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Full-Text Articles in Leadership Studies

The Birth Order Effect: The Impact Of Familial Position On The Development Of Communication Style, Janis M. Carmichael Feb 2015

The Birth Order Effect: The Impact Of Familial Position On The Development Of Communication Style, Janis M. Carmichael

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Is there a connection between birth order and communication? The answer to this question has been sought after by researchers and theorists for decades. Yet documenting incontrovertible proof of the birth order effect remains elusive. Results of birth order research vary widely depending on the focus of the study. In many instances, results vary because of differences in research approach and methods used to measure data. This research study was conducted to examine the effect ofbirth order on the development of communication preference. The premise of the study is that birth order has a measurable effect on communication efficacy within …


Always On: Perceptions Of Solitude In A Technology Dependent Culture, Jamie Anne Perkins Jan 2015

Always On: Perceptions Of Solitude In A Technology Dependent Culture, Jamie Anne Perkins

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Computer mediated forms of communication are a common way to engage with other people. As technology continues to advance, it is important to understand the impact electronic forms of communication have on social behavior. Over time users have become dependent on technology and all the conveniences it brings to their lives. The goal of this study is to evaluate the ways different age groups perceive solitude through their use of technology. The study is based on Media Richness and Social Presence communication theories, as well as the social philosophies of Absent Presence and Alone Together. Absent Presence (Gergen, 2002) centers …


An Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of A Corporate Website/Social Media Effort To Inform And Recruit Job Applicants, Laura Michelle Tylka Jan 2015

An Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of A Corporate Website/Social Media Effort To Inform And Recruit Job Applicants, Laura Michelle Tylka

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study is to specifically look into one businesses website and online efforts to engage potential new hires in providing them with valuable company information. The research questions focused on how effective the company’s online advertisements were, as well as the interaction and involvement of the online advertisements. The researcher of this study utilized communication theories based on Todd Gitlin’s media torrent theory of oversaturation and Joseph Walther’s social information processing theory to conduct research. To conduct the research a survey was given to 20 prospective job seekers and five face-to-face interviews were conducted. The participation in …


Cracking The Code Of Silence In African American Communities, Jerry Lamar Askin Jan 2015

Cracking The Code Of Silence In African American Communities, Jerry Lamar Askin

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The use of a code of silence continues to serve as a major communication barrier, specifically in African American communities. This well-known no-snitching rule, blocks law enforcement officers from getting the information they need to solve cases in African American communities. This thesis looks into the effects of the silent dialogue through the Communication Privacy Management Theory and the Social Identity Theory in an effort to better understand and identify factors that lead to police distrust, communication gaps, and uneasiness among people in high-crime African American communities. The increasing media reports of African American young men (who are seemingly innocent) …


The Role Of Interpersonal Communication In Multiracial Congregations Of The United Methodist Church, Celeste Eubanks Jan 2015

The Role Of Interpersonal Communication In Multiracial Congregations Of The United Methodist Church, Celeste Eubanks

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

As the racial make-up of the population in the United States has changed over the last 20 years, the racial make-up of The United Methodist Church has remained the same – 90% non-Hispanic white. As a result, the denomination has struggled with attracting members of other ethnicities, in turn resulting in a decline in overall membership. Recognizing that the future of the church is dependent upon diversifying its congregations, The United Methodist Church is now focusing its efforts on developing and growing multiracial congregations. In order to build and sustain these multiracial congregations, the church must figure out how to …


It's Not My Story To Tell: A Study Of Disclosure In An All Female Group, Amanda Lynn Baggett Jan 2015

It's Not My Story To Tell: A Study Of Disclosure In An All Female Group, Amanda Lynn Baggett

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis examined how women who share membership in a close social group use communication to manage the private information of other members of the group. Carol Gilligan’s work in In A Different Voice introduces a moral development theory that women’s ethics are defined by their need for human connection and caring. Communication Management theory was used as an interpretive lens to examine the decisions and behaviors behind a member’s choice to disclose or not disclose the personal information about another member. Research to determine whether the existence of an established group influenced the decision to share or not share …


