Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Industrial and Systems Engineering

Sociotechnical systems in safety-critical domains are distributed and contain interdependencies between the different elements, including human and automated roles that need to coordinate and synchronize their activities with dynamic events in the environment. The advancement of technology and the introduction of machines capable of acting at a higher level of autonomy has increased the complexity of such Distributed Work Systems (DWSs). An envisioned DWS is described by a set of static paper-based documents and will be deployed in the next few years. The short-range low-altitude air mobility system is one very good example of an envisioned DWS. Interactions between human and automated roles and their environment are dynamic, evolve, and change over time, causing emergent effects like taskload peaks and coordination breakdowns. A well-designed DWS will be able to keep pace with the work environment dynamics (like the dynamics of aircraft governed by laws of flight in a short-range low-altitude air mobility system) and succeed in responding to the disturbance. This creates the need to understand the dynamics of envisioned DWS, such as how a DWS performs in high-paced situations like anomaly response. Assessing the feasibility and robustness of an envisioned DWS comes with challenges: the physical system does not yet exist, its design and operations are often underspecified, and multiple versions may exist within a designer community about what future operations will look like. Therefore, as a part of this dissertation, an exploratory early-stage computational modeling and simulation technique is described and demonstrated to evaluate an envisioned DWS. Using functional modeling and computational simulation capabilities, the dissertation shows a technique that can help evaluate envisioned DWS by discovering things that are not uncovered by traditional normative simulations. The primary advantage of the technique is the ability to evaluate the dynamics of work in (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Martijn Ijtsma (Advisor); Michael Rayo (Committee Member); David Woods (Committee Member) Subjects: Industrial Engineering; Systems Design

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2023, Statistics

This dissertation focuses on methodological innovation for multiple testing on hypotheses related to large-scale and correlated data, where error rate control is intrinsically critical. Research toward this goal necessitates rigorous discussions on a thorny concept, the strong control of familywise error rate (FWER). In the literature, published papers in this regard subsequently avoid this intricate issue by adapting feeble criteria such as the weak control of FWER or the false discovery rate. Different from conventional approaches, we directly tackle the problem with the strong control of FWER. Starting with Efron's data on an inference problem related to 7128 genes of 72 patients, consisting of 47 acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and 25 acute myeloid leukemia patients, the dissertation lays out fundamental terminologies facilitating the research on multiple inferences after discussing a method controlling the false discovery rate following the empirical approach of estimating the correlation parameter. Following a review of the current literature, one distinct feature of the dissertation attributes to multiple testing procedures on odds ratios when several populations are of interest. When the joint distribution of a cluster of subsequent populations is approximately available, such as the utilization of the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistic, a sequential testing method of strong control of FWER is proposed. The new method outperforms the traditional Holm's procedure (which also strongly controls FWER) in terms of substantiating any signifcant discovery that is detected by the latter. Another feature of the dissertation explores the sequential testing procedure for the comparison of the odds ratio. It effectuates a general stepwise exact inference procedure that strongly controls the FWER. The new procedure is robust and versatile for both parametric and nonparametric settings. When the new procedure was employed with the Jonckheere-Terpstra test, it dist (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: John Chen Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Alexis Ostrowski Ph.D. (Other); Riddhi Ghosh Ph.D. (Committee Member); Umar Islambekov Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Statistics

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2022, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Criminal Justice

Community corrections, and particularly probation, have advanced in many ways over the last few decades. Many jurisdictions have shifted support from traditional policies to more empirically supported, evidence-based practices (EBPs) to facilitate long-term behavior change and reduce recidivism. The focus of the EBPs movement has recently shifted to determine the feasibility and practicality of integrating quality relationship skills and strength-based strategies that teach individuals new, desirable behaviors. One area that has gained more attention in the last 15 years is contingency management systems (CMS)—also known as administrative response systems—within community supervision. As part of the approach, specific behaviors are targeted for change through reinforcement or punishment. Despite the growth of EBPs within correctional settings, CMS implementation is still in its infancy across probation departments. Using a sample of 709 adult male probationers across four probation departments in a Mid-Western state, this study examines the effectiveness of using incentives and sanctions in conjunction and assesses specific components that contribute to the most effective results. The results indicate that several individual- and offense-level variables were significantly related to receipt of an incentive, sanction, or both. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that not all incentives and sanctions are equal and there are distinctions across types. Lastly, a higher proportion of incentives relative to sanctions was significantly associated with lower odds of recidivism. With the large number of individuals serving time on probation, coupled with the millions of dollars spent on ineffective—and sometimes damaging—approaches, it is critical that policymakers consider the expansion of systematic incentives and progressive sanctions to influence behavior change.

