Digital Commons Network^™

Ethically Grounded Charismatic Leadership, Jiaxing Wu

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Charisma has long been praised as one of the best features that a leader could have to not only successfully inspire their employees but also be able to transform an organization through a shared vision. Although it has been widely regarded as a favorable leadership quality, prior research has also not fully explored the ethical foundations that determine whether its influence produces beneficial or destructive outcomes. With that duality in mind, this paper aims to conduct a literature review to examine the potential ethical issues within charismatic leadership theory moderated by the effect of ethical leadership. Drawing from the existing …

Utilizing Research Narratives To Advance Systems Thinking In Doctoral Education, Ryan Charles Weber, Kathleen Teresa Scott

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

This study examines how narrative storytelling functions as a pedagogical mechanism for advancing systems thinking in doctoral education. Drawing on a qualitative narrative synthesis of publicly available scholarly literature, the analysis explores how narrative practices support sensemaking, complexity integration, and collaborative learning among doctoral students. Grounded in Senge’s (2006) learning organization framework, the study investigates how storytelling contributes to the development of mental models, shared vision, personal mastery, and team learning in advanced academic contexts. Findings indicate that narrative engagement enhances cognitive integration, deepens understanding of systemic interdependence, and strengthens collaborative discourse among emerging scholars. The study extends leadership and …

More Than A Seat At The Table: Examining How Psychological Safety, Identity Representation, And Leadership Accountability Impact African American Women In Global Workplace Environments, Shelbi Chandler

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of African American women working in corporate technology environments, with particular attention to psychological safety, representation, and systemic barriers to advancement. Despite increased organizational commitments to equity and inclusion, research continues to demonstrate that Black women encounter persistent intersectional barriers shaped by race and gender within professional settings (Erskine et al., 2021; Field et al., 2023; Roberson, 2019). Guided by Du Bois’s (2008) theory of double consciousness, Goosby Smith’s (2014a) Ubuntic inclusion framework, and appreciative inquiry (AI; Cooperrider & Whitney, 2005), this study explored how African American women interpret, navigate, and respond …

Abc Pharmaceutical Company Change Model: Implementing J.P. Kotter's 8-Step And Adkar Change Models For Ethical Alignment, Shelbi B. Chandler, Amalfi Gayosso, Alison Lawton, Ali Holness-Roland

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

In this paper, we use the pseudonym ABC Pharmaceuticals (ABC) to refer to the company under examination, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). ABC Pharmaceutical (ABC) must assess, adapt, and change to ensure regulatory compliance, maintain and attract employees, and remain competitive. ABC has a history of erroneous practices and is at risk internally with employees, and externally with regulators and the public sectors. The authors applied J.P. Kotter’s (1996) 8-step and the ADKAR (Hiatt, 2006) models for change management. J.P. Kotter’s top-down model addresses leadership’s role in creating a compelling vision aligned with its actions, and the ADKAR bottom-up model assesses employees’ readiness …

Exploring Adaptive University President Narratives To Generate Growth And Sustainability, Ryan Charles Weber

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study explores how university presidents leverage adaptive leadership principles and learning organization frameworks to generate institutional growth and sustainability in higher education. Through analysis of presidential narratives, the research examines the intersection of Heifetz et al.’s (2009) adaptive leadership theory and Senge’s (2006) five disciplines of learning organizations, revealing patterns in leadership communication that drive change. The study analyzed narratives from eight university presidents who demonstrated success through their institutions’ minimum 30% endowment growth over five years. Using thematic analysis and frequency counts, the research identified 198 references to learning organization disciplines, 90 adaptive leadership phases, and 100 …

Either At The Table Or On The Menu: Strategies For Enabling Practitioner-Led Policy Co-Creation In Education Systems, Robert Reyes

