Business Commons^™

Using Design Thinking For Organizational Development And Addressing Change, Keith Tadao Matsumoto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Organizations that lack competitiveness may not survive changes in market conditions due to the inability to understand customer needs and problems. Small business leaders who do not address customer needs, identify market changes, and market demands may not maintain competitiveness. Grounded in the design thinking framework, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore organizational development processes used by small business leaders to address evolving market conditions and maintain competitiveness. The participants included five executive management team members from one organization in Hawaii who used effective organizational development processes to manage evolving market conditions and maintain competitiveness. …

Nonprofit Board Members' Perceptions Of The Initial Orientation And Ongoing Board Member Training, Janice M. Trapp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many nonprofit organizations have implemented board development practices that include an initial orientation and ongoing training to improve board performance. However, recent studies have shown that board members struggle with understanding their roles, responsibilities, and board governance. This lack of understanding limits their ability to perform their roles effectively, which may impact the members’ performance and the organizations’ performance. This generic qualitative study explored board members’ perceptions of whether the initial orientation and ongoing training they received in preparation for board service adequately prepared them for board governance. Inglis et al.’s three factor-framework of strategic activities, operations, and resource planning …

Strategies E-Commerce Entrepreneurs Use To Achieve And Maintain Sustainability Beyond The First 5 Years Of Operations, Steven Sierra Alcabes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

E-commerce entrepreneurs who fail to develop and implement strategies to sustain business operations beyond the first 5 years face high business failure rates. Grounded in Porter’s five forces model, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies used by e-commerce entrepreneurs to achieve and maintain sustainability beyond the first 5 years of operations. Participants were e-commerce entrepreneurs from five companies in Texas who implemented successful strategies to achieve and maintain sustainability for more than 5 years. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and reviews of company documents and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged: …

Personal Initiative Differences Between Combat Arms And Non-Combat Arms Field Grade Officers, Gregory Morris Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Senior U.S. Army leaders have indicated shortcomings in personal initiative (PI) among Army officers, especially between combat arms and non-combat arms field grade officers. PI is a critical contributor to individual and organizational effectiveness and to the Army’s approach to command and control. However, the Army does not measure PI differences. This quantitative causal-comparative study involved an online, Self-Report Initiative Scale (SRIS) to measure PI. The target population was U.S. Army field grade officers attending resident Command and General Staff School between August 2020 and June 2021. The study used three research questions to address differences in PI scores between …

Strategies For Reducing Voluntary Turnover In The Nonprofit Sector, Alisa Elliot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Voluntary employee turnover is a critical problem that affects every business entity. Mitigating voluntary turnover and increasing employee retention allows business managers to increase organization performance, reduce financial burdens, and promote business sustainability. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies business managers use to mitigate voluntary turnover and increase employee retention in the nonprofit sector. The participants were three business managers from three different nonprofit organizations in a metropolitan area in Texas. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, organizational documents, and artifacts. Yin’s five-step process was used to analyze the …

Effective Leadership Strategies To Sustain Small Businesses’ Operations Beyond 5 Years, Sulemana Jawula

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small businesses play a critical role in the job creation and overall growth of the U.S. economy; however, many small businesses fail soon after startup. The failure of small businesses results psychological, social, and financial turmoil for small business leaders. Grounded in transformational leadership theory and Chamberlin’s theory of strategy, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore leadership strategies small business leaders use to sustain their operations beyond 5 years. The participants were five business leaders of five selected small businesses in the Bronx, New York, who used effective leadership strategies to sustain their operations beyond …

Strategies Of Women Small Business Owners To Overcome Entrepreneurship Barriers, Janis Elaine Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMany women small business owners struggle to maintain their businesses longer than 5 years. This study’s purpose was to use the theory of planned behavior to explore how women small business owners overcome barriers to entrepreneurship. The study’s research questions examined how women small business owners in Broward County in the state of Florida use financial strategies to develop their businesses and how women small business owners use financial strategies to overcome barriers to entrepreneurship. A qualitative, multiple-case study approach was used to examine beauty parlors, dance studios, and insurance offices. Each case relied on semistructured interviews, field notes, financial …

