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Title: PROTESTANT'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC "NUNSENSE"A PERFORMANCE STUDY AND ANALYSIS OF "SISTER MARY HUBERT".
Creator: Endsley, Anita, Chicurel, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Anita Endsley will portray the role of Sister Mary Hubert in the musical Nunsense at Seaside Music Theatre in Daytona Beach, Florida from October 28 through November 14, 2005. This parody of convent life in crisis written by Dan Goggin provides a breadth of material for analysis of the genre as well as character analysis. Dissecting the comedy will be the foundation for characteer development. The popularity of this musical among Catholic and non-Catholic audiences have created a market that...
Show moreAnita Endsley will portray the role of Sister Mary Hubert in the musical Nunsense at Seaside Music Theatre in Daytona Beach, Florida from October 28 through November 14, 2005. This parody of convent life in crisis written by Dan Goggin provides a breadth of material for analysis of the genre as well as character analysis. Dissecting the comedy will be the foundation for characteer development. The popularity of this musical among Catholic and non-Catholic audiences have created a market that inspired the writer to extend this theme through five sequels. The commercial success of these musicals suggest a strong connection between the demands of the Catholic doctrine and the foundation for comic relief. A vast amount of research can be incorporated to assist in the analysis of comedy written into Nunsense.
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Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000531, ucf:46420
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000531

Title: PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL SYSTEMS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: AN EXPLORATION OF CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS.
Creator: Flaniken, Forrest, Cintron, Rosa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Although there is substantial literature on the use of performance appraisal in the for-profit world, there is little literature available concerning the appraisal of staff positions in higher education. More knowledge is needed in this area since there is considerable research indicating that performance appraisal creates benefits to an organization and its employees. This study provides a comprehensive review of the development and use of performance appraisal in the United States, and a...
Show moreAlthough there is substantial literature on the use of performance appraisal in the for-profit world, there is little literature available concerning the appraisal of staff positions in higher education. More knowledge is needed in this area since there is considerable research indicating that performance appraisal creates benefits to an organization and its employees. This study provides a comprehensive review of the development and use of performance appraisal in the United States, and a detailed look at the purposes, benefits, and challenges of performance appraisal. The study found a very high usage of staff performance appraisal in its population of 108 Christian colleges and universities. However, it also found a significant amount of dissatisfaction with the appraisal process due to (a) lack of leadership support for the appraisal process, (b) supervisors not being held accountable for the timely completion of their appraisals, and (c) the lack of training provided supervisors for doing performance appraisals well.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002863, ucf:48056
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002863

Title: Use of Performance Information by Local Government Administrators: Evidence from Florida.
Creator: Dimitrijevska-Markoski, Tamara, Kapucu, Naim, Martin, Lawrence, Hu, Qian, Wang, Xiaohu, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study examines the factors that facilitate and hinder the use of performance information by public administrators in local governments in Florida. Acknowledging the incompleteness of many theoretical and conceptual models in previous performance management studies and the absence of theory on the use of performance information; this study utilizes a grounded theory approach to develop and test a model analyzing the use of performance information. The research focuses on cities and...
Show moreThis study examines the factors that facilitate and hinder the use of performance information by public administrators in local governments in Florida. Acknowledging the incompleteness of many theoretical and conceptual models in previous performance management studies and the absence of theory on the use of performance information; this study utilizes a grounded theory approach to develop and test a model analyzing the use of performance information. The research focuses on cities and counties, members of the Florida Benchmarking Consortium (FBC), and surveys public administrators whose tasks are related with the collection and/or reporting of performance information. The study examines three research questions: First, to what extent and in what capacity do local government administrators use performance information? Second, what are the predictors of the use of performance information among local government administrators? Finally, to what extent does the design adequacy of a performance measurement system (PMS), institutionalization of performance measurement (IPM), organizational support (OS), individual factors (IF) and external influences (EI) impact the use of performance information among local government administrators? To collect data on the above questions, an online survey was administrated to public administrators involved in the 2015-2016 FBC data collection cycle. The data were analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of the study demonstrate that institutionalization of performance measurement has the strongest statistically significant positive association with the use of performance information followed by the influence of the design adequacy of the performance measurement system. Organizational support, through institutionalization of performance measurement, has an indirect influence on the use of performance information. Interestingly, in this study individual factors were not found to be significantly associated with the use of performance information.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0006586, ucf:51261
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006586

