Digital Commons Network^™

Leaders And Their Use Of Power In Facilitating Organizational Change, Randy Wollf

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.

Confidential Ideas And Independent Contractors: Trade Secret Ownership In The Age Of The Hired Gun, Rob P. Saka

UC Law Business Journal

Does an independent contractor or a party hiring the contractor own the new, confidential ideas that fall outside of what the contract or is hired to provide, but that arise during the course of that work? The issue of tradesecret ownership is important due to the growing use of contractors, particularly in the tech development industry. This note explores the emerging issue of trade secret ownership in the post- Great Recession era of increased reliance on contractor-inventors. In concluding that-absenta contrary written agreement- contractor- inventors are the rightful owners of their incidentally created trade secrets while assigned to a project, …

Mythologizing Change: Examining Rhetorical Myth As A Strategic Change Management Discourse, Jacob D. Rawlins

Faculty Publications

This article explores how rhetorical myth can be used as a tool for persuading employees to accept change and to maintain consensus during the process. It defines rhetorical myth using three concepts: chronographia (a rhetorical interpretation of history), epideictic prediction (defining a present action by assigning praise and blame to both past and future), and communal markers (using Burkean identification and rhetorically defined boundary objects to define a community). The article reports on a 3-year ethnographic study that documents the development of a rhetorical myth at Iowa State University’s Printing Services department as it underwent changes to its central software …

Leading Dangerously: A Case Study Of Military Teams And Shared Leadership In Dangerous Environments, Alex J Ramthun, Gina S. Matkin

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

In a qualitative case study, we described and explained shared leadership in dangerous contexts for military teams. We conducted eight semistructured interviews with shared, team, and military leadership subject matter experts in order to gain an improved understanding of the relationship between shared leadership and team performance in the presence of danger. We found the themes of mutual influence, leadership emergence, dangerous dynamism, and distributed knowledge, skills, and abilities provided rich description of the phenomenon. Specifically, our findings suggest military teams in dangerous situations use mutual influence and leadership emergence to share leadership and achieve high performance. Additionally, we found …

Assessing Biblical Spirituality In The Culture Of The Master Of Divinity Program: Implications For The Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Seminary, Jon Michael Harris

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem. A significant number of students in the Master of Divinity program, covering a time span from the years 2002 – 2013, have reported that they perceive that their relationship with God has either remained the same or has decreased while enrolled in the MDiv program. This academic program is sponsored by a number of employing conferences of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A study identifying what factors are contributing to this perception of stagnant or diminished spirituality among a significant number of MDiv students would provide a basis for determining what steps can be implemented to effectively address this concern. …

Review Of Factors Affecting Sustainability In The Universities, Hosna Ajilian

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Purpose – The focus of this research is to find out a meaningful relationship between adopting sustainability practices and some of the characteristics of institutions of higher education (IHE). IHE can be considered as the best place to promote sustainability and develop the culture of sustainability in society. Thus, this research is conducted to help developing sustainability in IHE which have significant direct and indirect impact on society and the environment.

Design/methodology/approach – First, the sustainability letter grades were derived from “Greenreportcard.org” which have been produced based on an evaluation of each school in nine main categories including: Administration, Climate …

Evaluation Of The Jewish Community Housing For The Elderly Memory Support Initiative, Joan Hyde

Gerontology Institute Publications

Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE) is a large, multi-campus organization that houses and serves 1,500 residents (80 market rate and 1,420 low income). The average age is 80 years old, with one-third of residents 85 and older. Three quarters of the residents are not native English speakers. Through HUD and other funding, JCHE offers a range of supports to these residents, including translators, interpreters and staff with language and cultural competence, meals, transportation and, through their Service Coordinators, facilitation of resident access to government benefits, home care and other services.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2012 special report …

Wheel Of Innovation : How Leaders' Attitudes And Behaviors Drive Disruptive Technology In The U.S. Navy, Eddy Wayne Witzel

Dissertations

Problem and Purpose

Innovative solutions in national defense are needed to respond to national security threats in our uncertain environment. Leader attitudes and behaviors have a substantial impact on innovation. Unfortunately we did not completely understand the effect of leader attitudes and behaviors on innovation and the team dynamics that lead to innovation, especially in the military. The purpose of this study was to determine how leadership attitudes and behaviors contribute to product innovation within the U.S. Navy and how leadership emerges within this complex adaptive system of innovation.

