The diversity visa (DV) lottery was created as part of a larger immigration bill in 1990 in order to diversify an immigrant pool that has favored Asian and Hispanic immigrants since the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Traditional research on the national security ramifications of immigration policy has focused on highly publicized issues, such as illegal immigration and asylum and amnesty programs, to the exclusion of the risks of fraud and terrorism inherent in the DV lottery. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the national security vulnerabilities of the DV lottery. Open-ended interviews were conducted with a snowball sample of 10 foreign service officers who adjudicate lottery visas for U.S. immigration from nations designated as state sponsors of terror. Guided by the framework of systems theory and the theory of constraints, content analysis was employed to reveal patterns and themes in the data. The findings were consonant with the framework, revealing the barriers and vulnerabilities of the DV lottery. Other findings showed both that the DV lottery has a negative impact on U.S. national security and fraud remains a serious concern, and yet there was no consensus on the scope and origin of potential terrorist threats. Recommendations include increasing collaboration and integration among agencies implementing the DV lottery, developing information-sharing agreements with other countries, and taking measures to eliminate fraud. The implications for social change include informing the public, immigration agencies, academics, and policy makers about the vulnerability of the DV lottery to fraud and misrepresentation; enhancing the debate about balancing immigration policies and national security; and possibly ending the DV lottery.

This dissertation is an examination of goal-directed network management, leadership, and governance through the lens of a framework based on the work of Chester Barnard (1938). I approach network management, leadership, and governance through the three Barnardian executive functions: providing a system of communication, securing essential effort, and formulating and providing purpose. These three functions are examined through the empirical examination of the case of the Southern Alberta Child and Youth Health Network (SACYHN). Drawing on both descriptive, qualitative data, as well as quantitative and structural network data, I examine which network actors were undertaking the Barnardian functions in the case of SACYHN and whether network leadership made a difference in overcoming challenges to cooperative action. Data were collected on SACYHN and its approximately 50 member organizations through an organizational questionnaire and elite interviews. Multiple methods were used for analyzing the data, including standard network analysis, qualitative analysis, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), and Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure (MRQAP).By examining goal-directed inter-organizational network management, leadership, and governance through the lens of a Barnardian framework, I found that the essential functions necessary for effective network function are providing a communication system, securing essential effort, and formulating and defining purpose. I also contribute to the theory development around network functioning by proposing the role of network management, leadership, and governance in upholding the communication system, bolstering the securing of effort, and championing purpose. Second, by focusing on the fundamental functions of each, I then propose why and when management, leadership, and governance are important to effective network functioning and the theoretical and practical implications for relationship building in formal, goal directed inter-organizational networks.

The financial management in the public sector can be improved by the development of an integral accrual accounting system to enable the preparation of accrual-based budgets, financial statements and performance reports to meet the needs of the various stakeholders. Traditionally the management of government expenditures has been focused on a system of expenditure control, which is based on the cash basis of accounting, to ensure that budgetary authority granted by the legislature is not exceeded. The cash basis of accounting does not measure the resources consumed during the period under review, thus the true costs of government programmes and projects are not correctly measured, controlled or reported. In the absence of accurate cost information, performance measures of efficiency and cost-effectiveness cannot readily be determined. The Public Sector Committee (PSC) of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is currently involved with the establishment of International Public Sector Accounting Standards. These standards will introduce the accrual basis of accounting and is a significant step towards transparent and accountable information. The financial successful and efficient organisations are headed by competent management and make use of effective budgetary control. Effective budgetary control is based on operating budgets that are closely linked with long-term strategic plans and desired outcomes. The operating budgets are then compared with actual results, on an accruals basis, in order to measure performance and efficiency. It is clear from the above that three prerequisites exist for performance measurement, namely (i) committed and competent line-managers; (ii) outcomes-based budgeting; and (iii) accruals-based reporting. The balanced scorecard is a useful tool to document the strategies and the performance measures of outputs. A performance measurement framework that uses the balanced scorecard as a base are developed for provincial governments and incorporates (i) the implementation of an outcomes-based budget; (ii) the use of an accruals-based cost/revenue allocation to measure the costs of the various outputs; and (iii) a performance statement. Committed and competent line-managers are the first prerequisite for performance measurement. The responsibilities and training needs of the Executive Authority, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are clearly defined and the training needs of provincial government officials are highlighted. Outcomes-based budgeting is the second prerequisite for performance measurement. The public sector managers in provincial governments should take cognisance of the shortcomings of the current budgeting process and consider the implementation of activity-based budgeting. Reporting on an accruals basis is the third prerequisite for performance reporting. Internal reporting in provincial government departments should be revitalised and activity-based costing should be implemented to facilitate accruals-based cost allocations to all the various activities and processes that are required for each output. Finally, the study recommends a performance statement that can be incorporated into the financial statements of provincial government departments, which will be in total harmony with the income statement and the balanced scorecard.

