Digital Commons Network^™

Memes In Organization Studies: A Preliminary Research Agenda, K.S Manikandan

Working Papers

Richard Dawkins (1976) introduced the concept of 'memes' as the basic unit of cultural evolution in his popular classic work 'The Selfish Gene'. As organizations can be conceptualized as cultural entities, it makes sense to explore how the concept of memes can be applied in organization studies. Several works have started to appear on this front. This paper offers an introduction to the concept of memes and an account of the literature in the field of memetics. Ideas related to organization studies are explored in detail. It is seen that two key ideas have informed the research in organization studies …

Exploring The Strategic Edge Of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Process Model To Uncover The Missing Links, Saroj Kumar Pani

Working Papers

Concern of researchers and reviewers on incongruent theoretical exposition and inconclusive empirical results linking corporate social responsible (CSR) actions and firm performance, drives this paper to come up with a three-stage process model which explains how strategic CSR actions contribute to firm performance. This paper also addresses the concern of critics regarding the business value of CSR by espousing a multidisciplinary theoretical approach which covers literature from CSR, social capital and resource based view. Such a theoretical exposition and the exploratory process model - a result of synthesis of fifty-four published business cases- uncover that the relation between CSR actions …

Hourglass Award Goes To Professor Malmoud A. Ezzamel; Vangermeersch Manuscript Award Presented To Nicolas Praquin; Innovative Teaching Award Presented To Robert Bloom, Cheryl S. Mcwatters

Accounting Historians Notebook

No abstract provided.

Reaching For The Moon: Expanding Transactive Memory's Reach With Wikis And Tagging, Terri L. Griffith, Mark B. Allan, Anthony A. Korolis

Management & Entrepreneurship

Transactive memory systems (TMS) support knowledge sharing and coordination in groups. TMS are enabled by the encoding, storage, retrieval, and communication of knowledge by domain experts-knowing who knows what. The NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group provides an example of how TMS theoretical boundaries are stretched in actual use. This group is characterized as being highly innovative as they routinely engage in field studies that are inherently difficult due to time and technology resource constraints. We provide an expanded view of TMS that includes the technology support system available to this group, and possible further extensions to NASA's or other such …

Making Sense Of Roles And Responsibilities: A Socialization Study Of College And University Music Department Chairs, Jason Robert Werkema

Dissertations

Department chairs have received considerable attention in higher education literature due to the many challenges associated with their mid-level administrative position. Those who accept the department chair position report limited preparation, little or no formal training, increased stress, and overall difficulty functioning in their numerous roles. The troubled experience of many who have served as department chairs was the central problem driving this research.

The music discipline is particularly complex when compared to other academic disciplines because of its unique characteristics and challenges. The purpose of the current study was to understand and describe the process by which music department …

Learning 2.0: A Tool For Staff Training At The University Of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library, Ilana Kingsley, Karen Jensen

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

This paper describes a Learning 2.0 library staff training project completed in September 2007 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library. The project planning process, curriculum creation, implementation, incentives, and outcomes are included, along with a summary of survey results from program participants. Recommendations for implementing this free and useful staff training tool by other academic libraries are included, as well as a link to the Library’s Learning 2.0 blog.

Project Management, Valon Fetahu

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Block Scheduling Effectiveness: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study Of One Georgia School System’S Test Score Indicators, Ellen H. Reames, Carol Bradshaw

Georgia Educational Researcher

A case study of the effectiveness of high school block scheduling in an urban school system was examined by considering whether the changed schedule resulted in an increase in test scores on several measures such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Advanced Placement Tests (AP), and state mandated graduation examinations. Ten years of data were gathered from the public report card on the state website. In the school system under investigation, student scores on quantitative and verbal Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) showed a significant upward trend over 10 years. Over the same 10 years, Advanced Placement Test (AP) passing rates …

The United Way Experience: An Internship Reflective, Renée Wiles

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

During the spring 2009 semester I had the opportunity to intern with the United Way in Cobb County. United Way in Cobb is one of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta’s (UWMA) thirteen county offices, and their primary focus is to execute the mission and vision of UWMA to the residents of Cobb County.