Employee Turnover Intentions In Correctional Facilities, Mary Lynn Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover reduces organizational performance through the increased financial and human resources required to hire and train new employees. Because correctional officers are essential to reducing the inmate recidivism rate, understanding the correlates of correctional officers’ intent to leave is essential to reduce turnover. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor motivation-hygiene theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the likelihood of employee job satisfaction and leadership behavior perception predicting correctional officer turnover intentions. The participants were 68 correctional officers who worked in correctional facilities in Ohio and completed the Job Satisfaction Survey and Turnover Intention Scale surveys. The …

Exploring How Organizations Ensure The Hiring Process Is Conducted Appropriately To Avoid Legal Issues, Natashia Stafford - Cotton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The overall research problem of interest in this study was the need for human resource (HR) leaders and hiring managers (HMs) to conform to a wide array of complex state and federal legal requirements concerning hiring practices. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was two-fold: (a) to understand how HR leaders can ensure that ethically and legally acceptable hiring practices are used in their organizations and (b) to identify the perceptions of the employee selection procedures and legal defensibility of HR personnel and HMs in Northern California in order to develop timely and informed answers to the study’s research …

Strategic Planning In Small Nonprofit Behavioral Health Organizations, Amanda Machamer Becker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rural communities in the United States depend on small community-based nonprofits to provide access to food, nutrition, transportation, and other social determinants of health. Despite this essential role, some leaders of small nonprofits forgo participating in strategic planning because they believe that the process can be time consuming and expensive. Strategic planning may help organizations of any size to be organized, mission focused, outcome based, and successful. The strategic planning process helps to identify which outcomes demonstrate effectiveness and increase program sustainability. The purpose of this study was to explore the ways that strategic planning may assist small rural community-based …

Leadership Strategies To Improve Employee Well-Being, Camille Black

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor employee well-being because of a lack of job resources costs business leaders billions of dollars each year. Business leaders in the entertainment industry who fail to manifest strategies to increase employee well-being might decrease employee resources and increase the consequences of job demands, such as decreased organizational performance and profitability. Grounded in the job demands-resources model theory, the purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies entertainment leaders use to increase employee well-being. The participants included six entertainment executives employed at a large entertainment company in California who successfully implemented strategies that increased employees’ well-being. Data were …

The Impact Of Financial Education On The Lives Of Cherokee Nation Citizens, Ron Pense

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial literacy is something that is important for financial well-being for individuals, but it is lacking, leading to problems such as inadequate saving and poor financial decision making. This research was conducted to examine the impact of financial education for citizens of Cherokee Nation on saving and financial decision making and was grounded in prospect theory and quasi-rational economics. Accordingly, the research questions focused on the extent of differences between individuals with and without financial education for decision making and saving as well as the extent demographic factors play a role. The research design was non-experimental causal comparative with financial …

Examining The Antecedents Of Employee Engagement, Andrea E. Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Highly engaged employees have a positive impact on organizational results, which means that understanding how to increase employee engagement is important. Performance management is one area that is believed to positively impact employee engagement, but current research is not conclusive as to how much individual performance management activities impact employee engagement. Using social exchange theory and self-determination theory as theoretical guides, this study examined if 5 performance management activities (goal setting, feedback, developmental opportunities, performance appraisals, and a climate of trust) are predictors of employee engagement. Using a cross-sectional survey design, full-time, U.S.-based employees at organizations with more than 1,000 …

Principals' Leadership Style As A Predictor Of School Climate In Urban High Schools In Baltimore, Kelly Alicia Watson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To improve student achievement in urban public schools with high poverty, it is important to address specific leadership styles (i.e., transformational, transactional, and passive-avoidant leadership styles) in relationship to their school climate. The purpose of this multivariate correlational study, framed by leadership theory, was to investigate the relationship between principals' leadership and school climate as perceived by high school teachers in an urban school district. The relationship between three predictor variables (average class size, years of experience of the teacher, and leadership style) and one criterion variable (school climate) was examined. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to measure leadership …

Hospitality Industry Employee Turnover, Ericka Dolores Willie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover is detrimental to organizational performance, productivity, and profitability. Decreasing employee turnover is important for hospitality leaders to increase employee productivity, raise customer satisfaction and increase organizational profits. Grounded in Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between employee perceptions of work experience, supervisory practices, employee compensation, and employee turnover. The participants were 100 employees who worked in the hospitality industry on the island of St. Croix. The Employee Turnover Survey was the instrument used in this study and was conducted via Survey Monkey. The results of the multiple linear regression …

