Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics Theses

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 143
  • Publication
    Post-Acquisition Acculturation Study - A Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Experience
    (2017-01-25) Panicker, Sanjeev
    This capstone is a post-acquisition acculturation qualitative research study. Four diverse acquisitions of small to medium sized enterprise were studied post facto to understand the socio-cultural implications of acculturation and stress on employees pre-, during and post-acquisition process. The study suggests ways to explain and analyze the phenomenon. The study then delves into stress implications and coping mechanics during acculturation. Finally, the capstone study recommends an adapted framework to manage the socialization needs of acculturation to reduce stress and support synergies.
  • Publication
    Inundated: Holistically Improving Institutional Coordination And Crisis Management Following Superstorm Sandy
    (2017-04-26) Rausse, James
    This Capstone analyzes institutional coordination and crisis management efforts surrounding Superstorm Sandy in the New York Metropolitan Area. It argues that response and recovery efforts were inconsistent, and at times ineffective, due to the lack of utilizing a holistic and systems thinking approach. Using the Rockaway Peninsula as a fractal exemplar of the region, this document identifies ways to improve preparation, response and recovery in a resilient fashion through improving communication, establishing trust, overcoming cognitive biases, creating a greater linkage between disaster planning and emergency management, and leveraging tools such as risk analysis and needs assessments. Through institutional coordination, crisis management and organizational dynamics research; stakeholder interviews with those involved with response and recovery efforts; and comparative analysis with regional, national and international examples, it develops a set of recommendations for holistic preparation and response in a disaster event, while considering the complex political and geographic structure of the region.
  • Publication
    Expatriate To National Leadership Succession In The Non-Profit Sector In Thailand
    (2018-12-01) Smith, Karen R.
    Leadership succession in the for-profit and non-profit sectors has been studied at great length, yet there is little information on expatriate to national transitions in lower income or emerging economies. This research explores the factors that influence expatriate to national leadership succession in the non-profit sector in Thailand. Qualitative, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with expatriate, ethnic Thai, and ethnic tribal non-profit leaders. Content analysis was used to extract and examine the data. Results indicate that plans for expatriate to national succession must occur simultaneously with the start of the non-profit, and these plans should be a part of an organization’s strategic priorities and sustainability review. Succession evokes a number of fears for local staff and deeply conflicting emotions for expatriate leaders, but not talking about succession fosters other fears and significant anxiety. Non-profits with expatriate leadership (and their boards) should clarify their intentions regarding succession and take the time needed to provide the training and capacity building necessary to develop and support local leadership. Re-framing succession is necessary in this cross-cultural context. Shared leadership is preferred as non-profits move towards full local leadership and increased local funding of programs. The latter includes the organized pursuit of fund-raising within Thailand and in other countries throughout Asia.
  • Publication
    Corporate Governance In The Nigerian Banking Sector: An Ethical Analysis Of The 2009 Regulator Intervention And Operators’ Behaviors
    (2010-04-19) Chiejine, Francis C
    This paper conducts an ethical analysis of the 2009 Central Bank of Nigeria intervention: the firing of the CEOs of eight banks in Nigeria and their boards of directors, their replacement with CBN-appointed officers and the injection of government funds into the affected banks; as well as an analysis of the behaviors of the fired executives as leaders of operator banks in the Nigerian Banking system. Within the ethical frameworks of the Stakeholder theory, the Systems theory of Ethics and the Caux Round Table Business Principles, the results of the analysis justify the actions of the CBN as ethical and label the behaviors of the bank operator executives as unethical. The basis of this analysis stems from the selected frameworks that view the Nigerian banking system as an inter play of relationships amongst stakeholders with different but unique responsibilities and which must operate within the boundaries of ethics, for to operate outside these boundaries is to act inimically to the essence and purposes for which these institutions were initially set up and to the detriment of the banking system. The above position underscores the underlying tenet that business and ethical actions cannot be separated. As such this paper recommends the investment in ethics programs and ethics investigation models by the stakeholders in the Nigerian banking system.
  • Publication
    Applicability of Organization Development in Korean Companies
    (2012-03-01) Kim, Hongbae P.
    The purpose of this paper is to assess whether OD can be applied in Korean companies. Organization development (OD) was not traditionally implemented in Korea, but as the Korean economy and society changed, many Korean companies changed the traditional way of managing their organizations. Korean culture is changing favorably to OD and won’t be a hindrance anymore. Simultaneously, Korean HRD practitioners see the change agent role as the most important one in their jobs and feel the need to develop the related competencies. This means that when Korean HRD practitioners acquire necessary competencies on change and organization, and implement OD interventions, the success rates of the interventions would be higher than before. In some successful organization change cases, it was verified that all the key OD elements were implemented and contributed to the success of the organization changes.
