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- Title
- Success in Technology Organizations.
- Creator
-
Bass, Joseph, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Rabelo, Luis, O'Neal, Thomas, Sivo, Stephen, Hosni, Yasser, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In today's economic environment, it is advantageous for technology organizations to be cognizant of prevalent influences on success and failure and to incorporate this knowledge into their business and innovation strategies. Technology organizations were defined within this research as those in the business of created competence which is expressed in terms of entities consisting of devices, procedures, and acquired human skills (Clarke, 2005). Although, no organization contains the ideal mix...
Show moreIn today's economic environment, it is advantageous for technology organizations to be cognizant of prevalent influences on success and failure and to incorporate this knowledge into their business and innovation strategies. Technology organizations were defined within this research as those in the business of created competence which is expressed in terms of entities consisting of devices, procedures, and acquired human skills (Clarke, 2005). Although, no organization contains the ideal mix of culture and ideological emphases, some have amassed impressive track records of great success. A literature review was used to identify factors relevant within similar contexts such as influences on creativity, innovation, Research and Development (R(&)D), etcetera. The salient factors identified within the literature review were hypothesized as being very important to great success within technology organizations. A conceptual model was created that visually illustrated the interactions of those factors and their influence on technology organization success which was defined as average annual revenue growth and direct new job creation. An internet questionnaire was utilized to test the hypotheses among 15 very successful technology organizations according to their respective Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) or equivalents. These companies were randomly chosen from a population of the technology organizations included in Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000, a list of the 5000 fastest growing companies in America. The questionnaire primarily consisted of Likert questions designed to test the hypotheses. The dependent variable in the statistical analyses, technology organization success, was ranked according to average annual revenue growth and direct new job creation relative to the other organizations within the sample set. The top category in typical questionnaire Likert questions included the adjective (")very(") that was interpreted to imply that the particular factor was exactly or precisely essential to affect that level of success, this in the collective opinion of the CTOs. Not meeting the threshold of exactly or precisely was interpreted that the factor may not be essential to that level of success. Rejection of the respective null hypotheses and subsequent acceptance of the alternative hypotheses were interpreted as evidence that particular factors were essential to great levels of technology organization success. And, the conceptual model was updated accordingly. Acceptance of null hypotheses demonstrated that the factors may not be essential; therefore, they were excluded from further discussion and the model. Seventeen key factors and/or categories were identified according to the Chief Technology Officers within the population of very successful technology organizations as having substantial influence on the success of those organizations. Recommendations were made to technology organizations aspiring towards prolific levels of success.As a check, three open-ended questions were included and used to verify that no consensus crucial elements were omitted within the Likert question section of the questionnaire. There were no consensus factors identified within those open-ended questions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004652, ucf:49903
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004652
- Title
- The Relationship between Agile Project Management and Project Success Outcomes.
- Creator
-
Bergmann, Thomas, Karwowski, Waldemar, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Hancock, Peter, Mikusinski, Piotr, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Agile project management (APM) has recently emerged as a new approach to managing complex projects. Some experts believe that APM will become the standard project management approach used in the 21st century. However, thus far, the role of agility in project management has not been widely investigated. In the recent past, the concept of agility has mainly been applied to software development projects. The literature on agility is still in its early stages, and further research needs to be...
Show moreAgile project management (APM) has recently emerged as a new approach to managing complex projects. Some experts believe that APM will become the standard project management approach used in the 21st century. However, thus far, the role of agility in project management has not been widely investigated. In the recent past, the concept of agility has mainly been applied to software development projects. The literature on agility is still in its early stages, and further research needs to be conducted in new project management domains.This study is intended to determine the impact of the adoption of APM on project success as perceived by project managers. This investigative approach can be applied to any project domain. In addition, the influencing effects of project complexity on the results of projects are analyzed. Through an analysis of the existing literature, critical success factors and success criteria are identified to develop a model that can be used to assess current APM practice.The research questions are answered by means of an empirical study that collected data using an online survey that was distributed to project managers located across the United States. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling are performed to gauge the validity of the proposed research model.The study results show a significant positive relationship between APM and project success. Furthermore, a weak negative association is identified between project complexity and project success, suggesting a need for further research into and refinement of the project complexity construct. Finally, the results reveal an apparent need for additional education and certification in the field of project management, which are expected to lead to an increased use of agile approaches to project management in the future.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007391, ucf:52070
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007391
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION OF STUDENT SUCCESS BETWEEN ASSOCIATE OF ARTS AND NON ASSOCIATE OF ARTS TRANSFER STUDENTS.
