Graduation Term

2014

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Educational Administration and Foundations: Educational Administration

Committee Chair

James C. Palmer

Abstract

CONTRADICTING CONVENTIONAL WISDOM: WOMEN PRESIDENTS' ABILITIES TO FORGE PURPOSEFUL AND INSTRUMENTAL

RELATIONSHIPS FOR INSTITUTIONAL OUTCOMES

Susan A. Woollen

268 pages May 2015

There is a perception in the literature that women presidents are weak in the function of instrumental relationship building. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the practices developed and utilized by women presidents of 4-year institutions to identify and build relationships with key constituents whom they recognized as having resources that could lead to institution building and to learn how the presidents secured those resources.

Through an interview format, 12 presidents elaborated on the internal and external constituents on whom they were dependent to achieve their goals as president and how the stakeholders came to hold value for their institutions. Using social capital as a theoretical lens, presidents' social connections and networks were examined to determine how presidents created or enhanced resources for their institutions. The key findings captured the deliberate actions and behaviors undertaken by presidents to identify key stakeholders and the multiple dimensions associated with fostering relationships to move them closer to the acquisition of resources. Finally, presidents shared how they made the case to their constituents to release resources to their institutions. The dissertation concludes with recommendations for future research on the leadership practices of women presidents of colleges and universities.

Access Type

Dissertation-Open Access

DOI

http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2014.Woollen.S

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