Digital Commons Network^™

Adaptive Leadership: Strategies Used By U.S. Navy Command Senior Enlisted Leaders To Build Adaptive Capacity In Times Of Great Change, Derek Wayne King

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe strategies used by U.S. Navy command senior enlisted leaders (CSELs) to build an adaptive capacity based on the five key characteristics of adaptive leadership identified by Heifetz et al. (2009).Methodology: This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of U.S. Navy CSELs. Purposeful, convenience sampling was used to identify 10 participants who met the study’s criteria. The semistructured, open-ended interview protocol was developed by a thematic research team of nine peer researchers and three faculty advisors. Data collected from the interviews and artifacts were analyzed to identify themes related …

Integrating Three-Dimensional Mentoring With Workforce Development Training: A Collaborative Autoethnographic Examination Of Skill Transfer, Danny L. Darden, Ramiro Pesina

Human Resource Development Student Publications and Presentations

The increasing demand for skilled professionals in technical fields necessitates innovative educational approaches that integrate skill development with effective mentoring frameworks. This paper presents an autoethnographic analysis of skill transfer within workforce development environments, emphasizing a three-dimensional mentoring model encompassing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral mentoring dimensions. The study examines applications in command-line learning, gamified instruction, and safety training within virtual environments. The research highlights best practices in mentoring sustainability, the role of technology in reinforcing skill acquisition, and the ways in which learning-community engagement enhances workforce readiness. Additionally, this study integrates research on student engagement, community experiences, and retention strategies, …

Entrepreneurial Spirit And Firm Performance: An Empirical Study Based On Data From The Star Market​, Zhige Zhang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Entrepreneurial spirit, as a vital production factor in contemporary society, plays a leading and guiding role throughout the entire life cycle of a business. In particular, entrepreneurial innovation spirit, a key element of entrepreneurial spirit, is a pivotal engine of economic and societal progress. This paper adopts an empirical research approach to analyze the correlation between entrepreneurial innovation spirit and firm outcome, delving into the impact of entrepreneurial innovation spirit on a firm's operational efficiency, profitability, solvency, and development capabilities. The findings provide theoretical support and practical guidance for enterprise management, ultimately contributing to the creation of greater corporate value …

Cold Chain Logistics Optimization: Integrating Iot And Data Analytics To Reduce Post-Harvest Loss In The United States Perishable Food Supply Chain: A Case Study Of Dole Food Company, Sarah Onyeche Usoro, Elizabeth Ramatu Galadima, Onyeche Helen Adogwa

Student Publications

Food spoilage in the United States is not simply a logistical inconvenience. It is one of the most underappreciated sources of economic and environmental waste in the country's food system. Fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meat are routinely lost during storage and transport not because operators lack the will to prevent it, but because conventional cold chain management has historically lacked the tools to detect and respond to deteriorating conditions before damage becomes irreversible. This paper examines how the convergence of Internet of Things (IoT) sensing networks and data analytics platforms is reshaping what cold chain operators can know, predict, …

Increasing Inclusive Practices In An Elementary School Using Transcendental Phenomenology, Jenny C. Chiappe, Bryan E. Thornton, Mary A. Falvey

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

This transcendental phenomenology study examined two schools, one comprehensive elementary school and one segregated special education center, as they transitioned to become one school to create more inclusive spaces for students with extensive support needs (i.e., intellectual and developmental disabilities). The transition occurred over a three-year period. The study used purposive sampling. Three general education and three special education teachers and the principal completed individual interviews during Year 3 of the transition. Classroom observations were conducted. The study used thematic analysis and revealed themes that described the school restructuring process: uncertainty during restructuring process; uncertainty around access based on students’ …

Understanding And Implementing Fashion Sustainability: An Academic Course, Paige M. Baldwin

Theses

This project outlined a fashion sustainability course meant to be taught at a degree-awarding educational institution. The course explores the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the fashion industry. Students learn about sustainable practices, materials, and design principles. Students also study consumer behavior, supply chain management, and government policies related to sustainable fashion. The literature and research looked at the current fashion industry landscape and the sustainability issues that are being addressed, the current educational landscape of fashion programs in the United States of America, and the current literature regarding building an effective curriculum in the 21st century.