Method

The research was a qualitative design based on a multiple …

A Hope That’S Not So Hollow: How The Supreme Court’S Decisions In Windsor And Perry Alter The Political Environment In Which Marriage Equality Activism Operates, Emma Brillhart

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis looks at the state of marriage equality activism in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 26, 2013 decisions in United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry. Some scholars, such as Gerald Rosenberg, argue that Supreme Court decisions can never affect “significant social change,” either directly or indirectly, while others argue that such decisions can be hugely important in directly affecting policy. My focus is on how activist organizations, which have a substantial track record of directly affecting policy, are influenced by changes to the political environment stemming from major Court decisions regarding social issues. After …

"Sea Water Fish In A Freshwater Pond:" An Institutional Approach To Understanding Cooperative Scarcity In The United States, Caroline E. Malone

Scripps Senior Theses

There is remarkable cooperative organization scarcity in the United States. Particularly in the credit union and worker cooperative sectors, this scarcity is not satisfactorily explained by neo-classical economic models that assume competitive conditions and profit-maximizing organizations. This paper supplements the conventional economic understandings of credit union and worker cooperative scarcity with an institutional analysis. Mechanisms of coercive, mimetic, and normative institutional isomorphism developed in DiMaggio and Powell’s theory of organizational isomorphism are applied to provide greater understanding of credit union and worker cooperative scarcity in the US. It appears that these forces of isomorphism work in conjunction with one another, …

A Low-Visibility Force Multiplier: Assessing China’S Cruise Missile Ambitions, Dennis M. Gormley, Andrew S. Erickson, Jingdong Yuan

Books and Book Chapters

China’s military modernization is focused on building modern ground, naval, air, and missile forces capable of fighting and winning local wars under informationized conditions. The principal planning scenario has been a military campaign against Taiwan, which would require the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to deter or defeat U.S. intervention. The PLA has sought to acquire asymmetric “assassin’s mace” technologies and systems to overcome a superior adversary and couple them to the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems necessary for swift and precise execution of short-duration, high-intensity wars.

Jour 4802/7100: Entrepreneurial Journalism (Syllabus), Carrie Brown-Smith

Journalism and Strategic Media Syllabi Archive

Course Description: Meeman 901 Strategies, a student run public relations firm, will gain hands-on experience by developing creative projects for campus and community clients at UM Crews Center for Entrepreneurship.

Jour 7100/8100: Entrepreneurial Journalism (Syllabus), Carrie Brown-Smith

Journalism and Strategic Media Syllabi Archive

Course Description: This course will examine business models and new media tools that can encourage entrepreneurial thinking and planning in various fields of mass communication, as well as the theory and practices of traditional media management. Subjects will include environment assessment, organization and strategy, budgeting, decision-making, and other functions in advertising, news, and public relations.

Jour 7100: Entrepreneurial Journalism (Syllabus), Carrie Brown-Smith

Journalism and Strategic Media Syllabi Archive

Course Description: This course will examine business models and new media tools that can encourage entrepreneurial thinking and planning in various fields of mass communication, as well as the theory and practices of traditional media management. Subjects will include environment assessment, organization and strategy, budgeting, decision-making, and other functions in advertising, news, and public relations.

Designing Work, Family & Health Organizational Change Initiatives, Ellen Ernst Kossek, Leslie B. Hammer, Erin L. Kelly, Phyllis Moen

Department of Management Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Influence Of Target Population Misspecification On Employee Perceptions At A, Joe Lee Smith

Wayne State University Dissertations

Numerous researchers have conducted qualitative and quantitative studies examining employee perceptions related to changes in their work environment based upon management/top-down (deductive) communication of vision, mission, and envisioned organization goals Hofstede, Neuijen, Daval, Ohayv, & Sanders (1990), but research on the influence of subgroup/identity types on workforce perception is sparse Dutton, Dukerich, & Harquail (1994). Data on subgroup identification with the mission and strategic goals envisioned by management/administration is limited. Also limited is knowledge of the influence they have over their members, which places management at a disadvantage in planning strategic organization objectives Albert & Whetten, (1985). These subgroups have …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Resilience And Job Satisfaction In Direct Care Workers Who Work With Traumatic Brain Injured Clients, Michele Terese White

