Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Management

Advisor

Yvette Ghormley

Abstract

Businesses in the United States endured approximately $300 billion in annual performance losses resulting from ineffective leadership behaviors. Small business leaders' ineffective leadership characteristics diminish performance and stifle economic growth. As primary drivers of economic wealth, small business leaders rely on effective leadership behaviors to sustain the performance of small organizations. The purpose of this case study was to explore virtuous leadership strategies that small business leaders and employees use to increase business growth. The conceptual framework for this study was the virtuous leadership theory (VLT). The sample size consisted of 3 leaders and 7 employees from a small business located in the greater Houston metropolitan area. Study participants had at least 1 year of experience working in a small business that practices virtuous leadership as outlined in the authorized representative's organizational letter of intent. The qualitative research method was used to collect semistructured interviews and the small business's mission and goal statement. Data analysis included collecting and coding data, identifying and congregating analogous themes, interpreting thematic inferences, and methodological triangulation for interpretation accuracy. Six themes emerged including continuous communication, employee knowledge and training, the use of virtuous tenets, transference of wisdom, modeling justice, and teambuilding. The findings from this study may contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the best practices for virtuous leadership that leaders may use to increase business growth. Small business leaders may use the results identified in this study to increase economic viability and employment through increased business growth.

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