804 research outputs found
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Masculinity and Self Perception of Men Identified as Informal Leaders
No full textThis research is a qualitative study of the commonalities among 10 men in their development of masculinity, self-perception, and experiences that propelled them into informal leadership roles. Current men\u27s literature is vast and contradictory. This exploratory narrative study uses open ended interviews with 10 men selected as informal leaders in their church to look at the development of masculinity, self concept and informal leadership. These men range in age from 52-82 and come from both white collar and blue collar occupations. The study looks for common themes in the lives of these men in their development, leadership experience and self concept. Event though the men come from a variety of backgrounds there is similarity in their experiences. The themes are presented and discussed based on the literature review and the life experience of the men
Decentralization and Organizational Climate: Assessing the Relationship in a Law Enforcement Setting
No full textThe purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between organizational climate as a dependent variable and decentralization as an independent variable. Further, this study was designed to determine whether perception of climate differences existed among different demographic groups within the organization. When aggregated or measured collectively, perceptions from individual employees are believed to reflect the group-level attribute known as organizational climate (James, Joyce, & Slocum, 1988). These perceptions can affect the performance and motivation of organizational employees (Hoy, 1986). Przestrzelski (1987) offers a general definition of decentralization as a dynamic participative philosophy of organizational management that involves selective delegation of authority to the operational level. Evaluation of correlation calculations indicated that relationships among the 2 Hage & Aiken independent variables of decentralization (participation in decision making, and hierarchy of authority), with the 7 dependent variables of the Organizational Health Inventory that determine overall climate showed no statistically significant correlations. Further, this study found that there were no significant differences in how both demographic groups perceived organizational climate
Socialization of Foreign Information Technology Consultants in U.S. Organizations
No full textThis research explores the socialization of foreign information technology (IT) consultants in the organizational culture of the United States. Cultural differences are present all across the world at national, cultural (ethnic & religious), and organizational levels (Nahavandi, 2000). IT consultants lived most of their lives studying and working in their home countries and their own culture had a very major impact on them. As Hofstede (2001) mentions, By the age of 10, most of the child\u27s basic values has been programmed into his or her mind (p. 394). Most of these consultants came to the United States as adults in their mid-twenties when most of their basic values had already been formulated according to their home country\u27s culture. This research was conducted using qualitative research methodology on a sample of 20 participants selected, using purposeful and convenience sampling techniques. Interviews were used as a primary data collection method, employing a semi-structured, open-ended interview protocol. A demographic questionnaire was used to gather basic information about participants. The results of this study uncovered the perception of the foreign IT consultants. It also shed light on the challenges and difficulties faced by these consultants in their jobs. And, finally, this study uncovered the impact of the U.S. education on their socialization. The main implications of this research were: (a) a need for the implementation of fair labor standards in consulting business, and (b) a need for protection of American workers against misconduct by consulting companies. This research also identified some topics for future research, including a need for detailed study about married consultants, and the need to conducting this research in other parts of America
San Antonio Export Leaders: A Case Study of Third-Party Assistance for Small Business
No full textUsing qualitative methodology, this study investigated reasons why a select group of small business people chose to participate in a third-party assistance program which provided training and education about doing business in Mexico. Selected graduates were interviewed to determine what they expected from the program, whether they felt their expectations were met, and their perception of its effectiveness. The study also investigated whether the action-learning component of the program contributed to the perceived benefits of the program by the participants. Subjects were asked for suggestions to close the gap between their expectations and what they felt they received from the program. The study found that the subjects felt the program was worth their time, and generally, their expectations were met. The discovered program benefits included enhanced credibility for the participants, valuable learning reinforcement by the group interaction, increased confidence in doing business in Mexico, and successful business transactions. The study includes qualified conclusions and recommendations for further study
Undergraduate Publishing Education: Perceptions and Workforce Reality in Taiwan
No full textIn this study, the researcher investigated publishing faculty\u27s and professionals\u27 perceptions of knowledge contents about publishing in the current curriculum of undergraduate publishing programs in Taiwan and needed professional skills for future publishing professionals. In addition, the underlying reality of human resources development in today\u27s publishing industry of Taiwan was examined by the researcher.
