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Title: Conditions Associated with Increased Risk of Fraud: A Model for Publicly Traded Restaurant Companies.
Creator: Yost, Elizabeth, Croes, Robertico, Severt, Denver, Robinson, Edward, Murphy, Kevin, Semrad, Kelly, Jackson, Leonard, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The central focus of this dissertation study is to understand the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the factors that contribute to increased risk of fraud in order to determine why fraud may occur despite the imposed regulation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The main premise of the study tests the application of the fraud triangle framework constructs to publicly traded restaurant companies during the time period of 2002-2014, using proxy variables defined through literature. Essentially, the...
Show moreThe central focus of this dissertation study is to understand the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the factors that contribute to increased risk of fraud in order to determine why fraud may occur despite the imposed regulation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The main premise of the study tests the application of the fraud triangle framework constructs to publicly traded restaurant companies during the time period of 2002-2014, using proxy variables defined through literature. Essentially, the study seeks to identify the factors that may provide the optimal criteria to engage in fraudulent or opportunistic behavior. The fraud triangle theoretical framework is comprised of the constructs of pressure, opportunity and rationalization, and has mostly been utilized by external auditors to assess the fraud risk of various companies. It has never been applied to the restaurant industry, and the proxy variables selected have never before been tested in a comprehensive model. Thus, a major contribution of this study may enable executive managers to assess the fraud triangle conditions according to the model in order to afford conclusions regarding increased risk of fraud. The study first hypothesized that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has had a significant impact on detecting increased risk of fraud for publicly traded restaurant companies. Additionally, the study controlled for and tested the proxy variables of the fraud triangle constructs to determine if any of the variables had a significant impact on detecting increased risk of fraud for publicly traded restaurant companies. The variables tested included company size, debt, employee turnover, organizational structure, international sales growth, executive stock compensation, return on assets, the Recession, and macro-economic factors of interest, inflation, and unemployment rates. The research study adopted an exploratory research design using the case of publicly traded United States restaurant companies in order to provide a better understanding of the characteristics that may contribute to increased fraud risk. The study assumed a binary distribution of the dependent variable, increased fraud risk, measured by the incidence of a reported internal control deficiency over the testable time period. Specifically, the study employed a probit model to estimate the probability that an entity or company will be at an increased risk of fraud based on the independent variables that support and are linked to the fraud triangle framework. Additionally, the model assumes equal weight to the variables of the fraud triangle framework. Through use of the probit model, the major findings of the study were as follows: First, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act does have a significant impact on highlighting areas of increased fraud risk for publicly traded restaurant companies. Second, for the total population of restaurant companies, only the Recession, interest rates, inflation rates and unemployment rates are significant indicators of increased fraud risk. None of the internal variables were significant. However, once the data was segmented by type of restaurant, the results revealed significance of both internal and external variables. These results imply a couple of theoretical notions: first, that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is an effective means for detecting risk of fraud for publicly traded restaurant companies when considering variables that support the fraud triangle; second, that the fraud triangle is contextual when applied to the restaurant industry because only the variables that are outside of managements control were significant. Finally, from a managerial perspective, the study provides evidence that macro-economic conditions that might affect consumer demand may increase the risk of fraud for publicly traded restaurant companies.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005745, ucf:50101
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005745

Title: Safety Climate and Safety Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance: A Mediating Effect of Employee Turnover and Safety Motivation.
Creator: Alnoaimi, Muhanna, Karwowski, Waldemar, Xanthopoulos, Petros, Hancock, Peter, Mikusinski, Piotr, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Aircraft maintenance is viewed as a critical safety component in general and military aviation industries, and thus it is crucial to identify the factors that may affect aircraft maintenance. Because the safety climate is considered as a leading indicator of safety performance and safety outcomes, this study utilized this safety climate approach to develop a model which can explain the relationships between employee turnover, safety motivation, self-reported unsafe acts, reporting unsafe...
Show moreAircraft maintenance is viewed as a critical safety component in general and military aviation industries, and thus it is crucial to identify the factors that may affect aircraft maintenance. Because the safety climate is considered as a leading indicator of safety performance and safety outcomes, this study utilized this safety climate approach to develop a model which can explain the relationships between employee turnover, safety motivation, self-reported unsafe acts, reporting unsafe behaviors, incidents, and injuries in the aviation maintenance environment. This study included a sample of 283 technicians in military aircraft maintenance units who participated in a cross-sectional random survey. Data collected were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques. A structural model that fitted the data was developed which predicted 64% of the variance in employee turnover, 7% of the variance in safety motivation, 20% of the variance in unsafe acts, 41% of the variance in reporting unsafe behavior, and 21% of the variance in workplace injuries. The results indicate employees who report a perception of high turnover exhibit decreased safety motivation and increased unsafe acts which lead to higher levels of workplace injuries. The perception of safety climate was identified as an antecedent to safety performance and safety outcomes. Additionally, the effects of control variables such as age and education were tested. The implications for safety management in aircraft maintenance were also discussed. This study provides directions for future research on the turnover of aircraft maintenance technicians, safety performance, and safety outcomes.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005753, ucf:50097
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005753

