Digital Commons Network^™

Towards An Artificial Intelligence (Ai)-Driven Government In The United Arab Emirates (Uae): A Framework For Transforming And Augmenting Leadership Capabilities, Ahmed Almarzooqi

Theses and Dissertations

The UAE Government has recently launched a strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI) that transitions the government to a new phase of becoming an AI-driven government. This strategy aimed to adopt AI-based technologies to boost the overall performance of the government. AI- based technologies have the capability to perform a wide range of human cognitive functions such as voice recognition, image recognition, and prediction. However, to achieve the vision of becoming an AI-driven government, the UAE has to prepare effectively for the transformation by anticipating the various challenges that accompany the adoption of AI-based technologies. Previous research indicated that infusing AI-based …

Healthcare Leadership Styles, Competencies And Affinity For Technology In The Digital Era, Zahra Ghafari

Theses and Dissertations

Digital technology has become a continuous disruptor in healthcare research, education, record keeping, and communication, resulting in both opportunities and challenges. The purpose of this study was fourfold, to (a) identify the leadership practices of healthcare executives, (b) measure the attitudes of healthcare leaders toward technology, (c) explore the relation between leadership styles and attitudes toward technology, and (d) examine the relation between demographic factors (gender, age, practice type) and attitudes toward technology. Healthcare leaders in the United States were recruited from different specialties. They were asked to respond to 3 survey instruments: The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ5X), Affinity for …

Identifying The Challenges Remote Middle Managers Face, Stephanie Diaz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges that remote middle managers face. Through a qualitative study focused on remote middle managers at a multinational organization, key themes were identified when middle managers were asked about challenges working and leading remotely. Participants included 12 middle managers working remotely based throughout the United States. Challenges identified included communication issues, work-life balance complications, and their involvement in strategy creation and implementation.

Enhancing Organizational Agility Within The Human Resources Function, Nathan Bushey

Theses and Dissertations

Organizational agility describes a firm’s dexterity in making necessary changes to sustain and enhance performance. This mixed methods study examined the nature of agility and the impacts of internal processes on agility within the human resources (HR) function of a telecommunications organization in the United States. Both survey and interview data were collected. Quantitative data were collected and statistically analyzed. Qualitative insights were coded to identify trends in the respective datasets. Study findings indicate the case organization had a moderate degree of agility and that its attunement to the external environment was variable. The data also suggested that leadership style, …

Defining Effective Teacher Practices Among Students With Emotional Behavioral Disabilities, Zerek Mayes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of special education teachers who worked with students with emotional behavioral disabilities (EBD) across various urban settings and educative environments. Given that the overall percentage of students receiving special education services has increased, the overall percentage of students with EBD served among all school-aged children and youth has remained below 1% (U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2018). The current failings of reform efforts to improve the academic achievement of students with EBD brings the roles, responsibilities and practices of teachers and their preparation into view. This study examined the …

Elementary Principals' Support Of Beginning Teachers And Their Use Of Transformational Leadership In A State-Approved Induction Program, Patrick Enright

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This case study investigated how elementary principals use transformational leadership and the Illinois Induction Program Continuum (IIPC) when supporting beginning teachers. The elementary principals who participated in the study (n=6) worked in the same school district that used a state approved new teacher induction program. Data collection methods included pre-written reflection questions, three formal interviews and a review of all induction program documents. The data analysis was initial and focused coding.

The most important finding from this study was how principals provided support for beginning teachers through dialogue, collaborative school context, professional development, and student behavior. The research findings also …

When Accreditation Policy Changes: An Exploration Of How Institutions Of Higher Education Adapt, Kim Levey

Theses and Dissertations

Changing policies from the Department of Education and, subsequently, regional accreditor impact how institutions of higher education enact and implement processes and procedures (Beattie, Thornton, Laden, & Brackett, 2013). In today's environment, policy changes are occurring as policy-makers are reacting to pressure from taxpayers and critics alike as a result of decreasing international rankings and evidence of financial aid fraud at some institutions (Hartle, 2012). With efforts to reauthorize the Higher Education Act in addition to changes to federal law through negotiated rule-making, it is becoming increasingly more imperative that institutions of higher education become adaptable, as changes in the …

Two Studies Analyzing The Effects Of Business Case And Paradoxical Cognitive Framing On Sustainability Decision Making, Nadra Pencle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

