Theses

Permanent link for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/2022/13589

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A Study of Leadership Strategy for Creative Collaboration Within a Digital Agency
(2018) Rice, Kimberly
This study seeks to understand the leadership strategies that are necessary to implement and maintain collaborative, cross-disciplinary efforts within an integrated marketing communications (IMC) agency. The focus of the research is on leadership behavior that impacts organizational interaction, motivation, and communication with diverse, interdisciplinary teams to achieve collaborative outcomes within a full-service, digital marketing agency. This qualitative case study aims to advance literature in the area of leadership best practice concepts with the implementation of IMC. The methods used in the study included one-on-one interviews, field observations, and a collaborative leadership self-assessment questionnaire. The research indicates that collaborative effort is greatly impacted by leadership interaction, communication, and motivation and it is related to the type of work culture and environment that leaders work to create within the organization. Ideally achieving a creative collaborative effort on each project seems optimal, but in reality is seldom the norm or even the most effective manner in which to complete client requests. Rather than thinking of creative collaboration in terms of a formal process, the results suggest that collaboration should be an overall theme that resonates within the culture of the agency. Leadership should work to develop a work environment, communication system, policies, procedures, and activities that foster collaborative thinking and behavior naturally.
Inclusive Writing Instruction for Shelter Youth: A Community-Based Research (CBR) Project
(2018) Mason, Jennifer
Inclusive writing instruction promotes academic and professional prospects for opportunity youth who otherwise find themselves underprepared for the institutional expectations of the education system and job market. Using grounded theory methodology, I developed a community-based research study to produced interviews with service providers for firsthand knowledge of at-risk youth populations. The work serves to identify factors that impact attitudes and performance in writing in order to address problems surrounding literacy among shelter youth. Discussion of the findings sets out connections between views expressed by the study participants and suggestions for responsive praxis; I incorporate a sociocognitive perspective and critical theories from feminist pedagogy and social justice education to sketch ideas relevant for educators, program administrators, community leaders, mentors, and students working with at-risk and traumatized populations.
Misconceptions Associated with Type 1 Diabetes in Healthcare Workers
(2021) Kearschner, Kimberly
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a complex idiopathic disease which is often misunderstood (Easler, 201). Misconceptions related to T1D cause increased stigma concerning the disease. This stigma leads to increased negative psychosocial effects, which have been proven to have a negative effect on diabetes management and glycemic control. My thesis will analyze misconceptions health care professionals have regarding T1D, which to my knowledge has yet been studied, to provide awareness and the need for additional training of health care professionals. I hypothesize that even with their medical training, healthcare professionals have some of the same misconceptions that can be observed in the general public. Results of the survey verified that medical professionals have significantly more knowledge of diabetes, but not significantly fewer misconceptions or less stigma than the general public. The correction of misconceptions of healthcare professional regarding T1D could lead to improved disease management, better glycemic control and provide a better quality of life for the T1D patient.
What Is Wanted: The Creative Power of Thought
(2021) Jeffries, James
This writing seeks to synthesize the ways in which humans know things. It will examine the true nature of belief, fact, and fiction. In addition, it will extensively deal with the necessary conflict between Idealism and Realism. This writing will demonstrate that humanity’s most universal truths come from beliefs. Ultimately, this writing will analyze the concept of law of attraction or “The Secret” using the arts, sciences, and social science and demonstrate that they are talking about this same universal law.
In Her Own Voice: A Focused Exploration of Women Working in Traditionally Male-Dominated Fields
(2021) Duvall, Jill Ann
A glaring gender disparity in the workplace exists in traditionally male-dominated industries, yet there is little conversation about these experiences among the women affected by the disparity. This focused exploration of Southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky delves into the ways women in leadership in male-dominated industries are dealing with the barriers they face. This interdisciplinary qualitative study consisted of interviews of twelve women working in a leadership role in a traditionally male-dominated field. The interpretation of the interview data was guided by feminist theory, organizational theory, and communication theory of identity. Iterative coding revealed three salient themes across the interview data: Antagonism versus cooperation that women encounter from other women at work, issues surrounding the female body, and finding a sense of belonging amidst patriarchal networks. Communication identity theory was used to frame and evaluate the interview data to identify ways in which the women’s self-image and perspectives changed based on her lived experience and the narratives in her life. The women in this region struggle with the same barriers to success that women across the country experience, however the culture in the area creates an atmosphere where women do not discuss the barriers they must navigate. This study explored the voices of previously unheard participants in the conversation about gender disparity and sexism.
Patient noncompliance: Can theories of motivation and principles of social influence be the solution?
(2021) Fellmeth, Jennifer
The problem of patient noncompliance has been a long-standing impediment and negatively impacting individual’s engagement in positive health behaviors. On a large scale, as a collective problem, this results in overall poor health outcomes in the United States. Research has shown that certain theories and concepts of motivation and persuasion, specifically the areas of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and principles of social influence, can have a positive impact on influencing individual behavior. This piece of work will discuss research and draw attention to various studies that demonstrate positive outcomes of these conceptions and have resulted in success when applied within various environments. Suggestions and recommendations that reflect central features of these concepts and theories will be presented as potential solutions for the problem of patient noncompliance in the healthcare environment; with the possibility of testing their effectiveness in future research efforts.
