Date of Award

2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Management (DMgt)

First Advisor

Larry M. Starr, PhD

Second Advisor

Dominick Volini, PhD

Third Advisor

Teresa Wolfgang, DMgt

Abstract

In 2021, the State of New Jersey mandated a shift from nearly seventy years of linear, complaint-based enforcement of labor laws to a strategic enforcement approach that recognizes the complex and dynamic nature of the workplace. This dissertation explores how members of the New Jersey Division of Wage and Hour Compliance transitioned their thinking and practices to align with this new approach. A 15-item survey was distributed via email to a sample of 94 members from the Division of Wage and Hour Compliance and the Office of Strategic Enforcement and Compliance, focusing on two research questions.

The first research question investigated whether compliance-driven and strategic enforcement could be understood as distinct thinking approaches that influence decision-making and problem-solving. The results revealed that many respondents had five or fewer years of experience, yet they generally did not find compliance management difficult, with none reporting extreme difficulty. The second research question examined how adopting these two approaches, along with their corresponding investigative methods, could improve the performance of investigators and the overall effectiveness of the agency. Respondents demonstrated an understanding of complexity and provided feedback that the two approaches work well together in practice. However, the study concluded that while strategic enforcement is an effective approach, additional guidelines, training, and support are recommended to optimize its implementation.

Comments

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Management in Strategic Leadership

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