Business Commons^™

Exploring Childcare Leaders’ Perspectives On Program Philosophies At The Intersection Of Care, Education, And Business: A Multi-Method (Qual + Qual) Study Using Simon Sinek’S Golden Circle, Megan Kybartas

Theses and Dissertations

This multi-method (QUAL + qual) study explores childcare leaders’ perspectives on program philosophies at the intersection of care, education, and business, which I call The Childcare Tripartite. Recognizing the significant dependency on high-quality childcare services and the foundational role of program philosophies in achieving this quality, this research addresses a notable gap in the literature regarding how early childhood leaders communicate and prioritize their program philosophies within the complex American childcare landscape. Employing semi-structured interviews, documentary materials, and demographic forms, and analyzed through both thematic and deductive content analysis, drawing on Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle, the study uncovers how philosophical …

The Role Of Generative Ai In Supply Chain Management: A Comprehensive Study Of Adoption, Usage, Impact And Ethical Implications, Julia Anzano

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores global perspectives of supply chain leaders on the adoption, usage, and impact of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) in supply chain management (SCM) based on a quantitative analysis of survey responses from 104 industry professionals. It is utilizing the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory (E. M. Rogers, 2003), Technology-Organization-Environment-Ethics (TOEE) framework—an extension of the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) Framework (L. G. Tornatzky & Fleischer, 1990), incorporating ethics—and the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) Framework (Kaplan & Norton, 1996). Findings highlight the key technological, organizational, environmental, and ethical factors influencing adoption and reveal how ethical considerations—such as transparency, accountability, and fairness—shape implementation …

The Perceptions Of Training And Development And Emotional Intelligence Among Virtual Leaders In Public And Private Institutions Of Higher Education, Ryan J. Trautweiler

Theses and Dissertations

This applied qualitative dissertation explored virtual leadership in higher education, examining virtual leaders' perceptions of training and development and emotional intelligence. Using an inductive research approach, data were collected through semistructured interviews and a questionnaire distributed via Google Forms to eight virtual leaders from public and private higher education institutions. Data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) and thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes. Findings revealed distinctions between public and private institutions. In public institutions, training and development focused on faculty preparedness, resourcefulness in overcoming limitations, and its impact on student engagement. In private institutions, training was …

A Policy Analysis Of Performance Based Funding In Colorado, Nicholas G. Dix

Theses and Dissertations

The researcher used a quantitative approach to examine the effects of performance-based funding policies in Colorado. Specifically, the researcher focused on postsecondary access for Pell-grant eligible and underrepresented minority students. Using a doubly robust difference-in-differences design, the study compares two PBF policy iterations (2.0 and 3.0) to assess the effectiveness of those polices on public four-year degree granting universities in Colorado. The researcher assessed from the data that PBF has no significant impact on Pell-eligible postsecondary accessibility, but PBF has a slightly significant impact on URM accessibility.

The research is grounded in institutional theory and resource dependence theory. The research …

Motivación Y Su Efecto En La Eficiencia De Equipos De Trabajo Remoto En Una Organización Privada, Ysabel Quintana

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada con enfoque cualitativo y diseño fenomenológico fue diseñada para analizar cómo las estrategias motivacionales implementadas por líderes influyen en la eficiencia de equipos de trabajo remoto en una organización privada dedicada a la protección de niños y adolescentes. Se seleccionó una muestra de diez líderes de distintos departamentos que gestionan equipos remotos.

Para la recolección de los datos se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas para explorar sus experiencias, herramientas tecnológicas utilizadas y enfoques motivacionales. Los datos recopilados se analizaron mediante el método de análisis temático, permitiendo identificar patrones comunes relacionados con la motivación, la productividad y el estilo de …

Voices From Within: Employees' Sensemaking Of Corporate Volunteerism, Janet Laadi Anani

Theses and Dissertations

Corporate volunteerism is a key component of the philanthropic pillar of CSR, shaping employee engagement and organizational identity. This study employed the social exchange and sensemaking theories to explore how employees make meaning of their experiences in corporate volunteer initiatives and how their experiences influence their perceptions of their organizations. Data was gathered from in-depth interviews with employees with varied corporate volunteer experiences across multiple organizations. The findings show that despite employees’ strong motivations to engage in corporate volunteerism, they face challenges such as time and workload constraints and limited variety of volunteer opportunities. The study also found that employees’ …

