Digital Commons Network^™

Transitional Challenges For Students With Disabilities During A Period Of Systemic Imbalance, Cindy Clemson Ed.D., Ben Littlepage Ed.D.

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

The present study explored how student support service administrators responded to the observed transitional challenges of students with disabilities during a period of systemic imbalance. Administrators at four community colleges in Tennessee, responsible for the coordination of student disability services, participated in a multi-site case study. Analysis revealed students with disabilities had unrealized expectations of postsecondary education, sought the same individualized attention experienced in secondary school, and misunderstood administrative processes, especially those associated with securing accommodations, upon entering college. Although the transitional challenges were not unique, increased enrollments and an inadequate infrastructure added difficulty to administrators’ ability to respond. Administrators …

Sustaining Change Towards Racial Equity Through Cycles Of Inquiry, Román Liera, Alicia C. Dowd

Department of Educational Leadership Scholarship and Creative Works

Many national, state, and institutional policies and initiatives advocate for change in higher education through structured forms of data use. The case study of “Old Main University” presented in this article shows how local reformers (n=9) drew on data and data use tools provided by a long-term action research project implemented at the university to advance racial equity goals at their university. The case narrative utilizes practice theory, cultural historical activity theory (CHAT), and narrative inquiry to illustrate how administrative leaders and faculty at Old Main University coordinated their efforts in a sustained manner through two cycles of practitioner inquiry …

Tracing The Change Process: Fostering And Sustaining Student Affairs Cultures Of Assessment, Margaret Leary

Dissertations

Student affairs professionals have long been strong contributors to college student learning and development and supporters of the perspective that holistic postsecondary learning is critical for not only the individual but society as well. With more attention focused on the value of this learning, student affairs has taken steps to foster and establish cultures of assessment by creating positions for individuals to coordinate assessment efforts across the division – a student affairs assessment leader. Most of the literature focusing on student affairs is informed by valuable practitioner experience and can be strengthened by empirical study. This explanatory single case study …

Re: Structuring, Organizing, Inventing, And Imagining Technical Services, Geraldine Rinna, Marianne Swierenga, Emily Gross

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Presentations

Western Michigan University Libraries migrated to the cloud in 2015 with a new integrated library system (ILS) and discovery layer. In 2016, the Libraries began discussing a complete reorganization. This presentation will outline the changes that occurred in WMU's Technical Services Department as a result of the ILS migration and new overall organizational structure in the Libraries, and how technical services faculty and staff have adapted and seized the opportunity to reinvent the department.

Onboarding: Engagement From Day One, Brenna Miaira Kutch

Office of Information Technology Publications and Presentations

This webinar will outline best practices, tips, and tools for onboarding new employees into your organization for manager and administrative support. The goals of this webinar are to understand why onboarding is essential to engagement and what steps managers can take to ensure an effective onboarding experience for new employees including staff, faculty, and student employees. Participants will share their own experiences, and return to their organizations with ideas for improving their processes and creating tools to facilitate an awesome and supportive environment from day one.

Ai: Augmentation, More So Than Automation, Steven M. Miller

Asian Management Insights

The take-up of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled systems in organisations is expanding rapidly. Integrating AI-enabled automation with people into workplace processes and societal systems is a complex and evolving challenge. The articles takes a managerial perspective on how firms can effectively deploy human minds and intelligent machines in the workplace.

Fear, Tradition, And Serendipity: The Unacknowledged Drivers Of Governance Strategy, Eric C. Martin, Judy Millesen

Faculty Journal Articles

For meaningful organizational change to take place, boards must be aware of the real drivers behind board action (or inaction). Without this kind of self-assessment, boards may well find themselves stuck on a path to nowhere.

Fostering Organizational Change Through A Solutions-Driven Culture Of Collaboration: A Case Study Of A Teachers’ Union In The Mid-Atlantic Region, Terence Che Ngwa

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This case study explored how the teachers’ union in a mid-Atlantic urban school district used collaboration with the school district to foster a change in its organizational culture that was previously characterized by adversarial relationships. The change in the union culture presented a unique opportunity that led both sides to believe that there was value to short-term and long-term collaborative partnerships. The study was framed on an open systems theory of organizations and an evolutionary change theory. Evidence for the study was collected from published and unpublished data, field observations, a focus group discussion, and participant interviews. Overall, the researcher …

Modeling The Co-Production Of Public Sector Innovation: Strategic Dimensions Of Organizational Innovation Within The Public Maritime Ports Of The Pacific Northwest, Christopher R. Davis

