Open AccessUnderstanding the Nature of Eco‐Leadership: A Mixed Methods Study of Leadership in Community Organizations
Author(s) -
Kaufman Eric K.,
Kennedy Rachael E.,
Cletzer D. Adam
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of contemporary water research and education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1936-704X
pISSN - 1936-7031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1936-704x.2019.03310.x
Subject(s) - group cohesiveness , leadership style , shared leadership , leadership studies , leadership , style (visual arts) , sociology , public relations , psychology , political science , social psychology , geography , archaeology
The purpose of this study was to explore and explain eco‐leadership in practice, specifically among community groups in Virginia’s New River Valley. This paper describes relationships between community groups’ leadership style and other factors while also highlighting an intricate mixed method design that ultimately led to a deep, rich understanding of these relationships. There were five research objectives: (1) Characterize the community groups’ leadership culture; (2) Assess each group’s cohesiveness; (3) Assess the groups’ community project involvement; (4) Determine if relationships exist between the variables; and (5) Highlight the role of mixed methods in the emergence of findings. The study has implications for carrying forward the concept of eco‐leadership in research and practice.