Date of Award
2025
Degree Name
Business Administration
College
College of Business
Type of Degree
D.B.A.
Document Type
Dissertation
First Advisor
Dr. Kevin Knotts
Second Advisor
Dr. Marc Sollosy
Third Advisor
Dr. James Ball
Abstract
Neurodiversity-focused hiring initiatives, such as those pioneered by JP Morgan Chase, DXC Technology, and Microsoft, are addressing talent shortages by harnessing the unique strengths of neurodiverse individuals. This research investigated the role of emotional intelligence, servant leadership, and organizational resources in supporting neurodiverse teams. Grounded in the conservation of resources theory, the findings reveal that EI is a significant antecedent to SL, enabling leaders to foster stronger relationships and engage in extra-role behaviors with neurodiverse employees. Notably, while SL positively impacts leader-member exchange and organizational citizenship behavior toward individuals, the hypothesized moderating role of resources was not supported, suggesting that leadership traits may outweigh resource availability in this context and that added research on the role of training and development programs are needed. This study made a novel contribution to servant leadership theory by being the first empirical exploration of its application to neurodiverse workforce management. The results offered actionable insights for organizations seeking to navigate the complexities of neurodiversity, providing a framework to enhance employee well-being, foster inclusion, and improve overall organizational performance.
Subject(s)
Industrial management.
Emotional intelligence.
Organizational behavior.
Servant leadership.
Neurodiversity.
Recommended Citation
Houran, Beth M., "Investing in leaders to support neurodiversity at work" (2025). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 1908.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/1908
