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ESSAYS ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Title
ESSAYS ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Creator
Yang, Minhua, Frye, Melissa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This dissertation is composed by two essays that explore the changes in corporate governance around the passage of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) 2002. In the first essay, I examine the relation between board structure and compensation as a bargaining game between the board and the CEO. Bargaining game theories describe an endogenous process of determining the structure of director and CEO compensation. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) altered the equilibrium of power between the board and CEO by changing...
Show moreThis dissertation is composed by two essays that explore the changes in corporate governance around the passage of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) 2002. In the first essay, I examine the relation between board structure and compensation as a bargaining game between the board and the CEO. Bargaining game theories describe an endogenous process of determining the structure of director and CEO compensation. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) altered the equilibrium of power between the board and CEO by changing the monitoring role of the board. SOX essentially provides a natural experiment to test how a shock to the bargaining game alters the balance of power between directors and the CEO. Using the ratio of director compensation to CEO compensation to proxy for bargaining power, I find a significant increase following the passage of SOX, consistent with directors gaining bargaining advantage. Moreover, firms with strong shareholder rights exhibit even greater evidence of power shifting to the directors. Overall, the results suggest that directors gain more power relative to the CEO in determining compensation plans and strong shareholder rights help firms to align directors' incentives with those of shareholders. In the second essay, I examine the relation between CEO compensation structure and acquirer returns. In the literature, researchers find that executive compensation structures influence corporate acquisition decisions. Equity-based executive compensation should reduce the non-value-maximizing behavior of acquiring managers. A series of corporate reforms such as SOX and the FASB expensing rule affected the structure of CEO equity-based compensation. I find a significant increase in CEO restricted stock compensation and a significant decrease in CEO option-based compensation following these reforms. I also find that CEOs with strong managerial power are more likely to receive more restricted stock in their compensation package after the 2002 reforms. Finally, I find a significant positive relation between the restricted stock compensation of acquiring firm CEOs and abnormal stock returns after 2002. This provides empirical support on the effectiveness of the shift away from options towards restricted stock in executive compensation packages. Restricted stock is associated with better merger decisions.
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Date Issued
2009
Identifier
CFE0002916, ucf:48009
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002916
AFTER THE MOON: A STUDY OF GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY DECLINE AND NASA
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
HOW LEADERSHIP AFFECTS FOLLOWER SATISFACTION: THE FEDERAL CASE
Title
HOW LEADERSHIP AFFECTS FOLLOWER SATISFACTION: THE FEDERAL CASE.
Creator
Trottier, Tracey, Van Wart, Montgomery, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This study focuses on the effect of leadership in the federal government. Using a slightly revised version of Bass's Full Range Leadership Model, the study examines the influence of transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and combination of the two on the perception of leadership effectiveness and follower satisfaction in the federal government. To establish if this revised model is consistent with federal employees' perception of effective leadership, if leadership in the...
Show moreThis study focuses on the effect of leadership in the federal government. Using a slightly revised version of Bass's Full Range Leadership Model, the study examines the influence of transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and combination of the two on the perception of leadership effectiveness and follower satisfaction in the federal government. To establish if this revised model is consistent with federal employees' perception of effective leadership, if leadership in the federal government increases follower satisfaction, and if both the transactional and transformational leadership are important to followers' perception of leadership and their satisfaction, data from the 2002 Federal Human Capital Survey was used. Multiple regression analyses were conducted using transactional leadership, transformational leadership, and a combination of the two as independent variables and perceived leadership effectiveness and follower satisfaction as the dependent variables. Control variables that accounted for personal demographics (gender, minority status, and supervisory status) and organizational/job dimensions (pay, benefits, career path, personal fulfillment of the job, the physical conditions, organizational training, workplace flexibilities, coworkers and communication) were also included. Results indicate that the revised model does capture federal employees' perception of effective leadership, that leadership does increase follower satisfaction in the federal government, and that both transactional and transformational elements are important to this perceived effectiveness and follower satisfaction.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000743, ucf:46577
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000743
Governmental Responses to Terrorism: Creating Costs and Benefits
Title
Governmental Responses to Terrorism: Creating Costs and Benefits.
