Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2014, Leadership Studies

Individual access to mobile devices has increased dramatically in recent years, and faculty and students are beginning to use smartphones and tablets to support teaching and learning. This correlational study surveys faculty and students at a private, liberal arts university to better understand perceptions about the devices for use in an academic setting. Student and faculty responses are compared using adopter categories and innovation attributes developed by Rogers' (2003) diffusion of innovations. Two survey instruments were developed for this study. The Faculty Smartphone and Tablet Diffusion of Innovations (FSTDIS) and Student Smartphone and Tablet Diffusion of Innovations (SSTDIS) were created based on a previous survey aimed at faculty adoption of a course management system. The surveys were sent to approximately 250 faculty members and between 1,700 and 1,900 students. Results from the surveys were used to address four research questions comparing faculty and students, as well as perceptions of the value of smartphones and tablets in higher education. Findings from this study can be used by university administrators to increase the adoption of mobile devices for academic purposes. Rogers' (2003) diffusion of theory provides a framework for technology adoption in organizations.

Committee: William Ingle (Advisor); Rachel Reinhart (Committee Member); Allison Goedde (Committee Member); Chris Wolverton (Committee Member) Subjects: Educational Leadership; Educational Technology; Higher Education; Higher Education Administration; Technology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2009, Communication Studies

This study provides a critical investigation of the digital television transition in the United States using a Delphi panel. The panelists consisted of individuals from governmental, industrial, and societal backgrounds, representing the conceptualizations of public interest defined by Krugman and Reid (1980), Galtung (1999), and modified by Book (2004). The findings were analyzed using Rogers' (2003) Diffusion of Innovations as the theoretical framework, particularly the perceived attributes of innovations in relation to public interest, adopter categories, and the innovation-decision process. Overall, the findings indicate that near-universal (98% of U.S. households) adoption of digital television will occur later than the previously proposed February 17, 2009 transition date and that the federal government's decision to transition to an all-digital television system is not in the public's interest. The research also found nine prominent issues facing viewers both during and after the digital television transition. Analyses of these, as well as the applicability of the diffusion framework for analyzing the digital television transition are presented.

Committee: Oliver Boyd-Barrett Ph.D. (Advisor); Louisa Ha Ph.D. (Committee Member); Melissa Spirek Ph.D. (Committee Member); Apollos Nwauwa Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Mass Media; Technology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Plant Pathology

Often overshadowed by staple crops, vegetables contain many essential vitamins and minerals and play a key role in global food and nutritional security. However, vegetable production is threatened by a variety of diseases, including bacterial wilt and bacterial spot. My dissertation research utilizes genomic surveys to elucidate the diversity of the bacteria causing these diseases, both globally and locally. Bacterial wilt disease is endemic within the country of Cambodia, causing significant yield losses for Cambodian growers. However, the diversity of the Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex (RSSC), the causal agent responsible for bacterial wilt disease, has not been defined in Cambodia. Therefore, we conducted a bacterial wilt survey within Cambodia, collecting RSSC isolates from four distinct host plants (tomato, hot pepper, long bean, and bitter gourd) over three locations, for a total of 24 RSSC isolates. We found that all 24 of the Cambodian RSSC isolates belong to phylotype I and are classified as Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum. Through disease progress assays on susceptible hosts, we observed that variation in the Cambodian isolate's ability to cause consistent wilt was dependent on the method of inoculation. Additionally, the Cambodian R. pseudosolanacearum isolates exhibited a wide range of phylogenomic diversity. When comparing the core and accessory genome and the Type III effector profile of the Cambodian isolates, we found that the R. pseudosolanacearum accessory genome better reflected the host of isolation and host range of the isolates compared to the core genome. Altogether, this research provides a glimpse into the RSSC diversity present within Cambodia and insight into R. pseudosolanacearum host range. Bacterial spot disease affects tomato and pepper production worldwide and is caused by a species complex of Xanthomonas bacteria: X. hortorum pv. gardneri, X. euvesicatoria pv. euvesicatoria, X. euvesicatoria pv. perforans, and X. vesicatoria. We (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jonathan Jacobs (Advisor); Mary Rodriguez (Committee Member); Francesca Hand (Committee Member); Sally Miller (Advisor) Subjects: Plant Pathology

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2022, Antioch New England: Environmental Studies

