DTheses (Athabasca University)
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MAY SOON EMULATE PICASSO AND TOLKIEN - IS PORTER NEXT? AN OPTIMIZATION OF ORGANIZATION STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING WITH AI TECHNIQUES
Full text linkThis dissertation explores improving strategic decision-making, an intractable and often abstract type of optimization problem, via the application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. The latest AI techniques based on deep learning (DL) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) have powerful capabilities including generating stories ad Tolkien, art ad Picasso, and hold great promise against more complicated problem classes. However, it is still unclear as to how and how well, these techniques can help improve strategic decision-making. I propose several novel management models and approaches to deploy AI techniques as tools against the problem of organization strategy, account-for and mitigate trade-offs, and achieve more optimal outcomes. A combination of inductive, deductive and abductive reasoning approaches were employed to advance two sequential studies, with the results from the first informing the second.
Study one is a review of nearly 500 pieces of peer-reviewed literature, books, databases, empirical case studies and other sources from 1945 to 2025. A set of seven largely uncaptured trade-off dimensions exist, with relevance in both an organization strategy and computational context: accuracy, explainability, fairness, privacy, reliability, security, and speed; and, twenty-one pairwise trade-offs between them. These trade-offs persist despite the advent of several AI techniques examined herein, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Mixture of Experts (MoE) and GFlowNetworks (GFNs). AI techniques such as Language Models (LMs) and their requisite training also have not addressed important trade-offs such as accuracy vs. speed. Contributions to the literature and theory, include: 1) a comprehensive examination of AI techniques within broad organization strategy contexts spanning industries and functional areas, 2) explication and extensive exploration of trade-off dimensions and pairwise trade-offs between them that have relevance within both organization strategy and computational optimizations, 3) finding that these trade-off dimensions persist despite advancements in and performance of AI techniques, and 4) finding that different AI techniques are better suited for different problems/goals. Contributions to the practice, include: 1) a categorization of trade-offs by industry and functional area, a common way that strategists and consultants delineate their expertise and problem domains, and 2) a multi-level mapping that organizations can use to choose AI technique(s) for their specific problem/activity.
Study two takes the above, and developed and introduced several management models and approaches for improving strategic decision-making and outcomes through the deployment of AI techniques in these organization processes. Simulations were used to assess AI technique performance against different trade-offs, yielding the following results: RAG was the most effective technique, while LLMs had the widest applicability. Combinations of AI techniques, such as LLM+RAG, outperform individual techniques with respect to both colloquial attributes, e.g. parameters and cost, and the set of seven trade-off dimensions. MoE-based algorithmic architectures exhibit gains in the broadest set of desired outcomes while mitigating unfavourable trade-off dimensions. Contributions to the literature and theory, include: 1) a unifying multi-step approach to maximize fitness of a production function using the NK Model and strategic fit with computational resources, and 2) proposition that AI Technique is the most accurate way to refer to anything AI. Contributions to the practice, include: 1) a conversion from colloquial attributes such as number of parameters, to the set of seven trade-offs dimensions, and 2) a hybrid process of humans and AI techniques, that organizations can utilize to maximize outcomes while minimizing unintended trade-offs, modelled to improve the accuracy vs. speed trade-off.
This research study has the potential to enhance organization strategic decision-making and outcomes, via computational approaches such as AI techniques. Improving management models and processes to address issues that have thus far contributed to suboptimal outcomes, may lead to increased economic value to organizations, their stakeholders and customers, the economy, and society at large.2025-0
GENETIC ALGORITHMS OPTIMIZE IMAGES TO MEET BANDWIDTH CONSTRAINTS FOR A SENSOR NETWORK
No full textWireless Sensor Network (WSN) transmitting large amounts of data are constrained by bandwidth and the number of nodes in a system. This thesis demonstrates that WSNs can optimize images by using genetic algorithms in a closed-loop system to meet bandwidth constraints for a WSN. To meet prescribed bandwidths, genetic algorithms were designed to generate a solution set of optimal images based on compression and down-sample values. Multi-criteria decision Analysis (MCDA) was used to select a specific resultant image which meets prescribed bandwidths when transmitted over the network. A working system was modeled and simulated to host a central server and four drone nodes. The model was designed in a closed-loop configuration as drones navigate an operational area over various terrain types. Results from the simulation demonstrated the integrated genetic algorithms were able to calculate a solution set, select a unique solution, and transmit the image in real time for each drone at predefined rates to meet bandwidth requirements.2025-1
ADAPTING A WORKPLACE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE DESIGN WITH AGILE DESIGN THINKING TECHNIQUES
