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Title: AN INTEGRATED MODEL OF WORK CLIMATE.
Creator: Kuenzi, Maribeth, Schminke, Marshall, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Management scholars have become increasingly interested in the role of organizational context. As part of this trend, research on work climates has thrived. This contemporary climate research differs from traditional approaches by concentrating on facet-specific climate types like service or innovation, rather than general, global conceptualizations of climate. Consequently, the climate literature has become fragmented and disorderly. I seek to remedy this in my dissertation. Specifically, I...
Show moreManagement scholars have become increasingly interested in the role of organizational context. As part of this trend, research on work climates has thrived. This contemporary climate research differs from traditional approaches by concentrating on facet-specific climate types like service or innovation, rather than general, global conceptualizations of climate. Consequently, the climate literature has become fragmented and disorderly. I seek to remedy this in my dissertation. Specifically, I propose and test an integrated model of work climate that examines both molar and facet-specific climates. Chapter 1 is a review of the organizational work climate literature. This review seeks to review, reorganize, and reintegrate the climate literature. In addition, this review brought to light an issue that hinders the integration of the climate literatures: the literature does not contain a quality instrument for assessing the general characteristics of the molar work climate of an organization. In Chapter 2, I develop a theoretically-driven measure of work climate by drawing on the competing values framework (Quinn & Rohrbaugh, 1983). Preliminary results from three studies suggest that the proposed four-component model of molar work climate appears to be viable. The results indicate the instrument has internal reliability. Further, the results demonstrate discriminant, convergent, and criterion-related validity. In Chapter 3, I propose and test an integrated model of work climate by drawing on bandwidth-fidelity theory (Cronbach & Gleser, 1957). I predict that facet-specific climates will be more strongly related to specific outcomes and molar climates will be more strongly related to global outcomes. Further, I suggest weaker, indirect relationships between molar climate and specific outcomes and between facet-specific climates and global outcomes. The results indicate support for my predictions.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002032, ucf:47576
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002032

Title: THE RESPONSE OF A GENERAL CIRCULATION CLIMATE MODEL TOHIGH LATITUDE FRESHWATER FORCING IN THE ATLANTIC BASINWITH RESPECT TOTROPICAL CYCLONE-LIKE VORTICES.
Creator: Paulis, Victor, Clarke, Thomas, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The current cycle of climate change along with increases in hurricane activity, changing precipitation patterns, glacial melt, and other extremes of weather has led to interest and research into the global correlation or teleconnection between these events. Examination of historical climate records, proxies and observations is leading to formulation of hypotheses of climate dynamics with modeling and simulation being used to test these hypotheses as well as making projections. Ocean currents...
Show moreThe current cycle of climate change along with increases in hurricane activity, changing precipitation patterns, glacial melt, and other extremes of weather has led to interest and research into the global correlation or teleconnection between these events. Examination of historical climate records, proxies and observations is leading to formulation of hypotheses of climate dynamics with modeling and simulation being used to test these hypotheses as well as making projections. Ocean currents are believed to be an important factor in climate change with thermohaline circulation (THC) fluctuations being implicated in past cycles of abrupt change. Freshwater water discharge into high-latitude oceans attributed to changing precipitation patterns and glacial melt, particularly the North Atlantic, has also been associated with historical abrupt climate changes and is believed to have inhibited or shut down the THC overturning mechanism by diluting saline surface waters transported from the tropics. Here we analyze outputs of general circulation model (GCM) simulations parameterized by different levels of freshwater flux (no flux (control), 0.1 Sverdrup (Sv) and 1.0 Sv) with respect to tropical cyclone-like vortices (TCLVs) to determine any trend in simulated tropical storm frequency, duration, and location relative to flux level, as well as considering the applicability of using GCMs for tropical weather research. Increasing flux levels produced fewer storms and storm days, increased storm duration, a southerly and westerly shift (more pronounced for the 0.1 Sv level) in geographic distribution and increased activity near the African coast (more pronounced for the 1.0 Sv level). Storm intensities and tracks were not realistic compared to observational (real-life) values and is attributed to the GCM resolution not being fine enough to realistically simulate storm (microscale) dynamics.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: CFE0001810, ucf:47339
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001810

