Digital Commons Network^™

The 3 C'S Of Leadership, Jennifer Gayle Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to investigate and identify the strategies and best practices employed by elementary school leaders through the teacher's lens to ensure their success. Additionally, the research sought to view school leadership behaviors and practices through the teacher's lens. This approach created collaboration and communication between the school leader and their teachers. Moreover, this qualitative phenomenological study focused on independent school teachers with at least 10 years of teaching experience. The researcher collected data by interviewing 15 teachers from independent schools across Los Angeles County to answer four main research questions through corresponding interview questions. The findings connected to …

An Examination Of Types Of Trauma, Resiliency Factors, And Strengths-Based Approaches To Treatment Among Undocumented Mexican Immigrants, Rosa Marín

Theses and Dissertations

Undocumented immigration into the United States can be coupled with significant contextual sociopolitical challenges, particularly for Mexican-origin populations which represent the largest immigrant group in the U.S. Research examining the day-to-day nuances unique to this hard-to-reach population is limited and even more so for strengths-based treatment interventions. This systematic review sought to investigate the following questions: (1) What types of trauma do undocumented Mexican immigrants experience after immigrating to the U.S.? (2) What are resiliency factors among undocumented Mexican immigrants in the U.S.? (3) What are strengths-based approaches to working with undocumented Mexican immigrants in the U.S.? This integrative review …

Exploratory Study Of Leading U.S. Companies’ Post-Covid 19 Manager Engagement Practices, Christina Watt

Theses and Dissertations

Managers are crucial to employee satisfaction, serving as the bridge between leadership and staff, balancing expectations from both sides. Although managers are important for employee engagement, recent research highlights a significant issue in organizations regarding the low engagement levels of managers themselves. The purpose of this study was to examine the practices leading companies are using to engage managers and support their performance post-COVID-19. Informants from six Fortune 100 and three Fortune 500 companies were recruited using purposive sampling and interviewed for this study. The participant was required to have worked regularly on their company’s enterprise-wide manager engagement programs within …

Empowering The Next Generation: An Exploration Into The Best Practices That Support The Advancement Of Iranian-American Female Leaders In Higher Education, Noosha Razmara

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the experiences of Iranian-American and Iranian female leaders within higher education institutions. Utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach, the research actively engaged a cohort of 18 participants through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews. Four research questions guided this study, highlighting the experiences, perspectives and complexity of these women in their journey towards leadership roles in higher education. The research questions focused on highlighting challenges, methods to overcome them, measures of success and recommendations for aspiring Iranian and Iranian-American leaders. This study aimed to showcase the distinctive intersections of identity, culture, and gender within a lens of leadership experiences …

The Benefits And Challenges Of Conducting Individual Video-Based Telehealth Psychotherapy With Adults: A Systematic Review, Michael Scarlata

Theses and Dissertations

Objective. A systematic review was conducted to provide clinicians, patients, professional organizations, and researchers with an understanding of the benefits and challenges of conducting psychotherapy via telehealth. Furthermore, this review examined the implications of these benefits and challenges to provide recommendations for practice. Methods. Data was collected from three electronic databases, including quantitative peer-reviewed, English-language articles published between 2018 and 2023, studying adult participants engaging in synchronous psychotherapy. A narrative synthesis was used to integrate the data. Results. Findings from 35 studies included 91.4% demonstrating benefits and 22.9% challenges. Key benefits included clinical effectiveness, a strong therapeutic alliance, and high …

Business Managers’ Adaption Of Communication And Leadership Characteristics Amidst Covid-19: A Qualitative Study, Shadan Shamloo

Theses and Dissertations

The problem being studied was that because managers of for-profit businesses in California were having to communicate with their employees outside of face-to-face internal interactions (e.g., Zoom conferencing and telephone). It was unknown how business managers of for-profit businesses in California had adapted their communication and leadership styles when responding to COVID-19’s social distancing guidelines. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how managers of for-profit businesses in California described how their communication and leadership styles had been adapted to follow the social distancing guidelines of COVID-19. This study was guided by the communication accommodation theory and …

