138 research outputs found
El Tlacuache Núm. 102 (2003). 102 Año 3 (2003) septiembre. El Tlacuache
No full text- Legislación cultural estatal en Morelos por Ramón Lépez Vela. - El Yauhtli por Margarita Avilés y Macrina Fuentes. - La importancia de continuar estudiando la flora medicinal utilizada en la región de Morelos por Macrina Fuentes Mata y Margarita Aviles Flores
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Prey abundance and the evolution of sociality in Anelosimus (Araneae, Theridiidae)
No full textSocial spiders most likely evolved from subsocial-like ancestors, species in which siblings remain together for part of their life cycle but disperse prior to mating. Understanding the ecological conditions that favor small colony sizes and periodic dispersal in subsocial species vs. large multigenerational colonies in the social species may provide insight into this evolutionary transition. The biogeography of these spiders and the ability of prey supplementation to delay dispersal in subsocial species implicate prey abundance as an important ecological factor influencing this process. I propose a conceptual framework in which environmental prey abundance determines the rate at which prey contact webs per unit web area, colony size determines web area and prey capture success, and per capita prey capture affects when spiders disperse. To further understand how prey abundance may have influenced the evolution of sociality, I have empirically explored aspects of this framework. Within the genus Anelosimyyus, I studied two social species inhabiting an Ecuadorian lowland rain forest, a subsocial species along the edge of an Ecuadorian cloud forest, and another subsocial species occupying a temperate riparian area of Arizona. In a comparative study examining relationships among sociality, prey availability, and prey capture rate across these species, the environments of social species tended to have relatively large prey and high overall prey biomass, but not the highest numbers of prey items. Relationships among colony size, web size, and prey capture within three of these populations revealed significant foraging-related costs of increasing colony size that could be offset by the availability of high prey biomass in the form of large prey items. Finally, I conducted an experiment manipulating prey capture rate in a subsocial species that resulted in higher prey levels delaying dispersal within and among colonies. This effect often led to a single, relatively large individual remaining in nests of colonies that had been provided more prey. Overall, these findings indicate that, while the availability of high prey biomass may have allowed sociality to evolve, the concentration of prey biomass into large, but not necessarily more prey may have selected for the larger, longer-lived colonies characteristic of social species
An examination of the role and strategies of mindfulness in effectuating change and organizational transformation
No full textHeightened awareness by individuals and organizations, and cognition of the environments in which they operate, are important to meet the challenges put forth as a result of global complexity and uncertainty; especially as it pertains to change and organizational transformation (Fries, 2009). The question therefore is how is this heightened awareness to be achieved? In many instances, the behavior exhibited in response to today’s business climate is one of mindlessness characterized as indifference where individuals and organizations operate on automatic pilot or fall into patterns, routines or merely follow scripts where there is a lack of discernment as to the context or environment within which they are operating. This lack of awareness is problematic as it may adversely impact an organizations’ ability to judiciously meet the challenges presented by change or may impede the ability of the organization to transform in its attempt to meet these challenges. This lack of a timely response may negatively affect the organization’s viability. Therefore, this author hypothesizes that organizations may benefit from the invocation of mindfulness.
This study attempts to examine the varied perspectives of the mindfulness construct and expand the current literature and discourse from the present meditative/socio-psychological perspectives to the social sciences, particularly the managerial discipline as a way for organizations to more efficiently meet the challenges of change whether intended or mandated and transform themselves.Running head: Dissertation Paper - An examination of the role and strategies of mindfulness in effectuating change and organizational transformation
Submitted by Peter Aviles
Dissertation Paper - An examination of the role and strategies of mindfulness in effectuating change and organizational transformation
Submitted to meet the requirements of DMGT892
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Degree of Doctor of Management
Professors: G. David Andersen, Ed.D and Eric B. Dent, Ph.D
University of Maryland University College
1
Abstract
Heightened awareness by individuals and organizations, and cognition of the environments in which they operate, are important to meet the challenges put forth as a result of global complexity and uncertainty; especially as it pertains to change and organizational transformation (Fries, 2009). The question therefore is how is this heightened awareness to be achieved? In many instances, the behavior exhibited in response to today’s business climate is one of mindlessness characterized as indifference where individuals and organizations operate on automatic pilot or fall into patterns, routines or merely follow scripts where there is a lack of discernment as to the context or environment within which they are operating. This lack of awareness is problematic as it may adversely impact an organizations’ ability to judiciously meet the challenges presented by change or may impede the ability of the organization to transform in its attempt to meet these challenges. This lack of a timely response may negatively affect the organization’s viability. Therefore, this author hypothesizes that organizations may benefit from the invocation of mindfulness.
