Leadership Studies Commons^™

In Defense Of Space Offense, Alexander R. Kleitz

Space and Defense

This article argues that in the unique physical and operational environment of outer space, offensive operations hold intrinsic advantages over defensive ones. Drawing upon classical military theorists such as Clausewitz and Corbett, the author contends that the traditional dominance of the defensive form of war—rooted in terrestrial conditions—does not extend to celestial conflict. The transparency and remoteness of the space domain neutralize key defensive benefits, such as proximity to supply bases, concealment, and fortified positions, while also diminishing the factors that typically cause terrestrial offensives to culminate. Consequently, space conflict favors the side that seizes and maintains the initiative through …

Raising Public Awareness On Space Themes: Analysis Of Brazilian Space Policy Using Data From Google Trends, Andrea Felippe Cabello, Michele Melo

Space and Defense

This study examines whether Brazil’s national space policy goal of increasing public awareness of space activities has been met, using Google Trends data as a proxy for public interest. While public perception surveys are scarce outside the United States, web-based data provide a cost-effective and timely alternative for gauging public engagement. The authors analyzed two decades (2004–2024) of Brazilian search activity related to space topics, institutions, technologies, companies, and missions. Results show no clear upward trend in public interest, suggesting that Brazil’s stated policy objectives of raising awareness have not yet translated into measurable outcomes. Although searches related to government …

Costly Signals In Space: Increasing Credibility Via Strategic Disclosure, Wendy N. Whitman Cobb

Space and Defense

As space becomes an increasingly vital domain for national security, debates persist about how much secrecy should surround U.S. military space programs. This article argues that the strategic declassification and disclosure of selected space capabilities can strengthen U.S. deterrence by enhancing the credibility of deterrent threats. Drawing from theories of costly signaling and audience costs, the paper introduces strategic disclosure as a novel form of costly signal. Such disclosure imposes bureaucratic and operational costs while exposing capabilities to potential adversary countermeasures—thereby demonstrating resolve and seriousness of intent. In tandem, greater public transparency about space programs cultivates informed domestic audiences capable …

Space And Defense Vol. 16 No. 2 Editor's Note, Damon Coletta

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Space And Defense Vol. 16 No. 2 Table Of Contents, Editors Space And Defense

Space and Defense

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Space And Defense Vol. 16 No. 2 Front Matter, Editors Space And Defense

Space and Defense

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Space & Defense Volume 16 Issue 2 Fall 2025 (Whole Issue), Editors Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Perception Map As A Tool For Program Evaluation, Marlene K. Rebori

Journal of Extension

Perception maps can be powerful tools for visually sharing and conveying program information with the general public and decision makers. A perception map is a common visual data tool used in the marketing and economics discipline, but not commonly used in Extension. A framework for developing a perception map and a step-by-step process for setting up evaluation metrics to create a perception map is provided using an example from a community leadership development program.

Of Rollercoasters And Resilience: The Role Of Ceos’ Biases And Heuristics For Large Firms’ Technological Innovation, Cristina O. Vlas, Radu E. Vlas

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

How do CEOs’ personality biases and motivational heuristics influence innovation in large firms? Because large-firm innovation is more common and less risky, overlooked factors—such as narcissism, self-monitoring, and promotion or prevention foci—become pivotal. Drawing on these traits, we found that narcissistic CEOs differ from self-monitoring CEOs in driving innovation. Moreover, the effect of self-monitoring CEOs depends on whether their regulatory focus is oriented toward promotion or prevention. However, this interplay between personality and motivation does not apply to narcissistic CEOs, suggesting that certain characteristics remain relatively fixed. These findings advance the understanding of how CEO traits shape large-firm innovation and …

The Impact Of Follower Conscientiousness On Leader-Member Exchange Quality: Exploring The Moderating Role Of Work Environment, H. A. Eliason

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Effective leadership is a vital component of an organization’s viability and competitive edge in today’s complex and dynamic environments. Leadership is not a one-directional act but instead a reciprocal process that shapes both individual experiences and organizational outcomes. Despite recognition of this reciprocal nature, a gap remains in understanding how specific contextual factors, such as individual personality traits or work environment, affect the quality of leader-member exchanges. At the same time, workplace relationships are undergoing momentous change and transformation as organizations shift between traditional, hybrid, and remote models in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the influence …

