Presentation at ISEOR conference in Lyon France June 2010

1. ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 1 Changes that make a difference: Attaining a PhD while maintaining an active life. Research Team & Authors Joseph B. Baugh, PhD, PMP University of Arizona South Anne Saber-Hallcom, PhD Capella University Marilyn E. Harris, PhD Capella University

2. ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 2 Agenda Introduction The Research Questions The Study Analyzing the Data Findings Recommendations Key Takeaways Questions 2

3. The Research Questions What are the forces and conditions that facilitate the doctoral journey? What are the forces and conditions that constrain or block the doctoral journey? How did these forces affect doctoral journeys across the study population? ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 3

4. The Study Applied research using mixed methodology questionnaire delivered over the Internet Demographic data, primarily quantitative Open-ended questions explored lived experiences (Denzin, 2001) of study participants Purposeful sampling best suited for study Two primary study populations drawn from six different PhD awarding institutions Recent PhD graduates Doctoral learners at various stages along the journey Used branching logic to examine experiences common to both groups and singular to each group. ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 4

5. Analyzing the Data Based on Lewin’s (1951) seminal work in field theory as modified by Cronshaw and McCulloch (2008) to map findings to three field conditions Facilitating Constraining Blocking Used Atlas.ti® as the Qualitative Data Analysis Software [QDAS] package to facilitate: Organization, tracking, management, and analyses of the data for emerging themes and patterns (Baugh, Hallcom & Harris, 2009) ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 5

6. Quantitative Findings 81% of participants over age 40 Gender of participants evenly mixed 55% of participants completed the degree Average time to completion: 4.4 years 45% of the participants still at various stages Average time on journey to date: 4 years ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 6

7. Qualitative Findings ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 7

8. Misalignment of Key Parts ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 8

9. ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 9 Key Takeaways How can PhD students accomplish this seemingly conflicting goal? Get a running start by being prepared for the doctoral journey Develop time management skills Align the purposeful parts Understand individual reasoning for pursuing the degree Seek support sources from peers, family, friends. Seek a compatible mentor and committee Minimize distractions and focus on the goal

10. Alignment of Key Parts ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 10

11. Recommendations A transformative change is required, building on Gharajedaghi (2006) and Harris, Becker, Hallcom, and Ponschock (2008): Learn to Be Doctoral Develop a better understanding of the purpose and intent of individual rationales for attaining the PhD Learn to Learn in a Scholarly Manner Use coursework to learn active research practices and develop necessary research skills Learn to Do Applied Research Improve data collection, analysis, and reporting skills. Enforce visibility on the goal Focus on feasible milestones, make suitable progress Seek work/life balance along the entire journey Degree Family Career ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 11

12. ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 12 Questions

13. ISEOR / Academy of Management - June 2010 © 2010 Baugh, Hallcom, & Harris 13 References Baugh, J. B., Hallcom, A. S, & Harris, M. E. (2009). Computer assisted qualitative data analysis software: A practical perspective for applied research. Proceedings from the 2009 ISEOR - Academy of Management International Conference and Doctoral Consortium on Social Responsibility and Corporate Environmental Evaluation Indicators (Vol. 1, pp. 173-182). Lyon France, June 2009. Cronshaw, S. F., & McCulloch, A. N. A. (2008, Winter). Reinstating the Lewinian vision: From force field analysis to organizational field assessment. Organization Development Journal, 26(4), 89-103. Denzin, N. K. (2001). Interpretive interactionism (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Gharajedaghi, J. (2006). Systems thinking: Managing chaos and complexity: (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Elsevier. Harris, M. E., Becker, G. F., Hallcom, A. S., & Ponschock, R. L. (2008). Mastering a New Paradigm in Management Consulting (2nd ed.). Petoskey, MI: Createspace. Lewin, K. (1951). Field theory in social sciences: Selected theoretical papers. D. Cartwright, Ed., New York, NY: Harper & Brothers. 13