Effects of CEO Changes on Senior Management Leadership Teams of US Airports

162 Pages·2016·1.42 MB·English

Walden University
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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2016
Effects of CEO Changes on Senior Management
Leadership Teams of U.S. Airports
Gale Larine LaRoche
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Gale LaRoche

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Amy Hakim, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Augustine Baron, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Barbara Chappell, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2016
Abstract
Effects of CEO Changes on Senior Management Leadership Teams of U.S. Airports

by

Gale L. LaRoche

JD, Michigan State University School of Law, 1999
MSA, Human Resources, Central Michigan University, 1995
BA, Human Resources, 1993

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Psychology

Walden University
August 2016
Abstract
Changes in the top leadership position in U.S. airports occur frequently. The purpose of
the present phenomenological study was to understand the shared, lived experiences of
senior managers who work in a U.S. airport and who have undergone a change in the top
leadership position. Airports are of critical importance to their local regions and
communities and are economic engines for their respective regions. The results of the
study may provide positive social change for airport staff and the surrounding community
by drawing attention to the complexity in leadership transition. The study was grounded
in organizational stress, uncertainty theory of stress, and person-environment fit theories.
A purposive sampling method was used to recruit 11 participants who were senior
managers at a U.S. airport and experienced a change in the top leadership position within
the last 6 years. The interview data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological
reduction methods of epoche, eidetic reduction, and imaginative variation. Findings
revealed that transitional leadership resulted in positive effects such as self-efficacy
beliefs, commitment, and job satisfaction; it also resulted in negative effects such as
disengagement, which appeared to be mediated by the active roles leaders took in
meeting employee needs. Participants who valued their skills and contributions were
better able to cope with changes and were more confident about their employment ability.
This study contributes to positive social change by providing information for airport
board members and staff to improve the process of hiring a CEO.
Effects of CEO Changes on Senior Management
Leadership Teams of U.S. Airports
by
Gale L. LaRoche

JD, Michigan State University School of Law, 1999
MSA, Human Resources, Central Michigan University, 1995
BA, Human Resources, 1993

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Psychology, Organizational Behavior

Walden University
August, 2016
Dedication
This study is dedicated to George Mabon and my wonderful HR colleagues in the
airport industry.
Acknowledgments
I am grateful to the people who helped me in the process of writing this research.
They are Dr. Terry Beehr and Dr. Rabi S. Bhagat, who took time from their busy
schedules to help me create the interview questionnaire based on their Uncertainty
Theory of Stress (Beehr et al., 1985). I would especially like to thank Mr. Thomas
Naughton, CEO, Wayne County Airport Authority, Mr. Mario Rodriguez, CEO and Mr.
James Keough, Director Human Resources for the Indianapolis Airport Authority, and
Mr. Scott Brockman, CEO and Mr. George Mabon, Vice President Human Resources for
the Memphis-Shelby Airport Authority for allowing me to conduct my study in their
airports. I am also very thankful for the assistance and guidance that Dr. Amy Hakim and
Dr. Augustine Baron have provided throughout this process.
Table of Contents
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... iv
List of Figures........................................................................................................................... v
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................... 1
Background of the Problem ............................................................................................... 1
Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................. 3
Purpose of the Study .......................................................................................................... 5
Research Questions ............................................................................................................ 6
Theoretical Framework...................................................................................................... 6
Nature of the Study ............................................................................................................ 8
Definitions
Assumptions, Limitations, Scope, and Delimitations .................................................... 10
Significance of the Study................................................................................................. 11
Summary……………………………………………………………………………..12
Chapter 2: Literature Review ................................................................................................ 14
Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 14
Research Strategy............................................................................................................. 19
The Theoretical and Conceptual Framework ................................................................. 20
Airport Staff ..................................................................................................................... 28
A Change in CEO ............................................................................................................ 31
Dynamics of Organizational Change .............................................................................. 41
Surviving Organizational Change – A New CEO ......................................................... 44
Case Studies about CEO Turnover ................................................................................. 48
i
Chapter 3: Research Method ................................................................................................. 51
Research Design and Approach ...................................................................................... 51
Population Description .................................................................................................... 53
Sample Size ...................................................................................................................... 53
Participants and Setting ................................................................................................... 54
Protection of the Participants .......................................................................................... 54
Procedures Used ............................................................................................................... 55
Development of the Instrument ....................................................................................... 56
Validity of the Instrument ............................................................................................... 59
Data Collection and Instrumentation .............................................................................. 60
Demographic and Other Questions ................................................................................. 60
Uncertainty Theory of Stress........................................................................................... 61
Data Analysis ................................................................................................................... 61
Summary........................................................................................................................... 62
Chapter 4: Results .................................................................................................................. 64
Research Setting ............................................................................................................... 65
Demographics................................................................................................................... 67
Data Collection................................................................................................................. 69
Data Analysis ................................................................................................................... 69
Evidence of Trustworthiness ........................................................................................... 71
Study Results .................................................................................................................... 72
Summary......................................................................................................................... 106
Chapter 5: Implications, Recommendations, and Conclusions ......................................... 107
ii
Interpretation of the Findings ........................................................................................ 108
Limitations of the Study ................................................................................................ 115
Recommendations .......................................................................................................... 116
Implications .................................................................................................................... 118
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 120
References............................................................................................................................. 121
Appendix A: Expert Content Panel Invitation.................................................................... 146
Appendix B: Expert Methodology Panel Invitation .......................................................... 147
Appendix C: Interview Protocol ......................................................................................... 148

iii