Wayne State University Dissertations

The direct care worker occupation is a very fast and growing workforce. In fact, by the year 2016, it is estimated that it might be the largest workforce in the country. With the rapid growth come difficulties. One of those difficulties is a high turn over rate. Research shows that people that are resilient stay longer at a job versus those who are not resilient. Is there a relationship between resilience and job satisfaction? This research sought to determine if a relationship existed. The research delved into a particular field, traumatic brain injury. This research study attempted to determine if …

Ileadership: The Leadership Style Of Steve Jobs, Christopher J. Valentine

Theses and Dissertations

In a technology-driven society, the global hunger for innovative products has put increased pressure on organizations to think differently. The pressure from shareholders on management to drive innovation and deliver financial results has forced leaders to adapt and look for new solutions to meet this demand. The solutions for which organizations are searching may reside in a new form of leadership required to achieve this expectation of performance. The purpose of this dissertation was to discover what leadership characteristics are required to achieve a high-performance technology organization. The primary goal was to review and decode archival scholarly and contemporary literature …

Top Management Team Attention To The Threats From Technological Disasters: Evidence From Polluters In The S&P 1500, Jaemin Kim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increased public attention to environmental disasters is reducing the likelihood firms can ascribe the consequential damages of stakeholders to "acts of Nature". This phenomenon indicates that the absence of top management team (TMT) attention to natural environmental issues leads a firm to control-reducing and likely-loss threats, but less is known about whether firms engage in environmental actions in response to technological disasters and why some firms actively undertake environmental action, while others do not. Drawing on the attention-based view, I propose that technological disasters that happen in a focal firm's affiliated industry cause a TMT to increase a firm's environmental …

Leveraging The Power Of Social Media To Maximize Organizational Learning And Drive Performance, Camilla C. Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative ethnographic study addresses the phenomenon of rapid social media expansion, which creates organizational challenges. Ongoing development of advanced technology products means that effective organizations must be more adaptive and receptive to new approaches and changes in their environment. In a hyper connected society, one where workers are linked through social media--at work, home, vacation, in a restaurant, or anywhere else--organizations need to unify their communication systems to leverage the potential that enhanced and collaborative communication can yield (Meister & Willyerd, 2010). The research undertaken is directed at obtaining data on levels of social media penetration into organizational learning …

Exploring Leadership Styles From A Mediator's Perspective: A Phenomenological Study Examining Four Specific Organizational Leadership Styles And Their Relationship To Four Mediation Styles As Summarized By Leonard L. Riskin, Thomas J. Gajewski

Theses and Dissertations

If a successful organization is one where internal strife is minimized, then it stands to reason that a successful leader is an individual who knows how to handle conflict. Handling conflict, though, should not be approached intuitively, as the field of mediation has developed numerous techniques to understand and address conflict. To date, though, these techniques have not been categorized by leadership styles. The purpose of this study was to develop such a framework to understand how conflict resolution relates to the disciplines of mediation, organizational behavior, and organizational leadership. To further this endeavor, four themes were developed. These themes …

Understanding The Significance Of Reward And Threat Triggers : Practitioners' Perspectives, Ashley Carson

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined organization development (OD) practitioners' perspectives on the relative importance of the five domains of a neuroscience-based motivation framework that categorizes common issues that trigger toward or away responses in the brain. The SCARF Model's five domains include Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness (Rock, 2008). This study sought to understand if practitioners' perspectives are in line with existing research and ultimately to identify the most effective practices that provide the highest level of benefit relative to reducing threat responses and increasing rewards. The first phase of this study employed an online survey using pairwise comparison, or forced …

Manager Influence On Collaborative Change Initiatives, Ron Milam

Theses and Dissertations

Ensuring all residents in Southern California have access to healthy food is one of many examples of an issue too complex and challenging for any one organization to change on its own. More and more, organizations work in collaboration and designate individuals to manage these collaborative change initiatives. This research uncovers the specific influence managers of collaborative change initiatives have in shaping positive outcomes for the collaborations they serve. Based on interviewing 11 managers and funders from six leading collaborative change initiatives, there are two contextual ways in which managers influence collaboration: their position itself carries influence and their ability …

