Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons^™

The Effect Of Major Organizational Policy On Employee Attitudes Toward Graduate Degrees, Frank R. Hughes

Theses and Dissertations

Leaders initiate policies not only to improve the success of their organizations, but to influence employee performance, whereby employee attitudes toward a policy objective can influence their resulting behaviors. One group of employees, Air Force officers, experienced a policy change in 2005 that discontinued the use of academic degrees as criteria for officer promotions. With this change, there is a concern that the number of Air Force officers with graduate degrees might decrease. In particular, senior leaders in the Civil Engineer (CE) officer career field are concerned that this policy change might reduce the number of officers available to fill …

An Evaluation Of How Organizational Culture Can Perpetuate A Formal Mentoring Relationship, Daniel J. Rieker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate how an organization's culture can have an effect on formal mentoring. Specifically, this thesis sought to determine if perceptions among gender, ethnicity, and organizational position differ for mentoring and organizational culture. Additionally, this thesis sought to determine if any correlations may exist between organizational culture and formal mentoring overall.

Influence Of Organizational Culture On The Relationship Between Psychological Contracts And Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Jennifer M. Carbajal

Theses and Dissertations

The issue of what antecedents of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and psychological contracts (PC) employees form with their organization has also been of interest as they have many implications on an employee's extra-role behavior, specifically OCBs. This research investigates the relationship between types of PCs (a) relational and (b) transactional and the propensity to perform (a) altruism and (b) compliance OCB. Furthermore, the influence of organizational culture (OC) dimensions (a) internal orientation and (b) external orientation on this relationship was explored. The results show that transactional PCs were negatively related to both dimensions of OCB. Relational PCs were positively related …

Evaluating Support Services For African American Females At A Historically Black College, Sabrina Ferguson Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effectiveness of the Women’s Resources Assistance Program (WRAP), a support service for African American females attending a historically black college or university (HBCU). The study included 230 participants. The purpose of the study was to gauge, through the use of surveys, each participant’s knowledge and level of participation in the WRAP.

The participants were issued questionnaires and interview forms to complete during the study. The questionnaires contained 11 closed-ended questions that were designed to determine the participating students’ attitude towards WRAP as well as their level of participation. Similarly, oral interviews were conducted to ascertain the …

Interaction Between The Process Used To Introduce Change And The Personality Of Organizational Members: An International Test, Terry W. Riddle Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Organizations introduce change to strengthen organizational performance and improve effectiveness. Drawing from literature in the areas of organizational change and personality characteristics, this study seeks to uncover the influence personality has on an individual's readiness for change. Data were utilized from two previous studies that sampled both an American organization and a Korean organization. The administered questionnaires captured data pertaining to the individuals' perceptions of the change process, their personality attributes, and their readiness for change. Using a statistical method known as moderated multiple regression, the study examined whether personality moderates the impact the change process has on an individual's …

Initiating An Entrepreneurial Mindset In The Department Of Defense (Dod): Testing A Comprehensive Model, Gretchen R. Rhoads

Theses and Dissertations

Transformation will become vital as senior military leaders prepare to fight tomorrow's battles. The pervasiveness of the entrepreneurial mind set within Department of Defense (DoD) organizations and the ability of senior leaders to foster that mind set will be vital. This research effort tested an integrated model of the entrepreneurial mind set and produced a framework that senior leaders can implement to ignite their organizations' innovative potential and ability to transform. The research used a questionnaire to gather data regarding three entrepreneurial mind set antecedents -- individual characteristics, process, and context -- to determine the level of influence each has …

Group Performance In Military Scenarios Under Deceptive Conditions, Michael C. Hass

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to investigate how changes in modality (communication type) and external conditioning (warnings of player deception) relate to perceptions of deception and task difficulty and in turn how these perceptions relate to the final group game scores in a cooperative effort with conflicting goals. One hundred and eight participants were grouped into teams of three, given similar instructions but different goals, and asked to play a cooperative game called StrikeCOM that mimics the intelligence gathering needed to develop an air tasking order and subsequent air strike on three military targets. The analysis of the post-game …

Military Deployments As A Respite From Burnout: An Analysis Of Gender And Family, Trevor T. Sthultz

