Date of Graduation
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Finance
Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Alejandro Pacheco
Abstract
This thesis investigates how divergent institutional objectives influence leader development in two organizational contexts: U.S. Marine Corps officer training and corporate leadership development programs. The study draws on organizational socialization theory, institutional theory, and stress inoculation research. It contends that leadership formation is shaped by the missions, values, and structural demands unique to each institution. The research uses comparative analysis of selection practices, socialization tactics, identity construction, and adaptability development, explicitly contrasting how each institution develops leaders. The Marine Corps uses divestiture socialization, collective identity formation, and structured stress exposure to embed group loyalty and prepare officers for decisive action in uncertain, high-stress environments. In contrast, corporate programs emphasize investiture socialization, individual skill development, and adaptable competency frameworks to build personal initiative and adjust to dynamic market conditions. Rather than asserting superiority, the analysis demonstrates that both approaches constitute rational responses to distinct institutional imperatives. These findings have broader implications for leadership theory: organizations aiming to develop effective leaders must critically assess institutional factors—such as mission clarity, identity investment, and tolerance for adversity—that enable effective leadership development.
Keywords
Leadership Development, United States Marine Corps, Corporate America, Institutional Objectives
Citation
Johnson, D. M. (2026). A Comparative Look at the Training Objectives of the United States Marine Corps and Corporate America. Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/finnuht/157