Title: TEACHER PERFORMANCE PAY: THE PERCEPTIONS OF CERTIFIED SCHOOL-BASED PERSONNEL.
Creator: Adkins, Gregory, House, Jess, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: To meet the continued demand for educational reform, the state of Florida enacted legislation in 1998 that required school boards to base a portion of the salary for school administrators and instructional personnel on performance. Although ahead of the required statutory timeline, the School District of Lee County implemented a teacher performance pay plan during the 1998–1999 school year as a result of Florida's legislative direction. The problem of this study was to determine the...
Show moreTo meet the continued demand for educational reform, the state of Florida enacted legislation in 1998 that required school boards to base a portion of the salary for school administrators and instructional personnel on performance. Although ahead of the required statutory timeline, the School District of Lee County implemented a teacher performance pay plan during the 1998–1999 school year as a result of Florida's legislative direction. The problem of this study was to determine the perceptions of Southwest Florida school-based certified staff regarding the implementation of teacher performance pay in a school district where performance pay had been in operation for the five years prior to this study. The population of this study consisted of the certified school-based personnel employed by the School District of Lee County, Florida. A random sample of 1,000 members was selected from the instructional population. Additionally, this study included the entire population of 176 school-based administrators for an overall sample of 1,176 members. Participants were asked to complete the survey instrument, Teacher Performance Pay Attitudinal Survey designed by the researcher. This instrument was developed to fit the unique requirements and specific nature of this study. Although intended to motivate teachers, the teacher performance pay plan examined in this study was perceived by instructional staff and administrators as not motivating. Findings of this study also show that most teachers and other instructional respondents disagree that teacher performance pay provides an incentive to work harder toward improving student achievement. Additionally, a majority of the instructional respondents did not agree that performance pay encouraged them to participate in staff development or motivated them to change their instructional practice. Finally, most respondents, both instructional and administrative, did not agree that the current performance pay system was fair. These findings suggest that the performance pay program of the current study may have fallen short of its intended goal. This study also found many differences in perceptions of teacher performance pay among the demographic variables. These differences were particularly significant in several survey areas to include the respondent's years of experience, union status, and position. Findings in this study suggest that performance plan design should clearly connect the compensation reward to performance so that educators understand the performance level required. The findings of this study also suggest that improving the alignment between the performance pay plan and school goals should be a consideration in any future plan revision.
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Date Issued: 2004
Identifier: CFE0000200, ucf:46250
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000200

Title: ME,MYSELF,AND LIZA.
Creator: Sirianni, Jennifer, Ruscella, J.J., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This master's thesis project focuses on the life and music of Liza Minnelli, the research of which culminated in the development of a one-woman performance piece and monograph. Using song, dance, and dramatic dialogue, this presentation reveals the many aspects of Liza's heart and soul, her relationship with her famous mother, and her own personal struggles. Through the eyes of Liza, this piece will explore the duality of her life--the underlining turmoil that fluctuated between her...
Show moreThis master's thesis project focuses on the life and music of Liza Minnelli, the research of which culminated in the development of a one-woman performance piece and monograph. Using song, dance, and dramatic dialogue, this presentation reveals the many aspects of Liza's heart and soul, her relationship with her famous mother, and her own personal struggles. Through the eyes of Liza, this piece will explore the duality of her life--the underlining turmoil that fluctuated between her personal life and professional career. My methodology includes studying biographies, articles, and interviews written about Liza Minnelli, as well as watching films and performances of her work. The performance piece is a compilation of my research. I will also explore the relationship and influence that Liza's famous mother had on her, and see if other adversaries in her personal life affected her choices as a singer, actress, and entertainer. People have often told me I look like Liza Minnelli. Walking down Lexington and 47th Street was one of the many times; I was approached by excited Liza Minnelli fans wanting an autograph and snapshot of me. The reaction I received in letting them know I was in the same business was just a precursor to daydreaming of one day portraying Liza on stage. I always loved Judy Garland's and Liza's musicals and movies. They inspired me at a young age. Never once did I try to emulate Liza's style or copy her personality, because like her, I am determined to be my own "me." Ultimately, I would like this to be the beginning of something that I can continue to develop and workshop with the intent to produce for other professional theaters.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002079, ucf:47586
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002079