Committee: Paula Smith Ph.D. (Committee Member); Lisa Peterson Ph.D. (Committee Member); Francis Cullen Ph.D. (Committee Member); Christina Campbell Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Criminology

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2021, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology

This literature review provides a general overview of the relative effectiveness of different treatment modalities that are available to therapists for the treatment of substance abuse. Some of these models include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relapse Prevention, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Contingency Management, The 12-Step Approach, Motivational Interviewing, and Harm Reduction. While investigating the effectiveness of these treatment strategies, it was discovered that the conditions under which recovery from substance abuse are likely to occur involves several components. These concepts are common to nearly all of the evidenced-based strategies that were reviewed and include the development of coping and social skills. The promotion of self-awareness, self-efficacy, and interpersonal communication are common themes throughout the literature. This review provides meaningful data that supports the assumption that the application of evidenced-based treatment modalities positively impacts the lives of adult substance abusers and can be used effectively with a wide range of substance use disorders (Killuk, 2014). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is currently the most widely used and researched treatment strategy. Treatments that help substance abusers gain awareness of the relationship between their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions tend to create desired outcomes. This literature review also explores the effectiveness of spirituality and religion as a part of treatment. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu/) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Committee: Brett Kia-Keating EdD (Committee Chair); Sandra Kenny PhD, MBA (Committee Member); Steve Kadin PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Cognitive Therapy; Psychotherapy

Doctor of Education, Ashland University, 2021, College of Education

The growth of the nonprofit sector has tremendously increased competition for donor funding, and this has resulted in the development of programs whose focus is on increasing the quality and efficiency of the services provided, reducing costs and meeting customer needs. These programs were modeled in the private sector but have over the years been used in the public sector and large nonprofit organizations, and include, the Lean Six Sigma (LSS), which is a widely used methodology for managing businesses through the entire value stream. Unfortunately, there is limited research showing the effects of Lean Six Sigma on nonprofit organizations. Therefore, this study focused on investigating the impact of integrating LSS for nonprofits as a business enhancement and process improvement approach, and factors influencing the success of the programs in both small and medium-sized nonprofit organizations. This study utilized a qualitative multiple case study research design and included a total of four Midwest nonprofit organizations. Interviews were conducted with the head of the continuous improvement or operational excellence department. The study findings revealed that measuring organizational performance using a more balanced set of performance measures is appropriate with Lean Six Sigma. I found that leaders in an organization must support and participate in the program, and there must be a connection between the LSS department leadership and executive leadership to formulate a deployment roadmap. The current study demonstrates the need to implement Lean Six Sigma in nonprofits, the associated benefits, and how to prepare for the implementation of such programs to reduce the risks and costs.

Committee: Judy Alston Ph.D (Committee Chair); Robert Stoll Ph.D (Committee Member); Peter Ghazarian Ed.D (Committee Member) Subjects: Educational Leadership; Industrial Engineering; Organizational Behavior

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2021, EDU Teaching and Learning

This study examines the big and small stories of faculty at a small, internationally-focused graduate school in New England during a time of change in higher education. A macro-micro perspective enables both an aerial view of faculty experience over time and a view of how faculty work with students at the ground level. The landscape of higher education has been shifting, a story which has drawn the interest of researchers looking at change at the institutional level. In the literature, and in the media, stories are told in broad strokes: the rise of the neoliberal university, the wave of campus internationalization, and an increasing reliance on a contingent faculty workforce. However, in spite of faculty's central position within these phenomena, stories of faculty experience during this era of change mostly remain untold. Narrative research has primarily focused on the professional development and situated learning of novice educators as they find their footing and balance a range of commitments. Considerably less attention has been given to veteran faculty whose stories are situated at the confluence of broader changes in higher education. This study addresses this gap and, in its synergy of big and small stories, contributes to the dynamic field of narrative research in educational contexts. Retrospective big stories told in life history interviews capture the life-span of faculty careers, from entering the field to experiencing challenges and change through working with diverse groups of students over several decades. Analysis of these stories produced two key metaphors which are the focus of Chapter 3. Through the use of bedrock stories, faculty preserve shared values and an institutional narrative in the face of change. In faultline stories, faculty make sense of unsettling or unresolved experiences. The findings suggest that these stories of critical events are important sources of institutional narratives and faculty learning. Compared to well-order (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Leslie C. Moore (Advisor); Alan Hirvela (Committee Member); Peter Sayer (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; English As A Second Language; Higher Education; Language; Teacher Education; Teaching