These two companion studies theoretically and empirically examine managers' use of different cognitive frames in decision-making related to corporate sustainability. Study I is a theoretical undertaking aimed at highlighting potential zones of investigation arising from the introduction of paradox theory into managerial accounting. First, I examine extant literature on paradoxes to garner an understanding of its evolution and application in the management and psychology domains. Second, I use current constructs and typologies to identify multiple sustainability and managerial accounting tensions as paradoxical. Third, I make recommendations on how to apply paradox theory more effectively to the corporate sustainability tensions I …

Competency Development And Implementation Among Direct Support Professionals In New York State, Johanna Loporto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Direct support professionals (DSPs) serve an important function in the daily supervision and care of clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) through standardization of technical, cognitive, and ethical competencies for all DSPs. It is not clear, however, how these DSPs and managers perceive the implementation process and utility of these competencies or whether implementation results in meeting the desired outcomes for clients. Using Donabedian's quality of care model as the foundation, the purpose of this qualitative case study in New York State to understand how DSPs perceived the implementation of the DSP core competencies under the direction of front-line …

Public Sector Fire Chiefs' Strategies For Employee Succession Planning, Vernon L. Easley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

More than 21% of public sector fire chiefs lack effective succession plans for employees, and 45% of fire chiefs do not provide adequate succession plans. Grounded by Burns's transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore successful strategies that 2 fire chiefs from 2 firehouses in the southern United States used to improve succession planning for employees. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of organizational standard operating procedures. Data were analyzed using Yin's 5-step approach, which included: compiling data, disassembling data, reassembling data, interpreting data, and concluding data. The 3 themes that emerged …

An Analysis Of Employee Motivation After Metamorphose, Conglomerated Public Health Care Systems, Aleta Marie Lymon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A global epidemic of metamorphosed, conglomerated health care systems changed the face of public health care organizations. The problem is, public health care organizations merge into new systems, but the culture for each merged organization has not been formed under the new system. Public administrators, health care workers and the Department of Health and Human Services are affected when there are issues in health care behavioral practices and performance outcomes. Research found that employee motivation is hard to achieve when there are issues within the internal structure of a new system. Using Herzberg's motivation-hygiene and Tajfel and Turner's social identity …

Nonprofit Leaders' Strategies For Succession Planning, Regenia R. Boykins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many nonprofit organizations lack systematic approaches to succession planning. The absence of a strategic succession plan can limit leaders' abilities to maintain organizational sustainability and fulfill the organization's mission. The purpose of this single-case study was to explore strategies nonprofit leaders used to develop succession plans. The conceptual framework for the study was the knowledge transfer theory. Participants included 3 nonprofit leaders from an educational organization in the southeastern United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analysis of internal organizational documents and publicly available data. Using an inductive content analysis, 3 themes emerged: boards of directors were critical …

Community College Leaders’ Strategies To Recruit Quality Faculty, Charmelia Butler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human resource (HR) directors at academic institutions work to fill vacant teaching positions with skilled educators in colleges and universities. Unemployment in the United States declined to 5% in December 2015, creating placement issues for HR directors. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that community college HR directors used to recruit qualified faculty for teaching positions to increase institutional performance. The targeted population for the study included 5 HR directors from community colleges in northern Texas. To meet the criteria for inclusion in the study, candidates had to be employed as an HR director at …

Exploring Regulatory Framework Guiding Bank Employees' Career Advancement In Nigeria, Adenrele Jonathan Adegbite

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The current global labor market tends to be knowledge based and workers are consistently required to develop new competencies and adapt to changing environments. Bank employees in Nigeria do not have training that sustains future employment in other sectors, largely as a result of regulatory requirements that impede the development of soft skills and life-long learning opportunities. Little attention has been given to the lived experiences of these bank employees who are currently faced with the challenges posed by globalization and technology adoption. Guided by institutional analysis and development theory (IAD), this exploratory study examined the regulatory framework guiding bank …

Local Nongovernmental Organization Intervention Approaches In Nigeria's Communities Experiencing Continuous Trauma, Rashid Babalola Raji

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found an overlap of psychological symptoms in victims of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Continuous Traumatic Stress. Although the circumstances inducing the psychological reactions are different, the symptoms mimic one another without a clear cut demarcation, calling for practitioners to be cautious of contexts inducing psychopathology that is triggered through re-experiencing of past trauma when they are assessing and intervening with ongoing trauma-exposed communities. This study explored the subjective experiences of 15 local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) administrators in Nigeria across 5 states, including the federal capital Abuja, about the intersectionality of their clients' persistent trauma experiences and their program …

