Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 39-03, Section: A, page: 1244. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1978.

More than seven decades of trade experience, since the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) entered in to force, has showed that the global trade brought prosperity to the nations and reduced the poverty. As a result, the importance of smooth flow of crossborder trade is well understood by all trader countries. Hence the notion of trade facilitation stays as a hot toping of international trade negotiations. Improving the hard infrastructure of trade environment is the priority focus of developing countries whereas developed countries shifted their focal point to modernize the soft infrastructure of their trade environment. United States, who enjoys the second largest share of global trade, is one of those counties whose cross-border implementations are closely followed by the rest of the world. Trade facilitation implementations and applications of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is used as a base for best practices in many countries. The perfect combination of facilitation and enforcement is key to establish and sustain a global competitiveness for US companies. After recognition of reasons behind the trade facilitation efforts around the globe and broad definition of the concept, this study explicates the background of trade facilitation and enforcement legislations as well as current trade facilitation implementations in U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

This dissertation applies dynamic systems theory to conceptualizing an alternative approach to educational planning. Four decades of educational planning endeavors have spawned a plethora of literature critical of the results, intentions, and knowledge base of educational planning. Much of the debate has concentrated on methodological issues ignoring the underlying theoretical knowledge base itself of social systems as orderly, predictable systems in which change basically follows the laws of linearity. Educational planning in the form of the expansion of schooling as a vector for economic growth has been largely based on such an equilibrium system model. This model, however, fails to consider three crucial factors: (1) the dynamic, nonlinear system behavior in a far-from-equilibrium system; (2) change resulting from nonlinear feedback relationships; and (3) the range of possible behaviors possible in dynamic far-from-equilibrium systems under turbulent environmental conditions. / Dynamic systems concepts such as systems as open, complex, and far-from-equilibrium; the environment as turbulent; system behavior as dynamic; and change as unpredictable, provide an alternative knowledge base for conceptualizing the educational system as a dynamic. Together they have theoretical implications for how one might approach educational planning differently. The application of dynamic systems theory to educational systems and educational planning suggest a consideration of the educational system as an ecological whole; an examination of the feedback dynamic underlying change; a search for local variability within global boundaries, i.e. a structured pattern of chaos; and a consideration of iterating organizing principles in planning. / Applied strategic planning is found to be consistent with this approach and presents a holistic process to planning by incorporating both internal system elements and the environment. It incorporates both the self-reflective quality of positive feedback to change and grow, as well as the restraining quality of negative feedback to set limits. In response to increased complexities and uncertainty in the environment, strategic planning is a proactive process for both visualizing change and a tool for creating that vision of change. It is also an ongoing process whereby the plan itself is not the end, but the beginning in an iterative process of planning system change. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-10, Section: A, page: 3484. / Major Professor: Sydney R. Grant. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1991.

As the role of the psychoed coordinator expands to include opportunity for the use of leadership in areas requiring specific leadership skills, the need for coordinators who are trained in the application of leader style increases as well. The purpose of this study was to determine how effective psychoed coordinators currently are in selecting and using appropriate leadership styles. / Thirty-nine psychoeducational coordinators from the state of Georgia participated in the study using Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory. Coordinator responses to the twelve situations on the LEAD Self instrument and a brief questionnaire provided demographic information and self perceptions of leadership ability. / There were 57 directors' forms returned in response to the companion LEAD Other instrument. The directors' responses allowed the researcher to compare self perceptions with other perceptions of leader style preference, effectiveness, and style range. / Analysis of variance tests revealed no significant differences (.05 level) between coordinators' self-perceptions and others' perceptions of effectiveness. Coordinators were perceived by the directors to operate in the low average effectiveness range. The coordinators, as well as the directors, perceived that the coordinators use a limited, two-style range of leadership that is predominantly high relationship oriented. Chi square tests showed that no significant relationship exists between either self perceptions of primary style or others' perceptions of primary style and demographic variables of coordinator gender, age, experience in education, or educational level. Coordinators were not perceived to make effective use of directive or delegating leadership styles. In fact, they were found to rarely use those styles at all. / Recommendations were made that training and inservice for psychoed coordinators focus on improving their application of leadership skills, including the effective use of a variety of leader styles. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-10, Section: A, page: 3488. / Major Professor: Richard Kraft. / Thesis (Ed.D.)--The Florida State University, 1991.