<p> The phenomenon of wildfire growth has emerged as one of the most important geographical, social, and emergency management concerns in California this century. Attached to this concern are additional concerns related to the effective response to and management of wild fire. This qualitative multi-case research study examines the relationship between the organizational management methods of the responses to two of California&rsquo;s largest and most devastating and costly wildfires ever, the 2003 California Cedar and the 2013 California Rim Fires. In addition to reviewing and analyzing the relationship between management methodology and incident response performance, this study also examines the progress and evolution of organizational management methods of the agencies involved in these two responses. The study is concluded with an analysis of the data and recommendations related to the adoption of a hybrid method of incident response management that values traditional hierarchical approaches while also valuing and instituting modern network approaches.</p>

<p>This dissertation consists of three papers, which together examine whether policies meant to address inequality, succeed in mitigating the impact of traditional institutions such as caste and enable ethnic minorities to claim their rights. Using experimental and quasi-experimental methods with data from a variety of primary and secondary sources, this dissertation analyzes whether policies meant to empower vulnerable groups in India have succeeded in doing so. The findings suggest that while legislations in the form of mandated political representation or freedom of information laws are necessary in terms of increasing the accountability of government towards citizens, they may not be sufficient in ensuring adequate and uniform delivery of public services, especially to citizens belonging to marginalized groups. Further, empowering citizens – especially those belonging to groups that have faced historic discrimination – to actively participate in civic and political life may require more active and intensive policy and programmatic interventions.</p> / Dissertation

The United States forward military presence in the Middle East has been on the rise for well over a decade. Recent polling data has indicated that favorable Arab public opinion of the United States and its foreign policy is in decline. This thesis explores the unfavorable opinions of the Arab world toward U.S. foreign policies, utilizing data from recent polls taken in several countries in the Middle East, and suggests a causal relationship between the development of unfavorable opinion in the Arab world with the growth of the U.S. forward military presence in the region. This research provides a breakdown of the growth of the U.S. military footprint in the Middle East over the last two decades. The research presented provides an overview of how U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East has developed and argues the necessity of reform in the current U.S. strategic approach toward the Middle East. / US Marine Corps (USMC) author.

The intent of this degree paper is to describe and analyze problems of inefficiency in personnel administration in the Personnel Direction of the National Institute of Housing in Venezuela. The paper includes a general description of the National Institute of Housing, the actual structure and functions of the Personnel Direction as well as the functions of those divisions and departments attached to it. The study draws attention to those existent inefficiencies in personnel administration and authority distribution. The study found that public employees at the National Institute of Housing are not regulated by the provisions of the Administrative Career Law designed as a guide for the Venezuelan public administration system. Consequently, Public employees are laid off every five years, employees are not selected on merit basis, employees are promoted through political patronage and personal alliances, and they are paid inadequately. Furthermore, the Personnel Direction lacks sufficient delegated authority in the administration of personnel. The main sources of information were a combination of secondary sources and the writer's observation during his tenure as head of the department of classification and remuneration within the Personnel Direction. Included in this study are proposed reforms in the above mentioned areas in an attempt to help create a better and more efficient public administration system. The suggested reforms address the inequities of the Personnel Direction and are proposed as corrective measures for the Personnel Direction's present ineffective policies in recruitment, selection, promotion, authority distribution, and call for the enforcement of the Administrative Career Law.