Creator
Klose, Kenneth, Dolan, Thomas, Schafer, Mark, Mirilovic, Nikola, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This thesis assesses four governmental responses to terrorism: conciliation, denial, legal restriction, and violence, each of which may be focused on an organization or its leaders. The theory makes predictions on the resulting frequency and severity of terrorism. Unlessresponses reduce an organization's capacity or desire to attack, the frequency of attacks may be reduced, while the severity continues to increase. The theory is tested using a time series regression analysis of the effects of...
Show moreThis thesis assesses four governmental responses to terrorism: conciliation, denial, legal restriction, and violence, each of which may be focused on an organization or its leaders. The theory makes predictions on the resulting frequency and severity of terrorism. Unlessresponses reduce an organization's capacity or desire to attack, the frequency of attacks may be reduced, while the severity continues to increase. The theory is tested using a time series regression analysis of the effects of government action on terrorism in Algeria and thePhilippines. In general, the results show that conciliation may led to increases in terrorism in the short term while suggesting potential reductions in the long term. Denial and legal restriction often led to increases in terrorism, while the effects of violence often depended upon whether the response was applied to organizations or their leaders.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0004872, ucf:49670
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004872
The underground struggle in Germany
Title
The underground struggle in Germany.
Creator
Lend, Evelyn
Date Issued
1938
Identifier
2669161, CFDT2669161, ucf:5000
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2669161
Zionism and the arab revolution: The myth of progressive Israel
Title
Zionism and the arab revolution: The myth of progressive Israel.
Creator
Young Socialist Alliance
Date Issued
1967
Identifier
2667390, CFDT2667390, ucf:4993
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2667390
What price Philippine independence?
Title
What price Philippine independence?.
Creator
Phillips, George
Date Issued
1946
Identifier
2669175, CFDT2669175, ucf:5007
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2669175
What's happening in the U.S.S.R?
Title
What's happening in the U.S.S.R?.
Creator
Darcy, Sam A
Date Issued
1937
Identifier
2669187, CFDT2669187, ucf:5013
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2669187
Social Media Usage by Municipal Elected Officials for Open Government Community Engagement
Title
Social Media Usage by Municipal Elected Officials for Open Government Community Engagement.
Creator
Stoeckel, Sarah, Bryer, Thomas, Mitchell, David, Hu, Qian, Brown, Tim, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
As public administration has evolved with the technological advances in today's society, it can be challenging to ensure the demands of the public are being met in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and engagement. Nonetheless, a focus on community remains at the forefront of public administration. When looking at technology and the community, the tool known as social media emerges. Social media has allowed people to interact in new ways and therefore, has allowed the government to interact...
Show moreAs public administration has evolved with the technological advances in today's society, it can be challenging to ensure the demands of the public are being met in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and engagement. Nonetheless, a focus on community remains at the forefront of public administration. When looking at technology and the community, the tool known as social media emerges. Social media has allowed people to interact in new ways and therefore, has allowed the government to interact with citizens in ways they have not been able to in the past. In addition to attempting to modernize public administration, there has been an increased focus on building citizen trust through providing a more open government structure. The Open Government Directive issued by President Barack Obama focused on three tenets, which included transparency, participation, and collaboration. One of the ways government entities within the United States are strengthening these areas is through the implementation of various social media sites as a means to stay connected with citizens. With an increase of users utilizing social media tools for both information and connection, many government departments and agencies have incorporated social media use into their workplace as a function for their department. However, it is elected officials that are the ones who represent the citizens from their governmental role and thus, can aid in bridging the gap between citizens and government. Yet, there is little research on how elected officials, specifically in municipalities, are utilizing social media to connect with their constituents. This study discusses social media use by municipal elected officials and how it relates to open government community engagement. Open government community engagement is defined in terms of the three tenets of the Open Government Directive: transparency, participation, and collaboration encompassing the rungs of Arnstein's ladder of citizen participation. For this qualitative study, fifty-seven Florida municipal elected officials were interviewed regarding their social media use or lack thereof in terms of engagement with citizens. The interviews are followed-up with content analysis of social media sites. An ethnographic approach is utilized to uncover and develop common themes related to open government community engagement. The findings suggest while some municipal elected officials are utilizing social media well in terms of open government community engagement, there is a lack of clear understanding of social media use within the context of the Sunshine Law, as well as other barriers prohibiting utilizing social media for more of the participation and collaboration components. There are several reasons municipal elected officials opt to avoid social media altogether, while additional concepts related to open government limited engagement and closed government community engagement are explored. The concept of avoidance was addressed, especially as it pertained to the practical implications for both city administrators and elected officials.