Full text linkThis study contributes to the scholarly research and literature in open educational resources (OER) by responding to gaps identified in the open education cycle in the Global South (Hodgkinson-Williams et al., 2017). It also addresses the needs of specialist librarians in some of the government and institutional libraries in the Anglophone Caribbean for self-access educational resources to deliver information skills training to mid-level civil servants. Open educational resources, an affordable readymade solution, depend on traditional publishing models that favour expert and trainer-centred perceptions of quality (Irvine et al., 2021) but weak learner centric adaptation frameworks. Learning experience with agile development (LEAD), a proactive learner-centred evaluation framework, offers librarian trainers and their trainees a leadership role in selecting and adapting an online OER tutorial. A pragmatic worldview underpinned the study’s multi-method strategy combining design ethnography (DE) and single evaluative case study (SECS) designs. The SECS replicated Fisher (2009) with modifications. Both methods use LEAD to leverage the combined strengths of two design thinking techniques, remote field visits (RFV) and remote moderated think aloud usability testing (RMTUT). Triangulation of data sources was used to collect and analyse data across two phases with a total of 20 participants. Field visits captured data through observation, interviews, and field notes, while usability tests used observation, participants comments, questionnaires, and interviews. Field visit data identified the emerging profiles of information mediator, programme specialist, and securities analyst as well as uncovered the need for a search plan among these profile groups. Usability tests uncovered issues of navigation and terminology, which made the learning experience difficult, but useful. Overall, findings confirm that LEAD allows for choosing the right intervention and for adapting OER designs. Analysis of the data suggests linkages with emerging models: the uncertainty principle in the information search process (ISP) and extraneous cognitive load (ECL). The findings further suggest a role for information mediators both as trainers and as partners with trainees in OER quality assurance. The study recommends building awareness of the potential of OER (re)use for workplace training and government audiences while advocating the incorporation of agile OER design in open educational practices.2025-0
THE EXPERIENCE OF PRACTICAL NURSING STUDENTS LEARNING IN A DETERIORATING PATIENT SIMULATION
Full text linkFailure to recognize and respond to clinical deterioration is a risk to patients in Canadian hospitals. While simulation literature has demonstrated benefits for baccalaureate nursing students (BN), it is important that both BN and Practical Nursing (PN) students are prepared to respond to clinical deterioration. This research examined PN students’ experiences in deteriorating patient simulations using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The data demonstrated that PN students may not have the ability to recognize and respond to clinical deterioration independently. However, participants perceived that learning in a deteriorating patient simulation, although stressful, prepared them for the clinical setting. They noted that learning occurred by making connections between theory and clinical practice and through interactions with facilitators and peers. This research highlights the importance of the facilitator throughout the learning experience, and recommends further exploration of clinical translation and group learning’s impact on individual performance.2025-0
POST-SEPARATION PARENTING IN THE FACE OF COVID-19
Full text linkHigh-conflict divorce (HCD) and high-conflict co-parenting (HCC) occur when one or both parents experience a prolonged psychological and emotional impasse, marked by anger, distorted thinking, and impaired communication, manifesting in coercive dynamics and chronic litigation. Although systemic, relational, and individual factors influence conflict chronicity, research remains largerly quantitative, overlooking parent’s lived experiences. This interpretive phenomenological study explored how six North American mothers over 30 experienced HCC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggest that despite protective factors such as social support, adaptive coping, and financial resources, fear of authority and systemic legal barriers persisted across participants’ intersectional differences, as all experienced gender-based coercive maltreatment by their ex-partners across interpersonal, familial, and legal contexts. Notably, despite the oppression they faced, participants demonstrated resilience through therapy, and efforts in their advocacy for court reform, challenging pathologizing narratoves common in HCC literature. Results of this study highlight the need trauma-informed, intersectional, and systemic approaches in research and practice to better understand and address HCC dynamics in family law and co-parenting contexts.2025-06-0
TOWARD A CULTURALLY-TAILORED SELF-MANAGEMENT CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR BLACK ADULTS: A SCOPING REVIEW
Full text linkChronic disease self-management empowers individuals and their families and eases the financial burden on the healthcare system. Despite this, self-management education programs have been shown to have limited self-efficacy among older Black adults, primarily because these programs have not adequately addressed the importance of the social determinants of health and inequities that impact upstream health outcomes.
To address this issue, an extensive scoping review was conducted (4513 articles searched) to broadly review the literature in this area using Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework further advanced by Levac et al. (2010). The scoping review included 51 studies and iteratively explored current evidence illuminating the characteristics, elements and gaps in existing literature in relation to the uptake and success of chronic disease self-management education programs for older Black adults. In this knowledge synthesis, in the form of a scoping review, I identified the types of available evidence, analyzed knowledge gaps and reviewed the methods used to study culturally-tailored chronic disease self-management programs and practices for older Black adults. Additionally, I identified key characteristics, clarified key concepts and definitions through the lens of social determinants and health inequities and the four tenets of Critical Race Theory (CRT).
