Date of Conferral
10-20-2026
Date of Award
October 2026
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Management
Advisor
Walter McCollum
Abstract
Learner attrition is a concern for learning organization leaders because it can weaken organizational performance and threaten long-term revenue stability. Grounded in the resource-based view (RBV) conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies learning organization leaders use to strengthen performance, stabilize revenue, and reduce the financial impact of learner attrition. The participants included six learning organization leaders from multiple geographic regions of the United States with experience developing and implementing attrition-related strategies. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of publicly available documents. Through Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis process, four themes emerged: (a) relationship-centered leadership mitigates learner attrition, (b) organizational performance strategies and customer success operations, (c) leadership accountability and ongoing performance management, and (d) strategic resource allocation for learner attrition. A key recommendation is for leaders to establish structured performance management protocols and deploy strategic resources aligned with customer success strategies. The implications for positive social change include the potential to strengthen organizational financial stability and service continuity, and to support community stakeholders.
Recommended Citation
Ward-Smith, Linda, "Strategies Leaders at Learning Organizations Use to Strengthen Performance, Stabilize Revenue, and Reduce the Financial Impact of Learner Attrition" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20907.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20907