A Comparative Study: Intercultural Communication Experiences Of Students Attending Two-Year Versus Four-Year Universities, Sheryl L. Skibba Jan 2015

A Comparative Study: Intercultural Communication Experiences Of Students Attending Two-Year Versus Four-Year Universities, Sheryl L. Skibba

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis assumes that there are some prevalent differences in the intercultural communication experience of both those with a native English speaking background (NESB) and non-native (N-NESB) English speakers associated with campus and community size. This research attempts to unite the communication experiences of international students attending small 2-year campuses within the US, more specifically in southern Wisconsin, with those of undergraduate and graduate students attending 4-year universities of signif icantly larger size. Each student has the right to expect a quality education that minimizes communication misunderstandings due to perceived language deficits, and this is achievable when instructors, staff, and …


The Influence Of Social Media Technology On Generation Iy's Ability To Communicate Face To Face In Their Academic Careers, James Howard Henry Jan 2015

The Influence Of Social Media Technology On Generation Iy's Ability To Communicate Face To Face In Their Academic Careers, James Howard Henry

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis investigates how Generation iY students perceive that social media and / or texting technology has influenced their ability to track and comprehend the subtleties of face-toface communication within an academic setting. Generation iY is defined as those born between the years 1982 to 2004. Also involved in this study are members of the faculty and staff that teach Generation iY. The theories being applied and examined in this study include, Postman’s Technology Ecology, McLuhan’s Media Ecology, and Ong’s Orality and Literacy. These theories while addressing different aspects of technological change, all agree that the change is all encompassing …


Challenges To Increasing Usage Of New Technology In An Aging Workforce, Leslie Ann Yuenger Jan 2015

Challenges To Increasing Usage Of New Technology In An Aging Workforce, Leslie Ann Yuenger

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Explanatory qualitative research has primarily focused on resistance to information and communication technologies (ICT) due to age of the user, computerphobia, lack of trust in computer usage, socio-economic barriers, organizational politics, and non-alphabetical language. Global organizations are utilizing ICT as their primary means of communicating with their workforce. Human communication has evolved as man has evolved and in today’s world communication is via multiple mediums. Verbal, Face-to-Face, non-verbal, written and electronic communications may all take place between one pair of individuals and their circle of friends, family and total strangers. Social Information Processing (SIP) theory by J. B. Walthers was …


Encouragement Through Community: An Ethnographic Study Of Team B, Lexi Nicole Reeves Jan 2015

Encouragement Through Community: An Ethnographic Study Of Team B, Lexi Nicole Reeves

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

As the desire to achieve a healthier lifestyle is on the rise, many fitness organizations strategize to lure customers in through specific communicative tactics. Team B (name has been modified for confidentiality purposes) has become a leader in the fitness realm over the past two decades. This thesis explores the culture of Team B through an ethnographic study to reveal how the company functions differently from other similar organizations. The research conducted relies on a variety of methods including naturalistic inquiry, participant observation, surveying and interviewing. Additionally, the cultural approach to organizations as presented by Geertz and Pacanowsky (2012) helps …


Cmc, Communication Skills And The Millennial Generation, Carmelyn Daley-Hinkens Jan 2015

Cmc, Communication Skills And The Millennial Generation, Carmelyn Daley-Hinkens

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This qualitative, phenomenological study explored both the lived experiences of Millennial journalists’ preferred style of intra-organizational communication with stakeholders from other generations, and non-Millennial supervisors’ preferred styles of interpersonal communication in the workplace. The primary theoretical framework for this project was guided by Buber’s philosophy of dialogic ethics and Philipsen’s speech codes theory as both focus on better understanding how interlocutors speak to each other and form unique, lasting relationships. Data collection involved guided face-to-face or phone interviews with 10 Millennial journalists and 10 non-Millennial supervisors. Data analysis followed constant comparison analysis (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Five themes emerged from …


The Art Of Storytelling In Government Social Media Communication, Emily Ann Muhlbach Jan 2015