As a social change discipline, social marketing has demonstrated its effectiveness in addressing many types of wicked problems. However, despite its utility in environmental contexts, it is neither well known nor widespread in its uptake in these settings. This study's purpose is to reveal opportunities to drive the adoption, implementation, and diffusion (“institutionalization”) of social marketing within the domains of environmental sustainability and natural resource conservation. This research considers the use of social marketing as an innovative practice within a diffusion of innovations framework and uses a systems lens to examine early adopter social marketing professionals and the institutional contexts in which they operate. It employs an exploratory sequential mixed-methods research design within a two-phased inquiry consisting of three independent but interconnected studies. The dataset includes 90 qualitative interviews and two quantitative surveys. The first phase of this research examined 1) challenges and opportunities facing the discipline, and 2) status and trends within social marketing formal academic training. Findings from this phase included a thematic analysis of challenges related to institutionalization that centered the conceptualization of the discipline alongside the importance of key aspects of organizational culture and the critical role of formal education and professional development opportunities. Recommendations were developed to address these challenges broadly as well as increase social marketing academic programming. The second phase consisted of a case study of environmental social marketing within the Pacific Northwest United States. Findings revealed several aspects of organizational culture and practice that can be considered success factors driving social marketing implementation, particularly the diffusion concepts of observability, relative advantage, adaptation and reinvention, and innovation champions. This study also i (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Abigail Abrash Walton PhD (Committee Chair); Meaghan Guckian PhD (Committee Member); Kayla Cranston PhD (Committee Member); Nancy Lee MBA (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Conservation; Environmental Management; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Marketing; Pedagogy; Social Psychology; Social Research; Sustainability

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Public Affairs, Cleveland State University, 2022, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

Once considered a fringe and unreliable pedagogical approach for higher education, online learning has entered the mainstream. While the adoption of online learning has been on the rise for the past decade, higher education's forced adoption of online learning in response to COVID-19 has accelerated the curve. It has raised questions on the viability, sustainability, and interest in online learning for teachers, students, and administrative leadership. The most important question is: has forced adoption forever changed pedagogical approaches for higher education? This research attempts to answer this question from the perspectives of the teachers and faculty forced to adopt online teaching in response to the pandemic. Working from Roger's innovative-decision process and using a mixed- methods research design consisting of surveys and interviews of faculty, a new theory of diffusion was produced that includes forced adoption as a primary stage. The research focused on three crucial sub questions: (1) Will faculty choose to continue online teaching; (2) how has forced adoption shaped the innovation-decision process; and (3) what opportunities for professional transition does forced-adoption present. A new way of thinking about the diffusion of innovation has been produced, and offers what this might mean for the pedagogical future of higher education.

Committee: Nicholas Zingale Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Mittie Davis Jones Ph.D. (Committee Member); Kimberly Neuendorf Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Education; Public Administration

Doctor of Management, Case Western Reserve University, 2020, Weatherhead School of Management

Technology disruption is radically challenging contemporary business models forcing business leaders to adopt and innovate continuously. Numerous studies have documented factors that determine the success or failure of technology adoption and the timing of adoption. However, there is a lack of studies that examine the specific means through which CEO leadership and capabilities influence IT-business alignment and the timing of technology adoption. In this mixed-methods study, I extend the concept of dynamic managerial capability theory to examine the effect of the transformational leadership characters of a CEO and his or her influence on IT and business alignment. This also includes the timing of technology adoption using the lens of diffusion of innovations theory. I also examine how the chief information officer (CIO) behaviors influence moderates this relationship. This research suggests that when new transformational CEOs are introduced to or promoted within the organization, their ability to adapt to dynamic situations, intellectual stimulation, charisma, and individual consideration shapes the timing of technology adoption. In addition, the CIO's ability to be effective in his or her role, his or her relationship with the CEO, and the ability to be an active member in the top management team is vital for the success of transformation efforts.

Committee: Kalle Lyytinen Ph.D. (Advisor); Philip Cola Ph.D. (Advisor) Subjects: Management; Technology

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2021, Educational Technology

Online education continues to grow exponentially, yet faculty acceptance of online teaching and learning has not. Decades of qualitative study indicate that a majority of faculty continue to regard online education as inferior to traditional classroom learning (Butler & Sellbom, 2002; Wilson & Stacey, 2004; Lloyd, et al., 2012; Ubell, 2017). The growth of online learning has spurred the development of educational technologies and innovative pedagogical approaches to foster immersive online learning experiences. As faculty venture into this new educational paradigm, whether by choice or force, their attitudes about online education are slowly becoming more positive (Jaschik & Lederman, 2019). The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of faculty and establish user profiles based on their innovativeness with regard to teaching with technology and online experience. These profiles were framed using Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory (2003) using cluster analysis. The results of this study indicate that faculty adoption-diffusion profiles are correlational to their attitudes toward online education. In addition, this study determined that online teaching experience is the strongest predictor of faculty attitudes and adoption-diffusion classifications. The results of this study suggest that institutions would benefit in analyzing their faculty innovation classifications to inform policy, technology purchasing decisions, and development offerings.

