Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2018, Management

This dissertation explores and describes the role of meaningful purpose, mission, and future aspiration in effective and sustainable organizing. It examines Purposing-as-a-process: A collective, creative, inclusive and dynamic process that continuously gives life to collective meaning and aspirations. An initial study of twelve organizations led to the conceptualization of Purposing as encompassing five factors: competence development and recognition; autonomy support; relatedness and caring connections; meaning-making; and ability to tolerate uncertainty (CARMA model). The second study examined these five factors of Purposing, showing direct positive effects from each of the factors on innovative behaviors, organizational commitment, and passion for learning in the workplace. The third single-case study put texture to Purposing. Using a prospective theory building and future approach, phenomenological interviews resulted in six propositions and future aspirations that were consensually validated with participants. This is the first study—with empirical data from the real world—that studies and advances the concept not of Purpose, but Purposing. Organizations as living systems always need to be anticipating the future and thinking beyond the possible. Findings move beyond reifying and objectifying purpose as a “thing,” a “tool,” or a static event, and construe that Purposing is a relational experience—one that nurtures collective calling. The central contribution of this dissertation is a series of propositions for Purposing as a vehicle to foster intrinsic motivation that enables self-organizing capacities. Purposing, as a generative factor, has the potential to foster innovative behavior, organizational commitment, and a passion for learning.

Committee: David Cooperrider (Committee Chair); Richard Boland Jr. (Committee Member); Ronald Fry (Committee Member); Kalle Lyytinen (Committee Member); Kim Cameron (Committee Member) Subjects: Entrepreneurship; Management; Organization Theory; Organizational Behavior; Systems Design

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2016, Leadership and Change

This study developed a scale for teams to assess their behaviors related to creative synergy. Creative synergy is the interactions among team members where the collective creative results are greater than the sum of their individual efforts. When a team achieves creative synergy they have the potential to solve difficult problems with innovative solutions leading to positive impacts on our communities, societies, and even our world. This study looked at the internal-process variables of teams to determine what factors impact creative synergy. The research process involved two phases. In Phase 1, a survey was taken by 830 adults who were members of teams. The results were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. A new scale was created that identified three factors teams need for creative synergy: team purpose, team dynamics, and team creative process. In Phase 2, the new scale was tested with three work teams to determine the perceived accuracy of the scale. The new Creative Synergy Scale will be a valuable tool for teams wanting to be more creative together. It will give them feedback on their level of team purpose, team dynamics, and team creative process. This dissertation is accompanied by two supplemental files: a video of the author's introduction (MP4) and a correlation table showing the original 75 items considered for the Creative Synergy Scale (PDF). This dissertation is available in open-access at OhioLink ETD Center, etd.ohiolink.edu and AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive, http://aura.antioch.edu/

Committee: Mitchell Kusy Ph.D (Committee Chair); Carol Baron Ph.D (Committee Member); Susan Keller-Mathers Ed.D (Committee Member); James Kaufman Ph.D (Other) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Behaviorial Sciences; Business Administration; Business Community; Cognitive Psychology; Communication; Management; Organization Theory; Organizational Behavior; Psychological Tests; Psychology; Social Psychology; Social Research; Statistics