Sourcing Strategies To Mitigate The Risks Of Trade Actions, Marlene A. Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the impact of trade actions on supply chain organizations and explores the procurement strategies employed to mitigate associated risks. Through a two-paper format, the study delves into the perceptions of supply chain managers regarding disruptions caused by changing trade policies and examines the factors influencing their procurement decisions. By conducting qualitative interviews and quantitative analyses, the research aims to provide insights into how supply chain managers prioritize trade actions, adapt their supply base, and implement sourcing strategies to address trade-related challenges. With a focus on the US-China economic relationship and the utilization of trade policy tools such …

Trauma Across Culture: A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Historical Effect Of Colonialism, Genocide, And Resilience On Descendants Of Indigenous Peoples In The United States, Monique Lumas-Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout history, massive killings have gravely affected the succession of cultures, and the impact of its traumatization is vast. The centuries-long enslavement of African Americans, the ethnocide of Native American/Alaskan Natives, and the genocide of European Jews represent some of the most horrific catastrophes of human history through the destruction of identity, culture, language, and religion. The destabilization of these distinct groups and the extreme violence experienced by historical injustices have resulted in cultural, mental, emotional, and physical obstructions with profound economic, psychological, and health impacts encompassing both the wounds inflicted by oppression and resilience. The literature review examined the …

The Divine Digital Divide: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Effects Of Implementing Information And Communications Technology In The Black Baptist Worship Service Experience On Attraction And Retention Of Young Adults Post Covid-19, Ladonna Y. Boyd

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of using information and communication technology (ICT) in the Black worship experience for recruiting and retaining young adults in relation to church services, engagement (defined in this study as communication, community outreach, social activism and collaboration, and support services), and cultural identity within the community of faith. The relevancy and engagement for emerging generations and the cultural and ancestral ties of the Baptist church will be explored. Data analysis from these findings will be used to identify opportunities for faith and community leaders in relation to young Black adults, defined …

The Ask: A Study Understanding The Motivations Of Major Giving Donors. The Best Strategies And Practices To Achieve Fundraising Successes In Small Charitable Organizations, Courtney Laddusaw

Theses and Dissertations

Most charitable organizations, almost 1 million in the United States, are considered small organizations because they have a budget of less than $50,000 (Statista Research Department, 2023). These numbers show the need for small charitable organizations to develop fundraising protocols, specifically major giving programs (Eisenstein, 2014; Faulk et al., 2021; Stahl, 2013). To create a well-established and sustainable major giving program, charitable organizations must understand the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of donors (Andreoni, 1990; Breeze, 2023; Chapman et al., 2022; Drollinger, 2018; V. S. Harrison, 2018; Hether et al., 2014; Ko et al., 2011; Kumar & Chakrabarti, 2021; O’Reilly et …

Conducting Change: The Effect Of A Music Director’S Leadership Factors On Players’ Performance Within The Symphony Orchestra, Mehran Tebyani

Theses and Dissertations

This study delved into the dynamic relationship between an orchestra and its conductor, exploring how this partnership transcends mere interpretation of musical scores to craft immersive auditory experiences that resonate with the audience and authentically convey the composer's emotional narrative. Influential conductors harmonize diverse talents, channeling collective energy through a shared and communicated vision. They can orchestrate teams of passionate and skilled musicians toward success or dismantle the team's synergy through ineffective leadership, misaligned role assignments, and poor coordination. The contemporary role of the conductor in a symphony orchestra is evolving. Gone are the days of the autocratic, sometimes dictatorial …

When Education And Qualifications Are Not Enough, Carla Hamilton-Yates

Theses and Dissertations

African-American women face substantial career barriers when seeking ascension to educational leadership. Numerous factors contribute to career advancement barriers, such as systemic, institutional challenges, organizational factors, personality, and individual contributors. Various systemic and managerial aspects, directly and indirectly, were considered barriers for African-American women when attempting to gain equity in the ascension process to leadership. Microaggressions, racism, and overt harassment in the workplace inhibit African-American women from advancing to leadership positions. The percentage of African-American principals is proportionately low compared to White principals. African-American employees are less likely to be promoted, wait longer for promotion, or are passed over for …