Title: A STUDY OF THE COMPARISON BETWEEN TEACHER PERCEPTIONS OF SCHOOL CLIMATE AND THE EXISTENCE OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY DIMENSIONS.
Creator: Kelton, Kathryn, McGee, Janet, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This research study was conducted to determine whether teachersÃ‚Â' perceptions of climate within a school had a significant influence on the dimensions that support a community of professional learners. Teachers from ten middle schools in one central Florida school district completed a combined survey design which included questions pertaining to both climate characteristics and Professional Learning Community (PLC) dimensions. Foundational theories regarding both...
Show moreThis research study was conducted to determine whether teachersÃ‚Â' perceptions of climate within a school had a significant influence on the dimensions that support a community of professional learners. Teachers from ten middle schools in one central Florida school district completed a combined survey design which included questions pertaining to both climate characteristics and Professional Learning Community (PLC) dimensions. Foundational theories regarding both learning organizations and organizational climate were explored. Recent research on the development of professional learning communities and school climate was also examined. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to investigate each research question; these statistics included Spearman rho correlations, multiple regressions, and chi-square analyses. Findings demonstrated that the null hypotheses were rejected or partially rejected for each research question. Significant relationships were found between teachersÃ‚Â' perceptions of school climate and the dimensions of a PLC. Of the demographic variables, only years of teaching experience was found to be not significantly related to the school climate dimensions. The implications of these results validate the importance of building a climate of supportive principal behavior and committed and collegial teacher behaviors, as demonstrated by the significant relationship of these characteristics to schools exhibiting higher degrees of the dimensions that constitute a PLC. Educational stakeholders wishing to develop schools into job-embedded communities of learners with evidence of the five dimensions (shared leadership, shared vision, collective creativity, peer review and supportive conditions) must attend to developing the climate behaviors necessary for that to occur. As demonstrated by the research results, establishing an appropriate school climate that promotes professional interaction, support, and teacher commitment to students is a strong place to begin.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003333, ucf:48460
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003333

Title: A CONFIGURAL APPROACH TO PATIENT SAFETY CLIMATE: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLIMATE PROFILE CHARACTERISTICS AND PATIENT OUTCOMES.
Creator: Weaver, Sallie, Salas, Eduardo, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Patient safety climate is defined as a holistic snapshot of enacted work environment practices and procedures related to patient safety, derived from shared perceptions of social and environmental work characteristics. While patient safety climate has been touted as a critical factor underlying safe patient care, our understanding of input factors influencing shared climate perceptions and, in turn, the effects of climate as a collective, group-level construct on important outcomes remains...
Show morePatient safety climate is defined as a holistic snapshot of enacted work environment practices and procedures related to patient safety, derived from shared perceptions of social and environmental work characteristics. While patient safety climate has been touted as a critical factor underlying safe patient care, our understanding of input factors influencing shared climate perceptions and, in turn, the effects of climate as a collective, group-level construct on important outcomes remains underdeveloped, both theoretically and empirically. Therefore, the current study examines (1) the antecedents that impact individual patient safety climate perceptions and (2) the relationships between hospital unit patient safety climate and two important unit level outcomes: patient willingness to recommend a facility to others and patient safety. This study also examines climate strength-the degree to which climate perceptions are shared-as a moderator of these relationships. While climate is conceptualized as a holistic description of the working environment, existing evidence has focused on relationships between the independent dimensions of patient safety climate and patient safety. No study to date has examined the configurations (i.e. patterns or profiles) among the multiple dimensions of patient safety climate or how these configurations are related to important employee and patient outcomes. This gap is redressed in the current study by examining patient safety climate in terms of three profile characteristics: (1) climate elevation (i.e., mean positive or negative valence across all dimensions), (2) climate variability (i.e., variance among dimensions), and (3) climate shape (i.e., the pattern of peaks and valleys among climate dimensions). Evidence from studies of general organizational climate suggests that the shape of the pattern among climate dimensions, the overall mean score across dimensions, and the degree to which dimension scores vary are predictive of employee attitudes, customer satisfaction, and organizational financial performance (Dickson et al., 2006; Joyce & Slocum, 1984; Jackofsky & Slocum, 1988; Gonzalez-Roma, Peiro, & Zornoza, 1999; Litwin & Stringer, 1968; Schulte et al., 2009). The current study, then, tests a theoretical model of patient safety climate examining the configural nature of the construct. An archival dataset collected from seven hospitals located in a metropolitan area of the southeastern United States was utilized to test study hypotheses. Data was collected from 3,149 individuals nested within 84 hospital units using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (Sorra & Nieva, 2004). Unit level patient safety and patient willingness to recommend was collected by the hospital risk management and nursing administration departments. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM7; Raudenbush, Bryk, Cheong, Congdon, & du Toit, 2011) was utilized to test hypotheses regarding antecedents of individual level perceptions of patient safety climate to account for the fact that individuals were nested within hospital units. Traditional multiple regression analyses were utilized to test unit level hypotheses examining the relationships between unit level patient safety climate and patient outcomes. Results indicated that unit membership was significantly related to individual climate perceptions-specifically, individual-level climate profile elevation. In turn, individual climate profile elevation and profile variability were related to employee willingness to recommend their organization to family and friends in need of care. At the unit level of analysis, climate profile variability was significantly related to patient willingness to recommend the organization to others, and climate shape was found to be related to patient safety. Furthermore, these results were not dependent on climate strength. The current study meaningfully contributes to the conceptual understanding of the patient safety climate construct by examining the degree to which configural aspects of the construct are predictive of important outcomes across multiple levels of analysis. In this way, it extends beyond existing studies of climate configurations to examine relationships at multiple levels of analysis and to also examine the moderating effects of climate strength. Practically, results provide insight into how the construct of patient safety climate can be used diagnostically and prescriptively to improve patient care and the working environment for providers. In addition to contributing to the theoretical understanding of the patient safety climate construct, this study also augments the evidence-base available to administrators, front-line providers, and regulators regarding how patient safety climate can be used to guide and align quality improvement efforts for greatest impact.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0003992, ucf:48668
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003992