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2020, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: School Psychology

An ABAB design was used to analyze the effects of positive peer reporting plus a randomized dependent group contingency (PPR + GC). This intervention package was implemented across three classrooms in an alternative school setting for students diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). The dependent group contingency component of the intervention package consisted of the teacher randomly choosing a student to watch throughout the 45-min class period to determine if that student was following classroom rules. If so, the entire class earned a random reward at the end of class. The other component of the intervention package included two opportunities, one at the start and one at the end of class for students to engage in positive reporting sessions. These opportunities allowed for students to have increased chances to practice sharing positive social statements. In addition to evaluating student engagement, off-task, and disruptive behavior, effects on positive and negative statements between students were also assessed. Results indicated an increase in engagement and decrease in off-task and disruptive behavior while the intervention was implemented. Peer statements were ultimately minimal throughout all classrooms and phases. However, social validity data indicated that teachers found the intervention package to be easy to include in their daily routine and stated they would continue using this intervention package in the future. Teachers reported that the PPR component was their favorite part of the intervention as they thought it was the most needed for students in their class. This study adds to the current body of literature related to effective intervention strategies for students with EBD as a successful demonstration of combining PPR + GC to improve engagement and reduce disruptive behavior in the classroom setting.

Committee: Renee Hawkins Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Tai Collins Ph.D. (Committee Member); Laura Nabors Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Doctor of Management, Case Western Reserve University, 2010, Weatherhead School of Management

A vast literature on the emotional intelligence (EI) has studied comparatively little teams. What little exists emphasizes that job-related factors influence employee engagement. However, a variety of factors can contribute to more engaged employees. In this paper I report findings of a qualitative inquiry involving thirty-six (36) members of twelve (12) IT teams – half of them effective and half less so – that explored the relationships between team EI and team performance. Trust, conflict resolution skills and team communication ? characteristics of individual EI ? were seen to differentiate effective and less effective teams, as is the ability to adapt a shared vision. Findings support that teams, like individuals, exhibit emotional intelligence, and that it influences how they function and to what effect. We further adopt a contingency perspective and investigate interactions between individual characteristics and cultural and job related factors as to determine their effect on employee engagement. Survey data from 231 employees in two organizations indicate that individual factors moderate the effects of structural and cultural characteristics on job and organizational engagement.

Committee: Richard Boyatzis, Ph.D. (Advisor); Nick Berente, Ph.D. (Advisor) Subjects: Communication; Organizational Behavior

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2019, Comparative Studies

From the behavioral and cognitive sciences to the interdisciplinary field of critical improvisation studies, scholars and artists have increasingly focused on the creative potentials of improvisation not just as an artistic practice, but also as a force in all spheres of human behavior. In this field, while many scholars have attested to the connection between musical improvisation and everyday life, the quality of that connection has not been rigorously studied. This dissertation examines that connection in earnest by asking: what are the differences between musical and social improvisation? It also argues that a thorough investigation of this relationship might reorient our thinking about the aesthetics and politics of improvisation itself. In exploring these questions, I argue that the link between music and everyday life centers on the notion of contingency—that in both musical and social situations, improvisation is coextensive with a contingent encounter between subjects, objects, and multiple environments. I pursue this argument in three parts. In the first section, I develop a multidisciplinary comparative methodology centered on the notion of “contingency”. This approach helps me to conceive improvisation as a total socio-cultural phenomenon, rather than a musical skill. In the second section, I then deploy this framework through three musical case studies: one track each from Eric Dolphy, John Cage, and Norwegian free improvisers Mr. K. In this section, I trace the historical, cultural, and musical specificities of each example, arguing that each improvisation is radically incommensurate with the others. Subsequently, I compare my conclusions on musical improvisation with improvisation's appearance in the space of everyday life. In this last section, I take up Michel de Certeau's everyday practices and Sara Ahmed's queer phenomenology, locating the fundamental indeterminacy and constitutive contingencies at the heart of both everyday practices (such as (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Barry Shank (Advisor); Philip Armstrong (Advisor); Ryan Skinner (Committee Member); Eugene Holland (Committee Member) Subjects: Aesthetics; American Studies; Music; Performing Arts

