SUGRS 2016 Papers

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Key Drivers for Consumer Involvement in Collaborative Consumption
(2016) Hall, Kristina Lindsey
Collaborative Consumption (CC) refers to the use of technology platforms by firms to connect consumers with other individuals who have underused assets. One well-known example is Airbnb, which connects consumers looking for lodging with individuals that have accommodations available. The CC marketplace is estimated to reach $335 billion in revenue over the next ten years (Owyang, 2015) and has been hailed as one of Time’s “10 ideas that will change the world” (Walsh 2011). This new economic model challenges traditional markets, which rely on dyadic relationships between customers and the firm, in part because CC hinges on “triadic” relationships between (1) firms, which provide technology-based platforms that mediate exchanges between a (2) consumer and (3) an individual “producer” (e.g., apartment owner). This research will represent the first attempt to systematically explore a number of issues associated with CC. Specifically, the research objectives are: (1) to determine critical personal and social motivations for consumer participation in CC; and (2) to determine how Social Exchange Theory (SET) applies in the context of CC. As this new economy challenges the traditional understanding of services, its continual expansion has significant implications for the future of service delivery. Thus, gaining a better understanding of the customer’s role in value co-creation has significant theoretical and managerial implications for the services marketing field.
Incidental Similarities with Boundary-Spanning Employees at the ‘Moment of Truth’
(2016) Hall, Kristina Lindsey
The “moment of truth” when customers and boundary-spanning employees interact has long been a critical axis in service management. This study investigates the role of incidental similarities (ISs) – seemingly trivial points of comparison shared between customers and employees in the customer/service employee relationship. We propose a conceptual model and a potential experimental approach, which explores the impact of IS on key service outcomes within a service failure/recovery context. We suggest that IS can increase customers’ overall satisfaction and repatronage intentions. Further, building from distinctiveness theory, we look at rapport as a key mechanism for explaining the impact of IS, such that rapport mediates the relationships between IS and key service outcomes. Finally, building from an attribution theory frame, we identify authenticity as a potential boundary condition which impacts the indirect effects of rapport. We believe that when consumers perceive service employees as authentic, this accentuates the indirect conditional relationship between IS and service outcomes. Theoretical and managerial insights relating to customer service encounters are provided.
The Effect of Acting on Actors
(2016) Bernhardt, Elizabeth
What happens to actors when they act? Was Plato correct when he mused that “imitations …at length grow into habits and become a second nature”? Why does there seem to be a blurring of the lines of identity when actors take on characters? “The Effect of Acting on Actors” draws from research on the psychological makeup of actors, including traits such as empathy, social anxiety, and an almost missionary zeal for their work. It dives into the reasons that people get into the acting profession in the first place, and how they tend to identify closely with their work in a way that those working in more conventional professions do not. In addition, this paper takes a look at interviews with actors such as Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, Dame Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes and Ingrid Bergman, to explore why actors do what they do and how that work in turn affects them. Also included is an examination of the methods used by actor Heath Ledger to prepare for his role as The Joker in Christopher Nolan’s film The Dark Knight, and the ramifications of that process in his personal life. In a 2013 Rolling Stone interview, Bryan Cranston said, “I don’t have the luxury of total objectivity. When you play a character, he’s in your skin. You are him.” This is an exploration of how actors can maintain their health while doing great work. The big question is, how does an actor’s character affect his or her character?
The Effect of Goals and Goal Setting in the Spanish Language Classroom
(2016) Miller, Alyssia M.
Knowing how to foster linguistic development is an important aspect of second language acquisition (SLA) research. Research has shown that there are many factors that affect SLA, but one factor that has not been studied extensively is that of goals and goal setting. Therefore, the purpose of this study is: (i) to investigate what types of goals second languages (L2) learners set; and (ii) to determine whether the type of goal that learners set has an effect on their academic achievement. In order to investigate this relationship, this study focuses primarily on Achievement Goal Theory and implements key components from Goal-Setting Theory. 58 students in an intermediate-level Spanish course participated in this study. Students were given a survey to determine their personal goal orientation. Based on these results, students were given a list of possible goals that matched their goal orientation and were asked to choose one. After each chapter quiz, students were given feedback on their goal. Finally, students’ final grades were compared to their goals. This study found that students come to their L2 course with different personal goals ranging from performance to mastery goals. Results indicate that students who set goals had statistically significantly higher course grades compared to those who did not set goals, (p = 0.013). Therefore, results infer that goal setting plays an important role in L2 acquisition and can aid in the academic achievement of L2 learners.
