published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2005. / Bibliography: leaves 206-220.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 94-100).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999. / Bibliography: leaves 91-95.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universiteit Leiden, 2005. / Errata sheet inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. [161]-178).

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of training on level of communicative functioning during normative discussion. The Communicative Functioning Scale-Moral Dilemmas (CFS-MD) was used to assess the differential effects of the training versus the control condition. The subjects for the study were university students from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. All subjects were pre-tested on the Sociomoral Competence Scale-Moral Issues (SCS-MI) and the Sociomoral Competence Scale-Moral Dilemmas (SCS-MD). Subjects were then classified into two groups on the SCS-MD, the High Score Group and the Low Score Group, based on a median split. Because these subjects later participated in dyadic discussions over these same topics, the purpose of the split was to create a context for normative discussion, with each member of the dyad representing a different position on the dilemmas. Subjects in the experimental condition were then given a series of "take home" training exercises which were designed to teach communication skills important in conflict resolution. The control group was not involved in this phase of the project. After the subjects in the experimental condition finished the training exercises, the dyads were identified for the Discussion Phase of the project. One subject from the High Score Group and one subject from the Low Score Group were randomly paired. A ten-point minimum score difference criteria was an added restriction if a pair scored near the median. Subjects in both the experimental and the control condition were included in this phase of the project. The SCS-MD was the discussion stimulus. Subjects were instructed to try to reach an agreement on how to resolve the dilemmas during discussion. Discussions were videotaped and rated by the experimenter and one other rater. Discussions were rated for both the level of communicative functioning attained during the discussion phase and for the outcome of the discussions (i.e. , the type of resolution). Two weeks after the data from the discussions was collected, all subjects in both the experimental and the control condition were given a post-test on the SCS-MI and the SCS-MD. The two primary research hypotheses were: 1) the effects of the training phase on the level of communicative functioning during peer discussion involving normative conflict, and 2 ) the effects of group communicative functioning during peer discussion on changes in sociomoral knowledge and understanding. The results of the analyses indicated that there were significant differences on a number of the indices of communicative functioning, with the differences in the predicted direction. In addition, the results also provided some support for the hypothesis that subjects in the experimental training condition displayed greater short term change in sociomoral knowledge and understanding.

published_or_final_version / Curriculum and Educational Studies / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / The ability of an organization to adapt its structure to changing dynamic requirements can provide for increased effectiveness and efficiency. A better understanding of the factors that affect adaptation capabilities within an organization can facilitate implementation of changes to better fit the organization to the mission. Experiment 9, conducted for the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Adaptive Architecture for Command and Control (A2C2) research program, provided insight into the decision making process of a small group given changes in a scenario to prompt the need for change. The experiment also provided insight into the challenges faced by an organization in the process of adaptation, and factors that affect the willingness and need for adaptation. This thesis examines how differences of emphasis within the training environment itself may affect an organization's willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. This thesis proposes changes to future experiments, focusing efforts on making cues more apparent to the test subject. This thesis also suggests modifications to the data collection system to enhance post experiment analysis. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

The increasing contact between countries in today’ shrinking world indicates an urgent need for effective communication between cultures. Fundamental to satisfying this need is an understanding of cultural value systems—what factors have created them and how they interact within society. This paper addresses the value systems of two countries that recently have found themselves in positions of expanding contact, the United States (US) and the People's Republic of China (PRC). The value systems of the cultures are traced from their transference to the young of the cultures through formal educational systems to their effect on learning and perceptual sets. General implications are then suggested as to the effect of these learning and perceptual sets on the communicator styles of the cultures when meeting in a small task group setting.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Education / Master / Master of Science in Information Technology in Education