- Creator
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D, LeeAnn, Tubbs, Levester, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This dissertation investigates the possible association between admission with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree or no-AA degree, gender, and ethnicity with graduation GPA, probation, and persistence of community college transfer students admitted to the University of Central Florida in the 2001-2002 academic year (N = 5283). The literature review found that the majority of studies related to transfer student success compared transfer students to native university students. Little evidence of...
Show moreThis dissertation investigates the possible association between admission with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree or no-AA degree, gender, and ethnicity with graduation GPA, probation, and persistence of community college transfer students admitted to the University of Central Florida in the 2001-2002 academic year (N = 5283). The literature review found that the majority of studies related to transfer student success compared transfer students to native university students. Little evidence of an association between success rates of transfer students as compared to native university students was indicated in the literature. The literature also did not indicate an association between gender and success rates or ethnic group and success rates. The results of this study suggest that admission degree, gender and ethnicity all had little to no impact on the success rates of the transfer students in the sample. The data for the students in the AA admission group indicated that receipt of an AA degree is related to student persistence. However, the test results indicated that this relationship was very weak. Due to the ever-increasing numbers of transfer students in this country, this study can be an informational tool for administrators at community colleges and universities in relation to transfer student success.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000458, ucf:46398
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000458
- Title
- A FOCUS GROUP OF ADOLESCENT HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS: FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS IN A FLORIDA PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL.
- Creator
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Pichard, Mercedes, Allen, Kay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The goal of this ethnographic research was to examine the perceptions of academic success of adolescent Haitian immigrant students who have arrived in the United States within the last five years and attend a public high school in Florida. The Haitian students were asked to explain the tensions they perceive between Haitian societal and educational norms and beliefs and American ones, and explain their perceptions and concerns regarding success. The importance of their perceptions as...
Show moreThe goal of this ethnographic research was to examine the perceptions of academic success of adolescent Haitian immigrant students who have arrived in the United States within the last five years and attend a public high school in Florida. The Haitian students were asked to explain the tensions they perceive between Haitian societal and educational norms and beliefs and American ones, and explain their perceptions and concerns regarding success. The importance of their perceptions as influences on their behavior was related to Bandura's Social Cognitive Learning Theory. The relevance of certain questions concerning academic success for Haitian students was investigated through group interviews and focus group interviews textual data. The resulting qualitative exploratory study is meant to further our understandings of the Haitian students' perceived and real successes, as well as to further additive bicultural educational practice in public high school settings where Haitian students are found. The literature review and results of this study found that there were many factors, student characteristics and student perceptions that could be used to explain Haitian immigrant adolescent student achievement in Florida public high school course work. Thirteen themes of concern to the students were developed in the data analysis. The Haitian adolescent immigrant students are able to speak purposefully, cogently, powerfully and coherently (English-language skills permitting) on numerous questions surrounding their thoughts and perceptions about their own success, academically or in their future careers. We can see that these students are able to define and discuss issues, make plans and recommendations for their own success, and state what is available/helpful and what is lacking for them in their high school. Suggested uses for the study included making some suggestions for the reorganization and implementation of certain educational resources for these Haitian adolescent students, and also making recommendations for future research, including but not limited to a study examining, implementing and assessing a pilot program which increases the career-counseling and vocational-planning resources available for these older secondary LEP students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0000945, ucf:46737
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000945
- Title
- TRULY ACCOMPLISHED: EXPLORATORY STUDY OF SUCCESS MAP DEVELOPMENT.
- Creator
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Chaffee, Dorey, Fritzsche, Barbara, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The current study examined Truly Accomplished (TA), an intervention designed to help individuals develop personalized systems to measure and improve behavior by utilizing well-established principles and research on motivation, participation and feedback. This study focused on participation during Success Map development (an integral step in the TA process) and the impact of using experts to develop Success Maps in the TA system. Using the context of fitness, 40 female participants were...
Show moreThe current study examined Truly Accomplished (TA), an intervention designed to help individuals develop personalized systems to measure and improve behavior by utilizing well-established principles and research on motivation, participation and feedback. This study focused on participation during Success Map development (an integral step in the TA process) and the impact of using experts to develop Success Maps in the TA system. Using the context of fitness, 40 female participants were randomly assigned to either complete the regular TA process, developing their own Success Maps, or the modified TA process, using expert-developed Success Maps. A repeated-measures design with one between-subjects independent variable was used to measure overall effectiveness scores, changes in fitness performance (plank, wall-sit, push-ups, curl-ups) and body composition (BMI, percent body fat), attitudes of system development, satisfaction with TA and satisfaction with life. Additionally, the similarities between expert and self-developed Success Maps were compared. Across all participants, large gains in effectiveness were found, including significant increases in all measurers of fitness performance; however, attitudes were poorer when Success Maps were developed by experts. Moreover, there were differences between expert and self-developed Success Maps. Results support TA as an effective intervention for positive behavior change. The practical and theoretical implications of the differences found between conditions are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004485, ucf:45064
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004485
- Title
- DAGS: AN INFORMATION SYSTEM DESIGN RESEARCH FRAMEWORK SUPPORTING THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF MORE EFFECTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
- Creator
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Adams, Lascelles, Cheney, Paul, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Many IT systems fail to realize their objectives because not enough attention has been paid to the business context in which the system functions. One reason expressed - an emphasized technical focus which tend to omit business and organizational issues germane to the organization's and the system's success. When an organization's information system is in line with, and provides support for its business strategy – strategic alignment – superior business performance is...
