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The Influence of the Big Five Personality Traits and Locus of Control on Organizational Commitment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities Libraries

The Influence of the Big Five Personality Traits and Locus of Control on Organizational Commitment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities Libraries

Brandolyn Love | 2015

Abstract

This dissertation addresses Neal’s (2005) call for more research on the influence of personal characteristics on turnover in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) libraries by assessing the relationship between the Big Five personality traits, locus of control, and organizational commitment. The research focuses on follower perception of the leader using the Big Five personality traits and self-evaluation using organizational commitment. The research includes a double measure of locus of control to measure follower perception and self-evaluation. Each of the Big Five personality traits—openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism—were tested individually. The hypotheses were tested using a nonexperimental, quantitative design that included the widely used and validated Big Five Inventory-10, Internal and External Locus of Control Scale, and Organizational Commitment Questionnaire. Sample data were collected using the website SurveyMonkey as the host for the questionnaires. The HBCU Library Alliance listserv and website were also used to access sample participants. Multiple regression analysis in SPSS was utilized as the means for analysis of the results of the study. No significant influence existed in the self-perception of locus of control of the follower and organizational commitment. However, the perception of internal locus of control of the leader by followers was found to have a significant negative influence on commitment. Additionally, openness and conscientiousness of the Big Five personality traits were found to have a significant positive influence on organizational commitment in HBCU libraries.

Individual Readiness for Change: The Impact of Organizational Learning Culture and SDL

Individual Readiness for Change: The Impact of Organizational Learning Culture and SDL’s Learning Motivation

Sharmane C. Miller | 2015

Abstract

This cross-sectional study quantitatively investigated the impact of organizational learning culture (OLC) on individual cognitive readiness (COGRE) and emotional readiness (EMRE) for organizational change. Additionally, the moderating influences of the self-directed learning construct of employees’ learning motivation on the relationships between the single dimension of creating continuous learning opportunities (a dimension of OLC) and COGRE and EMRE for organizational change were examined. Using the Dimensions of the Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ; Watkins & Marsick, 1993), the Readiness Scale of the Organizational Change Questionnaire-Climate of Change, Processes, and Readiness Scale (OCQ-C, P, R; Bouchenooghe, Devos, & Van den Broeck, 2009), the learning motivation scale of the Self-Directed Learning Instrument (SDLI; Cheng, Kuo, Lin, & Lee-Hsieh, 2010) and a demographic questionnaire, perceptual data were obtained from a sample (N = 130) of public, primary school teachers who were embarking on a major organizational change initiative in The Bahamas. Using multiple hierarchical regressions, the findings indicated first that there were statistically significant relationships between EMRE for change and the seven dimensions of OLC. Second, age influenced the relationship between individuals’ perception of their OLC and their EMRE for change. Third, the study found no statistically significant relationships between level of education and EMRE or COGRE for change. Finally, this study found no moderating effects and inferred no causal relationships because of low R2 values. Understanding the influence of the variables of OLC and learning motivation on individual readiness for organizational change provides valuable insight about how organization leaders can adequately prepare for and execute successful change.

Phenomenological Study of the Mentoring Behaviors of the Four Quadrants of Situational Leadership Within the Department of Defense

Phenomenological Study of the Mentoring Behaviors of the Four Quadrants of Situational Leadership Within the Department of Defense

Noah Mitchell | 2015

Abstract

This study examined the mentoring behaviors displayed by supervisors in the four quadrants of the situational leadership (SL) model as they focus on the human resource development side of the workforce. Although no study exists that has examined the mentoring behaviors supervisors demonstrate or employ in the four quadrants of the SL model, Kram’s (1988) study was used as the base for identifying the mentoring behaviors supervisors exhibit. A qualitative phenomenological research was conducted to determine the mentoring behaviors in the four quadrants exhibited by supervisors using the SL model and found that supervisors exhibit acceptance, challenging task, coaching, exposure/visibility, and empowerment. Eight supervisors and eight followers were interviewed. The phenomenology focused on “exploring how human beings make sense of experience and transform experience into consciousness” (Patton, 2002, p. 104) and attempted to understand those “who have directly experienced the phenomenon of interest” (p. 104). This study addressed the theoretical framework of the study, research design, sample size, data collection, data analysis, and conclusion. Results are presented along with a discussion. The results will assist supervisors with developing mentoring relationships and utilizing the appropriate mentoring behavior in each SL quadrant to mentor employees. The results also will serve to assist in developing and improving employee performance and productivity that will lead to employees becoming self-directed learners to complete assigned projects and tasks.

