Training and Development Commons^™

The Impact Of Strategic Social Media Guidelines In Healthcare Communication, Margaret Marie Milka Kouassi

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

This capstone project examines how hospitals can strengthen social media engagement through a structured, research-informed communication guideline. Phase One analyzed randomized hospital social media activity. and found that low engagement was often linked to unclear target audiences, inconsistent messaging, limited planning, and a lack of measurable goals. These results suggested that the issue was not whether hospitals used social media, but how strategically they used it. Phase Two built on these findings by developing and testing a Healthcare Strategic Social Media Guideline. Using applied quantitative design, the study employed two online surveys, administered before and after a two-month implementation period, …

The Sustainability Game: A Case Study Of The Effectiveness Of A Training Game, Michał Mijal

Studia i Materiały Wydział Zarządzania Uniwersytet Warszawski

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to analyse the possibilities and limitations of using the educational game “Eko Smakosz” in academic teaching, as well as to evaluate the potential of adapting its mechanics for managerial training and scientific research.

Design/methodology/approach: A case study method was employed, comprising quantitative research (pre-test and post-test) and qualitative research (participant observation and DATA model debriefing). The study was conducted on a group of 14 individuals (university students and employees) who played a series of game sessions.

Findings: The study demonstrated an increase in knowledge and participant engagement with subsequent gameplay …

Notes From The Field - Transfer Of Training: The Study Of A Municipality's Leadership Development Program Effectiveness, Kyle Bradley Stone, Christi Sanders-Via, Kristen Mcgee, Beth Mcgrath

Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Technology

The study examined how the Grand Valley Leadership Academy (GVLA) training affected participants' performance and its application in their organizations. Surveys of GVLA participants and employers showed that coaching and leadership skills improved, with high satisfaction from managerial support, peer support, and pre-training. Employers' feedback highlighted evolving leadership needs post-pandemic. The research stresses a supportive environment's role in translating training into practice and suggests leadership development must adapt to organizational changes and workforce flexibility.

Impact Of Community College Size And Meeting Types On Leader-Member Conversation Quality In Career And Technical Education (Cte) Leaders: A Mixed Methods Study, Kenneth Wayne Kirkland Jr.

Dissertations

Community colleges are complex institutions with the primary mission of workforce preparation and academic transfer. In many cases, community colleges produce the majority of their local workforces. Political influences upon workforce priorities, increased national calls for transparency in higher education training, complicated infrastructure, and technical expertise requirements for faculty have created substantial challenges for career and technical education (CTE) leaders. These complexities require the 21st-century CTE leader to be as externally focused as their presidents, highlighting the importance of communication effectiveness in both leaders.

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the influence of community college enrollment levels …

The Importance Of Leader-Member Exchange And Psychological Contracts In Highly Qualified Researchers, Robin L. Ingerick Dba

Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the significance of the relationship between leader-member exchange (LMX) and psychological contracts in United States-based research organizations. When the organization-manager-employee relationship deteriorates, psychological contract breaches can occur, negatively affecting employee outcomes and the organization's financial success and stability. Existing knowledge highlights several factors that influence relationships, including reciprocated treatment, work behaviors and reactions, trust, professional respect, affect, mutual interaction, work autonomy, communication, job satisfaction, and fulfillment. The study sought to determine to what extent is there a predictive relationship between LMX and psychological contracts (employee obligations, employer obligations, fulfillment, and contract transitions) of highly qualified United States-based …

A Systematic Review Of Corporate Ethics Program Training Strategies To Improve Ethical Workplace Cultures, Robin Raye Altice

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The demand for corporations to practice more ethically responsible conduct and decision making is growing with every news report of another corporate scandal, lawsuit, fine, or high-visibility C-suite firing. To develop an ethical workplace culture, organizations should implement a comprehensive ethics program that fosters and encourages ethical decision making, especially among current and future leaders. However, there is little research and few guidelines for how ethics program administrators should design corporate ethics training to effectively practice and master the skill of ethical decision-making in efforts to continually grow a more ethical work environment. This study aims to identify corporate ethics …