Show moreMany IT systems fail to realize their objectives because not enough attention has been paid to the business context in which the system functions. One reason expressed - an emphasized technical focus which tend to omit business and organizational issues germane to the organization's and the system's success. When an organization's information system is in line with, and provides support for its business strategy – strategic alignment – superior business performance is often the result. Within the Requirements Engineering (RE) community there has been several attempts to develop and utilize approaches which can illuminate business and organizational informational needs. In this dissertation, the DAGS framework is used to develop an integrated web-based requirements elicitation system which is based on Critical Success Factors (CSFs), Jackson's problem diagrams and organizational strategy analysis technique to represent and model an organization's IT requirements. This research employs the DAGS (multi-methodological approach consisting of Design Science, Action Research, Grounded Theory and System Development research methodologies) framework for Information System (IS) design to assist the Information Technology (IT) department in developing a collaborative user requirements system to assist in designing and constructing more effective information systems by incorporating the needs of various stakeholders in support of organizational goals while satisfying these varied needs. Top management's field of vision is represented in the CSFs which provide a compelling clarification of what is important to the organization. Failure to achieve a CSF directly affects the organization's ability to accomplish its mission; Research shows that alignment of IT systems with business strategy leads to superior organizational performance. Industry professionals have consistently considered alignment of IT with business strategy essential to their success thus requirements for an organization's information systems need to be aligned with the objectives of the business strategy that its stakeholders intend to support. This dissertation contributes to the literature on validating an organization's IT and Business Strategic alignment. It has also provided an example of research, grounded in theory but which is nevertheless relevant to business.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002966, ucf:47947
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002966
- Title
- Black Males In Programs For High Achievers At A Community College: Exploring The Qualitative Nature Of Academic Success.
- Creator
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Jones, Gerald, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Owens, J. Thomas, Butler, Malcolm, Bosley, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Most of the literature concentrating on Black males, focuses on retention problems that have gone unresolved. The purpose of this study was to explore qualitatively the nature of the academic success of Black males in programs for high achievers at a community college. A detailed literature review was completed, focusing on educational themes such as motivation, high achievers, persistence, and honors programs. The theoretical framework used was GRIT developed by Duckworth (2007). The...
Show moreMost of the literature concentrating on Black males, focuses on retention problems that have gone unresolved. The purpose of this study was to explore qualitatively the nature of the academic success of Black males in programs for high achievers at a community college. A detailed literature review was completed, focusing on educational themes such as motivation, high achievers, persistence, and honors programs. The theoretical framework used was GRIT developed by Duckworth (2007). The researcher used a six-step process as suggested by Moustakas (1994) to determine results. In addition, interviews were conducted with seven Black males who were defined as high achievers. The following six themes were identified from this phenomenology approach: supporting family, starting early, guilt, involvement, no failure, and academic success.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007021, ucf:52040
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007021
- Title
- The Relationship of Fear to Success to Management Potential Variables.
- Creator
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Culbertson, Virginia M., Burrough, Wayne A., Social Sciences
- Abstract / Description
-
University of Central Florida College of Social Sciences Thesis; Early psychological research on achievement motivation has focused on the effects of fear of failure and the wish to succeed as component parts of need for achievement (nAch). Achievement motivation is defined as a need to achieve for its own sake rather than for the benefits of such achievement (Kimble and Garmezy, 1968, p. 691). It is considered to be a fairly stable personality characteristic, not particularly goal specific ...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Social Sciences Thesis; Early psychological research on achievement motivation has focused on the effects of fear of failure and the wish to succeed as component parts of need for achievement (nAch). Achievement motivation is defined as a need to achieve for its own sake rather than for the benefits of such achievement (Kimble and Garmezy, 1968, p. 691). It is considered to be a fairly stable personality characteristic, not particularly goal specific (Berkowitz, 1972, p. 115), involving two specific aspects--wish (or hope) to succeed and fear of failure. The first is seen as an approach motive which focuses on anticipation of reward. The second, fear of failure, is seen as an avoidance motive involving anticipation of punishment (McClelland, Clark, Roby, and Atkinson, 1958).
