law Enforcement Agencies Belonging To Professional Accrediting Bodies, Jamie Adam Gauthier Dec 2022

Organizational Factors Influencing Campus Law Enforcement Agencies Belonging To Professional Accrediting Bodies, Jamie Adam Gauthier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Accreditation in campus law enforcement agencies is considered a modality of professionalism in the industry. The use of accreditation requires a voluntary approach to implement industry standards, policies, procedures, and best practices, while being scrutinized by an accreditation team. Law enforcement leaders frequently review a management strategy to professionalize the policing industry, although, without accreditation in place, the methodology is based on prior trial and errors of the past. Using a quantitative nonexperimental research design, this study aims to examine the implementation of accreditation within campus law enforcement agencies. With a nationally representative sample, a research question addressing the factors …


Mental Health Implications Of Isolation During Hospitalization For Covid-19: Self-Perceived Variations In Emotion, Rebekah Ruth Jones Dec 2022

Mental Health Implications Of Isolation During Hospitalization For Covid-19: Self-Perceived Variations In Emotion, Rebekah Ruth Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Forced isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous mental health consequences. Individuals who have required hospitalization due to contracting the illness are at an increased risk of developing potentially harmful mental health concerns resulting from the emotional distress of forced isolation. Families separated from one another experience anxiety and fear due to helplessness fostered by the separation. Furthermore, medical caretakers are placed in the position to make life-altering decisions for their patients, increasing their stress and anxiety levels. Therefore, it is imperative that hospitals provide adequate mental health support for patients and their family members. Furthermore, communities …


Leadership Curriculum In Physical Therapy Education: A Case Study, Christina M. Kalata Nov 2022

Leadership Curriculum In Physical Therapy Education: A Case Study, Christina M. Kalata

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Physical therapists must demonstrate leadership skills to provide quality patient care and to facilitate healthcare reform. The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to understand core physical therapy faculty’s implementation of leadership development curriculum in entry-level physical therapy programs at graduate colleges and universities. The theory guiding this study was transformational leadership theory, proposed by Burns (1978), as it informs leadership skills and attributes, which may cultivate the change necessary for health care reform. The central research question for this study explores how physical therapy faculty incorporate leadership development into their graduate physical therapy programs to prepare students …


Vicarious Healing: Integration Of Faith And Practice, Yolanda R. Montgomery Nov 2022

Vicarious Healing: Integration Of Faith And Practice, Yolanda R. Montgomery

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Several studies have evaluated the emotional burden added to therapists who are treating traumatized individuals. However, little research has been done to determine how to mitigate the secondary trauma in clinicians within the therapeutic environment during counseling sessions. An exploration of change theory can be applied to understand why secular therapists experience resilience and growth at different times or not at all. However, this intersection lacks a spiritual component that is present for Christian therapists to heal from this trauma during in-person sessions. The present study aims to explore this intersection of change theory with posttraumatic growth and vicarious resilience. …


Organizational Change In The Workplace During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Takeisha Shante Miles Nov 2022

Organizational Change In The Workplace During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Takeisha Shante Miles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Failed change initiatives continuously plagued organizations throughout time, mainly because of the complexities involving the response to change. Researchers studied to understand the cause and effect of failed change efforts. The type of change often notes as a precursor to the kind of response, while the resistance to change was a catalyst to the 70% rate of failed change initiatives (Burnes & Jackson, 2011; Maheshwari & Vohra, 2015). Organizational change initiatives become further complicated, involving a crisis. This qualitative multiple case study included the phenomenon of unsuccessful change proposals during a crisis, its implications on job satisfaction and employee resistance, …


Bidirectional Leader-Member Exchange And The Impact On Middle Manager Job Satisfaction, Brian A. Collera Nov 2022

Bidirectional Leader-Member Exchange And The Impact On Middle Manager Job Satisfaction, Brian A. Collera

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leader-member exchange (LMX) theory focuses on the quality of the relationship between a leader and member. LMX is associated with a number of positive member outcomes, but LMX research has largely neglected what, if any, positive benefits leaders attain from high quality relationships beyond better team performance. The purpose of this study was to apply the LMX theory to middle managers in organizations. Middle managers inherently balance the competing interests of multidirectional relationships, acting as both a leader and a member in the organizational hierarchy. This study explored how middle manager’s self-rating of LMX (relationship with their subordinates), leader-leader exchange …