Understanding The Acceptance Of Digital Tools Within An Air Force Environment Using The Utaut2 Model, Britton J. Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

This research paper explores factors influencing digital tool adoption in a military context, using a modified UTAUT2 model with the inclusion of Military Status as a moderating factor. The study examines the moderating effects of Military Status on Social Influence towards Behavioral Intention and Behavioral Intention on Use Behavior. Data was collected through a Likert-scale survey from respondents across multiple Department of the Air Force (DAF) organizations. Findings revealed Social Influence had the potential to positively influence Behavioral Intention to use digital tools, but military experience did not significantly moderate this relationship. However, past experience with the legacy tool and …

Assessing Alexithymia In Law Enforcement: The Role Of Service Tenure And Sex, Elfego J. Gallardo Jr

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Alexithymia, characterized by difficulties in identifying and expressing emotions, has significant implications for professions requiring emotional intelligence and trauma-informed response. Law enforcement officers routinely navigate high-stress encounters that demand emotional regulation, clear communication, and empathy, yet those with alexithymic traits may struggle in these areas, potentially affecting interactions with victims, suspects, and the community. This study examined the prevalence of alexithymia among front-line police officers in suburban municipal agencies within the Chicago metropolitan area, using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) as a standardized assessment. The research addressed three questions: (1) What proportion of officers exhibited normative or elevated levels …

Research On The Impact Of Factors For Successful Digital Transformation On Performance: A Case Study Of The Clothing Industry, Xiaoyun Qian

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

In recent years, enterprises in the clothing industry have experiencedvarying degrees of performance decline, primarily influenced bymacroeconomic cyclical factors and intrinsic industry issues. Firstly, under the influence of macroeconomic cycles, the clothing industry has demonstratedstrong cyclical characteristics. Since 2019, weakened global macroeconomic conditions have negatively impacted both clothing exports and domestic sales, coupled with a slowdown in China's macroeconomic growth, puttingsignificant pressure on the overall growth of the clothing sector. Secondly, the industry faces several internal challenges, including rising labor costs, severe supply-demand mismatches, overcapacity on the production side, and longinventory cycles. Digital transformation has emerged as an important optionfor …

Research On The Economic Performance And Process Optimization Strategies In Chinese Agricultural Enterprises, Zili Xu

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

With the booming digital economy, digital transformation has become a key strategy for global enterprises to enhance competitiveness and optimize economic performance. This dissertation takes Chinese agricultural enterprises as the research subject and deeply explores the impact of digital transformation on corporate economic performance and strategies for business process optimization.

The dissertation first reviews the research progress on the digital transformation of agricultural enterprises. Secondly, it uses qualitative text analysis and machine learning technology to assess the digital level of Chinese agricultural enterprises and analyzes their current status and characteristics. The empirical study employs a fixed-effects model and finds that …

Green Human Resource Management (Ghrm) And Sustainability: A Mini Review, Kevser B. Meric Atakan

Journal of Global Business Insights

This mini review explores the evolving role of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) in advancing sustainability within organizational structures. As environmental concerns become increasingly central to global business agendas, organizations are compelled to expand their focus beyond profitability to incorporate ecological responsibility. Within this shift, GHRM emerges as a strategic approach that integrates environmental considerations into core human resource functions. The review synthesizes current literature to evaluate how HR practices such as recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and incentive systems are being adapted to support environmental goals. Evidence from qualitative analyses suggests that organizations are gradually embedding sustainability into their internal …

Every Voice Has Its Bright And Dark Sides: Understanding Observers’ Reactions To Coworkers’ Voice Behaviors, Szu-Han Lin, Shereen Fatimah, Emily C. Poulton, Cony M. Ho, D. Lance Ferris, Russell E. Johnson

