Preferred Name
Jalal Maqableh
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Date of Graduation
5-11-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
School of Strategic Leadership Studies
Advisor(s)
Adam J. Vanhove
Abstract
The small business sector is considered the backbone of the US economy. It is the largest source of new jobs and the main factor in stimulating economic growth. This study was performed to help provide a better understanding of the small business sector's performance during the COVID-19 crisis. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of crisis leadership and entrepreneurial leadership styles in the US small business sector during crisis times, and whether these styles would affect recovery and innovation. The retrospective, cross-sectional design of this study consisted of three phases, Pre-COVID, During-COVID, and Post-COVID. Each of the 234 small business leaders from the state of Virginia who participated in this study turned in three surveys. The study utilized two research models; Model 1 examined three hypotheses: (1) crisis leadership is positively related to small business crisis recovery (not supported), (2) organizational uncertainty reduction mediates the relationship between crisis leadership and organizational recovery (not supported), and (3) Data usage behavior moderates the relationship between crisis leadership and organizational uncertainty (not supported). Model 2 examined three hypotheses: (1) entrepreneurial leadership is positively related to organizational innovation (supported); (2) increased organizational learning mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership and organizational innovation (supported); and (3) data usage behavior moderates the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership and organizational learning (not supported). While neither model showed support for the moderating effect of data usage, post hoc analyses provide some support for its direct and moderating effects on small business recovery. The findings suggest that crisis leadership may not be the best leadership style in crisis times. It could only be effective when paired with practical behaviors and data-driven decision-making. Small business leaders who possess entrepreneurial leadership qualities can be better prepared to protect their organizations during times of crisis. Regardless of the availability of IT capabilities in the organization, the main factor influencing the strategic use of data is the leader's technology experience and ability to navigate IT.
Recommended Citation
Maqableh, Jalal, "Small business recovery and innovation after the COVID-19 crisis: Moderated mediation involving leadership styles and leader data usage" (2024). Dissertations, 2020-current. 139.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/diss202029/139
