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Deborah Ellen Gibbons

Associate Professor
Management

Phone: (831) 656-1842

Overview

Deborah E. Gibbons holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington, and master’s and doctoral degrees in organizational behavior and theory, with a statistics minor, from Carnegie Mellon University. As an associate professor at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, she teaches organizational analysis, team-building, leadership, intercultural collaboration, and a variety of managerial topics. She specializes in integration of social psychological principles with data analysis and system modeling. Her research addresses networks that support collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community-building; humanitarian aid and disaster response; concurrent effects of personality and social context on cognition and behavior; and diffusion of information, attitudes, and behaviors in multi-cultural environments.

Deborah’s theoretical research involving network evolution, function, and overall performance appears primarily in organizational journals (e.g., Administrative Science Quarterly and Academy of Management Journal) and psychology journals (e.g., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Applied Social Psychology). Her practical work appears mainly in books. She works with military, humanitarian aid, and public health organizations to identify strengths and weaknesses in communication and coordination networks, then strategize appropriate interventions. She has partnered with colleagues from Latin American countries to develop curricula for UN peacekeepers on protection of civilians and on integration and protection of women during peacekeeping.

At present, Deborah is developing a series of case studies with the theme, Feet on the Ground: Humanitarian Work across Cultures. These cases offer first-person accounts from aid workers, peacekeepers, and local people who collaborate in pursuit of humanitarian and peace-building goals. Complementing her field research, she has developed agent-based models that apply to disaster response, diffusion of innovations, public health crises, collaboration within organizations, and the stabilization and reconstruction processes that occur during and after governmental or natural crises. The most recent of these models address the design of communication networks for rapid response during emergencies.
Education
  • PhD - Carnegie Mellon University 1996
    Major: Organizational Behavior and Theory
NPS Experience
  • 2004 - current: Associate Professor
Other Experience
  • 1997 - 2004 Assistant professor of Management, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
  • 1994 - 1997 Instructor, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Research Interests
Socio-cultural effects on attitudes and behaviors
Social psychology and networks
Inter-organizational networks that support collaboration, knowledge-sharing, community-building, and disaster response
Leadership and communication during humanitarian crises and peacekeeping
Diffusion of innovations
Integration of women in military organizations
Concurrent effects of personality and social context on individual cognition and behavior
Teaching Interests
Organizational behavior and theory
Design and leadership of groups and teams
Decision-making
Negotiation and consensus building
Intercultural leadership
Crisis management and humanitarian aid
Protection of civilians during military operations

Awards

  • 2001 - Fulbright Faculty Exchange, Cairo, Egypt

Boards, Memberships, & Certifications

Professional Memberships
  • 2009 Editorial Board Member, International Public Management Journal

