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Title: Can I Ask for Help? The Relationship among Incarcerated Males’ Sexual Orientation, Incarceration History, and Perceptions of Rape in Prison.
Creator: Ratkalkar, Mina, Smykla, John Ortiz, Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: In 2003, Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act to address the problem of sexual violence in prison. Although research has shed light on the prevalence and incidence of sexual violence in U.S. prisons, few studies examine inmates’ perceptions of rape and safety from rape in prison. This study examined rape perceptions and the likelihood to seek mental health treatment in prison of three distinct groups of male inmates who are at greater risk of sexual victimization or exposure to...
Show moreIn 2003, Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act to address the problem of sexual violence in prison. Although research has shed light on the prevalence and incidence of sexual violence in U.S. prisons, few studies examine inmates’ perceptions of rape and safety from rape in prison. This study examined rape perceptions and the likelihood to seek mental health treatment in prison of three distinct groups of male inmates who are at greater risk of sexual victimization or exposure to sexual violence while incarcerated: gay and bisexual inmates, inmates with a juvenile incarceration history, and inmates who were first incarcerated in the adult criminal justice system during adolescence or emerging adulthood. This study examined the relationships between sexual orientation and inmates’ perceptions of the threat of rape and seeking of mental health treatment in prison. Data from 409 incarcerated men residing in 23 maximum security correctional institutions revealed that gay and bisexual inmates were significantly more likely than straight inmates to fear the threat of rape and to voluntarily request mental health treatment in prison. Incarcerated men with a history of childhood abuse were significantly more likely than inmates without an abuse history to fear the threat of rape. Having a history of childhood sexual abuse, identifying as black, and being incarcerated for longer than 18 years also significantly predicted increased likelihood to voluntarily request mental health treatment in prison. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004624, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004624
Subject Headings: United States.--Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003., Prisoners--Sexual behavior., Prisoners--Mental health services., Prisoners--Legal status, laws, etc., Prisons--Law and legislation--United States., Prison violence--Prevention., Rape--Prevention.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Examining the relationship between fear of crime, self-protective behavior, and situational crime prevention among college students.
Creator: Archer, Robert, Youstin, Tasha, Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: Previous researchers have recommended that universities should be deemed very safe places. However, reports of crime have dominated the news, including shootings and mass murders at schools and universities. The issue of reality versus perception is of foremost importance when student safety is at stake. In this paper, the researcher presents the findings from unique data collected from university students related to situational crime prevention, fear of crime, self-protective behaviors, and...
Show morePrevious researchers have recommended that universities should be deemed very safe places. However, reports of crime have dominated the news, including shootings and mass murders at schools and universities. The issue of reality versus perception is of foremost importance when student safety is at stake. In this paper, the researcher presents the findings from unique data collected from university students related to situational crime prevention, fear of crime, self-protective behaviors, and perceptions of crime prevention programs to better understand the antecedent variables relating to crime prevention.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004264, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004264
Subject Headings: Campus violence, College students -- Crimes against, Crime prevention -- Citizen participation, Fear of crime, Universities and colleges -- Security measures
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Evil done vulnerability assessment: examining terrorism targets through situational crime prevention.
Creator: Paton, Stacy, Santos, Rachel, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: Following the events of September 11th, 2001, national attention has been captivated by terrorism and terrorism prevention. Parallel to this time of increased focus on terrorism prevention, adequate funding to support new departments or increased terrorism prevention efforts in existing departments was unattainable. Consequently, a strong need for prevention strategies that are affordable and highly applicable at the local level has resulted. Thus, it is the purpose of this study to examine...
Show moreFollowing the events of September 11th, 2001, national attention has been captivated by terrorism and terrorism prevention. Parallel to this time of increased focus on terrorism prevention, adequate funding to support new departments or increased terrorism prevention efforts in existing departments was unattainable. Consequently, a strong need for prevention strategies that are affordable and highly applicable at the local level has resulted. Thus, it is the purpose of this study to examine methods of risk assessment and test the accuracy of such methodologies in order to assist local organizations in effectively applying limited resources for opportunity reduction at vulnerable locations based on calculated risks. The primary goal of this thesis is to test the validity of the EVIL DONE vulnerability assessment and evaluate its ability to predict the number of fatalities and injured persons resulting from a terrorist attack.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004044
Subject Headings: Emergency management -- United States, Problem oriented policing -- United States, September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 -- Influence, Terrorism (International law), Terrorism -- United States -- Prevention
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Community-Oriented Policing Implementation, Social Disorganization and Crime Rates in Small Cities.