Title: AFTER THE MOON: A STUDY OF GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY DECLINE AND NASA.
Creator: Whitman, Wendy, Handberg, Roger, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The concept of decline has variously been applied to businesses, organizations, groups, and government (Levine 1978; Lorange and Nelson 1987; Whetten 1980). The term decline has also been used to describe various government agencies such as NASA. It is the theory put forth presently that decline in its traditional form in the literature does not apply to government agencies. Decline has been previously characterized as a time of decreasing or restricted resources, conflict, a decrease in...
Show moreThe concept of decline has variously been applied to businesses, organizations, groups, and government (Levine 1978; Lorange and Nelson 1987; Whetten 1980). The term decline has also been used to describe various government agencies such as NASA. It is the theory put forth presently that decline in its traditional form in the literature does not apply to government agencies. Decline has been previously characterized as a time of decreasing or restricted resources, conflict, a decrease in innovativeness, a decrease in organizational size, a decrease in income or profits, and an organization's inability to adapt (Cameron, Whetten, and Kim; Weitzel and Jonsson). These characteristics, however, are not applicable to individual government agencies; an agency's tasks, form, and functions are usually set and defined through legislation, its budget is tied to the budget of the rest of the US government, and policy is usually generated at the top. Because of these pitfalls, I propose a new model of operations at the government level: the government agency decline model. This model posits that an agency's operations are in constant flux depending on the nature of the US economy at any given time and a number of other variables. Pursuant to this, I propose that there is a strong relationship between budget, agency performance, and power; more money in an agency's accounts contributes to bettering their performance, better performance leads to more power, which can lead to an increased budget. Therefore this cycle can begin and be interrupted at the money stage depending on the state of the American economy. Findings show that there are relationships between economy, budgets, performance, and power leading to an enhanced explanation of NASA's yearly budget. Recommendations for further research include examining a wider array of government agencies and developing better ways to measure power.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: CFE0001868, ucf:47418
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001868

Title: THE LARAMIE PROJECT: THE SEARCH FOR A PERSONAL ACTING METHOD VIA THE PRINCIPLES OF CONSTANTIN STANISLAVKSI.
Creator: Hamner, Matthew, Sloan, Roberta, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Constantin Stanislavski developed a method for actors in bringing to life characters for the stage. Even though Stanislavski developed his theories in response to the stage climate of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many of his ideas remain relevant today. In this study, parts of his system were applied to the roles performed in Moisés Kaufman's The Laramie Project. Those roles were Moisés Kaufman, Jonas Slonaker, Doug Laws, Anonymous, Detective Rob Debree,...
Show moreConstantin Stanislavski developed a method for actors in bringing to life characters for the stage. Even though Stanislavski developed his theories in response to the stage climate of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many of his ideas remain relevant today. In this study, parts of his system were applied to the roles performed in Moisés Kaufman's The Laramie Project. Those roles were Moisés Kaufman, Jonas Slonaker, Doug Laws, Anonymous, Detective Rob Debree, Governor Jim Geringer, Reverend Fred Phelps and Dennis Shepard. The purpose of this exploration was to create unique, believable characters and develop solutions for personal acting problems. Through this study, it was concluded that this method empowered me as I sought ways to personalize with the reality of the characters.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0000916, ucf:46719
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000916

Title: THE EFFECTS OF SCREEN SIZE ON PERFORMANCE OF A MODIFIED CODE SUBSTITUTION TASK.
Creator: Stafford, Shawn, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Understanding the effects of the visual display size of a task on human performance has long been a goal of research in the United States Military. The present work is a series of three studies which focus on distinguishing which specific aspects of display size each affect performance response capacity. The three sequential studies represented here manipulated viewing conditions and task type. These studies were derived from a code substitution cognitive battery using four display sizes and...
Show moreUnderstanding the effects of the visual display size of a task on human performance has long been a goal of research in the United States Military. The present work is a series of three studies which focus on distinguishing which specific aspects of display size each affect performance response capacity. The three sequential studies represented here manipulated viewing conditions and task type. These studies were derived from a code substitution cognitive battery using four display sizes and three viewing conditions. The first viewing condition is controlled distance to the display. The second viewing condition allowed the participants to choose their own viewing distance. The second condition, Free movement, provided the data for the third viewing condition where the participant was held to a constant visual angle and changing distance. In summary the three sequential experiments are free movement to and from the display, controlled distance to the display, and controlled visual angle while changing display distance. The four display sizes were in part selected in association with SME's from UCF and the United States Army (PDA – 320x280, Tablet – 800x600, Small - LCD 1280x1024, Large LCD – 1600x1200). These four displays are representative of the four display sizes widely used by our armed forces. Three workload levels were manipulated by restricting the viewing time to 300ms on target at the shortest interval through 700ms on target, to finally 3000ms on target. The 3000ms represents the standard amount of time used in a code substitution task, while 700ms and 300ms are present as a result of the pilot studies and thus representing higher workloads. Results indicate all displays sizes suffered performance diminution in the 700 ms and 300 ms condition. The three largest displays had indistinguishable performance results. The smallest display while indistinguishable from the larger three displays in the 3000 ms condition has significant accuracy diminution in the 700 ms and 300 ms conditions when compared to the three larger displays.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002946, ucf:47967
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002946

