Current Search: competitiveness (x)
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(1 - 20 of 20)
- Title
- BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF THE INVASIVE CHANNELED APPLE SNAIL, POMACEA CANALICULATA.
- Creator
-
Trexler, Christina, Fauth, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Invasive species are detrimental to native biotas worldwide. Recently, Florida was invaded by a freshwater snail (Pomacea canaliculata) native to Argentina. This snail is a serious pest of rice crops in Asia, but little is known about its interactions within Florida ecosystems. Possible competitive exclusion of the native congener (P. paludosa) is a concern because it is the almost exclusive prey of the federally endangered Everglades snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis). My research consisted...
Show moreInvasive species are detrimental to native biotas worldwide. Recently, Florida was invaded by a freshwater snail (Pomacea canaliculata) native to Argentina. This snail is a serious pest of rice crops in Asia, but little is known about its interactions within Florida ecosystems. Possible competitive exclusion of the native congener (P. paludosa) is a concern because it is the almost exclusive prey of the federally endangered Everglades snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis). My research consisted of three parts. First, to identify possible methods to control P. canaliculata in the egg stage, I experimentally evaluated the effects of photoperiod, substrate availability, and food type and availability on hatching success and hatchling survival. None of these factors significantly affected hatching or survival, suggesting that P. canaliculata could invade many water bodies. Second, I used a randomized block design to assess the separate and combined effects of population density and food availability on growth and spawning of P. canaliculata. Food availability but not density significantly affected growth; snails fed less food grew less, but neither factor affected spawning. Third, I used a replacement series design to assess competition between P. canaliculata and P. paludosa under food limitation. For both species, snails fed less grew significantly less, and snails exposed to greater congener densities spawned less than when exposed to conspecifics only. While my results predict that P. paludosa should exclude P. canaliculata, previous literature and current invasions suggest that the exotic snail may co-exist with its North American congener.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003877, ucf:48725
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003877
- Title
- ANATOMY OF A FINANCIAL CENTER'S GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS IN THE CONTEXT OF MICHAEL PORTER'S MODEL OF NATIONAL COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS.
- Creator
-
Magpantay, Josef, Ajayi, Richard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Throughout history, a number of financial centers have risen and fallen. While the significance of some centers have deteriorated, a small number of centers have emerged as today's leading financial centers by meeting a specific set of necessary conditions needed to successfully address the growing financial needs of the regions they are located. Furthermore, an even smaller number of financial centers have been able to sustain and expand their initial dominance in the financial industry by...
Show moreThroughout history, a number of financial centers have risen and fallen. While the significance of some centers have deteriorated, a small number of centers have emerged as today's leading financial centers by meeting a specific set of necessary conditions needed to successfully address the growing financial needs of the regions they are located. Furthermore, an even smaller number of financial centers have been able to sustain and expand their initial dominance in the financial industry by continuously satisfying a more focused set of conditions and factors. This thesis focuses on adapting Michael Porter's Diamond Model in determining, clustering, and expanding key factors that have historically given cities such as London, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo their current status at the pinnacle of the financial centers of the world. This thesis begins by taking Porter's model that addresses national competitive advantage nations from a macroeconomic point of view, and adapting it to the development of financial centers at a microeconomic level. It utilizes Michael Porter's established grouping corners for identifying a vast array of macroeconomic and microeconomic factors that have historically played critical roles in increasing productivity and efficiency within a center's financial industry. Additionally, this thesis categorizes these factors into parameters that form a theoretical model designed to showcase the path to global financial dominance for an aspiring financial center. With the adaptation of Porter's model outlined in this thesis, financial centers are given a figurative blueprint of what constitutes a successful financial center. The theoretical model analyzes the necessary conditions and environments that a center needs to recreate within itself, or are endowed with, in order to be a globally competitive financial center.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0004062, ucf:44806
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004062
- Title
- Battles without bullets: The story of economic warfare.
- Creator
-
Brockway, Thomas P. (Thomas Parmelee), Tagawa, Bunji
- Date Issued
- [1939]
- Identifier
- 1927191, CFDT1927191, ucf:4818
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/1927191
- Title
- Biology and war.
- Creator
-
Thomson, J. Arthur (John Arthur)
- Date Issued
- 1915
- Identifier
- 331856, CFDT331856, ucf:5170
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/331856
- Title
- DIFFERENCES IN VOTE MARGIN OF CANDIDATES IN THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.
- Creator
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Stevens, Meghan L, Jewett, Aubrey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
What explains differences in the margin of victory in Florida legislative races? Data is collected for all 160 legislative races from 2016 (120 house contests and 40 senate elections) and two sets of analyses are conducted: all races and just competitive races. When looking at all races, five variables are statistically significant in the multivariate model. District party registration difference has a positive effect on margin of victory and the greatest relative impact. Races involving two...