Title: Red tape and barbed wire: Close-up of the McCarran Law in action.
Creator: Garlin, Sender
Date Issued: 1952
Identifier: 1927030, CFDT1927030, ucf:4794
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/1927030

Title: PROFILING BY ANY OTHER NAME COULD BE THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT.
Creator: Malloy, Evan, Brown, Cynthia, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The undergraduate thesis began with the research question of whether the Islamic community is being profiled by the use of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. At the beginning of the project, the researcher's hypothesis was that Muslim community had fallen victim to profiling through the use of electronic surveillance conducted by the American government. The research presented reveals a pattern of profiling and injustices...
Show moreThe undergraduate thesis began with the research question of whether the Islamic community is being profiled by the use of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. At the beginning of the project, the researcher's hypothesis was that Muslim community had fallen victim to profiling through the use of electronic surveillance conducted by the American government. The research presented reveals a pattern of profiling and injustices against many different groups of Americans throughout the history of United States surveillance laws starting with the illegal alcohol producers in the 1920's. Amendments to FISA have set necessary modern electronic surveillance regulations back 30 years. The researcher brings to light the injustices the Islamic community has endured out of the panic caused by the attacks on 9/11. The research presented was achieved by using empirical legal studies techniques of incorporating a mix-methods approach to utilize both quantitative and qualitative research components. The researcher developed a spreadsheet that included all published federal opinions of prosecutions involving FISA since its enactment in 1978. Statistical data was analyzed using frequency and average software, known as Stata, and the results of study suggest an extreme increase in the amount of prosecutions involving the Islamic community since 9/11 compared to prior.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFH0003853, ucf:44694
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003853

Title: SWEAT: THE EXODUS FROM PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ENSLAVEMENT TO EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL LIBERATION.
Creator: Roberson, Aqueelah, Chase, Diane, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this thesis is to showcase the importance of God-inspired Theatre and to manifest the transformative effects of living in accordance to the Word of God. In order to share my vision for theatre such as this, I will examine the biblical elements in Zora Neale Hurston's short story Sweat (1926). I will write a stage adaptation of the story, while placing emphasis on the biblical lessons that can be used for God-inspired Theatre. When viewing the stage adaptation based on Sweat...
Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to showcase the importance of God-inspired Theatre and to manifest the transformative effects of living in accordance to the Word of God. In order to share my vision for theatre such as this, I will examine the biblical elements in Zora Neale Hurston's short story Sweat (1926). I will write a stage adaptation of the story, while placing emphasis on the biblical lessons that can be used for God-inspired Theatre. When viewing the stage adaptation based on Sweat, the audience members will understand how God-inspired Theatre aims to help members of society utilize their gifts and abilities to assist others in achieving spiritual stability. The members of the audience will also be informed of my vision to use this piece to inspire others to embrace cultural awareness and sensitivity. This is my vision--helping others to walk in their God-ordained destiny. With this in mind, I am using Sweat as a proposed play because it is closely related to the creation account as recorded in the Old Testament Book of Genesis. In this play, Adam and Eve are replaced with the characters Sykes and Delia Jones. The creation account is a very influential testimony because it is known throughout humanity. Its popularity is due to the fact that the Old Testament is the commencement of the Christian Bible. For those of the Jewish faith, the collection encompasses the Torah, the first five books of the bible--the law for everyday living-- as well as the history of God's promise to them. For Christians, the Old Testament is just as sacred, but they view its religious meaning as incomplete without the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ detailed in the New Testament. Also, Muslims trace their religious roots to some of the figures in the Old Testament although they deny the religious significance of the work as a whole. In essence, the Old Testament is crucial to Western Civilization. This is why Sweat is so powerful. It takes an extremely familiar testimony and shares pertinent messages that help people to become productive members of society. In order to show how effective Sweat is in helping others to live spirit-filled lives, I will use creative staging that will place the characters in the personal space of the audience members. I will achieve this by: having the actors enter and exit from the audience; allowing certain scenes to take place within the audience; and having the actors deliver some lines to various audience members. I feel that by making the audience a part of the production, it will cause them to see that they are not any different from the characters in the play. At some point in their lives, theatergoers have encountered--or been intimate with--an Adam, an Eve, a Sykes or a Delia. This will cause them to not see Sweat as just a play, but as a valuable life lesson, triggering self-examination and initiating renovated thinking that helps people to become culturally aware and spiritually sound. It is imperative that the biblical messages in Sweat are conspicuous. Whereas the narrator normally describes Delia's facial expression or feelings, I plan to write in scenes where her thoughts are audible. Some of her thoughts will include moments when she is praising and worshipping God. This is apparent because she starts to emerge as a woman of strength as the story progresses. Her relationship with God is cultivated on a daily basis. This is why she is able to tolerate her husband's foolishness. Her husband, Sykes, does not commune with God. To demonstrate his lack of communion with God, I will stage him being resistant to her times of worship--as he normally is according to the narrator. Clearly, the marriage is unbalanced. One partner is trying to please God, and the other is trying to please self. This is not how God intended marriage to be. In the New Testament Book First Peter, it states in the third chapter and seventh verse "husbands are to dwell with them in understanding, giving honor to the wife … being heirs together of the grace of life." Showing the burdensome consequences of destructing God's original design will pull on the hearts of audience members because they have encountered or known someone who is presently dealing with the consequences of this disobedient act. I will further reiterate the need for living a spirit-filled life by using costumes, scenic devices, and lighting to convey the godly and ungodly character traits that are embodied within the story. Through the use of colors and patterns, I will project the internal state of the character as in relation to God's instructions. I will work with a lighting designer in order to help convey the moods of the various scenes. The lighting techniques we choose will help to establish the thoughts and personalities of the characters. These feelings will transcend the minds of the audience and cause them to take the biblical messages into very deep consideration. The actors are the final ingredients in making Sweat an awe-inspiring, informative piece. Words are what they are, what one perceives them to be, while on paper. It is the job of the actor to give life to these words, cause them to live in the atmosphere, and to make the character come alive. Until the actor embodies the very heart of a character, the message in God-inspired Theatre will not be able to come forth and propel audience members to have a spiritual awakening. This is why people cannot just read Sweat. They must see the trials and journeys in order to receive life-changing revelations from the testimonies within the play.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: CFE0001702, ucf:47329
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001702