Title: THE INFLUENCE OF EMOTIONAL STIMULI ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN RELATION TO DELUSION INTENSITY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA.
Creator: Orem, Diana, Bedwell, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Previous research has suggested that there are multiple psychological processes underlying delusional thought. While it appears that cognitive biases in certain reasoning and attention processes are related to delusion-proneness, the influence of emotion on these processes is not well understood. The overall objective of this study was to investigate the effect of emotional content on performance on tasks thought to measure attentional bias, preferential recall, and probabilistic reasoning in...
Show morePrevious research has suggested that there are multiple psychological processes underlying delusional thought. While it appears that cognitive biases in certain reasoning and attention processes are related to delusion-proneness, the influence of emotion on these processes is not well understood. The overall objective of this study was to investigate the effect of emotional content on performance on tasks thought to measure attentional bias, preferential recall, and probabilistic reasoning in individuals with schizophrenia and demographically matched controls. In order to account for level of delusion-proneness, participants also completed a multidimensional measure of delusional thought. It was hypothesized that individuals with schizophrenia would perform more poorly on both the emotional and neutral versions of these tasks compared to controls. It was also hypothesized that within each group, there would be a statistically significant emotion effect, indicated by a difference in performance on the emotional (compared to neutral) condition of each task. This emotion effect was expected to be larger in the schizophrenia group. Finally, it was hypothesized that the emotion effect would increase as the severity of delusional proneness increased for all participants, regardless of group. As hypothesized, the schizophrenia group performed more poorly on the tasks overall, though expected emotion effects were generally absent. There were no differences in the size of emotion effects between the groups on any of the cognitive tasks administered, and the emotion effect did not appear to increase as severity of delusion-proneness increased. Factors that may have contributed to this pattern of results are discussed. Implications of these findings on theoretical models of delusions and future directions for research in this area are also discussed.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002765, ucf:48091
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002765

Title: Feedback Intervention Perceptions: Development and Validation of a Measure.
Creator: Young, Brandon, Fritzsche, Barbara, Joseph, Dana, Jentsch, Kimberly, Roth, Colin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Reactions toward performance feedback have critical implications for organizations and are of great interest to practitioners. Unfortunately, the measurement of employee experiences with feedback intervention varies widely and the literature is flooded with atheoretical, untested measures. Measurement is also commonly done at a global reaction level, largely neglecting the complexity of feedback intervention. The current study presents and tests a new multidimensional measure of feedback...
Show moreReactions toward performance feedback have critical implications for organizations and are of great interest to practitioners. Unfortunately, the measurement of employee experiences with feedback intervention varies widely and the literature is flooded with atheoretical, untested measures. Measurement is also commonly done at a global reaction level, largely neglecting the complexity of feedback intervention. The current study presents and tests a new multidimensional measure of feedback intervention perceptions. The measure is intended to capture facet level perceptions regarding the characteristics of five feedback intervention components (i.e., Performance Measurement, Feedback Content, Feedback Delivery, Organizational System Support, and Feedback Source). Items were generated deductively based on influential works in the feedback and performance management literatures. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a five-factor structure. Correlational analyses demonstrated strong but differential relationships between the measure and several global feedback reaction measures and job satisfaction. Finally, regression analyses demonstrated significant direct effects of feedback intervention perceptions on motivation and intent to use feedback. Organizational (procedural and distributive) justice served to mediate the relationship between the Feedback Intervention Perceptions Scale and motivation. Overall, results support the validity and potential utility of the Feedback Perceptions Scale for both research and practice. Implications for theory and practice and directions for future research are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0006237, ucf:51068
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006237

