Business Commons^™

Impactful Programs And Initiatives For Employee Resource Groups That Promote And Sustain Positive Social Determinants Of Health, Lisa Kangas, Maureen Hall, Julie James, Gladys Peters

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

Organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leaders’ lack of interest in employee resource groups (ERGs) and related programs can negatively impact an organization’s culture, operational excellence, and employee retention and have detrimental implications for social determinants of health (SDOH). Prioritizing ERG programs and initiatives is essential for organizational success and can positively affect SDOH. This qualitative pragmatic inquiry study identified and explored ERG programs and initiatives that support organizational culture, operational excellence, and employee retention.The research question for this study was: What ERG programs and initiatives support organizational culture, operational excellence, and employee retention? The study included eight DEI leaders …

Strategies Used By Public Relations And Communications Executives To Implement Ethical Use Standards For Ai, Karl Bateson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public relations and communications (PR&C) executives’ ineffective artificial intelligence (AI) strategies to develop and apply ethical frameworks for AI implementation can negatively impact organizations’ brand reputation. Grounded in AI4People and stakeholder theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify and explore the effective AI strategies PR&C executives used to develop and apply ethical frameworks for AI implementation while maintaining their organizations’ brand reputations. The participants were six PR&C executives who used effective strategies to develop and apply ethical frameworks for AI implementation while maintaining their organization’s brand reputation. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, public websites, …

Public Relations As An Approach For Smes To Improve Business Sustainability, Nikkia Tene Mcclain

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack dedicated public relations (PR) departments, limiting their ability to build brand identity, and gain market share compared to larger firms with greater resources. Small business owners need PR departments to improve their competitive positioning to satisfy buyers. stay competitive to maintain and increase employment, and satisfy customers. Grounded in the dynamic capability theory, this qualitative multiple case study explored how the development and strategic implementation of PR functions can provide SMEs with a competitive advantage. Participants included seven SME owners in fashion, real estate, beauty, business, technology, and retail, each with experience in …

Effective Strategies For Developing And Implementing Metrics For Successful Social Marketing Campaign Performance, Annette M. Wolf

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective use of marketing metrics by social marketers poses a risk of inconsistent and subjective interpretations of campaign success. Social marketing managers and stakeholders are concerned because unreliable metrics hinder their ability to evaluate performance, justify funding, and replicate effective strategies. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry, grounded in general systems theory and foundational social marketing literature, was to explore effective strategies that social marketing campaign managers use to implement metrics sufficient to measure successful campaigns. The participants were ten experienced members of the Social Marketing Association of North America, with effective strategies to implement marketing metrics to measure …

Successful Strategies Utilized By Business Leaders To Balance Tax Planning With Profitability, Quarnelia Patterson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The absence of business tax planning strategies can lead to a higher tax burden. Business owners are concerned because a higher tax burden may result in lower after-tax earnings and reduced cash flow. Grounded in the PESTLE analysis framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore successful strategies that business leaders use to balance tax planning with profitability. The participants were eight small business owners located in the southwest United States who actively engaged in tax planning. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of publicly available documents. Through thematic analysis, nine themes were …

Strategies For Integrating Data Analytics In Accounting, Alisa C. Disalvo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increased need for data analytics proficiency requires accounting program directors and faculty to explore strategies to reduce the technology skills gap between education and professional requirements. Grounded in the technology acceptance model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies that program directors use to integrate data analytics into the accounting program curriculum. The participants were 8 program directors and 2 faculty with over 2 years of program change experience in the accounting department. Data were collected through semi structure interviews with 10 participants and comparative data analysis with the AICPA & NASBA report. Through a …

Cryptocurrency Strategies For Small Enterprises, Ufuoma Omosebi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to their limited creditworthiness and growth potential, small enterprises (SEs) encounter significant challenges when securing their growth needs. SEs in Florida lack awareness, understanding, or practical guidance on cryptocurrency-based growth strategies. The purpose of the qualitative, multiple-case study was to explore the cryptocurrency-based growth strategies available to SEs in Florida. Rogers’s diffusion of innovations theory, Markowitz’s modern portfolio theory, and Thaler’s behavioral finance theory grounded the conceptual framework. Four participants identified through purposeful sampling as SEs in Florida used cryptocurrency in their enterprises. Data were collected using in-depth semistructured interviews. Five themes emerged from the six-phase thematic analysis: (a) …

