This thesis provides a review of after school research with a special focus on selected research methods. It identifies several important methodological issues in the literature which have contributed to a sometimes confusing body of research for after school program coordinators and service staff to interpret. The potential utility of evaluability assessment (EA) in the field of after school program research is discussed, and EA is proposed as a pre-evaluation method to be adapted as the first step in the scientific process for subsequent evaluative research. EA techniques are then applied in the initial phase of a partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation's after school program. Structural and theoretical recommendations are provided, and specific topics for future research initiatives are identified. The incorporation of a specified EA criteria into the evaluative process is recommended, so as to provide timely, relevant, and useful information for both practitioners and academics. This thesis aims to further reduce the disconnect between research and practice in the field of after school, out-of-school-time, and youth recreation research. / Tourism and Sport

In spite of the prevalence and strategic importance of diversification for US hospitality firms, research on the effects of diversification has been insufficient in the hospitality literature. Especially, examination of the moderating effect of product or brand diversification on the relationship between geographic diversification and performance of US hospitality firms has been lacking in the hospitality field thus far. This study aims to investigate the effect of each diversification strategy on firm performance for US casino, restaurant, and lodging industries. Further, to investigate effects of diversification comprehensively by incorporating interactions between different diversification strategies, this study attempts to examine the moderating effect of product diversification on the relationship between geographic diversification and performance of US casino firms, and the moderating effect of brand diversification on the relationship between geographic diversification and performance of US restaurant and lodging firms. To accomplish study purposes, this study employs fixed effects and fixed effects instrumental variable regressions analyses, which strictly address the endogeneity problem, thereby enhancing causality between diversification and firm performance. The sample of this study consists of 336 observations of 43 casino firms, 176 observations of 36 lodging firms, and 952 observations of 132 restaurant firms over the period 1993-2010. The study's results indicate a positive and significant effect of geographic diversification on firm performance in the US casino and lodging industry, but an insignificant effect of geographic diversification in the US restaurant industry. For the effect of product and brand diversification, the study's analyses show no significant effect of product diversification on firm performance in the US casino industry, a negative and significant effect of brand diversification in the US restaurant industry, and an insignificant effect of brand diversification in the US lodging industry. Regarding moderating effects, while this study finds an insignificant moderating effect of product diversification on the relationship between geographic diversification and firm performance in the US casino industry, the analyses show a negative and significant moderating effect of brand diversification in the US restaurant industry and a positive and significant moderating effect of brand diversification in the US lodging industry. Findings of this study recommend more prudent decision-making for diversification strategies for US casino firms, brand concentration strategies for US restaurant firms, and acceleration of both geographic and brand diversification for US lodging industry. This study fills a research gap in the hospitality literature by exhaustively examining the effect of diversification strategies on firm performance in the hospitality field by providing evidence for the moderating effects of product and brand diversification on the geographic diversification-firm performance relationship in three US hospitality industries. Further, this study enriches the whole body of diversification theory and literature by providing context-specific empirical findings for diversification's effects and investing the moderating role of brand diversification in the diversification strategy context. / Tourism and Sport

Even though many stock markets in the world adopted involuntary cross-listing with minimal application procedures, the cross-listing literature has widely ignored this activity. The gap in the literature is critical to U.S. restaurant companies since the number of involuntary cross-listings has significantly increased during the last ten years, despite the corporations' decisions not to cross-list or to change strategies to eliminate cross-listings. Direct communication with those foreign-listed U.S. restaurants reveals that they are unaware of involuntary cross-listing. This research uncovers the phenomenon of U.S. restaurants' involuntary cross-listing with a focus on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, in which a majority of U.S. restaurant shares have cross-listings. Specifically, the current dissertation provides trajectories of U.S. restaurant companies' cross-listing, discovers determinants of involuntary cross-listing that are specific to U.S. restaurant companies, and investigates the consequences of informational asymmetry in the U.S. and Germany, specifically the dynamics of stock prices in the two stock markets. The current dissertation finds that U.S. restaurant companies have widely chosen not to list their shares on foreign exchanges, while many of their shares are subject to involuntary cross-listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange by German financial institutions. This study also finds that German financial institutions consider U.S. restaurant companies' sizes, industry growth opportunities, and overall U.S. economic conditions. In addition, the current research finds that U.S. stock prices of U.S. restaurant companies lead the German stock prices of cross-listed U.S. restaurant firms. Empirical findings of this study have valuable theoretical, managerial, and regulatory implications. Theoretically, the research advances understanding of the economic consequences of involuntary cross-listing, to which the cross-listing literature has paid little attention. Specifically, this dissertation provides sharp insights into German financial institutions and German investors involved in the involuntary cross-listing. The current research also confirms the role of information asymmetry and trading volume on the dynamics of stock prices in multiple stock markets. Practically, this study's contribution to U.S. restaurant industry occurs through acknowledgement and evidence of the involuntary cross-listing phenomenon in which more and more U.S. restaurant companies unknowingly engage. The findings also prompt the Frankfurt Stock Exchange to reconsider their policies regarding involuntary cross-listing, and assist U.S. and German investors to understand better the dynamics of stock prices in both countries. / Business Administration/Strategic Management

Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Architecture / Huston Gibson / National monument to national park re-designation can be identified as a controversial issue that poses an array of implications for surrounding communities. These perceived implications have the ability to create or change policies, regulations, economic development, marketing, quality of life and other direct or indirect impacts to communities. In 2010, Grand Junction, Colorado proposed re-designation of the Colorado National Monument to a national park. The community expressed split views on the issue expressing concerns on issues such as the preservation, traffic, regulated uses, restrictions, government imposition, property values, infrastructure, costs, economic prosperity and other impacts that might occur from re-designation. A multiple case study was conducted in order to determine if there were any significant impacts to other communities that had gone through similar re-designation efforts. The Community Capital Framework was used in determining the assets investigated for the years of 2000 and 2010. The findings of this study suggest that there are no substantial apparent impacts within the locations of past re-designation. Grand Junction had somewhat parallel findings to the other sites, even without the presence of re-designation. Suggesting, the re-designation efforts should be focused less on the community impacts and more on the short-term vs long-term park/monument effects.

Guided by feminist gerontology, this qualitative study explored the role of activism in the lives of older women. More specifically, it examined the involvement of older women in one particular group of activists, the Raging Grannies. Of particular interest was to understand the experience of how and why older women become involved in activism. This study was collaborative in nature, with in-depth active interviews as the primary method of data collection. In total 15 women participated in face-to-face interviews, with five women contributing to the study in an on-line Raging Grannies forum. Participants were located in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The findings demonstrated that these women, who used non-violent, creative methods of protest, challenged the traditional views of growing older. Through their activism, the Raging Grannies also created community. Although the Raging Grannies did not define their experience as leisure, they described their experience as "fun" but rewarding work. The intent of this research was to contribute to the literature on ageing and leisure while giving the opportunity for older women to share their stories. Emergent theory suggests that activism for these women represented the application or expression of shared life experiences which are unique to women. The Raging Grannies provided the space for the study participants to express their collective life experiences, particularly in the context of shared concerns around a more just, fair and sustainable society.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Geography / Bimal K. Paul / Medical tourism comprises a phenomenon where over five million patients a year are traveling across international borders to obtain various forms of health care. Most of these patients travel from developed countries to developing countries, seeking highly invasive medical treatments to less invasive and recreational medical procedures. By the year 2012, the medical tourism industry generated over $100 billion with over 50 countries making it a priority in trade for their country. With active government promotions, India has become one of the leading destinations for medical tourism. The objective of this research was to answer the questions: 1) how do the attitudes and behaviors of patients towards the concept of medical tourism influence their decision to become a medical tourist; 2) why do medical tourists seek treatment in India; and 3) what are the issues and challenges they face before coming to India as well as while in India. Interviews of thirty-four foreign patients were conducted in six sites spread across the South-Indian cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai which revealed useful information in addressing the research objectives. The three most important reasons that these medical tourists chose India for their treatments were: 1) the high quality of the doctors and medical facilities in India, 2) the affordable cost of treatments, and 3) the availability of specific treatments that might not have been available in their home countries. Patients also researched the topic thoroughly before they came to India. Knowledge was gained primarily from the Internet, print media, television shows and friends. Overall, the patients had very positive attitudes towards medical tourism. Most of them felt that they could get treatment because of their positive opinion on medical tourism, their ability to get treatment if they desired, and support from their families and loved ones.

Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Katie Kingery-Page / Experiences in natural environments are perceived as a human necessity. Additionally, prior studies show that nature access has emotional, cognitive, and psychological benefits for children. Nature is defined as a space comprised mostly of vegetation that allows an individual to escape common surroundings. Access is defined as the ability to interact with high-quality nature by walking or biking in close proximity to one’s place of residence. This geospatial analysis employs Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and site analysis to assess whether or not socioeconomic factors, and their relationship to housing choice, affect a child’s access to nature. The study includes measures of socioeconomic status and how these factors influence a child’s access to nature within parks and school facilities. The results show that including qualitative factors enhances the traditional model of measuring “distance as access.” There was no inequality in access found in the study area when qualitative factors are included. The project implication is that communities can focus public resources and planning efforts in areas lacking access to nature for children. This leads to geographically less segregated neighborhoods and improved equity in nature access across a community.

