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With the significant growth of purpose-oriented networks in the realm of public affairs, the challenges for public and nonprofit organizations in deciding which networks to engage with have also increased. This work explores whether organizations with different collaborative motivations prefer networks with different sets of characteristics. By bridging organizational theory and social network literatures, this study proposes a conceptual framework regarding the connections between organizational collaborative motivations and network characteristics. The conceptual framework is then further investigated using a two-phase exploratory sequential mixed-methods design and data from both local and statewide public and nonprofit organizations with experience working in networks. The first phase is a qualitative exploration of the conceptual framework using interview data, and the second phase draws on survey data and crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis (cs-QCA) to refine the theoretical framework. The two-phase study indicates that organizations with different collaborative motivations indeed prefer different kinds of networks. The results also identify multiple pathways for each motivation and which network characteristics need to be combined for each motivation, as well as offer some universal combinations that work for different motivations. The findings are valuable for both network managers' efforts in recruiting members and public and nonprofit organization managers' attempts at seeking beneficial collaborations. / Doctor of Philosophy / Public and nonprofit organizations are often expected to work with others through different collaborative entities, such as organizational networks, to solve complex problems. Given the significant growth of networks in the field of public affairs and the limited time and resources that organizations have available, however, it can be challenging for organizations to decide which networks to participate in. To help make this decision easier, this study sets out to find combinations of network features that match with different collaborative motivations. A framework linking organizational and social network theories is first created, and then examined through a two-phase mixed-methods approach. The first phase involves interviewing a selection of local public and nonprofit organizations and using their feedback to improve the framework. The second phase is an online survey targeting public and nonprofit organizations across Virginia, which further investigates the refined framework. The framework developed from this study not only finds connections between organizational collaborative motivations and network characteristics, but also offers a tool for organizations to identify networks that better match their goals for collaboration and a roadmap for network managers to design networks that better meet the needs of their participants.

This dissertation analyzes the relationship between network structure, collaboration, and geography among food security organizations in the New River Valley of Virginia. As a way to better understand how purpose-oriented, service-delivery networks, this case study of the Thrive network examines the relationship between geography and collaboration. The food security organizations within the region were mapped to determine the structure of the network and data was compared to the geography of the region. The findings suggest that food security organizations do find geography as a barrier to collaboration in three ways. First, these organizations see geography as a cost to collaboration due to the increased need for logistics and resources. Second, geography creates interorganizational political and cultural boundaries. Third, many food security organizations view geography as a barrier to collaboration in terms of its relationship between the organization and its clients. Organizations that saw value in collaboration between organizations within the network found ways to overcome the barriers of geography. / Doctor of Philosophy / Networks enable organizations to work together in a way that helps solve social issues too large to be handled by single groups. This dissertation explores the way in which food security organizations collaborate in the New River Valley of Virginia and the ways in which this collaboration is impacted by geography. The findings suggest that geography is often an unclear concept that is conflated with multiple concepts such as organizational politics, client issues, and cultural boundaries, and that overcoming these barriers can be accomplished when goal congruence occurs.

Flour has been identified as the source of Salmonella related recalls and outbreaks in past years. Flour is not usually heat treated and can cause issues when eaten raw, such as in the consumption of cookie dough and batters. Alternative flours like almond flour have been used in some bakery products. Alternative cooking techniques like air frying have increased as well due to their ease of use. The objective of this research was to study the effectiveness of air fryer technology on the inactivation of Salmonella in brownies formulated with all-purpose and almond flour. The aw and pH decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) over time within treatments, and there was no difference (p > 0.05) found across the two treatments. The brownie formulated with almond flour had a much higher fat content than that of the almond flour, but the all-purpose flour brownie had a much higher moisture content than that of the almond flour brownie. After 20 minutes of air frying at 176.7 °C, Salmonella counts were reduced in brownies formulated with all-purpose flour and almond flour by 5 log CFU/g and 6 log CFU/g, respectively. This study validated that air fryer technology is able to eliminate Salmonella in brownies formulated with all-purpose flour and almond flour when cooked for 20 minutes. This study assures that consumers can inactivate Salmonella in brownies formulated with all-purpose flour and almond flour when cooked for 20 minutes in an air fryer.