Show moreWhat explains differences in the margin of victory in Florida legislative races? Data is collected for all 160 legislative races from 2016 (120 house contests and 40 senate elections) and two sets of analyses are conducted: all races and just competitive races. When looking at all races, five variables are statistically significant in the multivariate model. District party registration difference has a positive effect on margin of victory and the greatest relative impact. Races involving two major party candidates have a much smaller margin of victory, a contest with a major party versus a minor party (or No Party Affiliation candidate) has a somewhat smaller margin of victory, and a race involving only a write-in candidate as an opponent has a wider margin of victory. House races had somewhat smaller margins of victory compared to senate races. When examining just competitive races (contests that had at least two candidate names listed for an office) only two variables were statistically significant in the multivariate model. District party registration difference had a positive relationship with margin of victory and races involving a minor party candidate as the main challenger had higher margins than contests between two major party candidates.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000443, ucf:45826
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000443
- Title
- ACCOMPLISHMENT OF DUAL FOCUS IN EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION: THE INFLUENTIAL ROLE OF THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT (CRM) PROCESS.
- Creator
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Tinoco, Janet, Ganesh, Jai, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Organizations that can successfully develop both radical and incremental innovations positively impact sustained competitive advantage, dramatically improving their chances of survival and success in both dynamic and stable environments (Han et al. 2001; Tushman and O'Reilly 1996). Experimentation and radical innovation are mandatory knowledge assets for competitive play in emerging markets, but efficiency and incremental innovation are essential for mature markets (He and Wong 2004;...
Show moreOrganizations that can successfully develop both radical and incremental innovations positively impact sustained competitive advantage, dramatically improving their chances of survival and success in both dynamic and stable environments (Han et al. 2001; Tushman and O'Reilly 1996). Experimentation and radical innovation are mandatory knowledge assets for competitive play in emerging markets, but efficiency and incremental innovation are essential for mature markets (He and Wong 2004; Tushman and O'Reilly 1996). The attainment of dual focus between radical and incremental innovation is challenging and calls for organizational architectures of sometimes conflicting processes, structure, and culture (cf, Tushman and O'Reilly 1996; Wind and Mahajan 1997). While prior research has investigated the structural and cultural determinants (Duncan 1976; Gibson and Birkenshaw 2004), there is a significant lack of research addressing the third major element of business processes. Without winning business processes in place that influence both exploration and exploitation, a successful portfolio mix of radical and incremental product innovations that maximize customer value and benefits will not be fully realized, and firm performance will suffer. Through core business processes, marketing's role and influence is significant in increasing customer value creation in the resulting product innovations. By mapping the "inside-out" and "outside-in" processes of a market-driven organization (Day 1994) into the Srivastava et al. (1999) core business process framework, this dissertation develops and tests a model of business process influence on dual focus in innovation strategies in the context of the high technology manufacturing environment. Each of these processes is critical in generating maximum customer value and is an explicit input into strategic choices and decisions (Srivastava et al. 1999). Specifically, it is argued and proposed that the Product Development Management (PDM) process, comprised of the processes of market experimentation, technology monitoring, and technology competence, predominantly influences exploration while the Supply Chain Management (SCM) process, comprised of the processes of channel bonding and quality process management, predominantly influences exploitation. The Customer Relationship Management (CRM) process, encompassing the processes of lead user collaboration, competitor benchmarking, and current customer knowledge process, acts as a moderator to add dual focus to these extremes by interacting with PDM processes to enhance exploitation and with SCM processes to enhance exploration. Furthermore, it is proposed that firms successfully achieving a dual focus have greater firm performance than firms entrenched in either extreme. Hypotheses were tested with data collected from a nationwide sample of high technology manufacturers. The results largely supported the main effect hypotheses of the PDM processes and SCM processes on exploration and exploitation. Additionally, the hypothesis of a positive interaction between exploration and exploitation on firm performance was also supported, however no visible support was garnered for the moderating impacts of CRM processes on PDM and SCM processes as hypothesized. Post hoc analyses were performed, bringing additional insight into dual focus based on the successful implementation of opposing businesses processes. Specifically, dual focus firms were shown to have multiple processes in place that impact both types of innovation strategies and that these firms implement these processes to a greater extent than those firms operating in the more extreme positions. Academic and managerial implications are discussed, as well as study limitations and exciting future research directions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001573, ucf:47114
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001573
- Title
- NATIVE AND INVASIVE COMPETITORS OF THE EASTERN OYSTER CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA IN MOSQUITO LAGOON, FLORIDA.
- Creator
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Boudreaux, Michelle, Walters, Linda, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Populations of Crassostrea virginica within Mosquito Lagoon, Florida have recently undergone significant die-offs, which are a subject of major concern. Restoration efforts within Mosquito Lagoon are focusing on reconstructing the three-dimensional reef habitats. Before effective protocols can be established, however, important questions about the sources of juvenile and adult oyster mortality must be answered. Potential causes of Crassostrea virginica mortality in the Indian River Lagoon...