Small Business Sustainability Strategies In The Maritime Industry In Lagos, Nigeria, Yemisi Christianah Olorunshola

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small business enterprises (SBEs) are major contributors to national job creation and employment, but small businesses face a myriad of challenges which lead to their failure before 5 years of operation. Some small business owners lack the skills to create strategies that will lead to long term business survival. Porter'€™s 5 forces competition was used as the conceptual framework for this multiple case study. The purpose of the study was to explore the strategies Nigerian SBEs use to sustain their first 5 years of operation. Semistructured interviews served to collect data from the chief executive officers of 2 SBEs in …

Succession Planning In Family-Owned Businesses In Nigeria, Ayodeji West

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Most family-owned businesses in Nigeria fail to survive to the second generation, and even more fail to survive to the third generation. The problems with sustainability pose issues for individuals and communities but have not been adequately examined by researchers. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that family business owners use to implement succession planning required for business continuity. Succession planning theory was used as the conceptual framework. The participants for the study included leaders of 4 family businesses in Lagos, Nigeria, who have successfully implemented a succession planning strategy required for business continuity. …

Strategies For Preventing Financial Fraud In Church Organizations In Ghana, Albert Rockson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial fraud in church organizations is increasing rapidly, which can affect the reputation, donation appeal, future funding, and ability of church organizations to meet their planned organizational goals. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies for preventing financial fraud in church organizations. The conceptual framework for the study was Cressey’s fraud triangle theory. Twenty participants who utilize strategies for preventing financial fraud in their organizations were purposively selected from 5 church organizations in Ghana. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analysis of organizational financial policy documents. Interview data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed with Saldaña’s …

The Role Of The Physicians' Assistant In Trinidad And Tobago's Healthcare System, Martha Ann Pamponette

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The profession of physicians' assistant was introduced in the 1960s to assist with physician shortages in the United States of America. Since then, some countries have introduced this profession to fill the gaps that exist in the physician shortages problem in their health care system. Yet, in many countries like Trinidad and Tobago, this role remains absent from the health care system. The objective of this study was to assess how professionalization supports the introduction of the physicians' assistant role in Trinidad and Tobago. Using the theory of profession as a theoretical framework, and through an evaluation of institutional, regulatory, …

Relationship Between Time Estimation, Cost Estimation, And Project Performance, Eyas Nakhleh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although the project management role is increasing, project failure rates remain high. Project time and cost are 2 project factors that can affect the performance of the projects. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between time estimation, cost estimation, and project performance. Data collection involved a purposive sample of 67 project sponsors, managers, and coordinators in Qatar. The theoretical framework was the iron triangle, also known as the triple constraints. Participants were randomly invited to answer 18 questions using the project implementation profile instrument. A standard multiple regression analysis was used to examine the correlation …

2018 Aoa Presidential Address: Developing Leaders And Training Thoroughbreds, Rick W. Wright

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Making The Case: A College Physical And Mental Health Integration, Tamara L. Laursen

Iowa Journal of Communication

Much research has been done linking physical disorders and depressive disorders. Although this topic is highly relevant to college populations, administrative structures and clinical practices vary as to how college health, health promotion, and counseling services are delivered. Understanding current operational relationships and possible strengths and weaknesses of an integrated physical and mental health service can provide notable benefits for college students. Recognized standards exist for college health services, health promotion, and counseling services. Exploration of current integrated models offers an understanding of benefits and challenges encountered when establishing an integrated model. Health and well-being are life-long endeavors, and by …

Examining Teacher Perceptions Of Professional Learning Teams And Teacher Professionalism, Rebecca Thomas Stripling

All ETDs from UAB

EXAMINING TEACHER PERCEPTIONS OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEAMS AND TEACHER PROFESSIONALISM This study explores the perceptions of teachers’ professionalism as they participate in professional learning teams. Through a qualitative lens, teacher perceptions of how their own professionalism (as indicated by the Professionalism Index by McMahon & Hoy, 2009) is influenced or affected as a result of their participation in a PLT were examined from the perspective of teachers that fell into three categories, those teachers that scored high on the Professionalism Index, those teachers that scored low on the Professionalism Index and those teachers that had a medium score on the …