This research involved testing several aspects of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) production, including the impact of tillage on seed and fiber production, optimal harvest time for seed yield and quality, the response of seed yield to nitrogen fertility rates, and the potential of hemp as a forage crop. A three-year study was conducted in Blacksburg and Orange of Virginia State to assess the effects of tillage management and production systems (e.g., seed, dual, and fiber) on hemp establishment and productivity. Two cultivars, Joey (a dual-purpose variety) and EcoFibre (bred specifically for fiber), were planted into seedbeds prepared with conventional tillage and no-till management. The cultivar Joey, lower plant populations under seed production systems resulted in taller plants (P = 0.0002) compared to the dual-purpose production systems in 2020. Greater plant heights (P < 0.0001) with fiber production systems in 2021 and 2022 were due to differences between cultivars and their time of flowering. Conventional tillage resulted in greater (P ≤ 0.0161) plant populations than no-tillage for all production systems in each year, and this response was more pronounced with fiber management in 2020 (tillage × production systems interaction; P = 0.0007). Greater (P < 0.001) yields with fiber systems observed in 2021 and 2022 were largely driven by the more productive EcoFibre cultivar. Despite treatment differences in population density, biomass and seed yields varied less by tillage management and production systems. Lower plant population density was associated with greater biomass and seed yields per plant. However, for desired fiber quality and mechanical harvest feasibility, a higher plant population density is recommended. A second study aimed to determine the optimum harvest time for seed yield of two hemp cultivars. 'Joey', and 'Grandi,', were established in Blacksburg and Orange, Virginia in mid-May/early June of 2021 and 2022. The experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with a repeated measurement arrangement and four replicates. Plants were harvested four times at one-week intervals starting in mid-summer. Harvest date significantly affected seed yield, with the response differing by cultivar (cultivar × date interaction; P = 0.001) in 2022 at the Orange site. In Blacksburg, seed yields were similar for the two cultivars and greatest at the second harvest each season (July 22, 2021, and July 25, 2022), although they were substantially lower in 2022 due to drought (1750 vs. 480 kg ha-1; P < 0.0001). In Orange, in 2021, as planting occurred late, harvests were also deferred until August 17, and seed yields were greatest at this first harvest (1180 kg ha-1; P<0.0001). In 2022, yields at the Orange location were highest for Grandi at the first harvest (July 21; 1510 kg ha-1) and for Joey at the second harvest (July 28; 1280 kg ha-1) (Harvest Time by Cultivar interaction, P = 0.0010). Over the subsequent weeks of harvest, yields drastically declined (16 to 41% in 2021 and 27 to 47% in 2022 in Blacksburg; 52% to 91% in 2021 and 28% to 65% in 2022 in Orange, compared to the highest yield). Harvest timing is critical to achieving optimum seed yield, and it varies with cultivar, eco-physiographic location, and weather (e.g., rainfall). Fatty acids (FA) varied by cultivar, location, and harvest timing, but patterns of response were not consistent across FA. Gamma-linolenic (P ≤ 0.002) and oleic acids (P ≤ 0.023) were generally greater in Joey, with greater arachidic acid (P ≤ 0.013) concentrations in Grandi. Stearidonic acid concentrations declined with later harvest date in Orange location (P ≤ 0.0034). A third study aimed to measure hemp's response to different N rates and to determine the ability to predict plant N content and seed yield based on UAV-based multispectral imagery. Two hemp cultivars, 'Joey' and 'Grandi', were planted and five N rates (0, 60, 120, 180, 240 kg N ha-1) were tested in Blacksburg, Virginia in 2020, 2021, 2022. Aerial image acquisition occurred at three different growth stages in 2021 using dji M 300 drones mounted with multispectral sensors. Red/Blue index (R2=0.89), near-infrared (NIR) band (R2=0.84) and Enhanced vegetation index (EVI) (R2=0.81) were better predictors of N content in leaf samples than other vegetation indices that were evaluated. Green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) was the better predictor of hemp seed yield (R2=0.58) than other evaluated vegetation indices. The seed yield of hemp was influenced (P ≤ 0.0177) by the N input in all three experimental years. In 2020, seed yield did not increase steadily with the increase of N rate; the highest seed yield, 1640 kg ha-1, was observed at 120 kg N ha-1. In 2021, maximum seed yield of 2500 kg ha-1 occurred at the maximum N rate (240 kg N ha-1). In 2022, a weak response to N rate was observed; maximum seed yield was 380 kg ha-1, again at 240 kg N ha-1. The overall growth of the hemp plants was affected by limited rainfall and weed pressures in 2022, leading to a significant reduction in seed yield. Response to N rate will vary depending on other factors