Leadership Studies Commons^™

Ua3/9/5 Special Announcement - Kelly Autism Project, Wku President's Office

WKU Archives Records

Speech delivered by WKU president Gary Ransdell announcing the beginning of the Kelly Autism Project at Western Kentucky University.

Neighborhood Associations: The Foundation Of Community Development, Roger A. Lohmann

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Neighborhood associations are one of the most ubiquitous types of voluntary organization. This paper reviews a variety of theoretical and practical perspectives on the concept of neighborhood and the various organized expressions of neighborhood organizing in rural and urban communities.

The Ethics Of Responsible Leadership And The Practice Of Right Behavior, C. William Pollard

C. William Pollard Papers

In this speech at Cornell University's Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies (CAHRS), Pollard considers the conference's theme of restoring trust by focusing primarily on how wealth creation must be coupled with a leadership structure committed to the good of both employees and customers.

Ua3/9/5 Dr. John D. Minton Hall Dedication, Wku President's Office

WKU Archives Records

Speech delivered by WKU president Gary Ransdell at the Minton Hall dedication.

Ua3/9/5 Higher Education Reform From The Perspective Of A Comprehensive University, Wku President's Office

WKU Archives Records

Speech delivered by WKU president Gary Ransdell at the Pritchard Committee meeting.

Ua3/9/5 Commemoration Ceremony Of September 11, Wku President's Office

WKU Archives Records

Speech delivered by WKU president Gary Ransdell at the commemoration of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC.

A Study Of Transformational And Transactional Leadership In Computer-Based Communication, Luann Watson

Theses and Graduate Projects

A two-part survey was administered to 88 adult students in master's and undergraduate programs at Augsburg College to determine the relationship between the amount of time spent in computer-based communication between leaders and followers and the leadership style of the leaders. The two leadership styles studied were the transformational and transactional styles first described by James MacGregor Burns (1978) and further developed by Bernard M. Bass (1985). Most leaders exhibit both transformational and transactional leadership styles, but in differing degrees. However, transformational leadership is thought to be more motivational. It was hypothesized that the transformational style would be less prevalent …

Ua3/9/5 Faculty-Staff Convocation, Wku President's Office

WKU Archives Records

Speech delivered by WKU president Gary Ransdell at fall convocation. He discusses the budget, enrollment, community college, College of Health & Human Services, faculty engagement, economic development, sponsored programs, donations, campus construction and parking.

Trust In Leadership: Meta-Analytic Findings And Implications For Research And Practice, Kurt T. Dirks, Donald L. Ferrin

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In this study, the authors examined the findings and implications of the research on trust in leadership that has been conducted during the past 4 decades. First, the study provides estimates of the primary relationships between trust in leadership and key outcomes, antecedents, and correlates (k = 106). Second, the study explores how specifying the construct with alternative leadership referents (direct leaders vs. organizational leadership) and definitions (types of trust) results in systematically different relationships between trust in leadership and outcomes and antecedents. Direct leaders (e.g., supervisors) appear to be a particularly important referent of trust. Last, a theoretical framework …

The Personality Profile Of September 11 Hijack Ringleader Mohamed Atta, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of a posthumous, indirect assessment of the personality of Mohamed Atta, apparent ringleader in the September 11, 2001 terror attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, from the conceptual perspective of Theodore Millon.

Information concerning Mohamed Atta was collected from media reports in the one-month period following the attack and synthesized into a personality profile using the second edition of the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with Axis II of DSM-IV.

The personality profile yielded by the MIDC was analyzed on the …

The Personality Profile Of Al-Qaida Leader Osama Bin Laden, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of an indirect assessment of the personality of Osama bin Laden, founder and leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network responsible for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States.

Bin Laden’s primary personality patterns were found to be Ambitious/exploitative and Dauntless/dissenting, with a secondary Distrusting/suspicious orientation, and subsidiary Dominant/controlling and Conscientious/dutiful features.

Ambitious individuals are bold, competitive, and self-assured; they easily assume leadership roles, expect others to recognize their special qualities, and often act as though entitled. Dauntless individuals are bold, courageous, and tough; minimally constrained by the norms of society; routinely engage …

Leadership Antecedents Of Informal Knowledge Acquisition And Dissemination, Siu Loon Hoe, Steve Mcshane

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Knowledge management is emerging as one of the leading influences on an organisation’s survival and competitive advantage (Blumentritt & Johnston 1999). Knowledge management is concerned with the effective acquisition, sharing, storage and utilisation of knowledge (Huber 1991; Saffady 1998). Corporate leaders are increasingly aware of the notion that an organisation’s long-term survival depends on its ability to generate new knowledge and continuously learn from the environment. The importance of a superior organisational learning capability as a source of competitive advantage is a common refrain among both managers and scholars (e.g. Kohli & Jaworski 1990; Nonaka 1991; Quinn 1992; Slater & …

Beyond The Mirror, Judith Thyen Jordan

Theses and Graduate Projects

The history of disability discrimination as dehumanization is explored as a foundation for the paper. This question is then explored using a framework of socially constructed reality and symbolic convergence theory. For this analysis, communication and perception are the key elements drawn from each theory.

