Digital Commons Network^™

Gratitude As Social Information: How Leader And Follower Gratitude Expressions Influence First-Level Supervisors’ Work Experiences, Meghan E. Kane

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Gratitude is an important other-oriented, moral emotion known to promote individual well-being, strengthen social relationships, and foster positive workplace outcomes. Yet, organizational research has largely focused on gratitude as an individual trait or internal emotional state, with limited attention to its interpersonal signaling functions. Drawing on Emotion as Social Information (EASI) theory, this dissertation conceptualizes gratitude expressions as social cues that shape how others feel, think, and behave in the workplace. Focusing on first-level supervisors, an underexamined yet critical role in organizations, and integrating insights from leadership and followership research, this work examines how the source of gratitude expressions (leader …

The Other Side Of The Glass Cliff, Angela Onwuachi-Willig, Kellye Testy

Faculty Scholarship

First articulated by researchers Michelle K. Ryan and S. Alexander Haslam in 2005, the glass cliff theory posits that individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups in leadership, such as women and people of color, are more likely to obtain executive leadership positions during times of crisis, which means that such leaders take on their roles under conditions where they are more prone to fail. In this Essay, we focus on what we have termed “the other side of the glass cliff”: the intentional steps that women and people of color leaders in the legal academy have taken to build structures that …

Speaking For The Families: Organizational Socialization Of Military Spouses In Volunteer Leader Positions, Virginia Klaus

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Military spouses holding volunteer leadership positions in military unit family readiness groups, provide a link between commanders and families of service members. They act within military organizations as the only official voice of spouses, a stakeholder group recognized as influential in retention rates and force readiness. Despite their importance, military spouses are often portrayed in research as passive members, taking on roles to meet the expectations of their peers and military organizations. That contradicts historical evidence of military spouses as active organizational members who have socialized other spouses, and as family advocates who have challenged military organizational practices and policies. …

Digital Leadership In The Era Of Ai: Present And Emerging Research Topics, Joanna Samul, João Falcão E Cunha

European Management Studies

Purpose: This study explores the development of digital leadership in the context of rapid digital transformation and the expanding role of artificial intelligence. Its primary objective is to synthesize current knowledge on the concept of digital leadership and its core competencies and outline prospective research directions. To achieve this, the paper reviews existing research themes and examines the influence of digital leadership on various employee and organizational outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach: The research employed a systematic literature review, incorporating content analysis of 162 peer-reviewed articles retrieved from two major academic databases: Scopus and Web of Science. This approach enabled a comprehensive …

The Perception Of Leader Identity: The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Interfaith Hospital Chaplains, Zachary C. Wooten, Jocelyn R. Brown

Interdisciplinary Journal of Leadership Studies

This article showcases the results of one research question in a multi-question study, specifically, “How do interfaith hospital chaplains perceive themselves leaders or part of the leadership process?” To answer this question, researchers interviewed ten interfaith hospital chaplains and employed interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). The analysis revealed the participants’ views that interfaith hospital chaplains are part of the leadership processes in hospital systems. A significant opportunity exists for chaplains and the healthcare system at large to engage in a more expansive, interdisciplinary understanding of leadership with the work of healthcare chaplaincy at the center of such discourse. This understanding moves …

Book Review: Growing Women In Ministry: Seven Aspects Of Leadership Development, Beth Ann Fisher, Victoria Blondeau

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

Growing Women in Ministry: Seven Aspects of Leadership Development, by Anna R. Morgan. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2024. 272 pages, $30.

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 …

The Influence Of A Worship And Arts Camp Experience As A Student On Future Worship Leadership: A Case Study, Rhea Marshall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The world began with God’s act of creation, and He made humans in His image, giving them the innate ability to create. The Bible shows many examples of this creativity in people’s lives. Worship arts allow believers to reflect God’s image through artistic expression. The apostle Paul encourages the church to dedicate their bodies as living sacrifices as an act of worship. Worship arts enable individuals to offer their creativity to God through their bodies. Significant progress has been made in how the church develops worship arts ministries. The primary focus has been on how participation influences adult church members. …

Christian Leadership In The Information Age: Has Unlimited Access To Information Influenced Truth, Robert J. Houk

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to understand and explore what influences and effects, if any, may be identified as church leaders interact with congregants that have been exposed to a wide array of information in pursuit of truth obtained from various sources. At this stage in the research, the Information Age is being examined to determine if it has had any influence on the pursuit of truth as people seek answers to life's fundamental questions. Previous research had identified growing changes within young people’s beliefs as they sought higher education thus leading to a decline in enrollment …

Phenomenological Qualitative Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Women With Terminal Degrees Related To The Gender Gap In Education Leadership Roles, Ashley Walker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the gender gap within education leadership for female teachers with terminal degrees within a Midwestern suburban school district and geographically similar educators recruited via Facebook. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy as it explains the relationship between self-efficacy and the choice to pursue professional leadership roles. Using purposeful and snowball sampling, 10 women were selected to participate in this study. Nine women who fit the selection criteria were recruited from the XYZ school district, and one participant was recruited via Facebook. Data were collected through …

Play, Instruct, Lead: Investigating The Influence Observing Same-Gender Role Models Has On Leadership Development Of Collegiate Women Student-Athletes Coaching At Youth Sports Camps: A Phenomenological Study, Mercy-Nora Osei

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe how observing same-gender role models influenced the leadership development of collegiate women student-athletes (CWSA) when coaching at youth sports camps (YSC) at NCAA institution campuses in the United States. The theory that guided this study was Albert Bandura’s theory on social learning, as it explained the relationship between observational learning and the influence role modeling had on leadership development. The central question was: How does observing same-gender role models influence the leadership development of collegiate women student-athletes when coaching at youth sports camps? This study used a transcendental phenomenological design to …

Assessing Leadership In Business: A Critical Investigation Of Michelle Obama, Narineh Gevorkian

Honors Scholar Theses

Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States, has emerged as a powerful figure in politics, social advocacy, and public service. During her time in the White House, she worked on initiatives in education, health, and military family support while inspiring millions of people worldwide through her authenticity and advocacy. What distinguishes Michelle Obama as a leader is how her influence comes not from authority or hierarchy, but from connection, empathy, and moral purpose. This approach allows her to lead with authenticity, motivate others, and address inequalities within communities. As the first African American First Lady in US …

Assessing Leadership In Business: A Critical Investigation Of Lorne Michaels, Emily Laput

Honors Scholar Theses

This thesis critically investigates the leadership effectiveness of Lorne Michaels, the executive producer behind the comedic institution Saturday Night Live (SNL). For nearly half a century, Michaels has cultivated a unique and high-pressure environment credited with launching the careers of numerous comedic actors. Drawing upon Kouzes & Posner's Five Principles of Exemplary Leadership framework and peer-reviewed research, this analysis examines the balance Michaels strikes between fostering innovation and exercising strict control. Ultimately, this thesis aims to provide a nuanced understanding of Lorne Michaels' leadership, assessing its effectiveness within the dynamic and often volatile environment of live television production and …

Reflect: Glmc Building On 10-Years Of Global Leadership Mentoring Experience, Ellen B. Buckner, Tanya F. Lott, Brenda Owusu, Karen Morin, Khalilah M. Mccants

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Sigma members reflect a caring culture to show desired change. Following Sigma’s initiation of Global Regions in 2011, a group of visionary Sigma leaders established the Global Leadership Mentoring Community (GLMC).¹

Purpose: The GLMC mentor-mentee relationships broaden nurses ability to reflect on personal and professional leadership growth. The vision of the GLMC is through successful mentoring, participants will enhance their confidence in their global nursing leadership, gaining greater cultural awareness of the issues challenging professional nursing and be personally enriched. This unique mentoring opportunity has demonstrated that global leadership mentoring can strengthen nurses in all settings and help …

Courage To Lead Translational, Dissemination And Implementation Sciences, Mary A. Dolansky

Biennial Convention (CONV)

This presentation describes the bold foundations of nursing leadership in evidence-based quality improvement and patient safety and points to present and future directions in the field. National initiatives have surged forward to achieve the goal of safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient centered care. The nursing perspective in this rapidly expanding field of translational science is essential to achieve the greatest impact on best practices, strong care systems, and improved population health.

Represent: Glmc Bringing Sigma’S Global Regions Together, Viji George, Dorette Sugg Welk, Juana Mercedes Gutierrez Valverde, Elizabeth Wescott

Biennial Convention (CONV)

As professional nurses and Sigma members, the Global Leadership Mentoring Community (GLMC), with its outreach, connects Sigma’s vast diversity and capability of representing global nurses, a Sigma Call to Action (2023-2025).¹

Purpose: To understand the impact of GLMC on serving as ambassadors of Sigma, coming together through mentoring relationships to build a cross-cultural leadership platform, and seeking collective solutions for global healthcare issues.

