9814 research outputs found
Sort by
The Impact of Attribution Theory on Information Technology Professionals’ Perceptions of Glass Ceilings
Get PDFAs of 2021, women comprised almost half of the United States workforce, nearly 47%. Despite this, women represent only 24% of top earning officers and only 6% of chief executive officer positions. Glass ceilings are a phenomenon that represent an invisible barrier that prevents professional advancement for minority populations, including women, in business. Glass ceilings can impact several minority groups, but mostly appear to be a distinctive gender phenomenon. The challenges for women are well documented, but less understood are the attributional causes of glass ceilings as perceived by information technology (IT) professionals. The framework for this dissertation is the attribution theory, which explains how glass-ceiling viewpoints are formed by gender using mental and cognitive observations. The Career Pathways Survey (CPS), designed to examine employees’ views on the causes of glass ceilings, was the measurement tool used. The first purpose of this dissertation was to analyze the differences of gender perceptions about which CPS subscale was most strongly associated with glass-ceiling beliefs for professionals in the IT sector. A secondary purpose was to understand the associations between the CPS subscales and the demographic variables in the study. Discriminant analysis findings support external attributional views for both men and women in the IT industry. The findings also show a positive relationship between CPS subscales and the demographic variables examined. The findings from this dissertation should encourage U.S. corporations to increase their investment in the development and advancement of female IT professionals, strengthening corporate cultures and promoting inclusion and diversity in leadership roles
Audit Report Timeliness in Local Governments: An Observation of North Carolina Governmental Units’ Response to State-Imposed Deadlines and Consequences
Get PDFTo provide citizens with transparent financial information regarding the health of their respective districts, local government unit leaders must furnish governmental audit reports in a timely manner. Further, for management to effectively implement auditor suggestions for improvements, leaders must have accessibility to timely audited information. Many governmental units in the state of North Carolina have demonstrated significant lags in reporting timeliness and often miss state-mandated deadlines. Therefore, this research utilized ordinary least-squares regression to estimate the effects the variables representing report message and managerial competency, accountability, and audit environment groups had on the time required for each unit to file its annual audit report with the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer. Logistic regression was also used to estimate the effects these groups of variables had on units that filed audit reports after the North Carolina state-mandated submission deadline compared to those that filed on-time. Data was collected from audited financial statements, auditor reports, and financial information reports for units throughout N.C. for the fiscal year 2021. Two variables, findings and single audit, were found to have significant influence on units failing to meet state-mandated deadlines. The variable findings was also found to have statistical influence on audit report submission delays by local government units
A Phenomonenological Study to Assess the Attributes of Military Veterans Transitioning Into Professional Teaching
Get PDFThis study was a phenomenological mixed methods research project that assessed the attributes of military veterans who enter the field of education as classroom teachers. The purpose of the study was to identify strengths that were acquired through military training and experience that transfer well into a career in teaching. The study also sought to identify transitional issues that were a challenge for military veterans transitioning into teaching. By better understanding these issues, leaders in education can better support these professionals as they attempt to retain them in the profession. Additionally, the research can serve as a tool for recruiting military veterans into teaching as they separate from military service. Quantitative data were gathered from 26 volunteers through an anonymous survey that assessed the perceived self-efficacy of military veterans as it related to their levels of comfort in different areas of teaching. Qualitative information was then gathered from 10 volunteers who participated in a virtual interview that asked veterans to reflect on the survey and make connections between their answers and the preparation they received through their experiences in the military. Despite some outlying responses, the survey indicated that military veterans felt a high level of comfort with all areas of teaching that were assessed on the survey. Additional correlations were made during the interviews attributing veteran success in the classroom to their experiences in the military due to high standards of professionalism, working with a diverse group of people, team building experience, serving as instructors, and leadership experience
Parental Engagement and Equitable Family Partnerships: Perspectives from Internal and External Stakeholders
