Business Commons^™

Exploring Recognition, Rewards, And The Multi-Generational Workforce During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sara J. Hollenbeck

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This study sheds light on the importance of rewards and recognition programs in improving employee engagement and highlights the need for organizations to rethink their rewards and recognition strategies to better meet the needs of multi-generational employees. One problem found in organizations was that many current multi-generational employees had low engagement due, in part, to outdated rewards and recognition programs (Agarwal et al., 2018; North, 2017; O.C. Tanner Institute, 2021). There was a gap in research regarding multi-generational employees in multiple professions and their perceptions of rewards and recognition and how those monetary and non-monetary rewards could affect their engagement …

The Experience Of Knowledge Workers In Remote Environments During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Dale F. Knapp

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

When regional quarantine restrictions were rapidly implemented in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge workers were forced to vacate their traditional shared office spaces and transition to remote work environments. This unprecedented mass exodus from traditional in-person physical workplaces was facilitated by existing and new software and technology that allowed workers to remain connected and working. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of knowledge workers who experienced this transition to a full-time remote work environment. The study also examined how knowledge workers perceived work performance relative to their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were …

Medical School Middle Managers Learning To Successfully Work With Leadership To Navigate Organizational Change, Elizabeth G. Smith

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

There is a lapse in research exploring middle managers at medical schools during an organizational change. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the perceptions of middle managers during an organizational change to mitigate burnout and build resilience. The literature reviewed explored how stressors from organizational changes may impact medical school middle managers, leading to feeling less secure about their position and increasing middle managers’ stress leading to burnout. For an organizational change to be successful, middle managers must build trust with their staff, communicate with middle managers, and engage middle managers in the change process. Burnout …

A Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experience And Leadership Of Project Managers In An Agile Transformation, Randall Hopkins

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This study employed a phenomenological methodology to investigate the shared experiences of project managers of corporations in the United States during a transition to agile project management methodologies. The project managers’ transformation was noteworthy because agile introduces a change in work structures, processes, and leadership. This study sought to understand how eight project managers described their lived experience and leadership during the transition to agile methodologies. Interviews with project managers uncovered identity facets that evolved with their understanding of leadership. The traditional project managers’ common-sense approach to work served as both a barrier and enabler of a change. Project managers …

Zoned Leasing Impact On Shellfish Aquaculture Industry Development, Rebekah Woodburn

All Theses And Dissertations

Shellfish aquaculture is a growing industry in the United States that supports many individuals and communities. An important step in establishing or growing a shellfish aquaculture operation is obtaining a lease in which to cultivate shellfish. While many states allow aquaculturists to find their own lease location, the often time-intensive and expensive process to have the lease approved and permitted can be a great barrier for new entrants to the industry. Zoned leasing is a way for state agencies to establish large areas and pre-approve them for shellfish aquaculture, then divide the areas into smaller parcels of leases to be …

Examining The Job Satisfaction Of Direct Care Workers During Covid-19: A Quantitative Descriptive Study, Sonja A. Stewart

All Theses And Dissertations

This quantitative descriptive study examined the job satisfaction of 39 Direct Care Workers (DCWs) who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020-December 2021 in the United States. This was done not to determine cause and effect between the pandemic and job satisfaction of DCWs: the pandemic was simply used as a timeframe. A REDCap survey was posted to two DCWs groups on Facebook which contained information on the study, an electronic version of the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) by Paul Spector (2021) and general demographics questions. Snowball sampling was also encouraged for particpants to share the survey with other …

Green Economics: Assessing The Feasibility Of A New England Green Crab (Carcinus Maenas) Fishery Through Fishermen Perspectives, William L. Walter

All Theses And Dissertations

The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) is a well-adapted invasive species that has flourished throughout coastal New England. Its arrival has caused numerous negative environmental and socioeconomic impacts, including the decline of the Maine soft shell clam (Mya arenaria) fishery. Increases in north Atlantic sea surface temperatures have simultaneously propelled the proliferation of C. maenas and caused northward shifts in the geographic ranges of commercially relevant species, including the American lobster (Homarus americanus). C. maenas represents an underutilized species that H. americanus and M. arenaria fishers can target to supplement any lost income if …

Case Study: Member Perception Of A Federal Organization’S Employee Recognition Program, David A. Dietz

