Research white papers

This white paper examines the intersection of burnout, autonomy, equity, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the U.S. workforce, and offers actionable strategies for employers.

This white paper builds on previous research to further explore if autonomy is the missing link in continuing to achieve workforce resilience. 

This white paper hypothesizes that AI tools and training can be a critical tool for closing the skills gap and restoring worker autonomy as well as job satisfaction.

This white paper explores findings from the 2025 Career Optimism Index® and discusses the significance of intersecting mentoring and burnout with strategies to reclaim a sense of purpose for organizational stakeholders.

This white paper describes factors contributing to workers’ crisis of autonomy, employer initiatives to strengthen autonomy, and mentorship as a strategy to enhance competitive edge.

This white paper explores AI’s impact on employee productivity, engagement, and psychological well-being, and considers leadership practices essential for aligning AI integration with sustainable workforce outcomes.

This white paper uses G.R.O.W. Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workforce™ report findings to contextualize a narrative study of significant experiences and insights of current and retired educators in rural schools.

This white paper explores the role of worker and organizational optimism in countering uncertainty and discusses how developing and maintaining an optimistic work culture becomes an important value-added component for innovative organizations.

This white paper presents a quantitative correlational study aimed at exploring the relationship between school memories and parents' involvement in their children's education and future planning.

This white paper explores factors impacting the hiring market for law enforcement officers, and discusses opportunities to address the areas of concern and expand the pool of qualified candidates.

This white paper offers a literature-based overview of methods for fostering supportive online learning communities that enhance student retention and success in online programs. 

This white paper utilizes data from the Career Institute® 2024 Career Optimism Index® to examine factors affecting employees' career advancement. It discusses actionable strategies for employees, employers, and educators.

This white paper explores how leaders and organizations may benefit from understanding the brain's reaction when a crisis arises, how to avoid making repeatedly bad decisions, and turn a bad decision into a successful decision-making process.

This white paper leverages findings from the Career Optimism Index® study and theoretical implications of leadership passion and grit to better understand the state of organizational leadership.

This white paper explores how adopting a global perspective can revitalize local career momentum.

This white paper explores existing research that supports the positive impact of empathetic leadership on workplace perceptions and turnover, and proposes that the characteristic of empathy is not just a soft skill but a powerful tool.

This white paper presents study findings based on insights from the Career Optimism Index® study as well as data for 20 critical access hospitals in Illinois as a sample to explore the concern about closure of rural hospitals.

This white paper explores the traits of the two generations and highlights four areas of concern among Millennial and Gen Z employee respondents as well as providing insights to inform strategies for recruitment and retention of younger workforce members.

With a focus on workplace wellness, in this paper, the authors developed and introduce the EMPower Care Scorecard concept as a comprehensive framework to address these disparities and cultivate a positive work environment.

This paper examines shortcomings revealed by the 2023 Career Optimism Index® and challenges the notion of a one-size-fits-all approach to careers.

This whitepaper offers insight into the phenomenon depicted in the news and media during 2024 as "The Great Betrayal" as well as hope and advice to those experiencing the realities of job or career betrayal, as well as the potentials of career fullfillment.