Dirks’ research is in the field of organizational behavior and focuses on issues related to leadership and teams. He is best known for his research on the determinants, barriers, and outcomes of trust within organizations and published a number of highly cited and award-winning articles on the topic.
The research has been covered by popular press such as Business Week, New York Times and the Washington Post. Dirks has taught across all levels from undergraduates to executives, receiving teaching awards from MBA students numerous times.
Research from Olin Business School found that employees’ initial expectations for a new leader were a strong indicator of how trust levels would change over time. The higher the initial level of follower expectations, the steeper the resulting decline in trust.
A new study that included a pair of researchers from Washington University in St. Louis’ Olin Business School, Kurt Dirks and Andrew Knight, explored what underlies an accurate sense of trust in a business organization.
A delegation from Washington University in St. Louis, led by Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, recently took part in a day of celebration, collaboration and partnership at Xi’an Jiaotong University in Xi’an, China.
James Wertsch, vice chancellor for international relations, director of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy and the David R. Francis Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences, has announced his plan to conclude his tenure as vice chancellor July 1, 2018, and from his director role at the end of the calendar year.
Veterans continue their serving ways as student leaders, encouraging and supporting each other’s personal and educational growth and advancement at the university and beyond.
With a $5 million commitment, Washington University in St. Louis has announced it will establish the George and Carol Bauer Leadership Center at the Olin Business School. The announcement came May 10, as George Bauer, an emeritus trustee and alumnus of the university, and his wife, Carol, delivered a keynote address about values-based leadership in Knight Hall on the Danforth Campus.