Personal Responsibility in the Financial Services Industry: The Cognitive Antecedents and Behavioral Consequences of an Employee

Personal Responsibility in the Financial Services Industry: The Cognitive Antecedents and Behavioral Consequences of an Employee’s Sense of Responsibility in Organizations

Kelly D. Monahan | 2015

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to define and examine the cognitive antecedents and behavioral consequences of personal responsibility within the workplace. A quantitative research design was conducted on a sample of 200 full-time employees working at The Hartford. Confirmatory structural equation modeling confirmed the a priori model, a full mediation model, as the best fit to represent the relationships found within the personal responsibility model. Self-concept beliefs, as manifested by locus of control and self-efficacy, were strong predictors of one’s ascription of responsibility back to the self. Contextual job beliefs, however, were not found to predict personal responsibility and were rather an indirect influence based on the covariant relationship with self-concept beliefs. As predicted, attitudes towards personal responsibility were a strong predictor of whether one intended to engage in helpful behaviors. Therefore, helpful behavioral intentions were found as a direct consequence of personal responsibility. This study provides an extensive model that evaluates the motivational cognitions and intentions of personal responsibility within the workplace based on the theory of reasoned action framework. The findings call into question the job characteristics model as the most appropriate measure of personal responsibility, which states personal responsibility as a byproduct of autonomy. Rather, personal responsibility may be defined as a cognitive process and individual tendency to attribute the consequences of one’s action back to the self. Perhaps rather than focusing on the amount of autonomy one has within the workplace, research should focus on explaining why some employees have a higher sense of personal responsibility and test the stability of that trait. The call for future research invites greater attention and dialogue to the self-cognitions that drive one to ascribe responsibility back to the self.

Exemplary Lives in Speech, Conduct, Love, Faith, and Purity: An Analysis of 1 Timothy 3-4 for Ethical Leadership

Exemplary Lives in Speech, Conduct, Love, Faith, and Purity: An Analysis of 1 Timothy 3-4 for Ethical Leadership

Aaron Perry | 2015

Abstract

Ethical leadership theory concerns the relationship between ethics and leadership. Brown, Trevino, and Harrison (2005) developed a nomological definition for the purpose of developing the ethical leadership scale that is being used widely (Eisenbeiss, 2012; Hunter, 2012). However, the whole construct of ethical leadership lacks grounding. While Brown et al.’s definition has been more commonly used to measure the effects of this version of ethical leadership, Ciulla (2014) and Eisenbeiss (2012) suggested an interdisciplinary approach to provide a stronger foundation and deeper understanding, including such subjects as effectiveness, virtue, and rule-based ethics. In order to answer this challenge to study ethical leadership with an interdisciplinary approach, this study examined 1 Timothy 3-4 for ethical leadership. The study values theology as a contributing discipline to ethical leadership, but the reader may still engage the analysis of 1 Timothy 3-4 without theological commitment. First Timothy is analyzed using sociorhetorical research, specifically the different textures of the text (Robbins, 1996) including intertexture, social texture, and cultural texture. In this light, 1 Timothy presents qualities for leadership in terms of virtue, skill, and maturity of faith. First Timothy uses categories of virtue for leaders found in contemporary and ancient sources, including military leadership and household leadership. The study concludes that ethical leaders are virtuous people, ethical leaders model to empower followers, ethical leadership is necessarily effective to certain ends, and ethical leadership is formed contextually.

A Correlation Analysis of Person-Job Fit, Job Satisfaction, and Motivational Gifts of Entrepreneurs

A Correlation Analysis of Person-Job Fit, Job Satisfaction, and Motivational Gifts of Entrepreneurs

Andrea M. Pierce | 2015

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to extend the inaugural work of DellaVecchio and Winston’s (2004) Romans 12 motivational gifts profile. The research explores the differences in job satisfaction and person–job fit based upon the seven Romans 12 motivational gifts profiles. Specifically, the research examines the variables while evaluating the entrepreneurial population. A convenience sample of 150 entrepreneurs from the continental United States were asked to participate in an online survey comprised of the Romans 12 motivational gifts instrument (DellaVecchio & Winston, 2004), the job satisfaction instrument (Weiss, Dawis, England & Lofquist, 1967), and the person–job fit instrument (Saks & Ashforth, 1997). Cluster analysis was used to examine and identify motivational gifts profiles among the sample. Analysis of variance was conducted to determine the differences in job satisfaction and person–job fit based upon clusters identified of the seven Romans 12 motivational gifts. Additional analysis of variance was conducted to determine which motivational gifts had a significant relationship with job satisfaction and person–job fit. The cluster analysis confirmed two significant clusters, both showing the presence of the Romans 12 motivational gifts. Analysis of variance confirmed a significantly higher correlation between one cluster with the reported high to medium scores of the seven Romans 12 motivational gifts scales. Additional correlation tests found a significant relationships between the Romans motivational gifts, job satisfaction, and person–job fit with weak Pearson product-moment correlations reported for all motivational gifts.