Coping Strategies Of African American Lgbtq Same-Gender-Loving And Heterosexual Women After Intimate Partner Violence, Victoria Moran

Theses and Dissertations

A thematic analysis of literature was applied to academic studies of African American women who identify as same-gender-loving (SGL), meaning either lesbian or bisexual, and African American heterosexual women who have endured intimate partner violence (IPV). The aim was to identify in the literature coping strategies used by the IPV survivors, as well as under-utilized coping strategies. Few studies (28) met the inclusion criteria related to this intersectional identity. Main themes of positive coping skills mentioned were as follows: spirituality, mindfulness, religious practice, community support, social support, confrontation, safety precautions, activism, attitude or self-help, mental health services, participation in research …

Intraday Price Bubbles And Their Influencing Factors: A Small- And Micro-Cap Analysis, Benjamin Sawyer

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores episodes of intraday stock price bubbles in small- and micro-cap stocks, a type of price bubble that is understudied in traditional financial literature. Stock price bubbles, marked by significant deviations of market prices from fundamental value, often cause undue harm to market participants and hinder the efficient allocation of capital. Despite their long history and recurring nature, the anatomy of price bubbles is still highly debated--their existence, causes, and impacts. Drawing on market efficiency, microstructure, and behavioral finance theories, the research applies a number of traditional and more recently developed statistical tests to detect intraday bubbles and …

The Strong Black Woman Schema, Wellness Outcomes, And Mental Health Interventions: An Integrative Systematic Review, Breanna Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Black women have a unique sociocultural and historical context that impacts their health. Research indicates that the Strong Black Woman schema (SBWS) can serve as a coping strategy for the specific array of stressors faced by Black women. The primary aim of this integrative systematic review was to explore the associations between Strong Black Woman schema and wellness/health outcomes, and to review the available or emerging SBWS-related interventions targeting wellness and mental health for Black women. This review posed the questions: (1) What health/wellness outcomes have been identified or hypothesized to be related to the SBWS? (2) What relationships between …

Racialized Lived Experience And Equitable Decision-Making Among Philanthropic Leaders: A Narrative Inquiry, Janae Asali Oliver

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the influence of racialized lived experiences (RLEs) on equitable decision-making among philanthropic leaders, employing a narrative inquiry approach. It examined how diversity within philanthropy, beyond tokenistic representation, can introduce a wide range of perspectives that enhance equitable decision-making processes. The study emphasized the significance of RLEs in philanthropic leadership and decision-making, despite potential institutional constraints on grant processes. Twenty philanthropic leaders from various backgrounds, including private and family foundations, community foundations, and corporate social responsibility initiatives, participated in the study. Utilizing a critical race conceptual and theoretical framework, the researcher analyzed philanthropic leader’s narratives of race, …

Heat Shields And Friendship Bracelets: Features That Enable Effective Employee Resource Groups, Kevin Sakamoto

Theses and Dissertations

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a potentially powerful means of addressing inequalities and improving working conditions for underrepresented groups in organizations. However, little attention has been given to the motivation of employees who voluntarily donate their time in support of their ERG. The fact that membership in ERGs often coincides with a social identity group (e.g., Asian American) adds a dimension not associated with other non-formal groups (e.g., softball team) within an organization, and may increase the potential for ERGs to achieve valued outcomes. Drawing from academic literature on Social Identity Theory (SIT), employee voice, and activism, this qualitative study …

Pivotal Moments Of Change For First Generation High Income Earners, Claudette Renae Simon

Theses and Dissertations

This narrative research study explored the role of Pivotal Moments of Change (PMOC) experiences in the lives of First-Generation High-Income Earners (FGHIEs). Through retrospective storytelling in virtual Semistructured interviews with six FGHIEs, this qualitative study validated the Pivotal Moments of Change conceptual model designed for this study. The model features five elements: antecedents, experience, change, action, and impact. The data also revealed six emergent themes which included that trajectory changes in the lives of FGHIEs may be singular occurrences or multilayered events that consist of epiphanies, decisions, or PMOC that build upon each other. That environment plays a major role …