The conclusion of this analysis is that genuine "empowerment" requires a reconstructed social reality that defines people with visible physical disabilities as "normal."

What's It All About? (Lake Geneva, Wi), C. William Pollard

C. William Pollard Papers

In this brief speech at the Geneva Lakes Business Luncheon, Pollard asks local business leaders to examine their priorities and reminds them that all they do -- including their business endeavors -- should be seen as service to Jesus Christ.

Generation Xers And Boomers: How Evolving Work Values, Life Stages, And Generations Explain The Differences, Lucille A. Stoffels

Theses and Graduate Projects

Eighty-eight percent of today's workforce was born between 1943 and 1981 that make up the two generational groups called Boomers and Generation Xers (Farren & Mauer, 1999).

Over the past several years it has become increasing evident that there is a conflict in the workplace between these two groups. Some of the work related issues between the groups may or may not be limited to their generational group, but may also be reflective of their developmental life stage and the evolving work values.

Coincidentally, Generation Xers are in the life stage of youth and most Boomers are in the middle-aged …

The Leadership Of The Domestic Violence Movement In Minnesota, Suzanne Koepplinger

Theses and Graduate Projects

The beginnings of the domestic violence movement were heavily influenced by cultural feminist thought and servant leadership styles. In recent years, more hierarchical and professional service providers have gained ground and changed the face of service provision, legislative efforts and public outreach in the domestic violence movement. What began as a social change movement has evolved into an institution in its own right. This shift has caused new styles of leadership and a new paradigm to take root. Transforming, empowering and visionary leadership, all with a base in feminism, mark the current players. It has not been an easy transition, …

Writers Who Are Servant-Leaders: Applying Robert Greenleaf's Theory To The Lives And Works Of Madeleine L'Engle, Vaclav Havel, And Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Patricia Park

Theses and Graduate Projects

In his 1970 essay The Servant as Leader, Robert Greenleaf (1904-1990) introduces his theory of servant-leadership. Greenleaf presents his belief that everything begins with the initiative of the individual. While Greenleafs ideas have been applied mainly to organizational settings, they also have great relevance to individuals involved in artistic pursuits. Greenleaf suggests studying the lives of servant-leaders for inspiration. An exploration of the lives and works of three writers who embody the principles of servant-leadership--Madeleine L'Engle, Vaclav Havel, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez--provides valuable insights into Greenleaf's theory. These three highly creative individuals exemplify these key characteristics of a servant-leader as …

Leading The Sales Team: Using Greenleaf's Servant Leadership Paradigm To Facilitate Team Building, Patricia A. Campanaro

Theses and Graduate Projects

According to Peter Drucker, Robert K. Greenleaf is known as the grandfather of the modern empowerment movement in business leadership. Greenleaf fervently believed that true leaders are those who lead by serving others. He was also a strong proponent of ethics and integrity in the ranks of managers/leaders.

A research study in the Journal of Marketing Management, Spring/Summer 1997, reported that the personal factor found to have the greatest influence in the performance of sales managers was training. This paper applies the Servant Leader Model to the demands of the sales leadership role. Traditional sales training concentrates on the mechanics …

Discipleship: Empowering Followers For The Modern Church, Gordon Thomas

Theses and Graduate Projects

The modern church finds itself under increasing pressure as the number of individuals entering the ministry continues to fall short of the number accepting vocational calls outside of ministry or retiring. Churches of all denominations are looking for creative ways to re-engage their members into accepting a broader range of responsibility in the church. The term many are using is 'discipleship'.

This study will first examine the stewardship theory developed by Peter Block - the choice of service over self-interest. This theory will then be contrasted with the work done by Pastor Michael Foss in his recent book Power Surge. …

Using Complexity Theory To Select Between Leaders And Managers, Michael W. Jordan

Theses and Graduate Projects

Several authors have attempted recently to extend Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory to organizations and business management (Wheatley, 1992; Lind, 1994; Beccone, 1998; Zimmerman, Lindberg & Plsek, 1998, Eoyang & Olson, 2001). The theory might be useful for practitioners, but it cannot provide detailed scientific predictions. The following questions are posed for analysis: Could CAS theory be applied to hiring and promoting leaders and managers? Would it be possible, and would it make sense, for organizations to identify emergent leaders as management prospects given Beccone's analysis of the distinction between leaders and managers? How might the procedures and results likely …

Ua3/9/5 Sofia-Downing International Center Dedication, Wku President's Office

WKU Archives Records

Speech delivered by WKU president Gary Ransdell at the WKU Sofia-Downing International Center dedication ceremony.

