Developing a measure of student resume quality in student affairs assessment: An application of generalizability theory

This thesis investigated the assessment of student résumés by a career services office. Specifically, the dependability of assessment scores was examined prior to making inferences regarding the value added by a career office’s résumé appointment program. Systematic errors in performance assessment ratings of student résumés were examined to determine the overall dependability of the assessment scores and the precision with which raters score student performance. The absolute dependability of scores was excellent when rubric elements were fixed. Recommendations regarding training and measurement tool improvement were provided given information regarding rater precision around rubric element scores. Such evidence adds to the assessment scores’ validity argument and, specifically, to the validity of inferences regarding the generalizability of student performance assessment scores (Kane, Crook & Cohen, 1999). The value-added analyses revealed medium to large standardized effect sizes across most résumé elements. Measurement information revealed that the area associated with no improvement – objective statement - was affected by inconsistent scoring rules

Adaptive object management for distributed systems

This thesis describes an architecture supporting the management of pluggable software components and evaluates it against the requirement for an enterprise integration platform for the manufacturing and petrochemical industries. In a distributed environment, we need mechanisms to manage objects and their interactions. At the least, we must be able to create objects in different processes on different nodes; we must be able to link them together so that they can pass messages to each other across the network; and we must deliver their messages in a timely and reliable manner. Object based environments which support these services already exist, for example ANSAware(ANSA, 1989), DEC's Objectbroker(ACA,1992), Iona's Orbix(Orbix,1994)Yet such environments provide limited support for composing applications from pluggable components. Pluggability is the ability to install and configure a component into an environment dynamically when the component is used, without specifying static dependencies between components when they are produced. Pluggability is supported to a degree by dynamic binding. Components may be programmed to import references to other components and to explore their interfaces at runtime, without using static type dependencies. Yet thus overloads the component with the responsibility to explore bindings. What is still generally missing is an efficient general-purpose binding model for managing bindings between independently produced components. In addition, existing environments provide no clear strategy for dealing with fine grained objects. The overhead of runtime binding and remote messaging will severely reduce performance where there are a lot of objects with complex patterns of interaction. We need an adaptive approach to managing configurations of pluggable components according to the needs and constraints of the environment. Management is made difficult by embedding bindings in component implementations and by relying on strong typing as the only means of verifying and validating bindings. To solve these problems we have built a set of configuration tools on top of an existing distributed support environment. Specification tools facilitate the construction of independent pluggable components. Visual composition tools facilitate the configuration of components into applications and the verification of composite behaviours. A configuration model is constructed which maintains the environmental state. Adaptive management is made possible by changing the management policy according to this state. Such policy changes affect the location of objects, their bindings, and the choice of messaging system

Small-to-Medium-Size Enterprise Managers’ Experiences With Cloud Computing

Historically, managers of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have had concerns regarding cloud computing and cybersecurity. Their resistance to using cloud computing has influenced their ability to do business effectively and to compete with businesses that use cloud computing. The purposes of this descriptive phenomenological study were to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of SME managers that might influence their decisions to adopt cloud computing. Watson’s concept of resistance to change and Davis, Bagozzi, and Warhaw’s technology acceptance model were the conceptual frameworks that guided this qualitative study. Data collection consisted of conducting 16 semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions with SME managers. Data were coded and compared to identify emerging themes among responses. The findings showed positive cloud-based experiences, such as availability of training, flexibility, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and assurance data security. The findings indicated some negative experiences with cloud-based applications, such as fear of cybercrime, expensive licenses, software complexity, and concern for data security. The results of the study may lead to positive social change by providing a better understanding of the perceptions and experiences that influence SME managers’ decisions regarding the adoption of cloud-based computing technology. Such understanding could be used to provide resources to allay the fears of SMEs and encourage them to be more willing to consider cloud computing

Investigating the strategic relationship between information quality and e-government benefits

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel UniversityThis thesis focuses on investigating the relationship between improvements in information quality and the benefits and performance of e-Government organisations. As information quality is a multidimensional measure, it is very crucial to determine what aspects of it are critical to organisations to help them to devise effective information quality improvement strategies. These strategies are potentially capable of changing government organisational structures and business processes. To develop effective information quality improvement strategies, it is important to explore the relationships between information quality (‘cause’) and organisational benefits and performance (‘effect’). The limited research on information quality and organisations performance focuses on private sectors and pays little attention to governments and public organisations. To the best of the author’s knowledge, there is no single study which covers the relationships between information quality and organisations performance in Kuwait. E-Government success literature has rarely investigated information quality as a contributor to the success of e-Government initiatives. This thesis makes a step forward and contributes to the body of knowledge by examining the nature, direction and strength of the connections between information quality and the success of e-Government initiatives as it proposes and discusses a conceptual model (Figure 3.6) and contextual framework by means of which organisations performance and information quality research can be viewed. This thesis adopts a hypothetic-deductive and inductive approach with mixed methods, to conduct the present study. Quantitative and qualitative methods were then utilised to empirically validate the conceptual framework. The author claims that the relationships between information quality and strategic benefits along with institutional value were in upright agreement. Similarly, both qualitative and quantitative analyses highlighted that improvement in different aspects of information quality can lead to a better organisational image. Usability and usefulness attributes of information quality came on the top of the key influencers on both strategic benefits and institutional value. Furthermore, analyses highlighted some differences among information sharing participants’ views regarding the relationship between constructs investigated in this research. Figure 6.5 presents a revised research model including the new constructs, such as, cost savings, improved decision-making, and increased citizen satisfaction, which have been found to be affected by information quality and affect organisational performance.Public Authority of Applied Education

