The increasing use of model-driven software development has renewed emphasis on using domain-specific models during application development. More specifically, there has been emphasis on using domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) to capture user-specified requirements when creating applications. The current approach to realizing these applications is to translate DSML models into source code using several model-to-model and model-to-code transformations. This approach is still dependent on the underlying source code representation and only raises the level of abstraction during development. Experience has shown that developers will many times be required to manually modify the generated source code, which can be error-prone and time consuming. An alternative to the aforementioned approach involves using an interpreted domain-specific modeling language (i-DSML) whose models can be directly executed using a Domain Specific Virtual Machine (DSVM). Direct execution of i-DSML models require a semantically rich platform that reduces the gap between the application models and the underlying services required to realize the application. One layer in this platform is the domain-specific middleware that is responsible for the management and delivery of services in the specific domain. In this dissertation, we investigated the problem of designing the domain-specific middleware of the DSVM to facilitate the bifurcation of the semantics of the domain and the model of execution (MoE) while supporting runtime adaptation and validation. We approached our investigation by seeking solutions to the following sub-problems: (1) How can the domain-specific knowledge (DSK) semantics be separated from the MoE for a given domain? (2) How do we define a generic model of execution (GMoE) of the middleware so that it is adaptable and realizes DSK operations to support delivery of services? (3) How do we validate the realization of DSK operations at runtime? Our research into the domain-specific middleware was done using an i-DSML for the user-centric communication domain, Communication Modeling Language (CML), and for microgrid energy management domain, Microgrid Modeling Language (MGridML). We have successfully developed a methodology to separate the DSK and GMoE of the middleware of a DSVM that supports specialization for a given domain, and is able to perform adaptation and validation at runtime.

The purpose of this study is to explore the benefits of providing employee training and learning beyond the specific content covered in such interventions, and how personality constructs might moderate those benefits. Training refers to the imparting of specific knowledge and tasks. Learning involves processes and skills that support on the job learning experiences. This study builds on previous research linking training and development to increased job satisfaction, and reduced turnover intent, by considering additional factors. The relationships between independent variables training, learning, task variety and task significance and outcome variables job satisfaction, commitment and turnover intent are assessed. Personality constructs of need for achievement and growth need strength are explored as possible moderating variables. This research was conducted using archival data (N = 500) collected from technical professionals employed by fourteen organizations in the Southwest United States. Both task variety and task significance were found to significantly predict all three outcome variables. Growth need strength was found to moderate the prediction of commitment by task variety. Need for achievement was found to moderate the prediction of job satisfaction, commitment and turnover intent by training and learning. Need for achievement was also found to moderate the prediction of both commitment and turnover intent by task significance.

High rates of turnover and the limited tenure of directors of nursing (DONs) in long-term care creates instability in the nursing workforce and the quality of care provided. Organizations, industry, and stakeholders have made little progress to change this turnover crisis. The purpose of this quantitative study, guided by organizational role and social exchange theories, was to determine if there was a difference in levels of affective organizational commitment and intent to stay mediated by leader-member exchange in long-term care DONs with different levels of role conflict and role ambiguity. The key variables were measured with the Role Questionnaire, Leader-Member Exchange Scale 7, Affective Commitment Questionnaire, and the Intent to Stay Scale. DONs were recruited via e-mail and social media, and 126 participants completed the surveys with 42 experiencing high role conflict and 13 experiencing high role ambiguity. Results revealed no differences in the levels of affective organizational commitment or intent to stay between DONs with high versus low levels of role conflict or role ambiguity. However, role ambiguity and leader-member exchange, but not role conflict, significantly predicted a DON's affective organizational commitment and intent to stay. Future research could consider the levels of role conflict and role ambiguity experienced by the DON and the tenure of the DON and the effect on the quality of resident care provided. The results of this study could impact positive social change by being used to advocate for role clarity and improve relationships with leaders to increase DON tenure, which would improve nurse workforce turnover and the quality provided in long-term care.

