UMI/ProQuest URL	http://80-wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/9914695
PUBLICATION NUMBER	AAT 9914695
TITLE	Defining the new heroes: Narratives of extraordinary leaders in socially responsible businesses
AUTHOR	Wildflower, Leni Zeiger
DEGREE	PhD
SCHOOL	FIELDING GRADUATE INSTITUTE
DATE	1999
PAGES	183
ADVISER	Appelbaum, Richard
ISBN	0-599-13332-5
SOURCE	DAI-B 59/12, p. 6509, Jun 1999
SUBJECT	PSYCHOLOGY, INDUSTRIAL (0624); BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT (0454); PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL (0620)
ABSTRACT	This narrative qualitative study describes the background, values, attitudes, and behaviors of 13 extraordinary leaders in socially responsible businesses. The research question centers on identifying the scope and origins of these leaders' beliefs and behaviors. Participants were selected through an expert nomination procedure, and their histories were recorded in narrative interviews at the business sites. In addition, participants were given Loevinger's Ego Development Test as a quantitative measure of adult development. Besides analyzing the process and the ways in which these leaders are extraordinary, one goal of this study is to make public and exemplary the attitudes and accomplishments of these leaders. Therefore, actual names of participants are used. Eight of the thirteen participants are in midlife, and their values and aspirations reflect this developmental stage. An equal number came of age in America during the 1960s or have parents who were influenced by the ideals of this generation. All of the participants describe themselves as having a strong sense of morality, a personal ethic derived from religious, spiritual, and/or humanitarian values. A majority have created democratic work environments and are actively engaged in leading their employees through example. All have developed creative, socially responsible programs and use their businesses as vehicles for expressing their values and teaching others their beliefs.