Dissertations and Theses

Innovation is vital to employing resources in times when the complexity and the demand for public goods and services strain organizational capacities. While innovation in the private sector is the subject of intense academic interest, the study of this phenomenon in the public sector pales in comparison. This is troubling because innovation is an important tool for overcoming resource limitations that plague the public sector. This dissertation's unique contribution to the field is the creation and empirical validation of a model that explains and predicts the co-production of public sector innovation. The model explains the causal mechanism of innovation and …

The Use Of External Change Agents To Promote Quality Improvement And Organizational Change In Healthcare Organizations: A Systematic Review, Esra Alagoz, Ming-Yuan Chih, Mary Hitchcock, Randall Brown, Andrew Quanbeck

Health and Clinical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: External change agents can play an essential role in healthcare organizational change efforts. This systematic review examines the role that external change agents have played within the context of multifaceted interventions designed to promote organizational change in healthcare-specifically, in primary care settings.

Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Academic Search Premier Databases in July 2016 for randomized trials published (in English) between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2016 in which external agents were part of multifaceted organizational change strategies. The review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A total of 477 abstracts were identified …

Thanks For The Feedback Taskforce Presentations, Emily Frigo, Susan Ponischil, Jacklyn Rander, Ashley Rosener

Presentations

The Thanks for the Feedback Task Force was empaneled to build a libraries-wide professional development experience including learning circles and workshops for formative colleague feedback and constructive handling of ‘conflict’ using the book Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen as a guiding text for Summer 2018. Three goals were 1. Develop shared vocabulary on receiving (and giving) feedback. 2. Identify strategies and customize scripts for navigating conversations. 3. Create a tool kit on giving and receiving feedback.

Influence Of Culture In The Implementation Of Change At Small, Private Colleges, Andrew Ralston Flamm

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain essence of understanding of the phenomena of the influence of culture on the change process at small, private colleges. Research questions included cultural characteristics of a campus, the impact of policy and procedure on shaping culture, the role of leadership in shaping culture, and contextual conditions that affect the change process. Two colleges that fit the description of small, private colleges were selected as sites. At each site, six individuals composed of a mix of faculty and administration were secured for semi-structured interviews. Interviews provided a rich understanding of the unique campus …

Development Of A Preliminary Scale Of Counterproductive Experiences In Supervision: Attitudes Of Interns, Carey Sherilyn Incledon

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical supervision is now recognized as a distinct professional competency in the field of psychology (APA, 2015). It is a primary method for training new clinicians, providing quality assurance, and ensuring client welfare (Falender & Shafranske, 2004). However, even within the most well-intentioned supervision, counterproductive experiences (CEs) are known to sometimes occur. These can significantly interfere with the supervisory process and often result in a strained supervisory alliance, interfere with clinical training, contribute to a negative training experience, and decrease a supervisor’s ability to monitor client welfare and supervisee’s ethical behavior. The purpose of this study was to contribute to …

Developing Effective Leadership: Exploring The State Of Vertical Development In Practice, Hannah Elise Jones

Theses and Dissertations

This research builds upon arguments for the use of the psychological theory of adult vertical development to transform traditional organizational practices of leadership development, and build leaders needed for the future. The purpose of this study is to understand the current state of vertical development theories in organizational leadership development practices. Specifically, the research considers what strategies and practices are being used, and what challenges practitioners have faced in implementation. It was found that an organization's success in implementing vertical development largely depended on three factors: 1)overall leadership development strategy, 2) ability to overcome new variations of organizational challenges that …

Promoting Conflict Management Competencies Within Informal Structures And Informal Networks, Roslynn Almas

Theses and Dissertations

Conflict typically is associated with negative and destructive connotations within organizations. However, a shift is taking place in workplaces to view conflict through a positive frame and to consider conflict as an opportunity to establish an environment that is more creative and innovative while identifying ineffective policies, behaviors or actions. This study was developed to examine how organizations can enhance conflict management competencies to empower leaders and employees to manage conflict by employing problem-solving tactics and collaborative approaches. Furthermore, this study was designed to understand what strategies and practices leaders and specialists in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution utilize …

Ne Maquixtia: A Mixed Methods Exploration Of Leaders’ Dispositions And Their Impact On The Organizational Cultures They Lead, Georgina Yvette Garcia

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies: Doctoral Research Projects

The aim of this field-based research study was to explore and examine the importance of leader dispositions and their impact on organizational culture and sustained success. It focused on answering the following research question: What leadership dispositions, whether in education or in business, transcend organizational boundaries and most likely lead to organizational cultures that sustainably impact results and support continuous improvement?