An Analysis Of Coal Ash Pollution In The State Of Georgia, Mick W. Etchison

Theses and Dissertations

This social science paper will explore the factors contributing to the prevalence of coal ash in specific regions of Georgia and its impact on local ecosystems and human health. It provides an analysis of the current environmental and political issues surrounding the containment and spread of coal ash throughout the State. Coal ash is primarily found in the central, southwestern, and northeastern regions where coal-fired power plants and coal ash storage sites are located. The paper will then discuss the political, economic, and legal reasons behind the lack of effective regulation and mitigation of coal ash spread. Coal ash illustrates …

Analysis Of Technology Skill Requirements For Entry-Level Accountants, Jiane Louella Tolentino Rabara

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the evolving impact of emerging technologies on skill requirements for entry-level accountants. Using a mixed-method approach that combines literature review and quantitative analysis of 2,257,082 job postings from 2021 to 2024 provided by the Butler Center for Research and Economic Development, the study evaluates trends in employer expectations across firm sizes and time. Chi-square tests revealed significant changes in the proportion of postings requiring technological skills (χ² = 117,672, df = 3, p < .001), indicating a shift in how technology-related competencies are presented in job ads. Specifically, while previous job postings often included general technical skills alongside traditional accounting tasks, recent job postings increasingly emphasize advanced or specialized technologies—such as ERP systems, cloud accounting platforms, and automation tools. This shift suggests that employers are moving away from broad technical expectations toward more targeted skill sets, reflecting the evolving technological demands of the profession. A separate chi-square test found a significant relationship between technological skill requirements and job ad duration (χ² = 2,309.57, df = 4, p < .001). However, no consistent pattern of longer posting duration was observed for technology-oriented roles. Literature-based synthesis further showed that large accounting firms continue to demand more advanced technological competencies than smaller firms. Overall, while traditional accounting skills remain predominant, the findings indicate a transition toward more specialized technological expectations in the entry-level accounting role.

She Works Hard For The Money: Black Women Entrepreneurs, Business Networks, And Entrepreneurial Success, Dejuan Erica Price

Theses and Dissertations

Although Black women launched an estimated 2.08 million businesses in 2023 (accounting for 14.8% of all women-owned firms), they remain significantly underrepresented among high-growth, well-capitalized enterprises. This paradox highlights the need for deeper examination of the structural and social factors that shape their entrepreneurial experiences and outcomes. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach, this study examined how network structure, networking behaviors, personal motivations, and social contexts influence entrepreneurial success among Black women founders. The qualitative phase revealed how faith, emotional labor, social isolation, and cultural values shaped participants’ definitions of success and approaches to entrepreneurship. Founders emphasized purpose, healing, and …

From Silos To Synergy: A Multi-Case Study Of The Enablers And Inhibitors Of Successful Post-Acquisition Technology Platform Integration, Nasario Mejia

Theses and Dissertations

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have long been an important strategy for achieving growth. Levels of M&A have been increasing over the past 10 years. An enduring challenging problem post M&A is the effective integration of the technology platforms of the acquired and acquiring firms. This study investigates the enablers and inhibitors of successful post-acquisition technology platform integration (PATPI) through the lens of interdependent People, Process, Technology, and Data capabilities. Based on data collected from interviews with senior leaders combined with publicly available secondary data, a multi-site qualitative comparative case study analysis was used to identify enabling and inhibiting platform integration …

Creation-Disruption Theory: How Innovators Create And Disrupt Markets In The Era Of Ai And Beyond, Jukka Alanen

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how innovators create and disrupt markets remains a central challenge in strategic management and innovation, especially amid rapid advances in AI. In this two-paper dissertation, I develop and empirically ground the Creation-Disruption (CD) Theory as a novel and unified theory that explains how innovations and innovators transform markets through intertwined processes of creation and disruption, addressing limitations of prior frameworks. In the first paper, I develop the CD Theory conceptually, treating innovations as the unit of analysis, and reconceptualize, integrate, and extend prior frameworks — most notably, disruptive innovation theory and Blue Ocean Strategy — into a unified theory …