Canadian Small And Medium Enterprises Use Of Social Media To Improve Brand Awareness, Margaret Blackburn Kay Shepherd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must grow their brand awareness to attract and sustain business. This study delves into the social media marketing strategies SME managers use to improve brand awareness. Guided by Aaker’s brand equity model as the conceptual framework, the study was to identify key elements SMEs can leverage to strengthen their social media presence. This qualitative multiple case study across sectors included six participants who were managers of SMEs in Ontario, Canada, who had proven their ability to leverage key elements of social media marketing for brand awareness. Data analysis relied on Yin’s five-step process and the …

Do Universities Choose The Right Strategies For X Engagement? The Case Of Six Universities In Thailand, Mathupayas Thongmak

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand how Thai public universities engage their stakeholders on X (the social media platform previously known as Twitter). This article answers the following research questions: 1) What are the X message strategies of six public universities? 2) Do they choose the most effective strategies to drive X engagement in terms of favorites and reposts?

Method: Data was automatically collected using anX analytic tool, and the potential variables were extracted semi-automatically using tools appropriate to text mining, sentiment analysis, word cloud, and so on. Posts from six universities in Thailand were investigated.

Results: …

Strategies Head Start Program Managers Use To Acquire External Funding During Economic Downturns, Judith Angella Maxwell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Head Start programs risk limited external funding due to economic downturns, leading to difficulty managing programs effectively and competitively. Head Start program managers will continue to struggle if they do not develop strategies to acquire external financial support in response to economic downturns, like the COVID-19 pandemic, while enhancing staff and student experiences. Grounded in the resource-based view theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study research project was to explore the strategies employed by Head Start program managers to effectively acquire external financial support in response to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were …

Strategies To Obtain Working Capital For Small Businesses, Solomon Ambili Atamaya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The inability to obtain working capital can affect small business continuity, especially in the long term. Small business owners must be able to access working capital or else risk business survival through liquidity shortages, lost customers, and falling profitability. Grounded in the pecking order theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore the strategies employed by small business owners to obtain working capital for business continuity beyond five years. The participants were eight small business owners in Maryland who had successful strategies to obtain working capital for business continuity beyond five years. Data were collected through semistructured …

Guardians Or Bystanders? Examining School Shooting Responses In The Southern United States, Andre L. Tompkins Ed.D.

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

School shootings challenge educational safety, demanding effective leadership strategies. The Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which claimed the lives of 19 children and 2 teachers, heightened concerns about campus vulnerabilities, urging administrators to prioritize student protection. I performed a qualitative study interviewing principals, teachers, parents, and community leaders to examine their experiences addressing campus threats. The findings revealed three themes: (1) ineffective leadership affects campus safety, (2) prompt actions enhance trust in leadership, and (3) connecting with others enhances safety. In this study, I spotlight the crucial role that proactive leadership plays in building the coalitions needed to …

Marketing Strategies To Engage Multicultural Consumers, Nazanin Weck

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of marketing strategies that engages multicultural consumers is a concern for marketing managers because it can adversely impact their business profitability and sustained market competitiveness. Grounded in identity management theory (IMT), this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was conducted to explore the marketing strategies that successful marketing managers use to engage multicultural consumers. The participants were six marketing managers from distinct companies in the southeastern United States who specialize in acquiring and engaging multicultural customers. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, analysis of public company documents, and a systematic review of secondary sources, including social media content and corporate websites. …

The Relationship Between Anthropometric Sizing, Fit Issues, And Return Rates In Plus-Size Women's Apparel, Cassondra Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Retail business owners remain concerned with apparel sizing and return sales, as sizing is a frequent predictor of apparel returns and decreased revenue. Grounded in new product development theory (NPD), the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between anthropometric apparel sizing standards, sizing and fit issues, and return sales. The participants were 89 women’s bridal apparel owners and leaders within the retail business sector who completed a 5-point Likert-type survey. The results of the multiple linear regression were significant, 3, 85) = 32.301, p < .001, R2 = .533. In the final model, there were two predictors which were significant, sizing and fit (t = 9.718, p = <.001, ß = .735) and sizing standards (t = 2.478, p = .01, ß = .205). A key recommendation is for retail business leaders to acknowledge the growth in the U.S. female apparel consumer. Further, the alignment of sizing standards and product offerings provides functional apparel and mitigates return sales due to sizing. The implications for positive social change include the potential for the apparel industry to acknowledge the growing complexity of women’s sizing, which is influenced by diverse cultural backgrounds and body types. This shift could promote greater inclusivity, enhance consumer confidence, reduce return rates, and foster broader acceptance of diverse female body types within the industry.

