Methodology

The University of Phoenix, the largest private university in the United States, has access to a diverse sample of practitioners representing a cross-section of industries. In collaboration with the School of Advanced Studies and the National Research Center (NRC), the study had a historic opportunity to further understanding of leadership during an unprecedented financial crisis.

Mixed Method - Descriptive Design

The study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to describe supervisors' leadership during the financial crisis. Qualitative open-ended questions allowed participants to share lived experiences about the impact of economic changes on their industry. Additionally, the Supervisor Leadership and Communication Inventory (Rouse & Schuttler, 2008), a validated instrument with high reliability, used quantitative questions to measure the correlation between supervisor leadership/communication and employee performance. After completing an informed consent form, working adults (18 and older) in the United States accessed an online survey to share perceptions about the financial crisis as well as their supervisors’ leadership and communication.