Date of Award

Summer 7-9-2026

Document Type

Abstract

Degree Name

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Joshua Henson

Second Advisor

Dr. Debra J Dean

Abstract

Title of Project: Organizational Culture in a Warehouse Environment

Defense Date: July 9, 2025

Candidate Name: C. Anthony Goff

Personal Email Address: agoff72@gmail.com

First Advisor: Dr. Joshua Henson

Second Advisor: Dr. Debra Dean

DSL Final Project

Project Type: Workshop and Assessment

Project Overview: This capstone project focused on designing and delivering a workshop aimed at enhancing the organizational culture within the leadership team of a cross-dock warehouse in the Southeastern United States. The initiative specifically addressed how culture influences an operation's productivity and efficiency. The leadership team, consisting of supervisors, managers, and a facility leader, oversees roughly 125 diverse hourly associates. Utilizing Cameron and Quinn's Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI), the workshop offered a structured method for understanding and improving the facility's culture. Key activities included introducing core organizational culture concepts, providing an overview of the Competing Values Framework and OCAI, administering and tabulating OCAI surveys, and facilitating a collaborative session to develop actionable steps based on the findings.

Project Themes: The primary themes explored in this project were organizational culture, leadership development, team cohesion, and strategic cultural assessment. The project underscored the importance of cultivating a strong, value-driven culture to foster employee engagement, enhance job satisfaction, and improve overall organizational performance, particularly within diverse workforce environments.

Contributions to the Field of Leadership: This project contributed to the field of leadership by demonstrating a practical application of established organizational culture assessment tools, specifically the OCAI, within a real-world logistics environment. It provided a framework for leadership teams to actively diagnose their current cultural landscape and collaboratively strategize for desired cultural shifts. The project underscored the critical role of intentional cultural development in mitigating the effects of external disruptions on workforce stability and productivity.

Real-world Implications: This project carries significant real-world implications for 3PL companies and warehouse operations aiming to build strong, adaptable organizational cultures. By giving leaders the tools and knowledge to assess and shape their culture, the project can boost employee retention, improve productivity, and create a more engaged workforce. The insights from this work can also help guide strategic human resource initiatives and leadership training programs in similar logistics environments, fostering a positive work atmosphere and ultimately contributing to the organization's success.

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