Abstract
This study explored the inner emotional landscape of nascent female entrepreneurs in the field of Organization Development (OD), illuminating the paradoxes they encounter as they build values-based businesses in a field that socializes deep personal alignment. Through semi-structured interviews with 10 founders of boutique OD firms, the research surfaced tensions between authenticity and performance, empowerment and dependency, coherence, and emotional dissonance. The findings suggest that becoming an OD entrepreneur involves working through paradox, not erasing it. In doing so, the study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of emotional labor, legitimacy, and the quiet cost of performing congruence in a humanistic profession.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Business women— Psychological aspects; Women-owned business enterprises; Organizational change
Date of Award
2025
School Affiliation
George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management
Department/Program
Business
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Masters
Faculty Advisor
Darren Good
Recommended Citation
Davies, Jordan Alexandra, "The inner emotional landscape of nascent OD entrepreneurs: a qualitative study of women founders" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 1613.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1613