Title: THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR: A UNIVERSITY ACTRESS.
Creator: Hanemann, Brook Akya, Listengarten, Julia, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Art is too ethereal a thing to judge by tangible measure. There is no scale to weigh a performance on, no level to gauge a character's balance, no plumb line to measure its depth. No critic can appoint an allotment of stars to represent the worth of a production, and the audience, though a vital participant within the performance experience, cannot act as Jury and deliberate together to reach an absolute verdict of approval or disapproval. How then can an actor go about working towards giving...
Show moreArt is too ethereal a thing to judge by tangible measure. There is no scale to weigh a performance on, no level to gauge a character's balance, no plumb line to measure its depth. No critic can appoint an allotment of stars to represent the worth of a production, and the audience, though a vital participant within the performance experience, cannot act as Jury and deliberate together to reach an absolute verdict of approval or disapproval. How then can an actor go about working towards giving a successful performance?The Merry Wives of Windsor was written at a time when wives were not permitted to tread upon the stage at all. During Shakespeare's era the roles of women were played only by cherub faced young men. The version of The Merry Wives of Windsor which was presented by the University of Central Florida in the fall of 2002 was not, however, set in those pre-femme days. The production was presented as if being performed by a traveling acting troupe of men and women with a repertoire of which The Merry Wives of Windsor was only a part. I was cast as Mistress Ford.Embarking on a Shakespeare play is no small feat. Earnest research on the lives of the Elizabethans will offer up clues into the mindset, customs, beliefs, and theories of the age in which the play was written. Modern day actors preparing themselves to take on a Shakespearian role may also look also to the theories and theatrical trends of his or her own time and those that have led up to it. This research is the foundation on which a performance must be built. The theatrical performer must act as his own instrument in the symphony of his performance. Stage acting is an art form which enfolds many forms of expressive artistic communication. The mind, the body, the voice, the emotions and in my opinion the soul must all come into play to reach the summit of an artistic theatrical performance and the actor's journey must be comprised of exercises to stretch and strengthen each area of the actor's instrument. A vigorous vocal regimen must be crafted and adhered to. An analytical investigation of the script is required. The actor's physicality must be tailored to portray the proper class, energy level and spirit of his character. The emotional life of the character should be thoroughly probed and the performer must find a way to fully embody the soul of the character and the age in which the character lived. In this particular case, I came to find that the usual modern day methods of performance preparation most commonly used by actors of our age were not in themselves enough to bring me to what I felt was a successful performance. I came instead to discover that a Brechtian approach to Shakespearian acting solved many of the challenges I faced when coming up short in my prior attempts to use a more Stanislavsky based method.Although the very nature of art makes it impossible to judge by tangible measure, there are very tangible ways to go about preparing for a role upon the stage. No single approach can work for every piece. One must exercise the mind, voice, body and soul to perform a role as weighty as a Shakespearian character. Proper research, analysis, and a regimen built upon exercises for the body and voice are the tools available for the serious actor. This thesis outlines a University actress' use of these tools and details how the discovery of Brechtian elements within the UCF production of Merry Wives opened doors to a new way of handling the portrayal Mistress Ford.
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Date Issued: 2004
Identifier: CFE0000116, ucf:46185
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000116

Title: THE RESURRECTION OF EVERYMAN.
Creator: Knoell, David, Listengarten, Julia, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In March of 2005 I was a cast member in Mad Cow Theatre's production of the Morality drama Everyman. This classic tale on the condition of human dying is regarding as one of the greatest dramas of the Medieval period and is one of the first plays in the English language to be put into print. This thesis is an actor's journey into the history of Medieval theatre, the challenges of producing Everyman for a contemporary audience, and the techniques of acting implemented in the creation of...
Show moreIn March of 2005 I was a cast member in Mad Cow Theatre's production of the Morality drama Everyman. This classic tale on the condition of human dying is regarding as one of the greatest dramas of the Medieval period and is one of the first plays in the English language to be put into print. This thesis is an actor's journey into the history of Medieval theatre, the challenges of producing Everyman for a contemporary audience, and the techniques of acting implemented in the creation of allegorical characters. Medieval drama, like Everyman, is still relevant in today's world because it addresses universal themes of friendship, material wealth, and reverence towards death. It is the story of the human being, the power of beliefs, and the fear of death. This thesis reflects a group of artists' desire to give an audience the gift of insight into their common selves.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0001086, ucf:46772
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001086