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Date Issued
2018
Identifier
CFE0007377, ucf:52083
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007377
Zionism and the Israeli state
Title
Zionism and the Israeli state.
Creator
Hochman, Larry
Date Issued
1960
Identifier
1927049, CFDT1927049, ucf:4802
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/1927049
Workers of the world, unite!: Declaration on the dissolution of the Communist International, adopted May 27, 1943.
Title
Workers of the world, unite!: Declaration on the dissolution of the Communist International, adopted May 27, 1943..
Creator
Socialist Labor Party
Date Issued
1943
Identifier
2072173, CFDT2072173, ucf:4885
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2072173
Which way Israel?: An eye-witness account by a Marxist educator
Title
Which way Israel?: An eye-witness account by a Marxist educator.
Creator
Lumer, Hyman
Date Issued
1966
Identifier
2667388, CFDT2667388, ucf:4992
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2667388
Crisis in Palestine
Title
Crisis in Palestine.
Creator
Miller, Moses
Date Issued
1946
Identifier
359831, CFDT359831, ucf:5226
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/359831
Hungary's fight for democracy
Title
Hungary's fight for democracy.
Creator
Deák, Zoltán
Date Issued
1947
Identifier
363425, CFDT363425, ucf:5320
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/363425
Inside Italy
Title
Inside Italy.
Creator
Togliatti, Palmiro
Date Issued
1942
Identifier
671400, CFDT671400, ucf:5567
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/671400
We are fighting for a Soviet Germany: Report
Title
We are fighting for a Soviet Germany: Report.
Creator
Pieck, Wilhelm
Date Issued
1934
Identifier
369311, CFDT369311, ucf:5411
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/369311
TAKING THE INITIATIVE: EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF CITIZEN LEGISLATING ON GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE AMERICAN STATES
Title
TAKING THE INITIATIVE: EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF CITIZEN LEGISLATING ON GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE AMERICAN STATES.
Creator
Milita, Kerri, Schraufnagel, Scot, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The citizen legislator is both a controversial and recurring phenomenon of interest in political science research. A longstanding concern for the discipline has been whether or not involvement of the public in the lawmaking process is an asset or a liability to quality governance. This study explores the desirability of citizen legislating in the American states. A four dimensional index is created that includes empirical indicators of "substantive" and "procedural" governance. These...
Show moreThe citizen legislator is both a controversial and recurring phenomenon of interest in political science research. A longstanding concern for the discipline has been whether or not involvement of the public in the lawmaking process is an asset or a liability to quality governance. This study explores the desirability of citizen legislating in the American states. A four dimensional index is created that includes empirical indicators of "substantive" and "procedural" governance. These indicators include voter turnout, fiscal health, the ideological distance between government and the citizenry, and the diversity of a state's interest group system. The total number of initiatives and popular referendums that appear biennially within each of the fifty states is employed as the key explanatory variable to capture the degree of citizen legislating that is occurring in the states between 1980 and 2000. A random-effects generalized least squares regression reveals that higher ballot measure counts are statistically and substantively associated with better quality governance, indicating that citizen legislation is a quality input into the political system. Key control variables such as divided government, interparty competition, citizen ideological extremism, state legislative term limits, and legislative professionalism also tell particularly poignant stories about the road to good governance.
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Date Issued
2009
Identifier
CFE0002519, ucf:47648
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002519
DEMOCRATIC VOICES SPEAKING LOUDLY: DOES PUBLIC PARTICIPATION YIELD ACCOUNTABILITY IN SPECIAL PURPOSE GOVERNMENTS?
Title
DEMOCRATIC VOICES SPEAKING LOUDLY: DOES PUBLIC PARTICIPATION YIELD ACCOUNTABILITY IN SPECIAL PURPOSE GOVERNMENTS?.
Creator
Beitsch, Owen, Wang, Xiaohu, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The American system of governance includes a network of state and local units identified as either general purpose or special purpose governments. The latter are often aligned with, but operate independently of, general purpose governments. Even as these special purpose or special district governments have shown extraordinary growth relative to their general purpose counterparts, there has been little interest in them or the structural characteristics that distinguish their systems for...