An Exploratory Study Of The Influence Of Perceived Organizational Support, Coworker Social Support, The Nursing Practice Environment, And Nurse Demographics On Burnout In Palliative Care Nurses, Marcia Ann Lowe

All ETDs from UAB

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT, COWORKER SOCIAL SUPPORT, THE NURSING PRACTICE ENVIRONMENT, AND NURSE DEMOGRAPHICS ON BURNOUT IN PALLIATIVE CARE NURSES MARCIA A. LOWE SCHOOL OF NURSING ABSTRACT Burnout, a condition characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment, has been studied in many disciplines in healthcare, including nursing, medicine, and social work. Working with palliative care patients and their families is innately challenging and may predispose nurses to burnout. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of perceived organizational support (POS), coworker social support, the nursing practice environment, and nurse …

Job Retention Of Childcare Workers In A Military Child Development Center, Janet Marie Hooten

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the low retention rates of childcare workers at a military child development center in the northeast United States. The purpose of this case study was to explore the work experiences of childcare employees during their first year of employment at a child development center to discover the factors that influenced their decision to resign. The conceptual framework that guided this study was a 2-factor approach of motivator and hygiene factors associated with experiences and perceptions. Transcripts from interviews with 15 current and prior childcare workers and management team members were coded, triangulated, and thematically analyzed. The themes …

Secondary Teachers' Perceptions Of Professional Development's Role For Instruction In Inclusive Settings, Dwight Erving Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students with disabilities (SWDs) are being placed in inclusive settings. The problem is that in many cases, teachers who are assigned to these students may not have necessary training in special education. Lack of such teacher training can lead to deficits in learning for SWDs. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify secondary general education teachers' perspectives on professional development (PD) regarding teaching SWDs in inclusion classroom settings. The conceptual framework for this study was Bandura's self-efficacy construct as presented in social cognitive theory. For teachers, self-€efficacy may influence instructional practices, classroom climate, and attitudes toward educational processes. …

Promoting Nursing Communication Competence On A Spinal Cord Injury Unit, Tishon L. Creswell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The power to communicate effectively and respectfully in the health care setting promotes job satisfaction, retention, and healthy relationships. Ineffective communication is one of the major causes of sentinel events, incivility, nurse turnover, and workplace hostility in the health care environment. This project examined a communication competence educational program on a spinal cord injury (SCI) nursing department and its potential to improve communication competence. The project question explored whether an educational series on incivility and creating healthy relationships would increase communication competence in nurses on the SCI unit. The project used the high reliability solutions for health care model communications …

Preventive Strategies To Reduce Discrimination Lawsuits Against Restaurants, Kenneth James Welch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Discrimination lawsuits can bankrupt organizations and are a continuous problem for many organizations. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies restaurant managers used to deter discrimination lawsuits. The conceptual framework for this study was a theory of 4Cs, which represent critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. The targeted population consisted of 10 restaurant managers who have implemented successful strategies that reduced discrimination lawsuits, work in the Boston metropolitan area, and have 10 years of recent experience in the restaurant industry. Data were collected from face-to-face semistructured interviews, direct observation, and review of company document. Data analysis …

Perceptions Of Frontline Managers Practicing Diversity Management, James Rodgers, Stephanie Hoon, Branford Mcallister

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

For over 30 years, organizations have engaged in programs to address the growing presence of diverse populations in their ranks, and researchers have attempted to identify and quantify a link between diversity and enterprise performance. There is a general lack of understanding of how organizations benefit from increased diversity and the role of frontline managers in that process. The purpose of this study was to obtain a better understanding of the perceptions and lived experiences of frontline managers in their role of executing diversity management programs. The study’s framework focused on (a) diversity management, (b) managing people, and (c) team …

Corporate Control And The Regulation Of Controlling Shareholders, Zohar Goshen, Assaf Hamdani

Faculty Scholarship

In this chapter, we outline the theory of idiosyncratic vision and explored its implications. Our theory can be summarized as follows: First, while investors value control because it offers them protection from agency costs, entrepreneurs value control because it allows them to pursue their idiosyncratic vision. Second, any contract between entrepreneurs and investors represents a balance between the entrepreneurs’ freedom to secure their idiosyncratic vision and the investors’ protection against agency costs. Third, the investors and entrepreneurs will allocate cash-flow and control rights through the bargaining process to achieve this balance.

In addition, this chapter demonstrates that ownership structures are …