Title: SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS' ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.
Creator: Goddard, Yvichess, Burg, Mary Ann, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The Affordable Care Act is creating major political changes, on the state and federal levels, and is redefining American citizens' ability to access health services. Medical and mental health social workers are in high demand within the health care workforce to advocate and assist patients in navigating through a complex health care system. Little research has been conducted in understanding future social work professionals' views and knowledge about the legislation. This exploratory...
Show moreThe Affordable Care Act is creating major political changes, on the state and federal levels, and is redefining American citizens' ability to access health services. Medical and mental health social workers are in high demand within the health care workforce to advocate and assist patients in navigating through a complex health care system. Little research has been conducted in understanding future social work professionals' views and knowledge about the legislation. This exploratory-descriptive study used a convenience sample of 105 Bachelors (BSW) and Masters (MSW) level social work students to explore views on health care policy and reform based on students' personal experiences accessing health care. The study also obtained an understanding of how demographic factors affect students' support for health reform. Implications of this study show the need for greater implementation of health policy education in the social work curriculum and further research on the factors affecting students' knowledge and attitudes of health reform.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFH0004649, ucf:45306
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004649

Title: SOCIAL WORK STUDENT PERCEPTIONS OF LABOR TRAFFICKING.
Creator: Mulhern, Margaret, Leon, Ana, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Human Trafficking in Florida is a growing issue that affects individuals and communities on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. Although legislative efforts and changes in agency policies have raised awareness about this problem, limited awareness and research examines awareness of labor trafficking as one form of human trafficking. This exploratory-descriptive study used a convenience sampling technique to explore the perceptions of 45 Bachelors (BSW) and Masters (MSW) level social work...
Show moreHuman Trafficking in Florida is a growing issue that affects individuals and communities on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. Although legislative efforts and changes in agency policies have raised awareness about this problem, limited awareness and research examines awareness of labor trafficking as one form of human trafficking. This exploratory-descriptive study used a convenience sampling technique to explore the perceptions of 45 Bachelors (BSW) and Masters (MSW) level social work students on the prevalence and nature of labor trafficking. The findings from the research show students have a general idea of labor trafficking and believe in equal access to human rights for victims. However, majority of students were unaware of current legislation to aid victims in Florida, and the prevalence of men as victims. Implications from this study show a need for further education within social work policies that aid labor trafficking victims, and a need for additional research to identify specific ways students can learn about human trafficking.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFH0004581, ucf:45202
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004581

Title: Performing Feminism: Boy Gets Girl During the #MeToo Movement.
Creator: Dayton, Amanda, Niess, Christopher, White, Cynthia, Wood, Vandy, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Sexual misconduct is currently a very hot topic in the media. Not only has the #MeToo Movement encouraged many women to come out with their stories of sexual assault, but it has also given women of many different backgrounds an opportunity to band together in support. I will be exploring the role of Theresa Bedell in Boy Gets Girl, by Rebecca Gilman. I will use the given character relationships to build an honest portrayal of the struggles Theresa faces as a woman in the world. I will touch...
Show moreSexual misconduct is currently a very hot topic in the media. Not only has the #MeToo Movement encouraged many women to come out with their stories of sexual assault, but it has also given women of many different backgrounds an opportunity to band together in support. I will be exploring the role of Theresa Bedell in Boy Gets Girl, by Rebecca Gilman. I will use the given character relationships to build an honest portrayal of the struggles Theresa faces as a woman in the world. I will touch on the mindset behind as well as the effects of victim blaming, the importance of having more women in the world of media, the current #MeToo Movement, and how these topics effect my thesis role.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007449, ucf:52697
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007449

Title: Gee, Officer Krupke: An Actor's Casebook.
Creator: Eichenlaub, Eric, Brotherton, Mark, Ingram, Kate, Niess, Christopher, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In 2016, I was cast as Officer Krupke in a production of West Side Story at Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF. Even though Krupke can be thought of as a minor character in the play, bringing him to life required a great deal of research and imagination. In order to ground myself in the reality of the role, I researched the effects of implicit bias in modern policing, applied that research to Uta Hagen's Nine Questions, and brought that knowledge into the rehearsal hall and...
Show moreIn 2016, I was cast as Officer Krupke in a production of West Side Story at Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF. Even though Krupke can be thought of as a minor character in the play, bringing him to life required a great deal of research and imagination. In order to ground myself in the reality of the role, I researched the effects of implicit bias in modern policing, applied that research to Uta Hagen's Nine Questions, and brought that knowledge into the rehearsal hall and onto the stage. I examined how my character's interactions with Lieutenant Schrank influenced his actions and attitudes toward both street gangs in the play and reflected on how my research and these performances changed my point of view and helped me recognize my own biases. This thesis reflects that process and will serve as a tool available to any actor seeking to create his or her own interpretation of Officer Krupke.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007327, ucf:52140
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007327