Title: ISOLATION OF CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ENDEMIC POPULATION OF VIBRIO CHOLERAE IN THE FLORIDA INDIAN RIVER LAGOON.
Creator: Ganan, Carolina, Almagro-Moreno, Salvador, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Vibrio choleraeis the etiological agent of the severe diarrheal disease-cholera and natural inhabitant of estuarine and coastal waters. The proximity of the Florida Indian River Lagoon (IRL) to areas affected by recent cholera outbreaks makes this estuary ideal to investigate the environmental dynamics and their potential role in V. cholerae's pathogen emergence. We identified two locations in the IRL, Feller's House UCF Field Station and Shepard Park, as our collection sites. We collected...
Show moreVibrio choleraeis the etiological agent of the severe diarrheal disease-cholera and natural inhabitant of estuarine and coastal waters. The proximity of the Florida Indian River Lagoon (IRL) to areas affected by recent cholera outbreaks makes this estuary ideal to investigate the environmental dynamics and their potential role in V. cholerae's pathogen emergence. We identified two locations in the IRL, Feller's House UCF Field Station and Shepard Park, as our collection sites. We collected samples from three different fractions - water, plankton, and sediment - and recorded data for several water parameters such as pH, temperature, and, turbidity. In the laboratory, we enriched samples in alkaline peptone water and isolated V. choleraeusing widely used selective media Thiosulfate-Citrate Bile Salts-sucrose agar (TCBS) and CHROMagar Vibrio. From our study, we isolated 100 potential V. cholerae isolates, which were confirmed using biochemical tests such as oxidase and Kligler's Iron Agar. V. cholerae has allelic variations in the core genes such as ompU, which provide pre-adaptation to virulence. We investigated the allelic variations within ompU to characterize V. cholerae isolates. We elucidated the sequenced allele of ompU and built a neighboring-joining phylogeny tree to view the differentiation among vibrios. Our findings provide insight into the endemic population of V. cholerae in the Eastern Coast of Florida. Further studies include a screen for additional virulence genes and investigate the role of environmental dynamics on the distribution of V. cholerae and emergence as a human pathogen.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFH2000581, ucf:45680
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000581

Title: Stand up and Speak up: Employees' Prosocial Reactions to Observed Abusive Supervision.
Creator: Priesemuth, Manuela, Schminke, Marshall, Folger, Robert, Ambrose, Maureen, Latham, Gary, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation examines what happens when employees witness supervisory abuse in the workplace. In particular, it explores whether(-)and when(-)employees will respond to witnessing supervisory abuse of a coworker by engaging in prosocial actions aimed at benefitting the target of abuse. In doing so, it extends work on abusive supervision. Traditionally, abusive supervision research has focused on the impact of abuse on the victim him/herself. However, this work explores the impact of...
Show moreThis dissertation examines what happens when employees witness supervisory abuse in the workplace. In particular, it explores whether(-)and when(-)employees will respond to witnessing supervisory abuse of a coworker by engaging in prosocial actions aimed at benefitting the target of abuse. In doing so, it extends work on abusive supervision. Traditionally, abusive supervision research has focused on the impact of abuse on the victim him/herself. However, this work explores the impact of abusive supervision on third party observers. In addition, because abusive supervision represents a form of organizational injustice, this dissertation extends both work on abusive supervision and third party reactions to injustice by considering the positive, prosocial reactions abuse might trigger in employees.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004210, ucf:48986
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004210