Theses and Dissertations

To explore to possible respite effects of deployments, active duty Air Force acquisition support personnel who were either scheduled to deploy (n=74), or recently returned from deployment (n=34) were surveyed. Analysis of variance compared the pre-deployment male's and female's perceived levels of burnout, emotional exhaustion, role ambiguity, role conflict, self-efficacy, organizational commitment, contingent rewards, operating conditions, co-worker satisfaction, and overall job satisfaction. The same analysis was conducted dividing the pre- and post-deployment groups by whether or not they had children. Several of the findings were as hypothesized. Specifically, post-deployment females reported lower scores for emotional exhaustion, role ambiguity, organizational commitment, …

Entrepreneurial Mindset In Department Of Defense (Dod) Organizations: Antecedents And Outcomes, Christopher C. Wood

Theses and Dissertations

Department of Defense (DoD) and Air Force senior leaders have called for transforming the way the military conducts business. One way to achieve this transformation is by promoting a more entrepreneurial approach. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent an entrepreneurial mindset exists in DoD organizations and to identify key antecedents and outcomes associated with this mindset. The study participants were seven Air Force organizations, most of which were located on Air Force Bases in the United States. An electronic survey was used to gather data from members of these innovative DoD organizations. Descriptive statistics and …

Developing Team Cohesion: A Quasi-Field Experiment, John F. Costello

Theses and Dissertations

Within military organizations, research findings have lent support to the positive influence cohesion has on group performance in combat and non-combat areas, Beyond performance, research findings show that cohesion influences the job satisfaction, and health of military members, particularly under highly stressful conditions, such as those encountered in combat or extended deployments. The purpose of this research effort is to further analyze the strategies that should be used to develop cohesiveness among Air Force members. This was done by testing the extent to which cohesion changed when familiarization and challenging situations were coupled in a technical training course geared towards …

Participation's Effect On Organizational Readiness For Change: An Empirical Study, Jonathon F. Flanders

Theses and Dissertations

Organizational change management is a principal issue in virtually every organization. This cross sectional correlation study examined an array of variables (i.e., process, personality, and context -specific) that influence organizational readiness for change. Participation (process variable) was related to higher mean scores in each of the four distinct readiness for change scales and explained a significant amount of incremental variance in appropriateness, valence, and efficacy.

Assessing Organization Culture Readiness For Knowledge Management Implementation: The Case Of Aeronautical Systems Center Directorate Of Contracting, Martin R. Trent

Theses and Dissertations

The DoD is currently pursuing a wholesale transformation that impacts all facets of DoD operations and responsibilities. At the same time, the commercial sector has been experiencing significant changes that drive them to look for new ways of remaining competitive and profitable. Leveraging knowledge (intellectual capital) to increase efficiency and effectiveness within the organization has become a popular management technique that has been successful in many commercial firms. The DoD has noted the commercial sector successes and initiatives to better manage knowledge are being developed and implemented on an enterprise-wide basis as well as on a local- organizational basis. Previous …

An Investigation Of Environmental Factors That Influence Knowledge Transfer In The Air Force, Darin A. Ladd

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force presently spends more than $4.9 billion annually on information technology (IT). However, the IT infrastructure has been identified as inappropriate for supporting the Air Force mission. To improve this situation the Air Force has identified infrastructure flexibility as key to future success. To find the level of flexibility, this study measured the perception of Air Force communications, computer, and information career field members (33SX and 3COX2 career fields) on the level of IT infrastructure modularity (data modularity and application modularity) and integration (platform compatibility and network connectivity). This thesis looked at two constructs that indicate IT infrastructure …

Organizational Design Of Most Efficient Organization Air Force Civil Engineer Operations Flights, Jeffrey A. Payne

Theses and Dissertations

This research explored how two MEO Operations Flights were structured and what type of operations management practices they were utilizing. The research involved performing site visits at the 17th Civil Engineer Squadron at Goodfellow AFB, and the 14th Civil Engineer Squadron at Columbus AFB. Data was collected through the use of the case study methodology in the form of interviews and organizational records. Data was organized to describe the two MEO's structures and management practices as well as compare the organizations to the Objective Operations Flight, the traditional Air Force Operations Flight. The data showed that both MEO's have taken …

Factors Affecting Perceptions Of Ethics Within Organizations: A Case Study Of Organizations Within Aeronautical Systems Center (Asc), David W. Carlson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis studied some of the factors that can be used to help predict perceptions of ethical climate within organizations. specifically, five organizations within Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) were analyzed by evaluating four years of cultural survey data. The factors that were studied were analyzed through the use of different statistical processes (to include a regression analysis) to order to determine if they could significantly predict the perceptions of the ethical climate of the five ASC organizations studied. The factors were also analyzed to determine how influential the significant factors were in predicting perceptions of the ethical climate of the …