United Way in Cobb selected me to be an intern in their Community Engagement Department, which is responsible for building and reinforcing the UWMA brand as well as communicating with – and serving as an advocate for – UWMA’s key customers. My primary tasks as an …

When Practice And Theory Conflict: Do Financial Incentives Influence Championing Behaviors In Mergers And Acquisitions?, Byron C. Clayton

Student Scholarship

Successful mergers and acquisitions require its managers to achieve substantial performance improvements in order to sufficiently cover acquisition premiums, the expected return of debt and equity investors, and the additional resources needed to capture synergies and accelerate growth. Acquirers understand that achieving the performance improvements necessary to cover these costs and create value for investors will most likely require an incredible effort from M&A management teams. This understanding drives the common and longstanding practice of offering hefty performance incentive packages to key managers, assuming that incentives will induce behaviors that champion organizational change and growth. This practice is in direct …

Organizational Justice Perceptions In China: Development Of The Chinese Organizational Justice Scale, Katherine M. Fodchuk

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Research analyzing fairness perceptions within organizations has gained the attention of cross-cultural theorists as the criteria used to judge fairness varies across cultures. Review of the literature indicates that researchers use translated Western measures of organizational justice on Eastern samples despite evidence of cultural variation in justice criteria. This dissertation addresses some of the gaps in the current research by developing and validating an indigenous measure of Chinese organizational justice perceptions. A preliminary qualitative study revealed numerous justice rules used by Chinese employees to determine whether a workplace decision was fair. The qualitative results were used to develop the Chinese …

A Framework For Using Modeling And Simulation-Based Methods In Support Of Project Management In A U.S. Department Of Defense Enterprise Architecture Framework Environment, Jose Leprout Bricio-Neto

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The Enterprise Architecture, Analysis and Project Management (EA2PM) framework developed and proposed in this study enables better evaluation of the ability for enterprise architects, project managers and analysts to share system data using their own domain-specific software tools with a focus on the capability to automatically generate a discrete-event simulation model. EA2PM framework is based on applying a Knowledge Management (KM) construct to establish data and information boundaries, and developing a methodology that allows for high levels of traceability from system architecture's environmental factors through assessment of data and information mediation across domains within a KM system.

An application of …

Agricultural And Natural Resources Awareness Programming: Barriers And Benefits As Perceived By County Extension Agents, Roslynn G. Brain, Tracy A. Irani, Alan W. Hodges, Nicholas E. Fuhrman

Journal of Extension

The study described here assessed Extension agents' perceived barriers and benefits concerning a new Florida agricultural and natural resources awareness initiative and Web site. A total of 186 agents responded to a statewide Web-based needs assessment, for an overall response rate of 58%. Results highlighted several barriers to communicating about agriculture and natural resources, including (a) a lack of interest, knowledge, and awareness among the general public, government, clientele, and media, (b) a lack of agent access to resources/contacts, and (c) inconsistent/ineffective message delivery methods. Concerning the Web site, most respondents wanted information to be presented via fact sheets, economic …

Organizational Restructuring And Its Effect On Agricultural Extension Educator Satisfaction And Effectiveness, Michael A. Schmitt, Tom Bartholomay

Journal of Extension

As the Cooperative Extension Service faces mounting pressure to meet the challenges of change, there is growing concern about the negative impact changes will have on employee satisfaction and performance. Many studies look at the impact of Extension restructuring on employee satisfaction and performance. However, these studies primarily offer a formative view of employee change. New research, focused on the effects of substantial restructuring at the University of Minnesota in 2004, offers a more summative view-indicating that Regional Extension Educators gained significantly in 13 of 16 related satisfaction and performance related variables while Local Extension Educators gained in five.

Stakeholder Perceptions Of Strategic Planning In Higher Education: A Comparative Case Study Of Two Institutions, Eric S. Burgess

Theses and Dissertations

This research study assesses the effectiveness of the strategic planning initiatives at two small public institutions of higher education in the Midwestern United States that have similar histories, demographics, and missions. It is a comparative case study that reviews, analyzes, and compares stakeholder perceptions of the strategic planning processes at the selected institutions. Following a thorough literature review, qualitative methods of observation, interviewing, and grounded theory development are utilized to answer the following research question: What are the faculty and administrator perceptions of strategic planning as it occurred at the selected institutions? The study provides significant evidence verifying how stakeholders …

Chronology, Bibliography And Index, Pp. 132-141

A Commitment to Excellence (TJU nursing school history) (1982)

No abstract provided.

Jefferson Joins Parade Of Progress In Mid-Century, Pp.59

A Commitment to Excellence (TJU nursing school history) (1982)

No abstract provided.

March 19, 2009, James Madison University

The Breeze, 2000-2009

The Breeze is the student newspaper of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Data Quality-A Key To Successfully Implementing Ecss, Craig A. Lane

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the Expeditionary Logistics for the 21st Century (eLog21) campaign initiatives published in 2003, the United States Air Force (USAF) pursued the acquisition of technology to help transform its logistics processes. With process mapping complete and a proposed roll-out schedule, forward progress towards full implementation of the Expeditionary Combat Support System (ECSS) continues. As a key enabler to achieving eLog21 initiatives, implementing ECSS will help transform current USAF logistics business processes. Integrating more than 450 legacy systems, and with a projected end-state in excess of 750,000 primary, secondary, and tertiary users, ECSS is the largest enterprise resource planning …