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The majority of research on voice has focused on how employee voice influences voicers and targets of voice (e.g. supervisors and organizations). We advance theory on voice by examining how third-party observers react to expressions of voice behavior by coworkers. Drawing from affective events theory (AET), we examine the potential benefits and detriments of coworker voice behaviours. Results from an experience sampling study and an experiment revealed that coworker voice was associated with an increase in third-party observers' inspiration, prompting third-party observers to engage in their own voice behaviours. Although coworker voice did not have a significant main effect on …

From Low Power To Action: Reappraising Powerlessness As An Opportunity Restores Agency, Tianyu He, Michael Schaerer, Trevor A. Foulk, Elizabeth B. Wolf, Winnie Y. Jiang

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Agentic behaviors are a critical pathway to power in contemporary organizations. Paradoxically, employees who lack power are the least likely to think and act agentically—creating a self-perpetuating cycle of disadvantage. Existing research on facilitating employee agentic behaviors relies on structural solutions that are often out of reach for individual employees. Yet, anecdotal evidence suggests that this view may be incomplete, as some individuals seem to be able to overcome the challenges powerlessness poses without relying on external resources, control, or organizational change. Integrating research on powerlessness and cognitive reappraisal, the present research proposes that cognitively reappraising powerless situations as opportunities …

Smart Manufacturing Readiness Assessment - Analysis Of A Modern Tool From A Sociotechnical Perspective, Todd Lemon

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Smart Manufacturing has emerged out of the pervasive buzzwords in publications as a competitive strategy, characterized by the intensive use of digital information and technology throughout the production processes; shop-floor, people, and systems are married by the Internet creating services critical to manufacturing. The work completed and presented here extends the research in the area of Smart Manufacturing (SM) readiness to include a more comprehensive approach to production floor implementation. The overarching goal is to explore SM implementation in attempt to identify underlying latent factors that relate to preparedness from a joint social and technical perspective, striving for a model …

Developing Core Competencies For The Air Force Civil Engineer Asset Management Career Field, David A. Rochester

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force (USAF) relies on a highly trained and capable workforce to maintain and manage its infrastructure, ensuring mission readiness and operational effectiveness. However, the increasing complexity of asset management, aging infrastructure, and evolving global threats necessitate a structured approach to developing the competencies required for Air Force Civil Engineer Asset Managers. This research aims to identify, develop, and validate core competencies specific to this career field, utilizing a structured methodology that combines an Education Working Group (EWG) with a Delphi study. The study begins with an expert-led EWG to generate an initial list of competencies based …

A Qualitative Study: The 4 I’S Of Transformational Leadership And The Impact It Has On Building Employee Resiliency, Jewel Hale, Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a turbulent environment for governments and citizens worldwide. In this context, one concept stands out as particularly valuable: resilience. Resilience, the capacity to bounce back from adversity, is a key component in post-pandemic recovery and evolution. This phenomenological study explores the crisis through the experiences of small business owners and leaders in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas during the pandemic's peak. The participants were selected for successfully navigating the pandemic and remaining in business. The study aims to examine the leadership styles used to build employee resilience, focusing on their commonalities through phenomenological research. …

Management Of Aggressive And Disruptive Behavior In The Emergency Department Using De-Escalation Techniques And Simulation: A Quality Improvement Project To Improve The Knowledge And Confidence Of Emergency Department Nurses And Clinical Staff, Ernestine Darby-Littlejohn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Approximately 40% of all healthcare workers have reported episodes of violence by patients over the last 2 years. This Veteran’s Health Agency reported 824 disruptive events reported in the last 5 years, of which 56 occurred in the emergency department. Research shows that interventions are not always timely, resulting in the clinical staff requesting the Veteran’s Health Agency Police to intervene when a veteran’s level of stress is escalating. The gap in practice is shown to be related to a lack of knowledge in the clinical staff in managing high stress levels exhibited by some veterans, limited knowledge of …

The Lived Experiences Of Higher Education Staff Leaders In A Four-Week Transformational Leadership Program: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Lastarsha Alston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of higher education staff who have completed a four-week transformational leadership program at a higher education institution in a mid-Atlantic state. The phenomenon was generally defined as exploring staff leadership and the influence on the leadership staff derived from the program. The theory guiding this study was Bass' transformational leadership theory. The central research question was as follows: What are the lived experiences of staff leaders who participated in the four-week transformational leadership program in a Mid-Atlantic state higher education? The methodology used for the research study …