Creator: Przeszlowski, Kimberly, Crichlow, Vaughn, Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: Community-oriented policing implementation has been examined under the context of large agencies whereas the literature on smaller agencies has ultimately been lagging behind The purpose of this study is therefore to examine the degree of community policing implementation within these smaller agencies, controlling for characteristics derived from the theory of social disorganization, to gather further insight into what variables may be impacting crimes rates Pearson correlation and OLS...
Show moreCommunity-oriented policing implementation has been examined under the context of large agencies whereas the literature on smaller agencies has ultimately been lagging behind The purpose of this study is therefore to examine the degree of community policing implementation within these smaller agencies, controlling for characteristics derived from the theory of social disorganization, to gather further insight into what variables may be impacting crimes rates Pearson correlation and OLS regression analysis is employed to obtain the necessary results The findings indicate that although community-policing implementation does not significantly impact or explain the variation of crime rates in small cities, the statistically significant results of particular social disorganization characteristics should be an indicator of the need to incorporate theory with practice
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004778
Subject Headings: Crime--Sociological aspects, Crime prevention, Crime analysis, Sociology, Urban
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: FROM WASTE TO HOUSING: USING PLASTIC WASTE TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN HAITI.
Creator: Estil, Kestride, Renne, John, Florida Atlantic University, School of Urban and Regional Planning, College for Design and Social Inquiry
Abstract/Description: This thesis examines the scope of the plastic waste management and housing problems in Haiti. It makes a case for plastic waste to be recycled into sustainable housing as a solution to both issues. For better understanding, it first analyses the scope of the plastic waste pollution and housing problems in developing countries. It then ascertains innovative ways waste managers, and planners have solved it in these nations. Thirdly, based on case studies in Colombia and India, this thesis...
Show moreThis thesis examines the scope of the plastic waste management and housing problems in Haiti. It makes a case for plastic waste to be recycled into sustainable housing as a solution to both issues. For better understanding, it first analyses the scope of the plastic waste pollution and housing problems in developing countries. It then ascertains innovative ways waste managers, and planners have solved it in these nations. Thirdly, based on case studies in Colombia and India, this thesis ascertains how using plastic waste in construction, is a potential solution for better waste management and better housing in Haiti. In the end, this thesis recommends the construction of a plastic waste recycling plant in Port-au-Prince to help solve both their waste and housing problem. Since Port-au-Prince lacks a central sewage system, this thesis also recommends investment in water infrastructures to eliminate the need for plastic bottles in the long run.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013370
Subject Headings: Plastics--Recycling, House construction, Sustainable urban development--Developing countries, Haiti
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The job satisfaction, occupational sentiments, and work-related stress of prison wardens: results from a national survey.
Creator: DaSilva, Martina A.A., Stinchcomb, Jeanne B., Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: This study examined the results of the National Prison Wardens’ Survey to ascertain the levels of job satisfaction, occupational sentiments, and work-related stress among prison wardens and to establish whether these variables differed between male and female respondents. The findings indicated that wardens generally experience high levels of job satisfaction, reflect positive occupational sentiments, and report low levels of work-related stress. Additionally, results from the Chi-square...
Show moreThis study examined the results of the National Prison Wardens’ Survey to ascertain the levels of job satisfaction, occupational sentiments, and work-related stress among prison wardens and to establish whether these variables differed between male and female respondents. The findings indicated that wardens generally experience high levels of job satisfaction, reflect positive occupational sentiments, and report low levels of work-related stress. Additionally, results from the Chi-square tests and Lambda measures of association indicated that little to no relationship existed between gender and any of the explored variables.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004189, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004189
Subject Headings: Job satisfaction, Job stress, Sex differences (Psychology), Sex role in the work environment, Stereotypes (Social psychology), Stress (Psychology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: ANALYZING AFFORDABLE HOUSING POLICIES IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
Creator: Velarde, Catherine, Saginor, Jessie, Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Urban and Regional Planning
Abstract/Description: While the lack of affordable housing is a problem across the United States, the situation is particularly dire in Miami-Dade County, FL. As of 2017, 49% of all households in Miami-Dade County were housing cost-burdened (defined as paying more than 30% of household income on housing). Now ranked as the fifth least affordable housing market in the nation, the trend is worsening and negatively impacting workforce retention, wealth creation, and economic mobility (Greiner, 2017).
Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013348
Subject Headings: Affordable housing, Housing policy--Florida--Miami, Inclusionary housing programs, Zoning
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Gender Disparity: A view of Florida’s Correction System.
Creator: Kutikoff, Adam, Hauser, William, Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: Disparity in sentence length has long been a topic of discussion (Spohn, 2009). Though most research is aimed at disparity due to race, few studies utilize sex as a focal point (Crow & Kunselman, 2009; Embry & Lyons, 2012; Gavin, 2014; Hartley, Kwak, Park & Min-Sik Lee, 2011; Hasset-Walker, Lateano, Di Benedetto, 2014; Messing, 2008; Steffensmeier, Ulmer & Kramer, 1998). The focus of this study is to examine the effect of sex on sentence length, controlling for characteristics derived from...
Show moreDisparity in sentence length has long been a topic of discussion (Spohn, 2009). Though most research is aimed at disparity due to race, few studies utilize sex as a focal point (Crow & Kunselman, 2009; Embry & Lyons, 2012; Gavin, 2014; Hartley, Kwak, Park & Min-Sik Lee, 2011; Hasset-Walker, Lateano, Di Benedetto, 2014; Messing, 2008; Steffensmeier, Ulmer & Kramer, 1998). The focus of this study is to examine the effect of sex on sentence length, controlling for characteristics derived from the evil woman hypothesis, chivalry hypothesis, and focal concerns theory, to discuss the potential paternalism of the criminal justice system, which may cause potential sentence disparities (Daly, 1989; Nagel & Hagen, 1983; Steffensmeir, Ulmer, & Kramer, 1998). The findings indicate that women always receive a reduced sentence compared to male offenders, regardless of the crime type of past criminal offenses. The statistically significant results indicate that there is a need to review the criminal justice system and implement new polices such as judicial review to help stymie the differing sentences given (Spohn, 2009). If not, offenders will continue to receive differing sentences, based solely on extra-legal factors, such as the sex of the offender.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004818, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004818
Subject Headings: Florida.--Department of Corrections--Evaluation., Female offenders--Florida--Social conditions., Corrections--Florida--Evaluation., Criminal justice, Administration of--Florida--Evaluatioin., Sentences (Criminal procedure)--Florida., Sex discrimination in criminal justice administration--Florida., Prison sentences--Florida.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Theft of personal belongings on college campuses.
Creator: Kijanczuk, Katarzyna Aleksandra, Santos, Rachel, Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: With the increasing rate of violent criminal victimization, concerns about safety and prevention have begun to resonate across college campuses throughout the nation. Despite the efforts put forth by institutions of higher education to reduce fear of crime and criminal victimization, college students are subjected to coexist with the probability of crime victimization on campus. The main objective of this thesis was to explore new measures of crime prevention on college campuses. Specifically...
Show moreWith the increasing rate of violent criminal victimization, concerns about safety and prevention have begun to resonate across college campuses throughout the nation. Despite the efforts put forth by institutions of higher education to reduce fear of crime and criminal victimization, college students are subjected to coexist with the probability of crime victimization on campus. The main objective of this thesis was to explore new measures of crime prevention on college campuses. Specifically, the efforts put forth in this study were to focus on understanding the problem of property theft of personal belongings on college campuses. The findings based on Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses indicate that students’ crime prevention awareness and behavior are highest amongst female and non- victimized students. Crime prevention behavior was best explained by awareness. Furthermore, expanded evaluation of contributing factors may lead to future crime preventive measures such as participation in crime prevention seminars.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004207, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004207
Subject Headings: Campus violence, College students -- Crimes against College students -- Crimes against, Crime prevention and architectural design, Universities and colleges -- Security measures
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The American Police Paramilitary Unit: An Analysis of SWAT as an Aggressive Policing Strategy.
Creator: Mello, Brian P., Dobrin, Adam L., Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: This research study examines the American paramilitary units know as Special Weapons and Tactics. Throughout this thesis, the fundamental and foundational research on police paramilitary units is presented and discussed. Additionally, this paper focuses on trends of militarization in American policing. Mainly, these trends are identified by the tremendous rise and normalization of American paramilitary police units since the internal societal wars of the 1970s. In this study, research is...