The Relationship Between Percentage Of Layoffs, Company Age, And Earnings Per Share In Tech Firms, Demarco Dejion Pope

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business owners and investors are concerned that layoff announcements and company age may negatively impact earnings per share (EPS), reducing investor confidence and ultimately lowering stock performance. This decline in stock value can affect a company’s ability to attract investment and sustain long-term growth. Grounded in the prospect theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between the percentage of layoffs, company age, and earnings per share. The participants were 107 technology firms with at least 1,000 employees on the NASDAQ Stock Index that initiated layoffs during the 2021–2022 calendar years. The data was collected …

Exploring Strategies To Reduce Physician Turnover And Costs During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ne'kecha Pellam Brabham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospitals face the risk of adverse business outcomes due to physician turnover, which can lead to increased costs and poorer patient care. C-suite executives, in collaboration with human resources managers (HRMs), are struggling to develop strategies to reduce turnover and burnout, while also enhancing key factors like job satisfaction and employee engagement grounded in the job demands-resources theory. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies employed by HRMs in the healthcare industry to effectively reduce physician turnover and associated costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 13 HRMs in the health care industry in …

Data Analytics Strategies For Management Accountants In Small And Medium Enterprises, Katty Nkeze Nkem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Data analytics has increasingly become vital in maintaining competitive advantage in the contemporary business environment. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been among the top beneficiaries of data-driven decision-making processes; however, management accountant leaders often do not effectively use data analytics strategies for decision-making purposes to maintain a competitive advantage. Grounded in the diffusion of innovation theory and the technology acceptance model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore data analytics strategies that SME management accountant leaders in Virginia use for decision-making purposes to maintain a competitive advantage. The participants were 12 SME management accountants and …

The Pulse Of Connection: Trust And Confidentiality In Internal Coaching Dynamics, Mehdi Ebrahimi

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Internal coaching is growing in popularity across various industries and sectors, either as a standalone resource or in conjunction with external coaching and other relevant programs and initiatives. Despite the growing popularity and reported benefits, there is a substantial dearth of research on the dynamics of “internal coaching” relationships, making it one of the least explored areas in organizational coaching literature. This paper contributes to addressing the research gap by presenting the outcomes of a study that explores the coach–client relationship and captures perspectives from internal coaches, external coaches, managers, and, notably, coachees, also known as coaching clients. Employing a …

Information Technology Strategies To Sustain Customer Satisfaction During Disaster-Related Disruptions, Gbenga Tomilawo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) leaders struggle to develop and implement effective information technology (IT) strategies to satisfy customers, leaving their organizations vulnerable during disaster-related disruptions. SME leaders are concerned with effective IT strategies, critical for retaining customer loyalty and sustaining their businesses during such challenges. Grounded in the Kano model, this qualitative multiple-case study aimed to explore IT strategies that SME leaders use to satisfy customers during disasters and other disruptions to business continuity. The participants were four SME owners of IT-sector organizations in the Midwestern region of the United States. Data were collected by conducting semistructured interviews …

Organizational Leaders' Strategies To Detect And Prevent Occupational Fraud, Pamela Denise Henderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inadequate strategies to detect and prevent occupational fraud may adversely affect nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit leaders are concerned about occupational fraud because it increases the risk of organizational failure. Guided by the fraud triangle theory, the purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to explore techniques some nonprofit organizational leaders used to detect and prevent occupational fraud. The participants for this study were three senior leaders in a nonprofit organization located in the central part of the U.S. state of Alabama who successfully implemented strategies for detecting and preventing occupational fraud. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and a review of …