such as available soil moisture during the growing season, weed pressure, and growing period. A fourth study examined the yield and nutritive value of three hemp cultivars, 'Grandi', 'Joey', and 'EcoFibre' as potential forage crops when harvested at weekly intervals in Blacksburg, VA. The greatest biomass and TDN yields across cultivars were 3.17 Mg ha-1 and 2.08 Mg ha-1 respectively, at two months after establishment in 2021. In the dry 2022 season, biomass and TDN yield were 1.9 Mg ha-1 and 1.03 Mg ha 1, respectively, two months after establishment. Hemp nutritive value measures varied by cultivar and harvest time (P < 0.05). Depending on the cultivar and harvest time, hemp plant biomass contained 13 to 32% CP, 22 to 45% NDF, 20 to 38% ADF, 4 to 9% lignin, and 52 to 80% TDN (cultivar × time interaction; P < 0.05). Hemp CP and TDN decreased gradually with maturation while ADF, NDF, and lignin increased (P<0.0001); however, this decline with maturity did not appear as severe as occurs with many other forages. These preliminary results suggest that hemp has the potential to be used as a forage crop. More research is needed to address hemp management and utilization, including field establishment and production, harvest timing for optimum tonnage and forage quality, and animal intake and performance studies. These findings provide new insights into industrial hemp production in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Optimal tillage practices, precise harvest timing, appropriate N fertility rates, and proper management techniques all are crucial for maximizing hemp seed and fiber production and quality. Furthermore, hemp shows promise as a forage crop with its adaptability and favorable nutritional properties. Further research is warranted to refine cultivation techniques, improve crop quality, and explore the full potential of hemp in various industries. / Doctor of Philosophy / Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a versatile crop with numerous applications in various industries, but much work must be done to understand crop responses to management practices and improve its potential as a crop for greater sustainability. In this study, we explored different aspects of hemp agronomic management. Hemp traditionally has been planted into tilled fields, which increases the chance for soil erosion. We examined whether hemp could be established without tillage and found that although tilled fields generally had great populations of taller plants; total biomass and seed yields were not as influenced by tillage. Our research suggests that with some tweaking, hemp can be successfully established without soil tillage. Next, we investigated the optimal time to harvest hemp for maximum seed yield. Harvesting at the right moment is crucial, as seeds ripen unevenly, resulting in varying quality and yield. By carefully timing the harvest, we can maximize seed yield and ensure high-quality seeds. Our cultivars were best harvested in a late July to early August time frame. Under favorable weather conditions, we observed seed yields ranging from 1,180 to 2,510 kilograms per hectare, depending on the hemp cultivar and location. Additionally, we studied the response of hemp seed yield to nitrogen fertilization rates. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and we found that nitrogen significantly influenced seed yield, although the pattern of response varied by growing conditions. Over three years, seed yields ranged from 380 to 2,510 kilograms per hectare. Yields generally increased with nitrogen inputs but were highly affected by available moisture. Fertility studies help farmers determine the ideal nitrogen levels for their hemp crops, promoting healthy growth, maximizing yield, and minimizing environmental contamination. Within this study, we also evaluated aerial imagery technologies to monitor plant nitrogen status and we observed that remote sensing technologies are promising for building predictive nutrient management tools. Lastly, we explored the potential of hemp as a forage crop. Hemp plants have unique nutritional properties (e.g., protein, fatty acids) and can be used as feed for livestock. We investigated the best time to harvest hemp for maximum biomass and nutrient content, important factors for animal nutrition. Hemp plants grow rapidly and within two months after establishment they yielded up to 3.17 metric tons of biomass per hectare, with relatively high nutritional value. Overall, these studies provide valuable insights into hemp production, including the importance of tillage practices, optimal harvest timing, and appropriate nutrient management. By applying these findings, farmers can enhance their hemp cultivation techniques, resulting in higher yields, improved crop quality, and better environmental outcomes.