Title: It's a Conspiracy: Motivated Reasoning and Conspiracy Ideation in the Rejection of Climate Change.
Creator: Wycha, Nikilaus, Anthony, Amanda, Carter, Shannon, Gay, David, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: A large disconnect exists between the general public's acceptance of human-caused climate change and the prevailing consensus of actively publishing scientists. Previous research has examined both political and economic motivated reasoning, media influence in print and television, conspiracy ideation as a predictor of science rejection, and the role of the social construction of scientific knowledge in science rejection. Using these previously studied justifications for climate change...
Show moreA large disconnect exists between the general public's acceptance of human-caused climate change and the prevailing consensus of actively publishing scientists. Previous research has examined both political and economic motivated reasoning, media influence in print and television, conspiracy ideation as a predictor of science rejection, and the role of the social construction of scientific knowledge in science rejection. Using these previously studied justifications for climate change rejection as a starting point, this research examines 212 written responses to a prompt at Climate Etc. asking the community to explain their acceptance / rejection of climate change. Using a textual content analysis, this study finds that media choice, motivated reasoning, conspiracy ideation, and the scientific construction of knowledge all play important roles in explanations for climate science rejection. Work and educational background, as well as a reframing of the scientific consensus as a "religion," add new analytical perspectives to the motivated reasoning explanations offered in prior research. This analysis also finds that the explanations for climate science denial given by respondents are often complex, falling into two or more of the explanation types suggesting that science rejection may be a more complex social process than previously thought.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005909, ucf:50862
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005909

Title: Tourist responses to potential climate change impacts and adaptation measures in Florida's coastal destinations.
Creator: Atzori, Roberta, Fyall, Alan, Fjelstul, Jill, Tasci, Asli, Miller, Graham, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Some of the most vulnerable areas across the world have started experiencing the consequences of climate change, with action to deal with it long overdue. Florida, one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, holds one of the most 'unenviable' positions in terms of its vulnerability to climate change with the effects already visible, particularly on its coastal areas. Climate is one of the major factors in affecting travel motivations and destination choice, and as such the...
Show moreSome of the most vulnerable areas across the world have started experiencing the consequences of climate change, with action to deal with it long overdue. Florida, one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, holds one of the most 'unenviable' positions in terms of its vulnerability to climate change with the effects already visible, particularly on its coastal areas. Climate is one of the major factors in affecting travel motivations and destination choice, and as such the implications of climate change for tourist behavior and demand patterns are significant. Beside the physical impacts of climate change, society's perception of climate change, and the response to it at various decision-making levels, have become critical issues.This dissertation presents the perspective of tourists who have previously visited Florida, in a hypothetical scenario of changed climatic conditions. It is proposed that existing social representations about climate change, and therefore individuals' attitudes, views and beliefs concerning this phenomenon, need to be taken into account when examining tourists' stated intentions regarding their prospective visitation intentions and potential changes in future tourism demand. Using social representation theory as a theory of reference, this dissertation presents an analysis of visitors' responses to climate change impacts and adaptation measures, in consideration of their attitudes towards climate change. The main purpose of the study was to understand whether, with the implementation of adaptation strategies directed to limit negative impacts of climate change, the likelihood of tourists to return to Florida would improve in comparison with a future in which no action is taken at the state level to address climate change. In this scenario, the filter of social representations in shaping tourists' perspectives was used as a system of explanation of different tourist responses.This study contributes to the tourism and climate change body of knowledge by advancing a further step toward understanding potential responses of tourists in a scenario in which a destination's most appealing climatic and natural resources are impacted by climate change. The existence of a relationship between tourist's visitation intentions and the social representations they hold with respect to climate change offers a different way to look at tourists' stated responses. In fact, this study shows that predicting shifts in tourism demand based on stated visitation intentions requires caution. The findings of this study can encourage future researchers to pursue a more critical way of exploring the meaning behind tourists' stated responses, which could lead to expanding our current understanding of how climate change will transform tourism demand across different destinations.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006438, ucf:51477
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006438

Title: Then and Now: Using Syllabi to Shape the College Classroom.
Creator: Valentin, Jessica, Grauerholz, Liz, Donley, Amy, Anthony, Amanda, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: While the college classroom has been researched, its climate has received little attention in research. This study analyzes the climate of the classroom using 189 syllabi from various sociology courses. Drawing from data collected by Grauerholz and Gibson (2006) and syllabi from the Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology (TRAILS), the current study compares college classroom syllabi from two different times periods (pre-2005 and post- 2010) to analyze the frequency of...
Show moreWhile the college classroom has been researched, its climate has received little attention in research. This study analyzes the climate of the classroom using 189 syllabi from various sociology courses. Drawing from data collected by Grauerholz and Gibson (2006) and syllabi from the Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology (TRAILS), the current study compares college classroom syllabi from two different times periods (pre-2005 and post- 2010) to analyze the frequency of classroom climate statements, the variables that may contribute to the presence of a statement, and common language/themes existent in syllabi that did contain a statement. Results showed a large increase in climate statements between the two time periods. The findings also indicated that compared to post-2010 syllabi, those with climate statements from the pre-2005 sample were more likely to also include a statement showing a sense of collaboration among students. The themes and language used in the statements were very similar, however syllabi after 2010 placed a stronger emphasis on behavioral expectations and contained punitive language. Since syllabi are available the very first day of class, these findings suggest that more instructors believe addressing behavioral expectations and shaping the dynamic of the classroom is important.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0006814, ucf:51806
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006814