Committee: Berhane Teclehaimanot Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Svetlana Beltyukova Ph.D. (Committee Member); Jiyu You Ph.D. (Committee Member); Mark Templin Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Educational Technology; Educational Theory; Higher Education; Instructional Design; Teacher Education; Teaching

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2018, Journalism (Communication)

The Thesis “Electromobility in the News Media: A Qualitative Analysis of News Magazines in Germany and the U.S.” is a first descriptive international attempt to assess German and U.S.-American news coverage about electromobility. It approaches the topic from the Diffusion of Innovations concept and links it to the Framing theory. The study identified media frames in in the discourse on electric vehicles, as well as related connotations and country-specific perspectives. By applying a content-analysis, ten German and ten U.S.-American articles of news magazines were analyzed qualitatively. The inductively developed frames room for improvement, positive outlook, problems and challenges, competitive frame, political frame, economic frame and environmental frame are considered to display the current discourse about electric vehicles. Findings indicate that economics are more frequently stressed than the environment; problems are more often addressed than chances and the U.S. overall reports more positively than Germany. Both countries depict China as a threat to their domestic automotive industry.

Committee: Alexander Godulla Prof. (Committee Chair); Jatin Srivastava Dr. (Committee Member); Johannes Gerstner Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Journalism; Mass Communications; Mass Media

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1984, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1984, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1978, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Political Science

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1977, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Business Administration

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1976, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Education

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1975, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Geography

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1972, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Economics

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1971, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Education

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1971, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Geography

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2015, Latin American Studies (International Studies)

Research posits that the failure of developing countries to adopt new technologies at a desirable rate can be solved in part through the implementation of better information communication methods suited to farmers' needs. This research looks at the implementation of the hydroponics farming technique in region 4, Guyana in an effort to assess farmers' perceptions and preferences about the communication methods used in the diffusion of this innovation. Thirty-three adopters and 12 non-adopters were interviewed using structured interview technique to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Data analysis revealed that farmers prefer to receive information through inter-personal communication methods. However, due to lack of adequate information and timely information more than 50% of the farmers rely on farmer-to-farmer communication and their own search skills. Farmers' choices in information sources is significantly related to age and gender. The choice to adopt or not to adopt depends on farmers' personal preferences, the type of information received and how farmers influence each other.

Committee: Edna Wangui PhD. (Committee Chair) Subjects: Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Education; Agriculture; Agronomy; Latin American Studies

Master of Arts (MA), Wright State University, 2014, International and Comparative Politics

In the new digital world connected by ICT the methods and availability of communication have not only transformed the way people interact, learn, and do business, it also has political implications. ICT, specifically Web2.0 social media, increase the reach of campaigns and assist in organizing and executing reform movements. The state of Bosnia-Herzegovina presents a unique test case as it is a post-conflict state moving toward democratic consolidation that emerged in 1995, when the World Wide Web was making inroads into daily life. The state is divided, politically and socially, into ethnic cleavages. ICT in BiH has not been a vector for major political reform like what was seen in the Arab Spring. It does however contribute to the long term mending of cleavages and building of civil society through its use by nongovernmental organizations. It also allows, through principles of the contact theory, for citizens to build inter-ethnic relationships.

Committee: Laura Luehrmann Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Donna Schlagheck Ph.D. (Committee Member); Vaughn Shannon Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: East European Studies; History; Information Technology; International Relations; Political Science; Slavic Studies; Sociology

EdD, University of Cincinnati, 2006, Education : Curriculum and Instruction

The work of Geoghegan (1994) and Moore (1991, 2002) suggested that Instructional technology innovations run the risk of failing to diffuse throughout a population of university faculty if different characteristics of adopters of an innovation are not recognized. Rogers (2003) disagrees with Moore and Geoghegan about the presence of a chasm in a population of adopters of an instructional technology innovation. This study examined the chasm in terms of a set of seven pairs of characteristics. Specific attributes were synthesized for the characteristics. This study tests the presence of a chasm in a setting where an instructional technology innovation, Blackboard course management system, had been diffused. Five different sources were used to identify which subjects were assigned to groups to each side of the chasm, the Early Faculty and the Mainstream Faculty. Questionnaires and extensive interviews and were used to collect data. The results indicated that: 1. The chasm was irregular; 2. The characteristics were to some extent were useful in identifying the differences between Early Faculty and Mainstream Faculty; 3. Implications for this study were examined for technical support and professional development. These findings indicated that professional development and technical support must be provided not with a one size fits all approach, but in a far more targeted fashion, based on the needs of the individual adopters; 4. In this particular innovation, little evidence of disruption or alienation was found. 5. Collegiality played a major role among the Mainstream Faculty and should be taken into consideration for professional development and technical support.

Committee: Dr. Janet Bohren (Advisor) Subjects: