ERIC Number: ED633423
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 106
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3794-1212-8
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Leadership in Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Universities: An Exploration of Perceived Organizational Support and Motivation to Lead in Relation to Gender, Marital Status, and Parental Status
Playter, Kellie L.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Regent University
There is a lack of women in leadership in organizations worldwide, but especially in Christian higher education (Longman & Anderson, 2016). While some research has been conducted to better understand this phenomenon in Christian universities, only one other study to date has examined gender differences in Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) universities that are part of the largest Protestant school system in the United States (Concordia University System [CUS], n.d.). With student bodies becoming increasingly diverse, it is even more important to have women and diversity among presidents and senior leadership because "leadership must reflect the voices of those served" (Hsu, 2021, p. 35). The purpose of this quantitative study was to better understand why there is a lack of women in senior leadership roles across the CUS, which is overseen by the LCMS, and compare perceptions of perceived organizational support (POS) and motivation to lead (MTL) by gender. In addition, marital status and parental status were considered to see if there was also a significant difference in POS and MTL within these groups. An online survey was distributed to full-time faculty and staff at three LCMS universities in the CUS. The data were analyzed through several t tests. While it was hypothesized that there would be significant differences in POS and MTL by gender, no support was found. There was also no significant differences in POS and MTL by parental status and marital status except for one significant difference between married and unmarried faculty and social-normative MTL. This finding demonstrates that married employees feel a stronger sense of duty to be leaders in their LCMS institutions. Other findings and directions for future research are discussed. While the results may not be generalizable to all Christian universities, it can help the seven LCMS universities across the United States better understand gender dynamics among their faculty and staff and help advance more women into senior leadership roles in the future. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Leadership, Religious Colleges, Christianity, Females, Organizational Culture, Gender Differences, Motivation, Marital Status, Parent Background, College Administration
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Missouri
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A