This study spotlights the urgent need for leaders in all organizational contexts to immerse themselves in a profound and meaningful manner with developing greater awareness of the dispositions related to their leadership and the cultures they directly impact and …

Wellness Interventions For Social Justice Fatigue Among Student Affairs Professionals, Sara Furr

Dissertations

This project explored the construct of social justice fatigue (SJF) among student affairs professionals. Utilizing racial battle fatigue (RBF) and compassion fatigue to construct the definition of SFJ, a thirty day wellness intervention plan was created and tested amongst participants. Social justice fatigue is the physical, mental, and/or emotional toll incurred through advocating for social change while serving as an agent of an institution of higher education. Using participatory action research design we learned this definition resonates with student affairs professionals; particularly those who are engaged in equity and social justice oriented work and share the marginalized identity of the …

Applying Agile Project Management To Art Museums: A Proposal For Implementing A Generalist Scrum Master, Vincent Sulit

Master's Projects and Capstones

This capstone project examines organizational change, along with its challenges, through case studies in museums and businesses in the private sector, subsequently providing a possible solution for museums to adapt to the current global market economy through the use of Agile Project Management (Agile). I cite recent case studies of art museums implementing Agile for digital product development. This project proposal aims to introduce Agile outside of digital departments, including Exhibitions and Education, with the goal of developing better visitor-centered offerings from museums. This may be achieved through the proposal of a job description for a new museum position of …

Consistent Coaching And Alignment: A New Way Of Work For College Readiness System Staff, Christie L. Mcmullen

Dissertations

As an answer to a missing system of interaction and accountability between College Readiness System (CRS) Staff and school systems across the country, a coaching framework was created. This framework provides a repeatable, consistent model for CRS staff members to use with each school implementing CRS across the nation. This paper outlines the new coaching framework, the need for having a framework and the process for getting all stakeholders to support the new system. This process would be applicable for implementing any type of change within a large non-profit organization. This change leadership project includes ways to get organizations to …

Roadblocks To The Implementation Of Problem-Oriented Policing In Montevideo, Federico Del Castillo

Student Theses

In the broad context of Uruguay’s police reform, the Ministry of Interior is implementing a pilot Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) program in Montevideo since late 2012. This research examined the obstacles confronted by the program throughout its implementation. Using a grounded theory approach, qualitative data was collected through 20 semi-structured interviews with members of the Uruguay National Police (UNP) of different ranks. Findings were analyzed based on the following categories: a) contextual factors; b) theoretical and practical inaccuracies; c) characteristics, skills and actions of project managers; d) resistance and motivational issues; e) resources; f) external support and cooperation. Consistent with research …

Exploring Employee Readiness For Change In A State Extension System, Kirk Bloir, Scott D. Scheer

Journal of Extension

Understanding factors that influence employee readiness for change is essential for successful organizational change. We examined variables linked to employee readiness for change in one state's Extension system. Results revealed high-quality employee-supervisor relationships, neither high nor low levels of resistance to change, and somewhat high levels of readiness for change. Respondents with more years of service, more time working for their current supervisors, and greater resistance to change reported lower levels of readiness for change. We share implications in an effort to help increase successful organizational change efforts.

Change In Police Organizations: Perceptions, Experiences, And The Failure To Launch, Joseph A. Schafer, Sean P. Varano

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Studies and accounts of change in police organizations frequently emphasize case studies of specific efforts enacted during relatively discrete periods of time in one or a few agencies. The narratives often emphasize the success of change efforts or seek to explain why initiatives failed in the case study agency. While instructive, such accounts do not provide broader insights into successes and failures with change across longer periods of time, differing types of change, and diverse organizational contexts. Using survey data from mid-career police supervisors attending the FBI National Academy program, this study considers change experiences. In particular, consideration is given …

An Investigation Of Leadership Factors And Traits That Led To And Supported The Formation Of A Multi-University Partnership, Gloria Ngezaho

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to discover what leadership traits and factors led to the formation and support of a multi-university partnership between three faith-based, higher education institutions. Data was collected using interviews, documents analysis, and leadership surveys. Fifteen leaders, five from each institution, were invited to participate in this study. They included three presidents, three provosts, and nine vice-presidents from various departments who played a role at some point during the process of forming the partnership. Ten leaders from the 15 invited, accepted to participate in this study. They included all three presidents, three provosts, and four …