Supporting Career Navigation With An Online Occupational Information-Sharing Platform, Jay W. Rojewski, Janette R. Hill, Eunice Kim, Sejung Kwon, Linda Mccauley, Ikseon Choi

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Rapid changes to the nature of work and the workplace have shifted responsibility for career success from organizations to individual workers. Successful navigation of one’s career requires a proactive perspective where individuals anticipate training needs and make decisions for achieving both short- and long-term career goals. Relevant and accurate occupational information is an essential component of career success; yet few sources of reliable and targeted information exist for adult workers. This article provides a conceptual overview of an online system (eMPACT) that provides personalized occupational information for selected health care professionals. The contributions and benefits of key stakeholders—employees, trainers, employers—in …

Exploring Hiring Managers’ Strategies For Recruiting Diverse Educators In A Southeastern State, Keisa K. Davis Ma

Dissertations

This dissertation examined the strategies applied by hiring managers within one state in the southeastern United States to recruit diverse teachers. The purpose of the study was to explore hiring managers’ experiences and knowledge of minority teacher recruitment. The primary research question for this study was: What strategies do hiring managers in the school district under study find most effective in overcoming barriers to recruiting minority educators, and how do they measure their success? Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and thematic coding was used to arrive at emerging themes, patterns, and perceptions. The findings revealed that while hiring managers …

Does Messenger Matter? Trainer Differences In Sexual Harassment Training For Young Workers, Brenna Mcnamara, Vipanchi Mishra, Kemp Ellington, Jacqueline Bergman

River Cities Industrial and Organizational Psychology Conference

Abstract Background In 2016, the EEOC called for the need to spread awareness to young workers about sexual harassment. Previous research has been conducted on this issue by implementing a training specifically designed for younger workers (Stewart & Davison, 2021). The proposed study is an extension of this project. Previous research has examined messenger gender in sexual harassment training or legal policy awareness and suggests that female-led messening may incite stereotyped responses, particularly when coupled with a stereotype-incongruent occupation (Tinkler et al., 2015; Rawski et al., 2024), while diversity training led by white males (non-diverse population) is rated less favorably …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Women In The Construction Skilled Trades: Career Progression, Challenges, And Motivational Factors, Richard Hannah, Andrew Parzyck, Andrea Janzen, Amanda Portinari

Engaged Management ReView

Women remain significantly underrepresented in the construction industry, particularly in the skilled trades. Through qualitative exploratory interviews with six women, this study investigates the career trajectories, worksite barriers, and motivational influences shaping women’s experiences in the construction skilled trades. The research is framed using Donald Super’s Life-Span, Life-Space theory and expectancy-value theory (EVT) to explore how career stages and career value affect women’s experiences. Participants described gender bias, limited mentorship, and restricted advancement opportunities as primary challenges. This study highlights the need for industry-led initiatives to increase early exposure to trades, improve mentorship and sponsorship programs, and create structured pathways …

Relational Realities Of Readiness: What Managers Wish Colleges Knew About Business Communication, Karen Mccullough, Laura N. Miller

Applied Business Faculty Publications

This grounded theory study, informed by Communication Accommodation Theory, explores how frontline managers (n = 11) support early-career employees’ communication development. Findings identify three support strategies—structured scaffolding, adaptive leadership, and onboarding for cultural fit—and suggest colleges emphasize verbal and intercultural communication, applied learning, and professional presence. These insights reframe communication readiness as a relational process shaped by emotion, power, and organizational norms. The study calls for stronger collaboration between higher education and employers.

