Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Servant Leadership And The Non-Profit Sector, Bruce Kranig

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nonprofit enterprises have played a significant role in society, providing many services to meet a wide spectrum of human needs. Like for-profit and public sector organizations, nonprofit organizations are faced with increased scrutiny of their current way of doing business. Stakeholders are demanding better efficiency and effectiveness from nonprofit organizations. The means to reduce waste in the current ways of doing business, if not led well and done right, will undoubtedly produce a greater waste. At risk is the sustainability of the organizations and the role their programs play in society.

The struggle facing the nonprofit sector and the challenges …

Women Artists And Leadership, Vicki C. Macnabb

Theses and Graduate Projects

Art is a human endeavor with complex associations to the spiritual, social, economic and political realms of societies throughout the ages. From the cave painting of ancient cultures through the artworks housed and guarded within institutional walls, the products of artists mirror the evolution of human imagination and chronicle the assignment of value and importance as determined by hegemonic interests. For centuries, the patriarchal hegemony disallowed the contributions of women artists, normalizing the point of view that their contributions were inconsequential to the history of art and to the movements that heralded each new breakthrough in vision.

The civil rights …

Exploring The Leadership Of General Pervez Musharraf Of Pakistan, Mahmood Javaid Rana

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper is a study of the leadership style and qualities of General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan who took power on October 12,1999. The research is a historical study using data from archives, autobiography, government reports, mass media, and my own expertise as a native Pakistani. While the central theme is to analyze General Musharraf's leadership style, the four questions guiding this work are:

1) What are the demonstrated characteristics of General Pervez Musharraf's leadership?

2) can General Musharraf be described as an authentic leader?

3) What is General Pervez Musharraf's role in the global war on terror?

4) …

Variables Related To Social Service And Justice Advocacy Activities In Minneapolis Area Synod Congregations Of The Evangelical Lutheran Church In America, Mary Simonson Clark

Theses and Graduate Projects

This thesis reports on the initial phase of research regarding the variables related to social service and justice advocacy activities of congregations in the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. An extensive review of literature from a variety of disciplines and resources provides the basis for this study. Theoretical frameworks pertinent to this work include resource mobilization, ecological systems, and social justice theories as well as the contextual framework of Lutheranism's Christian beliefs. In addition to congregations' demographic and belief variables, the literature emphasizes relational community organizing to develop awareness among groups from the dominant culture …

Congregational Care And Support Of Pastors In Parish Ministry: A Social Systems Approach To The Care Of Servant Leaders, Dawn M. Nelson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Congregational care and support of pastors in parish ministry is rarely considered. While there is literature regarding clergy stress, burnout, and satisfaction; studies were not located regarding the active role of congregations in the care and support of the parish pastor.

The church is a social system and can be studied as such. Information was obtained from church communities that are members of the Presbyterian Church USA, in Minnesota. The study will explore pastoral perceptions as well as congregational perceptions to determine understanding and involvement of the congregation in the provision of pastoral care and support. The results of the …

Perceptions Of Educators And Paraprofessionals In A Collaborative K-2 Team, Kristin L. Buckner

Theses and Graduate Projects

This phenomenological analysis investigates the experiences and perceptions of paraprofessionals, special educators, and general educators working in a collaborative K-2 team. The study was conducted by researching related literature published between the years of 1998 and 2006, conducting surveys and personal interviews with paraprofessionals, special and general educators, and by examining specific state, district, and building criteria for paraprofessionals. Three objectives of the study were to: (a) clarify educators' perceptions of paraprofessionals' roles, preparation, and performance, (b) compare those perceptions to self-reports of paraprofessionals, and (c) examine the nature and characteristics of educator-paraprofessional relationships. The analysis of data revealed three …

