Improving business leadership through research

Qu is a prolific researcher whose recent work addresses workforce leadership and a wide range of other workplace issues like financial insecurity, emotions, ethics and creativity. 

Qu, who’s dreamed of a career in academia since she was a child, said the study of broad metrics within the context of business gives her a unique view into the world of commerce.

Her research explores how a leader’s values and behavior affect trust in organizations and shape employee and team performance. 

“The most important part is trust,” Qu said. “When you know that your leaders are ethical, you trust them. You trust that they won’t exploit you. You trust in their qualities.” 

Qu, who holds a Ph.D. in organizational behavior from the University of Miami, has published articles in a range of top management journals including Human Relations, Human Resource Management, Journal of Business Ethics and Journal of Organizational Behavior. 

“It’s been a very productive period,” Qu said.

Qu teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses, including Organizational Behavior and Global Business Simulation for undergraduates and Leadership Theory and Practice for the RCB’s popular online MBA.