Adult Day Services Dynamic Capabilities Research Lab
Principal Investigator: Yawen Li, PhD, MSW
School of Social Work, California State University, San Bernardino
This lab examines how adult day health services organizations sense change, adapt, and strengthen their long-term capacity to serve older adults and families across the United States.
About the Project
A national NIH-funded study on organizational adaptation in adult day services.
This study develops and validates measures of dynamic capability—the organizational capacity to sense, seize, and transform in response to environmental change—among adult day health services (ADS) centers nationwide.
Study Period
2025–2029
Current Stage
Data Analysis & Scale Development
Project Status
Year 2 of 4
Program Objectives
Develop a validated instrument measuring dynamic capabilities in ADS organizations
Identify internal and external competencies that enable ADS centers to adapt to changing environments
Examine how demographic shifts, policy changes, and technological advances affect ADS organizational capacity
Generate evidence to support ADS sustainability, quality improvement, and policy advocacy
Research Progress
Stage 1: Qualitative Interviews (Completed)
In-depth interviews with ADS administrators nationwide were completed in Year 1. These interviews identified key dynamic capabilities and competency indicators that now inform scale development.
Stage 2: Survey Development and Validation (In Progress)
Drawing on the Year 1 interview findings, the team is analyzing the qualitative data and developing the initial version of the dynamic capabilities scale. The draft instrument will be refined and validated before national fielding.
Stage 3: National Survey
Administer survey to approximately 200–300 ADS centers across the United States.
Project Update
Year 1 Complete
Qualitative interview recruitment has concluded. We thank the ADS administrators across the country who shared their time and insights. Findings from these interviews are now informing the development of the initial scale.
For questions about the project, please contact us at yawen.li@csusb.edu.
Team Members
Principal Investigator
Yawen Li, PhD, MSW
Professor, School of Social Work
California State University, San Bernardino yawen.li@csusb.edu
Co-Investigator
Ken Shultz, PhD
Department Chair & Professor, Department of Psychology
California State University, San Bernardino Ken.Shultz@csusb.edu
Consultant
Jay Chok, PhD
DBA Program Chair & Professor, College of Business
Westcliff University jaychok@westcliff.edu
Consultant
Keith A. Anderson, PhD, MSW
Chair & Professor, Department of Social Work
The University of Mississippi kaander4@olemiss.edu
Student Researchers
Danielle Oh — Psychology
Giovanni Tovar — Social Work
Lab Alumni
Stephanie Camarena — Nursing
Mandy Giang — Nursing
Jennifer Gonzalez — Social Work
Mary Krdikashyan — Psychology
Leslie Mendoza Sanchez — Psychology
We are currently recruiting Student Research Assistants for this NIH-funded study on Adult Day Health Centers. If you are interested in gaining research experience, please review the position details and application process.