Show morePopulations of Crassostrea virginica within Mosquito Lagoon, Florida have recently undergone significant die-offs, which are a subject of major concern. Restoration efforts within Mosquito Lagoon are focusing on reconstructing the three-dimensional reef habitats. Before effective protocols can be established, however, important questions about the sources of juvenile and adult oyster mortality must be answered. Potential causes of Crassostrea virginica mortality in the Indian River Lagoon system include sediment loads, competition, predation, and disease. My research focused on the interactions between oysters and the competitors that may affect the settlement, growth, and survival of Crassostrea virginica. The four objectives of my thesis research were to: 1) identify potential oyster competitors in Mosquito Lagoon, 2) determine if the sessile species recruiting to oyster shells have changed over time, 3) determine how the dominant competitors, barnacles, affect oyster settlement, growth and survival, and 4) determine if oyster or barnacle larvae are better able to settle in increased sediment and flow conditions that are associated with high levels of recreational boating. Lift nets were deployed within Mosquito Lagoon to determine available competing species. I collected species inventory data at six sites to determine the sessile invertebrate species (competitors) present on oyster reefs. Nets were deployed intertidally, just above mean low water, on living oyster reefs. One and a half liters of live and dead oysters were placed within the nets upon deployment. The nets were picked up monthly and surveyed for all fauna. Upon retrieval, all oysters within each net were brought back to the lab where all sessile organisms were immediately identified and returned to the lagoon. This survey began June 2004 and continued for one year. Shells from historic shell middens (up to 15,000 years old) were examined to determine if the sessile species settling on oyster reefs have changed over time. Similar species were found on both shells of historic and extant reefs. One notable exception was the appearance of Balanus amphitrite, an invasive barnacle, on the extant reefs. Balanus amphitrite is thought to have invaded Mosquito Lagoon approximately 100 years ago. This has resulted in a five fold increase in barnacle abundance per oyster shell. Balanus spp. were identified as important potential competitors and thus my research focused on spatial competition between C. virginica and native versus invasive barnacles of the area. Over 300 barnacles, including a native species, Balanus eburneus, and an invasive, Balanus amphitrite, have been counted on a single oyster shell. To determine how Balanus spp. affected settlement, growth, and survivorship of C. virginica, laboratory and field experiments were conducted in which densities of Balanus amphitrite and Balanus eburneus were manipulated. Density treatments included: no barnacles (control), low, medium, and high coverage of barnacles. Laboratory settlement trials with cultured oyster larvae were run in still water and flow (recirculating flume) using all barnacle density treatments. Additionally, all treatments with 7-day oyster spat were deployed in the field to follow oyster spat growth and survivorship. Settlement was counted by microscopy, and growth and survivorship were measured every 3 days for 4 weeks. Settlement of oysters was affected by barnacle presence only in flowing water. Still water trials showed no oyster preference related to any barnacle density or species. The presence of barnacles affected the growth and survivorship of oyster spat. However, there were no species specific differences. Studies suggest that recreational boating activities, especially boat wakes that cause sediment resuspension, may decrease recruitment and this may then provide an advantage to sessile competitors less affected by flow and sediment loads. To address these issues, replicated laboratory trials were run in a laboratory flume to quantify the effects of water motion (0, 5, 10 cm/s) and sediment loads (0, 8, 16 g/ml) on oyster recruitment and the recruitment of an important, relatively new competitor in the system, the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. If B. amphitrite settles in a wider variety of flow rates and sediment conditions, it may have a competitive advantage over the native oyster in this space-limited habitat. I found that high flow and sediment loads reduced larval settlement of C. virginica. Alternatively, settlement of cyprids of B. amphitrite did not differ among treatments. Thus, continuous boat traffic during settlement times should favor recruitment of the invasive barnacle Balanus amphitrite over the native oyster Crassostrea virginica. Determination of the competitive interactions of Crassostrea virginica in Mosquito Lagoon gives us important insights into the ecological conditions necessary for re-establishment of these oyster populations. Crassostrea virginica in Mosquito Lagoon was significantly impacted by barnacles; settlement, growth, and survivorship were all reduced by Balanus spp. This information will help resource managers in planning restoration techniques to minimize oyster and barnacle competitive interactions and increase Crassostrea virgininca success.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000780, ucf:46575
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000780
- Title
- ASSESSING THE SECOND BORN: THE ROLE OF COMPETITIVENESS AND EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION IN BIRTH ORDER.
- Creator
-
Thye, Melissa, Azimi, Cyrus, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Birth order may represent one of the most influential environmental factors that directly impacts personality development and even life outcomes. The present study sought to expand upon the existing literature by examining the motivational and dispositional differences between first born and second born individuals. Research indicates that first born children show significantly higher levels of academic achievement and lifelong attainment due to experiencing higher parental expectations as...
Show moreBirth order may represent one of the most influential environmental factors that directly impacts personality development and even life outcomes. The present study sought to expand upon the existing literature by examining the motivational and dispositional differences between first born and second born individuals. Research indicates that first born children show significantly higher levels of academic achievement and lifelong attainment due to experiencing higher parental expectations as well as increased financial support. As a result, the second born child is likely to compare him/herself with the first born sibling and develop a greater level of competitiveness. Additionally, this desire to surpass the first born may lead to the development of extrinsically motivated goals. Few research endeavors to date have explored the specific motivational disposition of the second born child with no future siblings. By engaging in this research, a better understanding of the complex interaction between siblings can be ascertained as well as a deeper appreciation for how the familial environment impacts development. Such information can be applied to the educational setting to develop programs more rewarding and salient to second-born individuals, thus increasing their level of academic achievement. Seventy-two male and female participants took part in the present experiment. Research validated scales were used to assess overall competitiveness in addition to intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. A paired-t test was used to evaluate the data and compare the differences between the two groups. Although the results do not support the hypotheses, there were a number of limitations that may have served to restrict the scope of the data. The theoretical implications of the results and suggestions for future research will be discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004503, ucf:45184
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004503
- Title
- COMPETITIVE ACTIONS OF NEW TECHNOLOGY FIRMS: THE RED QUEEN EFFECT AND NEW FIRM PERFORMANCE.