The Influence of the National Black Political Convention of 1972 on Indiana Politics: Views from and of a High School Gym in Gary, Indiana—Then and Now
(2021) Clere, Amy
In the early 1970s, Black leaders across the United States began to talk about the need for political activism and holding a meeting where people could gather to discuss ideas of change, moving from voicing anger and frustration during the 1960s and turning toward a new direction—encouraging more Black Americans to run for public office. Organizers chose a high school gym in Gary, Indiana, as the location for the event, and March 10 to 12, 1972, for the dates, which would draw more than 10,000 people from nearly all 50 states to the first National Black Political Convention. This thesis challenges the idea that momentum from the convention was temporary, and it documents the success of the call to public service for Black people of Indiana through contemporary accounts from the time and interviews of those who attended, all of whom have since devoted their lives to public service. People, who helped prepare for the event, as well as mentees and children of attendees, also give testimony. While scholarship on the impact of the convention is minimal, the proof of effective change in public policy becomes clear with my interviews, which document the growing numbers of Black people in elected office and in other forms of public service as a result of the convention. In addition to books dealing with the convention and contemporary documents and news articles, 54 interviews guided the research that leaves no doubt that the convention in Gary energized the attendees and future generations to become part of the conversation in the corridors of power in cities, counties and the statehouse of Indiana.
Impacts of Leadership Styles, Such as Autocratic, Laissez-Faire, Abusive Supervision, on Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention
(2023-05) Samam, Sumaya
At its core, the basic aspect of leadership is to guide team members and followers towards a specific goal. Some leaders can guide and manage better than others due to their leadership styles. These leadership styles can also have a varying impact depending on job setting such as work-from-home, in-person, or home-hybrid. This paper studies the impacts of ineffective/destructive leadership styles of immediate supervisors/managers on employees’ job satisfaction and turnover intention. Data was collected using Qualtrics survey via online platforms and generated 103 responses. Of the responses, only 95 were useable which generated results supporting five of the seven hypotheses while rejecting the other two.
Culture, Conflict Styles, and Understanding: Cultural Impacts on the Use of Conflict Styles in Cross-Cultural Communication
(2023-05) Isaacs, Charles
Today, we live within communities that are becoming increasingly globalized. Technological advancements allow us to engage, in real-time, with individuals on the other side of the globe, giving us the ability to connect with one another on a scale never witnessed before in human history. For all the benefits this ability to freely communicate affords us, conflict, that timeless feature of human interaction, remains ever present. Conflict, and our understanding of it, is further complicated when it occurs cross-culturally. Triandis (2000) notes, “[C]onflict is greater when the two cultures are very different than when they are similar” (Triandis, 2000, p.145). Different cultures have their own unique ideas on how conflicts are approached and managed when communicating with others (Brett, 2000; Carnevale & Choi, 2000; Leung et al., 2011; Tjosvold et al., 2001; Triandis, 1989; Triandis, 2000; Triandis et al., 1971). This uniqueness, if not properly understood, can result in misunderstandings between individuals of differing cultures, leading to an escalation in conflicts. Understanding the existence of differences in how different societies approach conflict is the focus of this study.
Representations of Latin Cultures in the United States: Stereotypes Perpetuated Through Music
(2024) Nale, Heather M.
As technology advances and the world becomes more globalized, young people are subjected to more information about various cultures. This information is spread to small communities with little diversity due to the media. This paper examines the common themes and stereotypes that are present in popular Latin music that young people are being exposed to thanks to algorithms and product discovery tools. This study analyzes common stereotypes and the lyrics that perpetuate these stereotypes among ten songs performed in the Spanish language.
Pedagogical Strategies for Improving Mental Health Among University Music Students: A Systematic Review
(2024-07) Visetchaisri, Brandon M
The mental health and well-being of college music students warrant further exploration, as they encounter unique pressures distinct from their peers in other disciplines. Given the performative nature of music, students face distinct challenges, such as frequent public performances, intense competition among peers, and a demanding curriculum covering diverse topics within the field. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shed light on mental health concerns within the music student population, emphasizing the need for targeted support and assistance. Similarly, research in the STEM field has revealed gaps in addressing mental health among students. Recognizing these deficiencies in both disciplines underscores the opportunity for more extensive exploration in this area. Collaboration among music programs, faculty, staff, mental health professionals, and the students themselves is crucial to addressing student mental health needs effectively. Instructors play a pivotal role in creating inclusive learning environments that embrace individuality and diversity, fostering transparency and a willingness to learn and adapt. In the realm of music, ensembles hold significant importance, with each member contributing unique expertise and individuality. Under the guidance of a conductor, musicians collaborate to produce art through music, highlighting the essence of teamwork and collaboration. This principle extends beyond music to life itself, emphasizing the importance of working together, learning from one another, and embracing change and progress. Open communication and collaboration pave the way for harmony and collective growth, fostering a supportive community where challenges are addressed collaboratively, and individuals thrive.

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