VTechWorks
VTechWorks provides global access to Virginia Tech scholarship, including journal articles, books, theses, dissertations, conference papers, slide presentations, technical reports, working papers, administrative documents, videos, images, and more by faculty, students, and staff. Faculty can deposit items to VTechWorks from Elements, including journal articles covered by the University open access policy. Email vtechworks@vt.edu for help.
Open Access Policy
Virginia Tech's open access policy enables researchers to deposit the accepted version of scholarly articles with no embargo.
Theses and Dissertations
Virginia Tech was first in the world to require ETDs in 1997, and continues to add scans of older theses and dissertations.
Open Textbooks
More than 40 freely available and openly licensed textbooks are among our most downloaded items.
Communities in VTechWorks
Select a community to browse its collections.
Recent Submissions
Using Human Factors Engineering to Enhance New Trauma Bay Effectiveness
Scarboro, Don B.; Jones, Nathan A.; Wolfe, Laurie D.; Collier, Bryan R.; Lollar, Daniel (Elsevier, 2025)
Background: Spatial design can contribute to patient harm and healthcare inefficiencies if the design process does not consider how workers interact with each other and their environments. Human factors engineering (HFE) applies human-centered design assessment to the built environment to evaluate implications for patients and staff. HFE assessment was applied to a proposed trauma bay design prior to construction. We hypothesized that HFE evaluation would produce significant changes to a new trauma bay layout that would improve provider safety and decrease errors and costs.
Materials and Methods: Cardboard mockup of the proposed trauma bay were created. Mock scenarios were performed with two interdisciplinary teams. An iterative process whereby the architectural plans were adapted by the trauma medical director and then each subsequent team was performed with changes made in real time. We utilized a mixed-methods analysis including pre/post surveys as well as video analyses including link analysis, bump analysis, and crossover analysis. Our results were integrated into layout design recommendations provided to the architects.
Results: Mockup cost was $2,986 and required 10 hours of labor. Two teams completed six scenarios. Staff simulation time was 70 hours while analysis took 36 hours. Survey data indicated improvements in “ability to do your job” from 3.85 to 4.25 (unchanged median 4.0). Link analysis demonstrated areas in certain layouts that created work inefficiencies. Bump analysis demonstrated a decrease in bumps from 47 to 33. Crossover analysis showed a decrease in patient crossovers from 7 to 0. Estimated cost savings were estimated at $333,200.
Conclusion: The opportunity for HFE assessment integration into the construction of new healthcare facilities is rare. We present a structured and iterative approach to testing new physical design changes prior to construction. We identified improvements in staff satisfaction, staff safety, and estimated cost.
A Cross-cultural Analysis of Attributes that Influence Customers’ Hotel Experience in Green Hotels
Bernard Simpson, Shaniel; Ho, Jo Ann; Dias, Alvaro; Zizka, Laura; Singal, Manisha (SAGE, 2025-08-10)
Although there is increasing awareness of hotels’ sustainability efforts, there are gaps in understanding both how and when green practices influence guest evaluations. To address this gap, this study applies the complexity theoretical framework and fsQCA to examine key attributes that influence guest experiences as reflected in online reviews of green hotels. In our study, emotions emerged as a critical attribute, surpassing the impact of sustainability measures. Results indicate specific combinations of hotel characteristics, such as ratings and sustainability practices as well as socio-cultural factors like collectivism and gender, drive positive and negative feedback in hotels. An intervention model for hotel managers to encourage proenvironmental behavior of guests is proposed based on their attribute grouping. Different strategies such as social norm messaging, co-creation with customers, and status signaling, will encourage guests to recognize and highlight sustainability practices in online reviews.
Challenges of and Recommendations for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
McLaughlin, Claire (Virginia Tech, 2025-07-25)
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), a USDA initiative designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among elementary school students, has seen inconsistent implementation and limited recent program evaluation. This project aimed to assess the effectiveness and adherence of FFVP practices operated by a food service management company in D.C. in four D.C. public elementary schools, focusing on underserved communities in Wards 7 and 8. Using a mixed-methods action research approach grounded in constructivist learning theory, data was collected through site observations, informal staff interviews, and a comprehensive survey of teachers and administrators. Findings revealed significant inconsistencies in program delivery, particularly regarding the required nutrition education component, which was largely absent from the in-classroom program implementation. Survey responses highlighted a widespread lack of awareness about FFVP’s purpose, requirements, and available educational resources. In response, revised program materials, including a teacher handout and age-specific nutrition education content, were developed and piloted in one school. Pilot observations at one school demonstrated that structured delivery, teacher participation, and
age-appropriate materials improved student engagement and reinforced healthy eating behaviors. The fourth-grade classroom showed notably higher interaction and enthusiasm compared to kindergarten, underscoring the importance of educator involvement and program structure. This project supports future implementation of a standardized FFVP model across schools, emphasizing the critical role of teacher training, communication, and tailored educational materials to enhance program fidelity and impact.
AAMC Group on Educational Affairs
Harendt, Sarah M. (AAMC, 2025)
Produced an infographic for the AAMC to utilized across multiple applications to describe the Group on Educational Affairs overall and the regional sections scope and role.
WagelboxPlusPlus
Agile development with client to improve their existing email marketing website by adding AI generation functionalities to email campaign creation to improve existing user experiences. This included, adding image recognition to have more relevant images recommended to a user, image generation to generate more relevant images, and email campaign generation to AI generate an entire email campaign for a more professional result. Project also included work on their website by modernizing, fixing bugs, improving existing features, and making it mobile responsive.