Dr. Michael J. Urick is Dean of the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania (USA) as well as a Professor of Management and Operational Excellence. Prior to Dean, Urick directed the Master of Science in Management: Operational Excellence program at Saint Vincent for nearly ten years.
He received his PhD in Management (Organizational Behavior focus) from the University of Cincinnati. His MBA (focused in human resources management) and MS (in leadership and business ethics) are both from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, and his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with Management and English minors is from Saint Vincent College. Dr. Urick has taught undergraduate and graduate courses related to organizational behavior, human resources, communication, conflict, organizational culture, operations, and research methods. His research has been widely cited in academic publications as well as in news media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal and the BBC.
Dr. Urick is the recipient of an “Excellence in Teaching” award from the Lindner College of Business at the University of Cincinnati, the “Quentin Schaut Faculty Award” from Saint Vincent College, and a “Teaching Excellence” award from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, among other pedagogical honors. He was named a Trailblazer by the Westmoreland-Fayette Council of Boy Scouts for his positive impact in the regional community and as a Fellow of the Inklings Project through the University of Notre Dame. Internationally, Urick was also recognized by the Institute for Supply Management as a “Person of the Year” in the learning and education category. In 2025, Urick was named one of “20 People to Know in Higher Education” by the Pittsburgh Business Times.
Urick is the North American Associate Editor of the Measuring Business Excellence journal, is on the editorial boards of Management Teaching Review and the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, and is the former Associate Editor for the Journal of Leadership and Management. He is also the Editor for the “Exploring Effective Leadership Practices through Popular Culture” book series from Emerald Publishing, based in England. In total, Urick has authored, co-authored, and edited ten books on the topics of leadership and intergenerational phenomena at work.
Along with leadership and intergenerational phenomena, Urick is also interested in researching areas related to business ethics, organizational culture, conflict, and identity in the workplace. In addition to his books and more than 70 other publications (including dozens of peer-reviewed articles), he has regularly presented at academic and practitioner international meetings such as the Academy of Management, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Institute for Supply Management conferences. Urick is a regular speaker on age-related issues in the workplace and leadership development throughout the US as well as internationally (having presented on four continents including presentations at the University of Oxford in the UK) and acted as a consultant on issues related to workplace interactions, organizational culture, and ethics for various organizations. Dr. Urick has served as a reviewer for a variety of academic publications including the Journal of Social Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior, and Journal of Family Issues as well as the Organizational Behavior and Human Resources divisions of the Academy of Management Annual Meeting in addition to other conferences.
Professionally, Urick has served on several regional boards, including ISM-Pittsburgh (in various roles, including President) and the Westmoreland Human Resources Association (in various positions, including Vice President). Prior to academia, Urick worked in a variety of roles related to auditing, utilities, environmental issues, and training and development.
Dr. Urick is Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, Diversity Management Certified, a Certified Conflict Manager, Project Management Essentials Certified, and MBTI Certified, and is also certified through the Society for Human Resource Management as well as the True Lean program at the University of Kentucky.
For fun, Urick enjoys music and, since 1998, has been a semi-professional jazz musician and toured through over a dozen US states while releasing multiple recordings. Urick resides in Greensburg, PA with his wife and daughter.
Education
Ph.D., University of Cincinnati M.S., Duquesne University M.B.A., Duquesne University B.S., Saint Vincent College
Courses
Business Internship Communication, Conflict and Diversity Graduate Level Internship in Management or OE Human Resource Management Independent Study Independent Study (graduate course) Introduction to Management Introduction to Research Methods in Management and OE (graduate course) Leadership Leadership for Jedi Wizards and Superheroes Learning Seminar Operations Management (graduate course) Organizational Behavior Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management (graduate course) Organizational Culture Supply Chain Management (graduate course)
Selected Publications
Books, Authored or Edited
Kohn, P. & Urick, M. J. 2025. Leaders of the Caribbean: Lead by the Code. Emerald Publishing.
Yates, M. & Urick, M. J. 2025. Swift Leadership: A Taylor-made Approach to Influence and Decision Making. Emerald Publishing.
Tong, N. & Urick, M. J. 2023. Bend the Knee or Seize the Throne: Leadership Lessons from the Seven Kingdoms. Emerald Publishing.
Urick, M. J. 2022. Leadership in Multigenerational Organizations: Strategies to Successfully Manage an Age Diverse Workforce. Emerald Publishing.
Urick, M. J. 2021. Leadership in Middle-earth: Theories and Applications for Organizations. Emerald Publishing.
