Date of Graduation

12-2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (PhD)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Public Policy

Advisor/Mentor

Miller, Jefferson D.

Committee Member

Kerr, Brinck III

Second Committee Member

Rucker, K. Jill

Third Committee Member

Nalley, Lawton L.

Keywords

Human Capital; Situational Leadership

Abstract

This qualitative case study examined the impact Situational Leadership Theory II® has on followers in a small community in Haiti. Many studies have examined Situational Leadership Theory II® in corporate environments, but not in the low-income context of Haiti. The study focused on how the leadership characteristics and adaptability levels of an expatriate influenced the construction and the ongoing management of a Haiti egg farm project, which is timely based on the volatility currently in the country prior to and after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Using various data gathering instruments, the study explored the expatriate’s leadership adaptability rating by participants engagement in completing a 20-item Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ-XII) that assessed task and relationship behavior of the expatriate. Participants also responded to interview questions about the expatriates leadership characteristics and perceptions of the Haiti farm team. The study also addressed the human capital deficits affected by a lack of educational opportunities in Haiti. Findings concluded the expatriate’s leadership style was somewhat balanced between directing and coaching but the expatriate developed two emerging leaders by delegating, based on Situational Leadership Theory II® (directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating). The expatriate, according to the LBDQ-XII questionnaire, began the project with very high (45) task behavior that led to moderately high (38) relationship behavior. This case study did not end ideally, but it did provide insight to what must be in place for a project like the Haiti farm to work. A passion for humanitarian assistance, contacts for funding, a leader with “boots on the ground”, and absolute determination. The outcome of the project informed the need for governmental policies in Haiti that will protect and strengthen the powerless human capital within the country, specifically agricultural policies that incentivize rural poultry and egg production.

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