  • Publication
    Stabilizing the Seesaw: Accomplishing a Balanced Work Life Through the Application of Sociotechnical Systems Theory
    (2007-12-03) Lacovara, Susan
    This paper discusses Sociotechnical Systems theory and how it can be applied to our current technological environment in both corporate life and in an individual's personal life. It is suggested that as technology advances, the corporation and management styles must as well. Peter Drucker's and Peter Senge's theories and visions are highlighted in regard to the advancement and necessity of management. Also included is a discussion of the validity of technology addiction and the positive and negative effects technology has on society; adults, and children. In order to further solidify the effect of technology, the paper concludes with examples of lifestyles and organizations that try to maintain a work life balance and offer suggestions on how we can balance the work life seesaw.
  • Publication
    Positive Psychology: A Scholar-Practitioner Approach to Evidence Based Coaching
    (2008-06-18) Chance, Karen S
    In this thesis, I assert positive psychology is the science at the heart of coaching and argue it is an evidence-based coaching model. I provide a background of positive psychology and briefly discuss its history, evolution, psychological influences and current challenges. I discuss the nature of coaching, varying definitions and common themes. Critical questions surrounding Evidence Based Practice (EBP) and how can it be applied to coaching are also addressed. Examples of single, integrative and cross-disciplinary theoretical approaches to coaching are also explored. In my final chapter, I review and answer my thesis question of whether positive psychology is an evidence based approach to coaching, including an example from a recent client engagement. Coaching considerations for using positive psychology are explored as is the future of positive psychology coaching and research areas.
  • Publication
    Breakthrough Leadership and Team Development: A Case Study in Team Coaching
    (2020-08-12) Caine, Betsy Jessup
    Individual coaching has been in the business world since the 1980s. Team coaching is a more recent entrant into the world of learning and development. This paper presents a case study of team coaching from the perspective of a team coach who was engaged by the team leader to improve the quality of the team members’ relationships and of goal attainment. A qualitative case study method was utilized, and data were gathered using structured interviews, observations, and personality and leadership assessments. The general finding of this study was that team coaching can be a highly effective means of development. An unexpected finding was that when coaching a team of leaders, including their leader, team coaching can positively impact leadership development at both the individual and collective level. Building upon the case study and reflections on circumstances that the team leader experienced after the team coaching engagement concluded, the author proposes the application of complexity theory and its associated tools in a team coaching process model for working with leadership teams faced with highly unpredictable and chaotic situations.
  • Publication
    Team Foundation and Outsourcing Preparedness
    (2007-04-27) Milliken, Robert N
    This thesis describes CDR International's first board sponsored and senior executive approved and organized effort to leverage the labor arbitrage and service and performance opportunities existing in the global marketplace. I describe the initial phases of the formation of the outsourcing team, the challenges and political obstacles overcome and the decision making phase of this important organizational project. I argue that key factors for success of this initiative included a solid foundation of research, best practices, lessons-learned from comparable organizations, and most important, the formation of standard tools and methods for identifying and evaluating opportune functions for consideration. The development of these toolsets and methodologies has and continues to directly impact the decision making process. In correlation with the development and implementation of these standards and methods, and consistent with almost any organizational role, the importance of leveraging the organizational dynamics across the association was also vital. Accordingly, factors to success emanated from proper expectation setting, solid written and verbal communication skills, political and business savvy, and thoughtful and constructive organizational alliances. Although useful across a wide range of organizational roles, the mere importance and sensitivity of the outsourcing charter and its implications to bottom-line savings, top-line growth and the net effect to our career-minded employees, heighten the significance of those aforementioned traits.
  • Publication
    An Examination of Philadelphia Murder: A Quest to Understand the 2004-2006 Surge in Violent Crime
    (2007-01-01) Lynch, Joseph J
    This paper examines the 2004-2006 surge in violent crime, specifically murder in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Interviews were conducted with local prominent criminal justice professionals. Interviewees were asked what they believe is wrong with the local criminal justice system, and how the system can be enhanced. Crime predictors were identified and suggestions for mitigating them were offered. The findings suggest that reduced funding, lack of collaboration amongst component agencies rank as leading causes for ineffectiveness. One person stated that due to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, funding streams for juvenile justice programs have been reduced, resulting in fewer programs designed to provide these youth with needed resources to steer them away from crime. It was suggested that restructuring these agencies will improve their operational goals, and create better accountability and improved relationships with the community. It is also recommended that the agencies working within the criminal justice system pool their resources and collaborate regularly to enhance their effectiveness.