Show moreThis research study examines the American paramilitary units know as Special Weapons and Tactics. Throughout this thesis, the fundamental and foundational research on police paramilitary units is presented and discussed. Additionally, this paper focuses on trends of militarization in American policing. Mainly, these trends are identified by the tremendous rise and normalization of American paramilitary police units since the internal societal wars of the 1970s. In this study, research is presented on Special Weapons and Tactics team deployments in the state of Maryland. Four years of data are analyzed focusing on proactive search warrant crime deployments from 2010 through 2013. Several independent variables including, violent crime rates, property crime rates, vice type crime rates and the number of sworn law enforcement officers are examined. The most important finding of this study is the inverse relationship between proactive vice type arrests and the proactive search warrant SWAT team deployments.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004728, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004728
Subject Headings: Law enforcement -- United States, Militarization of police -- United States, Police -- Special weapons and tactics units -- United States
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Evolution of General Strain Theory: A Comprehensive Review and Test of Robert Agnew’s 2002 Extension.
Creator: Davidowitz, Krystal, Arneklev, Bruce J., Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: This thesis provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory of Delinquency, and tests his 2002 extension using two subsamples from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Juveniles between 12 and 17, and “emerging” adults that are 18 years old. Including an “emerging” adult subsample makes this analysis one of the first full tests of adults. Additionally, this analysis is the first partial test of Agnew’s 2013 extension of General Strain...
Show moreThis thesis provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory of Delinquency, and tests his 2002 extension using two subsamples from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Juveniles between 12 and 17, and “emerging” adults that are 18 years old. Including an “emerging” adult subsample makes this analysis one of the first full tests of adults. Additionally, this analysis is the first partial test of Agnew’s 2013 extension of General Strain Theory. Overall, the results of the analysis lend support to Agnew’s 2002 extension. Measures of strain are revealed to significantly effect measures of negative emotionality and low selfconstraint, and measures of negative emotionality and low self-constraint significantly affect delinquency/deviance and illicit substance use. A major limitation to the thesis is that there is no negative emotionality measure of anger, which is Agnew’s (1985; 1992) key measures of negative emotionality.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004871, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004871
Subject Headings: Agnew, Robert--1953---Juvenile delinquency--Criticism and interpretation., Juvenile delinquency., Crime--Sociological aspects., Criminal behavior--Social aspects., Criminal psychology.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Integration disconnect in police agencies: the effects of agency factors on the production andconsumption of crime analysis.
Creator: Seigel, Jamie L., Santos, Rachel, Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: Poorly integrated crime analysis may be a detriment to crime reduction efforts and financial resources. The purpose of this research is to identify deficiencies and successes in crime analysis integration and to understand which agency factors are related. Using the Stratified Model of Problem Solving, Analysis, and Accountability and data from a national PERF survey of police agencies, this study quantifies the levels of production and consumption-based integration disconnect as well as...
Show morePoorly integrated crime analysis may be a detriment to crime reduction efforts and financial resources. The purpose of this research is to identify deficiencies and successes in crime analysis integration and to understand which agency factors are related. Using the Stratified Model of Problem Solving, Analysis, and Accountability and data from a national PERF survey of police agencies, this study quantifies the levels of production and consumption-based integration disconnect as well as other important agency factors. To determine which agency factors contribute most to integration disconnect, bivariate correlation and multiple regression analyses are used to examine the relationships, while controlling for agency type, centralization, officers per analyst, crimes per officer, and agency size. Findings indicate that production- and consumption-based disconnect are positively related to one another and that passive patrol-analyst interactions, an agency’s analysis integration disconnect.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004329, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004329
Subject Headings: Crime analysis, Crime forecasting, Criminal justice, Administration of, Criminal statistics -- Mathematical models, Organizational effectiveness, Police administration
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Relationships among crime analysis, accountability, and innovative policing strategies: results from a national survey.
Creator: Smith, Justin James, Santos, Rachel, Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: Over the years, innovations such as community-oriented policing, problem-oriented policing, and hot spots policing have enabled the police to make substantial crime control and reduction gains. However, empirical research has shown that police occasionally misuse these strategies in practice. One possible solution is the co-implementation of these strategies with crime analysis. Yet, little is known about this relationship in practice. Using national survey data collected by the Police...