Urick, M. J. 2021. A Manager’s Guide to Using the Force: Leadership Lessons from a Galaxy Far Far Away. Emerald Publishing.
Urick, M. J. 2019. The Generation Myth: How to Improve Intergenerational Relationships in the Workplace. Business Expert Press.
Szpaderski, A. & Urick, M. J. (eds.) 2018 (first edition); 2020 (second edition). Management and Welfare: Applications and Theories of Leadership for the Economy, State, and Healthcare. HPL Publications, Inc.
Szpaderski, A. & Urick, M. J. (eds.) 2018. Essential Principles for Managers: Innovative Approaches to Examining Foundational Theories of Management and Leadership. HPL Publications, Inc.
Szpaderski, A. & Urick, M. J. (eds.) 2018. Diversity and Performance: Multidisciplinary and Nontraditional Styles of Leadership and Management in Action. HPL Publications, Inc.
Journal Articles
Urick, M. J. 2024. Leadership and Operational Excellence in the Neighborhood of Make-believe. Journal of Leadership and Management, 10, 28-38.
Provance, T. W., Ramisetty, S. B., Urick, M. J. & Wieczorkowski, K. 2022. Building and evolving a culture of excellence: A conceptual exploration. Measuring Business Excellence, 26, 197-209.
Weber, J. & Urick, M. J. 2021. Searching for a stronger generational understanding than just age: A multi-country analysis of millennials’ personal values and moral reasoning. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, online first.
Li, J. & Urick, M. J. 2020. Using Marvel’s The Avengers to teach team-related concepts. Journal of Organizational Behavior Education, 13, 103-130.
Urick, M. J. 2020. Generational differences and COVID-19: Positive interactions in virtual workplaces. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 18, 379-398.
Knapp, J. R., Sprinkle, T. A., Urick, M. J., & Delaney-Klinger, K. A. 2019. The belonging model of trust. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 30, 133-153.
Hisker, W. J. & Urick, M. J. 2019. Benedictine leadership. Journal of Leadership and Management, 15, 256-262. (note this is a reprint of a 2018 book chapter in Diversity and Performance: Multidisciplinary and Nontraditional Styles of Leadership and Management in Action)
Lyons, S. T., Schweitzer, L., Urick, M. J., & Kuron, L. 2019. A dynamic social-ecological model of generational identity in the workplace. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 17, 1-24.
Urick, M. J. & Sprinkle, T. A. 2019. Teaching leadership: Using Wonder Woman to highlight the importance of gender diversity. Management Teaching Review, 4, 173-181.
Urick, M. J. 2018. Becoming a Jedi Manager: The Force awakens through classic leadership perspectives. Journal of Leadership and Management, 14, 206-211. (note this is a reprint of a 2018 book chapter in Essential Principles for Managers: Innovative Approaches to Examining Foundational Theories of Management and Leadership)
Urick, M. J., Gilvarry, D., Li, M., Riesmeyer, R. 2018. Everyone should have something to point to: Themes in Studs Terkel’s “Working.” Journal of Leadership and Management, 13, 147-153.
Urick, M. J., Li, M., Konur, S., & Smith, T. 2018. Social barriers to implementing continuous improvement initiatives: A qualitative exploration. Journal of Management for Global Sustainability, 6, 99-128.
Urick, M., Cline, T., Gnecco, J., & Jackson, D. 2018. Affective well-being and counterproductive behavior in healthcare housekeepers. Journal of Leadership and Management, 11, 42-49.
Urick, M. J. & Arslantas, A. 2018. A comparison of US and Turkish perspectives of generations. Gerontology & Geriatrics Studies, 3, http://crimsonpublishers.com/ggs/pdf/GGS.000553.pdf.
Sprinkle, T. A. & Urick, M. J. 2018. Three generational issues in organizational learning: Knowledge management, perspectives on training, and “low-stakes” development. The Learning Organization, 25, 102-112.
Weber, J. & Urick, M. J. 2017. Examining the millennials’ ethical profile: Assessing demographic variations in their Personal Value Orientations. Business and Society Review, 122, 469-506.
Urick, M. J., Hisker, W. J., & Godwin, J. L. 2017. Management response to “Laudato Si”: An Operational Excellence perspective. Journal of Biblical Integration in Business, 20, 20-29.
Urick, M. J. 2017. The aging of the sandwich generation. Generations – Journal of the American Society on Aging, 41, 72-76.
Urick, M. J., Adams, D. E., Smith, T. 2017. Taylorism and Operational Excellence: Improving on the “one best way.” Journal of Leadership and Management, 9-10, 17-21.