- Creator
-
Porter, Robert, Ford, Cameron, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The competitive strategy used by a new firm may be the most important strategy it ever employs (Covin & Slevin, 1989; Ferrier, 2001). A well-chosen and executed firm strategy is essential for a firm to realize its potential competitive advantage (Porter, 1981). A firmÂÂ's strategic intent and resulting competitive actions are especially important when firms are new and vulnerable as they strive to learn which strategic actions help them adapt to their rivals actions and...
Show moreThe competitive strategy used by a new firm may be the most important strategy it ever employs (Covin & Slevin, 1989; Ferrier, 2001). A well-chosen and executed firm strategy is essential for a firm to realize its potential competitive advantage (Porter, 1981). A firmÂÂ's strategic intent and resulting competitive actions are especially important when firms are new and vulnerable as they strive to learn which strategic actions help them adapt to their rivals actions and to their environment (Stinchcombe, 1965). Further, the competitive actions that new firms choose to take with rival firms affects the overall competitive dynamics of their industry (Smith, Ferrier, and Ndofor, 2001). One way to explore how the competitive actions of new firms affect their future is to capture and examine their individual competitive moves and countermoves over time (Smith, Grimm, Gannon, & Chen, 1991). Red Queen competition is a particular form of competitive dynamics that is well-suited to explore these issues of new rival firms (Barnett, 2008). Barnett and Sorenson (2002) suggested that competition and learning reinforce one another as organizations develop, and this is what van Valen (1973) referred to as the ÂÂ'Red Queen.ÂÂ' This definition of the Red Queen led to the development of the concept of Red Queen competition and the Red Queen effect. The competitive strategies these new firms use to obtain resources as they adapt, in particular how these firms compete and or cooperate, are key competitive strategies that remain understudied to-date (Amit, Glosten, and Muller, 1990). I explore Red Queen competition, and the ensuing Red Queen Effect, in a complex environmental setting that represents a high technology ecosystem (Arned, 1996, 2010; Iansiti & Levien, 2004a, 2004b; Moore, 1993; Pierce, 2009). New firms in such an ecosystem represent a particularly salient combination of type of firm, firm lifecycle period, and firm environment to examine strategic actions since these firms comprise a significant portion of the high-growth and future of our global economy (Stangler, 2010). Further, due to their need to rapidly adapt in a complex ecosystem, these firms rely heavily on short-lived information resources for competitive advantage (Barney, 1991; Nelson and Winter, 1982; Omerzel, 2008). To place this research in context, I consider the moderating effects of key environmental ecosystem resource conditions (Dess & Beard, 1984; Miller & Friesen, 1983; Sharfman & Dean, 1991). Empirical studies to-date have yielded mixed results and left unanswered questions about the basic components and the effects of Red Queen competition. To address these issues I explore this literature in chapter one of the dissertation, and in chapter two I develop a theoretical model of Red Queen competition that draws on the available empirical and theoretical literature to-date. Due to the mixed finding from the empirical results, I develop a precise agent-based simulation model of Red Queen competition in chapter three to facilitate data collection. Using this data I test a series of hypotheses designed to explore the fundamentals of Red Queen competition, specifically how escalating competitive activity for resources among new firms impacts their survival and performance. In addition, the moderating effect of environmental changes on Red Queen competition is also tested to explore the affect of context on Red Queen competition. Chapter four explains the findings from these hypotheses, future research directions, implications and limitations from the research, and my concluding thoughts.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003452, ucf:48389
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003452
- Title
- UNDERSTANDING PLANT COMMUNITY COMPOSITION IN AGRICULTURAL WETLANDS: CONTEXT DEPENDENT EFFECTS AND PLANT INTERACTIONS.
- Creator
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Boughton, Elizabeth, Quintana-Ascencio, Pedro, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Community composition results from an integrated combination of random processes, regional habitat spatial structure, local environmental conditions, and species interactions. For example, the outcome of plant interactions can change depending on local environmental conditions such as nutrient availability, land management, or herbivory intensity. In particular, plant interactions may vary between facilitation and competition depending on ecological context, with facilitation expected to be...
Show moreCommunity composition results from an integrated combination of random processes, regional habitat spatial structure, local environmental conditions, and species interactions. For example, the outcome of plant interactions can change depending on local environmental conditions such as nutrient availability, land management, or herbivory intensity. In particular, plant interactions may vary between facilitation and competition depending on ecological context, with facilitation expected to be prevalent under stressful conditions. I present the results of four studies that address different aspects of the community assemblage and dynamics emphasizing the synergistic effect of different processes. In the first, I investigated the importance of habitat isolation in determining species richness of wetlands with contrasting land use. The second describes an experiment to test the hypothesis that plant interactions with an unpalatable plant (Juncus effusus) would range from competition in ungrazed areas to facilitation in grazed areas and predicted that facilitative effects of Juncus would differ among functional groups of beneficiary species and be strongest when grazing was intense. In the third, I examine the community composition impacts of Juncus and predicted that Juncus would preserve functional diversity in grazed wetlands but that the effects of Juncus would vary along a grazing gradient. The fourth study investigated the relative importance of competition and nutrients in determining wetland invasion in two different land use types. Broadly, I demonstrate that the importance of different processes (habitat isolation, nutrient availability, competition/facilitation) to community composition is dependent on ecological conditions. This integrated view of community dynamics is interesting from a purely ecological perspective but also can be applied to understanding ecological problems such as exotic invasions and restoration of disturbed habitats.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002678, ucf:48234
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002678
- Title
- IMPACT OF INCREASED GREEN TURTLE NESTING ON LOGGERHEAD FITNESS.
