Digital Commons Network^™

U.S. Collegiate Athletics: International Student Athletes Recruiting Process, Evelyn S. Jara

Theses and Dissertations

The pressure to win has grown as a result of the billions of dollars invested in collegiate athletics and the increasing national media attention, and coaches and administrators are searching for an athletic edge (Wieberg, 2008). There are a limited number of American athletes that have the skills to impact the collegiate level. Competition to attract the top domestic players is high, so coaches turn to larger, international recruiting arenas with less competition (Riley, 1997). The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulates collegiate Sports in the United States, which is the only place in the world that provides the opportunity …

Fostering Creativity Skills In Online Mba Programs: Perceptions Of Mba Alumni, Mark D. Orlando

Theses and Dissertations

With companies seeking to increase organizational efficiency while promoting prosperous growth, creativity has become one of the most important leadership qualities sought after by employers. This has put a demand on Masters of Business Administration (MBA) graduates to possess creative skills, as well as a dependency for MBA students to acquire a quality MBA education. Although business education has entered into new domains of online learning, the criticism remains that business education does little to foster or strengthen students' creativity skills. Thus, with the evolution of online education arises a need to research the effectiveness of creativity within these new …

The Influence Of Warmth And Competence Perceptions On Employees’ Attitudinal And Behavioral Responses In Casual Dining Restaurants, Diego Riva Humbert Bufquin

Theses and Dissertations

Employees in the hospitality industry continuously judge their peers and leaders in order to evaluate their work environment. Group and individual evaluations are systematic, as the restaurant industry is characterized by high labor intensiveness that typically involves substantial social interactions and task interdependence. As a consequence, employees come up with quick and broad conclusions about the characteristics of the people that they work with or for.

Along these lines, two of the most significant constructs that govern the social perceptions or evaluations of individuals and groups are people’s perceived warmth and competence. The warmth construct informs people whether a person …

Neural Network Based Emg Driven Modeling And Control Of Human Walking, Alaa Muheddin Abdulrahman

Theses and Dissertations

Human body modeling (HBM) offers the benefit of replicating human activity into robotics and rehabilitation devices. Gait impairment is a consequence of several diseases like stroke, spinal cord injury, or Parkinson' disease. The modeling techniques developed in robotics have been used to improve gait abnormalities in walking and in building Exoskeletal robots. HBM is resource intensive as it requires setting-up laboratory facilities and using expensive instruments. Further, the data acquired is limited to the number of the participants. In addition, the accuracy of the model is important as it is related to human pathology. In this research, several Matlab based …

Myoelectric Prostheses: Novel Methodologies For Enhancing Usability And Control, Ghulam Rasool

Theses and Dissertations

Control of powered prostheses using the information from leftover muscles in amputees is a challenging problem. I investigated the problem with a view to find clinically reliable and robust schemes that can interpret human intent and control a powered prosthesis in real-time. Recently, pattern classification systems have been suggested to map muscle activation patterns to the human intent (or the movement). However, due to the underlying generic structure, system-specific information cannot be exclusively incorporated into pattern classification algorithms. I have proposed two new methodologies in my research. The first one extended the pattern classification with a new feature set comprised …

Success With Social Responsibility Local Retailers' Perspectives, Danielle Marie Razalan

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines a specific sect of small business—the local retailer—in order to gauge owners’ understanding and implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Guided by the Enlightened Self-Interest Model (ESIM), the purpose of this study is to gain further insight into how local retailers in Columbia determine what is socially responsible, and what CSR practices they are utilizing. Additionally, this research aims to understand why local retailers are motivated to act in a socially responsible way and the benefits they perceive from CSR. Results reveal that owners of local retailers are motivated to act in a socially responsible way by …

Revisiting Gender Constraints And Benefits In Leisure Tourism: Man-Up, It’S Time To Travel Like A Woman, Holly L. Rabin

Theses and Dissertations

Historically and culturally, women’s leisure has been constrained through time, activity, and experience, as it is intricately woven with elements of freedom and choice, and thus empowerment (Khan, 2011; Henderson, et al., 1989). Previous research of constraints in leisure tourism appears to follow a pattern of inequalities between men and women (Wearing & Wearing, 1988). Women are feeling more independent and selfconfident then ever before in their leisure time and travel (Wilson & Harris, 2006). The purpose of this study is to determine if previous research, statistics, and case studies are still relevant in Millennial females and their solo leisure …