Title: A Framework for Assessing the Quality and Effectiveness of A National Employment System: A Case Study of Saudi Arabia.
Creator: Alsulami, Hemaid, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Lee, Gene, Xanthopoulos, Petros, Rahal, Ahmad, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: National employment systems have been established in several countries to tackle the unemployment dilemma between citizens while the labor market flooded by expatriates. Lack of performance measurement indices among these systems caused failure to provide jobs to citizens and caused a state of confusion and dissatisfaction among employing entities. In Saudi Arabia, unemployment rate has increased in the last few decades and have since become a very political issue for the Saudi government....
Show moreNational employment systems have been established in several countries to tackle the unemployment dilemma between citizens while the labor market flooded by expatriates. Lack of performance measurement indices among these systems caused failure to provide jobs to citizens and caused a state of confusion and dissatisfaction among employing entities. In Saudi Arabia, unemployment rate has increased in the last few decades and have since become a very political issue for the Saudi government. Compared to other countries, the problem is different since many expatriates in Saudi Arabia are already employed in their markets while citizens are seeking jobs. In Saudi Arabia, there are 1.4 million unemployed citizens and 8 million expatriates working in the Saudi labor market. In 2011, the Saudi government established a new project for boosting citizen's employment in the private sector. This project has initiated an employment system that divides organizations into four categories (or rankings) based on their performance in employing Saudi citizens' job seekers. Organizations in the Saudi private sector are allocated services from Ministry of Labor depending on their ranking in the system. Consequently, there are mixed reactions from social and economic groups toward the system's significant impact on increasing the number of national (citizen) workers in the labor market.This study develops a framework to assess the quality and effectiveness of this government employment system and how the private sector has been affected after its implementation. The framework proposes a national employment index to help government leaders manage the labor market and reduce the unemployment rate. In addition, the framework is proposing employers satisfaction index to assist in improving the cooperation betweenivgovernment and private sector. Finally, the study demonstrates the various advantages and disadvantages of this concept and proposes solutions to improve the national employment system's quality and effectiveness.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005124, ucf:50674
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005124

Title: NETWORK PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT USING APPLICATION-CENTRIC KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS.
Creator: McGill, Susan, Shumaker, Randall, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The Internet and intranets are viewed as capable of supplying "Anything, Anywhere, Anytime" and e-commerce, e-government, e-community, and military C4I are now deploying many and varied applications to serve their needs. Network management is currently centralized in operations centers. To assure customer satisfaction with the network performance they typically plan, configure and monitor the network devices to insure an excess of bandwidth, that is overprovision. If this proves uneconomical...
Show moreThe Internet and intranets are viewed as capable of supplying "Anything, Anywhere, Anytime" and e-commerce, e-government, e-community, and military C4I are now deploying many and varied applications to serve their needs. Network management is currently centralized in operations centers. To assure customer satisfaction with the network performance they typically plan, configure and monitor the network devices to insure an excess of bandwidth, that is overprovision. If this proves uneconomical or if complex and poorly understood interactions of equipment, protocols and application traffic degrade performance creating customer dissatisfaction, another more application-centric, way of managing the network will be needed. This research investigates a new qualitative class of network performance measures derived from the current quantitative metrics known as quality of service (QOS) parameters. The proposed class of qualitative indicators focuses on utilizing current network performance measures (QOS values) to derive abstract quality of experience (QOE) indicators by application class. These measures may provide a more user or application-centric means of assessing network performance even when some individual QOS parameters approach or exceed specified levels. The mathematics of functional analysis suggests treating QOS performance values as a vector, and, by mapping the degradation of the application performance to a characteristic lp-norm curve, a qualitative QOE value (good/poor) can be calculated for each application class. A similar procedure could calculate a QOE node value (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) to represent the service level of the switch or router for the current mix of application traffic. To demonstrate the utility of this approach a discrete event simulation (DES) test-bed, in the OPNET telecommunications simulation environment, was created modeling the topology and traffic of three semi-autonomous networks connected by a backbone. Scenarios, designed to degrade performance by under-provisioning links or nodes, are run to evaluate QOE for an access network. The application classes and traffic load are held constant. Future research would include refinement of the mathematics, many additional simulations and scenarios varying other independent variables. Finally collaboration with researchers in areas as diverse as human computer interaction (HCI), software engineering, teletraffic engineering, and network management will enhance the concepts modeled.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: CFE0001818, ucf:47371
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001818

Title: Employee Perceptions of Diversity Management in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry: Scale Development and Model Testing.
Creator: Mistry, Trishna, Okumus, Fevzi, Torres Areizaga, Edwin, Orlowski, Marissa, Madera, Juan, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this dissertation is to create a holistic diversity management measurement scale and to analyze the impact of diversity management on employees' attitudes and behavior in the hospitality and tourism industry. Effective diversity management can have a multitude of positive outcomes in the hospitality and tourism industry. However, there is little research conducted regarding the direct and indirect impacts of diversity management on the attitudes and behavior of hospitality and...
Show moreThe purpose of this dissertation is to create a holistic diversity management measurement scale and to analyze the impact of diversity management on employees' attitudes and behavior in the hospitality and tourism industry. Effective diversity management can have a multitude of positive outcomes in the hospitality and tourism industry. However, there is little research conducted regarding the direct and indirect impacts of diversity management on the attitudes and behavior of hospitality and tourism industry employees. This dissertation used a mixed-method approach to create a measurement scale to evaluate diversity management practices for the hospitality and tourism field. The first study of this dissertation included a scale development process using a qualitative and then a quantitative phase. Literature review and semi-structured interviews were conducted for developing the items for the diversity management scale. These items were then refined to finalize the diversity management measurement scale through a quantitative phase using exploratory factor analyses. The impact of diversity management on hospitality and tourism industry employees' job performance, service innovation behavior, and engagement were analyzed through a quantitative study using this measurement instrument. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized research model. The present research is the first of its kind in the hospitality and tourism field. The measurement scale developed in this study will expand the boundaries of diversity management research in the hospitality and tourism industry. This current research further establishes a link between diversity management and positive employee-related outcomes in the hospitality and tourism industry. The assessment of these relationships should extend the literature and open new models of academic research with additional organizational outcomes. Leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry can gain vital insight regarding the importance of effective diversity management through the study results.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007688, ucf:52468
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007688