Title: Standing Up Comedy: Analyzing Rhetorical Approaches to Identity in Stand-up Comedy.
Creator: Grabert, Christopher, Holic, Nathan, Wheeler, Stephanie, Brenckle, Martha, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: My thesis addresses contemporary conversations about stand-up comedy and the art-form's capacity for facilitating complex rhetorical decision-making. I examine how stand-up comedians have positioned themselves on-stage through choices pertaining revealing personal behaviors, personas, and beliefs in public settings. Ultimately, I argue that the art of stand-up does not require truth-telling on-stage, and that there exists an implicit contract between performers and audiences which details...
Show moreMy thesis addresses contemporary conversations about stand-up comedy and the art-form's capacity for facilitating complex rhetorical decision-making. I examine how stand-up comedians have positioned themselves on-stage through choices pertaining revealing personal behaviors, personas, and beliefs in public settings. Ultimately, I argue that the art of stand-up does not require truth-telling on-stage, and that there exists an implicit contract between performers and audiences which details comedians' license to share falsehoods, exaggerations, and embellishments on-stage without the repercussions that accompany these actions in other discourse settings. Finally, I evaluate how comics have handled this rhetorical (")license,(") with some performers delivering easily identifiable falsehoods on stage through characters and caricatures, and others choosing to deliver autobiographical material in spite of the license. My research offers a framework through which audiences may digest the speech utterances in standup comedy performances as the product of purely rhetorical, calculated choices. I will propose that audiences treat each stand-up performance, no matter how seemingly intimate or personal, as artifice. I then offer case studies of three comedians who approach the notion of crafting anon-stage persona in different fashions and evaluate how each of these comedians utilize the implicit license of stand-up comedy. My research contributes to conversations in rhetoric and composition related to the performance of public and private (")selves.(")
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007889, ucf:52773
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007889

Title: Performing Bernarda: Activating Power and Identity.
Creator: Martinez Medina, Ana, Ingram, Kate, Listengarten, Julia, StClaire, Sybil, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The musical Bernarda Alba tells the story of a woman who is confined within the heavily patriarchal and Catholic society that was 1930s Spain. Because of this, I thought it the perfect arena to explore power dynamics on stage. My thesis will explore status, hierarchies, relationships, and identity via the stolid matriarchal character Bernarda Alba. Through analyzing the playwright's words, fleshing out the character, and exploring the character's relationships with others in rehearsal, I have...
Show moreThe musical Bernarda Alba tells the story of a woman who is confined within the heavily patriarchal and Catholic society that was 1930s Spain. Because of this, I thought it the perfect arena to explore power dynamics on stage. My thesis will explore status, hierarchies, relationships, and identity via the stolid matriarchal character Bernarda Alba. Through analyzing the playwright's words, fleshing out the character, and exploring the character's relationships with others in rehearsal, I have studied how to activate status on stage. There are many sociology theories and psychological studies that can be applied to theatre-making in order to create fleshed out relationships, characters, and worlds. I have taken these theories into practice, as I battled with my own hierarchies in real life, and I let art and life do what they do best: imitate each other. I will analyze and play with the physical movement and posture of the character, the vocal choices in the delivery of the scripted words, and the psychological choices in the form of subtext and unspoken thought. There is an abundance of agency one holds when creating status and identity for a character, and I break down the different facets to explore. More importantly, outside of the stage, if we realize that status is more intricate and flexible than we think it is, then we as individuals can unlock invaluable freedoms that can unchain us from daily oppression.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007498, ucf:52655
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007498

Title: GENDER SEGREGATED LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERCEIVED IMPACT OF SINGLE-SEX CLASSROOMS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Creator: Gleason, Paul, Martin, Lawrence, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Educating male and female students in separate learning environments has been a common practice since the early inception of educational programs. However, this practice was heavily debated in the 20th century for its perceived inequalities in the treatment of students based on their gender resulting in today's coeducational classroom structure. Recently, interest in single-sex classrooms returned as an alternative for educating America's youth. Political support for this educational approach...
Show moreEducating male and female students in separate learning environments has been a common practice since the early inception of educational programs. However, this practice was heavily debated in the 20th century for its perceived inequalities in the treatment of students based on their gender resulting in today's coeducational classroom structure. Recently, interest in single-sex classrooms returned as an alternative for educating America's youth. Political support for this educational approach was evident in modifications to the 2006, No Child Left Behind Act which in turn led to increased availability and popularity of this educational venue. Despite same-sex classrooms' acceptance, research results on the effectiveness of single-sex classrooms have been mixed contributing to inconclusive findings that do little to support the use of public funds for such initiatives. The purpose of this research is the analysis of data to clarify the outcomes of single-sex classroom environments and their effects on students. South Carolina Department of Education survey results (2008) were examined using ANOVA analysis to identify differences in the group means between the male and female students and regression analysis was used to test the influence of the control (independent) variables on the dependent variables. The statistical analysis did not find significant differences in how the single-sex classrooms impact males and females in terms of academic achievement. However, motivation and self-esteem were found to have significant differences for male and female students in single-sex classrooms. Notably the analysis results indicated 4th, 5th, and 6th grade levels demonstrated the greatest disparities between the genders. Regression results highlighted the inability of the independent (control) variables of grade level, gender, or ethnicity in explaining the variation in any of the dependent variables, failing to confirm the model used in analysis. Likewise, grade level was generally found to have a greater impact than gender or ethnicity on the academic achievement, motivation and self-esteem dependent variables. It is recommended that additional research be conducted to further consider these variables and their effects on students utilizing a wider range of control (independent) variables.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0003599, ucf:48884
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003599