Exploring Rapport-Building In Coaching Relationships: Coach's Perspective, Tanya Devereaux

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines rapport-building strategies and challenges executive coaches face in their interactions with clients, with an emphasis on demographic influences. By employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study captures the subjective experiences of 14 active executive business coaches. These coaches discussed techniques for rapport-building, such as pre-meeting engagement, setting expectations, and creating safe environments during initial sessions. The findings reveal that demographic factors—such as race, gender, and cultural background—impact the coach-coachee dynamic, often necessitating adaptive strategies to align with the unique needs of each client. The themes that emerged from the research aligned with existing literature, and professional experience …

The Clinical Impact Of A Standardized Pathway For Chest Pain Evaluation In The Urgent Care Setting, Tysheena L. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aimed to evaluate the deficiencies in the current chest pain evaluation practices compared to standard of practice at urgent care centers and to develop an evidence-based clinical workflow prioritizing the reduction of the door-to-EKG times utilizing the Marburg heart score assessment tool. Conducted in three urgent care centers within a larger not-for-profit healthcare system, the retrospective pretest-posttest design involved 44 patients presenting with chest pain. Utilizing t-tests, the study found a significant reduction in door-to-EKG times from 39 minutes pre-intervention to 14 minutes post-intervention (p < 0.05). The pre implementation chart reviews revealed that 7 (32%) of the charts had the required risk assessment tool used, and score documented in the EMR. The post implementation chart reviews revealed that 6 (27%) of the charts had the required risk assessment tool used and score for chest pain documented in the EMR. The Marburg Heart Score facilitated timely identification of high-risk patients while minimizing unnecessary EKGs for low-risk individuals, though protocol adherence and external workflow disruptions were noted limitations. The findings underscore the importance of standardized workflows in enhancing care efficiency and patient outcomes, suggesting that future research explore long-term sustainability and broader implementation in urgent care settings.

Building Capacity For Trauma-Informed Care: Enhancing Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practice Of Trauma-Informed Care Among Nurses, Kim G. Cudjoe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Exposure to trauma is a global and pervasive phenomenon that is known to have negative consequences on the health, health outcomes, and well-being of individuals and at-risk populations to include Veterans. The implementation of trauma-informed care concepts and principles in the delivery of healthcare services among all staff and across the span of healthcare allows healthcare professionals to realize the impact of trauma on individuals, to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma, to respond to trauma through improved practices, procedures, and policies; and to prevent re-traumatization while receiving care. The purpose of this evidence-based project is to develop and …

Female Students With Disabilities’ Perceptions Of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Education, Toni Anne Walkowiak

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The demand to increase enrollment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs has intensified globally since the early 21st century. Researchers have concentrated on the gender divide with limited research on female students with disabilities (FSwDs). The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore FSwDs’ perceptions of their successes and challenges with accessibility, inclusion, and support experienced in STEM education programs, as well as their recommendations for improving policies and practices in STEM higher education. The study was grounded in social identity and social learning theories. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with nine …

Uncovering Moral Injury At Work: The Development And Initial Validation Of The Moral Injury At Work Scale (Miws), Megan J. Snoeyink

Dissertations and Theses

Employees frequently encounter situations at work that present moral or ethical dilemmas. Consequently, they may engage in immoral actions, witness moral violations, or fail to intervene when their coworkers behave immorally. Repeated exposure to such moral challenges can lead to moral injury--the damage to one's moral code and self-image resulting from witnessing, failing to prevent, or participating in what is perceived as an immoral act. Despite the potential for moral injury in workplace contexts, research has yet to adequately explore or measure this phenomenon. This dissertation addresses this gap by developing and validating the Moral Injury at Work Scale (MIWS). …

Greening The Workplace: Can Sustainable Practices Reduce Anxiety And Enhance Meaningful Work Engagement?, Cyril Tom T. Sunny, Peter Muttungal, Benny G. Davidson

