Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper is part of a larger study which aims to provide an in-depth look at the lives, experiences, feelings, and reintegration efforts of young girls who participated in Mission Possible, one of the few gender-specific interventions offered to female delinquents in a Californian secure custody facility. Analyzing the content of letters sent to their former counselor, this study seeks to obtain a better understanding of these girls� perceptions of self, others, and the justice system, to identify ways in which the intervention has helped them succeed outside the facility and to highlight external and internal obstacles that hinder them from remaining trouble-free with the law, their family, and other social institutions. This paper will focus on the concept of empowerment as an explanatory variable, which may complement the propositions of traditional delinquency theories, as well as a frequently stated goal in the mission statements of several gender-responsive programs for females.


Anastasia Tosouni, M.S.
PhD Graduate Student
Department of Criminology, Law & Society
University of California, Irvine
atosouni@uci.edu

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Organizational mission is the purpose, strategy, values, and behavioral standards of an organization. It is often stated in a formal mission statement. Employees develop their own interpretations of mission that are critical to their ability to operate effectively in their organizations (Eisenberg & Reilly, 2001). These interpretations influence what employees perceive as appropriate behavior, and impact overall organizational functioning (Dutton & Dukerich, 1991). Most research concerning mission has focused on executives and formal statements. This study begins by examining the possible association between employees� interpretations of mission and the formal mission statement. It then examines factors influencing who in the organization is more likely to interpret mission similar to the formal statement. Results show employees at higher levels of the organization�s hierarchy are more likely to interpret organizational mission consistent with the formal statement. Employees in different functional work groups are also likely to have different levels of overlap.

Publication Type: Invited Paper
Abstract: Although most organizations have mission statements, nonprofit theorists contend mission is a defining feature of nonprofit organizations, but remains under-theorized (Frumkin, 2002). We propose a theory of organizational mission as communicatively enacted in organizing. We utilize case study data to de-center mission statements as one articulation of mission. We theorize organizational mission as communicatively enacted, re-examine stakeholder relationships through mission enactment, and examine implications of mission in communicative constitution of organizations through Institutional Positioning (McPhee & Zaug, 2000).

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Traditionally, the task of soldiers sent on one of the few international “peacekeeping missions” was limited to the supervision of a dividing line established by a cease-fire agreement between well-defined hostile parties. After the end of the Cold War,

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: In the face of growing resource shortages and declining public trust, nonprofit organizations must find ways to garner new supporters. Effective missioning, or selling what the organization does, is an important first step in building identification with and commitment to one�s nonprofit organization. Formal mission statements are an integral component of organizations� overall missioning strategies. Communicating these mission statements meaningfully to the next generation of constituents requires both successful Internet implementation as well as incorporation of prominent rhetorical frames. This study provides baseline data on the online availability of 100 New York City nonprofit organizations� mission statements. Additionally, a content analysis of 83 New York City nonprofit organizations� mission statements yielded three common rhetorical frames related to the purposes and goals of the nonprofit sector. This research provides a foundation from which to assess the successfulness of nonprofit organizations� overall missioning efforts.