Why Didn’T You Tell Me?: Toward Building A Model Of Why Information Is Not Shared Well In Organizations, Robert C. Kitchen

Theses and Dissertations

The effective use of information in an organization is vital to its success. One of the biggest investments being made today by companies is in their information infrastructures. However, with all of the resources being dedicated to improving information flows, evidence shows that organizations still do not share information as widely as they could or should be. Many studies have been conducted to learn the reasons why people in organizations do not share information as well as would be good. However, no study was found that reported the relative frequency of reported reasons for not sharing information. This paper gathers …

Student Assessment Selection Behavior Analysis Of Institutions Conducting Distance Education, Clayton W. Sammons

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discovers issues universities use when deciding what types of exams will be used for distance education students. Many universities conduct distance education courses electronically but do not conduct the evaluation instruments electronically. Universities across the country, diversified by academic rankings, tuition, and student population were interviewed. Results generally revealed security concerns as the most prevalent reason for universities avoiding electronic exams. However, some universities have created evaluation methods to mitigate the security risks and perform electronic assessments such as projects or exams that are tailored to reduce the possibility of cheating. Examples of the tailored exam questions include …

Group Decision Support Systems (Gdss) And Influence Modes: A Comparative Field Study Between Gdss Mediated Groups And Non-Gdss Mediated Groups, L. Grant Bridgewater

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effect of Group Decision Support System (GDSS) technology on perceived influence modes. The researcher measured perceived influence modes in two group treatments: GDSS groups and non-GDSS (N-GDSS) mediated groups. Actual groups in both treatments performed judgmental tasks of their own choosing. Group members then completed a survey which measured their perceptions regarding five influence sources: expert influence, influence from legitimate authority, referent influence, reward influence, and coercive influence. The survey also measured the extent to which members perceived an "opportunity to influence" other group members. For each variable measured in both treatment groups, mean scores were …

A Comparison Of The Decision Quality Of Group Decisions Made In A Face-To-Face Environment With Decisions Made Using A Distributed Group Decision Support System, Hope D. Cullen

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force is increasingly turning to a team approach for decision making. When team members are geographically separated it can be expensive for them to meet in a traditional face to face setting. Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS), designed to help groups make decisions, may be able to support these groups in a distributed mode. The assertion of this thesis is that a GDSS can indeed support such distributed processes and that these processes will be of higher quality than decisions made in a face to face environment. This study explores decision quality in terms of quality of the …

Ethical Issues In A Networked Environment, Kristen G. Sallberg

Theses and Dissertations

The research objective was to provide a preliminary understanding of how USAF computer users perceive the ethical considerations of computer networks and how the USAF is addressing ethical issues of networked environments. A survey was undertaken to explore questions of ethics in the use of information networks. The literature review explored issues of ethics in the private sector and USAF guidance regarding use of official government resources. The sample population consisted of military members stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Ohio. The responses regarding certain attitudes about behaviors and actions in a networked environment were consistent overall. A significant difference …

Organizational Support Of Internet Technology Infusion: An Exploratory Analysis, Anthony J. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis identifies managerial, organizational, and individual attributes which influence Internet technology infusion. Infusion can be defined as the incorporation of a technology into an organization's key processes. As infusion increases, the extended, integrative and emergent use of the technology increases, leading to increased leveraging of the technology. A survey was distributed to 1100 Air Force members throughout four Major Commands, divided into 600 officers and 500 enlisted. The analysis used Structural Equation Modeling to test models relating managerial, organizational and individual constructs as positive influences on infusion. Findings in the officer group indicate executive involvement and participation, policy, receptivity …

An Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of Online Peer Feedback At The United States Air Force Academy, Annette M. Driscoll

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the effectiveness of the Air Force Academy's Department of English local area network peer feedback system. Four main questions were examined. These questions explored a) whether students reported improvement in their writing, b) whether students reported that feedback is worthwhile, c) whether students reported that LAN sessions increase enjoyment of writing, and d) what types of feedback the students 1) received and 2) found most helpful. Three groups were studied. Forty-six students received feedback online, fifty students received feedback face to face, and thirty-three students did not receive feedback. Comparisons were made for the questions mentioned above …

Core Values: A History Of Values-Related Initiatives In The Air Force, Gregory J. Dierker