Title: An Inconclusive Truth: An Evaluation of Speleothem Evidence for Climate Change as a Driver of Ancient Maya Culture Change.
Creator: Goldblatt, Benjamin, Chase, Arlen, Chase, Diane, Callaghan, Michael, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: As anthropologists who focus their scholarly attention on the past, archaeologists are interested in examining past changes in human cultures, which can include investigating the role(s) of climatic conditions in shaping them. Paleoclimatology offers the possibility of reconstructing past climates and demonstrating their variability over time, potentially contributing a great deal to archaeology. However, while paleoclimatology may lead to new discoveries about the human past, it may also...
Show moreAs anthropologists who focus their scholarly attention on the past, archaeologists are interested in examining past changes in human cultures, which can include investigating the role(s) of climatic conditions in shaping them. Paleoclimatology offers the possibility of reconstructing past climates and demonstrating their variability over time, potentially contributing a great deal to archaeology. However, while paleoclimatology may lead to new discoveries about the human past, it may also lead to new errors in interpreting it. Cave speleothems are sources of paleoclimatic data that have recently attracted attention in Mesoamerican archaeology, particularly in studies of the Maya region. In order to evaluate past uses of speleothem paleoclimatic records to support archaeological hypotheses, I will describe the strengths and weaknesses of particular datasets, evaluate the arguments that have been advanced for their broad spatial applicability, examine the science behind the spatial variability of precipitation patterns, and consider how the application of speleothem paleoclimatology to Maya archaeology might be improved upon. I hope to make clear that speleothem paleoclimatic records can potentially yield insights into the relationship(s) between Precolumbian climate change and ancient Maya culture change, but must be interpreted with the utmost caution.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006311, ucf:51602
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006311

Title: A NEW THEORY AND MEASURE OF ETHICAL WORK CLIMATE: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESS MODEL (PPM) AND THE ETHICAL CLIMATE INDEX (ECI).
Creator: Arnaud, Anke, Schminke, Marshall, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: ABSTRACT With this dissertation I developed a new theory and measure of ethical work climate (EWC). Currently, there exists one dominant theory and measure of EWC developed by Victor and Cullen (1988, 1987). Even though researchers have identified problems with this theory, such as inconsistencies with regard to its limited theoretical scope and troubling psychometric properties, it is the most widely utilized framework for conceptualizing and testing EWC. Therefore, I propose to develop an...
Show moreABSTRACT With this dissertation I developed a new theory and measure of ethical work climate (EWC). Currently, there exists one dominant theory and measure of EWC developed by Victor and Cullen (1988, 1987). Even though researchers have identified problems with this theory, such as inconsistencies with regard to its limited theoretical scope and troubling psychometric properties, it is the most widely utilized framework for conceptualizing and testing EWC. Therefore, I propose to develop an improved theory and measure of EWC, one capable of addressing some of the principle shortcomings of earlier efforts. Building on Rest's (1986, 1979) "Four-Component" model of individual-level ethical decision-making and behavior, I specify four dimensions of EWC necessary for the emergence of ethical behavior: collective moral sensitivity, collective moral judgment, collective moral motivation, and collective moral character. I developed a multidimensional instrument capable of capturing each of these dimensions at the climate level. I anticipate that this theory and instrument will allow researchers to understand EWCs and their impact on attitudes and behaviors more effectively than previous approaches. Chapter 1 reviews the organizational climate and culture literatures, so as to gain a comprehensive understanding of the organizational climate construct in general and how it differs from organizational culture in particular. Chapter 2 includes a review and evaluation the EWC literature. This helped to identify opportunities and suggestions for a new theory and measure of EWC. Chapter 3 describes the development of the new theory of EWCs, the Psychological Process Model, with propositions for future research. Chapter 4 informs about the development of the Ethical Climate Index, the measure used to assess the new theory of EWCs. It describes 3 studies that were used to construct the Ethical Climate Index to measure the ethical work climate dimensions of collective moral sensitivity (12-items), collective moral judgment (10-items), collective moral motivation (8-items), and collective moral character (6-items). Study 1 and 2 resulted in parsimonious and reliable scales for each one of the four dimensions. Results of the 3rd study support convergent and discriminant validity for each one of the scales and suggest that the ECI is a valid and reliable predictor of ethical and unethical behavior. Implications and suggestions for the use of this measure in future research is discussed.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0000918, ucf:46740
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000918

