Ongoing Research

KLI faculty and students investigate a wide range of research topics in leadership and related areas. Students work directly with KLI faculty and staff on a wide range of leadership research projects.

Student research assistants are involved in all facets of research, from working on the conceptualization of a research project, conducting literature searches, collecting and analyzing data, writing and presenting the research at student and professional conferences. Our longitudinal database keeps many students busy, and will become an ongoing source of data for student research theses.

RESEARCH TOPICS

Undergraduate Leadership Education (ULE) Longitudinal Study

An ongoing longitudinal study of the long-term impact of leadership development and training in higher education that seeks to establish the predictive validity of leadership education.

Student Research Fellowships in Leadership

Three research fellowships to support, encourage, and expand ongoing leadership research of CMC students. 

• Leadership Thesis Fellowship
• Social Sector Research Fellowship
• Leadership Research Fellowship

Fullerton-Kravis Longitudinal Leadership Studies

Examines the earliest precursors of leadership and also looks at social adjustment, life satisfaction, and civic, engagement. (Conducted in collaboration with the Fullerton Longitudinal Study)

Leadership Soft Skills Studies

A group of research studies examining the “soft” or “people” skills necessary for effective leadership including the development of measures to assess social, communication, and interpersonal skills and their correlates.

Leader Exemplification and Ethical Conduct

Explores the effects of exemplary behaviors and different types of ethical conducts on follower trust, organizational advocacy, and investment decision-making.

Global Leadership

Highlights the fact that global leaders are a unique breed compared to other line leaders and calls out the distinctive capabilities that global leaders require.

Charismatic and Transformational Leadership

KLI faculty have been at the forefront of research determining the elements of charismatic and transformational leadership using a variety of research methods, including laboratory and field research, historical analyses and archival research.

Social Entrepreneurs

Explores the leadership behaviors prevalent in social entrepreneurs who have achieved scale and sustainability for their social enterprise.

Nepotism in Leadership

Seeks to better understand how acts of nepotism affect followers. Specifically how followers perceive the hiring of a relative and whether this is always perceived as an act of nepotism or only in the case of incompetence.

Entrepreneurial Research

Explores the factors that underlie successful attempts by entrepreneurs to solicit funds from angel investors.

Talent Management/ “High Potentials” Development

Examine the talent management process in large, complex organizations in light of best practices. Explores how individuals retain “high potential” status over an entire career.