Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

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

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Annie Brown

Abstract

The labor force consists of 4 generations including Generation Z with an estimated 25 million Baby Boomers leaving the workforce between the year 2010 and 2020. Franchise fast food service managers desire competent leadership in the workplace inclusive of Generation Z. Yet, many franchise fast food service managers do not have training programs to develop Generation Z's leadership behaviors. Based on Vroom's expectancy theory and Blau's social theory, the purpose of this single-case study was to explore the training programs franchise fast food service managers could implement to develop Generation Z's leadership behaviors. Data collection consisted of direct observation and semistructured interviews of 5 purposely selected franchise fast food service managers at a franchise fast food organization in the southern region of Georgia. Data analysis included coding the transcribed interviews to identify relevant themes, and member checking to strengthen the reliability and validity of the interpretations of participants' responses. The 6 main themes revealed were leadership training, leadership skills, leadership behaviors, training barriers, human capital development, and on-the-job training, which affects employees' performance and organizational effectiveness. Business leaders in organizations may use the findings of this study to develop effective training programs for evolving Generation Z's leadership skills, which could improve the U.S. food service industry turnover rates. Social change implications include the importance of the need for succession planning strategies to promote growth and sustainability within the fast food service industry.

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