Fairness, Emotional Intelligence, And Ethical Decision-Making In Customer Evaluations Of Providers, Tameka Austin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Customer satisfaction is a topic that organizations must focus on for the success and continued sustainability of their organizations. Emotional intelligence, fairness, and ethical decision-making are areas that businesses must address to identify how their businesses are impacted by the choices that customers make when working with corporations. The gig economy (short- or long-term project in which a contract worker is hired to perform a specific task or long-term consultant assignment) is an area that has not been addressed to a great extent by psychology researchers. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between emotional intelligence, ethical …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Leadership Development Experiences Of Black Women, Oresha Sharlene Greenidge Foster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The leadership pathway for Black women has unique challenges and obstacles due to the double jeopardy of their race and gender. The lack of critical empirical work on the leadership development of Black women has left a gap in the understanding of how racial and gendered identities influence their development as successful leaders. This research was conducted to examine how Black women developed as leaders and how they made meaning of their leadership development experiences. A qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was conducted framed by concepts of intersectionality and gendered racism to produce a comprehensive description of the phenomenon of the …

A Multicase Study Of Critical Success Factors Of Self-Service Business Intelligence Initiatives, Eva Shepherd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Information technology (IT) managers have sparse information on the critical success factors (CSFs) needed for self-service business intelligence (SSBI) initiatives among casual users. The purpose of this qualitative, multicase study was to describe Business Intelligence (BI) experts’ views on the CSFs needed for self-service BI initiatives among casual users in the post-implementation stage. To meet this purpose, a multicase study design was used to collect data from a purposeful sample of 10 BI experts. Semistructured interviews, archival data, and reflective field notes drove the credibility of the multicase study’s findings through data triangulation. Two conceptual models framed this study: Lennerholt …

Strategies For Catalyzing Clinicians’ Support Of Telemedicine Programs In Rural Communities, Jonathan Liwag

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinicians’ failure to accept contemporary technology has been a critical barrier to telemedicine program adoption. Staff technical challenges and resistance to change can affect technology return on investment, which concerns telemedicine program leaders. Grounded in Davis’s technology acceptance model, the purpose of this qualitative, descriptive single case study was to explore strategies used by program leaders in the Marianas Islands who successfully gained clinicians’ acceptance of contemporary technology. The participants were 5 program leaders recommended by their institution because of their leadership role and telemedicine technologies experience. Data were collected from 4 face-to-face and 1 audio teleconference interview with the …

Funding Strategies For Nonprofit Animal Shelter Leaders, Destiny Reeder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonprofit animal shelters provide vital services to the community and improve the overall well-being of animals. Many animal shelters, however, face the challenge of insufficient funding. Some nonprofit animal shelter leaders are burdened with financial uncertainty because of a lack of funding strategies for operational stability and survival. Grounded in the resource dependency theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that nonprofit animal shelter leaders use to obtain funding. The participants comprised three nonprofit animal shelter leaders in Maryland. Data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews and public financial reports. Data analysis was conducted …

How Managers Of Nonfranchised Restaurants Use Training To Improve Customer Satisfaction, Waldell Terrell Graves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Customer satisfaction is a factor that significantly influences profits and overall business success. Understanding the dynamics of customer satisfaction and its relationship to profits, job security, and the overall customer experience is critical for restaurant managers. Grounded in the service quality theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies nonfranchised restaurant managers use to improve customer satisfaction. The participants comprised five nonfranchised restaurant managers in central Delaware who successfully improved customer satisfaction. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and research notes, then analyzed using content analysis. Four themes emerged: continuous on-the-job training, manager observations and customer …

Diversifying Funding Streams For A Nonprofit Behavioral Health Organization, Danielle Hurt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business sustainability is essential for any nonprofit organization. Revenue diversification can play a key role in business sustainability. In this case study, the revenue diversification practices and challenges of an international, behavioral health, nonprofit organization based out of the western United States were examined. The organization provides training, support, and resources in an experiential modality of behavioral health treatment for clients worldwide. Data collection processes consisted of a review of current revenue diversification literature, semistructured interviews with three senior-level leaders in the organization, and a review of select organizational documents. The Baldrige Excellence Framework for Healthcare provided a proven framework …

Strategies To Mitigate Natural Disaster Impact In The Auto Maintenance Business, Charles Oluande Ogutu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many small business owners lack strategies to mitigate natural disasters. Damage caused by natural disasters usually costs millions of dollars in injuries or lost lives, disruption to operations, and property damage. Small business owners who fail to plan and prepare for disaster frequently face closure when disasters strike. The goal of this study was to explore strategies independent auto maintenance business owners use to mitigate natural disasters. Holling’s organizational resilience theory grounded this qualitative multiple case study. Five purposively selected participants who implemented disaster mitigation strategies from Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana participated in this study. Semistructured interviews were used to …