Probation officers are departing their employment before retirement at a high rate depending on the agency, location, and type of position, which impacts society. The cost associated with training a new officer could consume a large portion of an agency's yearly budget, leaving many inexperienced officers to supervise dangerous offenders and defendants. Thus, it is important to examine factors influencing retention such as whether individualistic and collectivist values predict a relationship between retention intent of probation officers. The purpose of this quantitative research study, guided by Hofstede's cultural theory, was to determine whether family embeddedness influences retention intent of probation officers. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between the variables. The Sobel test was used to determine if family embeddedness mediated retention-intent. Federal probation and pretrial services officers (n=85) from 5 regions completed online survey questionnaires (Individualistic values scale, Employee Retention scale, Global Measure of Job Embeddedness, and Auckland Individualism and Collectivistic Scale). The results showed that family embeddedness is not a mediator for probation officers that possessed individualistic or collectivistic values. The social change implication of this study includes a recommendation for the development of an employee screening instrument that identifies employees' values to increase retention of probation officers, which can be used to select and train staff.

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This study examines the effect of electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM) on consumers’ purchasing decision process, more specifically: How does consumer attitudes and purchasing intent toward companies and their products affected by negative eWOM on social media. The study is based on three-component model of attitudes which identifies attitude as the awareness, assessment and readiness to act. The purpose of this study was to examine how negative eWOM on social media affects the consumer’s purchasing decision process. The purpose was to improve understanding of eWOM’s role and influence on the consumer’s attitudes and purchasing intent towards the companies and their products.   The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 individuals aged 18-20. Results indicate that negative customer reviews on social media have a negative influence on consumers attitudes and purchasing intent. The results also show that the effect varies between different product types. The effect may be stronger for expensive and important purchases than for cheap and routine purchases.

Omnichannel retailers have received considerable attention from academics and professionals in recent years; however, its impacts on purchase intention and the results of the relationships between its variables are still unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the relationship of three components of the consumer's omnichannel shopping experience, such as integration, consistency and transparency, in respectant of purchase intention. The methodology of the study will be quantitative and the data will be collected through an online survey with 400 usable responses. The findings will indicate whether the components mentioned previously have a direct and significant impact on purchase intention. Finally, these findings will provide important scopes for theoretical discussions of future academics and research works. / Omnichannel retailers have received considerable attention from academics and professionals in recent years; however, its impacts on purchase intention and the results of the relationships between its variables are still unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the relationship of three components of the consumer's omnichannel shopping experience, such as integration, consistency and transparency, in respectant of purchase intention. The methodology of the study will be quantitative and the data will be collected through an online survey with 400 usable responses. The findings will indicate whether the components mentioned previously have a direct and significant impact on purchase intention. Finally, these findings will provide important scopes for theoretical discussions of future academics and research works. / Trabajo de investigación

A lo largo de los años, surgieron movimientos como el Body Positive para cuestionar los rígidos estándares de belleza, visualizar la diversidad en la imagen física y oponerse a los paradigmas en torno al exceso de peso. Es así como algunas marcas hedónicas incluyeron este movimiento en la publicidad a través de las modelos de tallas grandes para conectar con el público femenino. Sin embargo, se cuestiona si estas marcas comprenden los fundamentos de este movimiento, la influencia del autoconcepto del público objetivo y en qué aspectos podría afectar a la marca. La importancia de esta investigación radica en los aportes obtenidos, primero, en el ámbito publicitario al distinguir el papel inclusivo o mercantilista de las marcas hedónicas que buscan desestandarizar la belleza. En segundo lugar, en el ámbito psicológico, considera la influencia del autoconcepto de cada mujer y los estándares de belleza aún persistentes en el contexto peruano. El objetivo de la presente investigación es conocer cómo el Body Positive es usado como un recurso motivador de la intención de compra de las marcas hedónicas, sustentado en el caso de Cyzone y su campaña “Quiérete”. La metodología de investigación es de tipo cualitativa a través de las técnicas focus group y entrevistas a profundidad. La población en estudio son mujeres universitarias entre los 17 a 24 años de edad de Lima Metropolitana, quienes son consumidoras de Cyzone. / Over the years, movements arose like the Body Positive emerged to question rigid beauty standards, visualize diversity in the physical image, and oppose to the paradigms around being overweight. This is how some hedonic brands included this movement in advertising through plus-size models to connect with the female audience. However, it is questioned whether these brands understand the fundamentals of this movement, the influence of the target audience's self-concept and in what aspects it could affect the brand. The importance of this research lies in the contributions obtained, first, in the advertising field by distinguishing the inclusive or commercial role of hedonic brands that seek to de-standardize beauty. Second, in the psychological field, it considers the influence of each woman's self-concept and the still persistent beauty standards in the Peruvian context. The objective of this research is to know how the Body Positive is used as a motivating resource for the purchase intention of hedonic brands, supported by the case of Cyzone and its “Love yourself” campaign. The research methodology is qualitative through focus group techniques and in-depth interviews. The study population are university women between the ages of 17 and 24 from Metropolitan Lima, who are Cyzone consumers.

