Cultural diversity\u27s impact on firm performance: The moderating influence of diversity initiatives and socialization tactics

The primary purpose of this dissertation is to test the hypothesized relationships between cultural diversity and firm performance. Specifically, this dissertation examines whether or not socialization tactics and diversity initiatives moderate the relationship between diversity and firm performance. This dissertation uses ROA, ROE, and employee productivity in order to capture an accurate picture of firm performance. My second purpose is to test competing hypotheses that are based on different theories. Theories relating to diversity suggest that there may be both positive and negative effects of a heterogeneous workforce. Therefore, it is necessary to isolate those instances in which diversity can be a competitive advantage. This dissertation uses competing hypotheses to test these theories. All of the hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis. According to Cohen and Cohen (1983: 120) “it is one of the most useful tools for extracting information from a data set.” Hierarchical regression analysis allows for the testing of hypothesized contingency relationships. In addition, this technique is considered to be a conservative method for testing interaction effects because the interaction terms are tested after the other independent variables are entered into the equation. Therefore, significant changes in adjusted R2 provide support for the hypotheses (Delery & Doty, 1996). This study offers several contributions to the diversity management literature. In particular, empirical support is provided for the relationship between diversity and firm performance. By testing competing hypotheses, limited support was found for the social identity theory framework in diversity research. Limited support was also found for the contingency theory framework combined with the resource based view of the firm. In other words, left alone, racioethnic diversity can have a negative impact on performance. However, if managed properly, the negative impact can be lessened and a positive impact can be achieved

Effects of supplemental hydration on physiology and behavior of Northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus)

Hydration is a critical element for many physiological processes in vertebrates, such as protein production, innate immunity, and behavioral processes such as daily activity and thermoregulation. Few studies have directly assessed the effect of hydration on these animals in nature. While it seems intuitive that drought is stressful to animals, studies examining drought are typically observational and fail to assess how the hydration state of these animals influences their physiology and behavior. We tested for an effect of hydration on several physiological and behavioral parameters in Northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) by experimentally manipulating hydration levels in the field. Two treatment groups were created: one of these received supplemental hydration twice a month from May to September (hydrated) while the other did not (control). Pregnant females were brought to the lab before parturition to collect data on litter characteristics. We radio-tracked snakes to examine any effects on movement, measured SVL and mass of each snake throughout the study for assessment of body condition, and collected blood samples for stress hormone physiology. Finally, we used intra-coelomic temperature data loggers to track body temperature data for each individual snake every two hours. Our results suggest that supplemental water and thus hydration has a significant effect on reproduction as all four hydrated females gave birth to a litter, while no control females gave birth. We saw no effect on movement parameters; however, males had larger home ranges and moved a larger total distance than females, regardless of hydration status. Interestingly, body condition was significantly higher in hydrated snakes, suggesting that hydrated individuals were acquiring more food than control snakes. We saw no effect on stress hormone physiology. There was no influence of hydration on any behavioral parameters such as time spent above or below ground, or time spent in a particular body position. Finally, there was a significant interaction of treatment group and sex on seasonal body temperature. Hydrated females had higher mean body temperatures than all other treatment group and sex combinations. However, all hydrated females were also pregnant, which confounds this result. Similar results were seen when body temperature was analyzed by time of day. Females overall had higher body temperature than males. These results suggest that hydration may have a profound influence on reproduction and has the potential to affect body condition and thermoregulation. The lack of an effect on movement and stress physiology should not be overlooked, however. This study is the first to experimentally manipulate hydration in free-ranging rattlesnakes and one of the few to manipulate hydration in vertebrates. More studies are needed to support a pivotal role of hydration in physiology and behavior of reptiles and we encourage the use of experimental field manipulations to answer these questions

Marshall University Music Department Presents a MUSIC ALIVE!, Concert Series, Divine Melodies, featuring, Dale Capehart, baritone, Edwin Harkless, piano

https://mds.marshall.edu/music_perf/1493/thumbnail.jp

Gamma Protocadherin Expression in the Embryonic Chick Nervous System

Protocadherin γ (pcdh-γ) family expression was examined in the embryonic chick central nervous system by in situ hybridization. Transcripts were visualized in discrete regions of fore-, mid-, and hindbrain at stages 23 and 25 and in spinal cord and optic lobe at stages 27 and 43, respectively. Results suggest that pcdh-γ may function cooperatively with other cell adhesion molecules in neuronal differentiation and establishment of neural networks in several areas of the developing brain, particularly regions involved in visual processing

TOBACCO AND THE ECONOMY: FARMS, JOBS, AND COMMUNITIES

Public health policies intended to reduce the incidence of smoking-related disease adversely affect thousands of tobacco farmers, manufacturers, and other businesses that produce, distribute, and sell tobacco products. This report assesses the likely impacts of declining tobacco demand, and identifies the types of workers, farms, businesses, and communities that are most vulnerable to loss of tobacco income and jobs. The dollar impact on the farm sector of a reduction in cigarette demand will be smaller than that experienced by manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and transportation businesses, but tobacco farms and their communities may have the most difficulty adjusting. Many tobacco farmers lack good alternatives to tobacco, and they have tobacco-specific equipment, buildings, and experience. Most communities will make the transition to a smaller tobacco industry with little difficulty, because tobacco accounts for a small share of the local economy. However, a number of counties depend on tobacco for a significant share of local income.Community/Rural/Urban Development, Crop Production/Industries,