Innovative Behavior in Local Government: Exploring the Impact of Organizational Learning Capacity, Authentic Leadership, Psychological Empowerment, and the Moderating Role of Intrinsic Motivation

Innovative Behavior in Local Government: Exploring the Impact of Organizational Learning Capacity, Authentic Leadership, Psychological Empowerment, and the Moderating Role of Intrinsic Motivation

Leana Polston-Murdoch | 2015

Abstract

While conventional wisdom may consider innovation in public service a paradoxical concept, an organizational cultural shift that supports knowledge sharing, learning, and exploration is essential to meet the increasing needs and demands of stakeholders. The pace of innovation is increasing in local government as a result of forward-thinking and risk-taking government leaders who partner with subject-matter experts and academic researchers who continue to transform the historical risk-adverse bureaucratic leadership to a culture that cultivates innovative behavior. This study set out to investigate cognitive and contextual factors that influence innovation in local government. The overarching purpose of this study was to investigate how organizational learning capacity, authentic leadership, psychological empowerment, and intrinsic motivation influence innovative behavior within local governments. This framework offers multitheoretical support to understand innovative behavior in local government. Through the lens of social cognitive theory, this research brings into focus how the environment, behavior, and cognitive factors contribute toward innovative behavior within local government. Drawing from self-determination theory, this study examined how psychological empowerment influences innovative behavior. Authentic leadership theory explains how employees’ perception of authentic leaders influences innovative behavior. Self-determination theory clarifies how intrinsic motivation influences the relationships between organizational learning capacity, psychological empowerment, and authentic leadership with innovative behavior. This study used a single-period cross-sectional design. Hierarchical regression analysis was applied to examine survey responses from a sample of 302 local government employees within the United States.

Understanding Team Effectiveness in Culturally Intelligent Intercultural Teams

Understanding Team Effectiveness in Culturally Intelligent Intercultural Teams

Scott Reitz | 2015

Abstract

Globalization has stimulated unprecedented global migration, creating and demanding cultural diversity in organizations and in their teams. Organizations today are increasingly diverse, and intercultural teams are no longer multinational concepts alone. Within national borders, populations are increasingly diverse, and organizational teams reflect this diversity. Regardless of how small cultural differences appear, they have the potential to create significant differences in how teams communicate, perform, and make decisions. Livermore (2009) argued that no two team members respond to the same cultural value in the same way. The current study expands the understanding of how culturally intelligent intercultural teams view effectiveness by identifying key themes drawn from episodic interviews with team members. The more significant emergent themes is the firmly held belief that effective intercultural teams require trust, shared values, service to others, and a respect for team and team members.

Examining the Endorsement of Authentic Leadership, Organizational Commitment and Perceived Leader Effectiveness among Nigerian Employees

Examining the Endorsement of Authentic Leadership, Organizational Commitment and Perceived Leader Effectiveness among Nigerian Employees

Amara Emuwa | 2015

Abstract

This study examined the endorsement of authentic leadership and its relationships with follower outcomes of perceived leader effectiveness and organizational commitment among employees in Nigeria. The study contributes to the incremental understanding of cross-cultural leadership behaviors by comparing the relationship of authentic leadership with desired outcomes in Nigeria to similar relationships observed in previous studies in U.S. employees. In addition, this research examined the extent to which contingent leadership behaviors interact with authentic leadership to strengthen its relationship with employee outcomes. This study used cross-sectional survey data collected from a sample of 212 Nigerian employees across multiple industrial sectors.

The Relationship between Perceptions of Diversity Climate and Value Congruence/Person-Organization Fit: A Focus on Nonminority and Minority Employees

The Relationship between Perceptions of Diversity Climate and Value Congruence/Person-Organization Fit: A Focus on Nonminority and Minority Employees’ Differences in Perceptions

Rodney L. Fields | 2015

Abstract

This quantitative study advances the theoretical discussion of affirming diversity climate in organizations. The study had a sample of 120 participants from various organizations throughout the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia. A three-model hierarchical multiple regression and an independent-samples t test (special case of one-way analysis of variance) were used to test the relationship between perceptions of diversity climate and value congruence/person-organization (P-O) fit while comparing perceptions between nonminority and minority employees. The results support a statistical significance for the following two claims: (a) lower perceptions of diversity climate lead to lower P-O fit and (b) perception of diversity climate differs by ethnicity (nonminority vs. minority). Future research is needed to test other variables that contribute to the relationship between perceptions of diversity climate and value congruence/P-O fit, including expanding the regional scope of participants and organizations and expanding the research globally. Diversity offers a rich platform to further examine the benefits and challenges of the effect diversity, now and in the future, and how it impacts employees and organizations.