From Virtual Gaming To Virtual Teams: Best Practices For Leading Diverse Virtual Teams In A Global Organization, Tianshi Hao

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates virtual leadership within video game environments and its transferability to real-world virtual team management. Employing quantitative ethnography and epistemic network analysis, the study explores the leadership behaviors observed in MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) and OFPS (Online First Person Shooting) game genres, drawing parallels with global virtual team management in corporate settings. The findings reveal that Squad-Based Game Leaders (SGLs) and Organizational-based Game Leaders (OGLs) employ a mix of authoritarian and democratic leadership styles to navigate both the tactical and strategic demands of their teams. SGLs focus on tactical decisions utilizing real-time data and player feedback …

Differences In The Neurological Functioning Of Females And Males During The Human Sexual Response Cycle: A Quantitative Systematic Review, Zachary Larson

Theses and Dissertations

The psychology field recognizes differences between females and males. Yet, there is a lack of research examining neurobiological sex differences, and a sophisticated understanding of neurobiological contributors that explain these sex differences related to sexuality is lacking. An integrative systematic review of the literature examined differences in the neurological functioning between females and males during the human sexual response cycle (SRC). This study investigated sex differences and commonalities in regional neural activation during the four stages of the human SRC (i.e., excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution). The main result of this study is that the differences between females and males …

Exploring Strategies For Social Impact In Cross-Sector Partnerships: A Multiple Case Study Approach, Melanie Venture

Theses and Dissertations

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identify critical society challenges in areas of poverty, gender and income equality, health, and well-being. Consensus exists among scholars and practitioners on the need for cross-sector partnerships (CSPs) for achieving the SDGs. However, we have yet to identify the means of fostering collaboration to yield optimal social impact while also generating measurable results and financial returns. We lack actionable strategic frameworks for explaining how CSPs should be implemented. This multiple case study examined five socially oriented business-nonprofit partnerships and addressed how collaboration strategies can increase social impact of CSPs. The findings revealed important insights …

Faculty Support And Resource Seeking, A Collective Experience Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective, Amber Victoria Stokes

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to capture collective faculty experiences of adapting to teaching entirely or partially online during the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature suggests that emergency remote teaching (ERT) was only a temporary stopgap for higher education institutions and faculty to move instruction online early in the pandemic (Hodges et al., 2021). Before the initial move to being entirely online in March 2020, higher education institutions had already lagged compared to other industries in providing digitally driven, outcomes-focused business models (Gallagher & Palmer, 2020). Therefore, it is no surprise that higher education leadership, faculty, and staff faced …

A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers' Perception Of Professional Development Sessions Focused On Artificial Intelligence: Utilizing The Tpack Framework To Address The Professional Development Needs Of Teachers, Xuanyi Chen

Theses and Dissertations

AI-enabled educational tools have great potential for enhancing learning and teaching, yet there is a notable lack of study on AI-focused professional development for K-12 teachers. This phenomenological study employed the TPACK framework to examine teachers' incorporation of AI and engagement in professional development activities. The use of a social constructivism framework explored teachers' views on knowledge, learning, and motivation. Data were collected from 12 K-12 teachers across various districts in a large metropolitan area who attended AI professional development sessions in their own context and from that experience created AI artifacts. Primary data included (a) semistructured interviews, (b) professional …

Best Practices For Coaching Secondary School Teachers To Provide Social And Emotional Learning Support To Students, Vailet Yarijanian

Theses and Dissertations

Consequential to the COVID-19 global pandemic, widespread school closures ensued, profoundly affecting secondary school students' academic, social, and psychological well-being. Simultaneously, the academic year of 2020-2021 witnessed a notable surge in the departure of public school teachers, with nearly half opting to resign. This exodus was primarily attributed to the heightened stress associated with virtual instruction and the inadequate provision of mental health resources for educators and students. This dissertation sought to elucidate best practices for instructional coaches collaborating with secondary school teachers to develop a comprehensive toolkit for instilling social and emotional learning competencies within classroom environments. The contagious …

