Executive Dismissal or Retention? A Study of Performance, Power, and Survival for College Basketball Coaches

Authors

David B. Wangrow, Marquette UniversityFollow
Evan Schwartz, Wake Forest University
Margaret Hughes-Morgan, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2021

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Source Publication

Journal of General Management

Source ISSN

0306-3070

Abstract

This study applies upper echelons theory associated with executive dismissal and power to examine the relationships of performance and four types of executive power—structural, prestige, expert, and governance concentration—with dismissal. Using the context of National Collegiate Athletic Association college basketball, in which coaches are completely responsible for strategies and human capital acquisition and retention, a curvilinear relationship between performance and dismissal is found. Significant relationships for prestige and expert power with dismissal are also found, but the “honeymoon period” is longer than prior studies of executive and coach dismissal have shown. Surprisingly, concentrated governance is found to be negatively associated with the likelihood of dismissal.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of General Management, Vol. 47, No. 1 (October 1, 2021): 56-68. DOI. © 2021 SAGE Publications. Used with permission

Recommended Citation

Wangrow, David B.; Schwartz, Evan; and Hughes-Morgan, Margaret, "Executive Dismissal or Retention? A Study of Performance, Power, and Survival for College Basketball Coaches" (2021). Management Faculty Research and Publications. 353.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/mgmt_fac/353