This study attempts to examine the varied perspectives of the mindfulness construct and expand the current literature and discourse from the present meditative/socio-psychological perspectives to the social sciences, particularly the managerial discipline as a way for organizations to more efficiently meet the challenges of change whether intended or mandated and transform themselves.
Keywords: collective mindfulness, constructive accountability, change, high reliability organizations, mindful scanning, mindfulness, mindlessness, premature cognitive commitment, reperceiving, scientific mindfulness, sensemaking, transformation. 2
Dedication
This is dedicated to my deceased mother Eva Carmen Molina-Aviles, an educator whose love, drive and passion instilled in me the dream that prompted this academic pursuit. 3
Acknowledgements
This endeavor is not possible without the understanding, patience and support of my wife Diane who lived this journey with me. I am grateful to all of my family and friends for their encouragement and thoughtfulness during this challenging experience.
The completion of this journey is not possible with the support of my faculty advisors but in particular, special thanks to Dr. Eric B. Dent, the primary advisor who was a calming influence and a constant source of inspiration. His faith, belief and insights were instrumental to the completion of this dissertation. Thanks to Dr. G. David Andersen whose guidance brought to the dissertation order and organization. I extend my gratitude to the UMUC family of faculty and staff who were a positive and constant resource throughout this process.
Special thanks to my subject matter experts and reviewers Dr. Ellen J. Langer, Dr. John Clinton, Dr. Derrick G. McCall, Dr. Jordan J. Kaplan, Suzanne Glazer, Dan Scheibe and Dr. Darren Good whose insights and cogent comments significantly contributed to this dissertation project.
Finally, I am grateful to my cohort family and colleagues Patrick, Tim, Carmen, Robert, Claude, Tae, Thomas and my very good friend Paul. Their constant support, feedback and fellowship in conference and residency contributed to the completion of this academic journey.
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Table of Contents
Title page ...................................................................................................................................... i
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... 1
Dedication ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Acknowledgments......................................................................................................................... 3
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... 4
List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ 8
List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... 9
Chapter One ................................................................................................................................ 10
a. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 11
b. Purpose of Study .............................................................................................................. 11
c. Problem Statement ........................................................................................................... 13
d. Research Questions .......................................................................................................... 14
e. Origins of the construct of mindfulness ........................................................................... 15
f. Definitions....................................................................................................................... 16
g. Hypotheses ....................................................................................................................... 20
h. Limitations ....................................................................................................................... 21 5
i. Significance of research ................................................................................................... 22
j. Contribution to the field ................................................................................................... 24
k. Summary .......................................................................................................................... 25
l. Dissertation organization ................................................................................................. 26
Chapter Two– Literature Review ................................................................................................. 28
a. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 28
b. Theoretical background and perspectives ....................................................................... 28
c. Organizing scheme .......................................................................................................... 31
d. Review of the literature on mindfulness ......................................................................... 32
Clinical and social psychology .................................................................................. 32
Measurement scales ................................................................................................... 35
Leadership .................................................................................................................. 40
Individual mindfulness............................................................................................... 45
Collective mindfulness............................................................................................... 51
Mindfulness and change ............................................................................................ 54
Classical mindfulness................................................................................................. 59
Mindlessness .............................................................................................................. 61 6
e. Literature review summary ............................................................................................. 63
Chapter Three – Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................... 65
a. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 65
b. The Message: Mindfulness has a relationship in effectuating change ....................... 66
c. Conceptual framework of mindfulness and change ................................................... 71
d. Summary .................................................................................................................... 72
Chapter Four – Methodology ....................................................................................................... 74
a. Introduction to research methodology ......................................................................... 74
b. Evidence-based research ............................................................................................. 74
c. UMUC model .............................................................................................................. 77