A Cross-Generational Narrative Examination Of Women's Career Journeys, Natalie Swann

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine women's career journeys and how these journeys vary by generational cohort. Sixteen women wage-earners were interviewed to examine women's career journeys and how these journeys vary by generation. Specifically, the internal and external barriers to and facilitators of women's career advancement, success and fulfillment were examined. The women reported five influencers on their career choices: mentors or role models, work-life balance considerations, passions and interests, financial needs, and hostile work environments. The process of career planning and exploration the women described was consistent across the generations and included a period of …

Examining The State Of The Field And Possibilities For Collaboration In Organization Development, D. Wade Shows

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the state of organization development (OD) and the possibilities for collaboration within it. Thirteen leading OD professionals were interviewed. Study findings indicated that the field of OD is struggling and needs to demonstrate its unique value. Collaboration in the field was determined to be limited and participants expressed little interest, time, and energy for initiating collaboration, although they believed collaboration could help enhance the credibility and relevance of the field. Several barriers to collaboration were identified, such as divergence in the field and "turf" issues. Several success factors for collaboration also were identified, such as having a …

Exploring The Influence Of Academic Technology Professionals In Higher Education, Stephanie Glick

Theses and Dissertations

Academic Technology (AT) is a fast growing field that deserves attention given its dynamic nature and impact on educational practices. The field has evolved from information technology to concentrate on advancing technology to enhance teaching and learning. Yet, the field appears to be insufficiently mature or defined making it difficult for AT professionals to be categorized and characterized or to fully understand their changing roles. There is uncertainty as to the roles, responsibilities and positions of AT professionals both within and outside of the field. Research in this area is minimal and highlights the need for strategic action to support …

Impacts Of Expatriates' International Experience On Self-Identity, Mandy M. Chan

Theses and Dissertations

Expatriation is becoming an attractive career path for many people due to the global economic movement. People experience career transitions due to change of organization, locations, responsibilities, reporting structures, and work groups. Expatriates in particular experience more extreme changes because of challenges they encounter from language differences, geographical distance across countries, culture, habit, and life style. These changes influence people's perspective in seeing things, including their self-identity. The aim of this research was to explore the evolvement of expatriates' self-identity. A qualitative research design using reflexive narrative inquiry was employed. Seven current and former expatriates from Australia, Japan, Netherlands, United …

Characteristics Of Transformative Listening Enacted By Organization Development Practitioners, Marco Cassone

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the listening behaviors of organization development (OD) practitioners that result in client transformation. Interviews conducted with eleven OD consultants with extensive experience in executive coaching pointed to engaged, focused attention as a core characteristic of their listening. OD practitioners regularly use three primary listening approaches (active, empathetic, and expansive listening) to drive insight and help clients transform their perspectives. Practitioners subsequently use two secondary listening approaches (critical and reductive listening) to anchor insight into action and help clients transform their behavior. Transformative listening describes the repeating process of inquiry that blends primary and secondary listening approaches and …

Stress Relief In The Workplace, Jenny Gumm

Theses and Dissertations

The management of the psychological and physiological dimensions of stress can have significant effect on workplace productivity. Yet, stress as a universal human phenomenon is often downplayed or misunderstood by both employees and organizations. This study looked at the effects of stress on the workplace from both an individual and an organizational perspective. An exploratory mixed methods design was used to test the efficacy and potential benefits of providing employees with tools to help them better manage their stress. The three components of Hatha Yoga: breath, movement, and mediation were introduced on site to the employees of a small start-up …

Perceived Barriers To Technology Integration, Adam J. Hartley

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This mixed-methods study explores the potential barriers to change related to the integration of technology among elementary teachers. Data were collected through the use of a survey, interviews, and focus groups. The Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) developed by Hall and Hord (2001) was used to capture teacher perceptions of the technology integration. Additional qualitative data were gathered through an open-ended questionnaire, and followed up with interviews and a focus group with eight teachers from the district studied. Two teachers, from each of the four elementary buildings within the school district, were chosen. The population of this study consisted of approximately …