Title: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF MOTIVATION AND JOB SATISFACTION IN WORK ENVIRONMENT-OUTCOME RELATIONSHIPS.
Creator: Guzman, Melissa, Pritchard, Robert, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Research that links various aspects of the work environment to important work outcomes can be traced back almost seventy years. Despite the history and proliferation of these studies, firm conclusions have not been reached regarding the ways through which the work environment impacts these outcomes. For example, mediating variables such as motivation and job satisfaction have been proposed as affective and cognitive states that could impact the environment-outcome relationships but have...
Show moreResearch that links various aspects of the work environment to important work outcomes can be traced back almost seventy years. Despite the history and proliferation of these studies, firm conclusions have not been reached regarding the ways through which the work environment impacts these outcomes. For example, mediating variables such as motivation and job satisfaction have been proposed as affective and cognitive states that could impact the environment-outcome relationships but have received little attention. Additionally, organizational and contextual moderators such as group size and demographics that could impact the relationships have been called for but have yet to be studied. Consequently, much remains to be examined in the environment-outcome relationships beyond the basic links. Therefore, the primary objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of motivation and job satisfaction as mediators, and group size, group tenure, and group gender composition as moderators, of work environment-work outcome relationships. Specifically, it was proposed that motivation and job satisfaction mediate the relationships between the feedback environment, learning environment, and reward and recognition environment and job performance and turnover intentions. Finally, it was expected that group size, group tenure, and group gender composition moderate these same environment-outcome relationships. It is suggested that findings gleaned from this study can provide a clearer picture of how certain work environment variables impact specific work outcomes, which can provide researchers and practitioners with information to improve the organizational setting and individual and organizational outcomes of interest. Support was found for several hypotheses and future research directions are noted.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: CFE0001724, ucf:47299
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001724

Title: CLIMATE MODELING, OUTGOING LONGWAVE RADIATION, AND TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECASTING.
Creator: Rechtman, Thomas, Mohapatra, Ram N., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Climate modeling and tropical cyclone forecasting are two significant issues that are continuously being improved upon for more accurate weather forecasting and preparedness. In this thesis, we have studied three climate models and formulated a new model with a view to determine the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) budget at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) as observed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) satellite based Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer ...
Show moreClimate modeling and tropical cyclone forecasting are two significant issues that are continuously being improved upon for more accurate weather forecasting and preparedness. In this thesis, we have studied three climate models and formulated a new model with a view to determine the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) budget at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) as observed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) satellite based Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). In 2006, Karnauskas proposed the African meridional OLR as an Atlantic hurricane predictor, the relation was further proven in 2016 by Karnauskas and Li. Here we have considered a similar study for all other tropical cyclone basins.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFH2000403, ucf:45775
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000403

Title: ASSESSING AND MODELING MANGROVE FOREST DYNAMICS ALONG THE TEMPERATE-SUBTROPICAL ECOTONE IN EASTERN FLORIDA.
Creator: Leitholf, Susan, Weishampel, John, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Mangrove ecosystems are among the world's most endangered biomes; nearly one-half of the overall coverage is threatened by human activity, invasive species, and global climate change. Mangroves play an important ecosystem role through detrital production and by providing: fisheries and wildlife nursery habitat, shoreline protection, a sink for nutrients, carbon, and sediment. In addition to human activity, the Florida mangroves (Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora...
Show moreMangrove ecosystems are among the world's most endangered biomes; nearly one-half of the overall coverage is threatened by human activity, invasive species, and global climate change. Mangroves play an important ecosystem role through detrital production and by providing: fisheries and wildlife nursery habitat, shoreline protection, a sink for nutrients, carbon, and sediment. In addition to human activity, the Florida mangroves (Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle) are being threatened by the invasive Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius). This study was performed along a 261 km stretch of the east coast of Florida from Sebastian Inlet to the northern extent of mangroves, near St. Augustine. It entailed two parts. The first examined the phenology and leafing rates of the four species and attempted to find if there was a relationship between growth and latitude or temperature. Although a correlation between peaks in temperature and phenology was observed for all species, no leafing pattern could be discerned. In terms of mangrove growth for branch diameter, a logarithmic model (y=a + b•log [Initial diameter]) best fitted the data for R. mangle and L. racemosa but neither latitude nor temperature appeared to be important. However, S. terebinthifolius' and A. germinans's branch diameter growth were best represented by a logarithmic model (y=a + b•log [Initial diameter] + c•log x2) that incorporated temperature and latitudinal respectively. In the second part, a simulation model was developed to focus on understanding the relationships between establishment and competition among the three mangrove species and the invading S. terebinthifolius. This model was run under various invasion and/or climate change scenarios to determine possible outcomes under global climate change with or without the presence of S. terebinthifolius. Conclusions were drawn that under all scenarios of invasion, other than sea level rise as part of global climate change, S. terebinthifolius would dominate the landscape if allowed to invade and establish in areas in which it is not currently present although the amount of this response is dependent on the S. terebinthifolius response curves.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002187, ucf:47912
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002187