The Influence Of Leadership Development On Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Moderated By Leader-Member Exchange, Christopher Houston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research study addressed the problem of lacking leadership development in the higher education industry and the reduction of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Increasing demands on higher education resulted in a need for improved leadership acumen across the industry, but inefficient and lacking development persists. This study evaluated a regional higher education institution of higher education in the Southwest to better understand how specific leadership development opportunities relate to organizational behavior. The research utilized the 24-item OCB survey and the LMX-7 survey to capture participant responses in combination with different leadership development participation responses. The findings indicated that while leadership …

Ancient Astronaut Theory And Christian Belief Among Evangelical Millennials: A Quantitative Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study, Richard Barry Bazzell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, exploratory, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was to explore the possible influence of the Ancient Astronaut Theory upon Evangelical Christian millennials in the aspects of their biblical worldview, belief in the triune God, and Christian praxis. The researcher structured the study upon four pillars: (a) Evangelical millennials, (b) Evangelical theology, (c) Lev Vygotsky’s social constructivism, and (d) Eric Von Däniken’s Ancient Astronaut Theory. The study population was Evangelical millennials in the state of Texas. The study’s instrumentation was a researcher-designed 5-point Likert scale survey titled Ancient Astronaut Theory–Evangelical Christian Millennials (AAT–ECM). Because the respondents were fewer in …

Promoting Leadership To Enhance Safety In Aircraft Maintenance: A Phenomenological Study Of Aviation Technical Operations, Komi Tete

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how leadership styles affect the safety practices and overall performance of aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs) in aviation Technical Operations (TechOps) environments. The study built on previous research indicating that safe and efficient aircraft operations depend on numerous technical and social processes. It focused on the comprehensive lived experiences of AMTs as they related to leadership influence on safety. The transformational leadership theory and safety culture theory guided the study, aligning with the inquiry by explaining how leaders could influence the behavior, motivation, and safety practices of AMTs. Ensuring the safety …

Conflict Clarity: How To Teach Students To Turn Disputes Into Growth Opportunities, Eileen Paige Petzold-Bradley

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Conflict is an unavoidable part of learning and working in today’s fast-changing industries. Faculty often observe students struggling with teamwork, communication breakdowns, and emotional self-management during group projects or internships. This session equips educators with practical strategies to help students build durable skills—conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness—that translate directly into professional success.

Drawing on research in conflict management, leadership, and organizational psychology, participants will explore the “Conflict Clarity” framework: a set of teaching tools, reflection prompts, and case scenarios designed for classroom use across disciplines. Faculty will learn how to integrate conflict styles, the CLEAR conversation framework, and role-play …

Program Transition Success: A Practical Guide For Educators Moving Sbae Programs, Evey Choat

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

What tools, strategies, and support systems can help agriculture educators navigate leadership transitions and sustain program success when moving between schools or communities? Teacher mobility and leadership transitions within School-Based Agricultural Education (SBAE) present unique challenges to program continuity, community relations, and professional sustainability. Unlike other subject areas, SBAE teachers often manage multifaceted responsibilities—as classroom instructors, FFA advisors, and community liaisons—making transitions between programs especially complex. This project addresses the lack of structured support for educators navigating these transitions by developing a Program Transition Guide specifically tailored to the needs of agricultural educators in Nebraska.

Guided by Transformational Leadership Theory …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Investigating The Glass Cliff Phenomenon In Ncaa Division I Women’S Basketball, Nicholas Swim, Adam R Cocco, Meg Hancock, Nick Kopka

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

In 2022-2023, across all Division I women's college sports teams, women only held 42% of all head coaching positions. Women's college basketball represents one of the outlier sports, as almost 70% of their head coaches for NCAA Division I women's basketball teams were women. While women head coaches are well represented in women's college basketball, Gerretsen et al. (2023) suggest inconsistencies exist in past experience, tenure length, and gender perceptions in women's college basketball hiring practices. This study further aimed to investigate these inconsistencies utilizing role congruity theory and the glass cliff phenomenon. To investigate, the researchers collected data on …

Structure, Agency, And Culture: Examining The Influence Of Organizational Culture In Succession Planning In Higher Education Institutions, Ferdinand Luneta Rellorosa