Guidelines for Conducting Mixed-methods Research: An Extension and Illustration

In this paper, we extend the guidelines of Venkatesh et al. (2013) for mixed-methods research by identifying and integrating variations in mixed-methods research. By considering 14 properties of mixed-methods research (e.g., purposes, research questions, epistemological assumptions), our guidelines demonstrate how researchers can flexibly identify the existing variations in mixed-methods research and proceed accordingly with a study design that suits their needs. To make the guidelines actionable for various situations and issues that researchers could encounter, we develop a decision tree to map the flow and relationship among the design strategies. We also illustrate one possible type of mixed-methods research in information systems in depth and discuss how to develop and validate meta-inferences as the outcomes of such a study

Volume I: Acquisition Research: The Foundation for Innovation

Proceedings Paper (for Acquisition Research Program)Accordingly, the year 2006 was especially significant for the NPS Acquisition Research Program in taking major strides toward expanding the program''s reach in important ways to other institutions.'' The number of research institutions participating as collaborators grew to 35 with the formation of a Virtual University Consortium.'' Most noteworthy was, as mentioned above, our securing sponsorship from USD(AT&L) to fund research proposals selected from a nationwide call, or Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) (copy available at www.acquisitionresearch.org).'' We''re truly excited at the prospects of receiving innovative and cutting edge proposals from the top minds around the country.'' We trust that this new sponsorship will act like good seeds sown in fertile soil, yielding rich fruits of profitable acquisition research for many years to come.Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research ProgramApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

A MODEL OF WORK-LIFE CONFLICT AND QUALITY OF EMPLOYEE-ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS: TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, PROCEDURAL JUSTICE, AND FAMILY-SUPPORTIVE WORKPLACE INITIATIVES

Good relationship management between organizations and their strategic employee publics contributes to organizational effectiveness. This dissertation built and tested a new model of employee-organization relationships by introducing time-based and strain-based work-life conflict as variables leading to employee-organization relationship outcomes, and by investigating the possible effects of transformational leadership, organizational procedural justice, and family-supportive workplace initiatives upon employees' perceived work-life conflict and relationships with their employers. This dissertation is an example of multilevel research in which all the theoretical constructs were conceptualized at the individual level, but data were gathered by conducting a survey of 396 employees in 44 U.S. organizations. The multilevel structure of collected data was addressed by using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) as the major analytical method. The findings suggested that the amount of time-based work-life conflict employees perceived significantly predicted their perceived quality of relationships with their employers. The lower the level of time-based work-life conflict that employees perceived, the better the quality of employee-organization relationships they had. When immediate supervisors respected their subordinates as individuals with unique characters and needs and treated them differently but fairly, employees perceived high levels of trust, commitment, satisfaction, and control mutuality. In addition, employees who perceived that they were treated fairly by their organizations developed quality relationships with their employers. This dissertation also identified fair formal procedures used to make work-life policies and decisions as a significant antecedent leading to high trust, commitment, satisfaction, and control mutuality that employees perceived. Moreover, the extent to which organizations administered fair procedures for work-life conflict-related policies and decisions greatly affected employees' perceptions of the time-based and strain-based interferences between work and nonwork. Lastly, it was revealed that time-based work-life conflict partially mediated the association between quality of employee-organization relationships and procedural justice referencing work-life policies, decisions, and procedures. Interpretations and implications of the findings, the limitations of the dissertation, and directions for future research were discussed

Board of Director’s influence on Innovation in Established Firms : An Exploratory Study

This thesis aims to explore how boards of directors in established firms facilitate innovation through exerting specific activities. We explore this phenomenon by conducting interviews with key informants who serve as board members in various established companies in Norway. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 informants, we find and present board members’ activities aiming to facilitate innovation within the organization. Our primary research question is: “Through what activities do board members aim to facilitate innovation within established firms”? We identify eleven activities that the board members who are closely involved in innovation adopt to facilitate innovation within the organization. These activities can be grouped into the three pillars of the dynamic capability framework, namely sensing, seizing, and transforming, which according to existing research are necessary organizational-level capabilities for innovation and to sustain competitive advantage. While previous research has focused on the role of top management, our findings show how board members can assist firms to develop these capabilities with their specific activities. Moreover, our research shows that some of the boards of directors have limited involvement in innovation and we identify internal and external factors hindering them from active involvement. We develop two models that show an overview of two types of board involvement with specific activities to foster innovation and contextual factors behind limited involvement. This study contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on the role of a new set of actors at the very top of the organizational hierarchy – the board of directions. Our study offers a set of empirically based activities practiced by board members that can enable organizational dynamic capabilities, aiming to ultimately result in enhanced innovation. Moreover, the study sheds light on various external and internal factors that can explain limited involvement of boards. In terms of practical implications, the research puts forth various activities that can be embraced by boards of directors seeking to enhance the established firms’ engagement in innovation. Additionally, the identification of factors behind limited involvement offers practitioners new perspectives to explore, with the aim of investigating and resolving this issue.nhhma