Title: Investigating The Late Woodland Climate Of Old Tampa Bay, Florida.
Creator: Rogers, Jaime, Barber, Sarah, Williams, Lana, Baudelet, Matthieu, Starbuck, John, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Tampa Bay and the broader Central Gulf Coast region of Florida bear evidence of site reduction and population decline during the onset of the Late Woodland period (AD 500-1000). Concomitantly, Weeden Island culture flourished to the north, while climatic instability loomed to the south. It is unclear if the site abandonments in the area between the two are related to social or cultural change, an unstable climate, or a combination thereof. Interdisciplinary research has provided evidence for...
Show moreTampa Bay and the broader Central Gulf Coast region of Florida bear evidence of site reduction and population decline during the onset of the Late Woodland period (AD 500-1000). Concomitantly, Weeden Island culture flourished to the north, while climatic instability loomed to the south. It is unclear if the site abandonments in the area between the two are related to social or cultural change, an unstable climate, or a combination thereof. Interdisciplinary research has provided evidence for climate change and sea level regression during the sixth and seventh centuries in Southwest Florida, but these variables have yet to be investigated in Tampa Bay. This study implements a multi-scalar sclerochronological analysis to better understand how the climate of Tampa Bay has changed through time. Analyses of low-resolution stable isotopes (13C and 18O) paired with high-resolution trace elements (Mg, Na, Li, Sr) from 50 eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) specimens supports climatic instability during the Late Woodland period in Tampa Bay.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007902, ucf:52749
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007902

Title: Sex ratios of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in three developmental habitats along the east coast of Florida.
Creator: Sanchez, Cheryl, Weishampel, John, Ehrhart, Llewellyn, VonHolle, Mary, Wibbels, Thane, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The concept of temperature dependent sex determination (TSD) has been somewhat of anevolutionary enigma for many decades and has had increased attention with the growingpredictions of a changing climate, particularly in species that are already threatened or endangered. TSD taxa of concern include marine turtles, which go through various life stages covering a range of regions. This, in turn, creates difficulties in addressing basic demographic questions. Secondary sex ratios (from life...
Show moreThe concept of temperature dependent sex determination (TSD) has been somewhat of anevolutionary enigma for many decades and has had increased attention with the growingpredictions of a changing climate, particularly in species that are already threatened or endangered. TSD taxa of concern include marine turtles, which go through various life stages covering a range of regions. This, in turn, creates difficulties in addressing basic demographic questions. Secondary sex ratios (from life stages post-hatchling) were investigated by capturing juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas), 22.6-60.9 cm in straight carapace length (SCL), from three developmental areas along the east coast of Florida (a region known to have important juvenile aggregations) by analyzing circulating testosterone levels. All three aggregations exhibited significant female biases with an overall ratio of 3.2:1 (female: male). The probability of a turtle being female increased as the size of the individual decreased. Ratios obtained in this study were slightly less female-biased, but not significantly different, than those observed in the late 1990s. However, they were significantly more biased than those found in a late 1980s pilot study. The shift to significantly female-biased ratios may be beneficial to a recovering population, an evolutionary adaptation, and is common among juvenile aggregations. A more skewed female bias in smaller size classes may be indicative of recent, warmer periods during incubation on the nesting beaches. This female bias could become more exaggerated if temperatures meet future climate warming predictions.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004747, ucf:49771
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004747