The Art Of Storytelling In Government Social Media Communication, Emily Ann Muhlbach

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Civic leaders serving in government bodies have a responsibility for communicating their actions and decisions to those they represent and serve. Good communication would have the ability to not only inform, but to build a shared sense of community and engagement through personal interaction. We know organizations can harness the power of storytelling, but how can civic organizations use social media and storytelling to build positive online engagement? Communication Dressionals working in civic government who want to connect more personally with their residents on Facebook should consider integrating storytelling techniques into their content – more photos, conversational language, and stories …


Chasing "Yes!", Tammy Marie Mccammon Jan 2015

Chasing "Yes!", Tammy Marie Mccammon

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

People do not begin their lives with the necessary language skills to assign meaning to words (Piaget, 2009). People assign meaning through experiences and culture to the words that they use (Whorf, 1956). Specifically for the purpose of this project, the meaning assigned to the word no is developed through experiences and interactions with others. This meaning can influence an individual’s ability to experience positive goal obtainment. This project focused on creating a curriculum called Chasing “Yes!” using communication theories in semiotics, social interactionism, and cognitive dissonance (Whorf, 1956, Mead, 1913, Blumer, 1969, Festinger, 1957). Chasing “Yes!” is a goal …


Hyperology: The Age Of Chimera, RóIsíN Lally Jan 2015

Hyperology: The Age Of Chimera, RóIsíN Lally

Leadership Studies Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.


Heuristics And Consumer Uncertainty: Sorting Through Online Reviews, Cory Catalano Jan 2015

Heuristics And Consumer Uncertainty: Sorting Through Online Reviews, Cory Catalano

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

As shopping online continues to grow in popularity and convenience, so does the way consumers communicate information about products they have purchased. Most online retailers utilize some form of product review system (PRS) and customers are often encouraged to leave feedback about the product and their online shopping experience. Often a product can have radically polarizing reviews making it confusing for consumers. Using Berger’s and Calabrese’s Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT) as well as Chaiken’s Heuristic-Systematic Model of Information Processing (HSM), this study looks to deduce what heuristic methods are the best for consumers who are looking to make informed decisions …


Organizational Uses Of Social Media For Internal Communication, Melanie Brooke Pannell Steel Jan 2015

Organizational Uses Of Social Media For Internal Communication, Melanie Brooke Pannell Steel

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The current study aims to investigate the use of social media by organizations for internal communications. Theoretical basis for the study is found in the organizational social capital, communities of learning, and social learning theory. Additional areas of research were consulted including current uses of social media for both personal and organizational use. Three research questions were presented: (1) To what extent are organizations utilizing social media tools to replace other internal communication channels, (2) Do employees prefer the utilization of specific social media tools in place of other internal communication channels, and (3) What is the impact on an …


Blended Family Dynamics And Its Impact On Behavioral Communication And Overall Success, Megan Salazar Jan 2015

Blended Family Dynamics And Its Impact On Behavioral Communication And Overall Success, Megan Salazar

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

With an average divorce rate of approximately 50 percent (Carter & McGoldrick, 2005), it is estimated that 20 percent of U.S. adolescents have at least one stepparent. Because family structure plays a large role in shaping both individual self-identity and the identity of the family unit as a whole, blended families differ from traditional families in terms of communication styles, behavioral outcomes, and several other factors. For the purposes of this paper, a blended family refers to one in which the household contains at least one stepparent, and a traditional family refers to one in which both biological parents are …


Assertiveness In Professional Women, Barbara Louise Kelley Jan 2015

Assertiveness In Professional Women, Barbara Louise Kelley

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis is grounded in the Expectancy Violations Theory, developed over several years by Burgoon and Hale (1988). This study explores the ways in which professional women communicate and behave assertively in their organizations – sometimes in violation of social expectations that women should be meek and compliant rather than assertive. This study was devised to answer the following questions: In the continuum of assertive traits, which traits and practices do professional, self-described assertive women particularly value and strive for? What reasons do they provide? What moments in their lives do these women see as turning points when they began …