Scholarly Work

Publications
  • Book Chapters
  • Gibbons, D. E., Nelson, A. E., & Suchan, J. E, (2017). Integrating Men and Women within Naval Special Warfare Combat Teams.
  • Zolin, R., & Gibbons, D. E, (2015). Studying trust relationships using social network analysis. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Zolin, R, (2015). Studying relationships in project management through social network analysis. Gower.
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2014). Foundations for Cross-Cultural Success.
  • Books
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2007). Communicable crises.
  • Conference Proceedings
  • Aros, S. K., Baylouny, A., Gibbons, D. E., & Mcdonald, M. L, (2021). Toward better management of potentially hostile crowds.
  • Aros, S. K., & Gibbons, D. E, (2018). Developing an Agent-based Simulation Model of the Use of Different Communication Technologies in Inter-Organizational Disaster Response Coordination.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Suchan, J. E, (2015). What Kinds of Message Frames Influence Sailors to Intervene to Prevent Sexual Assault?
  • Journal Articles
  • Aros, S. K., & Gibbons, D. E, Exploring communication media options in an inter-organizational disaster response coordination network using agent-based simulation. European Journal of Operational Research.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Bailey, K. S, (2024). Women, peace, and security in the international community. Combating Threats Exchange, (1401), 46-51.
  • Thomas, G. F., Gibbons, D. E., & Baho, S. M, (2022). Prevention is better than the cure: The development of gray-zone situational judgment tests to deter sex and gender discrimination. Military Behavioral Health, 4(10), 368-378.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Freeman, M. E, (2022). Decision-making challenges: Group dynamics and boundary spanning in the CyberStrike game. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 1-13.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Baho, S. M, (2020). Building Skills to Integrate, Protect, and Empower Women during Peacekeeping. Journal of Business Diversity, 4(20).
  • Zolin, R., & Gibbons, D. E, (2014). How Emergent Roles and Structures Create Trust in Hastily Formed Interorganizational Teams. SAGE Open, 2(4), 2158244014533555.
  • Olk, P. M., & Gibbons, D. E, (2010). Dynamics of friendship reciprocity among professional adults. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 5(40), 1146–1171.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Samaddar, S, (2009). Designing Referral Network Structures and Decision Rules to Streamline Provision of Urgent Health and Human Services*. Decision Sciences, 2(40), 351–371.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Zolin, R, (2009). Social effects on coworker reliance and individual contributions to intercultural teams. Proceedings of the 2009 Academy of Management Annual Meeting-Green Management Matters.
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2009). Strategic development of network structures that support learning and adaptation. Predator’s Game-changing Designs: Research-based Tools, (7), 19.
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2007). Interorganizational network structures and diffusion of information through a health system. American Journal of Public Health, 9(97), 1684.
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2007). Maximizing the impact of disaster response by nonprofit organizations and volunteers. Communicable Crises: Prevention, Management and Resolution in the Global Arena. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, 203–240.
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2007). SYNTHESIZING PERSPECTIVES ON RESPONSE TO COMMUNICABLE CRISES. Communicable Crises: Prevention, Response, and Recovery in the Global Arena, 353.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Grover, S. L, (2006). Network factors in leader-member relationships. Sharing network leadership, 63–93.
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2004). Friendship and advice networks in the context of changing professional values. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2(49), 238–262.
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2004). Network structure and innovation ambiguity effects on diffusion in dynamic organizational fields. Academy of Management Journal, 6(47), 938–951.
  • Gibbons, D. E., Butler, B., & Boss, S, (2004). When Shall I Tell? Relational Promotion and Timing of Information Technology Diffusion. DIGIT 2004 Proceedings, 7.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Olk, P. M, (2003). Individual and structural origins of friendship and social position among professionals. Journal of personality and social psychology, 2(84), 340.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Weingart, L. R, (2001). Can I do it? Will I try? Personal efficacy, assigned goals, and performance norms as motivators of individual performance1. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 3(31), 624–648.
