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Leading Deeply: A Heroic Journey Toward Wisdom And Transformation, Richard Warm

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation will explore leadership as a mytho-poetic transformational journey toward self-knowledge, authenticity, and ultimately wisdom; the power to make meaning and give something back to the world in which we live; and the necessity of transformation. I view leadership as a transformative process and a transformational responsibility. As leaders we must undergo our own transformation in order to lead change on a larger scale. The dissertation will be both philosophical and theoretical, exploring how the threads of the hero’s journey, transformation, wisdom, and leadership intertwine. It will also examine the role of education in this process. Education does not …

Getting Back To My Life: Exploring Adaptation To Change Through The Experiences Of Breast Cancer Survivors, Charles A. Foster

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The holding environment concept, developed by Donald Winnicott, has been used to represent the type of support that encourages adaptive change during psychosocial transitions. The leadership and change literature posited that the holding environment had the ability to shape the trajectory of the transition, yet did not test this empirically. The psychosocial breast cancer literature empirically researched support during and after treatments ended, but did not incorporate the holding environment concept. This presented the opportunity to inform both the leadership and breast cancer fields by studying holding environments in the breast cancer setting. This study had a twofold purpose: 1) …

Faculty Work: Moving Beyond The Paradox Of Autonomy And Collaboration, Mark A. Hower

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Freedom to pursue one's intellectual interests, known as professional autonomy, is a valued and longstanding faculty tradition. Profound changes in society and the academy, however, suggest new values may be emerging. Collaboration, for example, is increasingly vital to success outside of the academy, and faculty culture, long an individualistic domain, may be shifting in response. This multiple case study explores how faculty members experience the relationship between professional autonomy and collaboration within the context of their department work. Faculty members in four departments were interviewed and both qualitative and simple quantitative data collected. The study found faculty members satisfied with …

The Effect Frequent Organizational Restructure Has On Employee Perceptions, Lisa Sabasteanski

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative study investigates the effect frequent organizational restructure has on employee perceptions. Frequent is defined as two or more restructures in less than eighteen months. For this study, I evaluated findings from ten employees who worked in various industries throughout the Midwest who had experienced at least two restructures in less than eighteen months. Interviews were conducted with individuals to understand their perspective of organizational restructures they've participated in at their company. Findings from this study suggested when leaders clearly articulate the rationale for the organizational restructure and when they are honest and transparent about what is going on …

A Study Of The Impact Of The Workplace Learning Function On Organizational Excellence By Examining The Workplace Learning Practices Of Six Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Recipients, Cynthia J. Lewis Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role the learning function plays in the pursuit of organizational excellence with the goal of identifying key factors, models and descriptions of successful workplace learning practices. A total of six Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Recipients, one from each Baldrige sector participated in this study. Data was collected through in depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with the person responsible for workplace learning or their representative in each organization. The findings indicated that workplace learning professionals should be part of the strategic planning process within an organization and that workplace learning benefits strongly …

Effects Of Youth Participation On Adults In A Neighborhood Multi-Organizational Project, Joanne Marie Benham

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Engaging youth in decision-making processes with adults is of growing interest in communities across the country. Reasons generally cited are that youth benefit from interactions with caring adults who help them build skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging. These experiences are essential for a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood. (Benson, Scales, Hamilton, & Sesma; Hong & Roehlkepartain, 2006). However, researchers Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, and Calvert (2000) hypothesized that these youth/adult decision-making ventures create equally important benefits for adults. In a study of select organizations across the country where youth were members of organizational boards, these researchers found youth …

Beyond The Paradoxical Shadow Of A Doubt: A Powerful Bond That Sustains Servant-Leaders In Their Struggle For Truth And Justice, Dung Q. Tran

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

The comprehensive study of leadership phenomena matters. Reasons abound for the need of both formal and informal leadership research in various contexts. Spears (1998) recognized the emergence of a significant "leadership and management paradigm for the 21st century" (p. xix). Jackson and Parry (2008) claimed that "leadership is widely seen as both the problem and solution to all manner of contemporary issues" (p. 9). A key buzzword in our modern times, leadership has "become a major issue in all forms of organizations" (Doohan, 2007, p. I). In the world of higher education, Greenleaf (1998) identified a "serious crisis of leadership …