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-09-25T15:01:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabiano Defferrari Gomes_.pdf: 1305713 bytes, checksum: d1c5efc948356fce88cb44ce7cecad7e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-25T15:01:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabiano Defferrari Gomes_.pdf: 1305713 bytes, checksum: d1c5efc948356fce88cb44ce7cecad7e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-05-30 / Nenhuma / Este trabalho tem como objetivo compreender o papel da liderança nas empresas movidas pelo propósito a partir da percepção de líderes de cargos estratégicos e liderados destas organizações. O estudo foi realizado por meio de pesquisa qualitativa exploratória através de 22 entrevistas semiestruturadas, sendo 11 líderes de cargos estratégicos e 11 liderados de 12 empresas com fins lucrativos consideradas como sendo movidas pelo propósito, situadas no Brasil, mais especificamente, Rio Grande do Sul e São Paulo. Para tratamento dos dados adotou-se a análise de conteúdo com auxílio do software NVIVO 11. A partir da teoria construiu-se o roteiro de entrevistas e definidas 11 categorias, das quais emergiram 52 subcategorias na análise. Os principais resultados de cada categoria foram: 1) não existe separação de valores pessoais e profissionais; 2) a conexão do propósito empresarial e das pessoas se dá com boa comunicação e relações mais horizontais; 3) a liderança movida pelo propósito é centrada no ser humanos e busca a congruência entre discurso e prática; 4) os valores de liderança ultrapassam os limites da empresa e impactam positivamente a sociedade; 5) a pluralidade se constrói em ambientes seguros, colaborativos e de confiança; 6) a liberdade com responsabilidade é parte importante da construção da liderança nas empresas movidas pelo propósito; 7) reciprocidade se constrói com a cultura do feedback e atitudes concretas; 8) a liderança movida pelo propósito está disposta a sacrificar lucros no curto prazo para preservar o propósito, os valores e a singularidade da empresa; 9) os contextos e ambientes, formais e informais nos quais as pessoas se encontram geram e reforçam as conexões e afinidades entre as pessoas; 10) os maiores desafios estão relacionados às habilidades de liderança, como comunicação, relações humanas, coerência e evolução; 11) conhecer a si mesmo, valores e o propósito é fundamental ao desenvolvimento da liderança. O paradigma da liderança movida pelo propósito sempre tem a felicidade dentro da equação. Não se negociam valores, mesmo que isso implique um crescimento mais lento para a organização. / This paper aims to understand the role of leadership in the purpose-driven companies from the perception of leaders of strategic positions and led of these organizations. The study was carried out using qualitative exploratory research through 22 semi-structured interviews, of which 11 were leaders in strategic rolls and 11 were led from 12 profit-making companies considered to be purposeful, located in Brazil, namely Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo. For the data treatment, the content analysis was adopted with the help of the NVIVO 11 software. From the theory, the interview script was constructed and 11 categories were defined, from which 52 subcategories emerged in the analysis. The primary results of each category were: 1) there is no separation of personal and professional values. 2) The connection between the business purpose and the people happens with excellent communication and more horizontal relations. 3) Leadership driven by the spirit is centered on the human being and conveys the congruence between discourse and practice. 4) Leadership values push the limits of the company and positively impact society. 5) Plurality is built in safe, collaborative and trustworthy environments. 6) Freedom with accountability is an essential part of building purposeful business leadership. 7) Reciprocity is built with feedback acculturation and real attitudes. 8) Purpose-driven leadership is willing to sacrifice profits in the short run to preserve the company's purpose, values, and uniqueness. 9) The contexts and environments, formal and informal in which people meet, generate and reinforce the connections and affinities between people. 10) The most significant challenges are related to leadership skills such as communication, human relations, coherence, and evolution. 11) Knowing yourself, values, and purpose is key to developing leadership. The paradigm of leadership driven by purpose always has happiness within the equation. Values are not negotiated, even if this means slower growth for the organization.

商業區內商店聚集分佈，使消費者可基於本身的多重目的（multi-purpose）、活動近便性、商品多樣性等因素，以連續至多重地點（multi-stop）之不同類型商店從事有關消費或休閒等活動。而一商業區內之消費者其至不同類型商店間之活動關連程度為何？消費者活動型態與商店空間分佈是否具互動關係，及不同商業階層之消費者活動型態是否有差異？則為本研究目的所在。 本研究所謂消費者多重行為係指一商業區內之消費者，從一家商店再至另一家商店之活動型態而言。而此活動型態則包括消費者至不同類型商店之多重地點（multi-stop）與多重目的（multi-purpose）之關係。研究結果顯示： 1、就消費者活動特性而言：忠孝東路四段及公館之商業區，消費者活動型態以多重行為（multi-stop & multi-purpose）為主。相對地，兩商業區內之消費者僅至一家商店之單一行為（single-purpose & single-stop）的比例則顯偏低。 2、就商店空間分佈而言：忠孝東路四段之商業區，以百貨服飾日用品店、餐飲店（本研究所做之定義）等之聚集分佈為主。而公館之商業區，則以服飾日用品店、餐飲店（本研究所做之定義）等之聚集分佈為主。 3、就消費者活動特性與商店空間分佈之關係而言： (1)忠孝東路四段之商業區：消費者從百貨服飾日用品店再至相同類型百貨服飾日用品店之活動關連程度最強。其次係從百貨服飾日用品店再至餐飲店及從餐飲店再至百貨服飾日用品店等活動型態。故消費者活動型態以百貨服飾日用品店與餐飲店等類為主，而此類型商店在空間分佈上亦相當聚集。 (2)公館之商業區：消費者從餐飲店再至服飾日用品店之活動關連程度最強。其次為從服飾日用品店再至餐飲店及服飾日用品店再至服飾日用品店等活動型態。故消費者活動型態以餐飲店與服飾日用品店等類型為主，而此類型商店在空間分佈上之聚集現象明顯。 故本研究獲一重要結論是，一商業區內之消費者活動關連程度較強的商店類型，該類型商店在空間分佈上亦呈現聚集象。