Theses and Dissertations

Demands for educational transformation present unparalleled challenges for practitioners, as successive reform initiatives often exclude their voices and discount their expertise. Despite empirical evidence recognizing educators as key agents of change, systemic barriers continue to hinder their participation in policy-centered decision making. This study underscores the urgent need for education systems to invest in practitioner capacity-building, structural enablement, and cross-sector collaboration to create a more equitable and responsive future for education governance. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed to explore how best to prepare and enable PK-12 practitioners to co-create education policy at the state level, aiming to empower them …

When Purpose Isn’T Enough: Adapting For-Profit Retention Practices To Support Early-Career Professionals In Youth- Serving Nonprofits, Brittany Erway Soto

Theses and Dissertations

This comparative qualitative study explored how nonprofit and for-profit organizations approach the retention and development of early-career professionals aged 18 to 25. Drawing on Jay Galbraith’s (1995) STAR model of organizational design—encompassing strategy, structure, process, people, and rewards—the study investigated what practices are currently in place and which strategies nonprofits might adopt from for-profit organizations to improve employee engagement and retention. Data were collected through 10 semi-structured interviews with senior leaders from five large, youth-serving nonprofit organizations and five for-profit companies with strong employee retention reputations. The findings revealed six core differences between sectors, with for-profit organizations demonstrating more consistent …

Practitioner Perspectives On Barriers And Opportunities Shaping Contemporary Dei, Carlen Arima

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the lived experiences of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioners to understand the barriers and opportunities shaping their work in the current landscape. The study identified conditions for success, including two organizational conditions (authentic leadership commitment and strategic business alignment), three practitioner-driven strategies (human resource operations and systemic integration, use of data and metrics, and adaptive framing to increase adoption), and three persistent barriers (leadership support without operational follow-through, funding and time constraints, and structural marginalization of DEI). A central finding revealed that leadership commitment was both the most cited enabler of success and, when lacking operational …

Organizational Culture Formation In Early-Stage, Mission-Driven Ventures, Janezee Bond

Theses and Dissertations

This research seeks to understand how organization culture is formed in early-stage nonprofit, mission-driven, and purpose driven organizations. Growth stage was determined by looking at Flamholtz and Randl’s “Growing Pains” stages of organizational growth and Cameron & Quinn’s Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) was utilized to identify the current organizational culture type. The research focused on the insights and experiences of founders of early-stage companies (defined as having been founded in the past 15 years). The research revealed that founders are integral in culture creation through their roles and especially through role modeling in the early stages. Additionally, one significant …

Teacher Stress, Well-Being, And Adaptation To Innovation, Amanda Leanore Pelloth

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers face many sources of stress; however, a consistent source is prompted by the need to cope with change as districts adapt to shifting paradigms. This study intended to fill Rogers’ (2003) KAP gap and the failure of innovations by infusing the study of well-being and emotion into the narrative by incorporating the transactional relationship between technostress and implementation efforts into the technochange process. The study investigated teachers’ cognitive appraisals of technochange (primary appraisal) and their adaptational coping processes (secondary appraisal) to understand how implementation impacts teachers’ well-being and their adaptive processes. A parallel convergent mixed methods approach with an …

'No Girl-On Girl Crime': A Qualitative Interview Study Of How Older Women In The Police Force Experience Competition, Social Support, And Discrimination, Bridget Graham

Theses and Dissertations

Law enforcement remains a male-dominated field in which women continually have to prove they belong. As women achieve recognition and move into high-ranking roles in law enforcement, they encounter unique forms of discrimination and social support opportunities that are shaped by their years of experience. To better understand the unique lived experiences of aging women in the context of the police force, this thesis conducted qualitative interviews with women in their fifties who have achieved success as police officers. Semi-structured interviews with six aging adult women within law enforcement were conducted. The interviews included questions related to the evolution of …

Effective Onboarding For C-Suites, Ming Hwee Low

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research explored what constituted effective onboarding for C-suite leaders, particularly CEOs and their direct reports, to support their rapid integration and effectiveness within organizations. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 10 C-suite leaders across multiple sectors, the study aimed to contribute to the fields of organizational development and leadership development by identifying key onboarding practices that facilitate a new leader’s success. The research employed a grounded theory approach, coding and analyzing quotes from participants to derive central themes. Findings indicated that effective onboarding at the C-suite level extended beyond the initial weeks of orientation. Participants emphasized the need for …

