Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Research

The Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Research (CLER) operates at the intersection of scholarship and industry, where research is not just an academic pursuit but a catalyst for real-world transformation. We view leadership, entrepreneurship, and organizational dynamics as an interconnected spectrum—one where scholar-practitioners engage deeply with evolving industry landscapes to uncover innovative solutions, drive strategic growth, and redefine what’s possible when theory meets practice.

At CLER, we champion research that extends beyond the academic realm, bridging the gap between knowledge and application. Our work fosters critical exploration into leadership effectiveness, entrepreneurial success, and organizational impact, equipping leaders with the insights needed to navigate complexity and create lasting change.

The Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Research [CLER] welcomes all interested parties to join our center via the following registration form. 

Affiliating with CLER offers tremendous benefits for those interested in learning more about the research we engage in, as well as opportunities for collaboration on research endeavors [projects], publishing potentials, conferences, quarterly meeting invites to see what the center is offering, and simply being able to become part of a community of researchers.

We welcome your interest in the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Research led by Dr. Rodney Luster [Chair] and Dr. Mark McCaslin [Associate Chair]. Registering for the center means you will receive updates related to the CLER regarding upcoming conference events, workshops you might be interested in, and ways you might wish to engage the center further. Please fill out this form in its entirety. Below is also contact information for CLER leaders, which you may contact anytime.

Being engaged with a center like CLER can also be career-impacting! We offer opportunities for faculty, staff, and alumni to publish, engage in experiments, drive impactful research, publish in the Phoenix Scholar periodical, maintain a blog, build conference acumen by attending our annual Research Summit as either presenters or guests, get involved in planning a national conference, develop and publish whitepapers around thought-leadership, conduct workshops, attend workshops on everything from new survey technology to rigorous research methodologies, just to name a few things.

For students especially, you can engage the center for a variety of research-related content,  volunteer to be an assistant researcher, publish in the Phoenix Scholar periodical during special issues focused on students, or get involved with our annual conference, and become a student presenter at the annual "Research Summit." For alumni, we also invite you to stay on and continue the journey by becoming a Fellow in Residence [You can use that title as a CV builder], engage in our publishing projects, join us as we apply for international conferences, and more! Much awaits!

Your Center contacts:

Dr. Rodney Luster- Chair for the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Research-contact info- rodney.luster@phoenix.edu 

Dr. Mark McCaslin-Associate Chair for the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Research-mlmccasl@email.phoenix.edu 

Call for 2025 Principal Research Investigators and Co-PI's  for Suggested Projects

The following solicitation for researchers is open for 2025. What this means? CLER is looking for a lead principal investigators and co-investigators to research and publish based on conducted research within the center. The following projects have a brief description but require research studies to advance inquiry and outcomes on these topics.

Potential Research Projects described below are modifiable and are only initial proposals for areas our researchers may be interestedin exploring or writing about. Please contact Dr. Mark McCaslin , Associate Chair of CLER if you are interested in any one of these prospects. Feel free to propose projects as well.

Main Prospective Projects [2025]

Zombie Leadership [Closed]

The Impact of Fear-Driven Leadership on Organizational Effectiveness: An Analysis of Shortcuts and Their Consequences [Closed]

New Project Openings

Leadership in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

• How do different leadership styles impact startup success and long-term sustainability?

• What leadership traits are most effective in high-risk, high-reward entrepreneurial environments?

• How does leadership influence venture capital funding decisions and investor confidence?

Entrepreneurial Leadership in the Digital Age

• How do digital transformation and AI-driven decision-making affect entrepreneurial leadership?

• What leadership competencies are necessary for leading remote and hybrid entrepreneurial teams?

• How does personal branding affect entrepreneurial credibility and business success?

Cross-Cultural Leadership in Global Entrepreneurship

• What leadership styles are most effective across different cultural and economic landscapes?

• How do cultural values shape entrepreneurial decision-making and risk tolerance?

• What role does adaptive leadership play in scaling businesses internationally?

Ethical Entrepreneurship & Social Impact Leadership

• How do leaders navigate ethical dilemmas in scaling startups and high-growth companies?

• What leadership practices drive sustainable and socially responsible entrepreneurship?

• How do entrepreneurs balance profitability with social impact and stakeholder expectations?

Leadership Development for Entrepreneurial Success

• What are the most effective ways to develop leadership skills in aspiring entrepreneurs?

• How do mentorship and coaching influence the success rates of early-stage entrepreneurs?

• What role does self-awareness and emotional intelligence play in entrepreneurial leadership?

Innovation Leadership in Emerging Industries

• How do leaders in emerging fields (e.g., blockchain, biotech, green tech) navigate uncertainty?

• What leadership traits foster continuous innovation and adaptability?

• How do entrepreneurial leaders build resilient, future-ready organizations in volatile markets?

Projects utilizing AI in Driving Leader Transformation [These projects are reserved for CLER]

Proposed Research Project # 1 [AI focused

Objective:

To investigate how AI tools can support and accelerate the transformation of leaders by enhancing their skills, decision-making, and overall effectiveness.