Achieving Alignment: An Analysis Of Enterprise Architecture Best Practices Within The United States Air Force, Michael A. Fetters

Theses and Dissertations

This research uncovers areas of best practices that support achieving alignment between an organization’s Information Technology (IT) and its business processes. One principal finding of this effort revealed that the means used to achieve alignment exists within the effective application of Enterprise Architecture (EA), a common practice found throughout the Federal Government, Department of Defense, and the Air Force. EA is the tool used to achieve alignment; likewise, the reason for developing IT architecture is to achieve alignment of IT investments and mission objectives. This research groups the best practices into vision, identification, framework, and governance. Interestingly, these practices relate …

Classification Of Schedule Management Barriers Through Concept Mapping, Gregory W. Voth

Theses and Dissertations

Barriers to adoption of schedule management processes are a matter of serious concern to the acquisition community. Schedule management has been widely accepted to contribute to the successful execution of complicated system development processes since the 1950s. However, studies of recent acquisition failures illustrate that over the last 15 years, there has been significant internal resistance to the adoption of schedule management processes. This exploratory effort used concept mapping to identify and classify the types of barriers existing in the Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC). A series of open-ended questions were posed to four experienced program managers in ASC. Units of …

The Correlation Of Human Capital On Costs Of Air Force Acquisition Programs, Stephen E. Gray

Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies have linked human capital with performance. The studies have shown performance, measured as output, of a firm can be increased by adding more personnel and/or increasing education levels. This research uses the Cobb-Douglas Production function to build upon that relationship of inputs to outputs. The output in this study is the average cost overrun of Aeronautical Systems Center research, development, test, and evaluation contracts managed from 1994 to 2008. The inputs are the numbers of military/government employee financial managers, program managers, engineers, rated personnel, and military/government employees in those career fields possessing a graduate degree or higher. A …

The Role Of Conversation In Health Care Interventions: Enabling Sensemaking And Learning, Kurt C. Stange

Faculty Scholarship

Background. Those attempting to implement changes in health care settings often find that intervention efforts do not progress as expected. Unexpected outcomes are often attributed to variation and/or error in implementation processes. We argue that some unanticipated variation in intervention outcomes arises because unexpected conversations emerge during intervention attempts. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of conversation in shaping interventions and to explain why conversation is important in intervention efforts in health care organizations. We draw on literature from sociolinguistics and complex adaptive systems theory to create an interpretive framework and develop our theory. We use …

Application Of Reliability And Linear Regression To Enterprise Architecture In Support Of The Us Air Force's Capability Review And Risk Assessment, Peter C. Mastro, Richard L. Orcutt

Theses and Dissertations

This research explored the use of modeling and enterprise architecture in the analysis of Air Force Capabilities. The Air Force accomplishes this through the Capability Review and Risk Assessment (CRRA). The CRRA is currently performed by building architectures which contain Process Sequence Models (PSMs). PSMs are scored by Subject Matter Experts to determine the probability of successfully completing the mission they model and ultimately to determine the risk associated to Air Force capabilities. Two findings were identified. The first is that creating additional architectural viewpoints, some of which are currently being proposed for version 2.0 of the DoD Architecture Framework, …

2009-03-12, Morehead State University. Board Of Regents.

Morehead State Board of Regents Agenda Books and Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Ubs Annual Review 2008, Union Bank Of Switzerland (Ubs)

Documents

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Transformational Change At Three Schools Of Nursing Implementing Healthcare Informatics, Revonda Leota Cornell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality (IOM, 2003) proposed strategies for higher education leaders and faculty to transform their institutions in ways that address the healthcare problems. This study provides higher education leaders and faculty with empirical data about the processes of change involved to implement the core competency of healthcare informatics. I chose the core competency of health care informatics as a base from which to conduct semi-structured interviews with faculty and college leaders at three schools of nursing intending to capture their stories about how healthcare informatics has been implemented, what strategies were used, and why …

An Assessment Of The Air Force Weather Agency's Readiness For Knowledge Management Initiatives, Daniel Tucker

Theses and Dissertations

The successful implementation of knowledge management (KM) initiatives requires a level of commitment and preparedness by the organization that is commensurate with the expected results. An organization must be willing to allocate the necessary resources to ensure their readiness to undertake new KM projects. The purpose of this study is to review AFWA’s organizational culture and measure its propensity for accepting KM initiatives. The study uses empirically validated constructs to evaluate and assess the organization’s people, culture, climate, processes and attitudes as they relate to KM. This research was conducted using semi-structured interviews to elicit respondents’ views about KM practices. …

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, March 9, 2009, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting minutes from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

A Community-Based Information Technology Services Determination Of Gis User Information Needs, Barrett S. Caldwell

Journal of Terrestrial Observation

No abstract provided.