The Inner Emotional Landscape Of Nascent Od Entrepreneurs: A Qualitative Study Of Women Founders, Jordan Alexandra Davies

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the inner emotional landscape of nascent female entrepreneurs in the field of Organization Development (OD), illuminating the paradoxes they encounter as they build values-based businesses in a field that socializes deep personal alignment. Through semi-structured interviews with 10 founders of boutique OD firms, the research surfaced tensions between authenticity and performance, empowerment and dependency, coherence, and emotional dissonance. The findings suggest that becoming an OD entrepreneur involves working through paradox, not erasing it. In doing so, the study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of emotional labor, legitimacy, and the quiet cost of performing congruence in a …

Impacts Of Artificial Intelligence On The Human Workforce, Dwayne A. Henry

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored how artificial intelligence (AI) implementation was experienced by employees across organizations with varying levels of AI maturity. Drawing from semi-structured interviews with fifteen professionals across twelve organizations, including technology firms, government agencies, and healthcare providers, the research examined perceptions of AI's impact on daily work, role evolution, organizational culture, and employee learning. Thematic analysis revealed seven major themes: trust and transparency in AI, productivity and job security, training and learning support, organizational culture, customer-centric use of AI, ethical and environmental concerns, and evolving roles. While participants recognized AI’s potential to enhance efficiency and innovation, they also …

Analysis Of Dual Roles: Work-Life Balance Experiences Of Female Professors And Mothers In California, Lu Liang

Theses and Dissertations

The study aims to discover and understand the work-life balance experience of mothers who are also professors working in higher education institutions in California. The research reveals the unique challenges, needs, and motivations to manage work and family responsibilities. The literature review indicates that mother professors encounter conflicts of roles and responsibilities from academic work and domestic duties. Moreover, mother professors experience persistent gender disparity and systemic barriers as an underrepresented group in academia, hindering their personal and professional advancements. This qualitative study utilizes quantitative ethnography (QE), an incorporated research methodology to examine mother professors’ work-life balance experience. Additionally, the …

Ai For The Common Good: Exploring Global Nonprofit Framing Of Artificial Intelligence, Kathleen Teresa Scott

Theses and Dissertations

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes nearly every sector, global nonprofits face a distinct challenge: embracing innovation without compromising their core missions. This study investigated how three leading nonprofit organizations--the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Brookings Institution, and the Center for Creative Leadership--publicly framed their AI implementation approaches between 2018 and 2025. These organizations span the fields of humanitarian aid, policy research, and leadership development, offering a cross-sector perspective on how mission-driven institutions navigate technological transformation.Using a mixed-methods document analysis, this research examined both internal implementation narratives and outward-facing thought leadership. Findings revealed that while all three organizations …

How Does Organization Growth Affect The Organization’S Culture, Megan Howe

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand how organization growth affects the organization’s culture. Culture was generally defined as the behavioral norms and ways of working at an organization. Following interviews with 28 people in an organization that had been growing and was expecting to grow further, the results of the study suggested that organization growth did not have a noticeable impact on culture. Instead, the data suggest that the longer a person is a part of a culture, the more opportunity there is to see evolution or how things like growth, the passing of time, generational differences, and …

An Exploration Of Compassion Fatigue In Organization Development Practitioners, Ciara Henschke

Theses and Dissertations

Compassion fatigue is well-documented in helping professions but remains underexplored in the field of organization development (OD). This qualitative study examines the contributing factors, manifestations, and mitigation strategies of compassion fatigue among OD practitioners. Findings from interviews with experienced practitioners reveal that leadership dysfunction, large-scale change, role-based emotional labor, and personal vulnerability contribute to fatigue. Manifestations span emotional, cognitive, physical, and relational domains, sometimes spilling into practitioners’ personal lives and diminishing professional effectiveness. Common coping strategies include physical regulation, boundary-setting, peer support, and reframing — similar to those in other helping fields, yet uniquely adapted in the absence of formal …