Urick, M. J., Racculia, N. 2017. Ethical decision making in “Game of Thrones”: Applying leadership from Westeros to business. Journal of Leadership and Management, 9-10, 9-16.
Urick, M. J., Hollensbe, E. C., & Fairhurst, G. T. 2017. Differences in understanding “generation” in the workforce. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 15, 221-240.
Urick, M. J. 2017. Adapting training to meet the preferred learning styles of different generations. International Journal of Training and Development, 21, 53-59.
Urick, M. J., Hollensbe, E., Masterson, S. S., & Lyons, S. 2017. Understanding and managing intergenerational conflict: An examination of influences and strategies. Work, Aging, and Retirement, 3, 166-185.
Sprinkle, T. A. & Urick, M. J. 2016. Alternatives to the movie sandwich habit: Practical approaches to using movies to teach leadership and power. Management Teaching Review, 1, 105-119.
Urick, M. J., Gnecco, J., Jackson, D., Greiner, M., & Sylada, S. 2015. Perceptions of business leaders: An examination of portrayals in US motion pictures. Journal of Leadership and Management, 3, 11-22.
Lyons, S., Urick, M., Kuron, L., & Schweitzer, L. 2015. Generational differences in the workplace: There is complexity beyond the stereotypes. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8, 346-356.
Urick, M. J. 2014. Wizards, hobbits, and kings: Leadership in Tolkien’s Middle-earth and lessons for business leaders. Journal of Leadership and Management, 1, 21-29.
Urick, M. J. 2014. The presentation of self: Dramaturgical theory and generations in organizations. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 12, 398-412.
Urick, M. J. 2012. Exploring generational identity: A multiparadigm approach. Journal of Business Diversity, 12, 103-115.
Edited Book Chapters
Urick, M. J. 2022. Intergenerational conflict. The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. (George Ritzer and Chris Rojek, Eds.). Blackwell.
Urick, M. J. 2020. An administrative perspective: Going online with limited resources. Handbook of Teaching with Technology in Management, Leadership, and Business. (Stuart Allen, Kim Gower and Danielle K. Allen, Eds.), 78–85. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Urick, M. J. 2019. The Millennial label: Associated perceptions and their impact. Global Applications of Multigenerational Management and Leadership in the Transcultural Era (Brian Christiansen, Ed.), 263-283. IGI Global.
Szpaderski, A. & Urick, M. J. 2018 (first edition); 2020 (second edition). Introduction: Applying leadership theories from the social sciences to new contexts. Management and Welfare: Applications and Theories of Leadership for the Economy, State, and Healthcare (Adam Szpaderski and Michael J. Urick, Eds.), 7-9. HPL Publications, Inc.
Urick, M. J., Cline, T., Gnecco, J. & Jackson, D. 2018 (first edition); 2020 (second edition). Affective well-being and counterproductive behavior in healthcare housekeepers. Management and Welfare: Applications and Theories of Leadership for the Economy, State, and Healthcare (Adam Szpaderski and Michael J. Urick, Eds.), 209-225. HPL Publications, Inc. (note this is a reprint of a 2018 journal article in Journal of Leadership and Management)
Szpaderski, A. & Urick, M. J. 2018. Introduction: The importance of leadership theory. Essential Principles for Managers: Innovative Approaches to Examining Foundational Theories of Management and Leadership (Adam Szpaderski and Michael J. Urick, Eds.), 7-10. HPL Publications, Inc.
Urick, M. J. 2018. Becoming a Jedi Manager: The Force awakens through classic leadership perspectives. Essential Principles for Managers: Innovative Approaches to Examining Foundational Theories of Management and Leadership (Adam Szpaderski and Michael J. Urick, Eds.),47-59. HPL Publications, Inc.
Urick, M. J., Adams, D. E., Smith, T. 2018. Taylorism and Operational Excellence: Improving on the “one best way.” Essential Principles for Managers: Innovative Approaches to Examining Foundational Theories of Management and Leadership (Adam Szpaderski and Michael J. Urick, Eds.), 261-271. HPL Publications, Inc. (note this is a reprint of a 2018 journal article in Journal of Leadership and Management)
Szpaderski, A. & Urick, M. J. 2018. Introduction: The challenge of studying leadership. Diversity and Performance: Multidisciplinary and Nontraditional Styles of Leadership and Management in Action (Adam Szpaderski and Michael J. Urick, Eds.), 9-11. HPL Publications, Inc.