Show less - Date Issued
- 1979
- Identifier
- CFR0003519, ucf:52987
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003519
- Title
- Puerto Rican Women in Pursuit of the Ph.D.: A Qualitative Analysis of Persistence.
- Creator
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Morales, Cyndia, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Owens, James, Laureano Fuentes, Gloria, Rivera, Fernando, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study explores the phenomenon of Puerto Rican women who have achieved a Ph.D. degree. The researcher utilized a qualitative research methodology to investigate the social aspects that influenced Puerto Rican women to persist in their doctoral programs. Due to the national pool of potential participants, interviews were conducted with Puerto Rican women using video chat software. The researcher utilizes 5 tenets of Critical Race Theory (CRT) as the framework for this study, in an effort...
Show moreThis study explores the phenomenon of Puerto Rican women who have achieved a Ph.D. degree. The researcher utilized a qualitative research methodology to investigate the social aspects that influenced Puerto Rican women to persist in their doctoral programs. Due to the national pool of potential participants, interviews were conducted with Puerto Rican women using video chat software. The researcher utilizes 5 tenets of Critical Race Theory (CRT) as the framework for this study, in an effort to address the varying aspects that contribute to the persistence of Puerto Rican women in graduate study, despite the challenges often cited in the literature as deterrents to academic achievement. The participants' experiences are examined on an individual, interactional, and institutional level, in order to gain insight into their persistence. This study captures the stories of Puerto Rican women raised in the mainland U.S. as well as those raised on the island itself. Ultimately, this study addresses two main gaps in the literature: (1) research is lacking on Latinas who are successful in higher education, and (2) traditional research tends to describe Latino/a academic achievement as a collective, with little attention given to the cultural distinctions of Latino subgroups in their educational trajectories.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004725, ucf:49828
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004725
- Title
- A STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION HAS ON STUDENTS' ULTIMATE ACADEMIC SUCCESS.
- Creator
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Gunderson, Margaret Mary, Murray, Barbara, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to determine if vocational/business education has an influence on a student's ultimate academic achievement--high school graduation. This study consists of comparing students with no vocational/business education experiences to students with some degree of vocational/business education. The cohort group started high school during the 1999-2000 school year, had earned a GPA of 2.5 or lower at the end of the freshman year (May 2000) and finished high school...
Show moreABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to determine if vocational/business education has an influence on a student's ultimate academic achievement--high school graduation. This study consists of comparing students with no vocational/business education experiences to students with some degree of vocational/business education. The cohort group started high school during the 1999-2000 school year, had earned a GPA of 2.5 or lower at the end of the freshman year (May 2000) and finished high school prior to the start of the 2003-2004 school year. There were 322 students identified in the initial cohort group. In completing this study, the following procedures were implemented: related literature was reviewed to provide a background of the role vocational/business education plays and the effect vocational/business education has on a student's achievement, data were collected and a survey was taken. The data collected included grade point average, standardized test scores, attendance, discipline and whether or not the student withdrew prior to graduation. The data were analyzed using ANOVA to determine a significant difference. Significance was tested at the .05 level. Data related to withdraws were analyzed using the Chi-Square Test of Independence. The researcher developed and implemented a survey instrument. The survey was offered to all Lyman graduates in the class of 2003 over the age of 18 who had completed at least two courses in one vocational/business program. These students were asked to describe the significance and relevance of their vocational/business education training to their high school experience and career choice (which may include college education). The survey asked students to list advantages and disadvantages of their vocational/business education training and their participation in co-curricular organizations. Students were asked to state their perception of the effect that the vocational/business classes had upon their academic achievement. The following results were obtained from this research. There was not a statistically significant difference in grade point averages, standardized test scores, absences and out-of-school suspensions. There was a statistically significant difference in in-school suspensions and withdraws prior to graduation. There were 227 students who withdrew prior to graduation. Of the 227 students, 91 had no vocational/business education and 96 had taken some amount of vocational/business education training (one course in one or more vocational/business education programs). Of the 95 students who remained throughout the four years of high school, 84 of the students graduated. Of the 84 students who graduated, 56 of the students completed a vocational/business education program. All graduates who responded to the survey strongly agreed that vocational/business education had a positive effect on their academic achievement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFE0000007, ucf:46076
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000007
- Title
- DEVELOPMENT OF A KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT MODEL IN LARGE-SCALE INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCE PROJECTS.