Title: THE PRICING AND PERFORMANCE OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK OFFERINGS FOLLOWING ISSUANCE.
Creator: Guzhva, Vitaly S., Ramanlal, Pradipkumar, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation is a comprehensive study of convertible-preferred-stock pricing and performance following issuance. It is the first major academic study that identifies significant abnormal performance of corporate contingent claims following issuance.The research utilizes both option-based contingent claims valuation models and econometric techniques to investigate the sources of superior investment performance of convertible securities as an asset class that has persisted for the past...
Show moreThis dissertation is a comprehensive study of convertible-preferred-stock pricing and performance following issuance. It is the first major academic study that identifies significant abnormal performance of corporate contingent claims following issuance.The research utilizes both option-based contingent claims valuation models and econometric techniques to investigate the sources of superior investment performance of convertible securities as an asset class that has persisted for the past thirty years.Two main issues are examined: potential underpricing of convertible preferred stocks at issuance and their subsequent investment performance.Underpricing is examined based on a robust contingent-claims valuation model. Using two samples of convertible preferred stock offerings (24 issues, 12,051 observations and 69 issues, 28,831 observations respectively), the study provides evidence of statistically and economically significant underpricing at issuance that ranges from 2.9% to 1.4% and persists from the first day of convertible trading up to six months following issuance.Underpricing is invariant to convertible ratings and the exchange where the issues are traded. It is found, however, that, large and mid cap issues are more likely to be underpriced than small cap convertibles. Also, the offerings that are underwritten by non-reputable investment bankers are more likely to be underpriced than those underwritten by reputable investment bankers.Abnormal performance based on econometric techniques affirms underpricing at issuance. Statistically significant holding-period excess returns of convertibles over their underlying common stock returns range from 0.81% for the first week to 2.04% for the first five months following issuance. Excess returns are invariant to security ratings, exchange listing, firm size, underwriter reputation and the size of the issue. Further, panel data analysis of daily returns suggests excess returns of 1.1 percent (1.8 percent) for the first week (month) following issuance. Excess returns can be explained by increased sensitivity of convertible returns to the returns of their underlying common stocks in the first six months following issuance. Cross-sectional variations of this increased sensitivity indicates investment-grade issues, listed on NYSE/AMEX, by large firms, using reputable underwriters and for large issues are more sensitive to the underlying common stock in the first six month following issuance than securities with opposing characteristics. Underpricing at issuance is also indicated by investment models favored by convertible trading desks: about one dollar on an average price of thirty five during the first week following issuance with underpricing persisting up to 6 months following issuance. The excess returns cannot be attributed to liquidity, high betas of underlying stock or excess volatility of convertibles following issuance. Conversely, volatility analysis indicates risk-adjusted excess returns are likely to be higher than reported.
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Date Issued: 2004
Identifier: CFE0000079, ucf:46091
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000079

Title: THE RELATION BETWEEN OPTIMISM AND JOB PERFORMANCE: AN APPLIED SETTING.
Creator: Davis, Mary, Wooten, William, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Research on cognitive ability measures consistently concludes that they are predictive of employee performance. While accounting for only about 9% of the variance in performance, however, cognitive ability measures are not sufficient. Alternative measures, such as measures of personality constructs, must be included to fully predict employee performance. The research on personality measures suggests that they are marginally predictive of employee performance. Research also suggests that...
Show moreResearch on cognitive ability measures consistently concludes that they are predictive of employee performance. While accounting for only about 9% of the variance in performance, however, cognitive ability measures are not sufficient. Alternative measures, such as measures of personality constructs, must be included to fully predict employee performance. The research on personality measures suggests that they are marginally predictive of employee performance. Research also suggests that predicative accuracy of personality measures can be enhanced when the measure is specific to the situation (i.e., stress measure are more predictive of performance in high stress situations compared to moderate or low stress situations). The current study compares a specific measure of a personality construct, the Seligman Attributional Style Questionnaire (a measure of optimism), with a broad, general measure of personality, the Gordon Personal Profile-Inventory, comparing jobs specifically requiring higher levels of optimism versus jobs that do not require high levels of optimism. The results suggest that the use of the SASQ under situationally specific conditions does not result in greater predictive accuracy that the more generic GPPI. In addition, neither measure resulted in significant correlations with employee performance. The study generally confirmed the literature on the limited utility of personality measures in predicting performance. It also raised questions about how situational specificity is operationized.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0001262, ucf:46930
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001262