Beyond Compliance: Investigating The Motivational Power Of Equality, Diversity And Inclusion (Edi) In European Hospitality, Alessandro Ferrazza Dr

ICHRIE Research Reports

The base concept of this study is to explore the interrelationship between Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) practices, employee motivation and performance within the European Hospitality Industry. The research aims to identify the barriers and facilitators that shape motivational synergies stimulating performance outcomes, particularly for underrepresented employee groups. The researcher employed a mixed-methods approach underpinned by a pragmatic interpretivist framework. The findings revealed that there is wide use of discriminatory practices, limited career progression and poor work-life balance which act as significant demotivators (Siu et al., 1997). The study also reconceptualises EDI not merely as a compliance requirement, but as …

Employee Training Methods On Performance, Retention, And Career Growth In A Multi-Skilled Workforce And The Impact Of Emerging Technologies, Julia Bellis

Research Awards

This research paper examines how different types of employee training like on-the-job training, micro-credentials and formal course can affect performance, retention, and career growth in today’s multi-skilled workforce. Many businesses will invest lots of money into training but struggle to understand whether these programs actually improve employee skills or provide positive return on investment. The literature shows that each training method has strengths and weaknesses and that their effectiveness depends on what industry it is used in, the skills that are required, and the resources that the company has. New technologies like virtual reality and extended reality also are changing …

Human Resources: Knowledge Transfer And Ramp-Up Curves In Onboarding, Sela Reid

Research Awards

This paper defines and discusses the importance of knowledge transfer, onboarding content, mentorships, internships, on-the-job training (OJT), job satisfaction, high employee retention and low employee turnover, and job rotation. A new employee’s first few days at a new job can be frightening, embarrassing, and overwhelming. If a new employee is given a bad impression of the company within their first week, the new hire is left rethinking their job decision; and the company’s reputation is at stake for not fostering a welcoming organizational culture. New employees do not need to feel lost, unprepared, apprehensive, or lonely during their first few …

Factors That Influence The Implementation Of Effective Succession Planning In Nonprofit Organizations, Sharon L. Cook

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore factors influencing the implementation of effective succession planning (SP) in nonprofit organizations within a specific traditional industry—the electric utility industry. This study adopted the concept of SP as a process or system, and systems theory was selected to examine the SP process. Rothwell’s (2016) seven- pointed star model for systematic SP and management provided the conceptual framework for this study. This study used an inductive, qualitative approach to collect information from participants, with semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Face-to-face interviews were preferred, but some online interviews via Zoom were necessary. Interviews were conducted …

An Exploration Of The Evolving Boundary-Spanning Leadership Role Of Architects, Rory Concannon, Roisin Murphy, Oluwasegun Seriki

Articles

Architects form part of multidisciplinary teams in the construction of the built environment. Traditionally they have played a leading role within the construction process, often managing entire projects to completion. In recent years the composition of construction teams have evolved, leading to a perception that the architects leadership role has been diminished. Little is known about the boundary-spanning leadership required by architects, particularly in the light of the evolving roles. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this research reduces this gap by exploring architect’s leadership practices in the context of changing boundaries within the construction team. Our findings reveal six specific competencies …

Implementation Of A Standardized Onboarding Program, Sarah J. Wall

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a standardized onboarding program on Advanced Practice Provider (APP) retention and productivity within an academic department.

Background: High APP turnover in specialized settings disrupts care and leads to financial losses. Previously, onboarding lacked structure, leading to early attrition and delayed productivity. A 24-week phased, competency-based orientation program was developed to improve retention, job satisfaction, and clinical performance.

Methods: The program, implemented in April 2024, included clinical precepting, didactic modules, and mentorship. Retention and Relative Value Units (RVUs) were measured before and after implementation. Qualitative data was collected through mentorship surveys and APP focus groups. …

Ua21 What's New, Wku Institutional Equity

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by and about the Office of Institutional Equity.