Charisma And Impulsivity In The Venture Pitch Persuasion Process, Shilena D. Battan

Theses and Dissertations

Entrepreneurs depend on persuasive pitching to secure venture capital (VC) funding, yet the roles of charisma and investor impulsiveness in shaping those decisions remain underexplored. This dissertation addresses the gap by examining how entrepreneurial charisma and investor impulsiveness influence persuasion outcomes during the pitch process. Two pilot studies and two main experiments tested these dynamics. In Study 1, a trained actor delivered a pre-scripted pitch in high and low charisma formats. In Study 2, extended the investigation by adapting the pitch text into AI-generated text, offering a comparison between human and AI-authored pitches. Results from both studies revealed a mix …

Project Hope: The Impact Of Coaching And Transformation Among Returning Citizens, Mark Keven Cox

Theses and Dissertations

The study of psychological transformation within the prison context appears nascent with few academic articles to be found on the subject. The few that do exist suggest that transformation in the prison context is possible. Drawing from the academic literature regarding psychological transformation, inclusive of Hope Theory and Self-efficacy Theory, this qualitative research sought to understand how cognitive coaching programs within United States prisons may foster psychological transformation and increased likelihood of societal reentry success for returning citizens. The research sits at the intersection of coaching and theories associated with psychological transformation and explores the consequences of a single carceral-based …

How To Encourage Consumers’ Adoption Of Clean Energy? The Interplay Of Framing, Loss Aversion, And The Unexpected Role Of Socioeconomic Status., Bradley A. Gray

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation and its underlying hypotheses seek to determine what factors play a role in U.S. consumers’ adoption of clean energy. Consumer adoption of clean energy plays an important role as part of the long-term clean energy transition. How to encourage consumers to adopt clean energy? The findings of the dissertation about how framing effects, loss aversion, and socioeconomic status affect clean energy perceived value present evidence that a one-size-fits-all approach to boosting adoption is unwise. The research adopted an explanatory sequential quantitative approach. In phase 1, a series of cross-sectional surveys examined the best predictors of current and future …

Reflection & Reciprocity: The Role Of Community In The Career Decision-Making Processes Of Indigenous & Non-Indigenous College Students, Amanda M. Langhorst

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the complex role of community in the career decision-making of college students. Our career decisions impact our life in many ways; individualistic cognitive models provide some insight but miss the important relationships and interaction we have with our communities and the role of culture. Through 45 interviews across a primary sample and two contrast samples with public university college students and student service professionals, this research revealed two key processes in how we utilize community in our career decision-making, reflection & reciprocity. The data resulted in a Community-Embedded Career Decision-Making Model showcasing the process of “how” we …

Exploring The Stem Career Identity Development Of Black Women Across Their Lifespan, Veronica Hurd

Theses and Dissertations

Although STEM is the fastest-growing career sector, Black women are grossly underrepresented as they account for 2.5% of the workforce. Research highlights that this underrepresentation is due to racialized structures in K-12, postsecondary, and career settings that restrict Black girls’ and women’s STEM opportunities. While macrosystems such as hegemonic ideologies, attitudes, and social conditions shape Black girls’ and women’s opportunities in STEM, they continue to persist and achieve their career goals. To explore these barriers and Black women’s persistence in this industry, this study draws from the autobiographical memories of 10 Black women in the field or formerly in the …

Corporate Soft Power Strategy In Shaping Global Influence: A Case Study Of Microsoft, Qiang Qiang

Theses and Dissertations

Soft power, defined as the ability to attract and persuade through appeal and influence rather than coercion, has emerged as a critical component in the arsenal of global corporations navigating the complexities of the interconnected world. This study, using Microsoft as a case, delves into the realm of soft power in global corporations. Drawing upon qualitative methodology, this study aims to uncover the nuanced factors contributing to global corporation soft power prowess. Key areas of investigation include organizational culture and communication, corporate branding, corporate social responsibility, emerging technological applications, global branding strategies, and leadership approaches. Through an analysis of these …