The Role Of Organizational Change In Easing The Organizational Conflict: An Exploratory Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Managers And Workers In Iraq To Earthlink Network Services Company And Communications, Yasir Lateef Khalaf

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Research on the role of organizational change in easing the organizational conflict focuses for being one of the important topics and relatively modern and which have a significant impact on the future of organizations, so this study was to identify the relationship and the impact of organizational change and of deportation (technological, organizational structure, human resources, the change in the task) at the organizational conflict in the Earth company link Iraq, in order to reach the goals of the research, it has been the development of a questionnaire distributed to a random sample of (100) composed employees from managers and …

Population Health Research: Early Description Of The Organizational Shift Toward Population Health Management And Defining A Vision For Leadership., Kristi L. Caldararo, David B. Nash

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

As health care delivery systems adapt to the changing marketplace, many struggle to define a clear strategy that will prove successful in managing the health of entire populations. The federal government continues to put increasing pressure on organizations to shift away from the traditional way of delivering episodic care and move toward managing populations as a whole-before, during, and after a patient presents in a health care facility. Private payers have begun to follow suit as risk-based payer contracts and bundled payment models become increasingly popular. For organizations to adequately influence the health outcomes of a population, they must be …

Elements Affecting Adoption And Implementation Of Health Literacy Initiatives In Healthcare Organizations: A Qualitative Study, Audrey C. Riffenburgh

Communication ETDs

Nearly nine in ten U.S. adults struggle to use increasingly complex healthcare organizations and to understand the information these organizations provide. However, healthcare organizations are not yet widely addressing the need to make their services and health information easier to navigate, understand, and use.

The purpose of this study was to expand knowledge about the facilitators and barriers to adoption and implementation of health literacy initiatives in healthcare organizations. Sixteen qualitative interviews with individuals who lead health literacy initiatives in 16 organizations across the U.S. were conducted.

The study identified multiple facilitators and barriers to health literacy adoption and implementation …

Foundational Knowledge And Other Predictors Of Commitment To Trauma-Informed Care, Stephanie Anne Sundborg

Dissertations and Theses

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an approach to service delivery based on the understanding of the prevalence of psychological trauma among service users, knowledge about the impact trauma has on engagement to services, and recognition that service settings can be re-traumatizing. For more than a decade, momentum has been building on this topic. Practitioners are pursuing the knowledge and skills needed to implement trauma-informed service delivery, while organizations are building infrastructure and processes aimed at supporting this approach. Disciplines across many human service sectors are eager to incorporate TIC into policy and practice. Despite this enthusiasm, implementation efforts are slow. Acquiring …

Changing School Culture To Engage Disengaged Students, Trisha E. Sotropa

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) examines how formal leaders (including principals and vice principals) and informal school leaders (such as influential teachers) can provide opportunities for greater engagement in the learning process for all students by changing the culture (Schein, 2010) of an increasingly diverse Alberta school. Educational leaders beliefs and assumptions about the purpose of education and the roles of teachers and students will impact their beliefs about student engagement (Vibert & Shields, 2003) in both teacher-led curricular and extracurricular activities. Several recent surveys, including surveys in Alberta schools (Learning Bar, 2016) and larger surveys in the United States …

Practical Steps For The Utilization Of Action Research In Your Organization: A Qualitative Approach For Non-Academic Research, Paul J. Antonellis Jr., Gwendolyn Berry

Management Faculty Publications

Action research is different from traditional research. Action research is more practice based as it is implementing an intervention to improve a problem. Action research involves collaboration and communication between the researcher and the participants within the study. The purpose of this article is to explain the multi-step process for a non-academic researcher or novice researcher when employing qualitative action research in an organization that is looking to solve a complex issue. The article will explore the action research steps for conducting phone employment interviews within the organization and an example of the process to follow. The outlined steps can …

Organizational Capacity Survey: Capturing An Extension System's Current State And Pinpointing Areas For Improvement, Donna J. Peterson, Laura H. Downey

Journal of Extension

An organizational capacity survey (OCS) can reveal gaps in what an organization is doing and what an organization's employees feel the organization should be doing. Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension conducted an OCS to assess perceptions of MSU Extension's vision and commitment, plan of work, working relationships, diversity and pluralism, public value, personnel knowledge and expertise, and training needs. Questions were designed to measure perceptions of how MSU Extension is currently and how it should be ideally. This design allowed discrepancy scores to be calculated to identify areas in which capacity development was needed or desired that could then be …