<p> This study explored communication and ethical investment in social capital to improve quality of life through the lens of time banking, a model of alternative currency. Previous studies of time banking noted a distinct set of characteristics of time banks that contrast with capitalist-based systems while using similar language; these were compared to research of social capital and social networks. Seven participants were interviewed at-length as representatives of the time bank movement. Stories of money framed theoretical constructs in practice on a daily basis and future visioning of the movement. Further analysis using the dialogic ethic of Martin Buber and the theory of the coordinated management of meaning (CMM) of Pearce and Pearce described transformational patterns of communication in time banks. The analysis shed light on the intentions of time banks and the meaning of the terms reciprocity, community and co-construction of reality. Further explorations of transcendent stories of time banking were recommended.</p>

<p> In order to be successful in the fight against drugs we must understand how the drug problem continues to evolve in the 21st century. Today, with access to the deep Web portion of the Internet, drug users no longer need to have face-to-face communication with their dealers, and hard cash in their wallets in order to get their fix. Just like buying a book from Amazon, marijuana, cocaine, or heroin can now be delivered securely to your front door by the U.S. Postal Service. Over the last decade there have been no shortages of studies about the deep Web from the health, criminal justice, and computer science disciplines. Additionally, there have been many news stories about the public FBI arrest of the Dread Pirate Roberts and the follow-on U.S. government seizure of his popular deep Web drug market, the Silk Road. Though helpful for general public awareness and to their field of study, these reviews typically limit cultural aspects. This study addresses this issue by exploring how the deep Web drug subculture was affected during the immediate days following the U.S. government seizure of the Silk Road market. The findings express the personal side of what the members of this culture went through and provide critical insights into this emerging form of crime and the communication and trust that shapes the subculture.</p>

<p> Over the years, local television news stations across the nation have seen a dramatic decrease in viewership. Much like newspapers, fewer people are relying on television news for several reasons. Two of the biggest culprits are the age of new technology and social media. These two factors alone have reprogrammed people's daily habits, changing the landscape of television news viewership and resulting in uncertain times at local television news stations. Few studies have been done on the future of local television news. Of the studies that have been conducted, it is clear to see that local news is still relevant even in times of change, uncertainty and evolution, but can it make enough of a profit to survive? The million dollar question TV executives are trying to answer is: How will local TV news stations stay afloat in these uncharted waters? In an attempt to answer this question, qualitative research in the form of ethnography and interview was conducted. The findings in this study reveal television news stations must stay on the cutting edge of technology in order to engage their viewers. They must also think of creative ways to generate revenue besides the traditional way of advertising. Without healthy news ratings, local television news organizations are forced to lower their advertising rates to those seeking to spend money on commercial time. This, in turn, has resulted in a loss of millions of dollars a year for TV stations. The end result will be evident to both stations and viewers. The future of local television news and the direct impact to viewers is discussed. </p>

<p> This project sought to understand how individuals establish credibility online through impression management strategies. Applying Goffman's (1959) impression management theory, the literature review highlighted four leading self-presentation tactics that bolster credibility effectively on the Internet: structure and aesthetics of personal websites, publication of content that is consistent, insightful and authentic, the use of self disclosure, and verification of expertise through testimonials and references. These four self-presentation strategies were applied to analyze eight entrepreneurs who have successfully built a credible presence online. These case studies were further developed through the design of online course that teaches entrepreneurs how to use impression management effectively online.</p>

<p> This study investigates the relationship between gender identity and flirting styles. Data analysis on a sample (<i>N</i>=227) revealed the existence of a relationship between gender identity and the sincere style and between gender identity and the physical style, but not between gender identity and the playful, polite, and traditional styles. Masculine and Androgynous individuals are more likely than Feminine or Undifferentiated individuals to employ the physical style. Androgynous individuals are more likely to employ the sincere style than masculine or undifferentiated individuals. Feminine individuals are more likely to employ the sincere style than masculine individuals. Further analysis found that there is a relationship between biological sex and the traditional style and between relationship status and the playful style. This study finds that gender identity is a better predictor of flirting style than either biological sex or relationship status, but suggests that it would be more appropriate to consider all three.</p>

<p> The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how business management associate degree students attending a university in Independence, Ohio, valued and applied interpersonal skills in work and classroom settings. The central research issue addressed in this case study was to explore and describe the personal views, instances, and perspectives from respondents on the effects of interpersonal skills in employee relationships, manager relationships, organizational performance, and effective leadership. The research questions that produced an in-depth examination of the central research issue included: 1) What ways have students applied interpersonal skills in employee relationships? 2) What manner have students applied interpersonal skills in manager relationships? 3) What ways have interpersonal skills influenced the student organization&rsquo;s performance? 4) What are the student&rsquo;s perceptions of interpersonal skills to become an effective leader? Using NVivo 9, the data analysis aided in identifying common themes. The findings from the case study build on existing research involving the influence interpersonal skills have on the central research issue.</p><p> Recommendations from the case study highlighted a constant need to instruct interpersonal skills in universities and to review current curriculum and course materials to improve instruction. Universities with new faculty orientations, faculty development workshops, new student orientations, for-profit, and nonprofit institutions can benefit from implementing interpersonal skills training. This case study builds on the body of knowledge on interpersonal skills and its influence on productivity and leadership in the workplace.</p>