The findings from this review have highlighted key factors that influence the self-management of chronic conditions in older Black adult populations. The analysis of these attributes has culminated in the identification of an adapted socio ecological model that will serve as the conceptual framework for a chronic disease self-management education program for older Black adults living with one or more chronic diseases. This program will be used by health professionals who provide self-management education and day-to-day support for older Black adults (and their families) with chronic conditions such as cardiac disease, hypertension and/or diabetes. The purpose of the culturally-tailored program is to provide healthcare professionals with the instructional strategies required to address embedded structural barriers such as racism, and socioeconomic factors that often exacerbate health inequities experienced by older Black adults. It is important to note that the development of the entire education program is beyond the scope of this research.20250
WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT AND RETENTION OF REGISTERED PSYCHIATRIC NURSES: A MIXED-METHOD STUDY
Full text linkBackground: There are projections of a significant nursing shortage in Canada, which could have negative implications for clients, nurses, and organizations. British Columbia employs 49% of Canada’s psychiatric nurses—a specialized subgroup that provides holistic care to clients, families, and communities, yet remains understudied.
Purpose: The purpose was to assess psychiatric nurse intent to leave, identify their direction if leaving and understand their perspective on retention.
Method: A mixed-method convergent parallel study invited psychiatric nurses in British Columbia to complete a survey. Analysis included descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Findings were merged for integration and reporting.
Results: The survey yielded a 20% response rate (n = 302). Over half of participants desire to leave their organization within a decade, and 22% often consider leaving the profession. Priority retention strategies include supportive work environments, increased compensation and better psychological benefits.
Implications: Organizations and unions can use the findings to develop retention, training, and recruitment interventions.202
EXAMINATION PERFORMANCE OF OPHTHALMIC ASSISTANTS USING RUBRICS FOR EXAMINATION PREPARATION
Full text linkThis study investigated the effect of clinical skills rubrics on the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) examination performance. Based on constructivist learning theory, it hypothesized there would be no difference in the mean score and pass rate between the examination candidates provided with clinical skills rubrics and those not. This quantitative correlational study compared candidates from 2023 who had rubrics (n=397) with candidates from 2022 who did not (n=406). A limitation was the inability to determine how many 2023 candidates used the rubrics. Results showed no significant differences, supporting the hypothesis that rubrics had a neutral effect. Despite this, the study highlighted the importance of standardized assessments and suggested further research. Recommendations include using mixed methods for qualitative feedback, analyzing specific content areas, and controlling variables using the same timeframe for all groups. These steps could enhance understanding of rubrics' effectiveness and refine training strategies for ophthalmic assistants.2025-0
ADVANCING WOMEN IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP:A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Full text linkWomen possess leadership characteristics that make them successful in a leadership role according to research. However, leadership roles of women in politics continue to encounter biases as society perceives the role of women to be incongruent with leadership. Although there has been an increase in women politicians since gender parity was achieved in November 2015, social, cultural, and financial barriers still exist. This study aims to build on previous research and explore the strategies employed by women leaders in Ontario to overcome the barriers they encounter in their leadership roles. Role congruity and social identity theories explain why these barriers exist. A qualitative method, consisting of semi-structured interviews, was used to understand the experiences of women who entered provincial politics and identify the individual and common barriers they faced. The purposeful sampling approach was used to identify experiences that raise awareness of how women overcome barriers to their participation in political leadership roles. The study provides valuable insight into the barriers that women political leaders still face, such as cultural and socioeconomic barriers. Moreover, it highlights that these barriers have not shifted over time. This research study contributes to the gap in literature outlining strategies women political leaders use to advance in politics, specifically through the development of their leadership style and empowerment.2025-0
A SETTLER'S GUIDE TO CONCILIATION: A DIGITAL CRITICAL NURSOGRAPHY
Full text linkRelationships between Indigenous people of the land now called Canada and non-Indigenous nurses are rooted in historical colonial relationships between the monarchy (as Crown), the government of the day (as representatives of the Crown), and the Christian church (via the Doctrine of Discovery). In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada called on all Canadians as Treaty people to engage in learning about our shared history as a step toward new, more socially just and equitable relationships. This is my response to that call.
Here is the story of a labyrinth-walking accidental andraheutagog engaged in pushing the boundaries of the dissertation into the 21st century by presenting it as a multimodal digital artifact, not a monograph. I explore pedagogy [the general study of teaching and learning] --tinkering as bricoleur as I blend in andragogy [adult teaching and learning theory], with heutagogy extending deeper into self-regulated and self-directed inquiry with a focus on digital or mobile learning, cultural humility, and nursing education. I use ePortfolio space to share my critical inquiry that considers auto or personal intersections [including but not necessarily limited to those] of anti-Indigenous racism, gender, power, patriarchy, religion, government, imperialism, education and nursing.
I look back into the late 19th and early 20th origins of Canada and modern nursing to better understand what led us to this place, this time as a profession [ethnography] and how that intersects with online advanced nursing education. My perspective as a nurse brings an essential element this relational inquiry creating this first example of digital critical nursography.2025-0