Justice And Forgiveness: Self-Responsibility And Human Dignity In The Midst Of Confiict, Rakiya Farah

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Amartya Sen (2006) notes, "The world in which we live is not only unjust, it is, arguably, extraordinarily unjust" (p. 237). We live in an imperfect world. Of that, there is no doubt. One of the defining features of the last century has been the sheer extent of social disintegration, economic turmoil, and human violence made more potent by technological advancement. It is no surprise, then, that the role of leadership has been placed under increasing scrutiny as the world seeks new ways to address its problems. The question of justice in an imperfect and conflict-ridden world is a fundamental …

Servant-Leadership And Life Satisfaction: The Mediating Role Of Justice, Job Control, And Burnout, Jari Hakanen, Dirk Van Dierendonck

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

When it comes to identifying and meeting the psychological needs of people in an organization, it is servant-leadership that emphasizes this aspect most, more than any other leadership theory. Servant-leadership theory positions the leader as worker-centered, personal growth-oriented, and focused on providing a sense of purpose. This holistic approach to leadership helps people find an intrinsic satisfaction in their job by emphasizing their sense of work as a calling (Correia de Sousa & Van Dierendonck, 2010). It promotes a sense of community, empowerment, and autonomy. It is, therefore, to be expected that the influence of servant-leadership extends beyond the direct …

Leadership Program Outcomes Study: Essential Elements Of Leadership Trainings Offered To Marginalized Populations, Emily Halbur

Theses and Graduate Projects

ln order to better understand the purpose of and best practices associated with non-profit organizations offering leadership trainings to their constituents, 14 participants from two different organizations were interviewed about their experiences. These organizations work with two unique populations, those with intellectual disabilities and at-risk teens. The individuals interviewed were asked the same questions and their responses were compiled to help find themes within these two leadership trainings. Based on their responses, a list of seven criteria was assembled regarding what makes a leadership training successful from the perspective of the participants. For organizations looking to offer similar programs to …

Creativity And Leadership, Jacl Editors

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.

Optimization Strategies For Successful Ehr Adoption, Erin Faverty

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The healthcare industry is experiencing a shift in care delivery and documentation as the nation moves toward electronic health record adoption (EHR). This project examines the benefits and hurdles to adoption faced within the industry and provides a detailed curriculum guide of strategies, approaches and materials for consultants assisting healthcare organizations in EHR implementation. The recommendations provided by this project are grounded in the theories of organizational culture as presented by Clifford Geertz (1977) and Michael Packanowsky (Griffin 2009, p. 252), as well as insights on the impacts of computer-mediated communication, as discussed by Joseph Walthers (Barrow, 2010). Materials presented …

Emergent Leadership In Virtual Work Teams, Natalie Learned

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This dual method (quantitative and qualitative) study sought to discover the perceptions of leadership in virtual work teams. The ability to communicate among team members, in this environment, becomes increasingly difficult. Specifically, this study analyzed emergent leadership characteristics, as identified by participants, in a virtual work environment. The philosophical framework for this study is based on Boster’s (2006) concept “communication results in social influence.” This study is grounded in the theoretical work of Walther’s (1992) Social Information Processing CMC model, and Graen and Uhl-Bien’s (1995) relationship-based LMX model. The data obtained for this study was achieved through a survey of …

Anchoring Change In Higher Education : Narratives From Senior Executives At Malcolm Baldrige Award-Winning Institutions, Cheryl H. Kisunzu

Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to explore Kotter’s (1996) eighth stage for leading change. Specifically, it is to identify strategies for anchoring planned change in institutions of higher education.

