Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Sheryl Kristensen

Abstract

Energy is an essential component required to execute missions throughout military organizations. Failing to sustain energy efficiency in military units could cause mission failures throughout the Department of Defense. As a result, efficient energy management has become a major priority for Air National Guard units as well as other military organizations around the globe. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to gain an understanding of strategies used by front-line military supervisors to reduce energy consumption through behavioral change on a military installation located in Maryland. The central question explored strategies that front-line military supervisors use to change behaviors to reduce energy consumption on a military installation. The conceptual frameworks included the energy cultures framework, Hersey and Blanchard's situational leadership theory, Adam's equity theory, Herzberg's two-factor theory, and Vroom's expectancy theory. Research data were obtained during a 7-day period from 15 front-line military supervisors in a military unit. Participants were required to have a satisfactory evaluation performance report and be a front-line military supervisor in the Air National Guard unit being studied. Braun and Clarke's 6-phase thematic analysis technique was administered to analyze the data. There were 6 emergent themes identified from the focus group data: (a) environmental preservation, (b) sustainable practices, (c) funds, (d) proactive leadership, (e) workplace management, and (f) policy and regulations. The findings from the study could be used by front-line military supervisors to become proactive leaders that use practical, sustainable practices effectively to manage energy conservation in military installations. The implications for positive social change include the potential to reduce energy usage in the Federal government.

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