Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

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Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Halmos College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Conflict Resolution Studies

First Advisor

Ismael Muvingi

Second Advisor

Urszula Strawinska-Zanko

Third Advisor

Thomas Walker

Keywords

belonging, business owners, disparities, exclusion factors, frustration with work conditions, goal misalignment with organizational strategy, group theory, inclusion factors, inner circle members, leadership, loneliness, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, organizational impact, organizational strategy, outer circle members, professional experiences, South Florida, structural narrative analysis, systems theory, university leadership, unclear empowerment, unclear expectations, variability in satisfaction, workplace relationships

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine disparities and conflict between inner and outer circle member relationships within levels of leadership in a university in South Florida. The issue is predominantly a concern for employees who fall within the description of the outer circle, as well as business owners who are either not aware or not addressing the issue. Inner circle members are based on criteria, such as characteristics, behaviors, and education, and make the decision to exclude others. Outer circle members are not making the choice. Guided by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, systems theory, and group theory, this issue was explored to answer the following three research questions on the inclusion and exclusion factors for outer/inner circle leaders, their experiences, and the impacts on the organization. Using a structural narrative analysis approach, data were collected through organized interviews with a sample of professionals that work at a university in South Florida to examine this problem. The study results are mixed and offer essential insight to begin to understand the impact this phenomenon has on leaders and in organizations. The five themes discovered are (a) Variability in Satisfaction, (b) Goal Misalignment with Organizational Strategy, (c) Unclear Expectations and Unclear Empowerment, (d) Frustration With Work Conditions, and (e) Loneliness and Lack of Belonging. Factors that influenced inner and outer circle members inclusive and exclusive behaviors were also identified as well as the implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research.

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