Studies indicate that what schools generally teach is not what the job market requires; that graduates lack the competence to adequately respond to the needs of society and employers. This seems contradictory to the belief that human capital can be increased through educational investment that can help improve on the conditions of life for both individuals and nations. How does this situation basically play out in the real worlds of school and work? In this study, the researcher investigated publishing faculty\u27s and professionals\u27 perceptions of knowledge contents about publishing in the current curriculum of undergraduate publishing programs in Taiwan and needed professional skills for future publishing professionals. In addition, the underlying reality of human resources development in today\u27s publishing industry of Taiwan was examined by the researcher. A sequential explanatory mixed methods research was employed for this study. The quantitative data were collected first through a survey instrument which this researcher constructed. Data from 364 returned surveys were used. These were followed-up by in-depth qualitative interviews with 6 participants. As it had been expected, the qualitative data did help explain the quantitative results and provided a better understanding of the central phenomenon of the research problem. Regarding the perceptions of the knowledge contents about publishing and professional skills, significant quantitative differences and correlations were found between publishing faculty and professionals in the field. The qualitative findings helped clarify the quantitative results in several instances. It was further indicated that relationships between school and industry as well as environmental factors, formed the reality of the development of the publishing professional. It was also possible to conclude that there was a disjunction between the formal university experience (training) and the real needs of prospective employers in the publishing job market. Though this did not seem to present great problems for graduates, it raised the question of the relevance of higher education for some professions in today\u27s fast changing and technology-based work demands. Suggestions are offered about how different stakeholders can contribute to make the professional training in the area more relevant
African American Female Persisters in Higher Education: The Lived Experience
No full textThe purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of persistence of African American females, raised in Texas, as a catalyst to achieving their educational goals. In the American college/university system, there is an ongoing nation-wide problem as it relates to African American students, their college enrollment, and subsequent matriculation. The number of African American females enrolling in college from year to year is steadily increasing, while the number of African American males enrolling in college on a yearly basis is decreasing. In fact, the numbers are increasing so rapidly that African American females are outpacing African American males on all three-degree levels. The aforementioned information leads to the following question: What are the external and internal factors that contribute to the higher educational success of the African American female? Identification and examination of potential factors that influence some African American females persisting in higher education is the goal of this research. Hopefully, the verbalization of the participants experience, the tragedy and the triumph, will help to facilitate a better understanding of African American females as a whole, and ultimately as a group of persisters who are one-by-one breaking down walls, shattering myths, and perpetuating intellectual activism throughout their communities
A Study of At-Risk Students\u27 Experiences in a Residential Alternative Girls\u27 School in Southern Taiwan
No full textThe purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how effectively the alternative girls\u27 school (AGS) served the needs of some at-risk female students. Compulsory education in Taiwan includes junior high school and students absent from school for three consecutive school days without specific reasons, are defined as dropouts. To serve junior high students at risk of dropping out of school, the first experimental alternative girls\u27 school (AGS) totally funded by the local government in Southern Taiwan, was developed from November 2004 through April 2007. To answer the primary research question What are the at-risk students\u27 experiences in the AGS? five sub-research questions were developed: (a) What was the student\u27s life like before the AGS? (b) What was the student\u27s life like in the AGS? (c) What is the purpose of the AGS? (d) How did the AGS satisfy the student\u27s felt needs? and (e) What suggestions do they have about the AGS? Data collection included: official documents (program design and quarterly evaluation reports), participant observation (field notes), and semi-structured in-depth interviews. A 60- minute in-depth interview was conducted with two groups of participants, including ten AGS students and five important others (the staff, teachers, parents, and volunteers). The findings of the study obtained through constant comparative analysis provided a whole picture of the at-risk students\u27 experiences in the AGS. The themes that emerged from the study were categorized into lack of support, and gaps between the declared purposes of the school and the students\u27 perceptions of the AGS. The findings of the study led to the conclusions that the students\u27 AGS experiences could be presented in terms of advantages and challenges. Other issues relevant to alternative education programs, students at risk of dropping out of school, their families, and related social problems are discussed with suggestions about how to deal more appropriately with these phenomena
Logistical Barriers Faced by Women on Parole: A Critical Ethnography
No full textThis qualitative study explores the logistical barriers faced by women on parole as they attempt to comply with the requirements placed on them by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Nine women on parole were interviewed for this study. In addition, the researcher discussed parole barriers with the director of the area parole office and three parole officers who worked in that office. The research methodology used in this study was Critical Ethnography, with Critical Criminology being the focus of the analysis. This study includes a literature review of incarceration and parole in the United States and Texas. Several recurring themes pertaining to logistical barriers were identified as a result of the interviews. These were: (a) inefficient scheduling of parole mandates, (b) transportation, (c) association, (d) housing, and (e) employment and economic issues. These themes were discussed in depth. Other themes came to light as part of the research, but these barriers were in the area of policy and procedures of the parole system, and this research focused on the details of the basic physical organization of parole requirements. The study concludes with recommendations for changes that might reduce or eliminate these barriers to a successful completion of parole