This thesis introduces the concept of Online Mediated Commensality (OMC) as an example of contemporary hospitality provision. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century an increase of exchanges of hospitality being mediated using online technologies has changed the way in which individuals interact and challenges the traditional boundaries between strangers. While some research has been done on accommodation, little has been researched on the interactions around the meal and the online mediation of experiences. The aim of this research is to explore the role and significance of OMC and its place in contemporary hospitality provision. Through a detailed review of academic literature on concepts relating to commensality, hospitality, alternative economies and home, a conceptual understanding of the phenomenon was achieved. Due to the paucity of research on the OMC phenomenon, a review of recent non-academic and anecdotal sources (newspaper articles, reviews, books relating to experiences of OMC) was used scope the phenomenon's contemporary significance. Due to the exploratory nature of this research, and the social nature of the phenomenon, a qualitative approach to research is used to gain insight into the interactions, behaviours and social practices of those participating. Two stages of research material collection are used (Autoethnographic Participant Observation and Discussion-style Interviews) to critically understand and interpret the phenomenon. The findings identified a number of social practices around the shared meal. Interpretations of the phenomenon resulted in the identification of the ‘Home-food Economy', in which OMC is placed, which embodies and embraces ethical, shared and innovative dimensions of an alternative economy. Attractions of the phenomenon are identified as being that it is different to mainstream hospitality provision and is strongly associated with ‘traditional' norms and values relating to family, background, nationality and identity. Interactions and social practices are identified as being fleeting, transient, momentary experiences of hospitality which rarely transcend the setting of the meal. These interactions are conceptualised within a proposed ‘Social Interaction Capital', which represents the nature of social interactions experienced as well as its presence within a liquid, fluidly mobile contemporary society. The study has identified a social phenomenon which is constructed within the confines, conditions or thresholds of hospitality. In terms of future implications, this thesis suggests that while OMC will not achieve prominence over mainstream hospitality provision, it will continue to develop and grow in popularity for those who are interested in the more alternative, socially orientated experiences of hospitality and the meal. Further research on OMC could take a global perspective and highlight any cultural/social differences relating to commensality and its online mediation. Similarly, Social Interaction Capital could be further elaborated on in a range of hospitality settings to articulate its reach and contextualisation within hospitality studies and its place within contemporary society.

Guided by feminist gerontology, this qualitative study explored the role of activism in the lives of older women. More specifically, it examined the involvement of older women in one particular group of activists, the Raging Grannies. Of particular interest was to understand the experience of how and why older women become involved in activism. This study was collaborative in nature, with in-depth active interviews as the primary method of data collection. In total 15 women participated in face-to-face interviews, with five women contributing to the study in an on-line Raging Grannies forum. Participants were located in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The findings demonstrated that these women, who used non-violent, creative methods of protest, challenged the traditional views of growing older. Through their activism, the Raging Grannies also created community. Although the Raging Grannies did not define their experience as leisure, they described their experience as "fun" but rewarding work. The intent of this research was to contribute to the literature on ageing and leisure while giving the opportunity for older women to share their stories. Emergent theory suggests that activism for these women represented the application or expression of shared life experiences which are unique to women. The Raging Grannies provided the space for the study participants to express their collective life experiences, particularly in the context of shared concerns around a more just, fair and sustainable society.

abstract: The boom in publicly-funded sports facility construction since the 1980s resulted in studies that generally found the economic benefits accruing from facility construction do not justify the costs. However, focusing narrowly on economic costs in large cities leaves out an important part of the story. The author is interested in the possible non-economic benefits to a city from having a sports team and stadium, and focuses on determining any relationship between minor league teams and stadiums and community self-image. The methodology for this review is an assessment of the websites – primarily the website's front page – for 42 cities with minor league baseball teams. In addition, a survey of local government officials provides a layer of corroboration for the website review results. Through this assessment, the author brings together elements that contribute to three different fields – facility financing, e-government, and small and mid-sized cities. The website reviews have two elements. First, the author assesses the extent to which the website provides information about the team and stadium on the front page or a website page within two links from the front page. The result is that a relatively low amount of information about teams and stadiums is available on the 42 city websites. Second, the author assesses all the active links on the website front page and categorize the links regarding whether they are primarily directed toward residents, businesses, or tourists. On average 67 percent of the links on the 42 city websites' front pages are directed toward residents. In addition to the website reviews, the author reports on a survey of local government executives and managers regarding the city websites. The key findings from the survey are that residents are the group of most interest to the website creators; the websites' content and appearance generally are intended to reflect the communities' self-image, and; in general, the low amount of information about the teams and stadiums on the website front page accurately represents the importance of the teams and stadiums to communities' self-image. The survey results generally corroborate the website reviews. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Public Administration 2012