Investigation Of Gender And Upward Mobility Within Institutions, John Stadler

Theses and Graduate Projects

This thesis explores the impact of gender on upward mobility within both nonprofit and for-profit institutions selected from the Minnesota Book of Lists. The emphasis of the study is on women and leadership, and on the factors that influence upward mobility. The study seeks to identify ways in which institutions provide methods to promote upward mobility for women and to discover the ways in which women are limited in their ability to attain leadership positions. The research conducted within this study suggests that there is no adverse connection between gender and the ability to access leadership positions. Instead, the research …

Use Of Superleadership And Talent Management By Administrator Leaders In Institutions Of Higher Education, Kelly L. Anders

Theses and Graduate Projects

Employee turnover is costly to organizations. Leadership and career development opportunities can be instrumental in retaining employees. This exploratory, qualitative study uses content analysis to explore the practices and perceptions of administrator leaders who work in public, non-profit institutions of higher education in terms of the development of the self-leadership skills and talents of their employees, and whether the theory of SuperLeadership and the practice of talent management are used by the administrator leaders in this study. After interviewing eleven administrator leaders, the following three themes emerged about their practices and perceptions of developing and retaining their staff: 1) demonstrating …

Purposeful Mentoring And Healthcare, Joyce Schmidt Dehmer

Theses and Graduate Projects

Mentoring is not a new concept to leadership. It is as old as civilization. It is a transfer of wisdom through the mentoring relationship. Healthcare organizations have recognized and supported the need for mentoring relationships. Mentors possess a combination of attributes that others are compelled to want to follow or work with. Mentors have a keen interest in sharing, guiding and helping others develop. Mentoring may take place formally or informally. A structured useful type of mentoring is purposeful mentoring. Purposeful mentoring in healthcare has an agreed upon purpose between a mentor and mentee. The goal of the relationship is …

A Study Of Hiv Case Management Services Provided To People With A Triple Diagnosis Of Hiv, Mental Illness, And Chemical Dependency, Ericka Lynn Kimball

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory study researched the case management services provided to people with a triple diagnosis of HIV, mental illness, and chemical dependency. Data were gathered to determine what services were being provided and areas for improvement, Information was gathered from HIV case management survey providers and the Minnesota Department of Human Services HIV/AIDS Division. The study found that services were being provided to people with a triple diagnosis. However, case management services need to move from assessment practices to providing referral and follow up services. The social work profession needs to continue to advocate for this unique population while increasing …

Employee Resource Groups: A Proposed Model For Employee And Employer Success, Anna Christine Ronovde

Theses and Graduate Projects

Many Fortune 100 companies have established employee resource groups in recent years as a diversity and human resources initiative. Because these groups are designed to provide support and mentoring opportunities for women and minority employees, they are often part of an organization's diversity program. Thus, workplace diversity and mentoring programs were a main focus of my research. A deeper understanding of these groups and what potential benefits they can offer are needed in order to ensure they are as effective and successful as possible. I found that employee resource groups can be a highly beneficial addition to an organization, positively …

The Positive Effect Of Team Management In An Inbound Call Center, Nancy Bernard

Theses and Graduate Projects

The research proposes to investigate if using team management and self-directed work teams or SDWTs in an Inbound Call Center can be implemented. Would a self-directed team work in the confines of an Inbound Call Center? Could converting to a SDWT environment also foster a positive work environment? The goal of this research project is to test the positive and direct correlation of creating a SDWT environment using team management theory within the structure of an Inbound Call Center that successfully meets all quality measures while maintaining a positive work environment. Using a self-directed work team in an Inbound Call …

First Line Supervisor Training, Diane L. Lind

Theses and Graduate Projects

Review of training opportunities for newly appointed leaders in the field of Public Safety Communications revealed a gap in current training opportunities for newly appointed 9-1-1 leaders. This Leadership Application Project addresses the need for new supervisors to gain both an educational understanding of the leadership skills necessary for success well as address some of the technical knowledge which is unique to public safety dispatching. The project is designed in short blocks which can be presented in a breakfast or lunch seminar type setting . Each topic is designed to introduce the new supervisor to a specific aspect of leadership. …