d. Relevant scholarly evidence ........................................................................................ 78
e. Inclusion and exclusion criteria ................................................................................... 81
f. Subject matter expert panel members ......................................................................... 82
g. Evaluation and feedback process ................................................................................ 85
h. Summary of feedback by subject matter experts ......................................................... 86
i. Impact of subject matter experts ................................................................................. 88
j. Summary ..................................................................................................................... 89 7
Chapter Five – Analysis and Discussion ..................................................................................... 91
a. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 91
b. Purpose of study .......................................................................................................... 91
c. Problem statement revisited ........................................................................................ 92
d. Presentation of findings and analysis .......................................................................... 92
e. Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 109
f. Considerations of alternative perspectives ................................................................ 110
g. Summary of findings ................................................................................................. 113
Chapter Six – Conclusions, Implications, and Recommendations for Future Study ................. 115
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 115
Overall Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 116
Implications for management ........................................................................................ 117
Implications of trends .................................................................................................... 119
Limitations/ Area for future research ............................................................................. 121
Summary ........................................................................................................................ 122
References ................................................................................................................................. 125
Appendix A: Glossary................................................................................................................ 136 8
Appendix B: Subject matter experts evaluation and feedback forms ........................................ 138 9
List of Tables
Table 1. Conditions favoring mindless script processing in organizations ................................. 48
Table 2. Characteristics of mindfulness and mindlessness .......................................................... 54
Table 3. Classical versus modern versions of mindfulness ........................................................ 62
Table 4. The practice of mindfulness ........................................................................................... 69
Table 5. Results of researched databases with selection criteria ................................................. 79
Table 6. Subject matter expert panel members ............................................................................ 83
Table 7. Academic subject matter expert member feedback ....................................................... 87
Table 8. Practitioner subject matter expert member feedback ..................................................... 88
Table 9. Seven myths that undermine the learning process ......................................................... 95
Table 10. Organizational principles of High Reliability Organizations ...................................... 97
10
List of Figures
Figure 1. Mindful engagement model as adapted from Ashford and DeRue .............................. 43
Figure 2. Organizing scheme diagram ......................................................................................... 66
Figure 3. Sequence for building mindfulness in individuals ...................................................... 69
Figure 4. Attributes for building collective mindfulness through individuals ............................. 71
Figure 5. Collective mindfulness attributes for building mindfulness in individuals .................. 72
Figure 6. Conceptual framework of mindfulness and change ..................................................... 73
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Chapter 1: Introduction
Heightened individual and organizational awareness and cognition of the environments in which they operate are important to meet the challenges put forth as a result of global complexity and uncertainty; especially as it pertains to change and organizational transformation (Fries, 2009). The dynamics of change and the types of change described by Yukl (2006) as either attitude-centered or role-centered as well as the pace of change further adds to this complexity and uncertainty. Thietart & Forgues, (1995) discussed chaos and organizations and noted “The existences of continuous processes of convergence and divergence, stability and instability, evolution and revolution” (p. 19) that exists in every organization further exacerbates conditions and circumstances that challenge organizations. These conditions and circumstances influence an organizations’ ability to effectively manage change. Kotter (2007) postulated on why transformation efforts fail and noted the increasing complexities that challenge organizations when he stated that “The basic goal of a change initiative is to make fundamental changes in how business is conducted in order to cope with a new, more challenging market environment (p.96).” Therefore, the question is how increasing individual and organizational awareness and cognition is to be accomplished?
This study seeks to articulate a response to answer the question of how to increase cognition and awareness in organizations to effectively meet the challenges of change. The intent is to expand the boundary of mindfulness beyond the meditative and social psychological into the field of management. The study will research the literature on the construct of mindfulness, change and organizational transformation and analyze these constructs by investigating the role and affect if any that mindfulness may have in positively influencing organizational cognition and awareness. The examination of the literature on change and 12
mindfulness may identify strategies for increasing mindfulness in organizations to meet the challenges of change. This is noteworthy given that some change initiatives were successful and a few were utter failures, the majority of these efforts were either marginally successful or the incidence of success was low (Kotter, 2007).