Lily Gokongwei Ngochua Leadership Academy

Structure, Agency, and Culture: Examining the Influence of Organizational Culture in Succession Planning in Higher Education Institutions Conference: The Asian Conference on Education (ACE2025) Title: Structure, Agency, and Culture: Examining the Influence of Organizational Culture in Succession Planning in Higher Education Institutions Submission Number: 96492 Date Submitted: May 22, 2025 Stream: Educational Policy, Leadership, Management & Administration Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Current Status: Accepted Authors: Ferdinand Rellorosa, Ateneo De Manila University, Philippines Abstract: Succession planning (SP) is vital for leadership continuity and institutional sustainability (Ahmad et al., 2020; Rothwell, 2005). While largely studied in corporate settings, its application in higher …

Investment In Implementation: A Phenomenological Study Of Principals’ Curriculum Leadership And Emotional Competence, Melissa Van Straten

Educational Leadership & Administration Dissertations and Theses

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how elementary principals led the implementation of a newly adopted core literacy curriculum and how they perceived their emotional competence in this role. Grounded in implementation science (see D. L. Fixsen et al., 2010), the transtheoretical model (see Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982), and emotional intelligence (see Goleman et al., 2001), the study examined both the leadership approaches and emotional competencies principals relied on when leading curriculum implementation in their schools. Semi-structured interviews with 10 elementary principals revealed four key areas of leadership investment: investment in self, investment in people, investment in visibility, and investment in …

Femtoring Book Club: Turning Pages, Uplifting Latinas, Heather A. Hathaway Miranda

Gatherings

Amid the social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, I initiated Learn, Laugh, Lead, and Self-Love, a virtual femtoring program designed for Latina women aged 19 to 25. This weekly space incorporated interactive elements such as icebreakers, creative responses to visual art, and intentional community-building practices to cultivate trust and solidarity. After one year, the virtual gatherings transitioned into a monthly femtoring book club for women of color, launching with The Four Agreements and centering themes of gratitude, affirmation, and the reflective practice of sharing tunas and espinas© (joys and challenges). Drawing on my prior participation and support of an in-person …

Skill Evolution In The Age Of Ai-Utilizing Text Analytics For Skill Gap Analysis To Prepare Women For Leadership Roles, Blenda G. Mutuma, Marcelline Ouma, Beth Kanyiri

Communications of the IIMA

ABSTRACT
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the global workforce, presenting both opportunities and challenges for leadership development, particularly for women. As AI automates routine tasks and redefines skill requirements, there is a growing demand for uniquely human capabilities such as emotional intelligence, creativity, and strategic thinking, qualities that are inherently strong and often highly associated with women. Research indicates that women typically score higher in emotional intelligence, particularly in areas such as empathy and relationship management, which are critical for effective leadership (Goleman, 2020). Furthermore, studies by McKinsey & Company (2022) highlight that gender-diverse leadership teams, …

Staying Connected To The Vine As A Means Of Leading Worship In A Christ-Like Manner, Paul Edward Bryant

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With a society focused on performance-driven worship, most worship leaders today have difficulty maintaining a God-focused, Christ-centered, and Spirit-filled worship experience during worship services. Worship leaders are having difficulty leading worship because they do not follow Christ daily to produce fruit that will help the leader effectively lead worship that honors God. This qualitative research explores the Bible, explicitly using John 15:1-11, Galatians 5:22-23, and 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 as the foundation for the worship leader to remain in Christ to produce the fruit of the Spirit and lead with Godly wisdom and understanding. Worship and leadership textbooks and dissertations covering …

Police Officers’ Perception Of The Anti-Police Movement And How That Affects Officer Retention In Minnesota, Kimberly Wood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research aims to investigate the perceived mass exodus of police officer departures alongside police officer retention rates throughout Minnesota. The study investigates whether high-profile police officer prosecutions together with national news incidents directly cause police officers to leave their jobs along with the Ferguson Effect taking place. The profession of policing has become more challenging and dangerous for its practitioners. The combination of recruitment challenges and increased assaults on police officers without punishment for perpetrators and elevated arrest resistance from suspects has led to the perceived mass exodus of police officers. The number of officer shootings and assaults combined …

Building Stability Through Compassion: A Study Of City Gates Ministries’ Impact On Homelessness And Resource Distribution, Bryan Christopher Pruitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation-in-Praxis focused on how City Gates Ministries, a nonprofit organization in Thurston County, Washington, improved its support for individuals and families facing homelessness and poverty by refining its operational systems. The initiative aimed to strengthen donation intake, inventory management, and furniture delivery, which had previously strained resources and hindered organizational consistency. Guided by biblical leadership principles, the project introduced cost-effective solutions like a barcode-based digital inventory system, color-coded signage, and modular volunteer training sessions. Outcomes included a 30% reduction in inventory duplication errors, a nearly 45% decrease in retrieval times for high-demand items, and a decrease in misplaced inventory …