Gatekeeping Social Media In Today's Newsrooms, Matthew A. Clark Jan 2015

Gatekeeping Social Media In Today's Newsrooms, Matthew A. Clark

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Social media has changed the face and function of today’s traditional newsrooms. But, more than that, social media has changed how editors and reporters report the news and, perhaps more importantly, control the flow of information via social media channels. Because social media has sped up the news gathering process, the way news and information in controlled from newsrooms to the general public and vice versa has changed. This study examined seven news professionals ranging in title and duty and asked how big of a part social media played in their day-to-day professional lives and how their respective news outlets …


Veterans And Reintegration Issues Looking Specifically At Society, Employment, Schooling, Ptsd And Veterans’ Organizations, Kerri Zelenak Jan 2015

Veterans And Reintegration Issues Looking Specifically At Society, Employment, Schooling, Ptsd And Veterans’ Organizations, Kerri Zelenak

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

If the veteran is lucky enough to ask for help, or help somehow finds them, then transitioning back into civilian life can be much smoother and tolerable; however, if a veteran is not so lucky, transitioning back into civilian life can be rough, confl1sing, and isolating. Trust issues between the veteran and the civilian is low making it hard for a veteran to seek the help they need in order to exist in civilian life. While serving every soldier is taken care of-everything they need is provided. Once entering civilian life, the soldier is left to fend for himself or …


Ethical Considerations For Digital Manipulation Of Sports Photography, Jeffrey A. Garrison Jan 2015

Ethical Considerations For Digital Manipulation Of Sports Photography, Jeffrey A. Garrison

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The idea that photos can be manipulated has been around nearly as long as the art itself. In the days of the darkroom photos were burned, dodged, cropped and even spliced together to create a desired image. Today photos are taken digitally and easily manipulated through the use of computer software programs like Adobe Photoshop. This ease of manipulation brings ethical considerations into question more than ever as photographers and photo editors can now manipulated an image in ways that not only change the message of the photo, but can also alter the reality the photo once represented at the …


Internet Slang And High School Students: A Teacher’S Perspective, Thomas W. Fish Jan 2015

Internet Slang And High School Students: A Teacher’S Perspective, Thomas W. Fish

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study analyzed the perceptions of secondary education teachers on the use of Internet Slang by their high school students. The researcher analyzed educators’ perceptions in order to answer what teachers’ thoughts were on the use of Internet Slang being introduced into secondary education academic assignments. Additionally, were there negative or positive effects from the use of Internet Slang via texting, social media, and messaging on the writing skills of students? A literature review and a qualitative applied research approach with the use of document analysis via an open-ended survey were the methods for this study. This assisted the researcher …


Relationship Management On Facebook: Male College Students, Kathleen M. Aikin Jan 2015

Relationship Management On Facebook: Male College Students, Kathleen M. Aikin

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Facebook as a social media technology is prominent in a variety of scenarios, including interpersonal relationship management. There have been numerous studies on how social dynamics are informed by social media, especially in regards to young adults. Within this group, female social dynamics have garnered much attention; however, there is a dearth of research, which explicitly examines how males utilize the technology. Thus, this study collected data via an online survey of college students that examined various aspects of online interpersonal relationship dynamics. The theoretical framework of this study was based on Petronio’s (1991) communication privacy management theory, Baxter and …


The Use Of Social Media By Student Activists In Immigration Reform, Adrian Reyes Jan 2015

The Use Of Social Media By Student Activists In Immigration Reform, Adrian Reyes

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis examined the use of social media by student activists wanting to enact change in our society and specifically around the topic of immigration reform. Coordinated Management of Meaning Theory (CMM) was utilized to interpret the results of online interactions with those that are considered activists in the immigration reform movement. Research has shown that collectively we create our reality based on events and objects of our social world (Pearce & Cronen, 2006). Further, we also can see that humans create reality through interaction (Allen, 2005). The research conducted consisted of seven one-on-one interviews with current under-grad and graduate …


Promoting Transformation In Listeners Through The Utilization Of Strategic Public Speaking, Shawn Vanover Jan 2015

