Table Of Content

Walden University COLLEGE OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Robert Benson has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Karel Kurst-Swanger, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administrations Faculty Dr. Elizabeth Wilson, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administrations Faculty Dr. Kristie Roberts, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administrations Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2011 Abstract A Phenomenological Study Exploring Change Management in Public General Aviation Airports by Robert A. Benson M.P.A., Troy University, Alabama, 2000 B.S., Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, 1996 Dissertation in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University November 2011 Abstract Public general aviation airports and their associated operations function in an unstable and unpredictable environment. In part, this situation is caused by the effects of federalism and government regulation. To further complicate matters, the environment is influenced by external factors, such as weather, public safety threats, and other impacts beyond the control of the airport or individual managers. The academic or professional literature largely fails to address this critical gap in knowledge. This study sought to explore strategies deployed by public airport managers particularly related to organizational change and effects of federalism in dynamic and changing work environments. Accordingly, this study‘s theoretical framework is largely drawn from Beer & Nohria‘s Theory E and Theory O conceptualization of organizational change management. Data were collected and analyzed through the phenomenological research tenets of epoche, phenomenological reduction, and imaginative variation. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, surveys, and recursive interactions with 10 airport manager. The data were then separated, sorted, and coded into invariant constituent elements reflecting the common essence of the experiences of the managers. The findings indicate the managers are principally concerned with facilitating federalism and participating in intergovernmental relations, but may be inhibited from full organizational change that would be proactive in nature because of the myriad of regulatory bodies that guide aviation policymaking. The implications for positive social change stemming from this study include providing guidance on how airport managers can better manage change within their organizations thereby promoting a more enlightened aviation profession and the development of policies that encourage safety and security of the flying public. A Phenomenological Study Exploring Change Management in Public General Aviation Airports by Robert A. Benson M.P.A., Troy University, Alabama, 2000 B.S., Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, 1996 Dissertation in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University November 2011 Table of Contents List of Appendices ...............................................................................................................v List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................ 2 Statistical Perspective ................................................................................. 4 Macro Policy and Political Environment .................................................... 7 Micro Operational and Local Environment .......................................................... 13 Micromanagement and Public Policy ................................................................... 14 Management Forms .............................................................................................. 17 Background of the Study ...................................................................................... 23 Conceptual Framework ......................................................................................... 23 Research Questions ............................................................................................... 24 Subquestions ......................................................................................................... 25 Nature of the Study ............................................................................................... 25 Scope and Limitations of the Study ...................................................................... 26 Rationale for and Significance of the Study ......................................................... 27 Definitions of Terms ............................................................................................. 27 Summary and Overview ....................................................................................... 31 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................33 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 33 i Literature Review Search Strategy ....................................................................... 36 Understanding Change .............................................................................. 36 Change Process and Sources ..................................................................... 41 Readiness for Change/Aviation Compatibility ......................................... 43 Change in Aviation ................................................................................... 53 Aviation Industry Management ............................................................................ 55 Safety ........................................................................................................ 56 Safety Education ....................................................................................... 67 Aircraft Maintenance ................................................................................ 70 Air Traffic Control .................................................................................... 75 Education .................................................................................................. 78 Flight Activity ........................................................................................... 84 Environmental ........................................................................................... 86 Emergency Management .......................................................................... 87 Security ..................................................................................................... 90 Wildlife ..................................................................................................... 93 Summary and Conclusion ..................................................................................... 96 Chapter 3:Research Method ...............................................................................................97 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 97 Phenomenological Science ................................................................................... 99 Phenomena of Perception ....................................................................... 100 Modern Phenomenological Applications ................................................ 101 Research Questions and Procedures ................................................................... 103 ii Research Questions ................................................................................. 103 Subquestions ........................................................................................... 103 Determining Participants/ Selection Criteria .......................................... 104 Research Model .................................................................................................. 108 Interviews ................................................................................................ 109 Procedures of Epoche and Role of Researcher ....................................... 109 Data Collection/Phenomenological Reduction ....................................... 111 Ethical Protections .............................................................................................. 112 Limitations .......................................................................................................... 113 Data Analysis/Imaginative Variation ...................................................... 114 Data Coding and Analysis .................................................................................. 115 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 119 Chapter 4: Analysis of the Data .......................................................................................120 Epoche: Bracketing My Experience ................................................................... 130 Initial Presentations of Findings ......................................................................... 137 Governmental Category .......................................................................... 139 Operational Category .............................................................................. 141 Community Category .............................................................................. 142 The Essence of the Experience of the General Aviation Airport Manager ........ 143 Governmental Category .......................................................................... 146 Operational Category .............................................................................. 177 Community Category .............................................................................. 196 Summary and Reflection on Research Questions ............................................... 201 iii Chapter 5: Discussion and Conclusion ............................................................................204 Introduction and Review of Phenomenon........................................................... 204 Research Question three: Respond to demands for change .................... 212 Research Question four: Factors that drive change at individual facilities ................................................................................................................. 213 Limitations of the Study...................................................................................... 216 Recommendations for Actions ............................................................................ 216 In First Person: My Personal Reflections ........................................................... 223 Implications for Social Change ........................................................................... 225 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 226 iv List of Appendices A North Carolina Airports .............................................................................248 B North Carolina General Aviation Airports .................................................252 C Airport Operating Areas .............................................................................254 D Object Free Zone (OFZ) .............................................................................266 E North Carolina General Statute ...................................................................271 F Airfield Familiarization .............................................................................275 G Participant Consent Form ...........................................................................278 H Invitation to Participate ...............................................................................279 I College Aviation Curriculum Programs .....................................................281 J Airport Manager General Information Survey ...........................................283 K Research Questions and Themes ................................................................285 L Aggregate Codes and Classifications ..........................................................288 M Consolidated Codes and Meaning Statements ............................................290 v List of Tables 1 The 14 Codes of Federal Regulations (CFR) ................................................12 2 Research Participant Data ...........................................................................135 3 Finding Category and Research Question Application ...............................138 4 Participant Professional Data ......................................................................195 vi

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A Phenomenological Study Exploring Change Management in Public The first privatization project in the United States was Stewart Airport in