Relational Realities Of Readiness: What Managers Wish Colleges Knew About Business Communication, Karen Mccullough, Laura N. Miller

Applied Business Faculty Publications

This grounded theory study, informed by Communication Accommodation Theory, explores how frontline managers (n = 11) support early-career employees’ communication development. Findings identify three support strategies—structured scaffolding, adaptive leadership, and onboarding for cultural fit—and suggest colleges emphasize verbal and intercultural communication, applied learning, and professional presence. These insights reframe communication readiness as a relational process shaped by emotion, power, and organizational norms. The study calls for stronger collaboration between higher education and employers.

9th Gsep Research Symposium - 2025

GSEP Research Symposium

The Ninth Annual GSEP Research Symposium, themed "Building Bridges to Elevate Humanity: Innovations and Insights in Education and Psychology", was hosted by the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) on June 19–20, 2025, at the historic Château d’Hauteville in Switzerland and virtually via Zoom.

This hybrid symposium convened a vibrant global community of students, alumni, faculty, and scholars to share research that addresses real-world challenges, advances scholarly inquiry, and builds pathways for inclusive collaboration and leadership. Spanning a wide array of topics—from artificial intelligence and mental health to trauma-informed practices, educational equity, social justice, and cross-cultural leadership—the …

Scientific Authority In The Public Sphere: The Heroic Legacies Of Carl Sagan And Philip Zimbardo, Scott T. Allison

Heroism Science

This article examines the parallel trajectories of Carl Sagan and Philip Zimbardo as scientists who assumed the role of public intellectuals. Their careers highlighted the tensions and opportunities inherent in bridging scholarly research and public engagement. Sagan, an astronomer, popularized the cosmic perspective to promote planetary stewardship, while Zimbardo, a social psychologist, used compelling methodologies to explore the psychological underpinnings of cruelty and heroism. Both were, in their own ways, heroic in their commitment to making science accessible, employing storytelling and mass media to render complex concepts understandable and relevant, thereby expanding the societal relevance of their disciplines. However, their …

When Logics Collide: How Private Firms In Ghana Can Manage The Relationship Between Commercial And Employee Logics To Help Drive Organizational Excellence, Gillian R. Hammah

Engaged Management ReView

This study investigates the dynamic relationship between commercial and employee logics in the context of Ghanaian private sector organizations striving for excellence. The research acknowledges the unique geographical context’s influence on institutional logics and aims to contribute an additional dimension to the institutional logics perspective. Ghanaian organizations, like many across Africa, struggle to effectively manage the divergent and potentially conflicting demands between the firm’s commercial goals (commercial logic) and employee interests (employee logic) in pursuit of organizational excellence. However, when they are addressed together (as complementary logics), these logics serve as key drivers of organizational excellence. This study employs a …

Navigating Leadership: A Qualitative Exploration Of Challenges And Coping Strategies For Women In Sport Management Education, Rachel Silverman, Shanon Kempt, Nita Unruh

The COSMA Journal

Abstract

Women remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership roles in higher education, a disparity that is particularly pronounced in male-dominated disciplines, such as sport management (Chance, 2023; Lozano et al., 2023). This qualitative study examines the challenges faced by women in leadership positions within sport management education and the strategies they employ to overcome these barriers. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with biological females holding leadership roles at both teaching- and research-focused institutions. Participants ranged in age from 32 to 74 and had between one and twenty-four years of leadership experience. Using thematic analysis, key challenges identified included male-dominated work …

Women In Leadership: A Case Study In Kern County, Lovetta A. Sebbern

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This instrumental case study explored the experiences of female leaders within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Division of Adult Institutions (CDCR’s DAI), a traditionally male-dominated environment. The purpose of the study was to understand how these women navigated career-related challenges and contributed to organizational effectiveness. Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory guided the study, James Maddux’s concept of imaginal experiences, and the framework of instrumental rationality. The central research question focused on how female leaders overcame career obstacles, supported by three subquestions addressing interview responses, observational insights, and document analysis. The study was conducted in Kern County, California, and included …