- Creator
-
Carmichael, Amanda R, Mansfield, Kate, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Marine turtles exhibit strong fidelity to their nesting beaches, making the conservation of nesting beaches important for ensuring successful sea turtle populations. Conservation of these nesting beaches involves understanding how species interact with the environment and each other, and understanding how environmental change and population growth can affect the suitability of the nesting habitat. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) is unusual in its high density of sea turtle...
Show moreMarine turtles exhibit strong fidelity to their nesting beaches, making the conservation of nesting beaches important for ensuring successful sea turtle populations. Conservation of these nesting beaches involves understanding how species interact with the environment and each other, and understanding how environmental change and population growth can affect the suitability of the nesting habitat. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) is unusual in its high density of sea turtle nesting by two species: green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles. The ACNWR in Melbourne Beach, Florida was established in 1991 due to the high density of loggerhead nesting, but in the time since it was established there has been a significant increase in green turtle nesting, from fewer than 50 nests in 1982 to over 15,000 in 2017. With such a high density of these two species in one relatively small area (21 kilometers of beach), the two species may compete for space. This is especially true for green turtles, which disturb large amounts of sand during their nesting process; in 2017, we observed 338 loggerhead clutches disturbed by nesting females during nesting surveys, nearly all of which were disturbed by green turtles. Using observed spatial and temporal nesting patterns for both green turtles and loggerheads on the ACNWR, I examined the effects these species may have on each other's nests now and in the future. Additionally, green turtles and loggerheads nest in different densities along the length of the ACNWR, with green turtles more concentrated in the southern portions of the Refuge. Finally, green turtle nesting begins and peaks approximately one month later on the ACNWR than loggerhead nesting. For each of these metrics, there is both considerable overlap and distinct separation between the two species. By using these metrics in a modeling approach, I estimated the probability of nest disturbance by a subsequently nesting female, ranging from 0 to 0.105, and how these probabilities are predicted to change over time with a growing green turtle population. Evaluating the carrying capacity of this beach is important in the context of habitat disturbance, including climate change and an increase in storm frequency, and informing adaptive management strategies for effective conservation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000284, ucf:45878
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000284
- Title
- RIGHT-WING AUTHORITARIANISM, SOCIAL DOMINANCE ORIENTATION, AND WORKPLACE IMPLICATIONS.
- Creator
-
Burnell, Devin S, Modianos, Doan T., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Workplace bullying is a recently recognized problem within organizations. Two personalities may be theoretically related, and may be able to predict this aggressive behavior: right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation. However, it is still unclear how to measure right-wing authoritarianism as a construct. Two surveys were distributed. The first was to assess the factor structure inconsistency among the literature. A three-factor operationalization was supported. Analysis of...
Show moreWorkplace bullying is a recently recognized problem within organizations. Two personalities may be theoretically related, and may be able to predict this aggressive behavior: right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation. However, it is still unclear how to measure right-wing authoritarianism as a construct. Two surveys were distributed. The first was to assess the factor structure inconsistency among the literature. A three-factor operationalization was supported. Analysis of the second survey examined the relationship between the aggression dimension of right-wing authoritarianism, dangerous worldview and workplace bullying; as well as the relationship between social dominance orientation and competitive worldview on workplace bullying. No significant relationship was found between authoritarian aggression and workplace bullying, however, social dominance orientation fully mediated competitive worldview and workplace bullying. Theoretical implications, limitations, and practical applications are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000015, ucf:45587
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000015
- Title
- INVESTIGATING A POTENTIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SIBLING GENDER COMPOSITION AND HEALTH BEHAVIOR INDICATORS IN YOUNG ADULT AND ADOLESCENT MALES.
- Creator
-
Goss, Taylor N, Rovito, Michael J., Jasinski, Jana, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The presence of siblings during childhood and adolescence has a significant impact on the behaviors and perceptions of adults later in life. Effects of mixed-gendered sibling dyads on delinquent behavior, gender typing, and romantic and sexual relationships are of interest. These behaviors can lead to notable health disparities, making it imperative to gain insight into factors associated with such behaviors in young adult and adolescent males. This project explored possible correlations...