“Shopping In A Size Small World”: Examining Attributes Of Mainstream Retail Clothing Stores That Affect The Level Of Satisfaction In Plus-Size Female Consumers, Tierra Pinckney

Theses and Dissertations

The plus-size female U.S. consumer accounts for 28% of the apparel purchasing power. They are a disgruntled group of women who state that fashion retailers do not understand their clothing needs. Additionally, there is a limited amount of information on how this demographic is affected by the environment of a retail store. The purpose of this study is to examine the attributes of mainstream retail clothing store shopping environments which affect the satisfaction and dissatisfaction of plus-size female consumers which include: (a) Crowding, (b) Mannequins, (c) Clothing Availability, (d) In-Store Signage, (e) Sales Associates, and (f) Fitting Rooms. Results of …

Content Analysis: Structure And Compostion Of The Board Of Directors In Aquatic Sports National Governing Bodies Between South Korea And The United States Of America, Yoojung Rhee

Theses and Dissertations

This paper attempts to explain some elements of the different structures and systems of aquatic sports national governing bodies between South Korea and the United States of America. In order to examine the differences between two countries, the paper investigates the history of both countries at the Olympic Games and aquatic sports governing bodies in two nations. Content analysis was conducted to compare the two countries and analyze compositions of members’ backgrounds on the Board of Directors in each aquatic sport governing bodies.

Virtual And Hybrid Meetings: A Three Generational Perspective, Carole B. Sox

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to provide a focused research stream with regard to virtual and hybrid meetings from a generational perspective. By utilizing a meta-analysis research methodology, an applied research approach, and a theoretical research approach, this three-article manuscript-style dissertation addresses numerous topics pertinent to both academics and industry professionals. The state of current literature pertaining to virtual and hybrid meetings is assessed and gaps are identified, including the need for further research from a generational perspective.

Current best practices, opportunities and barriers for planning and managing virtual and hybrid meetings for Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation …

Examining Academic Performance Of Polynesian Student-Athletes Using The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Sierra Terina Keung

Theses and Dissertations

This study used Ajzen's (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explore Polynesian student-athletes' motivation to improve academic performance (AP), while participating in Division I (D1) college football. Specifically, this study examined how attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control influence motivation to achieve a higher GPA. Furthermore, ethnic identity, family obligation and cultural values were examined as potential contributors to subjective norms. The sample consisted of 70 Polynesian football student-athletes at 10 U.S. D1 universities. A modified TPB questionnaire was used to assess the TPB variables (attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) as contributors to Polynesian football student-athletes …

Understanding Destination Choice From A Cultural Distance Perspective, Hongbo Liu

Theses and Dissertations

National cultural distance is an important factor of tourists' destination choice, yet the specific role it plays in destination decision process is not well understood. This paper attempts to fill this gap. Taking potential Chinese outbound tourists as a case, this study tries to explore the impact of perceived cultural distance on tourists' international destination choice through a conditional logit model. Familiarity, geographical distance, past international travel experience and novelty-seeking tendency were examined as moderators of the relationship between perceived cultural distance and destination choice. Results show that tourist are more likely to choose culturally similar countries as destinations; geographical …

The Effect Of Winning Football And League Affiliation On Academic Achievement In The Southeastern Conference (Sec) Does Winning Football And Conference Improve Student Related Academic Indicators ?, A. Wayne Alexander Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Numerous researchers have attempted to study the effect of winning football on a university’s academic standing. To this point, the results have been varied and inconclusive. The answer is unclear and the research does not examine a conference as a whole in comparison to other conferences since the Bowl Championship Series (BCS)- era (1998-2012). The current study examines whether the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the success of the conference’s football teams, in terms of winning games and conference membership, improves the conference's member schools academic indicators. Using factors such as SAT scores, application rate, retention rates, and graduation rates, this …

Mannequin Size On Consumers' Perception Of Self And Satisfaction With Fit, Amanda Cohen