This document includes definitions of pertinent terms to provide greater context for understanding the multiple perspectives of the mindfulness construct. Understanding the terms is significant as it may expand the current managerial literature by combining the psychological and cognitive aspects of the construct of mindfulness with the social sciences in order to assist organizations to develop strategies and processes that may better effectuate change and transformation in organizations.
The effect of change on organizations makes it incumbent on organizations to identify a methodology or process that will not only meet the challenge of increasing mindfulness but investigate and address the forces that perpetuate mindlessness thereby reducing mindlessness in organizations. It is also an imperative to identify a cognitive strategy that will broadly allow examining and scanning of all facets of the environment in such a way as to enable individuals and organizations to amend behaviors that increases the likelihood of successful change and organizational transformation. The construct of mindfulness may be the instrument to accomplish this objective.
Chapter 1: Purpose of Study
The purpose of the study is to examine, learn, and expand the current literature on mindfulness and change to provide organizations methodologies to use mindfulness in a way that may better facilitate change initiatives leading to organizational transformation. Through 13
research and study, this inquiry intends to increase the understanding of this construct and develop new understandings and perspectives by examining the mindfulness construct from the Western cognitive perspective exploring its applicability as a strategic imperative for effectuating change in organizations leading to organizational transformation.
“The concept of mindfulness and the related concept of mindlessness were introduced to social psychology more than two decades ago” (Langer & Moldoveanu, 2000, p.1). The concepts are “applied to many diverse areas including psychopathology, developmental psychology, educational research, political theory, and communication processes” (Langer & Moldoveanu, 2000, p.1). Much of the current literature explicates on mindfulness as a meditative intervention, or as a socio-cognitive construct addressing diverse areas of psychology that include clinical psychology and scientific applications (Baer et al., 2004), social psychology (Langer, 1989), health (Valentine, Godkin & Varca, 2010), and education (Langer & Moldoveanu, 2000). What is missing is the construct’s application to the field of management.
The literature on mindfulness is only now incrementally making inroads in the workplace and management (Fiol & O’Connor, 2003) and is relatively unexplored territory (Dhiman, 2009). Therefore, there is an opportunity to focus on and to expand the discourse in two areas, namely socio-cognitive psychology and the managerial discipline.
In clinical practice, interventions based on mindfulness are used in diverse and multiple ways to address the issues of chronic pain and stress and to manage anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorders, and panic eating, among the multitude of disorders (Carmody, Baer, Lykins, & Olendzki, 2009; Schroevers & Brandsma, 2010). According to Baer, Carmody & Hunsinger, (2012, p. 755) mindfulness is seen as a coping resource to deal with the 14
vicissitudes of illne
Collective Bargaining Systems in Six Latin American Countries: Degrees of Autonomy and Decentralization (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay)
No full textThe transition to a market driven development strategy in Latin America for more than a decade has redefined business strategies and reshaped the state`s traditional role as guarantor of employment, stability, and protection. These changes, plus the move to create more flexible labor markets in some countries, have lead to the elimination or reduction of legislated employment protections and benefits, creating space for unions to enlarge their role in collective bargaining.