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

This academic research examines the relationship between job engagement, green work climate, job-related anxiety, meaningfulness at work within the organization. It draws attention to identify the significant relations among all these factors and highlights the role of a green work climate in promoting meaningful work and alleviating job-related anxiety. The research emphasizes a diverse sample of employees from various organisations using structural modelling to find the mediating roles of job engagement and work meaningfulness in the correlation between organizational practices, environmental sustainability, and employee satisfaction. The study finds that a green work climate significantly enhances meaningful work experiences and reduces …

Principals Perceptions Of Balancing Leadership And Self-Care, Marchelle Latanya Williams-Hines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increasing demands of educational leadership place significant stress on school principals, leading to challenges in balancing leadership responsibilities with self-care. This study explored principals’ perceptions of three key aspects: the challenges of balancing leadership and self-care, the demands contributing to stress, burnout, and turnover, and the resources that help mitigate these challenges. Guided by the job demands-resources model and mindfulness theory, this qualitative study utilized semistructured interviews with 10 elementary school principals in a southern Jamaican district. Data collection focused on self-care practices, leadership demands, and coping strategies, with thematic analysis identifying six major themes: the unpredictability and overload …

High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of School Leadership Practices That Support Retention In Oregon Schools, Isaac Ej Anthony Reyes Tenorio

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While numerous studies have addressed teacher turnover, significant research gaps still exist, highlighting the need for further investigation. The problem addressed in this study was the high teacher turnover rate in a high school compared to its district counterparts in a northwest Oregon school district. Guided by Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore high school teachers’ perceptions of leadership practices that support teacher retention in a northwest Oregon school district with a high turnover rate. Twelve high school teachers currently employed in the school district with at least five years …

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Implementation Experiences Among Mental Health Professionals In Correctional Settings, Angdi Karim Impelee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study investigated the challenges and experiences of mental health professionals implementing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) within forensic populations in the United States, filling a significant gap in research that primarily focused on DBT in non-forensic contexts. Utilizing qualitative methods, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with practitioners from various correctional settings, emphasizing their perceptions of DBT's efficacy, adaptation strategies to meet the cultural and institutional demands of their unique environments, and resultant behavioral outcomes for incarcerated individuals. Thematic analysis revealed key challenges, including resource limitations, institutional resistance, and the necessity for extensive cultural adaptations of therapeutic techniques. Participants highlighted …

War Without Surprises—Education For Command In The People’S Liberation Army Navy, Ryan D. Martinson

Naval War College Review

The PLA Navy will play a key role in any flash points and conflicts in the western Pacific. This study of professional military education for senior PLA Navy officers supplements analyses of platforms and capabilities with a look at how senior navy commanders are prepared to lead in combat.

Mentoring And Change Management: Integrating Organizational Mentorship With Change Initiatives, Ramiro Pesina, Danny Darden, David Silberman

Student Posters

Change is an inevitable and defining force in organizations. While structured change management frameworks provide critical guidance, they often overlook the human dimensions of change. We investigate mentoring and argue that it should not merely support change initiatives but serve as a strategic driver of successful transformations, serving as a multidimensional driver of cognitive alignment, emotional support, and behavioral adaptation, and introduce a mentoring framework that addresses these areas while bridging the gap between the procedural and human-centric change elements.

By interviewing participants who have been involved in mentoring programs yet experienced significant organizational change, we will identify their support …

From Surviving To Thriving: Trauma Informed Models For Survivors Of Human Trafficking, Charity Pugh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of seven educators, program leaders, and other direct service providers who support the learning and development of human trafficking survivors in trauma-informed agencies in Kentucky. Using narrative inquiry methods (Clandinin & Connelly, 1990), this study identified the trauma-informed models and strategies currently employed in Kentucky agencies that serve trafficking survivors, participants’ experiences with successful strategies, and the barriers they have experienced. This study addressed research gaps between the effects of trauma on learning, trauma-informed educational models, the unique needs of trafficking survivors, and trauma-informed care for trafficking survivors in non-educational settings. The theoretical …