OU - Theses

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https://hdl.handle.net/11244/23528

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

Open Access
Biased Neutrality: Examining the Existence of Gender Segregation and Clustering in the Retail Industry
(2017-12-15) Winn, Amber; Mackey, Hollie; Alavi, Roksana; Vaughn, Courtney
A significant portion of existing research on gender segregation in the workplace is devoted to the study of gender dominance across professions, but few studies have focused on job segregation within specific industries. The purpose of this investigation is to examine patterns of gender segregation and clustering within the United States workforce, with special attention directed towards the retail industry. Following a quantitative analysis of recent employment statistics, findings indicate that segregation continues to exist at the employment class, industry, and occupation levels of the occupational hierarchy of the US workforce and the retail industry. Additionally, retail employment statistics appear to be heavily skewed by data relating to the cashier, retail salesperson, customer service, stock clerk, and first-line supervisor occupations, indicating that the presumed neutrality of this industry is centered, in large part, on these five groups. Finally, a qualitative analysis of the experiential knowledge of retail employees using psychological, sociological, and economic disciplinary lenses indicates that retail professionals are subject to stereotypes, bias, social norms, and calculations relating to self-worth or human capital.
Open Access
Generational dimensions of Public Service Motivation
(2016) Hawkins, Jessica; Ketchum, Paul; Duncan, John; Peck, Mitchell
Public sector employers are challenged by the changing landscape of a diverse workforce and an evolving employment environment. This paper analyzes the relationship between generational cohort and public service motivation (PSM). Drawing upon PSM theory and social generation frameworks, this investigation explores Millennials’ level of PSM compared to other generations and how Millennial PSM relates to the job outcomes of organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Results from a survey of state governmental agency employees indicates that Millennial public sector workers are less likely than older generation workers to have high levels of PSM. Other aspects of PSM are explored. Results overall are insufficient to warrant organizational attention on generational differences of PSM.
Open Access
Governing Values and Practices for School Success and Decreased Juvenile Justice Involvement: A Comparative Case Study
(2018-12-14) Buck, Steven; Bisel, Ryan; Alavi, Roksana; Duncan, John
This comparative case study of two elementary schools employs Flexible Leadership Theory (FLT) and cultural leadership theories in order to explore how leadership approaches influence student academic success and the prevention of juvenile justice involvement. The researcher used a comparative case study framework in order to contrast two demographicallysimilar elementary schools, which varied greatly in terms of students’ juvenile justice involvement. The researcher interviewed a minimum of six stakeholders per school and used an interview guide to facilitate participant responses. Results of the study indicate that FLT and cultural leadership are present in the two schools studied. Most notably, FLT and culture development regarding the importance of attendance, individual student relationships, and individual response to at-risk behaviors differentiate the two comparison schools. Results also suggest leadership and cultural practices that prevent juvenile justice involvement when other considerations are present.
Open Access
"I Live in Boley, America:Exploring a Contemporary Identity for African American Boley Residents
(2016-05-13) Chang, Suzette; O'Neill, Sean; Swan, Dan; Pitblado, Bonnie
Abstract Boley's history for African Americans are stories filled with triumphs and challenges, specifically autonomy, slavery and Jim Crow. In this paper I address their past and consider a contemporary identity that incorporates history, kinship, church and spirituality. Through this collective perspective, black Boley residents claim to "live in Boley, America" and reflect an identity that unsuspends them from the past and speaks to their agency and community in Boley, Oklahoma.
Open Access
Innovation to Manage Crisis: A Study of Leadership Competencies Important for Both Crisis Management and Innovation
(2016-05) Mulvaney, Pamela; Duncan, John; Gabert, Trent; Wuestewald, Todd
This study examines the correlation between leadership competencies found in organizations dealing with crisis and organizations known for their innovation. It is hypothesized that identifying leadership competencies that are associated with both crisis management and innovation will help an organization develop employees who will successfully handle crisis while influencing innovative thinking. A qualitative analysis was conducted on various media publications to systematically record leadership competencies. Both private and public sector organizations were compared for differences and similarities. The question was considered if it is better to develop these competencies and behaviors or should the emphasis be placed on recruitment of experience. Results indicate that organizations experiencing crisis show less competencies in the areas of signal detection and prevention than organizations who are known for innovation. Additionally, organizations who show a large amount of innovative leadership competencies manage crisis in a shorter time and may actually come out in a better position than what they were pre-crisis.
Open Access
Managerial Coaching: Investigating the Mediating Effect of Role Clarity on Employee Turnover Intention
(2016) Reid, Kelli; Duncan, John; Long, Wesley; Wuestewald, Todd
State and local governmental agencies are challenged by the turnover of capable employees. Consequently, human resource practitioners and agency heads must develop effective organizational strategies that will retain the workforce. Managerial coaching is a new leadership approach that is popularized as a way of developing, empowering and retaining employees in organizations. However, few empirical studies have examined the linkage between managerial coaching and its potential impact on employee attitudes such as turnover intention. More specifically, limited research exists in the area of mediating factors that could potentially influence the relationship between managerial coaching and its presumed outcomes. Analyzing data collected fro 372 state governmental employees, this study investigated how managerial coaching was mediated by role clarity that contributed to turnover intention. The research results found that managers' coaching behaviors were directly related to employees' improved role clarity and indirectly related to lower turnover intentions via role clarity.
Open Access
THE BIG UNEASY: LEADERSHIP FAILURES IN NEW ORLEANS BEFORE AND AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA
(2016) Winkleman, Nathan; Franklin, Aimee; Duncan, John; Banz, Martha
Individuals in positions of leadership should possess certain qualities that allow them to situations of great stress and crisis. These qualities are especially important in extraordinary and overwhelming circumstances such as natural disasters. Hurricane Katrina, a devastating storm which hit the United States Gulf Region back in 2005, certainly fits into that category. This project examines the leadership and disaster management efforts of prominent government officials in response to Hurricane Katrina; special focus is given to Ray Nagin, mayor of New Orleans at the time. New Orleans was especially impacted by Katrina, and the efforts of officials at all levels of government would significantly influence his ability to manage the crisis brought on by Katrina’s devastation. Available investigative and academic sources are utilized to discuss desirable leadership disaster management characteristics, the empirical numbers behind Katrina’s damage, actions performed by officials in Katrina’s aftermath and how those actions affected the local efforts of Nagin and his administration. Keywords: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Ray Nagin, Disaster Management, Leadership