• Demir, Ena. A Message from the Executive Director
• Training Opportunities: Stay Informed & Engaged
• Understanding Title VI
• Student Accessibility Center Joins the Office of Institutional Equity
• Need Workplace Accommodations?
• Web Accessibility Regulations
• Relevant Information
• Stop Campus Hazing Act
• Meet the Team

Investigating The Use And Acceptance Of Information And Communication Technologies By University Faculty In Liberia And Its Implications To Sub-Saharan Africa, Michael K. Gray

Dissertations

This descriptive, non-experimental, correlational quantitative study examines the relationship between components of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and Human Capital Development (HCD) in determining the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among university faculty in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). With the increasing importance of ICT in educational transformation across developing regions like SSA, understanding the underlying factors that influence ICT acceptance is essential for effective policy and implementation strategies. The researcher surveyed 336 university faculty in Liberia using a questionnaire designed to capture perceptions related to TAM constructs (perceived usefulness …

Expectations In Instructional Design: A Comparison Of Hampton Roads Industry Requirements And Old Dominion University’S Curriculum, Haley Aguilar

STEMPS Master's Level Projects and Papers

This master’s thesis aims to analyze the alignment between Old Dominion University’s Instructional Design and Technology program curriculum and employer expectations for instructional designers in the Hampton Roads region. The study examined job listings from 50 positions and curriculum content from 22 courses across six skill categories: technical skills, design and development competencies, communication and facilitation skills, analysis and assessment skills, project management capabilities, and specialized skills. The findings contribute to understanding the challenges of preparing instructional design graduates for workforce entry.

Effects Of Emotional Intelligence In Enhancing Team Collaboration And Conflict Resolution In Agile Project Management, Shaikh Muhammad Sinan

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

In this study, I explored the use of emotional intelligence (EI) in enhancing team collaboration and conflict resolution within agile project management environments. Though agile methodologies have gained more popularity, most projects still suffer from interpersonal conflicts and communication failures that detract from project performance. Though the literature is particular to the dynamics of agile project management, little is known about the emotional and interpersonal dynamics that influence team effectiveness. I examined how EI skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills influence team dynamics and project success. Guided by Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence Framework, in this qualitative study, …

دمج أسلوبي اتخاذ القرار العقلاني والبديهي في إدارة الأزمات على المستوى الاستراتيجي والعملياتي في مديرية الأمن العام في الأردن, محمد عقله أبو زيد, رضا مصطفى البطوش

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

تتناول هذه الدراسة دمج أسلوبي اتخاذ القرار العقلاني والبديهي ضمن مديرية الأمن العام في الأردن، مع التركيز على نتائج هذا الدمج في إدارة الأزمات على المستويين الاستراتيجي والعملياتي. وباستخدام عينة قصدية مكوّنة من 530 مشاركًا، تستعرض الدراسة الخصائص الديموغرافية وتفضيلات اتخاذ القرار والتفاعل بين المنهجين العقلاني والبديهي لدى أفراد الأمن العام، أظهرت النتائج أن القوة العاملة تتكوّن في الغالب من شباب متعلمين من الذكور، ما يدفع إلى تساؤلات مهمة حول شمولية وتمثيل مختلف الفئات في عمليات اتخاذ القرار. وقد بيّن المشاركون تفضيلًا ملحوظًا لاتخاذ القرار العقلاني، غير أن الدراسة تؤكد وجود مشهد مركّب لاتخاذ القرار يدمج بين العقلانية والحدس، وقد …

Career Pathways Program Annual Report For Ay 2024/25, Wie Yusuf

Career Pathways

Career Pathways launched in August 2017 as the university-wide initiative to provide professional development to graduate students. It encompasses both the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) and the Preparing Future Professionals (PFP) Certificates. The Preparing Future Faculty Certificate was established in 2007, while the Preparing Future Professionals Certificate was launched in 2017, concurrently with the introduction of Career Pathways. The Career Pathways program prepares graduate students for a successful transition into thriving careers. With the PFP Certificate, specifically, the emphasis has been on filling the existing gap in career and professional development for master’s students and doctoral students with career plans …

Fostering Innovation At Work: Leadership Strategies For Motivating Innovative Work Behavior Across Generations Within The Christian Higher Education Environment, Sarah Clark

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

Project Type

Organizational Consulting Project, Organizational Design or Change, Seminar or Workshop

Project Overview

This capstone project involved the design, facilitation, and evaluation of a strategic leadership workshop developed for mid to senior-level enrollment leaders at Southeastern University. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Innovative Work Behavior (IWB), and Transformational Leadership, the workshop offered a diagnostic and developmental experience designed to motivate innovation across generational teams within a Christian higher education setting. The workshop was structured to transition from research-based theory to data-informed strategy, helping leaders translate organizational insights into actionable plans.

