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Research

The Center for Cooperative Problem Solving continues to advance the research associated with adaption-innovation theory, and the KAI.  CCPS maintains a Publication List of articles, thesis, and dissertations, since the launch of KAI in 1976.  The following manuscripts are the latest, which present empirical data using the KAI, or theoretical discussion of adaption-innovation theory.

Peer-reviewed Journal Publications

  •  Agarwal, V., Jablokow, K., & McComb, C. (2025). Putting the Ghost in the Machine: Emulating Cognitive Style in Large Language Models. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 25(2), 021002. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4066857
  • Alegbeleye, I.D. and Friedel, C.R. (2024), Building effective student project teams: what has problem-solving styles got to do with it? Journal of Leadership Education, https://doi.org/10.1108/JOLE-02-2024-0043
  • Friedel, C. R. (2023). A problem-solving theory to enhance understanding and practice of leadership. Journal of Leadership Studies, 17(1). 20-22. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21842
  • Seibel, M., Kaufman, E. K., Cletzer, D. A., Elliott-Engel, J. (2023). Advancing adaptive leadership through adaption-innovation theory: Enhancements to the holding environment. Journal of Leadership Studies, 17(1). 23-29.  https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21841
  •  Anderson, J. C. (2023). Implicit social cognition: The hidden element affecting equity, inclusion, and belonging on diverse collaborative teams. Journal of Leadership Studies, 17(1). 30-37.  https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21839
  • Rodriguez, M. T., & Bush, S. A. (2023). Examining complex problem solving in communities through the lens of Kirton’s adaption-innovation theory. Journal of Leadership Studies, 17(1). 38-44. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21838
  • Sheffield, R. (2023). Working with adaption-innovation in leadership practice: What works and what’s missing? Journal of Leadership Studies, 17(1). 45-50. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.2184
  • McIntyre L.S., Friedel C.R., & Lathan C. (2022). Problem-solving style and resiliency of navy seals: how are the more adaptive and the more innovative different. Thinking Skills and Creativity. 43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.10100
  • Sheffield, R. & Friedel, C. R., (2022). Adaption-innovation theory: A tribute to Dr. Michael J. Kirton. International Journal of Innovation Management, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919622770011

Conference Presentations

  • Cheng, A, & Friedel, C. (2024). Examining Relationships Between Adaption-Innovation Theory and Autism for Enhanced Team Collaboration. Poster presented at the 2024 International Leadership Association Global Conference.
  • Seibel, M. (2024). We are ALL Agents of Change. Wicked Con: Influencing Change and Solving Wicked Problems. Virginia Tech Professional Development Community of Practice.
  • Walz, J. H., & Close, D. (2024). Bridging Gaps in Problem-Solving Style: Improving Individuals' and Team Success. In Building Bridges for the Future of Leadership Education: 2024 Annual Conference Proceedings, 448-452. Association of Leadership Educators.
  • Walz, J. H., & Close, D. (2024, October 10). Using Adaption-Innovation Theory to Engage Communities and Build Sustainable Futures [Presentation]. Pathways to Prosperity: Building Sustainable Futures through Community Engagement, Portland, OR.
  • Alegbeleye, I. D. & Friedel, C. R. (2023). Building effective student project teams: What has problem-solving styles got to do with it? Paper presented at the 2023 Annual Conference of the Association of Leadership Educators. Nashville, TN
  • Gunasilan, U., Carlson, E., Friedel, C., Hazzan, S. (2023). Individual’s problem-solving style and firm-level entrepreneurial orientation on entrepreneurial decision-making. Paper presented at the 37th Annual British Academy of Management conference. Brighton, UK.
  • Friedel, C., Carper, K., & Barber, J. (2022). Enhancing community capital through application of adaption-innovation theory for building sustainable food systems. AFHVS 2022: Cultivating Connections. Athens, Georgia.
  • Friedel, C., Walz, J., & Greaud, M. (2022). Team research projects and problem-solving styles of gifted and talented youth. Poster session presented at the meeting of 13th Annual International Science of Team Science Conference. Online.
  • Seibel, M. (2022). Cognitive diversity in healthcare settings: Leadership considerations for administrators, practitioners, and patients. Healthcare Leadership Conference:  International Leadership Association. Online.
  • Seibel, M. (2022). Leadership super seminar: Comprehending your leadership style to enhance personal and professional growth at the local level. 107th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference: NACAA. 
  • Seibel, M., Dowdy, M., Prater, J., Sheffield, R., & Wolfe, P. (2022). Best practices for fostering wellbeing through KAI feedback and response. Second Annual KAI Symposium: Adaption, Innovation, and Well-being in the Dynamic Workplace. Online. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech.
  • Cletzer, D. A., Seibel, M., Kaufman, E., Friedel, C., & Elliott-Engel, J. (2021). When Leadership Terminology Collides: A Spirited Comparison of Adaption-Innovation Theory and Adaptive Leadership. In ALE 2021 Virtual Annual Conference Proceedings. Association of Leadership Educators. Online
  • Kaufman, E., Walz, J., Friedel, C., Coartney, J., & Kane, O. (2021). Bridging Cognitive Diversity for Science Team Success. In 12th Annual International Science of Team Science (SciTS) Conference. International Network for the Science of Team Science. Online
  • Bush, S., Seibel, M., Rodriguez, M., & Niewoehner-Green, J. (2021). Gender and problem solving: Implications for leadership in higher education. In ALE 2021 Virtual Annual Conference Proceedings. Association of Leadership Educators. Online
  • Walz, J., & Friedel, C. (2021). Improving team performance with KAI. In ALE 2021 Virtual Annual Conference Proceedings. Association of Leadership Educators. Online

Student Dissertations, Theses, and Project Reports

  • Basil, G. (2024). Examining Efficiency of a Men’s College Basketball Team Using Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Theory. [Masters project, Virginia Tech]. VtechWorks. https://hdl.handle.net/10919/119068
  • Campbell, H. (2024). A Workshop: Problem-Solving Styles through Adaption-Innovation Theory and Air Force Athletics [Masters project, Virginia Tech]. VtechWorks. https://hdl.handle.net/10919/123865
  • Coggsdale, P. (2024). The Choice of Football Helmets: Relationships between College Football Athlete’s Problem Solving and Preference for Helmet Safety. [Masters project, Virginia Tech]. VtechWorks. https://hdl.handle.net/10919/119134
  • McDonald. T. (2024). The Relationship Between Conflict Management Styles and Kirton's Adaption-Innovation Theory. [Masters project, Virginia Tech]. VtechWorks. https://hdl.handle.net/10919/119040
  • Sapp, T. (2023). Exploring the Cognitive Process and Problem-Solving Style of a Black Videographer. [Masters project, Virginia Tech]. VtechWorks. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/115135
  • Cole, T. (2021). Exploring Team Effectiveness of a Collegiate Women’s Basketball Team Using Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Theory. [Masters project, Virginia Tech]. VtechWorks. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/103465