Show moreThe presence of siblings during childhood and adolescence has a significant impact on the behaviors and perceptions of adults later in life. Effects of mixed-gendered sibling dyads on delinquent behavior, gender typing, and romantic and sexual relationships are of interest. These behaviors can lead to notable health disparities, making it imperative to gain insight into factors associated with such behaviors in young adult and adolescent males. This project explored possible correlations between gender composition of siblings and health behavior indicators for violence, competition and risk, and sexual and romantic relationships. Analysis of these variables was performed using data from the Young Adult and Adolescent Male Health Behavior Indicator Scale [YAAMHBIS]. Descriptive analyses showed YAAM understanding of abuse and successful marriage and relationship qualities, as well as a conditional acceptance of violence, competition, and risk. Means testing between those with and without sisters indicated that those with sisters acknowledged abuse, marriage qualities, and the consequences of infidelity. Additionally, those with sisters had, on average, an earlier age of sexual debut than those without supporting previous research regarding the effects of female communication in childhood on adult interactions. The correlations found between sibling gender and YAAM perceptions later in life could lay the groundwork for future studies further investigating sibling gender or split households and an association with health behaviors.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000317, ucf:45807
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000317
- Title
- Do per-capita impact or abundance dominate the impact of an invader? Interactions among neighboring species in context-dependent competition.
- Creator
-
Li, Haoyu, Quintana-Ascencio, Pedro, Jenkins, David, Boughton, Elizabeth, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Evaluating relative species competitive strength is a central question in community ecology, with strong implications for invasion ecology. Models assessing invader success consider three components: distribution, abundance and per-capita impact. However, relative strength and interactions among these factors remain unclear when applying to specific invasion scenarios. We hypothesized that performance of native and non-native species will vary as a function of direct and indirect effects at...
Show moreEvaluating relative species competitive strength is a central question in community ecology, with strong implications for invasion ecology. Models assessing invader success consider three components: distribution, abundance and per-capita impact. However, relative strength and interactions among these factors remain unclear when applying to specific invasion scenarios. We hypothesized that performance of native and non-native species will vary as a function of direct and indirect effects at different abundances and scales. We conducted a replacement experiment between two dominant grasses in subtropical grasslands (the native Axonopus fissifolius and the non-native Paspalum notatum) in central Florida, USA. Thirty fenced plots (1 m x 3 m each) representing a gradient (15 levels) of increasing non-native groundcover and decreasing native groundcover were set up in November 2017. We transplanted individuals of these two species in subplots (12 subplots and 36 transplants per plot; 1080 plants in total) in a 2*2 factorial design (mixed /single focal species * 2/4 transplants per subplot). Leaf length/number and plant biomass were evaluated at the beginning and end of the experiment along with plot species composition and soil nutrients. Over 92% of transplants of each grass species survived until harvest (11 months). There were significant differences in leaf length, leaf number and plant biomass between conspecific/allospecific subplots. Both P. notatum and A. fissifolius performed better when transplanted in non-native P. notatum subplots. There were also interactions between conspecific/allospecific subplot treatment (direct effects) and the gradient of increasing Paspalum notatum /decreasing Axonopus fissifolius groundcover (indirect effects) treatments. Increasing P. notatum in the whole plot made environments more favorable for both grass species. Effects were consistent for leaf length/number and biomass of the two focal species. More comprehensive evaluation on indirect effects need to be considered when examining competition between non-native species and native species.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007487, ucf:52685
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007487
- Title
- Phylogenetic Community Structure of Aquatic Beetle Assemblages in a Multi-Wetland Experiment.
- Creator
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Kelly, Sandor, Jenkins, David, Parkinson, Christopher, Crampton, William, Song, Hojun, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Phylogenetic Community Structure (PCS) metrics are becoming more common in community ecology. PCS metrics estimate the phylogenetic relatedness among members of an ecological community or assemblage. If ecological traits are conserved, then phylogenetic clustering (i.e., taxa are more closely related than expected by chance) indicates habitat filtering as the key process in community assembly. On the other hand, a pattern of phylogenetic overdispersion (i.e., taxa are more distantly related...
Show morePhylogenetic Community Structure (PCS) metrics are becoming more common in community ecology. PCS metrics estimate the phylogenetic relatedness among members of an ecological community or assemblage. If ecological traits are conserved, then phylogenetic clustering (i.e., taxa are more closely related than expected by chance) indicates habitat filtering as the key process in community assembly. On the other hand, a pattern of phylogenetic overdispersion (i.e., taxa are more distantly related than expected by chance) suggests competition is dominant. Most studies to date have used PCS of unmanipulated ecosystems, but the value of PCS metrics will be best revealed in experiments. This project used PCS for aquatic beetle (Coleoptera) assemblages in experimentally manipulated seasonal wetlands on a cattle ranch in south-central Florida, and compared PCS metrics to standard ecological metrics. Wetlands were experimentally treated with all combinations of pasture management, fencing to exclude cattle, and controlled burning during 2006-2009. Beetle assemblages in fenced wetlands were significantly more overdispersed compared to non-fenced wetlands, suggesting that this treatment decreases habitat filtering, causing competition to become the dominant process in community formation. There was also a significant pasture x fence x burn interaction effect, with assemblages in wetlands differing in PCS depending on what combination of the three treatments were applied. Phylogenetic Diversity (PD (-) a measure of branch length of a community or assemblage on a phylogenetic tree) was highly correlated with genera richness (number of genera), and these metrics along with the expected number of genera (D (-) an ecological diversity index) found significant differences among burn treatments and a pasture x burn interaction. The results of this study indicate that PCS metrics complement classical ecological methods and should be widely applied.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004394, ucf:49388
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004394
- Title
- THE INFLUENCE OF SEXUAL SELECTION ON BEHAVIORAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS UNDERLYING REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN MALE CAPE GROUND SQUIRRELS (XERUS INAURIS).