- Creator
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Nunez, Jose, Kotnour, Timothy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Large-scale international science projects (LISPs) are those projects where two or more countries formally agree to cooperate toward the achievement of a scientific, research and development, or engineering goal. In general, only projects exceeding $1 billion U.S. are considered LISPs, so sheer size commands attention, and because they are so costly and visible, failure can lead to significant scientific, financial and political consequences. This researched focused on how 7 different...
Show moreLarge-scale international science projects (LISPs) are those projects where two or more countries formally agree to cooperate toward the achievement of a scientific, research and development, or engineering goal. In general, only projects exceeding $1 billion U.S. are considered LISPs, so sheer size commands attention, and because they are so costly and visible, failure can lead to significant scientific, financial and political consequences. This researched focused on how 7 different critical success factors impacted the level of technical interface knowledge shared among international partners involved in a large-scale international space science project (LISSP) – the International Space Station (ISS), which is currently under assembly and testing at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The research methodology employed documentation review, individual interviews and surveys of experienced engineers and managers from three different countries associated with the ISS. The research methodology was applied to three different cases (retrospectively) involving the processing of flight hardware from the three different international partners. The analysis showed that only 5 out of the 7-factor model played a significant role in the level of knowledge sharing between partners. The developed model provides future international partnerships with critical success factors that they can apply to their specific project / mission teams in order to improve the level of knowledge shared between them.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000656, ucf:46501
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000656
- Title
- COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERSHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
- Creator
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Van Dusen, Laurie, Bozeman, William, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to explore with community college presidents of 292 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Level 1 institutions their perceptions as to the extent to which selected leadership styles presently required in the performance of presidential duties may be required in the future. Also investigated were leadership succession planning and professional development initiatives aimed at identifying and developing future leaders. A total of 209 (71.6%) presidents...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to explore with community college presidents of 292 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Level 1 institutions their perceptions as to the extent to which selected leadership styles presently required in the performance of presidential duties may be required in the future. Also investigated were leadership succession planning and professional development initiatives aimed at identifying and developing future leaders. A total of 209 (71.6%) presidents completed a researcher designed survey. Data analysis resulted in the following major findings. The presidents indicated a high level of support for each of the five leadership styles for current presidents as well as for future leaders. A consultative style of leadership was deemed to be the most important form of leadership for current leaders and increasing in importance for future leaders. Participative leadership was ranked second and could be considered as a transitional alternative for new presidents. The delegative and negotiative leadership styles were cited as the third and fourth most important forms of leadership for current and future leaders. Fifth ranked was the directive or autocratic style of leadership. Three-fourths of community college presidents indicated that they were actively engaged in the identification and development of potential leaders. Presidents were highly supportive of six developmental areas (budgeting, financial management, fund raising, governing boards, internal governance, and politics/relationships) but perceived politics and relationships as being the most critical area of development for future presidents. Presidents, with less than 10 years of service, were more actively engaged in identifying potential future leaders than their longer tenured counterparts. Those planning to retire within the next 6 years indicated the highest level of engagement. Institutional leaders who had been identified for advancement in a succession plan during their careers were more likely to have a succession plan in place in their institution; however, succession planning was largely informal.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000850, ucf:46664
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000850
- Title
- RELATIONSHIPS AMONG CHILD ABUSE EXPERIENCES, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS.
- Creator
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Havill, Amanda, Renk, Kimberly, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Previous research indicated that childhood abuse experiences are important factors in determining the length and achievement of individuals' academic careers (Braver, Bumberry, Green, & Rawson, 1992). Several additional studies suggested that there is a relationship between childhood abuse experiences and social support (i.e., parental, peer, and teacher; Ezzell, Swenson, & Brondino, 2000; Goebbels, Nichols, Walsh, & De Vries, 2008). Although these relationships were documented, few studies...
