Date of Conferral

8-26-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Hyuk Kim

Abstract

Over the past five decades, shifts in U.S. immigration policy, demographic change, and civil rights reforms have increased cultural diversity across the U.S. workforce, while many faith based leaders lack the cultural intelligence (CQ) needed to navigate diverse interactions effectively. Non secular leaders in culturally homogeneous faith based organizations (FBOs) need to understand this concern as a leading indicator of challenges associated with cross-cultural engagement, organizational effectiveness, and community inclusion. The specific research problem is that it is unknown how non-secular leaders in culturally homogeneous FBOs understand and experience the challenges of managing cultural diversity in the absence of CQ training. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study, grounded in the CQ construct and organizational ambidexterity theory, was to explore how non secular leaders in culturally homogeneous FBOs understand and experience CQ training. Thirteen non-secular leaders from FBOs in Northern Georgia participated in semistructured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis identified four themes: (a) vocational purpose requires CQ awareness, (b) attitudes toward cultural diversity, (c) organizational norms shaping CQ perceptions, and (d) the necessity of CQ training. Non-secular leaders viewed CQ as essential for fulfilling organizational purpose, strengthening relationships, improving recruitment, informing policy, and responding effectively to cultural shifts within their communities. Implications for tangible social impact include the potential for non-secular leaders and culturally homogeneous organizational leaders to foster inclusive leadership practices, expand community engagement, and improve organizational responsiveness to diverse populations.

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