Refining Albert O. Hirschman’S Model: High-Performance Employee Covert Behavior Toward Organizational Identity Change, Lisa Christine Bahar

Theses and Dissertations

This explanatory single case study revisited economist and philosopher Albert O. Hirschman’s (1970) exit, voice, and loyalty (EVL) model to explore two covert scenarios, which included how and why a high-performance employee stays silent and turns to apathy and neglect amid organizational identity change. A case study focused on Elon Musk’s Twitter, Inc. takeover was selected with a cross-case analysis procedure for validation and reliability. The unit of analysis was one high-performance employee and one organization that both served as an archetype for each unit. The study focused on occurrences before and during the takeover from June 2019 through July …

Consumer Satisfaction & Complaint Resolution In The Los Angeles Home Improvement Industry, Aimee Joy

Theses and Dissertations

Home has many layers of meaning as does the term, home improvement. The first and most common way of thinking about home is the structure in which we reside. For decades the American dream has involved home ownership. It is important to understand both the emotional and financial value of having a shelter and structure to call home. Losing this can be one of the most stressful events in life. The fires in Los Angeles County during the beginning of 2025 impacted thousands of people. Individuals, families, and communities were disrupted and forced to rebuild as well as reconsider what …

Culturally Specific Interventions And Indigenous Practices In Correctional And Forensic Settings: A Systematic Review, Jordyne James

Theses and Dissertations

While professional guidelines, legislation and research emphasize the importance of adapting treatment approaches to patient characteristics and culture (American Psychological Association [APA], 2021, 2019; Correctional Service of Canada [CSC], 2013; Canadian Psychological Association [CPA], 2017; Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association [CCPA], 2021), psychological and forensic research and practice related to culturally specific programming lags behind expectations to meet the needs of ethnically diverse clients. Given the continued overrepresentation of minorities within forensic institutions (Aguiar, 2020; Carter & Forsyth, 2007; Hanser & Gomila, 2015; Leguizamo et al., 2018), this systematic review aimed to raise awareness of culturally-specific interventions and Indigenous practices …

Assessing The “Plateaus” Vertical Development Model With A New Likert Scale Instrument, Mark Divine

Theses and Dissertations

This research project will focus on the assessment of the Five Plateaus (Plateaus) vertical leadership development model with a newly constructed Likert Scale instrument. Part one of the research project was a pilot study to create a simple, internet-based instrument. The scale, comprised of 100 questions and completed in 30 minutes, assesses participants' self- perceived stage of development as presented in the Plateaus vertical development model. The instrument was designed to capture the experience of participants and to overcome limitations of existing assessments by mitigating the subjectivity of sentence completion instruments, as well as to enhance efficiency and reliability. The …

Leading Organizational Learning Through Stories In U.S. “Big Technology” Companies, Stephanie R. Voss

Theses and Dissertations

Storytelling is becoming increasingly influential across various domains, particularly in executive education and leadership development, where it plays a crucial role in the concept of leadership as performance (Gonzalez & Chakraborty, 2012). Storytelling in the classroom setting provides an opportunity for learners to embed elements of narrative and identity in classroom pedagogy (Edwards et al., 2013). In the professional context, employees construct meaning in their workplace by hearing and/or participating in stories (Echeverria et al., 2017).

This qualitative exploratory study investigates the influence of storytelling in driving organizational learning. The research focuses on the U.S. Big Technology (Tech) sector, home …

Cultivating Ethical Leadership In Middle Management: A Qualitative Study Of Formative Experience And Organizational Support, Cha Vang

Theses and Dissertations

Why is ethical leadership foundational for middle managers, especially in complex organizational settings? This study investigates the foundational factors that shape how ethical leadership emerges among middle managers. Through a qualitative phenomenological approach, cross-sector interviews revealed that ethical leadership is not defined by position but is shaped by identity, relational support, and experiential growth. Middle managers act as ethical interpreters, translating organizational values into action where ambiguity and pressure are highest. It is imperative that middle-management leadership cultivation is grounded in identity awareness, relational accountability, and intentional development, minimizing dysfunction and strengthening ethical resilience in complex organizational systems.