  • OLK, P. M., & Gibbons, D. E, (1999). INDIVIDUAL AND STRUCTURAL ORIGINS OF FRIENDSHIP AND SOCIAL POSITION AMONG PROFESSIONALS. Academy of Management Proceedings, 1(1999), M1–M6.
  • Butler, B., & Gibbons, D. E, (1998). Power distribution as a catalyst and consequence of decentralized technology diffusion. Information Systems Innovations and Diffusion: Issues and Directions, 3–28.
  • Butler, B., & Gibbons, D. E, (1997). Organizational distribution of information technology: effects of social context and power differences on diffusion. ICIS 1997 Proceedings, 29.
  • Butler, B. S., & Gibbons, D. E, (1995). Values and Knowledge about Computer Mediated Communications: Testing a Model of Social and Broadcast Media Effects.
  • Other
  • Butler, B., & Gibbons, D. E, (1997). Suppression or diffusion? Using Technology as a vehicle for power and control.
  • Research Reports
  • Gibbons, D. E., Nelson, A. E., Bergue Alves, M., Bailey, K. S., & Rockower, E. B, (2024). Women, Peace, and Security within the Regional Defense Fellowship Program.
  • Gibbons, D. E., Nelson, A. E., Meyskens, C. F., & Bergue Alves, M, (2023). Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and Strategic Deterrence: Results of a Two-Year Study.
  • Wood, F. R., Gibbons, D. E., Stephens, K., McAnally, W., Hatch, W. D., & Pollman, A, (2023). DEVELOPMENT OF A 360° COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT FOR SURFACE WARFARE DIVISION OFFICERS.
  • Bergue Alves, M., Gibbons, D. E., Bailey, K. S., Mollohan, M. S., Rockower, E. B., Hur, H., Cain, K. M., & Baho, S. M, (2023). Security Cooperation Education: Evaluation Report of 2021 Activities.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Aros, S. K, (2015). Communication Structures and Processes Among Responding Agencies During Disaster Response Operations.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Nelson, A. E, (2015). In Their Voices: Integrating Men and Women within Naval Special Warfare Teams.
  • Suchan, J. E., & Gibbons, D. E, (2015). Bystander Intervention Messages: Framing Strategies for U.S. Navy Communities.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Sotnikov, S, (2007). Evaluation of community public health partnerships: Case study of four social networks.
  • Technical Reports
  • Gibbons, D. E., Aros, S. K., & Nelson, A. E, (2022). Framing Effects on Stigma and Help-Seeking Messages Related to Drugs and Alcohol Misuse in the Navy.
  • Gibbons, D. E., Meyskens, C. F., & Nelson, A. E, (2022). Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and Strategic Deterrence: Issues and Opportunities in Security Cooperation, Special Forces, and Related to China.
  • Written Cases with Instructional Material
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Baho, S. M, (2016). Peacekeeping and Women’s Rights: Latin American Countries Rise to the Challenge.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Oliver-Dee, P, (2013). British Midwifery in the Bangladeshi Community of East London.
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2013). United States Navy Medical Missions.
  • Gibbons, D. E., & Baho, S. M, (2013). Armenian Recovery and Development.
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2012). Human Rights in Muslim-Dominant Lands: Social and Cultural Challenges among Palestinians.
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2011). A Day in the Land:(From Jerusalem to the West Bank and Back Again)
  • Gibbons, D. E, (2011). Haiti: Cultural and social aspects of recovery and growth.
Presentations
  • Lectures
  • Gibbons, D. E., Seminario "Mujer, Paz y Seguridad", "Several sessions on skill-building for peacekeepers," SOUTHCOM, ENOPU, Uruguay. (July 28, 2017).
  • Oral Presentations
  • Gibbons, D. E., WIMCON 2017, "Women's Roles in Peacekeeping (Panel Discussion)," SOUTHCOM, Guatemala. (July 1, 2017).
  • Gibbons, D. E., 2017 Navy FAO/Joint FAO Phase II Course, "Conflict Resolution: Small Group Dynamics," SOUTHCOM, SOUTHCOM Headquarters, FL. (May 1, 2017).
  • Gibbons, D. E., Chilean Ministry of Defense: Women, Peace, and Security, "Skill-building for WPS in Peacekeeping". (July 1, 2016).
  • Gibbons, D. E.,& Aros, S. K., Intra-organizational Networks Conference, "FEMA's Resource Mobilization Network," University of Kentucky. (April 1, 2016).
  • Papers
  • Gibbons, D. E.,& Aros, S. K., Winter Simulation Conference, "Developing an Agent-based Simulation Model of the Use of Different Communication Technologies in Inter-Organizational Disaster Response Coordination," Sweden. (December 1, 2018).
  • Gibbons, D. E. (Author), & Aros, S. K. (Author & Presenter), Production and Operations Management, "Exploring Communication Media Options in an Inter-Organizational Disaster Response Coordination Network using Agent-Based Simulation". (May 5, 2017).