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2018, Philosophy

The first major goal of my dissertation is to show that Leibniz has remarkable affinities with the Molinist tradition – something that is commonly overlooked and misunderstood in the secondary literature. I identify two substantive tenets of Molinism and argue that Leibniz endorses a version of each; in fact, he utilizes them for the same theoretical purposes as Molinists. These two substantive Molinist tenets are: 1) free actions follow contingently from their sufficient conditions; and 2) God's knowledge of what creatures would freely do in different possible circumstances is prevolitional (i.e., prior to God decreeing or willing anything). In Leibniz's hands, these tenets are significantly molded by his other philosophical commitments, most notably a strong version of the principle of sufficient reason. Importantly, Leibniz rejects a libertarian account of freedom and the kind of contingency that it requires, and instead adopts a more traditional Thomistic account of the will, as a rational inclination towards apprehended goodness, whose acts are contingently moved and ultimately explained by the apprehended goodness of the object of choice. From this I conclude that Leibniz is much closer to Molinism than is typically acknowledged. Leibniz is best characterized as a friend – rather than a foe – of Molinism. The second major goal of my dissertation is to defend Leibniz's views from a traditional challenge that threatens to undermine his ability to retain an intelligible sense of contingency, and thus threatens to undermine to success of the first part of the dissertation. This traditional challenge comes from Leibniz's notorious thesis that every substance has an individual concept that includes predicates denoting everything that will ever happen to it. The challenge is that it appears that if everything that will ever happen to a substance is included in its individual concept, then it is not possible for the substance to be different from the way th (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Julia Jorati (Advisor); Tamar Rudavsky (Advisor) Subjects: Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2017, Higher Education

This study analyzed the ways the implementation of instructional technology proscribes higher-education faculty work as coded in faculty collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). This study replicates and extends the work on the production politics of teaching and technology completed by Rhoades (1998). Collective bargaining agreements were collected from the higher education contract analysis system database, state employee relations websites, and union websites. A close reading and content analysis of the CBAs focused on to what extent instructional technology has deskilled or enskilled faculty work and/or extended managerial control over faculty work. This study found instructional technology provisions in faculty CBAs increased from 37% to 96% over last 20 years. The organizational and social context effected the frequency of negotiating instructional technology provisions. Two new categories emerged regarding faculty evaluation and privacy. Finally, the findings reinforce Rhoades' contention that faculty are being marginalized to the periphery of the higher education organization and the traditional faculty duties are being assumed by contingent faculty and non-faculty professionals.

Committee: Snejana Slantcheva-Durst PhD (Committee Chair); Gary Rhoades PhD (Committee Member); David Meabon PhD (Committee Member); Penny Poplin-Gosetti PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Higher Education; Higher Education Administration; Organization Theory

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2017, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: School Psychology

A multiple baseline design across classrooms with an embedded reversal design (ABCACB) was used to analyze the effects of the Good Behavior Game (GBG) + Video Modeling with randomized components in comparison to Video Modeling Alone. This study was implemented in three alternative school classrooms for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). Video modeling within the Good Behavior Game (GBG) may be advantageous because students in alternative school settings may need more explicit instruction on expected classroom behaviors. The videos were created in each of the participating classrooms and showed students following the rules of the GBG, as identified by the teacher, and were approximately 1.5 min long. The results indicated an increase in engagement and a decrease in off-task behavior for all three classrooms during both the GBG + Video Modeling and Video Modeling alone phases of the intervention, with the GBG + Video Modeling demonstrating more positive effects than Video Modeling Alone. In addition, formal teacher and student social validity data were collected in order to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the interventions. The majority of the teachers and students preferred the GBG + Video Modeling intervention in comparison to the video modeling intervention due to the reward component; however, teachers found both interventions feasible to implement in their classrooms. Future research should examine the impact of the GBG + Video Modeling, and each component individually, on both teacher and student behaviors.

Committee: Tai Collins Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Renee Oliver Hawkins Ph.D. (Committee Member); Laura Nabors Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2015, Human Factors and Industrial/Organizational Psychology MS