Title: Three Studies of Stakeholder Influence in the Formation and Management of Tax Policies.
Creator: Chen, Jason, Roberts, Robin, Schmitt, Donna, Robb, Sean, Patten, Dennis, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation consists of three separate but interrelated studies examining the formation and management of tax policies. The first study uses stakeholder theory (ST) to investigate the strategic management practices of the Transport for London (TfL) during discrete stages in the adoption, implementation, and amendments of the tax policy reform known as the London Congestion Charge (LCC). Results indicate that TfL has utilized power, legitimacy, and urgency as its main policy management...
Show moreThis dissertation consists of three separate but interrelated studies examining the formation and management of tax policies. The first study uses stakeholder theory (ST) to investigate the strategic management practices of the Transport for London (TfL) during discrete stages in the adoption, implementation, and amendments of the tax policy reform known as the London Congestion Charge (LCC). Results indicate that TfL has utilized power, legitimacy, and urgency as its main policy management tactics with a significant emphasis on legitimatizing the LCC and its subsequent policy amendments.The second study draws on social exchange theory (SET) to reexamine the relationship between corporations and legislators during tax policy processes. Data for the study come from publicly available political action committee (PAC) contribution activities surrounding the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA07). By examining the endogeneity between legislators' voting patterns and PAC contributions by corporations, this study aims to refine empirical work on corporate political strategy, especially as it relates to crucial tax provisions embedded within an intensely debated policy proposal. Using simultaneous equations modeling (SEM), results are consistent with SET showing that an implicit and reciprocal relationship exists between corporations and legislators. This relationship affects the interdependence of how legislators vote for public policies and the amount of corporations' financial contributions to legislators.The third study investigates and aims to validate the empirical applicability of Dahan's (2005) typology of political resources in explicating the political interactions between stakeholder groups and legislators in the development of EISA07. I discuss how and why the mode of operations and various political resources employed by stakeholder groups affected the final EISA07 language concerning domestic production deduction tax credits for the oil and gas industry. Publicly available data show that both supporting and opposing stakeholder groups employ tactics consistent with Dahan's (2005) typology. However, both stakeholder groups tend to use an interactive or positive political approach to gain access and favor of legislators instead of an adversarial approach. Ultimately, the tax credits were preserved. Taken as a whole, the three studies advance the tax and public policy research literature in accounting by studying how and why relevant stakeholders affect the formation and ongoing management of public and tax policies.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004343, ucf:49423
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004343

Title: PLUNGERS AND PRODUCTIVITY: A STUDENT ARTIST'S SURVIVAL GUIDE TO MULTI-TASKING.
Creator: Wansa, Amanda, Chicurel, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: To be a fully functioning theatre practitioner, the developing student artist becomes equipped with a practical skill set that is ordinarily cultivated through formal training and study. Typically, organized study leads him/her to focus on a specific facet of the business: acting, directing, design, etc. However, students often develop a vast array of talents and skills within the profession and find themselves standing at a crossroads between what "kind" of artist to be; what singular aspect...
Show moreTo be a fully functioning theatre practitioner, the developing student artist becomes equipped with a practical skill set that is ordinarily cultivated through formal training and study. Typically, organized study leads him/her to focus on a specific facet of the business: acting, directing, design, etc. However, students often develop a vast array of talents and skills within the profession and find themselves standing at a crossroads between what "kind" of artist to be; what singular aspect of the arts on which to focus. Why not do it all? For those students who "do it all", there is an additional challenge: the artist who is a student immersed in daytime study and nighttime production obligations has to wear two caps. One is that of the learner and one is that of the employee, the producer, and perhaps even the teacher. When are these caps traded or are they both worn through all processes? This thesis will reveal my creative and practical processes from two productions at the University of Central Florida for which I played on- and offstage roles: I worked as a Sound Designer and featured actor in Sophie Treadwell's Machinal; I was the Vocal Director for Urinetown: The Musical, and also played Penelope Pennywise, a leading role. I will describe the challenges and successes of each project by examining the following evidence: my personal process with each piece, demonstrated through reflection and examples from the work; interviews with those involved in the productions as well as outside reviews and feedback; and research of each play. Research will include production history, intent of authors, and aspects that informed my work both onstage and off. Did multi-tasking sacrifice the quality of my work for any of my delegated tasks? Did I enjoy more success in my progress in time management, the ability to solve problems, and collaboration process with fellow artists, or in the actual on-stage products? What aspects of my training in my graduate program added to the quality of my work on these productions? Does being a multi-tasking artist help or hurt one's career in theatre?
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002579, ucf:48283
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002579

Title: THE ESTATE OF MENDACITY: AN INTERPRETATION OF WILLIAMS'S MOST AMBIGUOUS CHARACTER.
Creator: Bowlen, Daniel, Shafer, John, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: ABSTRACT I performed the role of Brick Pollitt at Lake Mirror Theatre in Lakeland, Florida from April 20- April 30 2006. The role of Brick Pollitt provided me with several acting challenges as well as multiple subjects to research. The most challenging aspects of portraying the character of Brick Pollitt are his alcoholism, issues of sexuality, and tormented familial relationships. Brick Pollitt journeys in the period of one day through major challenges in two key relationships. He moves from...
Show moreABSTRACT I performed the role of Brick Pollitt at Lake Mirror Theatre in Lakeland, Florida from April 20- April 30 2006. The role of Brick Pollitt provided me with several acting challenges as well as multiple subjects to research. The most challenging aspects of portraying the character of Brick Pollitt are his alcoholism, issues of sexuality, and tormented familial relationships. Brick Pollitt journeys in the period of one day through major challenges in two key relationships. He moves from dominance in his relationship with Maggie to capitulation and from isolation in his relationship with Big Daddy to mutual understanding. BrickÃ‚Â's relationships are further complicated by questions surrounding his recently deceased best friend Skipper and drives (alcoholism) that may be perceived as self destructive. My preliminary work has led me to believe Brick is in search of peace (Ã‚Â'the clickÃ‚Â') in a tormented life (Williams, Cat 2.47). The nature of the torment needs further research for definition. Some critics argue Brick's sexuality is ambivalent, and he is repressing homosexual drives. Equally possible is arguing the homosexuality was restricted to Skipper. Making a decision about the definition of this relationship is key to making choices within the play because the friendship was so important to BrickÃ‚Â's perception of himself. Brick believed his relationship was the Ã‚Â"one true and pure thingÃ‚Â" in a life filled with Ã‚Â"mendacityÃ‚Â" (Williams, Cat 2.50). Ã‚Â'MendacityÃ‚Â' is Bricks reference to his disgust with Ã‚Â"lyinÃ‚Â' anÃ‚Â' liarsÃ‚Â" (Williams, Cat 2.50-51). He is lost without this anchor for his life and it has impacted his ability to interact with the world around him. Determining BrickÃ‚Â's sexuality in my portrayal will be central to my process while I also embrace research into related areas of behavior. To supplement my research of alcoholism and BrickÃ‚Â's sexuality, the following topics: Ã‚Â• A Psycho-Analytical study of the character Brick Pollitt and his Ã‚Â"archetypalÃ‚Â" relationships with Maggie, Big Daddy, Skipper, Gooper, and his place in society. Ã‚Â• The evolution of the character Brick Pollitt through various scripts and screenplays. From WilliamsÃ‚Â's first script through to dealing with the Hays Code. A study of Tennessee Williams life history and the influence on the play. Ã‚Â• The history of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof from its Morosco Theatre Broadway debut in New York City on March 24, 1955, followed by its film release in 1955 starring Paul Newman, Burl Ives, and Elizabeth Taylor. Any successful portrayal of Brick Pollitt in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof demands intense focus to individual relationships within the ensemble. The central theme of the play is Ã‚Â'mendacityÃ‚Â' (deceit) (Williams, Cat 2.50). Brick uses this word to describe his disgust, but the Ã‚Â'mendacityÃ‚Â' of his human relations in the aging and decaying Southern society is what troubles him (Williams, Cat 2.50). Discovering the ties between family, Ã‚Â'mendacityÃ‚Â', and society are relevant to the execution of the play (Williams, Cat 2.50). I believe depiction of Brick Pollitt in this Pulitzer Prize winning American Classic will best present my abilities achieved in the Master of Fine Arts Program
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0002981, ucf:47981
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002981

Title: UPDATING THE CLASSICS: AN ACTOR'S APPROACH TO PORTRAYING DICKENSIAN CHARACTERS IN A MODERN SCRIPT.
Creator: Bacala, Desiree, Boyd, Belinda, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The focus of this thesis is my performance in the play The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge by Mark Brown. I will research and perform the role of The Ghost of Christmas Past, a role which also plays the parts of Fan and Belle from Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. I shall perform in The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, in Partnership with UCF in December 2008 as a part of their 2008-2009 Signature Series season. The main focus of this thesis is the exploration of...
Show moreThe focus of this thesis is my performance in the play The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge by Mark Brown. I will research and perform the role of The Ghost of Christmas Past, a role which also plays the parts of Fan and Belle from Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. I shall perform in The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, in Partnership with UCF in December 2008 as a part of their 2008-2009 Signature Series season. The main focus of this thesis is the exploration of how to create a performance of a classical character for a modern audience. I hope to maintain the integrity of Dickens's characters written in 1843, while performing in a contemporary script written by Mark Brown in 2004. My performance and research question is how to successfully communicate Brown's version of the story and still keep the spirit of the Dickensian characters as they were first written. I aim to discover and address the problems that may arise in combining the two versions of the characters. I will begin with my belief that contemporary humor and storytelling balanced with the essence of the classic characters that audiences may remember from the novel or other versions of this story will give the most effective, rich performance. Playwright Mark Brown strives for this balance in his script and my research for the role will focus on finding elements in my performance that satisfy both elements. My research will include deep examination of Fan, Belle, and the Ghost of Christmas Past, as they appear in both Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol and in The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge. I will look at different interpretations of the characters in the many stage and film versions of this story that have been created since the original to investigate how others have attempted to update or recreate the roles for their audiences. My research will also include an interview with the playwright for insight about his process of integrating old with new. My written thesis will include the findings of my research and preparation, a detailed rehearsal and performance journal, and extensive analysis of my discoveries, all of which will hopefully lead to a conclusive and useful approach for portraying contemporary characters derived from classical literature.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002638, ucf:48228
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002638

Title: THREE STUDIES INVESTIGATING THE LEGAL LIABILITY IMPLICATIONS OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002.
Creator: Phillips, Jillian, Arnold, Vicky, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation examines the litigation and legal liability exposure of auditors related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). Three separate studies were conducted to examine how auditorÃ‚Â's litigation exposure is evaluated by potential litigants (lawyers), and how auditor liability is evaluated by jurors, following the bankruptcy of a client. The first study examines whether the auditorÃ‚Â's SOX Section 404 reporting decisions influence...
Show moreThis dissertation examines the litigation and legal liability exposure of auditors related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). Three separate studies were conducted to examine how auditorÃ‚Â's litigation exposure is evaluated by potential litigants (lawyers), and how auditor liability is evaluated by jurors, following the bankruptcy of a client. The first study examines whether the auditorÃ‚Â's SOX Section 404 reporting decisions influence lawyersÃ‚Â' assessments of their litigation exposure. The second study investigates whether voluntary disclosures of significant deficiencies in internal controls within the SOX Section 404 report, and the subjectivity of the internal control judgments made by the auditor, influence jurorsÃ‚Â' perceptions of auditor liability for negligence. The third study examines how the requirements of SOX Section 302 related to audit committee independence and audit committee expertise influence jurorsÃ‚Â' perceptions of auditor independence and auditor liability for negligence. Overall, these three studies provide insights on how different provisions of SOX, specifically the Section 404 report and audit committee requirements, influence the likelihood that auditors will be sued and the likelihood that they will be held liable by a jury.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003340, ucf:48480
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003340

Title: STUDENT DIGITAL PIRACY IN THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM:AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON ITS INFRASTRUCTURAL EFFECTS.
Creator: Reiss, Jeffrey, Cintron, Rosa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Digital piracy is a problem that may never disappear from society. Through readily available resources such as those found in a university, students will always have access to illegal goods. While piracy is a global phenomenon, an institutionÃ‚Â's resources combined with the typical college studentÃ‚Â's lack of funds makes it more lucrative. Students use a number of methods to justify their actions ranging from previewing media to bringing justice...
Show moreDigital piracy is a problem that may never disappear from society. Through readily available resources such as those found in a university, students will always have access to illegal goods. While piracy is a global phenomenon, an institutionÃ‚Â's resources combined with the typical college studentÃ‚Â's lack of funds makes it more lucrative. Students use a number of methods to justify their actions ranging from previewing media to bringing justice to a corrupt company. While trying to understand the mindset of pirates is one route to deal with piracy, corporations attempted to alleviate the situation using added software encoding. These messages are not always effective, and in some cases caused further damage to consumer morale. Furthermore, students such as Joel Tenenbaum, who continued to pirate music despite warnings from his parents and the recording industry, exemplify the type of person that is unfazed by legal threats, leading to a question of ethics. Students may not feel that downloading is stealing despite numerous warnings from the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and other major media organizations. The predominant solution used by universities involves monitoring the studentsÃ‚Â' network connection to detect Peer-to-Peer (P2P) connections or other connections that involve the transferring of copyrighted goods. Unfortunately, the current tools contain flaws that a crafty student may easily circumvent, undermining any attempts a universityÃ‚Â's IT department may use to deter piracy. This study explored the nature of piracy prevention tools used by IT departments in the Florida State University System in order to determine their relative effectiveness. The study also looked into the opinions of the Information Security Officer in terms of alternative piracy prevention techniques that do not involve legal action and monitoring. It was found that most institutions do not use a formal piece of software that monitors for infringing data. They also stated that while their current techniques can do its required task, it was not perfected to a point where it could run autonomously. Furthermore, institutions agreed that students lack proper ethics and concern over the matter of copyright, but were not fully convinced that other preventions methods would be effective. The study ultimately considered monitoring techniques a short-term solution and that more research should be put into finding long-term solutions. It also implied that IT departments should be better funded in order to keep up with the technological gap.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003131, ucf:48645
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003131

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character (2)	+ -
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