Storage Facilities And Strategies In The Nile Valley Between The Borderscape Of The First And Third Cataracts (4000 Bc-1000 Bc), Ana Oliveira

Theses and Dissertations

Between the 4th millennium and 1st millennium BC, different communities inhabited the region located within the First to the Third Cataracts. These groups obtained, stored, and distributed foodstuff and commodities in various ways. This paper presents archaeological data from this area and period to shed light into storage strategies and facilities in use during this period on the upper course of the Nile Valley in an attempt to better understand subsistence strategies and economies.

Burnout In Forensic Psychology Related To Personal Traits And Vicarious Trauma, Olivia Shae Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

Burnout is described as having three components: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and feelings of ineffectiveness (Maslach et al., 1997). Burnout is considered a major occupational hazard due to the consequences for the afflicted and the population they work with (Leka & Jain, 2012) including low quality care, job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, and high turnover rates (Maslach et al., 2001). Previous research has identified some occupations and settings which are linked to high rates of burnout, including psychologists (Rodriguez & Carlotta, 2017) and those working in a high stress field, such as police officers (Vazquez et al., 2021), corrections officers (Herlickson, 2010) or …

Effects Of Mindfulness Training On Prosocial Responses In Intergroup Relations: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Denise Yiran Zheng

Theses and Dissertations

Based on social identity theory and intergroup emotions theory, individuals feel for and act toward others based on their group-based social identities. Recent research shows that mindfulness can enhance prosocial responses toward others across group divides. The current research examined the effects of mindfulness training on prosocial behavior in intergroup relations where such behavior is difficult (e.g., with marginalized or devalued social groups). The study also examined potential mechanisms, namely state empathic concern and appraisal, that may explain how mindfulness increases prosocial behavior toward outgroups. This study compared the effects of a 2-week mindfulness training to a matched coping training …

Symmetry Analysis Of The Canonical Connection On Lie Groups:Co-Dimension Two Abelian Nilradical With Abelian And Non Abelian Complement, Nouf Alrubea Almutiben

Theses and Dissertations

We consider the symmetry algebra of the geodesic equations of the canonical
connection on a Lie groups. We mainly consider the solvable indecomposable four,
five and six-dimensional Lie algebras with co-dimension two abelian nilradical, that
have an abelian and not abelian complement. In this particular case, we have only
one algebra in dimension four namely; A4,12 , and three algebras in dimension five
namely; A5,33, A5,34, and A5,35 In dimension six, based on the list of Lie algebras in
Turkowski’s list, there are nineteen such algebras namely; A6,1- A6,19 that have an
abelian complement, and there are eight algebras that …

Outcomes Of Anterior Crossbite Correction On Alveolar Bone Morphology In Patients With Cleft Lip And Palate, Katherine J. Hayes

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To determine if patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CLP) with dental correction of the anterior crossbite during growth display differences in alveolar bone thickness around the maxillary central incisors compared to patients without crossbite correction.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated post-treatment cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of growing patients with CLP with anterior crossbites who underwent Phase I orthodontic treatment (n=32). CBCTs were sorted by whether the crossbite was corrected (n=16) or not corrected (n=16) during Phase I. Alveolar bone thickness was measured on the buccal and palatal aspects of the central incisors at 3 mm, …

The Effects Of Various Nanoplastics On The Inflammatory Response In Primary Alveolar Epithelial Cells, Eunice J. Pak

Theses and Dissertations

As plastic pollution begins to multiply in the environment and the workplace, gradual degradation of these plastics creates an unseen threat to biological health: nanoplastics. These nanoplastics are common in day-to-day life, and have been found in various internal organs of the human body. The biological and health effects of these nanoplastics are still widely unknown, and only recently has research focused on the impacts of these particles on human health at the cellular level.

In this thesis, poly(methyl methacrylate) and three forms of polystyrene (carboxyl-modified, amine-modified, and neutral surface charge) have been tested on submerged primary C57BL/6 mouse alveolar …