An Examination of the Effectiveness of the United States Coast Guard Training Programs Effective in Preparing Leaders for e-Leadership During COVID-19
Date of Award
Fall 2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EdD)
Committee Chair
Michelle Thomas
Committee Member
Jon Tomlinson
Committee Member
Usha Palaniswamy
Abstract
The study examines the effectiveness of United States Coast Guard leadership training in mid-level leaders for e-leadership during crises, using the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst. The pandemic-induced shift to remote work highlighted potential gaps in how USCG training equips leaders to navigate e-leadership challenges, particularly in supporting essential constructs like communication, emotional intelligence, trust, and decision-making in digitally mediated environments. This qualitative exploratory research aimed to understand the influence of USCG training on leaders’ abilities to address these challenges. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 28 USCG mid-level leaders and analyzed using thematic analysis. Key findings reveal that formal USCG training had a limited direct impact on e-leadership preparedness. Leaders predominantly relied on on-the-job training, mentorship, and personal initiative, with human-centric leadership emerging as critical. Deficiencies in specific e-leadership modules, digital literacy, and infrastructure were also identified. The study offers theoretical insights for e-leadership in military contexts. It provides practical recommendations for the USCG, including curriculum reform and infrastructure improvements, to enhance leadership development for future high-stakes scenarios.
Recommended Citation
Patel, Aryan K., "An Examination of the Effectiveness of the United States Coast Guard Training Programs Effective in Preparing Leaders for e-Leadership During COVID-19" (2025). All Doctoral Student Dissertations. 245.
https://fuse.franklin.edu/docpub/245
