Date of Conferral

2-10-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Sheryl Kristensen

Abstract

The specific research problem addressed through this study is executive leadership religiosity and decision-making that leads to unethical behaviors and practices that could result in corporate corruption at Fortune 500 companies in the United States region of New York State. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study research was to explore executive leadership religiosity and decision-making through three research questions, for example, how executive leadership perceives unethical leaders' behaviors and practices that could result in corporation corruption. This study's conceptual foundation and key concepts included religiosity, ethics, decision-making, and the theory of planned behavior. The participants comprised nine executive leaders at a Fortune 500 company in the United States region of New York State. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, academic databases, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Filing, the SEC's EDGAR system business database site, and the LinkedIn social media platform. The data analysis techniques employed were thematic and content for pattern identification. One of six themes from the study is that leaders may rely on their personal beliefs and values to construct their perspectives, significant components of moral judgments, and behavior but do not directly impact the workforce. A key recommendation is that researchers continue to study the influence of religiosity on leadership and corporate evolution. The implications for positive social change include the potential for organizational leaders to consider unconventional methods to regulate ethical behavior or mitigate unethical practices, including training, coaching, and mentoring in their decision-making strategy to manage corporate corruption.

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