<p> Research on subordinate-supervisor communication has revealed that employees in civilian organizations often stay silent about workplace problems. Comfort levels between subordinates and supervisors, was a major factor to this silence. Currently, there exists very little literature on upward communication from subordinate to supervisor amongst U.S. Naval Officers. The purpose of this thesis was to explore Junior Officer (JO) feelings and perceived obstacles about communicating up the chain of command with senior officers. Interview questions from a previous study (Milliken, Morrison, &amp; Hewlin, 2003) on subordinate-supervisor communication were adapted for an electronic survey and used to explore JO feelings and perceived obstacles when communicating workplace problems with senior officers. Results answered the research question, revealing that while JOs are generally comfortable when communicating with their senior officers, the hierarchy does negatively affect their communication upward. Other major reasons to remain silent were attributed to feelings of futility and fear of being perceived negatively by others.</p><p> <i>Keywords:</i> communicative action, deck-plate leadership, effectiveness, interagency, junior officer, participation, subordinate-supervisor communication</p>

<p> Paralinguistic cues are powerful non-verbal communication elements that have the ability to make even good news sound horrible or bad news more palatable. Drawing upon the hermeneutical phenomenology communication theory of Dilthey (1961) and Shannon's (1949) communication channel model, this thesis targeted the six primary paralinguistic cues of <i>fluidity, articulation, sonority, tempo, emotion, and dynamic intensity</i> to discover how these cues interact and affect the credibility and palatability of a leader's message. To facilitate remembrance of these cues, the acronym F.A.S.T.E.D. was coined and used. Three different groups consisting of managers, non-managers, and media and public relations professionals were surveyed to provide a triangulation of the data that helped identify these relationships. Research showed that these vocal cues were every bit as essential to an accurate understanding of the message as the actual words the leader employed to explain and compel both internal and external stakeholders. Further, the study indicates the importance of learning and applying these skills as well as a universality of their existence that transcends language barriers and cultural differences. </p>

<p> The community college serves a diverse student population with numerous programs and degrees designed to complete general education requirements and prepare students for job placement. As these students enter their anticipated occupation, most are unprepared for the oral skill requirements of their new job. They lack confidence to navigate any number of scenarios demanding interpersonal poise, teamwork, conflict resolution, presentation skills, and other occupation-specific speaking tasks. Since many of these degrees and certificates are offered partially or completely online, this Project presents a practical means of introducing speaking skills into the coursework of the growing online learning environment. The research examined the ethos of the community college and the impact of oral proficiency on the academic, personal, and occupational lives of students. Expanding on the core required speaking course, the study and resultant project informed by a genre study, presented genre-specific oral skill activities in online coursework integrating the application of multimedia tools. Constructivist learning theory was foundational to the experiential and dialogical instructional design. Interviews and ethnographic studies in online and live courses informed the teaching and assessment rubrics integrated into the Project. Reducing perceived transactional distance in online learning is critical to student success and a relational approach to teaching engenders favorable student responses.</p>

<p>This sequential, mixed methods research addressed emerging social media use practices among IT professionals and explored lived experiences of senior IT leaders relative to successful organizational social media adoption and use. The study was informed by structuration theory and elements from the universal technology adoption and use (UTAUT) model, generation theory, and open leadership theory. In the first, quantitative descriptive research phase, an online survey was administered to describe IT professionals' uses of and attitudes toward social media in the workplace. Survey results based on 406 responses from IT professionals in the greater Seattle area indicated widespread use of different social media applications, and also showed that Millennial IT professionals use social media more extensively and are have more positive opinions about social media as compared to their older colleagues. Survey findings also indicated that an increasing number of employers are developing formal social media strategies and adopting policies and guidelines governing the use of social media in the workplace. The second, qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological research phase built on survey results and involved interviews with 13 senior IT leaders in the greater Seattle area. Findings indicated that despite the inherent user-driven nature of social media, senior leadership plays a key role in driving strategic social media adoption and in ensuring broad participation across generational cohorts and employee groups. Findings from the qualitative research phase further suggested that social media can help employees and stakeholders communicate and collaborate more effectively and efficiently, and that leaders can derive significant benefits from social media without compromising the integrity of their organizations. </p>