Proposed Methodology:

1. Participants: Select a small group of leaders (e.g., 5-10) from various industries who are open to using AI tools for personal and professional development.
2. Proposed  Use an AI-based leadership development platform that offers personalized coaching, feedback, and analytics on leadership performance.
3. Study Design:
   • Pre-Assessment: Conduct an initial assessment of each leader’s skills, strengths, and areas for improvement using surveys, interviews, and performance metrics.
   • Intervention: Leaders use the AI tool for a period of 8 weeks, receiving personalized coaching, feedback, and actionable insights.
   • Post-Assessment: Conduct a follow-up assessment to measure changes in leadership skills, decision-making quality, and overall effectiveness.
4. Data Collection:
   • Quantitative Data: Measure changes in performance metrics such as team productivity, project success rates, and leader decision-making accuracy.
   • Qualitative Data: Conduct surveys and interviews to gather feedback from leaders and their teams on the perceived impact of the AI tool.

Hypotheses:

1. Leaders using the AI tool will show significant improvement in their leadership skills and decision-making abilities.
2. Teams led by AI-supported leaders will report higher satisfaction and better performance outcomes.

Analysis:

• Compare the pre- and post-assessment data to identify any significant improvements in leadership skills and effectiveness.
• Analyze feedback from leaders and their teams to understand the impact of the AI tool on leader transformation.

Expected Outcomes:

• Insights into how AI can support and accelerate leader transformation.
• Identification of best practices for integrating AI tools into leadership development programs.
• Recommendations for future research and development of AI-driven leadership tools.

This pilot study can provide valuable insights into the potential of AI to transform leadership practices and enhance leader effectiveness. 

Potential journals/conferences- ILA, Journal of Leadership Studies, Emerald publications, IGI Global, APA.

Please contact Dr. Rodney Luster  for details.

Proposed Research Project # 2 [AI focus]

An innovative research experiment combining AI and leadership could explore how AI can enhance leadership decision-making and team dynamics.

AI-Enhanced Leadership Decision-Making 

Objective:

To investigate how AI tools can support leaders in making more informed and effective decisions, and how this impacts team performance and satisfaction.

Proposed  Methodology: [Modifiable design/methodology]

1. Participants: Selection of a diverse group of leaders from various industries and or their respective teams.
2. AI Tool: Develop or use an existing AI tool that provides data analysis, predictive insights, and decision-making support.
3. Experiment Design:
   • Control Group: Leaders make decisions using traditional methods without AI support.
   • Experimental Group: Leaders use the AI tool to assist in their decision-making process.
4. Duration: Conduct the experiment over a period of 6 months to gather sufficient data.
5. Data Collection:
   • Quantitative Data: Measure team performance metrics such as productivity, project completion rates, and error rates.
   • Qualitative Data: Conduct surveys and interviews to assess team satisfaction, leader confidence, and perceived effectiveness of decisions.

Hypotheses:

1. Leaders using AI tools will make more informed and effective decisions compared to those using traditional methods.
2. Teams led by AI-supported leaders will show higher performance and satisfaction levels.

Analysis:

• Compare the performance metrics and satisfaction levels between the control and experimental groups.
• Analyze the feedback from leaders and team members to understand the impact of AI on leadership dynamics.

Expected Outcomes:

• Insights into how AI can enhance leadership decision-making.
• Identification of best practices for integrating AI tools into leadership roles.
• Recommendations for future research and development of AI tools for leadership.

This experiment may provide valuable insight into the value of AI to transform leadership practices and improve organizational outcomes.

Potential journals/conferences- ILA, Journal of Leadership Studies, Emerald publications, IGI Global, APA.

Proposed Research Project # 3 [AI focus]

The Prospects of AI-Assisted Potentials for Leaders in Team Meetings

Objective:

To explore the impact of AI tools with leaders, and their implementation and effectiveness within team meetings and decision-making processes.

Proposed Methodology: [Modifiable design/methodology]

1. Participants: Select a small group of leaders (e.g., 5-10) and their respective teams from a single organization or department.
2. AI Tool: Use an AI meeting assistant tool that can transcribe meetings, provide real-time insights, and suggest action items.
3. Study Design:
   • Control Group: Teams conduct meetings without the AI tool.
   • Experimental Group: Teams use the AI meeting assistant during their meetings.
4. Duration: Conduct the study over a period of 4 weeks.
5. Data Collection:
   • Quantitative Data: Measure the number of action items completed, meeting duration, and frequency of follow-up meetings.
   • Qualitative Data: Conduct surveys and interviews to assess team members’ satisfaction with meetings, perceived efficiency, and the quality of decisions made.

Hypotheses:

1. Teams using the AI meeting assistant will have more efficient and productive meetings compared to those without it.
2. Team members will report higher satisfaction with the meeting process and outcomes when using the AI tool.

Analysis:

• Compare the metrics and feedback between the control and experimental groups.
• Analyze the data to identify any significant differences in meeting efficiency and decision quality.

Expected Outcomes:

• Preliminary insights into the benefits and challenges of using AI tools in team meetings.
• Recommendations for improving the integration of AI in leadership practices.
• Identification of potential areas for further research.

This pilot study can provide valuable initial insights into the role of AI in enhancing leadership and team dynamics. 

Potential journals/conferences- ILA, Journal of Leadership Studies, Emerald publications, IGI Global, APA.