Off-campus UNL users: To download campus access dissertations, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your NU ID and password. When you are done browsing please remember to return to this page and log out.
Non-UNL users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this dissertation through interlibrary loan.
Memorable hires: Reflections from seasoned faculty at selected Southern Baptist postsecondary institutions
Abstract
This qualitative study was conducted to ascertain the recollections of seasoned business faculty members regarding memorable individuals who were hired during their tenure. The participants were purposefully selected from eight Southern Baptist postsecondary institutions in the Midwest. Interview questions covered (a) their perceptions of the memorable hires (either positive or negative); (b) the recruitment processes and criteria; and (c) methods of faculty retention. Three themes were developed from the interview transcripts. The first theme encompassed the corporate and individual elements of the Christian beliefs and values of these institutions and their memorable hires. Corporately, the institutions requested varying degrees of information from faculty candidates regarding their personal Christian faith. Individually, one negative and four positive hires were described as modeling an active Christian life. The second theme emerged from the participants' recollections and thoughts concerning: (a) the recruitment and selection processes; (b) traits of their memorable hires; and (c) the characteristics of the ideal new hire. Of the four positive hires, three were recruited through some form of networking; the four negative hires responded to position advertisements. A caring attitude was ascribed to the four positive hires. Three of the four negative hires were remembered primarily for their lack of teaching ability. The participants identified professional qualifications as the minimum criteria for an applicant. The stated primary selection criterion for future candidates was the individual's spirituality. The third theme reflected consideration of: (a) the prominence of teaching at these institutions; (b) the organizational culture of the departments; and (c) how the business faculty interfaced with various university policies and constituencies. Effective teaching skills were mandatory at these institutions. The cultures of the departments at the eight institutions were classified as either congenial or strained. Departments with congenial cultures had a higher incident of positive hires than did departments with strained cultures. Human resource policies and interactions with those in leadership positions varied somewhat among the eight institutions. In essence, the general profile of a positive hire was a spiritual individual with a caring attitude, effective teaching skills, and a desire to serve others.
Subject Area
School administration|Higher education|Business education
Recommended Citation
Credille, Ronda Owens, "Memorable hires: Reflections from seasoned faculty at selected Southern Baptist postsecondary institutions" (2003). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI3104609.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI3104609