Investigating the effects of compassionate leadership on employee well-being and organisational performance
This PhD research project seeks to investigate the concept of compassionate leadership and its effects on employee well-being, engagement, and overall organisational performance.
Compassionate leadership, characterised by empathy, active support, and an understanding approach to employees’ needs, is increasingly recognised as a key factor in fostering a positive workplace culture. However, limited research has been conducted on how compassionate leadership specifically influences individual and team outcomes, including stress reduction, job satisfaction, and productivity.
The project will explore the practices and behaviours associated with compassionate leadership and how they impact employees across different organisational settings. The research will also identify barriers and facilitators to implementing compassionate leadership in various workplace environments.
The ideal candidate should have a strong background in leadership studies, organisational psychology, or human resource management, with a focus on quantitative research methods. Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., Stata, SPSS, R, or AMOS for SEM) and survey design would be highly beneficial.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:
- Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
- Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
- Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.
Good luck!
This is a self funded topic
Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Research-degrees/Research-degree-funding. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.
Meet the Supervisor(s)
Ning Wu - Ning is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in OB/HRM at Brunel Business School. Ning started her higher education career as a university lecturer in Economics in Peking University China, then conducted research in Labour Economics at Oxford University as a senior member. Before joining Brunel Business School, Ning held a lecturer post in HRM at Nottingham Business School.
Related Research Group(s)
Human Resource Management and Organization Behaviour - The group's five main themes of research include excellence in workplace innovation, diversity, team work, social inclusion, and employee selection.