The following study assessed how contingency and delay influence people's reasoning strategy and outcomes after interacting with a representation of a discrete and continuous system environment, in the context of controlling hypertension. The related causal reasoning and system dynamics research adopt different measurement paradigms and employ different system dynamics, making it difficult to resolve the empirical findings. Specifically, the causal reasoning literature has traditionally considered systems in which previous inputs do not influence future outcomes (e.g., a discrete system condition) while the system dynamics literature removes this constraint (e.g., a continuous system condition). Also, the system dynamics literature has focused on the ability to control pre-specified systems, whereas the causal reasoning literature has focused on the ability to discover and identify causal relationships. To examine reasoning under conditions comparable to hypertension management, I asked participants to consider causal scenarios involving causal variables (e.g., treatment options) with different amounts of contingency and delay in relation to a known outcome variable (i.e., level of blood pressure) with the representation of either a discrete or continuous system condition. The findings address the relationship between causal attribution and system control, highlighting the effect of the system representation and dynamics on both reasoning behavior and outcomes, and challenging whether the efforts to build reasoning theory based on the combination of simplified paradigms paradoxically result in artificially complex problems and misleading theory. Participants' use of more observation-dependent intervention strategies with the discrete system condition indicates that they were aware of and responding to salient information. Additionally, differences in information accessibility explain why more extreme causal attributions were observed with the continuous (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Valerie Shalin Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Dragana Claflin Ph.D. (Committee Member); John Flach Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Master of Arts, Case Western Reserve University, 2015, World Literature

In a work of fiction, we don't always encounter the contingent in obvious ways. The story is usually told in a way such that interdependencies of events can be easily overlooked. The distinction of contingent events might be taken for granted; however, in Joyce's Ulysses we see an examination of contingency in which the reader is continuously invited to participate. Interpretations of the concept of truth usually indicate a determination by community consensus. The need for an audience to assent to any truth in a fictional work has been identified by most modernist readings of literature, but there is a penumbra, not well---defined, where the author's intention and the assent of his actual audience intersect—in Ulysses, contingencies of language and of plot might help us to identify these intersections of authorial intent and reader assent.

Committee: Florin Berindeanu PhD (Advisor); Chin-Tai Kim PhD (Committee Member); Sarah Gridley MFA (Committee Member) Subjects: Literature; Philosophy

Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, Youngstown State University, 2014, Department of Psychological Sciences and Counseling

The current study examined the effects of an independent group contingency behavior plan, that included a token economy using punch cards on a fixed duration schedule, and the effects of increasing the ratio of approvals to disapprovals on destructive, disruptive, and aggressive behaviors in a fourth grade classroom at an alternative school for children with AD/HD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other related behavior challenges. The independent group contingency intervention greatly reduced all problem behaviors almost immediately and the teachers adopted it for continued use despite initial resistance. Increasing the rates of approvals in the classroom also reduced problem behaviors and greatly improved the overall classroom environment and student/teacher relationship. These findings indicate that independent group contingencies and increasing the rates of approvals should be more widely adopted and researched.

Committee: Stephen Flora Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Michael Clayton Ph.D. (Committee Member); Corinne Milentijevic (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Educational Psychology; Psychology; Special Education

Master of Science, University of Akron, 2013, Biology

The benefit or detriment of a mutation cannot be determined on its own, but rather must be considered in connection with the expression of other genes. Furthermore, expression as a whole can be altered by the organism’s external environment. In this study, we examine the interactions between five coevolved alleles, and how those interactions may be affected by changes to the external environment. We find that despite being selected for in a single environment, these mutations remain beneficial across a broad range of metabolites. We also find that the epistasis underlying the adaptive landscape is highly dependent on the resource environment. These results have implications for the study of the adaptive landscape in an environmental context.

Committee: Francisco B.-G. Moore Dr. (Advisor); Randall Mitchell Dr. (Committee Member); Peter Niewiarowski Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Ecology; Evolution and Development; Genetics

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2011, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: School Psychology

Disruptive behaviors in the classroom affect the learning environment by taking time away from academic instruction. This study compared the effects of two types of interdependent group contingencies (nonrandomized and randomized) on classwide engagement and disruptive behavior of 53 students across three first-grade classrooms in a sub-urban Midwestern elementary school. Using a combined multiple baseline across settings and ABCBC design, baseline levels of group disruptive behavior and engagement were compared to intervention levels across different intervention phases in all participating classrooms. Results examine overall effectiveness for each intervention phase. Social validity and future areas of research are discussed.