Evaluating teacher performance is one of the most important supervisory tasks of the principal. This major responsibility requires that principals make judgments regarding the quality of instruction and the effectiveness of instructional personnel. Principals in schools throughout the country are concerned about what to do with teachers who fail to meet employment expectations of the school district. This concern has motivated some state legislatures, including Florida, to start training programs that will assist administrative personnel in improving their knowledge and skills in teacher evaluation. / In spite of the training that has been offered, public interest in the quality of instruction and accountability continues to rise. Effort must be made to identify specific areas where principals are unskilled and provide in-service training that will address these needs. / The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of training principals received in their pre-service programs and their perceived needs for in-service education in managing inadequate teacher performance. / Seven areas related to managing inadequate teacher performance were identified through the review of related literature. These critical areas are: (1) Classroom observation; (2) Impartial ratings; (3) Causes of inadequate teacher performance; (4) Remediation; (5) Conferences; (6) Documentation; and (7) Legal aspects. / This study answered the following research questions: (1) What is the degree of pre-service training received by principals in the management of inadequate teacher performance? (2) What is the degree of in-service needs of principals in the management of inadequate teacher performance? (3) What is the relationship between the degree of pre-service training and in-service needs of principals in the management of inadequate teacher performance? / The results of the survey questionnaire and interviews indicated that: (1) Principals were provided a moderate degree of training in the areas of inadequate teacher performance through their pre-service programs. (2) Principals expressed a need for a moderate degree of in-service education in each of the seven areas related to inadequate teacher performance. (3) A low negative linear relationship was found between the degree of principals' pre-service training and their needs for in-service education in the items associated with the areas of inadequate teacher performance. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.) / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-05, Section: A, page: 1023. / Major Professor: David Leslie. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.

This study was an investigation of the school-business partnership in the District of Columbia Public Schools. The major question of the study was: Does the school-business partnership in the District of Columbia Public Schools improve the quality of education, as well as foster a climate of productive collaboration for institutionalizing the program for long term benefits? / Data for this study was gathered from students who had been in the partnership program for at least three years and a matched-paired group of students not in the program, from administrative and instructional personnel in the partnership schools, and from school and business leaders involved in the management of the partnership program. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to report findings of the study. / The hypotheses established for this study sought to determine: (a) if there were significant differences in student achievement for students in the partnership program; (b) if there were significant differences in potential for entry into the workplace for students in the partnership program; (c) if school administrative and instructional personnel had positive attitudes toward the partnership program; and (d) if school and business leaders had positive perceptions for the collaborative efforts of the partnership program. / It was concluded from the study that: (1) Students in the partnership program show improved academic achievement. (2) Students in the partnership program have an increased potential for entry into the workplace. (3) School administrators and instructional personnel do not exhibit positive attitudes toward the partnership program. (4) School and business leaders have positive perceptions regarding the collaboration for maintaining and institutionalizing the program. / Recommendations. (1) The development of a systematic evaluation program to report the progress and success of the school-business partnership program. (2) Development of an effective school-business partnership model. (3) A comparative study of the school-business programs that have been formed in the last five years. (4) An investigation of the financial costs and gains to the school and business sectors from the partnership programs. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-03, Section: A, page: 0398. / Major Professor: John H. Bolden. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.

The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions of male Saudi college of education students concerning factors which make a profession desirable, to learn their attitudes toward the teaching profession, and to identify factors which encourage or discourage such students to become teachers. The study instrument was distributed to a stratified random sample of 561 male students in colleges of education in three major Saudi universities (Umm-Alqura University, King Saud University, and King Faisal University). A total of 505 questionnaires were returned, representing 90% of the questionnaires distributed. Analysis of data was conducted using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, median, and standard deviation). Chi-square was used to test the associations between students' attitudes toward the teaching profession and the independent variables. / The following conclusions were drawn: (1) The most important three factors which make a profession desirable were (a) importance to the country, (b) intellectual stimulation, (c) social status and prestige. (2) Attitudes toward the teaching profession were generally positive toward (a) "importance to the country," (b) "intellectually stimulating," and (c) "involves heavy responsibility." Low ranking factors were (a) "requires fewer working hours and provides long vacation," (b) "offers advancement (promotion, increments, etc.)," (c) "provides social status and prestige." (3) Factors which might encourage students to become teachers were (a) imparting knowledge, (b) opportunity to serve others, (c) interest in subject matter, (d) working in learning environment. Factors which might discourage students from becoming teachers are (a) public appreciation for teachers, (b) facilities and equipment in schools, (c) social status and prestige of teachers, (d) respect of surrounding community. / Recommendations for practice and further study were made. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-06, Section: A, page: 1318. / Major Professor: Louis W. Bender. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.

