Perceived Self-Efficacy and Dispositional Optimism in Leaders' Behavioral Escalation of Commitment

Perceived Self-Efficacy and Dispositional Optimism in Leaders’ Behavioral Escalation of Commitment by Adebimpe Y. Babatunde M.S., Covenant University, 2005 B.S., University of Ibadan, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Industrial-Organizational Psychology Walden University May 2016 Abstract Escalation of commitment is an individual’s persistent behavior at sustaining commitment to an original decision or course of action. Although researchers have foundEscalation of commitment is an individual’s persistent behavior at sustaining commitment to an original decision or course of action. Although researchers have found that personality impacts escalation of commitment behavior, this study addressed a gap in escalation of commitment behavior regarding personality in higher education, which has consistently been ignored. Building on the self-justification theory, this study was an investigation of (a) whether perceived self-efficacy and dispositional optimism individually predicted escalation of commitment behavior; and (b) whether perceived self-efficacy and dispositional optimism jointly predicted escalation of commitment behavior after controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and tenure. Hierarchical regression was performed using a sample of 76 participants from a community college in Minnesota. Results suggested that only perceived self-efficacy will predict leaders’ escalation of commitment behavior and not dispositional optimism. The result of this study has implications for positive social change by aiding effective leadership decision making, enabling better screening and recruiting process, and allowing organizations to develop specific training and intervention programs that will help educational leaders utilize their positive attributes appropriately. Perceived Self-Efficacy and Dispositional Optimism in Leaders’ Behavioral Escalation of Commitment by Adebimpe Y. Babatunde M.S., Covenant University, 2005 B.S., University of Ibadan, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Industrial-Organizational Psychology Walden University May 2016 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to my Maker, the One, who saw me through it all. Indeed, God never leaves His own. I also dedicate this project to my late mother. Even though she is not physically here, her love lives within me. Acknowledgments I wish to express a profound thank you to my husband and best friend, who stood by me throughout the duration of this dissertation. Your continued encouragement and listening ears kept me going, and I couldn’t have done it without you. I must also thank my children, Tomi, Jomi, and Dami, for being very patient as I navigated and completed this project. Your love and prayers kept me. My heartfelt thank you goes to my committee, Dr. Cardenas, Dr. Napoli, and Dr. Thomlinson. I am grateful for your, time, support and encouragement right from the beginning. Dr. Cardenas, your help and advice towards the completion of this dissertation are greatly appreciated. I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of my colleagues too numerous to mention from the Reading/Student Success department. This dissertation would not have been completed if it were not for your understanding and support. Thank you all so very much! Thank you, Ruth. Your insights got me thinking. I must also thank my family and friends for their continuous love and support throughout this journey. To my Walden buddies, Bruce, and Imani: Thank you for your encouragement.