University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies Releases White Paper on Ethical Implications of Preferential Treatment in the Workplace

University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies has released a new white paper, “Complexity Leadership and the Rise of Nepotism: An Analysis of Ethical Implications,” by Scott A. McCalla, DM, Lisa Langford, DM, Alfreda Goods, DM, and Sheila Nevarez, DHA, MSN, ANP-BC. McCalla, Langford and Goods are fellows with the University’s Center for Organizational Wellness, Engagement, and Belonging (CO-WEB). In the paper, the authors analyze 2025 Career Optimism Index® study findings to contextualize employee perspectives on career mobility, trust and fairness factors and apply complexity leadership theory and adaptive strategies to explore and counter workplace implications and risks of preferential treatment, especially in small and family-owned businesses.

“Employee feedback and organizational turnover reports demonstrate that organizations must view well-being not as optional but as a core strategy to nurture a thriving, innovative, and sustainable workplace,” McCalla states. “Through proactive, adaptive strategies, businesses can sustain a culture defined by trust and innovation grounded in procedural fairness and harness the full potential of their workforce.”

The white paper details how improperly implemented nepotism at the organizational level can undermine employee trust and minimize teamwork. According to the 2025 Career Optimism Index, workers who feel a lack of control over their careers are 56% more likely to experience burnout. The authors point out that in settings where personal connections overshadow professional performance, employees may see executive accolades, promotions, and lateral transfers as influenced more by favoritism than objective standards.

The white paper further describes the framework of adaptive leadership strategies and related contributions to ethical leadership, transparent practices, and organizational well-being.

McCalla is the Chief Operating Officer of International Pipe & Supply, LLC, where he directs strategic growth for the parent company in Oklahoma City and its subsidiaries: Bison Pipe (ID), Big Bear Pipe (CA), and Bigfoot Pipe & Piling (WA). With over 28 years of experience, he specializes in change management, business development, and human resource leadership. He also serves as Staff Faculty member and dissertation chair in the Doctor of Management (DM) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs at University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies. McCalla earned his Doctorate in Management from University of Phoenix and holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in leadership from Bellevue University. His scholarly interests include organizational design, leadership theory, and ethical change implementation.

Langford is an accomplished scholar and practitioner in organizational leadership and currently serves as a faculty member in the College of Doctoral Studies, where she mentors emerging scholars and contributes to the advancement of applied research. A 21-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves, Langford exemplifies a lifelong commitment to service. Her dedication to community is reflected in her active involvement with the American Association of University Women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and The Links, Incorporated. She holds a Master of Science in Organization and Leadership from Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and earned her Doctor of Management degree from University of Phoenix.

Goods has over 15 years of corporate experience in banking and financial processing, supporting national and international clients on-site, and established her brand, ANVOEL, A New Voice on Ethical Leadership, promoting the significance of ethical leadership and supporting the premise that ethical leaders are especially vital during times of crisis. Goods is a Staff Faculty member and dissertation chair in the Doctor of Management (DM) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs at University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies. Goods also received the Proclamation of Honorable Adriano Espaillat, a Congress member of New York, for her military and community service. Goods earned a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership from University of Phoenix, a Master of Management from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Houston.

Nevarez is a seasoned healthcare administrator, nurse practitioner, educator, and researcher with over 40 years of experience, and has taught in clinical and academic settings for over two decades. As a transitional CEO, she led nine inpatient psychiatric hospitals in six states, revitalizing systems through clinical excellence and cultural transformation. A Distinguished Military Graduate of Providence College, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing cum laude from Salve Regina University. Nevarez completed the Army’s Adult Nurse Practitioner program and after serving during Desert Storm, pursued graduate studies at Yale University, earning her Master of Science in Nursing. She later specialized in psychiatry, focusing on forensics and severe mental illness. Nevarez earned her Doctorate in Healthcare Administration at University of Phoenix.

The full white paper is available on the University of Phoenix Career Institute® webpage or as a direct link here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

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