Title: Relating climate change to the nesting phenology and nest environment of marine turtles.
Creator: Schwoerer, Monette, VonHolle, Mary, Weishampel, John, Mansfield, Katherine, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Ectotherms (including marine turtles) being especially sensitive to climate, are at risk to the accelerated rate of human-driven climate change. This study addresses two concerns associated with marine turtles and climate change (-) the relationship between the timing of marine turtle nesting and sea surface temperature; and the concern over the feminization of marine turtle populations due to rising sand temperatures. Previous studies of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and green sea...
Show moreEctotherms (including marine turtles) being especially sensitive to climate, are at risk to the accelerated rate of human-driven climate change. This study addresses two concerns associated with marine turtles and climate change (-) the relationship between the timing of marine turtle nesting and sea surface temperature; and the concern over the feminization of marine turtle populations due to rising sand temperatures. Previous studies of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) have documented the relationship between sea surface temperatures and nesting phenology. Earlier nesting behaviors in both species have been associated with warmer sea surface temperatures. Also, sex determination for marine turtles is temperature-dependent. Due to current sand temperatures, it is estimated that loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nests along the Atlantic coast of Florida already produce over 89% female hatchlings. Using shade to reduce nest temperature and increase the proportion of male hatchlings is one option for mitigating the impacts of climate change on marine turtle sex ratios. In this study, a 21-year (1988-2008) dataset of hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting at Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix, USVI was analyzed in a similar manner to previous studies. It was found that warmer sea surface temperatures were associated with longer nesting seasons and later median nesting dates. Additionally, a preliminary sand shading study was conducted in the first field season (2011) with a subsequent loggerhead nest shading study in the following field season (2012). Although hatching success was not significantly impacted, temperatures were significantly reduced in the majority of shaded nests. This practice may not be immediately applicable as a means of managing sex ratios, but it could be used to reverse the temperature effects of nest relocation.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005057, ucf:49973
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005057

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: Risk Perceptions of Climate Change in International Environmental Negotiations.
Creator: Dellert, Christine, Jacques, Peter, Knox, Claire, Hamann, Kerstin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Climate change poses an unprecedented risk to global human security and future generations. Yet actions to mitigate or adapt to the changing climate system vary greatly among countries and their constituencies. Despite mounting evidence detailing the economic, social, and ecological risks of climate change, many scholars agree that the greatest threats associated with climate change involve delaying or ignoring necessary action. Using theorizing of (")risk society(") from Ulrich Beck and...
Show moreClimate change poses an unprecedented risk to global human security and future generations. Yet actions to mitigate or adapt to the changing climate system vary greatly among countries and their constituencies. Despite mounting evidence detailing the economic, social, and ecological risks of climate change, many scholars agree that the greatest threats associated with climate change involve delaying or ignoring necessary action. Using theorizing of (")risk society(") from Ulrich Beck and others, this thesis examines how countries, environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and business interests construct the risk of climate change and how their respective discourses conflict in international environmental negotiations. This research uses computer-assisted qualitative data analysis to explore statements submitted by each of these constituencies to the sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP) for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010. Analysis of these texts identifies climate change discourse as crisis or opportunity, in addition to discourses of development, environmentalism, and rights or responsibilities to provide us a better understanding of how we perceive and respond to ecological risk.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005602, ucf:50252
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005602

Title: POLITICAL ECOLOGY OF MEDICINAL PLANT USE IN RURAL NEPAL: GLOBALIZATION, ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, AND CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION.
Creator: Dovydaitis, Emily, Vajravelu, Rani, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Prior to the advent of biomedicine, rural communities in Nepal relied on phytochemically active compounds in medicinal plants as their primary source of medicine; however, ethnobotanical practices have shifted over time due to economic, environmental, and sociocultural stimuli. Findings from 2016 fieldwork conducted in Dumrikharka, Nepal and Tutung, Nepal are compared to existing literature to describe the political ecology of medicinal plants in rural Nepal. Anthropogenic climate change...
Show morePrior to the advent of biomedicine, rural communities in Nepal relied on phytochemically active compounds in medicinal plants as their primary source of medicine; however, ethnobotanical practices have shifted over time due to economic, environmental, and sociocultural stimuli. Findings from 2016 fieldwork conducted in Dumrikharka, Nepal and Tutung, Nepal are compared to existing literature to describe the political ecology of medicinal plants in rural Nepal. Anthropogenic climate change threatens individual plant species and ecosystem biodiversity. Globalized markets unabated by weak conservation programs place increasing demands on medicinal plants. As indigenous plants become overharvested and more difficult to access, Nepalis incorporate non-indigenous plants into the local pharmacopeia. Novel use of non-indigenous plants illustrates both the dynamic, resilient nature of traditional medicine systems and a loss of biodiversity. Social changes, including outmigration to other countries, notions of modernity, and preference for pharmaceutical drugs, reduce potential candidates to learn and preserve ethnobotanical knowledge. Waterborne pathogens caused by inadequate sanitation infrastructure continue to endanger Nepali populations. The dearth of clinical facilities throughout rural areas, when coupled with the decline ethnobotanical knowledge and traditional healers, poses a gap in healthcare jeopardizing vulnerable, marginalized populations. These factors reinforce the unequal distribution of resources in one of the world's poorest countries, buttressing power inequalities and economic inequities.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFH2000240, ucf:46008
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000240

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