Al-Qaeda’s Media Strategy: Internet self-radicalization and counter-radicalization policies

Al-Qaeda was initially formed not as a terrorist organization, but as an independent Islamist military faction (Bergen & Cruickshank, 2012). The organization evolved around the ideology of the central and supreme leader Osama bin Laden (Bergen & Cruickshank, 2012). However, the ability for the group to change and adapt to different environments and cultures has allowed for the organization to spread especially to Western audiences (Bergen & Cruickshank, 2012). The evolution of their media strategy is the epitome of how al-Qaeda is adaptable (Torres, Jordán, & Horsburgh, 2006). The shift from centralized distribution of pamphlets to video and audio tapes to television and then to the Internet has allowed al-Qaeda to use the process of self-radicalization to its advantage (Lieberman & Collins, 2008). The Internet allows people to trade ideas internationally with one another without being located geographically near one another (Lieberman & Collins, 2008). The process is very much steeped in psychological processes that have the potential to be stopped at any of the three main steps (Lieberman & Collins, 2008). Three methods for halting self-radicalization including censorship of information, public education, and intelligence gathering are all examined (Neumann, 2013). The potential for backlash is great, but there is an endless array of benefits that can be achieved through a well-orchestrated public awareness campaign about the process of self-radicalization

Project manager insights: An analysis of career progression

The project manager is key to the success of any project.  But the path to becoming a successful project manager is ill defined.  In this study, the authors analyzed interview results of 87 project managers’ responses to questions associated with entry into the field, career progression, and advice for the new project manager, seeking to better understand practicing project manager career progression.  Qualitative analysis techniques were used to identify recurring themes from the interview summaries. The themes and the resulting conceptual framework provide evidence that supports the development of successful project manager career path. Further, the results suggest individual project management competencies in soft skills as a key enabler of project execution.

The Use of Exit Interviews in the U.S Lodging Industry

This study investigated whether hotel managers systematically collected and analyzed data via employee exit interviews to determine why employees left jobs at their properties. Telephone interviews were conducted to determine whether exit interviews were conducted, what use was made of the interview data, and whether there was a relationship between the use of interviews and the level of turnover. Exit interviews appeared to be more common in larger properties and were used primarily for improving employment conditions, identifying problem areas, and providing closure for the employment relationship. There appeared to be an inverse relationship between the use of exit interviews and the level of turnove

Crisis Leadership During the Great Recession of 2008

Understanding leadership characteristics, frameworks, components, and contexts that are beneficial to the guidance of organizational policy is useful for understanding the way in which leaders should act during a crisis. Recessions are common throughout economies; yet, many see recessions as crises. Due to the chaotic nature of economic recessions, leaders must work in conditions of uncertainty, complexity, and volatility. Therefore, using a qualitative phenomenological approach, an examination was conducted on leaders’ lived experiences of the Great Recession of 2008 to further understand the concept of crisis leadership. A discussion is included on the way in which leaders internalize and analyze the crisis and the characteristics and behaviors needed to sustain through the crisis. This research was conducted in 2013

Romans 12 Motivational Gifts in the Military: An Exploration of Person-Job Fit, Job Performance, and Job Satisfaction

The study researches the Romans 12 motivational gifts and their relationship to person-job fit, job satisfaction, and job performance in the U.S. Air Force. Results of the study identified two clusters among U.S. Air Force personnel and found a positive relationship with person-job fit and job satisfaction — and no relationship with job performance. Several practical applications can be gleaned from the current research, especially in the area of motivation and training

Practical Application of Five Leadership Theories on a U.S. Naval Vessel

On a United States naval vessel, task accomplishment and leadership decisions are vital to personnel survival and mission success (Phillips, 2007). The United States Navy relies on leadership decisions made from admiral to seaman, and as a result, invests heavily in leadership development

Identifying the Key Factors in the Effectiveness and Failure of Virtual Teams

Virtual teams, “individuals collaborating in geographically dispersed work teams who may reside in different time zones and countries” (Horwitz, Bravington, & Silvis, 2006, p. 472), are continuing to increase in frequency in today’s global economy. These teams have become a vital option for organizations that need to work in multiple locales at once and draw on vast global expertise. In fact, virtual teams and e-collaboration is considered an alternative to previously traditional formats, because of the cost savings and lack of space limitations associated with operating via virtual means (Kock & Nosek, 2005)