Date of Award

Spring 5-4-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Keith Larick

Second Advisor

Walter Buster

Third Advisor

Cindy Petersen

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this historical research study was to document the development of the Doctoral Program in Organizational Leadership at Brandman University from concept and design to implementation with the Alpha cohort of 2012. In addition, it was the purpose of this study to chronicle the decisions that guided program development and the factors that influenced key leaders and decisions from an innovation perspective of Bolman and Deal’s four-frame model of structural, human resource, political, and symbolic frames. Methodology: In this historical study, artifact and relic review and interviews were utilized to secure data from key leaders involved in the concept, design, and implementation of the Brandman Doctoral Program in Organizational Leadership. While the artifacts and relics enabled the researcher to understand the concept, design, and implementation of the program, the interviews were used to hear the story of this time period through the eyes and in the words of the key leaders. Findings: The findings for this research study emphasized the vital nature of multiframe thinking and the human resource frame for swift organizational innovation. The findings also illustrated the importance of decision-making aligned to fervently held core values within a culture of “do whatever it takes,” which includes access to resources and removal of barriers. Conclusions: By examining factors considered and decisions made from an innovation standpoint of Bolman and Deal’s four frames—structural, human resource, political, and symbolic—leaders in higher education can understand and develop the type of practices that are crucial to lead innovation at the fast pace demanded in today’s organizations. Recommendations: Further research is recommended, which will widen, extend, and fortify this study through replication within the timespan of 2017 to present day: consideration of other internal stakeholder perspectives in the Brandman doctoral program, examination of program impact on students, analysis of organizational impact made by Brandman doctoral graduates in the states of California and Washington, analysis of Brandman doctoral faculty roles compared to faculty roles in traditional universities, and study of doctoral program innovation in other universities.

Download

Share

COinS