Blurring lines: Reconstituting the third culture kid identity
(2016) Swindle, Jean
Third Cultures Kids (TCKs) are lauded for their international travel, ability to speak multiple languages, and global perspective but have also been identified as plagued by a sense of cultural homelessness, difficulty upon repatriations, and a lack of positive affect (Pollock & Van Reken, 2003; Dewaele & van Oudenhoven, 2009; Peterson & Plamondon, 2009). Research on TCKs has unquestionably used the Pollock and Van Reken definition of a TCK and relied on the characteristics noted in the seminal text to formulate a list TCKs characteristics. This paper challenges these assumptions and use Derridian deconstuctivist and Deleuzian lenses to interrogate the dominant way in which the denominated TCK has been socially- and scholarly-constructed. There is the potential for a broader reading of how international experiences constitute a child's identity. Using data from an ethnographic pilot study, the life stories and descriptive narratives of four TCKs between the ages of 18-40 and survey data from an additional 32 participants are used to explore the TCK identity through the aforementioned theoretical lenses. The findings present titillating possibilities for different sorts of knowledge production on TCK research and lead to asking different sets of questions that expand the TCK dialogue beyond merely understanding context and causality to adding to the growing discourse of identity constitution and multidimensionality.
Speaking English: Breaking out of Chinatown
(2016) Wang, Min
This case study explores the perspectives of one TESOL instructor towards her Chinese students in an ELI setting at a Southeastern U.S. university.
After the Financial Crisis: Heterogeneity of Consumer Optimism and Investment in Risky Assets
(2016) Choi, Daewoung; Kim, Kyung Tae
We examined the effects of heterogeneous optimism on risky asset investment in the period following the 2008 financial crisis by distinguishing between the micro and macro levels of individuals’ optimism in data provided by the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). The baseline logit model showed that the general measure of optimism, which ignores the heterogeneity of one’s’ beliefs in micro and macro levels of optimism, was associated negatively with stock holdings in the period following the financial crisis. This result is in contrast to the findings of prior studies of household optimism. Using the distinct levels of individuals’ optimism, we found that households that are optimistic only about their future income growth are more likely to have directly held stocks in their financial portfolio, and this effect held continuously during the post-crisis period. However, households that are optimistic only about the future economy are less likely to invest directly in stocks during this period. This opposite effect of macro optimism may offset the positive role of individuals’ optimism on risky asset investment that has been documented in previous literature. Results of multinomial logit models indeed indicated that households that possessed macro optimism held a lower portion of stocks at most.
Oliver Cromwell Carmichael: A Casualty of Neutrality
(2016) Wever, Sarah E.
Oliver Cromwell Carmichael was a Southern moderate who had the misfortune of being president of the University of Alabama during a time where the entire South was in conflict with the federal law over desegregation. Being a native of Alabama, Carmichael was aware that segregation was a deep-rooted tradition in the South, and having worked in New York, he was aware of the progressive liberal ways of the North. Carmichael found himself in the middle of these two groups, trying, but unable, to please both. On February 1st, 1956 the University of Alabama admitted its first African American student, Autherine Lucy. Within a week the University dismissed her because riots protesting her enrollment were increasingly violent. This would be the beginning of the University of Alabama becoming the symbol of Southern resistance to integration and defiance of the law. Carmichael was a cultured, modern, and highly experienced educator and administrator in the world of higher education, yet he failed as president of the University of Alabama, and more important, he failed at desegregating the university when he was given an opportune chance. This failure to desegregate the university has painted Carmichael in a negative light as a man who was against integration. However, this may not be the case. This paper examines Carmichael’s personality, relationships, and professional behavior and the reasons behind the choices he made.