Title: PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF LOW-POWER, SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS TRANSCEIVERS.
Creator: NEUPANE, USHA, Richie, Samuel, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: To address the various emerging standards like BluetoothTM, Home RF, Wi-fiTM (IEEE 802.11), ZigBeeTM etc., in the field of wireless communications, different transceivers have been designed to operate at various frequencies such as 450 MHz, 902-920 MHz, 2.4 GHz, all part of designated ISM band. Though, the wireless systems have become more reliable, compact and easy to develop than before, a detailed performance analysis and characterization of the devices should be done. This report details...
Show moreTo address the various emerging standards like BluetoothTM, Home RF, Wi-fiTM (IEEE 802.11), ZigBeeTM etc., in the field of wireless communications, different transceivers have been designed to operate at various frequencies such as 450 MHz, 902-920 MHz, 2.4 GHz, all part of designated ISM band. Though, the wireless systems have become more reliable, compact and easy to develop than before, a detailed performance analysis and characterization of the devices should be done. This report details the performance analysis and characterization of a popular binary FSK transceiver TRF6901 from Texas Instruments. The performance analysis of the device is done with respect to the TRF/MSP430 demonstration and development kit.
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Date Issued: 2004
Identifier: CFE0000319, ucf:46284
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000319

Title: THE EFFECTS OF JOURNAL WRITING ON STUDENT ATTITUDES AND PERFORMANCE IN PROBLEM SOLVING.
Creator: Quinones, Christine, Dixon, Juli, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study summarizes research conducted in a second grade classroom at a rural elementary school in the fall of 2004. This study investigated the practice of using writing activities in mathematics to improve student attitudes and performance in problem solving. The classroom teacher supplemented traditional mathematics instruction with daily problem solving activities and affective journal writing. Students were asked to complete daily problem solving prompts and write about their problem...
Show moreThis study summarizes research conducted in a second grade classroom at a rural elementary school in the fall of 2004. This study investigated the practice of using writing activities in mathematics to improve student attitudes and performance in problem solving. The classroom teacher supplemented traditional mathematics instruction with daily problem solving activities and affective journal writing. Students were asked to complete daily problem solving prompts and write about their problem-solving solutions. Attitude data was collected using a pre and post attitude survey as well as affective journal writing assignments. Performance data was collected using a performance based problem-solving rubric. Results of this study showed change in students' attitudes towards problem solving in the areas of willingness to participate and perseverance in completing problem solving tasks. Student performance gains were recorded and analyzed throughout the six-week study period. Thirteen out of the 17 students who participated in this study showed performance growth in problem solving.
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Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000429, ucf:46391
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000429

Title: WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION AND THE ACHIEVEMENT RESULTS OF THIRD GRADE STUDENTS IN A LOCAL CENTRAL FLORIDA SCHOOL DISTRICT?.
Creator: Vitale, Thomas, Holt, Larry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: There has been much excitement over the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards; especially with regard to improving student achievement. Are Nationally Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) performing better than their non board certified counterparts? Does achieving National Board Certification mean that a teacher is "highly qualified?" What are the tangible effects on the achievement levels of students of Nationally Board Certified teachers? Much research has been conducted in the past...
Show moreThere has been much excitement over the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards; especially with regard to improving student achievement. Are Nationally Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) performing better than their non board certified counterparts? Does achieving National Board Certification mean that a teacher is "highly qualified?" What are the tangible effects on the achievement levels of students of Nationally Board Certified teachers? Much research has been conducted in the past few years to try to answer these questions. Currently, the results of much of this research are ambiguous at best. Most studies report little in the way of significant impact on student achievement by NBCTs. However, many studies show teachers self-reporting a strong positive impact on their own teaching and their feelings of efficacy. The state of Florida and the federal government have spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the past decade in pursuit of expanding the NBPTS as a means of ensuring highly qualified teachers for every student. This study aims to discover whether or not there is any definitive association between teachers who attain the national certification and higher student achievement on standardized tests specifically the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in a local central Florida school district. The researcher attempted to determine if students assigned to classrooms of nationally board certified teachers outperformed students of comparable backgrounds that were assigned to classrooms of teachers that were not nationally certified. To accomplish this, the researcher looked at reading and math test scores of third grade students in nationally board certified teachers' classrooms and compared them with those of students assigned to non-nationally board certified teachers to determine if the gains made by one group were statistically significantly different from the other. Recommendations were made for further exploration of the link between NBCTs and student achievement.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002078, ucf:47599
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002078

