Business Commons^™

Servant Leadership Impact: Practical Insights For The Nonprofit Sector, Michael Ohaneson

Master's Projects and Capstones

In an environment often focused on sustainability and doing more with less, this project examines the effectiveness of servant leadership on organizations and individuals in the nonprofit sector. This capstone focuses on a comparative analysis of information collected via literature review and incorporates responses from interviews conducted with experts in the field of servant leadership. The project includes practical implications for the nonprofit sector.

Channeling (Com)Passion: Exploring The Strategic Potential Of Internal Communications In Member-Serving Community Nonprofit Organizations, Charis Hanshaw

Master's Projects and Capstones

This qualitative research examines the extent to which internal communication within member-serving nonprofit organizations is used strategically to harness the dedication of a nearly all-volunteer labor force and align their efforts to achieve organizational goals. This research focuses on the prototypical nonprofit village model that aims to promote aging in place, healthier aging, and a higher quality of life for older people through a combination of member supports, referrals to affordable aging services, and social and cultural engagement. An established and expanding village organization in California served as a case study. Interviews conducted with highly involved member and volunteer leader …

Growth Begins From Within: How Internal Transparency Influences Organizational Learning, Wesley J. Cheung

Master's Projects and Capstones

Ample research exists that focuses on organizational learning in the context of program efficiency and outcomes, and organizational transparency in the context of governance and compliance. The purpose of this research is to further explore the relationship between organizational learning culture and the commitment to internal transparency, specifically pertaining to the internal members across multiple levels of an organization. This paper includes a literary review of previous research, an outline for the methodology used for this research, qualitative data analysis of 10 expert interviews, a discussion of the results and findings, and the exploration of present and future implications and …

Mindful Women’S Leadership: Empowering Women Leaders Through Mindfulness Practice To Make Confident, Ethical Decisions In Our Mission-Driven Organizations, Patricia C. Andrews

Master's Projects and Capstones

Looking for ways to empower existing and future women leaders lead to an exploration of mindfulness as a practice to improve self-awareness and increase empathy allowing leaders to arrive at each situation with a balanced, present mind. This project proposes a Mindful Leadership Model which begins by looking inward, then shifts outward to the situation with an adapted situational leadership model that helps assess the appropriate response for different situations depending on the leaders response and the contributors readiness.

Do You See What I See? Do You See Me? Disability In China: The Perceptions Of Wheelchair Users And Able Bodied Citizens, Michelle Fisher

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

This paper explores the state and perception of wheelchair users in China. My research outlines various disability models by which we can measure China’s level of effectiveness at providing access and services for its disabled population. In my analysis, I largely draw the conclusion that China is evolving out of a Charity state model into one which supports the rights of Chinese citizenry. There are many good laws in place in China, but they are not being enforced effectively at this point in time. There also seems to be a class division involved in the acceptance of educated disabled …

Deai In Nonprofits: Through The Lens Of Museums And Gardens, Brittany Jones

Master's Projects and Capstones

This research works to understand and identify diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) practices within nonprofits through the examination of museums and public gardens. Museums and public gardens provide a generous example of nonprofit organizations that must dutifully serve the communities which surround them, as well as examine internal practices and structures. As the momentum of the racial justice movement increased in 2020, following horrific tragedies in the U.S., the work around DEAI is more relevant than ever. Through this research, identification of barriers and challenges which prevent organizations from doing DEAI work is examined. This research is carried out …

The Environmental Mandate Of Heaven: Confucian Global Governance And Environmentalism In Chinese Policies, Wanchu Changliao

Master's Projects and Capstones

Environmental degradation is a contemporary issue that has gained a lot of attention in recent history for China. The developing country’s industrial revolution has led to unprecedented carbon emissions, and despite efforts to curb population growth, China’s expanding and aging population has presented the country with numerous challenges. In this essay, I examine China’s environmental issues and the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) policy decisions through the lens of Confucian role relations. Through this lens, and given the multitude of challenges China is facing, it may be argued that the PRC is acting out its role as the leader and …

You're On Mute - How The Shift From In-Person To Virtual Board Meetings Impacts Board Governance And Communication In Nonprofit Associations, Theresa Hurley

Master's Projects and Capstones

Because of the Covid19 pandemic meeting restrictions that started in March 2020, almost all nonprofit boards had to move to virtual board meetings. Through a literature review, expert interviews and a survey of nonprofit association Executive Directors, Chief Executive Officers and board members, this capstone explores the impact of the shift from in-person to virtual board meetings on board governance and board communication and dynamics for nonprofit associations. Some findings were positive - virtual meetings are more cost-effective, are better attended and more convenient and efficient than in-person meetings. Other findings were negative - multiple communication challenges inherent in the …