Background: Sigma brings nursing expertise across the globe and emphasizes how nurses play key role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDM),² Global nurse leaders impact healthcare and cost-effectiveness on quality, safety, and outcomes.³ Mentorship …

Respect: Glmc Forming Cross Cultural Values And Relationships, Yeow Chye Ng, Kylie Patricia Russell, Intima Alrimawi, Krista A. White, Sylvia Oger Ofosu Dwamena, Jennifer Bail, Beth Tigges, Wendy Sergeant, Maureen P. Lall, Jennifer J. Miller, Miriam Wagoro

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: In leadership, the mentor-mentee relationship fosters professional growth and development. Central to this dynamic is the principle of respect, which serves as the foundation for effective cross-cultural communication, trust, and empowerment.^1,2

Purpose: This paper explores the significance of respect in mentor-mentee interactions within the fifth cohort of the Global Leadership Mentoring Community (GLMC), which spans from 2023 to 2025 and includes participants from six continents across Sigma Theta Tau International’s Global Regions. Through real-life examples, we will illustrate the profound impact of respect on mentoring relationships and leadership development.

Implications: Throughout this program, we have learned that …

Respond: Glmc Investing In Nursing Leadership To Address Global Health Challenges, Elizabeth Rosser, Julie Grady, Sylvia Waweru, Beth Chiatti, Katherine Chike-Harris

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Responding to the global challenges of investing in nursing leadership and the demands of modern nursing care is a key aspect of the Sigma Call to Action.¹ The World Health Organization² and the International Council of Nurses³ both recognize the health, economic, social, and emotional benefits of investing in nursing leadership to the individual, the workforce, and the wider community and, by being more culturally aware,⁴ influence health more widely.⁵ Sigma’s Global Leadership Mentoring Community is one strategy that responds to this challenge.^6,7

Purpose: To present insights into participants’ expectations and short-term achievements …

Collaboration As A Strategy For Member Engagement, Kathryn Keane, Viji George

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Professional organizations which offer members opportunities to collaborate at local, state, national, and international levels promotes member engagement. Proactive leadership strategies improves engagement (George & Massey, 2020). The skills developed through collaboration within professional organizations often translate to enhanced performance in members' workplace settings (Sullivan & Stevenson, 2009). Collaborative efforts guide the development of nurses' professionalism (He et al., 2024). Collaboration fosters deeper connections, boosts participation, and promotes innovation by leveraging diverse perspectives, shared goals, and collective problem-solving. Recent studies highlight that such collaborative efforts improve organizational performance by building trust, accountability, and psychological safety within teams (Scager et …

Recognition As A Strategy For Member Engagement, Brenda Owusu, Jacqueline Thomas

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Member engagement, participation and commitment to professional organization is important to meet organization goals leading to its growth and development. Effective strategies are essential to promote involvement, increase retention, and enhance community among members (Frangieh et al., 2024). One practical approach is recognizing outstanding contributions at the section level within regional chapters. Such initiatives help cultivate a culture of appreciation, motivating members to stay actively involved and contribute further to the organization’s goal. Public acknowledgment of members’ efforts also fosters a sense of belonging and pride, which can lead to increased loyalty and commitment to the organization (Lansing et …

Celebration As A Strategy For Member Engagement, Karis Casseus, Karen Worthy

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Engagement is the foundation for cultivating vibrant and sustainable professional organizations, and Sigma exemplifies this commitment through its robust focus on member involvement. Celebrating organizational events is a strategic mechanism to enhance connections, commemorate achievements, and solidify the shared values that unify members. (Eddy et al., 2021; Sweeney & Wiseman, 2023). Celebratory environments are consistently linked to heightened satisfaction and commitment, driving long-term organizational success (George & Massey, 2020; Reid, 2024). This presentation delves into the transformative impact of planned celebrations and intentional recognition, formal or informal, in fostering member engagement by nurturing a sense of belonging, elevating morale, …

Driving Roi Through Nurse-Led Initiatives: Ebp, Qi, And Research In Action, Devin Carr, Kristiina Hyrkas, Angela Bennett, Emily Calabro, Maddy Hirshan

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Explore the critical role of nurse-led initiatives in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and research. This session highlights how nursing leadership transforms patient outcomes and drives ROI across teams. Discover actionable strategies, real-world case studies, and a live demo of Ovid Synthesis, a platform streamlining EBP and research. Learn how nurse-driven innovation improves care delivery, efficiency, and engagement—empowering nurses as evidence champions.