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the influencing factors that affect female's perceptions towards mannequins in retail environments. Data was collected using an online survey through the use of a snowball convenience technique. A total of 316 respondents were included. Using Pearson's r, the results indicated that the use of idealized mannequins in retail stores have a significant impact on social comparison, body dissatisfaction, and satisfaction of fit among female consumers. These results suggest that female consumers compare their bodies to those of mannequins and the larger the discrepancy between the size of the mannequin and the woman the more dissatisfied the woman …

The Complete Plus-Minus: A Case Study Of The Columbus Blue Jackets, Nathan Spagnola

Theses and Dissertations

A new hockey statistic termed the Complete Plus-Minus (CPM) was created to calculate the abilities of hockey players in the National Hockey League (NHL). This new statistic was used to analyze the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2011-2012 season. The CPM for the Blue Jackets was created using two logistic regressions that modeled a goal being scored for and against the Blue Jackets. Whether a goal was scored for or against the team were the responses, while events on the ice were the predictors in the model. It was found that the team's poor performance was due to a weak …

An Analysis Of The Possibilities Of Applying The North American Management Model To Most Large-Scale Sports Facilities In China, Xi Li

Theses and Dissertations

As more and more international mega events such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Universiade Shenzhen 2011,the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games as well as the China National Sports Games take place in different cities, a lot of large-scale sports facilities have been built in China. However, over a long period of time, these large-scale sports facilities struggle with several operational and maintenance problems, such as high maintenance fees, design defects, low use of efficiency, single functionality and management challenges. This situation did not change until a group of North American facilities management companies came to China in the last few …

Responding To Tripadvisor: How Hotel Responses To Negative Online Reviews Effect Hotel Image, Intent To Stay, And Intent To Return, Tiffany Avant

Theses and Dissertations

Online guest reviews have become an important facet of consideration when guests decide on a hotel. Similarly, research has been done that shows a correlation between guest satisfaction and hotel responses to online reviews. However, little research has been done to show specifically how hotel management responses to comments posted on online review sites such as Tripadvisor influence guest intent to stay. This study will investigate how guest perception of hotel image, guest intent to stay, and guest intent to return are impacted by hotel responses to negative online feedback. The data reveals that providing a service recovery response to …

Social Media, A New Revolution In The Field Of Marketing: The Effect Of Information Sharing, Peer Pressure, Entertainment And Emotional Connection On The Attitude Towards The Brand And In Turn The Purchase Intention From The Brand, Sradha Narendra Sheth

Theses and Dissertations

Social Media has today become one of the fastest and strongest networking and communication tools. Companies realizing the importance of this new marketing revolution have also ventured into the world of social media. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the effect of social media marketing on user's attitude towards the brand present on social media and their purchase intentions from the brand. The relevance of this study will provide great insights to retailers with regard to using multiple social media sites and their features to successfully market their products, retain and grow their customer base.

Examining Long-Haul Chinese Outbound Tourists' Shopping Intentions, Pei Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines long-haul Chinese outbound tourists' shopping intentions using the planned behavior approach. Attitude of product and store attributes, subjective norms of co-workers are found to significantly predict shopping intentions of respondents during their overseas trips. Further, behavioral beliefs and the corresponding outcome evaluation of product and store attributes lead to the formation of attitude. Normative beliefs of co-workers, motivation to comply with co-workers, and the interaction between them significantly influence respondents' subjective norms on overseas tourism shopping. Control beliefs, power of control beliefs, and the interaction between them predict respondents' perceived behavioral control on overseas tourism shopping. Both …

An Empirical Analysis Of Factors That Affect Student Non-Attendance At Mississippi State Volleyball, Kurt Charles Mayer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine which factors were influences in students choosing to not attend women’s volleyball games at Mississippi State University during the 2011 season. A survey was utilized to measure the impact of 41 factors on non-attendance of 620 students in the constructs of non-venue structural constraints (Leisure Activities, Other Sport Entertainment, Financial Cost, Social Commitments, Game On Radio/TV, Work/School/Church Commitments), internal constraints (Lack of Knowledge, Lack of Someone to Attend With, Lack of Success, No Interest from Others) and external constraints (Arena Location and Parking). The results of a chi-square analysis indicated there were …