Strategies For Implementing A Successful Customer Relationship Management System, Samuel Adebayo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Customer relationship management (CRM) software implementation fails in thepackaging industry because of ineffective CRM implementation strategies. Effective strategies for CRM software implementation are essential to CRM managers for improving CRM project success rates. Grounded in Kano’s customer satisfaction theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the strategies CRM managers in the packaging industry used to operate a profitable business. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and documents of CRM strategies. Participants were four CRM managers located in Illinois who had a minimum of 10 years of successfully managing CRM systems with high success rates. Data …

Health Care Leader Strategies For Cultural Diversity In The Workplace, Michael H. Le

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care leaders who lack strategies to manage workers from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds face high employee turnover. High employee turnover can jeopardize the health of patients and the financial stability of their organization. Grounded in the cognitive diversity theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies eight health care leaders in Iowa use to manage diverse employees. Data sources were semistructured interviews, researcher notes, and a review of the diversity policies of each facility. Five themes identified through thematic analysis included leaders using recruitment strategies to promote diversity, leaders encouraging and using communication/feedback, …

Navigating The Human Side Of Workplace Conflict: A Comparative Study Of Organizational Ombuds' Similarities And Differences, Linda Kovack

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Navigating the human side of workplace conflict poses challenges. A gap in knowledgeexists within an alternative dispute resolution option known as the organizational ombuds. Prior research referenced the ombuds' perception of his/her own role and functionality yet did not explore ombuds in differing organizational sectors. The research I explored was: What are the similarities and differences among and between ombuds in employment environments of higher education, the public or private sector, and the federal government? To address this question, I presented comprehensive case study profiles on a total of 8 organizations: 3 in higher education, 3 in the federal government, …

Covid-10, Healthcare Interior Design + Provider Experience - How Does Your Space Work For You?, Ruth E.P. Deibler

Graduate Research Posters

The lack of research on healthcare staff experience and interior design of the spaces they work in is evident. A focus on staff perspective is needed, particularly staff who navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. This research seeks to capture those stories to develop further research in order to improve staff experience. The initial phase of this mixed-methods approach is a survey. Hypothetically, by placing providers at the center of qualitative research related to healthcare interior design, we can better understand existing healthcare spaces. Ideally, we can develop additional evidence-based, human-centered solutions to transform interior environments in healthcare.

The 20-year Women’s Health …

Simulating Municipal Cybersecurity Incidents: Recommendations From Expert Interviews, Kira Gedris, Kayla Bowman, Aatish Neupane, Amanda Lee Hughes, Elizabeth Bonsignore, Ryan W. West, Jon Balzotti, Derek L. Hansen

Faculty Publications

As cyberattacks on city and public infrastructures become increasingly common and harmful, it is critical that we train the professional workforce to prepare and respond appropriately. This paper supports the development of educational simulations and related experiential learning exercises that help prepare city and public infrastructure personnel to effectively respond to cybersecurity attacks. Specifically, it synthesizes the findings from 8 expert interviews including 12 cybersecurity experts from federal, state, city organizations, as well as academics with relevant expertise. We organize the findings into key learning outcomes, scenarios, roles, and issues that simulation designers should consider. The result paints a vivid …

The Ethical Controversy Around Gene-Editing Technology, Katrina Powers

A with Honors Projects

In this honors project, the author discusses the risks and benefits of using CRISPR to edit genetics.

Role Of Government Initiatives In Shaping Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Canonical Correlation Analysis, Ansar Waseem, Yasir Rashid, Ahmad Ahsan Akbar

Business Review

Although, governments employ different policies to boost entrepreneurial activities in a country, these initiatives would remain futile if they fail to inculcate entrepreneurial intentions among citizens. This study aims to find out how government initiatives shape the perception of its citizens about entrepreneurship. The main idea of this paper is to identify a correlation between government initiatives and entrepreneurial perception using Global Entrepreneurship Monitor data. This research uses the parameters of perceived opportunity, perceived capability, and entrepreneurial intention to correlate them with different government initiatives such as supportive and relevant policies, taxes related policies, government entrepreneurship programs, commercial and legal …