- Creator
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Manjerovic, Mary, Waterman, Jane, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Sexual selection is considered a powerful evolutionary force responsible for the enormous diversity found in reproductive morphology, physiology, and behavior. I addressed questions related to selection in the Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris), a species characterized as highly social and promiscuous. These attributes often are responsible for variance in male reproductive success and as such, sexual selection theory predicts increased opportunity for sexual selection. I confirm that the...
Show moreSexual selection is considered a powerful evolutionary force responsible for the enormous diversity found in reproductive morphology, physiology, and behavior. I addressed questions related to selection in the Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris), a species characterized as highly social and promiscuous. These attributes often are responsible for variance in male reproductive success and as such, sexual selection theory predicts increased opportunity for sexual selection. I confirm that the predominant mechanism underlying genital evolution and competition for paternity in X. inauris is sperm competition. I find evidence that investment in sperm competition is costly and may reflect immunocompetence. I quantify reproductive success as it relates to alternative male tactics and female resource distribution. I find that male X. inauris alternative reproductive tactics differ within and across populations most likely due to differences in female resource distribution. In areas where females are evenly distributed, dispersed males encounter more estrous females, and therefore have increased breeding opportunities. However, the decision to remain natal does not preclude reproduction. I determine that these tactics are most likely conditional with equal fitness payoffs. Males, regardless of tactic, invest more in post-copulatory competition (e.g. sperm competition, copulatory plugs) than males within a population with a clustered distribution of breeding females. In the latter area, males form dominance hierarchies that affect copulatory success and lead to greater skews in reproduction among males. Both sites have evidence of a highly skewed variance in reproduction and intense sexual selective pressure. My results suggest these populations have increased opportunities for selection but that different mechanisms of intrasexual competition may result in rapid evolutionary change within this species.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003400, ucf:48402
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003400
- Title
- The role of freedom in assessing the relationship between tourism competitiveness and quality of life: The case of Central America.
- Creator
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Kubickova, Marketa, Croes, Robertico, Nusair, Khaldoon, Rivera, Manuel, Robinson, Edward, Santana, Maria, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this dissertation study is to investigate the relationship among tourism competitiveness, quality of life, and freedom. The main premise is that the degree of freedom shapes the relationship between tourism development and quality of life. The study hypothesized that the greater the degree of freedom is, the greater impact tourism development will have on quality of life of residents of a destination. The theoretical framework of this study is based on combining Sen's...
Show moreThe purpose of this dissertation study is to investigate the relationship among tourism competitiveness, quality of life, and freedom. The main premise is that the degree of freedom shapes the relationship between tourism development and quality of life. The study hypothesized that the greater the degree of freedom is, the greater impact tourism development will have on quality of life of residents of a destination. The theoretical framework of this study is based on combining Sen's capability approach with the tourism competitiveness theory. Tourism competitiveness aims at enhancing the quality of life, while Sen's capability approach provides the ingredients for how to improve quality of life through freedom. Thus, the main premise is that the combination of the two theoretical frameworks is possible through the construct of quality of life. The study is applied to the Central American region as tourism has become an important driver for socio-economic progress and growth. The study applied panel data analyses and comparative regression analyses to decipher and understand the context of tourism competitiveness and quality of life. The study built a tourism competitiveness index and investigated the intertemporal effects of tourism competitiveness, quality of life, and freedom.The major findings of this study are as follow. First, long term bi-directional causality was found between tourism competitiveness and quality of life. In other words, tourism not only positively impacts quality of life, but high levels of quality of life have positive influence on tourism competitiveness in the Central American region. This is a major contribution as such assumptions have been mainly hypothesized. Second, economic freedom was found to act as a moderating variable between tourism competitiveness and quality of life. This finding allows us to further understand what impact such relationship between tourism competitiveness and quality of life. Third, economic freedom was found not to have an impact on quality of life as originally thought. However, quality of life was found to have a short-term impact on economic freedom. Finally, economic freedom had a bi-directional relationship with tourism competitiveness. This is a major contribution as such relationship was not previously discussed in the academic literature. The theoretical implication of this study is in terms of combining the capability approach and the competitiveness theory. In terms of managerial implications, governments of the Central American region can work on strategies, such as marketing, to promote tourism which in turn will improve residents' quality of life. At the same time, the government can work on improving residents' well-being while impacting tourism competitiveness.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005364, ucf:50476
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005364
- Title
- A Real Option Dynamic Decision (RODD) Framework for Operational Innovations.
- Creator
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Onkham, Wilawan, Rabelo, Luis, O'Neal, Thomas, Pazour, Jennifer, Yazici, Hulya Julie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Changing the business operations and adopting new operational innovations, have become key features for a business solution approach. However, there are challenges for developing innovative operations due to a lack of the proper decision analysis tools, lack of understanding the impacts transition will have on operational models, and the time limits of the innovation life cycle. The cases of business failure in operational innovation (i.e. Eastman Kodak Company and Borders Group Inc.,)...