Financial Barriers Of Emu Nursing Students, Deanna Gower, Melissa Kachaturoff, Meriam Caboral-Stevens

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Student loan debt for undergraduate BSN and Master’s prepared nursing students is growing. Many nursing students take out student loans to pay for their educational expenses. While some students apply for and obtain scholarships and grants, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) School of Nursing (SON) has had scholarships go unutilized during the annual scholarship cycle. Nursing student loan repayment can be a financial burden for nurses and their families. The purpose of the survey was to examine what financial barriers nursing students experience while enrolled at EMU SON. This study was performed utilizing a survey via google forms and data was …

Huddle Up! A Quality Improvement Project To Improve Discharge Length Of Stay, Joshua S. Monsivais

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Prolonged discharge patient encounter length of stay (LOS) in emergency departments (ED) contributes to overcrowding, delayed care, and increased costs. This Quality Improvement (QI) project was initiated at a community, 42-bed Emergency Department that services approximately 75,000 patients annually to address the baseline average discharge LOS of 294 minutes from January 2024 - August 2024. The organizational goal for these discharged patients sits at 165 minutes. The project’s aim was to reduce discharge LOS by implementing structured TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) huddles to enhance communication, optimize patient flow, and improve throughput efficiency.

This …

From Communication To Action: The Impact Of Tiered Safety Huddles, Rachel Ann Moody, Tami Omdahl, Pauline Byom

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The purpose of this presentation is to share our journey of tiered safety huddles in a large academic medical center. This structure enhances staff perception of commitment to safety, promotes open communication, facilitates learning from errors and reinforces leadership support of a safety-focused environment. The nursing implications include improved teamwork, transparency, bidirectional communication, and supporting a culture of safety that engages our frontline staff and leadership.

This initiative, informed by feedback staff surveys and listening sessions, aimed to improve effective communication between staff and leadership. Tiered safety huddles are daily, brief meetings designed to quickly respond to and escalate issues, …

The Heart Of Leadership: What Is The Importance Of Emotional Intelligence In Leadership?, Catherine E. Lee

M.S. in Leadership

Emotional intelligence is a concept that has been gaining traction in recent decades, and organizations have been trying to assess its place within leadership and training. Previous research on this topic has shown the growing importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace, with particular attention to employee retention and satisfaction. By using a mixed methods approach to understand the importance of emotional intelligence (EI), this paper explores the specific components of EI employees look for in an organization and a leader. Using a survey of almost one hundred respondents and six in-depth interviews, EI was determined to have a significant …

Global Advocacy Academy: Preparing Nurses For Engagement At The United Nations And Beyond, Aric Michael Shimek, Janice Evans Hawkins, Sarah E. Gray

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: As global citizens and informed healthcare leaders, nurses are key to addressing global health challenges and are uniquely positioned to advocate for vulnerable populations worldwide. This presentation shares a successful model for preparing nurses with advocacy skills to improve global health outcomes by fostering collaboration among healthcare stakeholders.

Methods: The six-week virtual academy, led by former Liaisons to the United Nations (UN), is designed to equip nurses with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to contribute to good health and well-being for all through global advocacy efforts. Participants gain insights into nursing organization consultative status with the UN, their own …

'The Rest Is Silence': Reframing Stasis As Integral To Creative Practice, Corinna Di Niro, Pablo Muslera

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

This duoethnographic study examines the relationship between motion and stasis in creative practice through the lens of two creative educators working in postgraduate and undergraduate Creative Industries. Drawing on our combined experiences as practitioners and educators at SAE University College, we explore how creative blockages can be reframed as productive rather than problematic, challenging dominant productivity paradigms in contemporary creative industries and education. Through structured dialogic exchange, we investigate three interconnected themes: the rhythmic nature of creative practice, the pedagogical value of embracing productive stasis, and the tension between institutional timelines and creative development. We consider how encouraging SAE creative …

Strategies Leaders Use To Reduce Voluntary Attrition Among Employees With Access To Wellness Programs, Cara Murray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Voluntary employee attrition presents ongoing challenges for organizational leaders, particularly among employees whose workplace needs and preferences are unmet. The problem is that many leaders lack effective strategies to mitigate voluntary attrition, which negatively impacts productivity, morale, and overall organizational performance. Grounded in the job demands–resources model and wellness climate theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to explore strategies leaders used to reduce voluntary employee attrition among employees who have access to workplace wellness programs. The participants were six organizational leaders from mid-sized and public-sector organizations who successfully mitigated voluntary attrition. Data were collected through semistructured …

The Emotional And Personality Intelligence Cohort (Epic) For Steadiness Personality Trait Pastors, Christopher W. Ortego

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Church revitalization is a complex process. The stress it brings can challenge even the most experienced pastor’s spiritual and emotional resilience. Revitalization experts note that revitalization anxiety is especially true for pastors with certain personality traits. One such trait is the DISC personality category of steadiness. Leadership specialists argue that relief from this stress is found through gaining emotional intelligence. The purpose of this DMIN action research project was to teach emotional intelligence to eight to ten pastors with the steadiness personality. The training was delivered in a six-session, two-day retreat format. It introduced the participants to the concept of …