The Impact Of Decision-Making Autonomy, Sense Of Shared Identity, And Communications Strategy On Resource Retention Post-Merger And Acquisition, Randeep Rajwant Kaur

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the impact of decision-making autonomy, a sense of shared identity, and communication strategy on resource retention following mergers and acquisitions. Grounded in organizational development literature, the study examines employee experiences during post-integration periods. Using a qualitative methodology, ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees who remained with their organizations for at least twelve months following a merger or acquisition. The research utilizes thematic analysis to explore how autonomy constraints, leadership engagement, transparent communication, and cultural alignment influence retention decisions. The participant sample spans diverse industries such as software, healthcare, financial services, and others, with roles ranging from …

Maintaining The Magic: Utilizing Strategies For Change, Katherine B. Reyes, Angelique Vansky, Curtis Isozaki, Christian Peralta

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

This study analyzes "Rides and Foodie Inc.," with pseudonyms used for confidentiality: Ivan for the CEO and Daniel for the Founder. It examines internal and external factors impacting the company, highlighting challenges such as executive training, racial justice, and policy reform. Utilizing Kotter's 8-Step Model and the McKinsey 7-S Framework, the paper presents a comprehensive strategy for organizational change and proposes an evaluation model to assess the success of these changes.

Rides and Foodie Inc., a $155 billion enterprise, faces significant competition and evolving consumer preferences. Recent restructuring into three divisions led to layoffs and potential power imbalances. The company …

Organizational Challenges: The Impact Of Role Clarity On Burnout In A Technology Division, Jessica Arriaza

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Organizations grapple with significant challenges such as burnout, turnover, and low job satisfaction. Studies indicate that emotional exhaustion, influenced by job demands and available resources, significantly impacts job performance positively or negatively. This quantitative study uses secondary data from the Work, Family, and Health Study to investigate the relationship between role clarity and burnout within Tomo, the technology division of a Fortune 500 company in the United States. The findings reveal a significant inverse correlation between role clarity and burnout, with participants reporting "Never" experiencing burnout more likely to have well-defined roles. Supported by chi-square and linear regression analyses, these …

Closing The Gap: A Literature Review Of Gender Disparities In Higher Education, Morgan Purdy

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Relationship Intelligence On Team-Based Practice: An Application For The Private Sector In Mainland China, Dan Li, Michael Patterson

All Faculty Open Access Publications

This article aims to examine the impact of developing and applying relationship intelligence in team-based practice to provide a clear understanding of the role relationship intelligence plays in team productivity in mainland China. Relationship intelligence, a component of emotional intelligence, focuses on interpersonal interactions that are crucial in team-building but receives less attention. Exploratory qualitative research was undertaken, with emotional intelligence as the theoretical framework and the input-process-output criteria indicating group effectiveness. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews with managers and staff of the private sector based in mainland China after utilizing the Strengths Deployment Inventory 2.0 as a …

Realizing The Sustainability Of Portfolio Assessment In Second-Language Writing, Pauline Mak, Kevin M. Wong

Education Division Scholarship

Portfolio assessment, as an alternative writing assessment approach, has received growing attention in the past few decades. Although the benefits of portfolio assessment are well validated, there is a dearth of empirical research on how portfolio assessment can be sustained over time and the support teachers need to sustain portfolio assessment practice in their teaching contexts. To fill this significant void, the present study examines the influences that contribute to the sustainability of portfolio assessment in second-language writing. Drawing on data from interviews with the principal, English department chair and four English teachers from one elementary school in Hong Kong, …