Student Worker Satisfaction And Retention In Campus Recreation, Michael G. Grimes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the job constructs influencing campus recreation undergraduate student workers’ satisfaction and retention and how their job satisfaction relates to job retention. The job constructs measured against job satisfaction and retention were job embeddedness, perceived organizational support, perceived organizational prestige, and organizational commitment. An online survey was sent out for 14, four-year, public universities in two southeastern states. A total of 108 undergraduate student employees responded to the survey. Descriptive statistics and a correlation matrix were performed in order to analyze the data and the relationship between the variables. Three regressions were used …

Religious Affiliation And Hiring Practice: A Case Study Of Concordia University Irvine, Marc Fawaz

Theses and Dissertations

In 1976, Christ College (CC), located in Irvine, California, began offering degrees leading to positions in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). The college comprises only 1 of several departments within Concordia University Irvine (CUI). Meanwhile, CUI is part of the Concordia University System (CUS), a nationwide network of LCMS 2- and 4-year colleges. Transformation of CC into a diverse university has been accompanied by challenges. Although enrollment is up, costs have risen. And although stakeholders prefer to hire full-time faculty with ties to the LCMS, few qualified candidates fulfill this stricture. These and other threats, coupled with the economic recession, …

How Pitchers Getting Ahead In The Count Influences Earned Runs, Joseph E. Carnahan

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Facilities Management: Curriculum Development For A New Undergraduate Major, Ryan Barstad

Theses and Dissertations

Facilities around the world need managers to operate them. Those potential managers must be educated in order to run successful facilities. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop undergraduate curriculum for a facilities management major within the Department of Technology at the University of North Dakota. The emphasis areas within this degree will be: Sports Facilities Management, Industrial Facilities Management, and Higher Education Facilities Management. To determine the appropriate courses for this major, several existing Facilities Management programs at various higher education institutions will be examined. In addition, a survey will be designed to gather information regarding the …

An Analysis Of The Models Of Public Relations Most Commonly Used By Professional Minor League Baseball Franchises, Pasquale J. Rose Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the public relations practices of professional minor league baseball franchises by determining which of Grunig's four models of public relations are most commonly used by these organizations. With these findings, the study then evaluates the effectiveness of the models with respect to individual differences among the organizations and overall limitations encountered in the field.

Twenty directors of media and community relations for fifteen minor league franchises were asked to participate in data collection by completing a three-tiered Delphi study to reach a consensus on the most important job responsibilities and skill sets they feel are necessary to …

Social Support And Its Effects On Pain And Help Seeking Behaviors In Collegiate Athletes, Marshall E. Dornink

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Motivations, Roles, Characteristics, And Power: Women Volunteer Leaders On Nonprofit Boards Of Directors, Bridget Elizabeth Lyons

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the leadership experiences of woman presidents of nonprofit agencies who are perceived as successful. Recognizing that participants' descriptions of their leadership experience are both similar and different, those similarities and differences are explored and analyzed. Commitment to the organization's mission, communicating a vision into action, fostering collaboration, and an adaptable leadership approach all contributed to the success of these female board presidents. A case study design was used to obtain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of women leaders on nonprofit boards of directors. In-depth interviewing, observations with field notes, …

Minor League Basketball Organizations: Making Them Work, Derek Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Minor league basketball organizations have wilted under the competition's spotlight. These leagues tried to present fans with an entertaining alternative to professional sports.

Minor league basketball's efforts to entertain fans have been unsuccessful. This study examines why these organizations have not succeeded. Through interviews, research and survey results potential solutions have been discovered.

Eighty surveys were distributed to teams and executives from basketball organizations. The surveys obtained information on ticket prices, attendance and reasons why minor league basketball has struggled.

The study revealed that minor league basketball suffers from a lack of leadership, fan interest and financial stability. Suggestions were …

A Curriculum Design For Sport Tourism Studies In South Africa, Kamilla Swart

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Guide To Effective Public Relations For The High School Athletic Director, Joseph T. Cranston

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this research project was to develop a handbook for high school athletic directors so they can apply effective public relations practices to their athletic program on a daily basis. Fifteen high school athletic directors from different counties in New Jersey were interviewed to gain first-hand knowledge of the athletic public relations activities that are most effective. A review of several sources, including physical education and administration books, athletic journals and public relations books, supplemented the primary research by providing supporting research by some of the most well-respected public relations practitioners in the athletic arena.

The finished …