Show morePrevious research indicated that childhood abuse experiences are important factors in determining the length and achievement of individuals' academic careers (Braver, Bumberry, Green, & Rawson, 1992). Several additional studies suggested that there is a relationship between childhood abuse experiences and social support (i.e., parental, peer, and teacher; Ezzell, Swenson, & Brondino, 2000; Goebbels, Nichols, Walsh, & De Vries, 2008). Although these relationships were documented, few studies examined the relationships between childhood abuse experiences, social support, and academic success in one comprehensive analysis. As a result, the current study examined the relationships among childhood abuse experiences, social support, and academic success. More specifically, the current study examined the mediational role of social support in the relationship between childhood abuse experiences and academic success. Participants completed four empirically validated questionnaires online. These questionnaires included a demographics questionnaire, the Student Perceived Availability of Social Support Questionnaire (SPASSQ; Vedder, Boekaerts, & Seegers, 2005), the Motivation to Achieve Academically Questionnaire (MAAQ; Waugh, 2002), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ; Bernstein & Fink, 1998)). Using correlational analyses and regression analyses, results of the current study indicated that those individuals who reported childhood abuse experiences are more likely to have reported lower levels of parental support and that those who received a higher level of teachers' support are more likely to endorse academic success. Finally, childhood abuse experiences and social support generally were not significant predictors of academic success, and social support did not serve as a mediator in the relationship between childhood abuse experiences and academic success. Nonetheless, understanding the childhood experiences that individuals bring with them into their later lives still may be important in fostering the best possible academic outcomes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0003786, ucf:44715
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003786
- Title
- STRENGTHS AND TALENTS OF POTENTIAL ADMINISTRATORS IN ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, FLORIDA.
- Creator
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Anderson, Arthur, Taylor, Rosemarye, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
With the increased demands on principals and a shortage of qualified, acceptable candidates, school districts that have to replace principals are in a difficult position. These factors, combined with the importance that the principal role has in relation to student achievement, make the identification of potential administrators and the hiring process for new administrators a top priority for all school districts. This study answered the following two major questions; a) what characteristics...
Show moreWith the increased demands on principals and a shortage of qualified, acceptable candidates, school districts that have to replace principals are in a difficult position. These factors, combined with the importance that the principal role has in relation to student achievement, make the identification of potential administrators and the hiring process for new administrators a top priority for all school districts. This study answered the following two major questions; a) what characteristics or talents, as identified by the StrengthsFinder profile, did Orange County Public School principals in 2007 look for in identifying potential school administrators and b) what differences, if any, exist within the existing variables (school level, certification, gender, and prior experiences). The Clifton StrengthsFinder Profile was utilized to identify the strengths or talents of a group of 61 teachers within Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) who were identified by their principals as potential school based administrators. Of those 61 participants in the Aspiring Leader Academy, the following five strengths were most commonly identified: a) Relator (45.9%), b) Achiever (37.8%), c) Responsibility (37.7%), d) Learner (36.1%) and e) Maximizer (25.9%). In comparing talents across demographic data, the talents identified for participants at all levels (elementary, middle, and high) were not statistically different, supporting the notion that talents principals looked for in identifying potential administrators were relatively the same at all three levels.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002412, ucf:47768
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002412
- Title
- DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF THE CROSS-CULTURAL COMPETENCE INVENTORY.
- Creator
-
Thornson, Carol, Fritzsche, Barbara, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Understanding the factors responsible for successful interactions between cultures has been an ongoing investigation among anthropologists, social workers, and organizational psychologists. The need for employees who are able to function effectively across cultures has resulted in a great deal of research examining which factors enable expatriate effectiveness. Despite the necessity of a workforce that is able to function across cultures in todayÂÂ's global economy, an...
Show moreUnderstanding the factors responsible for successful interactions between cultures has been an ongoing investigation among anthropologists, social workers, and organizational psychologists. The need for employees who are able to function effectively across cultures has resulted in a great deal of research examining which factors enable expatriate effectiveness. Despite the necessity of a workforce that is able to function across cultures in todayÂÂ's global economy, an even greater case can be made for cross-cultural competence (3C) in the U.S. military. The potential for loss of life and international-level consequences is high if our military forces are not adequately prepared. This is why the Department of Defense has identified 3C as a critical determinant of success for military missions. Despite the critical need for military 3C, a review of the literature found no validated instruments developed to assess the readiness of our troops to work closely with foreign nationals and coalition forces in the context of military deployments. As such, the overarching goal of this validation study was to enable the U.S. military to prepare and train its forces in 3C, specifically allowing the military to: (1) better assess troop readiness to engage other cultures; (2) target training to those skills that help achieve missions in the field; (3) design more authentic cross-cultural training exercises; (4) assess the effectiveness of cross-cultural training; and (5) guide the development of future cultural training efforts. To that end, a blended approach to scale development was undertaken, whereby critical-incident interviews with subject matter experts informed which of the individual difference predictors from the civilian literatures would likely be applicable to the military domain. Initial administration of the prototype instrument to 792 military members, followed by exploratory factor analysis, revealed six hypothesized factors of 3C. Following scale development, the Cross-Cultural Competence Inventory (3CI) was administered to almost 5,000 service members, and the six-factor structure was confirmed as well as cross-validated. Another data collection effort focused on assessing the stability of the six factors over time, via test-retest reliability analysis. A final validation study revealed Cultural Exploration to be a significant predictor of three of the four performance criteria, as rated by supervisors on deployment. Furthermore, this study offered the unique perspective gained by administering two popular civilian instruments along with a military-based tool, providing insight into the nature of military 3C and the ways in which it is similar to, and distinct from, civilian 3C. Additionally, important theoretical contributions may help guide future empirical research and military applications. This study is the initial step in assessing readiness for cultural interaction in the military. The results may serve to guide future efforts in military research in order to support our forces in the field as well as to guide the military establishment in making decisions on training, education, and operations in the context of mission success.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003437, ucf:48388
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003437
- Title
- Student Community Detection and Recommendation of Customized Paths to Reinforce Academic Success.