Show moreOver the years, innovations such as community-oriented policing, problem-oriented policing, and hot spots policing have enabled the police to make substantial crime control and reduction gains. However, empirical research has shown that police occasionally misuse these strategies in practice. One possible solution is the co-implementation of these strategies with crime analysis. Yet, little is known about this relationship in practice. Using national survey data collected by the Police Executive Research Forum in 2008 from a sample of over 1,000 United States police agencies this thesis explores this relationship. Results of bivariate analysis between agency commitment to and integration of crime analysis within operations and the use of innovative strategies revealed positive relationships. Additionally, bivariate analysis between agency use of accountability mechanisms and innovative strategies revealed a strong positive relationship. Multivariate regression analysis revealed the use of accountability mechanisms and commitment to crime analysis as strong positive predictors of police agency innovation.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004332, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004332
Subject Headings: Crime analysis -- Data processing, Crime prevention, Criminal investigation -- Technological innovations, Criminal justice, Administration of, Law enforcement, Police -- Effect of technological innovations on, Police administration -- Technological innovations
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: SUBURBAN PARKING REQUIREMENTS, INEFFECTIVE AND INEFFICIENT: HOW TO BETTER PARK SUBURBIA.
Creator: Williams, Cole, Merlin, Louis A., Florida Atlantic University, School of Urban and Regional Planning, College for Design and Social Inquiry
Abstract/Description: Suburban sprawl, automobile dependency and the current parking requirements have led to an ineffective and inefficient use of land which presents added cost to land owners and residents. The current standards often have limit quantitative reasoning and often exceed the peak demand for parking. The current requirements may seem as a necessary evil to address transportation and consumer habits, but in actuality it is only further facilitating the dependency on the automobile. Modifications to...
Show moreSuburban sprawl, automobile dependency and the current parking requirements have led to an ineffective and inefficient use of land which presents added cost to land owners and residents. The current standards often have limit quantitative reasoning and often exceed the peak demand for parking. The current requirements may seem as a necessary evil to address transportation and consumer habits, but in actuality it is only further facilitating the dependency on the automobile. Modifications to the current standards such as the amount of parking required and the required size of parking spaces will help decrease the amount of land and cost related to parking facilities. Other alternative modes of transportation also need to be invested in to make these options more convenient. The continued support of the automobile through parking regulations will accentuate the effects of urban sprawl and in the end, this is not environmentally or financially feasible.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013429
Subject Headings: Automobile parking, Suburbs, City planning, Automobile parking--Economic aspects
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: THE COMPETING ROLES OF LEGAL AND SOCIAL OPPRESSION ON BLACK AMERICANS.
Creator: McCoy, Katherine Wilson, Dario, Lisa, Florida Atlantic University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, College for Design and Social Inquiry
Abstract/Description: It is an axiom among both researchers and the public that American perceptions of the police are racially divided. Previous studies have traditionally focused on interracial perceptions, and have found support for social variables (e.g. education) and legal variables (e.g. prior arrest). The current study seeks to determine if legal oppression or social oppression are better predictors of negative attitudes toward the police among a sample of black university students. Ordinary least squares...
Show moreIt is an axiom among both researchers and the public that American perceptions of the police are racially divided. Previous studies have traditionally focused on interracial perceptions, and have found support for social variables (e.g. education) and legal variables (e.g. prior arrest). The current study seeks to determine if legal oppression or social oppression are better predictors of negative attitudes toward the police among a sample of black university students. Ordinary least squares regression seeks determine which set of factors better predict police perceptions. This intra-racial examination allows future research to parse nuances among police perceptions in the black community. The implications of these results and future directions are discussed, in particular for the continued development of a black criminology (Unnever, Gabbidon, & Chouhy, 2019).
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013430
Subject Headings: African Americans, Police--Public opinion, Oppression (Psychology), Racism in criminology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Is operating budget execution really a coherent process?.
Creator: Campbell, Kenneth Alan, Florida Atlantic University, Mendell, Jay S., Lynch, Thomas D., College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
Abstract/Description: Most of the debate within public budgeting has centered on whether the incremental or non-incremental approach is best. In a theoretical context, little attention has been paid to the actual execution of an entity's budget. Specific theoretical objectives must be met for execution to take place: the objectives have been arranged in different ways, yet the basic requirements have remained constant. The dissertation compared these established theoretical objectives with actual budget execution;...