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative instrumental study was to clarify the purpose of Agency ABC’s Recognition Council, while identifying opportunities for staff recognition and appreciation to be optimized within Agency ABC to assist in creating and sustaining employee engagement. This purpose is in direct correlation to the study’s problem, to fill in research gaps due to a lack of existing documentation, best practices and research regarding federal recognition programs. Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory was the conceptual framework that the researcher applied to this study. The researcher performed semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with five former members of Agency ABC’s Recognition Council members. Interview …

Adapting Biotoxin Monitoring For The Future: An Opportunity For A Harmful Algae Bloom (Hab) Network In Casco Bay, Maine, Zachary B. Gordon

All Theses And Dissertations

Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) related to marine biotoxins have considerable impacts on coastal communities and have been increasing in size and frequency globally. Maine is recognized as a leader in biotoxin management as it relates to bivalve shellfish, but it has been unclear how current management practices effect the growth of shellfish aquaculture and how they will adapt to future conditions. This research uses a collaborative approach to analyze the current state of biotoxin management in Maine. First, the current management practices in Maine were compared and contrasted with five other states dealing with similar issues. Then, the perspectives of …

Cultivating Cooperatives: Benefits And Challenges Of Co-Ops And Recommendations For Maine’S Emerging Aquaculture Industries, Phoebe Walsh

All Theses And Dissertations

Two emerging Maine industries, kelp (Saccharina latissimi and Saccharina angustissima) and Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) aquaculture, have enormous market, environmental, and social potential but are faced with challenges of small scale and limited operations, inadequate infrastructure, market visibility, and limited expertise. Because many industries, particularly the dairy industry, have benefited from the use of cooperatives (co-ops) to aggregate an extremely perishable product, quickly process and effectively market and distribute, this research explores the cooperative model as a potential tool for the nascent scallop and kelp industries. Aquaculture co-ops are new in Maine. The first, the …

Building Value Through Innovative Eucheuma Spp. Product Development: A Case Study With The Belize Women's Seaweed Farming Association, Bailey Moritz

All Theses And Dissertations

Seaweed aquaculture has been a successful supplemental livelihood in coastal communities worldwide, creating new income opportunities for women in particular. In most cases, raw or dried carrageenan-producing seaweed is sold into supply chains without local value addition taking place. Upgrading value chains can come in the form of new products, differentiation from existing products through marketing, or breaking into new markets. The research investigates the local market potential for value-added Belizean Eucheuma seaweed products and offers insights into a pathway forward for the Belize Women’s Seaweed Farming Association (BWSFA) to take advantage of these opportunities at an early stage of …

Female Athlete Triad: Strategic Plan, Kaitlyn Savard, Carly Theriault, Polina Weinstein, Mayra Zerpa Calderon

Physical Therapy Administration

The following is a blueprint for creating a screening and educational program focused on the Female Athlete Triad. Our program intends to promote awareness, encourage women to take action regarding their health needs, and reduce the stigma surrounding this underdiagnosed and undertreated health issue. Created during the Fall 2018 semester of the Physical Therapy Administration course, this strategic plan contains all values, rationale, and strategies for reaching the target population and addressing this health issue.

Female Athlete Triad: Presentation, Kaitlyn Savard, Carly Theriault, Polina Weinstein, Mayra Zerpa Calderon

Physical Therapy Administration

Presentation created to summarize a strategic plan and screening program focused on the Female Athlete Triad. Program intends to promote awareness, encourage women to take action regarding their health needs, and reduce the stigma surrounding this underdiagnosed and undertreated health issue.

Escape From ‘Owlcatraz’: An Interaction Ritual Case Study Of The Stadium Naming Rights Agreement Between Florida Atlantic University And The Geo Group, Inc., Kiernan O. Gordon

Business Faculty Publications

In 2013, Florida Atlantic University and The GEO Group, Inc. entered into a naming rights agreement for the university’s football facility, which the latter rescinded 42 days later. This agreement is unique relative to similar agreements within intercollegiate athletics in the United States for two reasons: the sponsoring entity’s business model and the fact that the agreement failed. The online media coverage of the naming rights agreement was gathered and used to reconstruct key events through qualitative content analysis (Berg, 2007). Interaction ritual theory (Collins, 2004) was employed to examine these events and provide an explanation for the agreement’s outcome. …