Psychopathic Traits and the Ability to Plan in the Context: A Research Proposal
(2016) Delacy, Rachel L.; Cox, Jennifer
Psychopathy is a personality disorder marked by affective, interpersonal, and behavioral deficits. One model, the dual-deficit, separates this construct into two factors: Factor 1 (affective and interpersonal deficits) and Factor 2 (impulsive antisociality). Psychopathy has been associated with deficits in executive functioning, specifically impulsivity and planfulness, although this research remains conflicting. The proposed study aims to provide some clarification as to the relationship between psychopathic traits and planfulness in an adult male inmate population, as well as investigate the impact of context. Using a reward-type paradigm, this study will explore how an individual’s ability to plan changes when (1) there is no potential for reward, (2) there is potential for reward, and (3) there is potential to take someone else’s reward. This paradigm may shed light on the differences between factors of psychopathy. It is hypothesized that individuals high on Factor 2 traits will demonstrate less ability to plan across conditions. It is also expected that individuals high on Factor 1 traits will demonstrate a higher ability to plan, particularly when there is the potential to take someone else’s reward. The proposed research has implications for conceptualizations of psychopathy as well as the treatment and assessment of the construct.
Examining the Impact of Physics Focused Professional Development on Advanced Placement Teachers: A Comparative Case Study
(2016) Ogodo, Justina Anietem
This case study will examine the impact of additional physics focused professional development on advanced placement teachers in a southeastern state. There is a critical need to improve the quality of in-service teachers due to the large population of under-qualified physics teachers in the classroom. The need is even greater for the advanced placement physics teacher because of the level of rigor involved in the curriculum. Twelve participants (N = 12) will be purposefully selected from local high schools in the state. Six participants that experienced additional physics-focused professional development will be compared with the other six teachers with little or no additional in-service professional development experiences. Quantitative and qualitative data will be generated from teacher surveys, classroom observation, teacher interviews, and document analysis. The findings may add to existing knowledge on: 1) the need for effective content focused professional development; 2) improving teacher quality by enhancing their content knowledge competence and pedagogical skills; and 3) improving the teaching and learning of physics with the goal of ultimately improving students’ learning outcomes. Advancing physics education in America depends on improving the quality, performance, and effectiveness of teachers.
Qualitative Research Skills Acquisition within Social Work Doctoral Education using Project-Based Learning
(2016) Maynard, Quentin R.; Yang, Fan; Young, Sarah R.; Nelson-Gardell, Debra
Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a widely used teaching strategy in various levels of education that allows students to learn by doing. Current PBL literature within social work education focuses on the utility of PBL in practice skill attainment, rather than research skill attainment. Considering that the ultimate goal of social work doctoral education is to generate scientists who conduct research with the purpose of real-world application, PBL might be an effective teaching and learning approach in social work doctoral education. This study used a phenomenological research approach to explore key attributes of using a PBL exercise within two consecutive social work doctoral courses aimed at encouraging qualitative research skill development. At the completion of two doctoral research courses, students, instructors, and external team members participated in idea writing and focus groups to assess the effectiveness and utility of PBL within doctoral education. Initial open coding occurred independently by three researchers, which led to the development of and consensus on a codebook. Second round coding was conducted by one researcher and examined by the other two. The feedback provided by the participants suggests that integrating PBL into doctoral level qualitative and mixed methods research courses is an effective way to help students gain practical research skills within doctoral education. In addition, participants reported that the success of PBL relies on group dynamics and instructor characteristics. Finally, integrating a PBL activity as an organizing task in research methods courses may encourage authentic professionalization to the research and manuscript generation processes.
Pre-kindergarten Programs: What is going on in the Classrooms?
(2016) Odebiyi, Oluseyi (Matthew); Sunal, Cynthia S.