Committee: Renee Oliver Hawkins PhD (Committee Chair); Todd Haydon PhD (Committee Member); Francis Lentz PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2011, Engineering and Applied Science: Environmental Science

The Baffled Flask Test (BFT) was developed at the Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center in the National Risk Management Research Laboratory, a division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development. This test will soon be adopted as the official method for evaluating oil spill dispersants. A dispersant must meet the minimum requirements of the decision rules set forth by the official method to be listed on the National Contingency Product Plan Schedule (NCPPS) for use during an oil spill event. Two priority studies were conducted with the BFT. After the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon Oil drilling rig at the exploratory Maconda Well, U.S. EPA was asked to evaluate the eight dispersant products currently listed on the NCPPS, which had qualified under the current method, The Swirling Flask Test (SFT). There were three separate projects: 1) in vitro analyses to determine levels of cytotoxicity and endocrine disruption activity, 2) toxicity testing of dispersants alone, Louisiana Sweet Crude alone, and dispersant – oil mixtures using mysid shrimp and inland silverside fish, and 3) this lab, determination of dispersant effectiveness at two temperatures, 25 °C (the temperature on the surface of the Gulf) and 5 ° C (the temperature at the wellhead). The results showed that only three products gave satisfactory results at both temperatures. Presumably due to the low viscosity and density of South Louisiana Crude, temperature did not cause a significant difference in performance. Final Dispersant Effectiveness (LCL95DE, lower 95% confidence level after correction for natural dispersion) ranged from 11% to 78%. The other study was a request from the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), formerly known as Minerals Management Service (MMS). They funded a study to compare four different bench scale tests with results obtained from their large scale wave tank at Oh (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Makram Suidan PhD (Committee Chair); Pablo Campo-Moreno PhD (Committee Member); Albert Venosa PhD (Committee Member) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy in Manufacturing and Technology Management, University of Toledo, 2011, College of Business and Innovation

Supply chain risk management (SCRM) has become an emerging research issue during recent years (Christopher & Peck, 2004; Sheffi, 2005; Tang, 2006). Defining supply chain risk and identifying its sources have been essential tasks in determining how to manage supply chain risk. As firms face uncertain demands and supplier failures, they should be able to manage supply chain risks adequately, not only in order to maintain normal levels of operation but also to gain sustainable competitive advantages in the current business environment. By examining existing theories and conducting an extensive literature review, the researcher has identified two research gaps. One gap consists of a lack of available research on firm-level practices that make supply chains resilient in responding appropriately to supply chain disruptions and factors that lead firms to adopt and implement these practices. A second gap is the lack of a comprehensive and integrated resilient supply chain framework and methods to measure its development. Having identified research gaps, this study addresses three research questions: (1) What are the antecedents of resilient supply chain management practices? (2) What are the dimensions of resilient supply chain management practices, and how can each component be measured? (3) How do resilient supply chain management practices result in resilient supply chain capabilities? Drawing upon contingency theory (CT), this study identifies four types of risk and risk propensity as antecedents, or enablers, which result in firms implementing risk-related activities. A resource-based view (RBV) provides this study with the theoretical rationale to explain how firms' resources and routines not only reduce the detrimental effects of supply chain disruptions but also formulate external-facing capabilities that lead to a competitive advantage. The large-scale survey data was collected from the U.S. and South Korea, and analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling using AMOS (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dale Dwyer (Committee Chair); Paul Hong (Committee Member); Hokey Min (Committee Member); Gene Chang (Committee Member); Sachin Modi (Committee Member) Subjects: Management

Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2009, Geography

Petroleum products are crucial to the function of our society. Hydrocarbons provide the fuel, lubricants and are the raw material for many products we use in our daily lives. However, these organic chemical compounds in their many forms, when released into the environment, can cause serious environmental and economic damage. Passed as a result of the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 mandated the development of contingency plans for response to future spills of varying magnitude. Area Contingency Plans, prepared by local Area Committees, are part of the response structure established by the OPA 90. Their function is to define the steps to be taken in the first hours after a spill to protect resources areas that may be threatened. In the period since the establishment of the current response structure, geospatial technologies have matured into useful tools for oil spill planning and response. Each Area Contingency Plan has protection strategies, also referred to as geographic response plans, which contain the spatial and attribute data needed in a response effort. This research examines the application of geospatial technology to the development of geospatially enabled protection strategies, also known as Geographic Response Plans (GRPs) for ecologically and economically sensitive areas in the western basin of Lake Erie, including part of the states of Ohio and Michigan. It reviews existing plans and proposes a development process for geospatially enabled protection strategies in the Western Lake Erie basin. Geospatially enabled protection strategies take advantage of existing data and the capabilities of a GIS to develop variations of protection strategies to allow for strategic changes to plans as a result of seasonal or meteorological conditions. It also allows the analysis, display and distribution of geospatial data in a manner that meet the different needs of planners, responders and incident managers. Data (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Patrick Lawrence PhD (Committee Chair); Kevin Czajkowski PhD (Committee Member); Jon Gulch (Committee Member) Subjects: Geography