Show moreChanging the business operations and adopting new operational innovations, have become key features for a business solution approach. However, there are challenges for developing innovative operations due to a lack of the proper decision analysis tools, lack of understanding the impacts transition will have on operational models, and the time limits of the innovation life cycle. The cases of business failure in operational innovation (i.e. Eastman Kodak Company and Borders Group Inc.,) support the need for an investment decision framework. This research aims to develop a Real Option Dynamic Decision (RODD) framework for decision making, to support decision makers for operational innovation investments. This development will help the business/organization to recognize the need for change in operations, and quickly respond to market threats and customer needs. The RODD framework is developed by integrating a strategic investment method (Real Options Analysis), management transition evaluation (Matrix of Change), competitiveness evaluation (Lotka-Volterra), and dynamic behavior modeling (System Dynamics Modeling) to analyze the feasibility of the transformation, and to assess return on investment of new operation schemes. Two case studies are used: United Parcel Service of America, Inc., and Firefighting Operations to validate the RODD framework. The results show that the benefits of this decision-making framework are (1) to provide increased flexibility, improved predictions, and more information to decision makers; (2) to assess the value alternative option with regards to uncertainty and competitiveness; (3) to reduce complexity; and (4) to gain a new understanding of operational innovations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0005039, ucf:50002
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005039
- Title
- Cooperative vs Competitive Goals in Educational Video Games.
- Creator
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Smith, Peter, Bowers, Clint, McDaniel, Thomas, Kincaid, John, Cannon-Bowers, Janis, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The concept of serious games, or using games and gaming technologies for purposes other than purely entertainment, became popularized with the creation of the Serious Games Initiative in 2002 and has continued to grow. While this trend may appear new, the use of games for learning has a rich history and the idea of using a game as a learning platform is an established concept that had has withstood the test of time. Research in this area must move from if games can teach, to how do we improve...
Show moreThe concept of serious games, or using games and gaming technologies for purposes other than purely entertainment, became popularized with the creation of the Serious Games Initiative in 2002 and has continued to grow. While this trend may appear new, the use of games for learning has a rich history and the idea of using a game as a learning platform is an established concept that had has withstood the test of time. Research in this area must move from if games can teach, to how do we improve games that do. Proponents of serious games suggest that they should improve motivation, time on task, motivation to learn, and a litany of other benefits based primarily on the thought that what works in an entertainment game will work in a learning game. Unfortunately, this might not always be the case. For example, a commonly held misconception in learning games is that competition will motivate learner to succeed, as it motivates players of an entertainment game to continue to play. This is, however, not well supported by the learning science literature. Cooperative goal structures commonly lead to increased motivation to learn as well as improved learning outcomes when compared to competition. This research seeks to provide a framework to view games for learning and more specifically explore the structure of challenge in the context of cooperative and competitive goal structures, as well as explore the use of the word game and how it could possibly modify the expectations of the learner.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004603, ucf:49913
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004603
- Title
- Dual Branding: An Investigative Look into Dual Branding's Position within the Concept of Brand Alliance in the Hotel Industry.
- Creator
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Ronzoni, Giulio, Fyall, Alan, Torres Areizaga, Edwin, Singh, Dipendra, Weinland, Jeffrey, Smith, Scott, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate, in an exploratory way, the state of the art of the application of brand alliances, with a particular focus on the practice of dual branding, in the field of lodging. More precisely, this research aimed at identifying and evaluating the determinants of industry adoption of, and customer satisfaction with, intra-company dual branding strategies in the US lodging industry.The primary purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of dual...
Show moreThe purpose of this dissertation was to investigate, in an exploratory way, the state of the art of the application of brand alliances, with a particular focus on the practice of dual branding, in the field of lodging. More precisely, this research aimed at identifying and evaluating the determinants of industry adoption of, and customer satisfaction with, intra-company dual branding strategies in the US lodging industry.The primary purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of dual branding in the field of the lodging industry, a phenomenon that is still insufficiently explored in the literature. In fact, the scarcity of literature pertaining to the lodging industry has forced this study to consider the research related to other segments and industries where dual branding strategies have been studied. Therefore, this study intended to expand the existing body of knowledge, advancing the theory of brand alliance from an industry and consumer perspective, as well as adapt, refine, and utilize a scale suitable for the measurement of dual branded hotels' customer satisfaction. This dissertation used an exploratory sequential mixed method approach. In the first qualitative phase, face-to-face and telephone interviews with operational hotel managers, corporate hotel managers, real estate development and management companies' managers, owners, and presidents, as well as hotel and lodging associations' professionals have been conducted. In addition to relevant and significant findings and results obtained through the hotel industry professionals interviewed, themes, constructs, and variables useful in the refinement and adaptation of a dual branding customer satisfaction scale were attained. Consequently, the second quantitative phase consisted of an online administration of a scenario-based questionnaire to dual branded hotels' customers of a dual branded lodging property aimed at identifying and evaluating the determinants of customer satisfaction.The ultimate purpose of this research has been to understand the main issues of implementation of dual branding practices and strategies in the lodging context. In particular, it has been to highlight and provide managerial, theoretical, methodological, and practical implications and recommendations for the US lodging industry, in the adoption of intra-company dual branding strategies. The suggestions offered in the study are relevantly timed to what is happening within the lodging industry, offering implications for both academia and industry.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007716, ucf:52411
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007716