Show moreMost of the debate within public budgeting has centered on whether the incremental or non-incremental approach is best. In a theoretical context, little attention has been paid to the actual execution of an entity's budget. Specific theoretical objectives must be met for execution to take place: the objectives have been arranged in different ways, yet the basic requirements have remained constant. The dissertation compared these established theoretical objectives with actual budget execution; it concentrated on whether actual budgeting practice met the requirements of budget execution as depicted in normative theory. The research question asked to what extent is practice consistent with theory. The reality of budget practice was determined through survey responses. The questions were based on the procedures required for carrying out the theoretical objectives of execution. Surveys were sent to budget practitioners within the two-county area in southeast Florida. These individuals are responsible for public sector budgeting within their various entities on a state, county, and local level. The survey asked for the respondents perceptions of actual practice as it related to budget execution within their entity. The individual responses were evaluated and analyzed. Factor Analysis was used to determine the loading of eleven specific objectives. The patterns created by the factor loading were explored; it established how the objectives were viewed and whether there was a monolithic approach to execution. The results of the factor loading suggested that, in practice, budget objectives are not recognized as a cohesive process. Theory failed to match actual budget execution. Established procedures found in theory are only partially recognized by those who practice budgeting. A chi-square analysis of the survey results were examined to establish internal validity of the survey instrument and determine whether the responses were influenced by the independent variables. The results of the chi-square failed to note any influence on the responses.
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Date Issued: 1994
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12374
Subject Headings: Fiscal policy, Finance, Public, Budget
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A STUDY OF APPROACHES AND PROCESSES OF RESOLVING EMPLOYEE/UNION GRIEVANCES IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY.
Creator: EVANS, JEAN C., Florida Atlantic University, Abbott, Jarold G., College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
Abstract/Description: This descriptive study investigates and highlights the approaches and processes of resolving employee/union grievances in private business and industry in the United States. Dealing exclusively with unionized companies, the study examines the nature of grievances in the industrial world, contractual and actual approaches and processes followed in resolving grievances (union-management discussions, mediation, arbitration, right to strike, etc.), and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of...
Show moreThis descriptive study investigates and highlights the approaches and processes of resolving employee/union grievances in private business and industry in the United States. Dealing exclusively with unionized companies, the study examines the nature of grievances in the industrial world, contractual and actual approaches and processes followed in resolving grievances (union-management discussions, mediation, arbitration, right to strike, etc.), and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches and processes. Resources include research of current literature and a survey of practitioners in the industrial relations field - union officials, industrial relations executives from business, and labor arbitrators.
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Date Issued: 1975
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13698
Subject Headings: Sociology, Industrial and Labor Relations
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Utopian/Dystopian Thought Experiments and the Potential For a New Strateb')' of Inquiry in Public Administration.
Creator: Pressley, Cindy L., Florida Atlantic University, Patterson, Patricia M., College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
Abstract/Description: The purpose behind this dissertation is the creation, development, and illustration of a new strategy of inquiry in public administration. This new strategy of inquiry is a utopian/dystopian thought experiment. A utopian/dystopian thought experiment should provide its user with a way to develop a new/different viewpoint with which to examine an administrative activity. A researcher begins with an original viewpoint and should then develop a new/different viewpoint, a utopian/dystopian...
Show moreThe purpose behind this dissertation is the creation, development, and illustration of a new strategy of inquiry in public administration. This new strategy of inquiry is a utopian/dystopian thought experiment. A utopian/dystopian thought experiment should provide its user with a way to develop a new/different viewpoint with which to examine an administrative activity. A researcher begins with an original viewpoint and should then develop a new/different viewpoint, a utopian/dystopian viewpoint, by engaging in a utopian/dystopian thought experiment. A utopian/dystopian thought experiment is developed in this dissertation by bringing together elements from utopian literature and scientific thought experiment literature using a public administration point of view. The research approach used in this dissertation is a three-phase process that involves reviewing and connecting pertinent literatures, using imagination and the process of writing to create a utopian/dystopian thought experiment, and illustrating and examining a utopian/dystopian thought experiment in public administration. In this dissertation, I seek to create a utopian/dystopian thought experiment as a new strategy of inquiry that is developed specifically for public administration. A utopian/dystopian thought experiment should provide an additional tool to the researcher who is seeking to expand the viewpoints through which the researcher can examine administrative activities.
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Date Issued: 2008
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000610
Subject Headings: Public administration--Philosophy, Place (Philosophy), Policy sciences--Economic aspects, Political planning--United States, Postmodernism--Social aspects
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An Inquiry into Fire Service Consolidation and the Economies of Scale Debate: The Centralization Versus Decentralization Argument.
