Business Commons^™

Evaluating The Performance Of Real Estate Exchange-Traded Funds, Davinder K. Malhotra

School of Business Faculty Papers

This study examines the net monthly returns of real estate exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through various performance evaluation models and market situations. The results reveal that these ETFs generated positive alphas and outperformed benchmark indices in absolute returns. However, their performance varied across market conditions, demonstrating both outperformance and underperformance compared to U.S. and global stocks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, real estate ETFs displayed a decline, trailing behind U.S. and global equities in both absolute returns and risk-adjusted performance. This emphasized their vulnerability during economic crises. Utilizing the Carhart four-factor model, significant exposure of real estate ETFs to the stock market …

Leadership Doctorates Newsletter: Volume 9, Number 2, Larry Starr, Phd

Leadership Doctorates Newsletter (Formerly Strategic Leadership Newsletter)

In this issue:

• Doctoral Dissertation Updates
• Travis Douglas, DMgt
• John Ervin
• John Pourdehnad, Ph.D.
• Larry Hirschhorn, Ph.D.
• Elliot Cole, Ph.D.
• Larry M. Starr, Ph.D.

Leadership Doctorates Newsletter: Volume 9, Number 1 (Special Issue), Larry Starr, Phd

Leadership Doctorates Newsletter (Formerly Strategic Leadership Newsletter)

In this issue:

• ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW ENTERPRISE: Dr. Elliot Cole Launches Neuro-Hope

Understanding And Application Of Systems Thinking To Diversity Challenges At Higher Education Institutions, Odell Jones

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

This research argues that establishing and sustaining leadership diversity within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is a complex-systems challenge and that those responsible for leading efforts to establish and sustain diversity, referred to as DEI leaders, should adopt a mindset of systems thinking and apply problem-solving methods and tools informed by systems thinking. Semi-structured interviews with DEI Leaders at HEIs were conducted regarding background and perceptions of their work, and how they thought about and made choices concerning diversity challenges. Interview questions were designed to gain an understanding of the degree to which these leaders think about DEI and if they …

The New Jersey Fee-For-Service Model: Evidence Of Social Entrepreneurship In A New Public/ Private Business Relationship, Christine Wiltsee

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on a shift in the case management function in New Jersey’s Division of Developmental Disabilities. The shift, predicated on the state operating within the Medicaid Home and Community Based Model, resulted in a restructuring from exclusively state operated services to a new public/private relationship. The focus of this study was the unique market opportunity that resulted and the engagement of social entrepreneurs. Using the framework developed by Dees (1998), the characteristics of a social entrepreneur were explored. Through semi-structured interviews with individuals who initiated new for-profit businesses in social services, data were collected that evaluated and compared …

Designing A Digital Employee Experience For Research Administration Using A Sequential Mixed-Methods Approach, Michael A. Jones

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines the concept of digital employee experience in the research administration industry. Using a digital employee experience framework, the study examined how the pandemic impacted the research administration work environment. This dissertation presents perceptions and draws insights from research administration leaders, management, and staff on digital work and digital employee experiences through the pandemic. The dissertation was motivated by three research questions: (1) What challenges did research administrators encounter during the Pandemic? (2) What were the research administrators’ perceptions of digital transformation during their employee journey? and (3) What is the future of research administration as the industry …

Soft System Methodology Applied To Stakeholder Engagement In Social Services Nonprofit Organizations, Robyn Chin

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explored the challenges of a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a non-profit social service organization, and the value of employing a systems thinking approach to problem formulation and problem-solving to address its challenges. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), a systems-informed framework, encourages collective learning and fosters an appreciation for differing perspectives about problem formulation amongst stakeholders instead of rushing to solve predefined issues. One common challenge from current research is that due to reliance on sparse profits and grants earmarked for programmatic endeavors, there is insufficient funding for organizational development. The literature also identified a deficit in stakeholder engagement …

Redesigning Athlete Leadership, Derek Hunsberger

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the critical role of team captains in fostering effective leadership within athletic teams, utilizing a novel approach that integrates systems thinking and design thinking principles. It challenges the prevailing practice of coaches selecting team captains based solely on athletic prowess or popularity, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive and strategic approach to leadership identification and development.

The research employed an Idealized Design session as a unique methodology to gather insights and perspectives from key stakeholders, including coaches, athletes, and support staff. This approach seeks to uncover latent needs and systemic factors influencing team dynamics, leadership effectiveness, …