Data-Driven Decisions: Business Intelligence (Bi) Training Skills, Jason Todd

All Theses And Dissertations

Organizations are drowning in data and struggling to turn disparate facts into useful information. The technological capability to collect data has expanded faster than the ability to turn data points into useful information. Never before has so much data been available for users to leverage to make a decision. Data-driven metrics can help teams make informed decisions and provide a competitive advantage. When it comes to using data to answer business questions and make a data-driven decision, technology is only one part of the solution. Business Intelligence (BI) is a discipline that attempts to turn data into meaningful insights in …

A Phenomenological Inquiry Into The Perceptions Of E-Leaders On Virtual Team Leadership, Deann Chriestenson

All Theses And Dissertations

Corporations are facing a more complex and challenging global business environment, and many have implemented a virtual workforce to maintain their competitive advantage through maximizing productivity, reducing product time to market, and cost reduction. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of virtual leadership, as seen through the eyes of study participants (Merriam, 2009). Participants included fifteen Fortune 500 virtual team leaders who had prior experience leading traditional co-located teams. Data collected through telephone interviews were transcribed verbatim and NVivo 11 assisted in the coding, analyses, and presentation. The data analysis …

E For Everyone: Strategic Plan, Lindsay Calcaterra, Kaela Fischer, Kelley Flahaven, Megan Witherow Quarles, Maria Stern, Christina Tilton

Physical Therapy Administration

‘E for Everyone’ is an innovative and unique inclusion program that equalizes the playing field among all people with and without disabilities by creating opportunities to build synergistic relationships through teamwork, fun, and physical activity. Created during the Fall 2016 semester of the course Physical Therapy Administration, this strategic plan summarizes the program.

E For Everyone: Implementation Guide, Lindsay Calcaterra, Kaela Fischer, Kelley Flahaven, Megan Witherow Quarles, Maria Stern, Christina Tilton

Physical Therapy Administration

‘E for Everyone’ is an innovative and unique inclusion program that equalizes the playing field among all people with and without disabilities by creating opportunities to build synergistic relationships through teamwork, fun, and physical activity. Created during the Fall 2016 semester, concurrent with the course Physical Therapy Administration, this implementation guide describes the step by step process for implementing the program.

A Correlational Study Of Mid-Level Managers Examining Emotional Intelligence And Coaching Dimensions, Christopher Berg

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative correlational case study was to explore how mid-level managers’ emotional intelligence, as established through the Emotional Intelligence Appraisal (EIA), correlates with their executive coaching dimensions as revealed by the Extraordinary Coach Self-Assessment (ECSA). This study used the Talentsmart Inc. (EIA) tool to evaluate retail telecommunications (telecom) managers’ emotional intelligence competencies and Zenger Folkman’s (ECSA) tool to evaluate retail telecom managers’ coaching dimensions anonymously through the survey instrument. The need for this specific research is evident because of the limited number of quantitative studies regarding the importance of emotional intelligence and its relationship to coaching in …

Recognizing Occupational Stress: A Case Study Of Admission Staff In A For-Profit Nursing College, Carie L. Powers

All Theses And Dissertations

While numerous studies have looked at the influence of occupational stress on employees, less is known about the effects on employees in the for-profit higher education industry. Admissions advisors in particular must endure cyclical pressures to fill classes to ensure a college’s financial viability. A criterion sample of 12 admissions advisors employed at a for-profit nursing college with campuses located throughout the United States were interviewed. The participant criterion sample specifically sought to include advisors who enroll pre-licensure nursing degree-seeking students.

The purpose of the study was to acquire a richer understanding of nursing admissions advisors’ convergence of personal recognition …

Core Conversations For The Greater Good: An Exploration Of Intrapersonal Communication As A Self-Leadership Strategy In Social Entrepreneurs, William L. Cowen Iv

All Theses And Dissertations

Social entrepreneurs actively create and apply business and communication strategies to support societal causes. They face many leadership and logistics challenges including the need to balance simultaneously mission advocacy and enterprise administration. This qualitative, phenomenological study examines how social entrepreneurs experience intrapersonal communication, conversations within oneself, as a self-leadership strategy that impacts mission and constituents. Within the vast intrapersonal communication field, this study specifically explored the concepts of self-talk, inner voice and inner dialogue, as well as imagined interactions, where conversations are rehearsed or replayed for perceived strategic advantage. The literature examined showed intrapersonal communication, self-leadership and social entrepreneurship all …