<p> The socioeconomic progress of developing nations, states, and rural communities largely depends on the development and management of their water resources. Rural communities of the North Senatorial District (NSD) of Benue, Nigeria do not have adequate access to potable water. The purpose of this correlational study was to evaluate the statistical relationship between availability of potable water and the economic development of the NSD and Benue state. The primary theoretical framework included Omamegbe&rsquo;s theory of migration and brain drain. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed using a modified version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Assessment Checklist. Participants consisted of 43 water supply managers and five officials of the Ministry for Water Resources and Environment (MWRE). Data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient to establish a relationship between the independent variable (potable water supply) and the dependent variable constructs relating to the availability and quality of water supply technologies and resources as well as the presence of documentation for maintenance and improvements. The results indicated all dependent variables had statistically significant relationships to lack of potable water supply and its negative effect on the economic development of the NSD. The implications for social change include developing a state model that would improve water supply to communities of the NSD of Benue state which may no doubt have a positive health, economic, and social impacts for the state and potentially, the country.</p>

<p> Since the first aircraft accident was attributed to the improper use of automation technology in 1996, the aviation community has recognized that the benefits of flight deck technology also have negative unintended consequences from both the technology itself and the human interaction required to implement and operate it. This mixed methods study looks at the relationship of technology to the severity of aircraft mishaps and the policy implications resulting from those relationships in order to improve safety of passenger carrying aircraft in the United States National Airspace System. U.S. mishap data from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Aviation Safety Reporting System was collected covering aircraft mishaps spanning the last twenty years. An ordinal regression was used to determine which types of flight deck technology played a significant role in the severity of aircraft mishaps ranging from minor to catastrophic. Using this information as a focal point, a qualitative analysis was undertaken to analyze the mechanisms for that impact, the effect of existing policy guidance relating to the use of technology, and the common behaviors not addressed by policy that provide a venue to address aviation safety. Some areas of current policy were found to be effective, while multiple areas of opportunity for intervention were uncovered at the various levels of aircraft control including the organizational, the supervisory, the preparatory, and the execution level that suggest policy adjustments that may be made to reduce incidence of control failure caused by cockpit automation. </p>

<p> The cause for adverse birth outcomes such as prematurity, low birth weight, small for gestational age, among others, is not clearly understood. Despite medical advancements, infants that overcome poor birth outcomes face significant cognitive, behavioral, and developmental challenges in their childhood and throughout their lifespan. </p><p> It has been established that some race/ethnic groups and populations in the lower economic strata are disproportionately affected by adverse birth outcomes. It is of utmost importance to continue exploring factors that contribute to race/ethnic disparities in order to develop targeted intervention strategies. In Nevada, several initiatives have been developed to address disparities in poor birth outcomes, however, the state faces challenges such as: provider shortages, long distance to hospitals and/or areas that offer health care services, low high school graduation rates, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke among casino workers, a growing prescription and illicit drug use problem, among others. </p><p> The goals of this epidemiological study were to: 1) determine whether distance was a barrier in obtaining specialized care for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, 2) asses the association between working in the service industry and preterm birth among Hispanic women and 3) evaluate the relationship between depression, substance use, and low birth weight. </p><p> In study one, distance of more than 50 miles was found to be associated with delivery of a VLBW infant in a non-level III hospital. Study two revealed that Hispanic women working in the service industry had increased odds of preterm birth compared to those working in administrative support positions. Results of study three showed that mothers who used prescription drugs during pregnancy had higher odds of delivering a low birth weight baby. Additionally, women with a clinical diagnoses of depression prior to becoming pregnant had higher odds of using substances during pregnancy (OR: 3.51; 95% CI = 3.46&ndash;3.56) compared to women who did not have a clinical diagnoses of depression prior to pregnancy. The findings of this dissertation support avenues to further explore factors associated with adverse birth outcomes and barriers to accessing health care services among pregnant women.</p>