Public funded pre-kindergarten education is becoming more universal and authorities are putting efforts to ensure that every student succeeds and acquire school readiness skills. The state of Alabama is not left out in these efforts. However, it is disheartening that by the time some students enters kindergarten, they are found to be deficient in school-readiness skills and future learning outcomes. To understand the nature of the problems, so far, researchers have examined the quality of experience of pre-kindergarteners in terms of structure not process. Whereas, a measure of what is going on in the classroom (process) along with structure would be more appropriate for holistic understanding of and solution to the problems. This study intends to examine process as well as structural quality indices of state funded pre-k (The first class Pre-k program) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A multistage sampling procedure would be adopted in the selection of a county, at least four First class Pre-k centers and the classrooms. The study would adopt mixed method. Survey, observation schedule and interview would be conducted with children, teacher and the classroom (as appropriate) for information on the process quality indices. Descriptive research design would be used to quantitatively describe the structural quality indices of the First Class Pre-k program in Tuscaloosa. There are possibilities that the First Class Pre-k would be ranked lower in process quality indices compared to structure quality indices. Thus, explain why some children are behind in school-readiness outcomes.
How do Primary Teachers Support Reading Motivation in Young Children?
(2016) Sartain, Jesse
This proposed study seeks to explore reading motivational practices implemented in local, primary (kindergarten-second) classrooms. The purpose for this study is to fill an existing gap in the literature pertaining to reading motivation in the early grades. The recent adoption of the Alabama College and Career Readiness Standards requires even our youngest students to engage with more complex texts across a variety of genres. In order to build stamina with such texts, it seems necessary that reading motivation be generously considered in classroom instructional practices. For this reason, my study will provide local educators and leaders with the valuable data needed for professional development on this topic along with insight into what motivational practices are taking place in primary classrooms.
Using Neuroscience in Education: A Qualitative Inquiry in Ethics, Power, and Participation
(2016) Irwin, April J.; Guyotte, Kelly
This theoretical proposal seeks to use new materialism as a lens to inquire more deeply to understand participants’ experiences with the educational neuroscience lab at a large southeastern university. In an effort to assemble data according to the new materialist goal of invoking the intra-actions of bodies, objects, and institutions, undergraduates will be observed and interviewed about their experiences participating in electroencephalogram (EEG) studies, which includes wearing an EEG cap both in the lab and to their math classes. Although the phenomena is student-centered around them, it includes classmates, instructors, and research lab assistants who will be interviewed about their perceptions of this technology, how the technology affects their behavior, and how likely they are to participate in a similar experience. This study explores students’ experiences with neuroscience both in a scientific setting and in their normal routine, considering how brain data comes to matter (Barad, 2007). This project also seeks to understand how neuroscience research techniques inform educational research and the potential ethical and methodological dilemmas.
Biofunctional Mutual Exclusion in Early Word Disambiguation: Affect, Attention, and Novelty
(2016) Stager, Catanya G.
Curiosity and inquiry have driven the studies in early word learning, and just as curiously, positive results support the behavior of mutual exclusivity in early word disambiguation as a psychological behavior. Yet, the behavioral phenomenon also provides solid evidence of embodied cognition, specifically revealing the nature of a lesser understood role of the sensory systems. This role of biofunctional mutual exclusion is nervous system-directed, according to perceptions of the sensory system. Interpreting the results of early word learning in light of dynamic, biologically directed mutual exclusion cognitive pattern supports the role of affect, novelty, and attention as an external response of the nature of this cognitive relationship of disambiguation.
Use and Misuse of the Likert Item Responses and Other Ordinal Measures
(2016) Bishop, Phillip A.; Herron, Robert L.
Likert, Likert-type, and ordinal-scale responses are very popular psychometric item scoring schemes for attempting to quantify people’s opinions, interests, or perceived efficacy of an intervention and are used extensively in Physical Education and Exercise Science research. However, these numbered measures are generally considered ordinal and violate some statistical assumptions needed to evaluate them as normally distributed, parametric data. This is an issue because parametric statistics are generally perceived as being more statistically powerful than non-parametric statistics. To avoid possible misinterpretation, care must be taken in analyzing these types of data. The use of visual analog scales may be equally efficacious and provide somewhat better data for analysis with parametric statistics.