- Creator
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Shao, Yuan, Jha, Sumit Kumar, Zhang, Wei, Zhang, Shaojie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Educational Data Mining (EDM) is a research area that analyzes educational data and extracts interesting and unique information to address education issues. EDM implements computational methods to explore data for the purpose of studying questions related to educational achievements. A common task in an educational environment is the grouping of students and the identification of communities that have common features. Then, these communities of students may be studied by a course developer to...
Show moreEducational Data Mining (EDM) is a research area that analyzes educational data and extracts interesting and unique information to address education issues. EDM implements computational methods to explore data for the purpose of studying questions related to educational achievements. A common task in an educational environment is the grouping of students and the identification of communities that have common features. Then, these communities of students may be studied by a course developer to build a personalized learning system, promote effective group learning, provide adaptive contents, etc. The objective of this thesis is to find an approach to detect student communities and analyze students who do well academically with particular sequences of classes in each community. Then, we compute one or more sequences of courses that a student in a community may pursue to higher their chances of obtaining good academic performance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007529, ucf:52623
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007529
- Title
- Analysis of Employment and Earnings Using Varying Coefficient Models to Assess Success of Minorities and Women.
- Creator
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Goedeker, Amanda, Pensky, Marianna, Song, Zixia, Swanson, Jason, Huang, Hsin-Hsiung, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The objective of this thesis is to examine the success of minorities (black, and Hispanic/Latino employees) and women in the United States workforce, defining success by employment percentage and earnings. The goal of this thesis is to study the impact gender, race, passage of time, and national economic status reflected in gross domestic product have on the success of minorities and women. In particular, this thesis considers the impact of these factors in Science, Technology, Engineering...
Show moreThe objective of this thesis is to examine the success of minorities (black, and Hispanic/Latino employees) and women in the United States workforce, defining success by employment percentage and earnings. The goal of this thesis is to study the impact gender, race, passage of time, and national economic status reflected in gross domestic product have on the success of minorities and women. In particular, this thesis considers the impact of these factors in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) industries. Varying coefficient models are utilized in the analysis of data sets for national employment percentages and earnings.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006458, ucf:51425
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006458
- Title
- A Study of Elementary Student Course Completion and Achievement in Virtual and Traditional Format Courses within the Volusia County School District.
- Creator
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Garzia, Janet, Murray, Kenneth, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Gordon, Murray, Barbara, Kennedy, Mary, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The focus of this research study was to determine how elementary students enrolled in virtual education classes performed on state assessments and final report card grades in Reading and Mathematics as compared with students enrolled in traditional classes, and to examine whether there was a difference in the successful course completion rates between the two groups. Five research questions guided this study concerning the relationship of successful course completion, final grades, and FCAT 2...
Show moreThe focus of this research study was to determine how elementary students enrolled in virtual education classes performed on state assessments and final report card grades in Reading and Mathematics as compared with students enrolled in traditional classes, and to examine whether there was a difference in the successful course completion rates between the two groups. Five research questions guided this study concerning the relationship of successful course completion, final grades, and FCAT 2.0 achievement level scores and the variables of virtual and traditional education in the School District of Volusia County. This study is significant, as the movement of virtual learning is driven by economic factors and learning outcomes need to be considered in making instructional delivery decisions.Chi-square analysis suggested no statistical significant difference existed in either Reading or Mathematics successful course completion of students in virtual and traditional settings. Chi-square analyses and a one-sample t-test suggested there was no statistical significant difference in performance of virtual and traditional students on FCAT 2.0 Reading and Mathematics achievement levels. Although the Chi-square analyses showed no statistical significance in performance of virtual and traditional students on final report card grades in Reading and Mathematics, the one-sample t-tests suggested there was a statistically significant difference. When interpreting these results, caution should be taken as the virtual student population was extremely disproportionate to the traditional student population. Implications for practice and recommendations for future study are suggested in this study.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004848, ucf:49713
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004848
- Title
- Discovering self, leaving struggle behind, and setting examples: Perspectives from first-generation, minority community college women on the value of higher education.