This study examines the impact of 1998 Revision 7 to Article V of the Florida Constitution (hereafter referred to as Revision 7) in shaping governance of Florida's courts system. Revision 7 shifted the major costs of funding the courts from the county level to the state level. Under our tripartite system of government, the judicial system is dependent on the legislative branch for its funding. An adequate and stable source of funding is required to govern the courts system, and essentially to execute their constitutional and statutory mandates. Since the implementation of Revision 7 in Florida, the courts system primarily depends on the Florida Legislature to determine its level of funding. Very little has been written about state courts, and specifically, state courts administration in public administration literature, so this study has something valuable to contribute to public administration, both theoretical and substantive, through the perspective and experiences of court administrators/leaders. This study is rooted in the case study tradition employed by various disciplines and asks this central question: How has Revision 7 impacted governance in Florida's courts? This study was conducted by giving voice to court insiders who experienced the governance structure of Florida's courts pre- and/or post- Revision 7. From the data derived through the interview and journaling processes, an overall picture of the experiences of the participants and the meanings that the participants construct of their experiences was drawn. Nineteen court administrators/leaders participated in the study, and the information gathered from those participants formed the basis for the overall findings of this study. Based on the results, two main themes regarding the participants' experiences emerged from the data – politics and collaboration. Court administrators/leaders need to better understand the budget process and legislative behavior, as well as need to study, embrace, and engage in the political process; and, court administrators/leaders need to stride a better balance between political and judicial forces. Conclusions based on the data were included, implications were discussed as well as recommendations for further study. / A Dissertation submitted to the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester 2015. / November 9, 2015. / BUDGET POLITICS, COURTS SYSTEM, FLORIDA COURTS, GOVERNANCE, REVISION 7 / Includes bibliographical references. / Ralph Brower, Professor Directing Dissertation; Irene Padavic, University Representative; Lance deHaven-Smith, Committee Member; William Earle Klay, Committee Member.

<p> <b>Purpose.</b> This research sought to explore the factors that influenced the policy decision to change a city council electoral system from an at-large structure to a by-district structure. The structure of the electoral system impacts representation in that it creates the rules and requirements as to how people are elected and who can vote for them. This study provided context for local government decision making. This context provides decision makers and citizens alike with insight into the degree of influence exerted in the public policy process by internal and external forces. </p><p> <b>Theoretical Framework.</b> Three lenses were used: social exchange (Blau, 2017), focusing events (Birkland, 2013; Kingdon, 2003) and Force Field Analysis (Lewin, 1951)) to describe the interaction of theory in explaining the antecedent factors, focusing events, and forces that were present during the local decision-making process. </p><p> <b>Methodology.</b> This was a descriptive, multiple case study design. It looked at multiple cities in an effort to identify the driving and restraining forces that led to changing a specific public policy. Specifically, it conducted content analysis and applied Lewin&rsquo;s force field analysis to public documents in an effort to understand the antecedent factors leading to the change in the structure of the electoral system in select California cities. </p><p> <b>Findings/Conclusions.</b> Both driving and restraining forces were evident in the policy process for change. Four categories of forces were identified: social, political, economic and legal. In the case of the change to a By-District Voting system taking place throughout California, the community itself has not necessarily identified a problem in need of a solution. Rather, a lawsuit&mdash;or threat of a lawsuit&mdash;is the impetus for change&mdash;wanted or not. Given that the focusing event for the voting system policy change examined in this research is litigation, most discussion and input takes place behind closed doors with input being from attorneys and city management staff. While this is important in order to create legislative strategy, it does omit input from the citizens who will be impacted by the decisions. Therefore, the question remains, once fully implemented, will the change in the structure of the electoral system bring &ldquo;better&rdquo; representation?</p><p>

abstract: Online product ratings offer consumers information about products. In this dissertation, I explore how the design of the rating system impacts consumers’ sharing behavior and how different players are affected by rating mechanisms. The first two chapters investigate how consumers choose to share their experiences of different attributes, how their preferences are reflected in numerical ratings and textual reviews, whether and how multi-dimensional rating systems affect consumer satisfaction through product ratings, and whether and how multi-dimensional rating systems affect the interplay between numerical ratings and textual reviews. The identification strategy of the observational study hinges on a natural experiment on TripAdvisor when the website reengineered its rating system from single-dimensional to multi-dimensional in January 2009. Rating data on the same set of restaurants from Yelp, were used to identify the causal effect using a difference-in-difference approach. Text mining skills were deployed to identify potential topics from textual reviews when consumers didn’t provide dimensional ratings in both SD and MD systems. Results show that ratings in a single-dimensional rating system have a downward trend and a higher dispersion, whereas ratings in a multi-dimensional rating system are significantly higher and convergent. Textual reviews in MDR are in greater width and depth than textual reviews in SDR. The third chapter tries to uncover how the introduction of monetary incentives would influence different players in the online e-commerce market in the short term and in the long run. These three studies together contribute to the understanding of rating system/mechanism designs and different players in the online market. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2018