Liberals or Libertarians? Religious Millennials and Support for Same-Sex Marriage
(2016) Porter, Chase; Frazier, Derrick
I explore the evolution of Protestant (especially evangelical) support for same-sex relations and same-sex marriage, particularly among the 18-29 “millennial” cohort. Two possibilities are investigated: that Protestants are becoming more "liberal" over time in their support for same-sex marriage, or that Protestants are becoming more “libertarian” in the sense that they remain morally opposed to same-sex relations while supporting the legal right to same-sex marriage. Drawing upon the “ambivalent evangelicals” conception of Bean and Martinez (2014), I use General Social Survey data from 1988 and 2006-2014 to illustrate the growth in support for same-sex marriage among Protestants who remain opposed to same-sex relations. To do so, I estimate predicted probabilities of support using multinomial logistic regressions which control for a host of demographic and religious variables. Specifically, I investigate the impact of age and the “three B’s” of religious identity upon this phenomenon. The GSS is a nationally representative sample which allows me to investigate the ambivalence phenomenon longitudinally, rather than in a single survey year as Bean and Martinez did. I find that Protestants overall are becoming both more liberal and more libertarian as it relates to same-sex marriage, and that there is a growing gap between opposition to same-sex relations and opposition to same-sex marriage, particularly among younger evangelical Protestants.
Equity underpricing and actual stock repurchases: Evidence based on residual income model
(2016) Zhang, Weiwei; Cook, Douglas
We examine whether and how equity misvaluation impacts corporate stock repurchase activities using an ex ante and forward-looking stock mispricing measure. In particular, we obtain our equity mispricing measure 𝑃𝑃/𝑉𝑉 by normalizing prevailing stock price with the firm’s intrinsic value based on Residual Income Model (RIM). We find that the degree of equity undervaluation significantly influences firms’ stock repurchase decision and share buyback activities over our sample period 1981 to 2014. In particular, the undervalued firms tend to repurchase their stock more both in terms of the repurchase percentage of market value of equity and the dollar volume of stock repurchases. Our evidence suggests that equity undervaluation serves as one significant determinant for companies to undertake actual stock repurchases.
Measuring Educational Needs of Low Achieving Regular Education Students: Learning Strategies for Gap Kids
(2016) Smith, Areatha J.; Iran-Nejad, Ashgar
Meeting the educational needs of all students requires educators who are persistent in capturing the abilities of their students. A student that is average to above average can soar academically with minimal assistance utilizing the current curriculum. Educators often miss a group of students because they are neither outspoken, nor failing but are not achieving either at their optimal potential. These students often defined as Gap students do not always receive education services at their capacity. Why are they not achieving at average or above average potential? What is it about such low academic achievement that is regarded as ok compared to peers? Are their goals low? Have we failed as educators to motivate them to exceed their learning potential? In my research, I want to show how these Gap students can increase achievement through motivation, self-regulation, and manipulating various learning strategies. The participants are 7th and 8th graders in a middle school within a semi-suburban area of town. The implications of this research are that through motivation, self-regulations, a sense of belonging and targeted instruction, students can excel academically.
Benefits of Mindfulness Based Intervention for Students in Special Population
(2016) Pisharoty-Norman, Sujata; Siders, Jim
Mindfulness is a meta-cognitive process when practiced regularly will have direct positive effects on self-regulation, self-control, attention and anger arousal (Siegel, 2007). Mindfulness is about being fully aware of whatever is happening in the present moment without being judgmental (Kabat-Zinn, 2007). Mindfulness based intervention(MBI) that has been practiced with patients in medical and clinical set-up to lower blood pressure, anxiety and stress. Mindfulness based intervention(MBI) has proven to reduce anxiety and stress in adults (Stahl, Goldstein, 2010). Similarly, psychologist have conducted MBI with undergraduates in college and has exhibited reduced stress and anxiety levels. MBI is slowly gaining popularity with students in schools. This lit review will discuss mindfulness when practiced by students in special population will reduce disruptive behavior, decrease discipline problem and bring positive changes in behavior. A specific MBI Souls of the Feet (SoF, Singh et al, 2007) has proven to be successful with individuals with autism (Singh et al, 2013), attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) (Singh et al, 2012). Mindfulness based intervention when used with individuals with mental illness has demonstrated to reduce physical and verbal aggression (Singh et al,2014). The literature review will also discuss different methodologies used in MBI studies. It will make a comparison between mixed method, qualitative and quantitative study while conducting MBI. The literature review will lay foundation to my PhD study.

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