The Relationship Between Operating Efficiency, Credit Score, And Small Business Sustainability, Garfield Henry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The first 5 years of a small business (SB) life are critical because 50-60% fail. SB leaders are concerned about the inability of many SBs to attain sustainability within 5 years, given their pivotal role in owner and community financial viability. Grounded in the resource-based view theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between SB operating efficiency, credit score, and sustainability. Secondary data for 211 closed and 211 companies still operating from 2013 to 2023 were collected from the Data Axle website for analysis. The results of the binary logistic regression were significant, X2 …

Assessing If Culture Contributes To African American Absence In The Accounting, Angelette Jones Mercier

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African-Americans currently represent less than 3% of all US accountants. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory the purpose of this study is to explore if African American culture leads to the accounting career being a less attractive business career option. In analyzing various research studies, one researcher suggested employing various tactics, including mentorship and recruitment in lower income areas to counteract this unevenness. Debates on whether the lack of exposure to accounting as a career option or the overall reputation of accounting in light of highly publicized scandals may have exacerbated the problem. The research question addressed if cultural mores …

Assessing If Culture Contributes To African American Absence In The Accounting, Angelette Jones Mercier

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African-Americans currently represent less than 3% of all US accountants. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory the purpose of this study is to explore if African American culture leads to the accounting career being a less attractive business career option. In analyzing various research studies, one researcher suggested employing various tactics, including mentorship and recruitment in lower income areas to counteract this unevenness. Debates on whether the lack of exposure to accounting as a career option or the overall reputation of accounting in light of highly publicized scandals may have exacerbated the problem. The research question addressed if cultural mores …

Social Media Marketing Strategies To Increase Revenue In The Health And Fitness Industry, Guy Danhoff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health and fitness business owners are challenged with using effective social media marketing strategies to grab the attention of their target audience and engage them versus viable competitors. Small business owners in the health and fitness industry are concerned about leveraging social media strategies to improve business goal achievement. Grounded in the social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that small business owners use for effective social media marketing to increase customer engagement. Participants were three small business owners of health and fitness businesses within Saint Charles County, Missouri who used social …

An Empirical Study Of Student Satisfaction At Selected Private Universities In Bangladesh, Mubina Khondkar, Abureza M. Muzareba

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Satisfying students in higher education has proven to be a difficult task, although universities are striving to meet student needs and expectations. Private universities are trying to become more student-oriented and are seeking to understand students’ perceptions of higher education facilities. This research was designed to measure the gap between students’ expectations and perceptions of various aspects of private universities in Bangladesh. It uses a SERVQUAL framework and the Gaps Model of Service Quality. The population of students at private universities in Bangladesh is represented by a sample of 412 respondents from five top-tier private universities. Findings indicate that the …

Strategies Import-Export Entrepreneurs Need To Succeed In The Global Market, Athanasius Nde Awasom Longcha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University College of Management and Human Potential This is to certify that the doctoral study by Athanasius Nde Awasom Longcha has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. John Bryan, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Brenda Jack, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2024

Strategies For Financial Sustainability In Family-Owned Nonprofit Organizations, Lance W. Cain

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The mission of many family-owned nonprofit organizations (FONPOs) is to provide goods and services to underserved communities and benefit society. However, less than 50% of FONPO leaders maintain sufficient cash reserves for 30 days of operations, and up to 13% are technically insolvent. Without adequate cash reserves, FONPO leaders risk decreased operational capacity and profitability, and insolvency, which may lead to business closure. Grounded in the resource-based view and commitment–trust theories, the purpose of this qualitative single-case case study was to explore strategies used by some organizational leaders to ensure the financial sustainability of FONPOs. The participants were four senior …

Strategies For Maintaining The Financial Viability Of Behavioral Health Programs, Antonia Alford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Effective Strategies For Improving Supply Chains' Resilience And Cost Effectiveness, Felix Louis Fidelibus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Strategies For Effective Labor-Management Relationships In The Foodservice Industry, Nichola A. Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The relationship between unions and management is particularly critical for food service firms, which rely heavily on unionized employees to meet operational needs. Food service managers are concerned with ineffective strategies for engaging with unions because managing these ineffective relationships jeopardizes employee retention and the firm's performance. Grounded in authentic leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies food service managers use to develop and maintain an effective union-management relationship for retaining unionized employees. The participants were six food service managers from three large food service firms who implemented success strategies to develop and maintain …