Wehrkamp, Kristine2020-08-252020-08-252020-02https://hdl.handle.net/11299/215111University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation.February 2020. Major: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development. Advisor: Muhammad Khalifa. 1 computer file (PDF); vii, 126 pages.Abstract This study investigates how superintendents consider and/or prioritize stakeholders in their decision-making process. The review of the literature included common decision-making theories, Responsible Leadership Theory and Trust as they apply to the decision-making process for superintendents. Grounded Theory methodology was employed to construct a theory for superintendent decision making as it relates to stakeholders. Eight superintendents were interviewed and responses were recorded and then coded according to the accepted coding processes of grounded theory research. A formative theory was developed that categorizes stakeholders as either primary or ancillary stakeholders. The theory describes the placement of stakeholders as considered by superintendents in their decision-making process. Key words: Decision-making theories, Responsible Leadership Theory, trust, primary stakeholders, ancillary stakeholdersenAncillary StakeholdersDecision-making theoriesPrimary StakeholdersResponsible Leadership TheoryTrustThesis or Dissertation