Design. This is a qualitative multiple case study. Each of the participating organizations is an institution of higher education uniquely distinguished as a recipient of the United State’s highest recognition for progressive excellence—the Malcolm Baldrige Award. A narrative design is used to conduct in-depth exploration of leading planned change, specifically anchoring this planned change into the culture of academic institutions of higher learning. Purposeful sampling was used to identify …

The Myth Of Endless Accumulation: A Feminist Inquiry Into Globalization, Growth, And Social Change, Martha Freymann Miser

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This theoretical dissertation examines the concept of growth and its core assumption—that the continual accumulation of wealth is both socially wise and ecologically sustainable. The study challenges and offers alternatives to the myth of endless accumulation, suggesting new directions for leadership and social change. The central question posed in this inquiry: Can we craft a more ethical form of capitalism? To answer this question, the study examines conventional and critical globalization studies; feminist scholarship on standpoint, political economy, and power; and the Enlightenment notions of progress and modernism, drawing on a number of works, including Aristotle on the three intelligences, …

The Shift In Coaching Dynamics During Long-Term Business Coaching Relationships, Axel Meierhoefer

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The focus of this dissertation was on the changes in long-term external business coaching relationships (defined as more than 4 months). The current study intended to answer two questions: (a) how does the relationship between a coach and a coachee change in long-term coaching engagements? and (b) how do these changes impact the coaching process dynamics and results? The phenomenon that was discovered through this research is called the shift moment. It exemplifies the transition from skill or problem oriented issues, which often represent the original cause of the coaching relationship, to the holistic transformation of the coachee. A qualitative …

Stories Of Resistance: Black Women Corporate Executives Opposing Gendered (Everyday) Racism, Cheryl D. Jordan

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

For this research, I explored contemporary resistance strategies that Black women executives in the corporate world use to oppose negative behaviors by others associated with their race and gender. The dissertation reviews scholarship about the major role the convergence of race and gender play in the day-to-day existence of Black women. Historically, negative images and beliefs have influenced the treatment of Black women in society. These same thoughts and images affect Black women executives in today’s workplace. African-American women continue to see limited advancement to senior levels within the corporate organization, even though diversity programs abound. As leaders in the …

Collaboration And Climate Action At The Local Scale, Linda Lyshall

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation encompasses a case study and a Participatory Action Research project. The case study focuses on climate change mitigation activities within King County, Washington and its 39 cities and towns and discusses progress and challenges related to transportation issues, efficiency measures, and sustainability planning. The findings indicate there is a high level of activity in waste reduction, environmental outreach and education, bicycle and pedestrian promotion, tree canopy protection, sustainability policies, and green building. Other categories, such as energy efficiency, electric vehicle infrastructure, and greenhouse gas emission inventories and goal setting are on the rise. Twelve of the cities were …

How Leaders Think: Measuring Cognitive Complexity In Leading Organizational Change, Iva Vurdelja

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The ability to lead complex organizational change is considered the most difficult leadership responsibility. Habitual linear thinking based on sequential procedural decision making is insufficient when responding to ambiguous and unpredictable challenges and interpreting systemic variables in the context of unforeseen problems, risks, and invisible interrelationships. The purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to expand our understanding of the structure of the thinking employed by executive leaders as initiators and enablers of complex, large-scale organizational change. The researcher integrated knowledge of adult cognitive development and organizational leadership to examine the higher forms of reasoning abilities required for dealing …

Revitalization, Reinvigoration And Motivation Of Survivors In Changed, Restructured And Downsized Organizations: A Study Of Leadership Challenges In Local Government, Ronald L. Baza Edd

Dissertations

Over the past two-plus decades, corporate mergers, government consolidations, workforce downsizings and plant closures have increased dramatically; as a consequence, millions of workers around the nation have lost their jobs. Not surprisingly, researchers have begun to focus considerable attention on downsizing, restructuring and revitalization efforts as a means for understanding organizations undergoing major transformation. Although the studies that have been conducted have dealt with a wide range of issues associated with organizational downsizing and restructuring, there is an absence of research examining mid and upper level managers' perceptions of the efficacy of their efforts to revitalize their downsized organizations and, …

Emotion Management In Radical Change: A Preliminary Study Of Earthquake Power Restoration, Taieb Hafsi, Xu Liang, Wenjing Lin, Kangxiong Yu, Li Yan

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This paper studies leaders’ emotion capacity as a strategic response to unexpected radical changes, forced by a social and natural crisis. We propose that empathy is a critical strategic management tool enhancing management effectiveness. We also provide insights of the dynamics between decision making process and emotion management.