Theses and Dissertations

This research explored the historical Air Force values-related initiatives that have existed since its creation in 1947. The Air Force has long been interested in and conducted values-related initiatives, although sometimes with a different focus and objective than its preceding initiatives. This study specifically examines two of the assumptions made in the current Air Force Core Values initiative against the historic values-related initiatives to identify any differences that have occurred over time. The two assumptions specifically deal with the degree to which the initiatives emphasize character development, and secondly, the role the chaplain plays in these identified initiatives. Other attributes …

Whose Information Is It Anyway? An Argument For Information Stewardship, Trevor W. Plant

Theses and Dissertations

Information is an important resource for businesses and government, with information quality influencing decision quality, and highlighting our need to manage our information well: as a resource. Information Resource Management (IRM) has as its goal the management of information as a resource, but has not been implemented with the level of success expected. Problems with the implementation of IRM are indicated by the presence of redundant or inconsistent data, inability to share information across systems, and difficulty finding the information on systems. We propose that these difficulties are related to behaviours linked to perceived ownership of corporate information by organisational …

The Effects Of Managerial Succession On Air Force Members, Todd M. Young

Theses and Dissertations

Managerial succession causes disruption that impacts the incoming leader and members of the organization. Yet, surprisingly, there has been little research investigating the effects of succession on Air Force members. This study investigated four typical reactions to succession that seemed likely to be experienced by most employees. They included changes in: (1) member's attitudes about their job, (2) member's attitudes about their leader's behavior, (3) member's behavior on the job, and (4) the leader's behavior (as observed by the members). The mean responses of workers from organizations that had recently experienced succession (i.e., the supervisor has been in place for …

The Relationship Between Environmental Attitudes And Environmental Behaviors Among Air Force Members, Daniel T. Holt

Theses and Dissertations

A questionnaire was distributed to nearly 2,000 randomly selected active duty Air Force members assigned to locations throughout the continental United States. The survey was designed to determine the extent to which Air Force members expressed support for environmental issues. In addition, the survey measured how frequently Air Force members engaged in specific behaviors that were deemed environmentally protective. Although the Air Force members expressed relatively strong support for environmental issues, they only occasionally engaged in activities that contribute to the preservation or protection of the environment. Correlation analysis revealed that the pro-environmental attitudes were positively linked to the environmentally …

An Air Force Guide To Team Building, Roy M. Gozum

Theses and Dissertations

Team structures are used extensively in civilian, government, and military organizations to accomplish modem task demands that almost always exceed the capabilities of single individuals. As team structures became larger and more complex, managers realized the need for formal team building education. Team building programs serve to facilitate an environment for productive teamwork. However, despite the apparent importance of teams, most organizations overlook the implementation of formal team building programs. Therefore, the purpose of this research is two-fold. First, this thesis examines the evolution and importance of teams, and the subsequent need for the development of formal team building programs. …

A Preliminary Analysis Of The Theoretical Parameters Of Organizational Learning, Jeffery D. Loyd

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to develop an instrument capable of measuring the theoretical parameters of organizational learning that could be used as a diagnostic tool to measure an organization's learning potential. This goal was accomplished by developing a pilot questionnaire based on 27 potential learning parameters. The potential parameters of learning were extracted from the literature. A scale of behavioral statements was developed for each potential parameter. The pilot questionnaire was completed by 108 Air Force personnel in Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) graduate education programs. The results confirmed 85% of the original scales. Ten refined scales …

Identifying Situational Factors Contributing To Combat Performance During Desert Shield And Desert Storm, Gary E. Jandzinski

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research into morale, cohesion, and motivation as determinants of performance during combat concentrates primarily on front-line ground troops. This research focuses on determinants of high performance involving United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft maintenance personnel in rear-echelon contingency bases during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The significant amount of combat force projected from USAF contingency bases and the likely continued use of such force justifies analysis of determinants of performance for this environment. Basic situational factors (information, food, living conditions, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) activities, mail and phone service, and entertainment) are potentially influential in motivating maintenance personnel …

A Test Of The Theory Of Reasoned Action At The Group Level Of Analysis, Thomas A. Fitch, Edward A. Mccarty

Theses and Dissertations

A vast array of studies exist which have sought to explore the relationships between behavioral intentions, job satisfaction, turnover and performance at the individual level of analysis. Recent efforts to move to the group level of analysis have shown some promise, but few exist. The crux of the issue under consideration here was whether or not there was utility in treating attitude-intention-behavior linkages as group level phenomena. Both Schneider (1987) and George (1990' contend that, while individual analysis cannot be discounted as a means of understanding behavior, there is also value in examining group-level phenomena. The purpose of this study …