Promoting Transformation In Listeners Through The Utilization Of Strategic Public Speaking, Shawn Vanover

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis identifies how transformational speakers, through the art of public speaking, are able to communicate in a way that enables transformation within the listener. Public speaking is essential for influencing an audience; therefore it is imperative to explore and identify the most effective communication strategies and techniques for delivering transformational speeches to empower and deeply impact listeners. The thesis analyzes Steve Jobs’s 2005 Stanford Commencement speech to understand how transformational leaders deliver transformational speeches to a given audience, and to further study how speakers utilize the social penetration theory to build a connection with the audience to create a …


The Silent Dimension Of A Healthcare Narrative: How Patients Perceive Practitioners’ Nonverbal Cues, Sarah Steele Jan 2015

The Silent Dimension Of A Healthcare Narrative: How Patients Perceive Practitioners’ Nonverbal Cues, Sarah Steele

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study examines patient perceptions of medical practitioners’ nonverbal behavior. The philosophical framework is based on Buber’s (1923/1958) work on “dialogic ethics,” and grounded in Giles’ (1987) communication accommodation theory. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered by means of survey research, and examined through correlational and content analysis. Results show a significant positive correlation between patient perceptions of practitioner nonverbal immediacy and subsequent satisfaction. Analysis of survey comments revealed listening as the nonverbal behavior most valued and noted by patients. These findings serve to inform medical professionals on how to maximize patient satisfaction and care through effective use of …


Gender Matters: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Media Coverage And Images Of Female Politicians, Katherine Virginia Ross Dec 2014

Gender Matters: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Media Coverage And Images Of Female Politicians, Katherine Virginia Ross

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The representation of women in media, specifically the way in which political women are represented in news coverage, can have a significant impact on how consumers view political women. This study analyzed the online newspaper articles and images of two women who are active in politics, Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton. While there are many women in the political arena, these two are perhaps the most well-known. This study is grounded in the theory of framing, and also applies Tuchman’s (1978) theory of symbolic annihilation. This study used coding, image analysis, and critical discourse analysis to attempt to uncover gendered …


Cultural Concept: Is Silence Golden?, Jessica Mico-Wentworth Dec 2014

Cultural Concept: Is Silence Golden?, Jessica Mico-Wentworth

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This research examined how some of the graduate students and instructors from a small western university interpreted the meaning of online silence and how this concept affected their overall online academic experience. This thesis used an organizational ethnographic study in which the graduate students and instructors formed subcultures in the overall online graduate program. The Cultural Approach to Organizations was used as the theoretical basis to discover the meanings attributed to this topic from the perspective of the members of this community. Previous research of this topic primarily focused on comparing online educational classes to face-to-face classrooms. These perspectives focused …


School Choice As Means Of Social Change, Derryce Howzell Dec 2014

School Choice As Means Of Social Change, Derryce Howzell

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Parents and politicians have debated the topic of school choice for more than 20 years. The argument has changed slightly while also allowing more options to families. Rather than require students to be subject to de facto segregation, school choice offers the opportunity for students to interact with a more diverse population of students. As students interact with other students of diverse background they develop a better understanding of the world. Research suggests these students are also more likely to attend higher education and ultimately upgrade their socio-economic class. These interactions coupled with access to greater resources allow minority students …


Effective And Ethical Sales Communication For Pharmaceutical Representatives, John Paul Recinto Dec 2014

Effective And Ethical Sales Communication For Pharmaceutical Representatives, John Paul Recinto

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

There are so many different communication styles utilized by pharmaceutical sales representatives. This thesis handles the quandary of whether those communication styles are not only effective among the interactions with medical providers, but whether those effective means of communicating are embedded with ethical communication as well. The theory of symbolic interactionism and the philosophical basis of persuasive speech expound on the methodology pharmaceutical sales representatives implement with the people he or she encounters. Medical providers also need to perceive that their encounters with pharmaceutical sales representatives are congruently effective and ethical interactions, which is revealed by qualitative research methods in …