Strategic Planning: Contextual Factors That Facilitated And/Or Challenged The Implementation Of Strategic Planning In Two Nonprofit Organizations, Devadhasan Masilamony Phd

Dissertations

As the nonprofit sector continues to grow in size and importance in American society, successful organizations proactively initiate strategic planning so they can be more responsive to changing circumstances, underlying trends, and shifting demands. At times, however, organizations develop elaborate plans that are never implemented. Unfortunately, there is less systematic research about strategic planning in the nonprofit sector than in the for-profit sector and even less research documenting whether or not the plans that get developed in nonprofit organizations actually get implemented. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how strategic planning improves the effectiveness of two nonprofit …

The Role Of Higher Education In Advancing Nurse Practitioners: A Look At The Institutional Decision Calculus Of A Health Sciences University, Debra Jo Johnson Phd

Dissertations

In 2004, professional nursing joined the ranks of other health professions by altering accreditation standards for nurse practitioners, which now mandate that their terminal degree advance beyond the master's degree currently required for the doctor of nursing practice (DNP). This research examines the decision-making process involved in implementing a web-based DNP program in 2008 at a college of graduate nursing embedded in a health sciences university. Findings from two case studies, one of faculty and one of administrators, provide a narrative description of the institution, the decision process, and then describe how institutional and external factors influenced the process. Institutional …

Leadership As Landscaping, Rick Stiffney

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.

The Practice Of Adaptive Leadership: Tools And Tactics For Changing Your Organization And The World [Review] / Heifetz, R., Grashow, A., & Linsky, M., Thomas C. Gyuroka

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.

Learning While Leading: The Andrews University Leadership Program, Duane M. Covrig, Erich Baumgartner

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.

Greenleaf’S Servant-Leadership And Quakerism: A Nexus, Carolyn Crippen

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Two hundred copies of a small thirty-seven page booklet with a bright orange cardstock cover were published in 1970. The author, Robert Kiefner Greenleaf (1904-1990), introduced a paradox in The Servant as Leader (Greenleaf, 1970) and presented a new approach to leadership including followership and service. Today there is an abundance of literature about the concept of leadership in general, and specifically, about particular types of leadership, for instance, contingency leadership (Fielder & Chemers, 1974); moral leadership (Sergiovanni, 1992); distributive leadership (Harris & Muijs, 2005); lateral leadership (Fisher & Sharp, 2004); shared leadership (Pearce & Conger, 2003); and transformational leadership …

Computerized Provider Order Entry Implementation: Provider And Hospital Leadership Impacts On Success, Elizabeth J. Walker

Theses and Graduate Projects

Healthcare organizations are consistently exhausting efforts to improve their patient safety standards and outcomes, especially those that are regulated by federal and state agencies. Many healthcare organizations have chosen to implement an Electronic Health Record (EHR) to facilitate better decision-making and faster tumaround for providers, thus improving patient safety. The EHR allows providers to manage patient care with the help of decision support functions, and with greater accessibility to the patient's information. One of the components of an EHR is the application of Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE). Although the benefits to both providers and patients have shown to be …

Not So Black And White: The Color Of Perception In Corporate Layoffs, Carole A. Isom

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This research addressed the question of whether or not the perception exists that African Americans are disproportionately impacted during layoff periods within corporations. Portraiture was the selected method of inquiry for this research as it captures the experience of the participants and enables storytelling which is based upon perception as opposed to hard, quantitative data. Additionally, portraiture’s autobiographical roots supported my autoethnographic position, encouraging the artistic process while including aesthetic aspects. Portraiture allowed for the voice of the researcher everywhere: in the assumptions, preoccupations, and frameworks brought to the inquiry; in the questions asked; in the data gathered; in the …

An Analysis Of Factors That Influence The Success Of Women Engineering Leaders In Corporate America, Letha Joye Jepson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

"One in 4 women entering the engineering profession leaves after age 30, while only 1 in 10 of their male counterparts does" (Perusek, 2008, p. 20). I was interested in analyzing the factors supporting women engineers’ leadership development and success. My particular focus was on women engineers in corporate environments—the personal characteristics needed for a successful career and the impacts of social support, career development, and the corporate culture on their career progression. The aspects of social support included the factors of family, friends, and significant others and the levels of supports during the woman’s career. The features of corporation …