Project Themes

Core themes included intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, …

The Career Breaking Point: Mid-Career Women’S Perceptions Of Organizational Communication And Their Career Disruptions, Laura Nicole Miller, Karen Mccullough

Applied Business Faculty Publications

When women in leadership experience career disruptions, they and their organizations lose. Companies forfeit experienced, mission-aligned talent, while women face instability and professional setbacks. This qualitative study offers a diagnostic foundation for understanding how organizational communication contributes to these disruptions. Guided by the cultural approach to organizations and using a constructivist grounded theory methodology, the study draws on semi-structured interviews with 14 mid-career women who experienced career interruptions. Findings identify three interrelated communication-related factors: mission-driven overwork, gaslighting, and value incongruence. Rather than prescribing solutions, the study centers on women’s lived experiences to highlight the communication patterns they perceive as harmful. …

Resilience: Panacea, Trend, Or Deception? The Significance And Application Of The Concept In Organizational Management, Aleksandra Spik

Studia i Materiały Wydział Zarządzania Uniwersytet Warszawski

Objective: The primary aim of this article is to analyse the significance and application of the concept of resilience within management sciences, to identify factors contributing to high organizational resilience, and to examine a case study of the Aksam company. Additionally, anathe article seeks to highlight the limitations of the conceptual construct of resilience and the negative aspects associated with the phenomenon of resilience.

Methodology: A systematic review method was employed to analyse selected articles, alongside a case study analysis and a descriptive method, which facilitated the presentation of the origins and development of the concept of resilience. …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Black Women Leaders In U.S. Higher Education Institutions: Challenges And Opportunities, Jacqueline S. Haire

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of Black women leaders in U.S. higher education institutions from the lens of Black feminist theory and intersectionality and to provide implications for HRD research and practice. Given the limited empirical research on Black women leaders in higher education and the existing gap in the literature regarding their experiences, this study aimed to understand the challenges and opportunities that Black women leaders encounter in U.S. higher education institutions.

Using a basic qualitative research design (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016), I conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 Black women leaders holding executive …

Evaluation Of Social Worker Knowledge Of Human Trafficking At The Oregon State Hospital: A Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis Of Education, Training, And Victim Identification, Jamie Sue Pryde

Dissertations and Theses

The prevalence of human trafficking continues to increase worldwide, and the implementation of human trafficking education and victim identification within institutions is slow to catch up. The Oregon State Hospital is a psychiatric in-patient hospital that currently does not provide human trafficking education or a screening tool for staff and does not know how to provide treatment to trafficked victims. Interviews were conducted with employed social workers at the Oregon State Hospital to obtain a baseline understanding of their previous education, training, and knowledge of human trafficking to aid in the creation of a trafficking screening tool. Results indicate participants …

Building A Sustainable System: Reimagining Nonprofit Leadership Through Critical And Creative Thinking, Darius Tafadzwa Shenje Peyton

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

This synthesis introduces the Critical and Creative Thinking Leadership Toolbox (CCTLT), a practitioner-oriented framework designed to support nonprofit leaders navigating staff engagement, organizational complexity, and long-term sustainability. Drawing on lived experience, scholarly literature, and graduate coursework in the Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) program, the project challenges traditional leadership models that treat employee buy-in as a binary status or compliance metric. Instead, it reframes buy-in as a dynamic spectrum shaped by trust, clarity, psychological safety, and reciprocal accountability. The work critiques unsustainable leadership practices common in mission-driven organizations and offers an actionable alternative grounded in reflection, systems awareness, and dialogic …