Recent Research
Biblical Perspectives on Leadership and Organizations (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015).
Whittington, J. Lee & Bell, R.G., 2016. “Leader-Member Exchange, Enriched Jobs, and Goal-Setting: Applying Fuzzy Set Methodology,” (Field study with Greg Bell) Journal of Business Research, 69: 1401-1406.
Whittington, J. Lee, McKee, Victoria, Goodwin, Vicki & Bell, Greg, “Applying Fuzzy Set Methodology to Evaluate Substitutes for Leadership” in Fiss, P., Cambre, B., & Marx, A. (Eds.), Research in Sociology of Organizations (RSO): Configurational Theory and Methods in Organizational Research, 2013, 279-302.
Whittington, J. Lee & Galpin, T.J, “The Engagement Factor: Building a High Commitment Organization in a Low Commitment World” Journal of Business Strategy, 31, 5, 14-24, 2010.
Whittington, J. Lee, Kageler, W., Pitts, T. & Goodwin, V.L., “Legacy Leadership: The Leadership Wisdom of the Apostle Paul” The Leadership Quarterly, 16, 5, 749-770, 2005.
“Led by the Spirit, Leading by the Spirit: Paul as Prototype of Spiritual Leadership” Dallas Ministry Conference, September 2016.
“Two Ways of Leading: Evaluating Leaders through the Lens of Scripture” Dallas Ministry Conference, September 2016.
“A Cross-Cultural Study of an Integrative Model of Meaningfulness and Employee Engagement” (Field study with Meskelis, S., Beldona, S., Whittington, & Galpin, T.) Academy of International Business, June, 2016.
“Exploring the Spirituality-Meaningfulness- Engagement Relationship: A Cross-Cultural Analysis” (Field Study with Meskelis S. & Beldona, S.) Academy of International Business, June, 2016.
“Employee Engagement: Evidence from the Field” The Joe Vincent Conference, Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, Austin, January 25, 2016.
“The Engagement Factor: Building a High-Commitment Workforce in a Low Commitment World” Keynote Address, Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I) 2015 Global Human Resource Conference, May 19, 2015.
“The Engagement Factor: A Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Model” The Joe Vincent Conference, Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, Austin, January 27, 2015.
About
J. Lee is Professor of Management in the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business
at the University of Dallas. He focuses his teaching, research, and consulting in
the areas of Leadership, Organizational Behavior and Spiritual Leadership.
His research has been published in The Leadership Quarterly, Journal of Management,
Academy of Management Review, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Applied
Social Psychology, Journal of Managerial Issues, Journal of Business Research, Journal
of Business Strategy, and the Journal of Behavioral and Applied Management.
His book, Biblical Perspectives on Leadership and Organizations was published by Palgrave-Macmillan
in August 2015. He is also a co-author with Tim Galpin and Greg Bell of the book,
Leading the Sustainable Organization. His newest book, Enhancing Employee Engagement:
An Evidence-Based Approach was co-authored with DBA students Simone Meskelis and Enoch
Asare, Gupta professor Sri Beldona.
Prior to joining the University of Dallas, he served on the faculty at Texas Wesleyan
University and The University of Texas at Arlington. He has received multiple awards
his excellence in teaching and research. While at UTA he was twice recognized as the
Outstanding Undergraduate Professor and nominated for The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence
in Teaching. At Wesleyan, J. Lee was named the MBA Professor of the Year, received
the Heads Above the Crowd award, and named a Guardian of the Golden Shears.
At the University of Dallas, he has been recognized for his Commitment to Excellence
in Research. He was recognized as a Distinguished Scholar in Organizational Behavior
by the Southwestern Academy of Management. In 2011, he was selected by students and
alumni to receive the Haggerty Teaching Excellence Award at the University of Dallas.
While serving as Dean (2005-2008), J. Lee led the effort for initial accreditation
of the University of Dallas College of Business by the Association to Advance Collegiate
Schools of Business (AACSB International).
J. Lee’s industry experience includes over twenty years in manufacturing and distribution.
He has held executive positions in marketing, logistics, and general management. His
consulting experience includes executive coaching and leadership development engagements
with Life.Church, Nokia, FedEx-Kinko’s, RadioShack, Siemens, Penson Financial Services,
Vendor Resource Management, Reynolds Metals, Ball Container, Camp Fire Boys and Girls,
Valor Telecom, City of Arlington, City of Southlake, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
He attended Austin College where he graduated with a BA in Economics and Political
Science. He received his MBA and PhD (Organizational Behavior) from The University
of Texas at Arlington. J. Lee lives in Bedford with his wife Laura. They have four
children and six precious grandchildren.
Why did you become a professor?
I had several coaches and professors who invested deeply in me. I have tried to thank
them in every way possible, but nothing has ever seemed adequate to express the gratitude
I have for them. I decided the best way to thank them was to try to be others what
they were to me. That's why I have devoted myself to being a teacher.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I want to make a positive difference in the lives of my students. I enjoy helping
them discover and live into their God-given design and passion.
What do you hope students gain from your courses?
First, self-awareness – understanding their design and their strengths and giftedness.
Second, I want them to develop the capacity to evaluate complex situations from multiple
perspectives
What did you do prior to entering academia?
I had several managerial and executive positions in wholesale distribution, manufacturing,
and professional service organizations. Those experiences continue to inform my teaching,
consulting, and research.
What are you passionate about outside of the University?
First and foremost: My marriage, my children, and my grandchildren. I am also passionate
about investing in younger people (coaching and mentoring) and helping younger couples
develop thriving marriages.
What are your research interests?
The application of rigorous research to enhance the lives of employees and to create
organizations where people can flourish and thrive. I am also interested in the way
our personal faith can inform our work.
Managing Complex Organizations
Designing Applied Research
Leadership & Followership
The Engagement Factor
Power, Influence and Leadership
Leading Change
Managerial Behavior
Ethical Dimensions of Leadership
Leadership
Employee Engagement
Meaningful Work
The Impact of Faith in the Workplace