Title: THE EFFECT OF MATHEMATICAL MANIPULATIVE MATERIALS ON THIRD GRADE STUDENTS' PARTICIPATION, ENGAGEMENT, AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.
Creator: Ross, Caryn, Gresham, Regina, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study is the summary of research conducted in a third grade classroom during a unit on multi-digit addition and subtraction. The classroom teacher utilized mathematical manipulative materials throughout the course of this unit as a supplement to aid in the conceptual understanding of addition and subtraction. This study showed the effects of those manipulatives on third grade students' participation, engagement, and academic performance. Data collected from teacher observations and...
Show moreThis study is the summary of research conducted in a third grade classroom during a unit on multi-digit addition and subtraction. The classroom teacher utilized mathematical manipulative materials throughout the course of this unit as a supplement to aid in the conceptual understanding of addition and subtraction. This study showed the effects of those manipulatives on third grade students' participation, engagement, and academic performance. Data collected from teacher observations and video recordings indicated a positive relationship between manipulatives and student participation and engagement. A pre-test/post-test and student work samples were used to determine effects on academic performance. Data showed students' academic performance increased, however the relationship between academic performance and manipulatives was found to require further research and study.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002092, ucf:47544
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002092

Title: A PERFORMANCE STUDY AND ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF PROFESSOR MULLER IN THE VISIT.
Creator: Harrison, Stephanie, Boyd, Be, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: I propose to study the role of Professor Muller in The Visit as my thesis role because of the challenge that it presents, not only as a translated work, but also because of the character shift for me - Professor Muller is a 72 year old man and has now been changed to a woman in her thirties. Professor Muller is the only person to stand up to the antagonist, Claire. The confrontation between Claire and Muller takes on a certain tone when it is between a woman and a man, and has a completely...
Show moreI propose to study the role of Professor Muller in The Visit as my thesis role because of the challenge that it presents, not only as a translated work, but also because of the character shift for me - Professor Muller is a 72 year old man and has now been changed to a woman in her thirties. Professor Muller is the only person to stand up to the antagonist, Claire. The confrontation between Claire and Muller takes on a certain tone when it is between a woman and a man, and has a completely different outlook when it becomes woman vs. woman. The director has taken this play and set it in an abstract time and setting, loosely basing it in a post WW2 era in perhaps Switzerland, or even Germany, although the location will never be actually specified by the director. It is merely a suggestion of where we should begin the process of characterization. The town gives off an appearance of desolation, but we must retain the knowledge of better times. This challenge of not having specifics almost grinds at me to place specifics on the character, but I will attempt to refrain from this. This role will not only challenge my training here in movement, voice and character analysis, but will allow me to pursue a new kind of development in character, one that does not have to be mapped out. This character can be created only through the other characters on the stage. There are no clues in the script, really, because of extensive cuttings and re-workings through this translation. The Professor is defined by relationships, not by words, and this new process excites me. After the show has closed, I would like to explore the play in its entirety and look to see if I have remained true to the author's work while working in a new concept from the director. I think it is possible to still hold to the origins and maintain the message of the play even through such large changes. This is going to be one of the most challenging roles that I have faced. I think that at the same time that I am going to apply my training, I also need to let it go and explore her through my body, my heart. At home, outside the theatre, I can go through the analytical parts - the "who am I" and "where do I come from" questions. My journals will be exceptionally useful for this knowledge. However, in rehearsals, I want to "let it all go" and "fly by the seat of my pants" to uncover answers that might be lost to me if I use only my brain. This is my biggest weakness as an actor - allowing my brain to take over. The problem with over-analyzing is that I look to deeply into the words and the script for the clues that my body may already be telling me, or I miss an impulse to act on a feeling because I am to caught up reading into everything. I need to read, and then play, not read and concentrate. We are doing a "play" after all, not a "work". It is my hope that I can allow myself to play more, and thereby overcome this weakness.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0000988, ucf:46699
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000988

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