Get PDFThis research study explored the critical topic of parental engagement and equitable family partnerships. The study aimed to provide holistic insight by uncovering internal and external stakeholders\u27 combined perceptions regarding equitable parental engagement to establish a protocol for individualized support. Purposeful sampling was used to select the study’s participants. Participants were categorized into two groups: internal stakeholders, who included teachers, social workers, and administrators; and external stakeholders, who included parents and guardians. Open-ended surveys and interviews were used to collect insight from internal and external stakeholders. The data were analyzed thematically and interpreted against Epstein et al.’s (2019) and Darling-Hammond’s (2010) theories. This research has important practical implications for promoting equitable family engagement, such as actively implementing outreach programs to engage families; providing parent education and support in the form of workshops, training, and resources; and leveraging technology for improved communication
Connecting Simulation-Based Learning and Quality Improvement Among Student Nurses to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections
Get PDFHospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) are a form of infection a patient acquired during hospitalization. Whether through the application or implementation of medical devices, performing bedside procedures, or non-adherence to following aseptic techniques, healthcare providers are responsible to ensure patients remain safe throughout the course of their inpatient treatment. Over the past 2 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has reported HAIs, specifically catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) have increased above pre-pandemic reported cases (CDC, 2021). These types of infections can lead to many factors that affect the patient and their family such as, “increased length of stay in care facilities, increased risk of mortality, and increased healthcare cost,” (Healthy People 2020, 2022, p. 4) among others. The need to prevent or greatly reduce the number of HAIs is important to the safety and outcome evaluation of the patients. Simulation-based learning (SBL) is a technique used in different industries to grow the knowledge and skill sets of its employees. Simulation-based learning can be a useful tool for nursing students to engage in learning, which is safe and effective, without compromising harm to the real patient. Simulation-based learning has become an important part of the nursing curriculum. As student nurses undergo simulation-based learning, they can practice repetition of skills such as hand hygiene, sterile technique, and patient education, to help increase their knowledge about HAI. Will providing a simulation based-learning model to first-year nursing students increase their awareness, knowledge, and self-related to catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)
Gardner-Webb Associate Professor Reflects on Life and Legacy of Rosalynn Carter
Get PDFToday, people all over the world are remembering the life of former first lady, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on Nov. 19. Gardner-Webb Associate Professor of Journalism and Communication Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon also reflected on her special relationship with Carter. Lemon, chair of the Gardner-Webb University Department of Communication, Art and Design, serves on the advisory board for the Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism Fellowship. (https://mentalhealthjournalism.org/)https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-newscenter-archive/3701/thumbnail.jp
Gardner-Webb Faculty Emeritus Sherman Parrish Passes Away
Get PDFClarence “Sherman” Parrish served Gardner- Webb for over three decades in the Department of Natural Sciences. He was known for his personal investment in students’ success, professional connections, willingness to serve his community, and a calm demeanor. Parrish passed away at age 85 on Aug. 6, 2023.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-newscenter-archive/3822/thumbnail.jp
What to Know Before Attending the First Concert in Gardner-Webb’s Brinkley Amphitheater
Get PDFThe first concert in the Brinkley Amphitheater is less than two weeks away. Fans are looking forward to an amazing night of music with 15-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Will Jones and Gardner-Webb student Lindy Bryson.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-newscenter-archive/3840/thumbnail.jp
Gardner-Webb President Dr. William Downs Elected Big South President
Get PDFThe Big South Conference Council of Chief Executive Officers unanimously approved the league’s Executive Committee for the next two academic years. With this action, Gardner-Webb University President Dr. William M. Downs has been elevated to Big South President for 2023-24 and 2024-25.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-newscenter-archive/3848/thumbnail.jp
Gardner-Webb Recognized 2023 Summer and Fall Graduates on Dec. 15
Get PDFGardner-Webb University celebrated the achievements of nearly 500 graduates on Dec. 15. The commencement ceremony was held at 9 a.m. in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Graduates who completed their degrees in the 2023 Summer and Fall semesters were honored. Scholastic awards were presented to online and traditional undergraduate students. Doctoral candidates received their hoods, and Gardner-Webb President Dr. William M. Downs conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees on all graduates.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-newscenter-archive/3854/thumbnail.jp