Show moreThe American system of governance includes a network of state and local units identified as either general purpose or special purpose governments. The latter are often aligned with, but operate independently of, general purpose governments. Even as these special purpose or special district governments have shown extraordinary growth relative to their general purpose counterparts, there has been little interest in them or the structural characteristics that distinguish their systems for maintaining order and assuring accountable behaviors. In the meanwhile, the literature regarding accountability has been expanded materially in the last several years leading to debates about its form, component parts, objectives, and the preferred means for achieving accountability as an end state. While these concepts may have application to special districts, inquiry has yet to extend to the particular devices required to monitor or control these governments. This research effort closes the knowledge gap by linking this little studied form of government with recent ideas about accountability and the role that citizen participation plays in developing or advancing accountable behaviors. The analysis applies an adaptation of the well known model developed by Romzek and Dubnick (1987) to create an accountability framework and documents the role that public participation plays in influencing accountable behaviors. The analysis culminates in a multivariate model that examines the role of pubic participation in the context of competing influences that might also force accountable behaviors. The research concludes that participation can be an important influence in shaping specific forms of accountable behavior but that other factors are also essential to sustaining accountability. Most notable among these other factors is the role of the workplace environment, defined here in terns of employee interaction, ethics training, purpose, overall sense of commitment and other attributes.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000602, ucf:46500
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000602
CORRUPTION: BRAZIL'S EVERLASTING PARASITE
Title
CORRUPTION: BRAZIL'S EVERLASTING PARASITE.
Creator
Vilhena, Patricia, Sadri, Houman, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purpose of this thesis is to explore corruption in Brazil, how it has endured for so such a long period, and the effects it has in the country. Understanding the history of Brazil, how the government was established, and how the branches operate is crucial to comprehend the rooting causes of the Brazilian corruption. The focus is not just about what corruption is and the effects it has on education, economy, and infrastructure, but also on the factors that contributed to its expansion and...
Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to explore corruption in Brazil, how it has endured for so such a long period, and the effects it has in the country. Understanding the history of Brazil, how the government was established, and how the branches operate is crucial to comprehend the rooting causes of the Brazilian corruption. The focus is not just about what corruption is and the effects it has on education, economy, and infrastructure, but also on the factors that contributed to its expansion and the circumstances that allowed it to sustain until today. Brazil is a country known for its natural beauty, great food, inviting people, but also for the never-ending problems with corruption. Unfortunately, corruption has been part of Brazil's history since the beginning of its colony, and it has been hard to remove it from its culture since then. The country has been affected by corruption for centuries, especially on economy and development, and it is one of the main reasons Brazil has been stagnated compared to other developing states. Lack of money or natural resources are not a problem preventing the country from being a major power, but rather the extensive practice of corruption in politics and the socially accepted mentality of being corrupt. The cultural factor is a huge problem in Brazil and it is major problem adding to the expansion of corruption. Brazil not only needs a political reform, but also a culture reform to have positive changes in the government, otherwise everything will continue to be the same or even worse.
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Date Issued
2018
Identifier
CFH2000320, ucf:45855
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000320
WOMEN'S DYNAMIC ROLE IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Title
WOMEN'S DYNAMIC ROLE IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Creator
Bolender, Andrew, Jewett, Aubrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Although the existence of gender polarization in the United States House of Representatives is widely acknowledged, the purpose of this thesis was to examine why it exists. While is difficult to pinpoint a specific cause of this polarization, the study examines principles and traditions adopted by America from England during colonization, the role of women in America from 1776 to 2010, and case studies of individual women who have served in the United States House of Representatives, in an...
Show moreAlthough the existence of gender polarization in the United States House of Representatives is widely acknowledged, the purpose of this thesis was to examine why it exists. While is difficult to pinpoint a specific cause of this polarization, the study examines principles and traditions adopted by America from England during colonization, the role of women in America from 1776 to 2010, and case studies of individual women who have served in the United States House of Representatives, in an attempt to point out the multiple principles, institutions, and patterns of thought that keep women from running for - or getting elected to - the United States House of Representatives.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFH0003855, ucf:44699
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003855

Pages