Creator: D’Angelo III, Salvatore A., Thai, Khi V., Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
Abstract/Description: Addressing the current homeland security challenges requires scholars, practitioners, elected officials, and community partners working in unison to mitigate the hazards confronting first responders. Built on public choice theory, this research addressed a specific component of the emergency preparedness matrix: the most preferred fire service organizational design. The fire department organizational designs in this study included a Florida county, city, and independent special control fire...
Show moreAddressing the current homeland security challenges requires scholars, practitioners, elected officials, and community partners working in unison to mitigate the hazards confronting first responders. Built on public choice theory, this research addressed a specific component of the emergency preparedness matrix: the most preferred fire service organizational design. The fire department organizational designs in this study included a Florida county, city, and independent special control fire district (ISFCD) that serve residents on a full-time platform. The concurrent embedded methodology used attempted to unearth which organizational design achieves economies of scale based on quarterly emergency service calls: the centralized county model or the decentralized city/ISFCD models. This study was an inquiry into the centralization versus decentralization argument, with emphases on fire service scale economies and inter-local service agreements Using multiple linear regression modeling accompanied by face-to-face interviews with the respective fire chiefs, this research showed that the county and ISFCD achieve scale economies over 44 quarters, fiscal years 2004-2014. Moreover, the interviews uncovered that response times were the driving factor behind instituting voluntary inter-local service agreements between the three fire departments. Other positive benefits from the service agreements include an increase in personnel and scene safety, dispatch center protocol enhancements, multi-company/jurisdictional training, overtime savings on large-scale disaster incidents, and trust building. The implications of this research for the scholarly and practitioner community include a better understanding of the technical and allocative efficiencies within the fire service arena. Melding public choice theory with strands of inter-local service agreement literature provides policymakers and scholars with a template for uncovering the fire service production/provision narrative. Though the centralization-decentralization argument is not solved within the research scope presented, the future narrative as uncovered in the research requires a citizenry inclusion. The future public choice prescriptions regarding fire service consolidation requires not only statistical modeling, but a normative democratic ethos tone incorporating multiple stakeholders with the citizens’ concerns at the forefront.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004674, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004674
Subject Headings: Emergency management -- Decision making, Metropolitan government -- United States, Municipal services -- United States, Organizational effectiveness, Preparedness -- Government policy, Regional planning
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Charter School Closures in Florida, 2006-2016: A Population Ecology Perspective.
Creator: Jameson, Jorene, Nyhan, Ronald C., Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
Abstract/Description: As part of the education reforms of the 1990s, charter schools were proposed as a private alternative to public education, offering parents and their children greater choices. Publicly financed but privately operated, charter schools have now grown in numbers and influence. While there are many studies of student outcomes in charter schools demonstrating mixed results, one negative outcome of charter schools has been less examined. Since inception, 23% of charter schools nationally have...
Show moreAs part of the education reforms of the 1990s, charter schools were proposed as a private alternative to public education, offering parents and their children greater choices. Publicly financed but privately operated, charter schools have now grown in numbers and influence. While there are many studies of student outcomes in charter schools demonstrating mixed results, one negative outcome of charter schools has been less examined. Since inception, 23% of charter schools nationally have closed and these closures are disruptive to parents, children, and their school districts. This paper addresses charter school closures from an organizational perspective. Applying theory from population ecology and resource dependency theory, the population of nonprofit charter schools is examined. What are the primary determinants of charter school success and failure? Florida, with the third highest number of charter schools nationally and, at the same time, the highest number of charter school closures in the United States, is a paradox. This study identifies the significant variables that are related to school survival and failure in the state of Florida over the years 2015-16 through 2015-16. Variables tested in this study, using Survival Analysis (SA), include age, management structure, size, school performance, grants, and density. All variables except density at founding were significant in explaining the unique variance in survival rates among charters. Charter schools sub-contracted by for-profit educational management organizations (EMOs) were larger, achieved higher grades, secured more grants and achieved higher survival rates than their counterpart nonprofit, independent, and charter management organization (CMO) led schools. These results contribute to our understanding of charter school survival and failure, thereby informing public policy options to strengthen the charter school population and the nation’s public education system overall.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004982, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004972
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Charter schools--Florida., Population ecology., Public policy.
Format: Document (PDF)

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