Best Practices For Retention Of Nursing Assistants In Hospitals: The Build Model, Lynda R. Frayne

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study is a review of the phenomenon of poor job retention for nursing assistants in hospitals and long-term care facilities, with special emphasis on the practices that may enhance the retention of nursing assistants in hospitals.

The study establishes that the nursing assistant retention problem exists and identifies the main reasons nursing assistants leave some jobs and stay in others. It also discusses the significance that leadership has for enhancing higher retention rates of nursing assistants. The study reveals the BUILD model for initiatives to retain nursing assistants, a tool for front-line managers to use. Finally, recommendations for implementing …

The Elder Family Meeting: Leading To The Heart Of The Matter, Kathryn Ringham

Theses and Graduate Projects

The aging of the population is poised to challenge our current system of medical, economic and social supports. It will also test the limits of our national compassion. Professionals working in the field of aging are preparing for the demographic bulge and are seeking cost-effective interventions to help elders and their families develop cooperative caregiving and decision-making skills. Caregivers are often at the center of the family system trying to deal with a situation they don't want and don't understand.

One intervention common during health transitions is the family meeting. This application project describes the context of caregiving and healthcare …

Ua3/9/5 Guthrie Bell Tower Dedication, Wku President's Office

WKU Archives Records

Speech delivered by WKU president Gary Ransdell at the Guthrie Bell Tower dedication ceremony in honor of the Guthrie family and WKU's servicemen.

Dancing For Land: Law-Making And Cultural Performance In Northeastern Brazil, Jan Hoffman French

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Publications

In Mocambo, cultural practices and performances are being reconfigured and retained in new forms and surrounded by new discourses, revealing modes of local self-fashioning and political action. However, our inquiry should not end there. Thomas Abercrombie (1991:99) argues that whatever meanings might adhere to a certain "traditional" cultural form "are today produced and interpreted, within the (semi-open) semiotic systems produced at locally or situationally specific intercultural loci..., which intersect with national and international systems as significantly as with neighboring town groups." In this essay, I suggest that the demands, interests, and desires of the larger society, as manifested in laws, …

Genre Studies: Temporary Homogeneous Grouping To Improve Reading Or Merely Another Form Of Tracking?, Brenda Wright Campbell Edd

Dissertations

For the last fifty years, raising the achievement levels of students thought to be “at-risk” has proven to be one of the most difficult and vexing problems facing educators. Although many different strategies have been tried with varying levels of success, no single at-risk solution has emerged that both promotes significant achievement gains and helps to narrow the achievement gap between people of color and whites. This study examined the effectiveness of a particular district-wide literacy strategy in its first year that focused on literacy to educate students identified as “at-risk”. Specifically, this study used data gathered from two measures …

Leadership For Inter-Organization Collaboration, Dawn Cvengros

Theses and Graduate Projects

This work related project implemented strategies of leadership behavior designed to assist representatives from organizations that represent state and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and industry make advancements to develop a sustainable collaboration among these organizations. The representatives voluntarily convene to improve the nutritional wellness of low income people in Minnesota. The dynamics of strategic leadership theory as it was applied to this project are illustrated. The purpose of this project was to identify ways to assist them inter-organization collaboration (IOC) achieve the goal: to develop and sustain a cohesive, visible, inclusive, and productive collaboration among member organizations. The objective …

Ua3/9/5 Central Regional Postsecondary Education Center Dedication, Wku President's Office

WKU Archives Records

Speech delivered by WKU president Gary Ransdell at the WKU Elizabethtown / Ft. Knox campus dedication.

Cultivating Purpose & Meaning In Health Care Employees: A Case Study Of Spirituality Integrated Within An Organization, Denise Cleveland

Theses and Graduate Projects

This case study explores the impact of spirituality between an organization and employee. The literature supports a growing interest among leaders in the idea of integrating spirituality into the workplace. Many leaders are recognizing the role of spirituality in fostering the human spirit to create relationships and systems that allow people to feel valued and supported. These values contribute to a sense of community within the work environment. This study seeks to understand more about the attributes, characteristics and outcomes of an organization that integrates spirituality throughout its organizational culture.

Collaborative Leadership In Middle Schools And Teacher Job Satisfaction: A Search For Relationships, A. Greg Bowden Edd

Dissertations

This correlational study examined the relationship between the leadership practiced by middle school principals and the job satisfaction reported by their teachers. Data were collected from 10 middle school principals who completed a demographic survey and the Principal Leadership Survey-Self (PLS-S). Data were also collected from 183 teachers who completed a demographic survey, the Principal Leadership Survey-Other (PLS-O), the School Participant Empowerment Scale (SPES), and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Sub scale scores from the PLS-O and the SPES were used to measure collaborative leadership. Telephone interviews were conducted with nine of the teachers who reported the highest degree of …