A Three-Phase Unbalanced Load Flow Solver for Large-Scale Distribution Power Systems
No full textThe calculation of power flow through electrical networks has been utilized commonly in transmission networks as the first calculation tool to assess their steady state conditions. However, the current introduction of renewable micro-sources (many of them single-phase connected) and the implementation of microgrids makes the calculation of power flow in distribution networks a more valuable and desirable tool.This project presents the development of a software tool to calculate power flow, losses, voltages and currents of large-scale unbalanced distribution networks. The project has consisted of four main sections: modelling of the distribution network, prototype implementation using MATLAB, C-code implementation targeting large-scale networks and testing of the performance and reliability of the program.The modelling of the elements of the distribution network has been performed under the phase domain (ABC frame) and its validity has been verified using a MATLAB prototype and the IEEE distribution test feeders. After verifying the models, a program has been written using C to improve performance. The PETSc library has been used to solve the nonlinear and linear problems required.Finally, a test network of 452745 three-phase nodes has been created and used as input for the program, with the objective of testing the software.Electrical Engineering | Sustainable Energy Technolog
Social organization of the colonial spider Leucauge sp. in the Neotropics: vertical stratification within colonies
No full textA first step toward understanding why sociality has evolved in a particular taxonomic group is to establish comparison points by studying the organization of different social systems. We examined the social organization and spatial distribution of individuals in colonies of the undescribed colonial spider Leucauge sp. (Araneae: Tetragnathidae). The social organization of this species was typical of a colonial species, with spiders maintaining individual territories (orb webs) within a scaffolding of shared support lines maintained by the group. Furthermore, we observed a size-dependent vertical stratification of spiders within colonies, with large spiders occupying the highest positions, followed by medium, extra-small and small individuals, a spacing pattern that was consistent across colonies of all sizes. Spiders captured and consumed prey individually and displayed territorial behaviors involving web defense. This study provides a new example of a colonial spider species that shows a distinctive within-group spatial distribution. We discuss possible reasons underlying this species’ spatial arrangement in the context of social evolution.Peer reviewedfinal article publishedAggregationspatial distributionsocialityorb webgroup livin
Maternal experiences of childhood emotional abuse : relations with toddler dysregulation
No full textEarly childhood emotional abuse is a prevalent yet understudied phenomenon; the intergenerational effects of psychological maltreatment are not understood. The links between maternal experiences of emotional abuse in childhood, maternal caregiving behaviors, and toddler emotion dysregulation were examined in 125 mother-toddler dyads. Emotional abuse was assessed through an original coding system created by the author for use with Adult Attachment Interviews. Maternal experiences of emotional abuse, but not physical or sexual abuse, were related to emotional dysregulation. Maternal caregiving did not mediate the relation between emotionally abusive experiences and toddler dysregulation; mothers who experienced emotional abuse during childhood were not less sensitive with their children during caregiving. The effects of other types of abuse are also tested and implications are discussed.Human Development and Family Science
Cytochrome oxidase subunit VI of Trypanosoma brucei is imported without a cleaved presequence and is developmentally regulated at both RNA and protein levels
No full textMitochondrial respiration in the African trypanosome undergoes dramatic developmental stage regulation. This requires co-ordinated control of components encoded by both the nuclear genome and the kinetoplast, the unusual mitochondrial genome of these parasites. As a model for understanding the co-ordination of these genomes, we have examined the regulation and mitochondrial import of a nuclear-encoded component of the cytochrome oxidase complex, cytochrome oxidase subunit VI (COXVI). By generating transgenic trypanosomes expressing intact or mutant forms of this protein, we demonstrate that COXVI is not imported using a conventional cleaved presequence and show that sequences at the N-terminus of the protein are necessary for correct mitochondrial sorting. Analyses of endogenous and transgenic COXVI mRNA and protein expression in parasites undergoing developmental stage differentiation demonstrates a temporal order of control involving regulation in the abundance of, first, mRNA and then protein. This represents the first dissection of the regulation and import of a nuclear-encoded protein into the cytochrome oxidase complex in these organisms, which were among the earliest eukaryotes to possess a mitochondrion
Many interesting things
No full textThesis: M. Eng., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2018.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (page 167).I designed and implemented ES.S10: Many Interesting Things, a novel freshman seminar that introduces students to topics many of them will encounter in classes later on in their undergraduate careers. Topics were presented with a light workload and no formal assignments or exams, in such a way that students' intrinsic motivation was able to serve as the guiding force for the class. The seminar ran through the Spring term of 2018 and covered computer architecture, strobe photography, probability, quantum computation, machine learning, computer vision, and cosmology. Student feedback was favorable and the class was adopted as a freshman advising seminar for the Fall term of 2018.by Christian Ivan Cardozo-Aviles.M. Eng
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