The central question was how the relationship between trust-in-technology and intent-to-use Big Data Analytics in an organization is mediated by both Perceived Risk and Perceived Usefulness. Big Data Analytics is quickly becoming a critically important driver for business success. Many organizations are increasing their Information Technology budgets on Big Data Analytics capabilities. Technology Acceptance Model stands out as a critical theoretical lens primarily due to its assessment approach and predictive explanatory capacity to explain individual behaviors in the adoption of technology. Big Data Analytics use in this study was considered a voluntary act, therefore, well aligned with the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Technology Acceptance Model. Both theories have validated the relationships between beliefs, attitudes, intentions and usage behavior. Predicting intent-to-use Big Data Analytics is a broad phenomenon covering multiple disciplines in literature. Therefore, a robust methodology was employed to explore the richness of the topic. A deterministic philosophical approach was applied using a survey method approach as an exploratory study which is a variant of the mixed methods sequential exploratory design. The research approach consisted of two phases: instrument development and quantitative. The instrument development phase was anchored with a systemic literature review to develop an instrument and ended with a pilot study. The pilot study was instrumental in improving the tool and switching from a planned covariance-based SEM approach to PLS-SEM for data analysis. A total of 277 valid observations were collected. PLS-SEM was leveraged for data analysis because of the prediction focus of the study and the requirement to assess both reflective and formative measures in the same research model. The measurement and structural models were tested using the PLS algorithm. R2, f2, and Q2 were used as the basis for the acceptable fit measurement. Based on the valid structural model and after running the bootstrapping procedure, Perceived Risk has no mediating effect on Trust-in-Technology on Intent-to-Use. Perceived Usefulness has a full mediating effect. Level of education, training, experience and the perceived capability of analytics within an organization are good predictors of Trust-in-Technology.

Background: The full-time nurse faculty shortage has resulted in nursing programs employing adjunct nursing faculty heavily into the clinical teaching component to fill the gap. Many adjunct faculty members continue to teach semester after semester; however, there is a lack of evidence to support the predictive factors that facilitate intent to stay teaching. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to better understand predictors of intent to stay teaching for associate degree (AD) adjunct clinical nurse faculty. Theoretical Framework: Frederick Herzberg’s two-factor motivator-hygiene theory (1959) was utilized as a foundation to explore the factors that impact intent to stay teaching. Methods: Adjunct clinical nurse faculty employed in associate degree nursing programs during the 2015 calendar year were invited to participate in this study. Participants were surveyed utilizing the Job Satisfaction Survey, the Nurse Educators’ Intent to Stay in Academe Scale, and demographic questionnaire via SurveyMonkey Web site. Results: Regression analysis indicated statistically significant relationships between job satisfaction, motivator, and hygiene factors with intent to stay score. In addition, faculty who had full-time employment outside of the adjunct position were found to have lower intent to stay scores compared to those working part time or not at all. Conclusions: Enhancement of adjunct clinical faculty members’ job satisfaction, motivator, and hygiene factors is necessary to retain this qualified group of educators. Improvement of intent to stay in the role can improve teaching and reduce costs at similar institutions of higher learning.