Remove The Invisibility Cloak - Let's Get Women Promoted!, Nina Echeverría Brown

Theses and Dissertations

This two-study research project uses a mixed-methods exploratory sequential research design to investigate the career journey of women in Corporate America and assess how they navigate the tensions that may impede Career Growth. Study 1 employs qualitative interviews to gather insights from 20 diverse women at varying managerial levels. Thematic analysis reveals five primary Pathways to Career Growth—Foundational Development, Social Augmentation, Adaptive Knowledge Expansion, Forward Focus, and Visibility—each associated with specific strategies that women employ to navigate tensions related to Cultural, Organizational, and Domestic spheres. Study 2 builds upon these findings and utilizes quantitative cross-sectional survey data from 385 corporate …

Innovative Approaches To A More Sustainable Global Supply Chain: A Phenomenological Study In The Footwear Industry, Nichole Dwyer

Theses and Dissertations

The global footwear industry faces significant challenges as it navigates the complexities of sustainability, technological advancements, and supply chain resilience. This study examines how innovations in developing technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), can enhance efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, and promote sustainability within global footwear supply chains. Leveraging a phenomenological approach, the research explores the lived experiences of supply chain professionals to identify practical strategies for integrating technology, enhancing resilience, and mitigating environmental impacts. The study highlights the industry's evolution, driven by factors such as consumer demand for sustainability, disruptions caused by geopolitical …

Human Factors Matter: The Intersection Of Cybersecurity Governance, And Culture In Risk Management Of Critical Infrastructure, Prince Abubakari

Theses and Dissertations

In the 21st century, cybersecurity threats have evolved into pressing socio-technical issues, with significant implications for the safety and stability of global critical infrastructure. This dissertation explores the intersection of cybersecurity governance and culture in risk management of national critical infrastructures, defined as essential systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, that are vital to the security, public health, safety, economy, or any combination thereof, and the disruption of which would have a debilitating impact on a nation. The study delves into how human factors like organizational culture and governance mechanisms interplay to influence cybersecurity outcomes. The research adopts a …

Tech-Forward Learning: Text-To-Speech Impact On Catholic High School Students, Dennise A. Leyva

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study was conducted to improve instructional support for diverse learners in a Southeast Florida Catholic high school by exploring teachers’ use of the Apple iPad accessibility feature, text-to-speech (TTS). Although this Catholic high school implemented a 1:1 iPad program, many teachers had limited experience using the built-in TTS feature to meet the diverse needs of students, including English Language Learners and those with reading difficulties. Teachers often used conventional approaches that failed to integrate assistive technology for inclusive and equitable learning.

The researcher conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with six high school teachers to examine their experiences implementing the …

Estudio Fenomenológico Sobre La Relación Entre El Liderazgo Transformacional Y La Efectividad De Las Iniciativas De Gestión De Cambio En Las Organizaciones, Greilyn Soto-Perez

Theses and Dissertations

Esta Disertación Aplicada tuvo como propósito explorar la relación entre el liderazgo transformacional y la efectividad de las iniciativas de gestión del cambio en organizaciones de diversos sectores. Este estudio cualitativo se centró en comprender, desde el punto de vista de diferentes lideres transformacionales en distintas áreas e industrias, cómo los líderes y empleados experimentan y perciben el impacto del liderazgo transformacional en la implementación de cambios significativos organizacionales.

Este estudio de naturaleza cualitativa se enmarcó en un enfoque fenomenológico. Mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas en profundidad, se exploraron cuatro dimensiones del liderazgo transformacional: influencia idealizada, motivación inspiradora, estimulación intelectual y consideración …

A Mixed Method Case Study Of Leadership For Change: Authentic Transformational Leadership In A Local Baptist Church, Hui Sun

Theses and Dissertations

This convergent parallel mixed methods case study explores how a local Baptist church navigated organizational change during and after the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of authentic and transformational leadership. Grounded in organizational leadership and open systems framework of organizational change, the study examined two primary hypotheses: (1) RBC demonstrated an authentic transformational leadership paradigm in its change processes since 2020, and (2) this paradigm significantly and positively influenced perceived leadership effectiveness.

Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six leaders (three pastors, one minister, one staff leader, and one deacon) and 11 raters (five lay leaders, five congregants, …

Promoting And Developing Industrial Organic Clusters In Egypt: Case Study Of Damietta Furniture Cluster, Nermen Abdelmoula

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the development of industrial clusters in Egypt, with a specific focus on the Damietta Furniture Cluster, an organic industrial cluster known for its rich tradition in furniture craftsmanship. These industrial clusters, which are primarily composed of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), are characterized by the geographical concentration of interconnected firms and institutions, play a critical role in fostering economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness, particularly in emerging economies. The research explores the key factors affecting the development of the Damietta Furniture Cluster, identifies the challenges it faces, and provides policy recommendations to enhance its growth and global …

The Role Of Innovation Hubs In Driving Local Entrepreneurial Behavior: The Case Of Creativa Innovation Hubs In Qena And Aswan, Lamees Koura

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the role of innovation hubs in driving innovation and entrepreneurial behavior among local communities, ultimately contributing to the development of better national entrepreneurship ecosystems. The researcher employed a qualitative methodology using a case study approach to conduct an empirical investigation to obtain deeper insights into the innovation hubs phenomenon using the Creativa Innovation Hubs initiative in two governorates in Upper Egypt, Qena and Aswan. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty individuals between beneficiaries and managers of Creativa innovation hubs. The study demonstrated that government efforts to promote entrepreneurship through the Creativa Innovation Hubs Initiative significantly influence …

One Hundred Years Of The U.S. Tax Court (1924-2024): An Examination Of The Tribunal, Its Judges, And Firms’ Involvement In Tax Litigation, Rolando Daniel Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three interrelated essays on the U.S. Tax Court. The first essay examines the institutional background of the U.S. Tax Court (formerly the Board of Tax Appeals), thereby framing its importance and history. Focused on the factors that gave rise to the Board of Tax Appeals, this essay begins by distilling prior histories and discussing the circumstances that birthed the institution. Next, the paper expounds on early proponents of the Board of Tax Appeals, such as the American Mining Congress and key individuals therein. Specifically, I propose strong influence for the formation of the Board of Tax …

Training-Informed Air Traffic Control Workforce Scheduling, Eli Winett

Theses and Dissertations

The Radar Control Facility (RCF) at Eglin Air Force Base creates monthly workforce schedules. Adherence to regulations must be verified manually and no evaluation criteria exist to compare schedules. A mixed-integer program model for air traffic controllers allocates workers across 19 positions for a user-defined number of weeks of 24-hour operations. Across eight consecutive months, this model produced schedules to nearly eliminate all shifts with critical shortages from the reference schedules. Without civilian overtime work, gains in positional coverage require a 35% increase in overtime work for military workers and 35% reduction in monthly training instances. We recommend users adopt …

Utilizing Self-Management Strategies To Increase Staff Productivity In An Aba Clinic, Jasmine Margarita Hernandez-Morris

Theses and Dissertations

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), self-management is defined as an individual's behavior change strategies and tactics implemented to achieve a desired behavioral outcome. Both clinicians and researchers aim to develop and implement efficient self- management strategies that enhance staff performance, ultimately driving positive outcomes for the clients they serve. At this time, the research regarding the use of self- management strategies to increase staff fluency is limited. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of using self-management strategies to increase fluency in administering a verbal operant card set. Six staff members from an ABA clinic in Central Florida were recruited for …

Impact Of State-Level Family Policies On Female Labor Force Participation And Entrepreneurship, Kathryn Staczek Rudloff

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation aims to investigate the impact of state-level family policies on women's participation in the labor force in the United States, focusing specifically on the rise of self-employment and solopreneurship among women. The research seeks to answer the following question: "How do family policies at the state level impact participation of American women in the labor force?"

The study utilized a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. A composite index of state level family policies was created to conduct cross-sectional exploratory data analysis of female labor force participation. Additionally, a qualitative phenomenological study of solopreneurs provided a deeper understanding of the …

Redefining Research Impact: Developing And Evaluating Modified H-Indexes For Comprehensive Academic Assessment, Nash Mayhue Minton

Theses and Dissertations

In academic research, the h-index has gained prominence as a useful metric for gauging the impact and productivity of researchers. This thesis seeks to provide a general overview of the h-index by providing information on the positive applications that the h-index utilizes, as well as the faults and limitations that diminish its utility. This thesis aims to combat the bias of hyper-authorship, which inherently inflates researchers' h-indexes by disproportionately attributing credit to individuals in multi-author publications, as well as provide other indices that could prove to be a possible replacement index or to be used as a basis for creating …