Steve Van Riper

Profile

Thesis supervisors

• Professor Leo McCann
• Professor Philip Garnett

Thesis title

Specialists vs Generalist in Collective Decision Making: Case of Military Organizations.

Biography

Biography

Stephen “Steve” Van Riper is a retired US Marine planner, leader, and educator. He is passionate about understanding decision making – along the entire spectrum of crisis through grand strategy. As a practitioner, he has served as a leader and planner at all levels – culminating in service as both a Chief of Strategy, and later as a Chief of Plans. As an educator he has taught decision makers at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. As a life-long-learner he has delved into history, individual and team decision making, operational studies, strategic studies, adult education, organizational culture, and now organizational structure and learning. A nomad his entire life, Steve pursues a variety of interests and explores whenever possible.

Research

Research topic

Investigating ways to sense & adjust the blend of specialists and generalists in leadership teams.

Research interests

This PhD research is focused on analysing US military strategic leadership teams in an effort to better sense and alter the mix of specialists (exploiters) and generalists (explorers) in Top Management Teams during Collective Decision Making.

Interdisciplinary in nature, Steve’s research interests include:

• Decision making
• Organizational structure & behaviour
• Organizational learning
• Adult education
• Strategy
• Planning
• Organizational culture.

Publications

Publications

Steve has authored, or co-authored, multiple US military strategies, US Marine Corps doctrine on command and control, and the key teaching guide for Strategy and Planning at the US Army War College.

Teaching

Teaching

Steve’s truest passion is education. He has served as an instructor on multiple occasions, has been the Chief Instructor in two institutions and was awarded an “Excellence In Teaching Award” in 2018 (by both the students and faculty). He is an Assistant Professor in the US. While at the UoY he has been a GTA supporting “Business Ethics and Sustainability” and has guest taught for multiple modules.