- Creator
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Sheel, Antonia, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Owens, James, Pratt Marrett, Caroline, Culp, Rex, Penfold Navarro, Catherine, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study explored how first-generation, minority community college women who participated in a Student Success course understood their higher education experiences. The researcher used a basic interpretive qualitative methodology to uncover how the value of higher education was constructed within those discussions. Five purposively selected students participated in one-on-one semi structured interviews. The participant's understandings were highlighted independently, reflecting a wide range...
Show moreThis study explored how first-generation, minority community college women who participated in a Student Success course understood their higher education experiences. The researcher used a basic interpretive qualitative methodology to uncover how the value of higher education was constructed within those discussions. Five purposively selected students participated in one-on-one semi structured interviews. The participant's understandings were highlighted independently, reflecting a wide range of sentiments that were largely self-directed in essence, at times ambiguous and yet, complex in nature as the women made sense of their experiences. Through the use of thematic analysis, three dominant discourses about the value of higher education were identified as opportunity and defined as: 1) Personal Fulfillment and Intrinsic Motivation, 2) Financial Stability and College as Insurance against Poverty, and 3) Social Obligations: Breaking Stereotypes and Setting Examples. The data coupled with researcher reflections serve as the basis for implications for Student Success faculty and administrators in the areas of pedagogical strategy, marketing, resource creation, and program restructuring. Lastly, recommendations were made for future research studies.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005255, ucf:50588
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005255
- Title
- Determining the impacts of beach restoration on loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting patterns and reproductive success along Florida's Atlantic coast.
- Creator
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Hays, Allison, Weishampel, John, Ehrhart, Llewellyn, Mota, Mario, Hinkle, Charles, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Artificial beach nourishment, the most common method to mitigate coastal erosion in the United States, is also considered the most ecologically friendly alternative for shoreline stabilization. However, this habitat alteration has the potential to impact nesting marine turtles and developing hatchlings. The first objective of this study was to determine how nourishing beaches with two different design templates affects loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting...
Show moreArtificial beach nourishment, the most common method to mitigate coastal erosion in the United States, is also considered the most ecologically friendly alternative for shoreline stabilization. However, this habitat alteration has the potential to impact nesting marine turtles and developing hatchlings. The first objective of this study was to determine how nourishing beaches with two different design templates affects loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting success, the ratio of nests to the total number of nests and non-nesting emergences, and reproductive success, the ratio of hatched and emerged hatchlings to the total number of eggs deposited. Two types of restoration designs exist along the southern Brevard County, FL coastline, which supports some of the highest density loggerhead and green turtle nesting worldwide. Since 2005, approximately 35 kilometers of beach have undergone 1) full-scale restoration (typically called nourishment), where sand was added above and below the mean high tide line (2005, 2010) or 2) dune restoration, where sand was placed on the dune (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009). To quantify the effects of these restoration types, we used a Before-After-Control-Impact-Paired Series (BACIPS) model, which tests for significance between the difference in nesting success rates at the impact (engineered) and control sites (natural beach) before and after restoration (?). For loggerheads, there was a significant difference in ? after dune restoration during the years of construction (2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009; p(<)0.001) and one year post-construction (2007; p(<)0.05 and 2010; p(<)0.001). After full-scale restoration, there was a significant difference in ? during the years of construction (2005 and 2010; p (<)0.001) and one year post-construction (2006; p(<)0.001). For green turtles, there was a significant difference in ? after dune restoration during two of the four years of construction (2006; p(<)0.05 and 2008; p(<)0.01) and one of the two one-year post-construction years (2010; p(<)0.05). After full-scale restoration, the significant difference in ? lasted every season (2005-2010; p(<)0.001). There were no significant differences in ? for loggerhead or green turtle reproductive success rates after either type of restoration. The second objective was to use the different restoration designs to study what beach characteristics function as loggerhead nesting cues to explain why altering the beach decreases nesting success rates. We examined beach elevation and slope, sand moisture content, sand grain size, beach width, and distance traveled. Logistic regression model selection found all variables were important (R2=0.75). Further examination of trends, with each crawl divided into quarters, found beach slope served as a nesting cue. In all study sites except one, when turtles false crawled, the beach flattened out in the final quarter of the crawl. Conversely, in nesting emergences, the final quarter rose at a steeper slope than the previous quarter. Additionally, model selection found variables important in nest site selection were also important in hatching (R2=0.44) and emergence (R2=0.45) success. These results offer new insight into how and why marine turtle nesting patterns change after artificial nourishment, providing information necessary to nourish beaches in a more (")turtle-friendly(") manner. ?
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004332, ucf:49447
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004332