Urick, M. J., Racculia, N. 2018. Ethical decision making in Game of Thrones: Applying leadership from Westeros to business. Diversity and Performance: Multidisciplinary and Nontraditional Styles of Leadership and Management in Action (Adam Szpaderski and Michael J. Urick, Eds.), 33-49. HPL Publications, Inc. (note this is a reprint of a 2018 journal article in Journal of Leadership and Management)
Urick, M. J., Gilvarry, D., Li, M., & Riesmeyer, R. 2018. Everyone should have something to point to: Themes in Studs Terkel’s “Working.” Diversity and Performance: Multidisciplinary and Nontraditional Styles of Leadership and Management in Action (Adam Szpaderski and Michael J. Urick, Eds.), 143-156. HPL Publications, Inc. (note this is a reprint of a 2018 journal article in Journal of Leadership and Management)
Hisker, W. & Urick, M. J. 2018. Benedictine leadership. Diversity and Performance: Multidisciplinary and Nontraditional Styles of Leadership and Management in Action (Adam Szpaderski and Michael J. Urick, Eds.), 245-259. HPL Publications, Inc.
Urick, M. J. 2017 (first edition); 2020 (second edition). Wizards, hobbits, and kings: Leadership in Tolkien’s Middle-earth and lessons for business leaders. Leadership and Management: Emerging, Contemporary, and Unorthodox Perspectives (Adam Szpaderski and Christopher P. Neck, Eds.), 223-242. HPL Publications, Inc. (note this is a reprint of a 2014 journal article in Journal of Leadership and Management)
Urick, M. J. 2017. Toward an identity-based approach for examining age in the workplace: Perspectives and implications. Handbook of Age Diversity and Work (Emma Parry and Jean McCarthy, Eds.), 47-65. Palgrave MacMillan.
Urick, M. J. & Hollensbe, E. C. 2014. Toward an identity-based perspective of generations. In: New Perspectives in Researching Generational Diversity at Work (Emma Parry, Ed.), 114-128. Taylor & Francis Books.
Urick, M. J. & Sprinkle, T. A. 2014. Glenn Miller: Leadership lessons from a successful big band musician. In: Extreme Leadership: Leadership, Teams and Situations Outside the Norms (Cristina M. Giannantonio and Amy E. Hurley-Hanson, Eds.), 165-186. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Urick, M. J. & Crandall, V. 2012. Engaging conflict while fostering cooperation – An organizational case study. In: From Identity-based Conflict to Identity-based Cooperation: The ARIA Process (Jay Rothman, Ed.), 157-174. Springer Publications.
Conference Proceedings
Urick, M. J. 2024. Fellowships and destroying the One Ring: Using Tolkien’s Middle-earth stories to teach teamwork and motivation. Academy of Business Research Fall Conference Proceedings.
Urick, M. J. 2024. The perils of the “OK, boomer” movement in the workplace. Academy of Business Research Fall Conference Proceedings.
Urick, M. J. 2024. This is the way: Leadership insights from “The Mandalorian.” Academy of Business Research Fall Conference Proceedings.
Weber, J. & Urick, M. J. 2016. Examining the Millennials’ ethical profile: Assessing demographic variations in their personal value orientations. International Association for Business and Society Conference Proceedings.
Urick, M. J. 2013. The presentation of self and generational identity in organizations. Society for Advancement of Management Conference Proceedings.
Urick, M. J., Hollensbe, E. C., & Masterson, S. S. 2012. Understanding and managing intergenerational tensions. Academy of Management Conference Proceedings.
Matthews, C. H., Woods, J. A., & Urick, M. J. 2011. Manufacturing and the economic recovery: Examining global sales and job growth intentions in SME’s. Research in Entrepreneurship and Small Business 25th Anniversary Conference Proceedings.
Urick, M. J. 2011. Glenn Miller: Leadership lessons from a successful big band musician. Society for Advancement of Management Conference Proceedings.
Urick, M. J. 2011. The ethics of knowledge transfer: A communications perspective. Society for Advancement of Management Conference Proceedings.
Urick, M. J. 2011. Exploring generational identity: A multiparadigm approach. Southwestern Academy of Management Conference Proceedings.
Nicola, C. B. & Urick, M. J. 2008. Expatriate issues in Iraq: Towards a new model for expatriate preparation. Society for Advancement of Management Conference Proceedings.
Nicola, C. B. & Urick, M. J. 2007. The UDHR in business: Guidelines for the ethical treatment of expatriates. Society for Advancement of Management Conference Proceedings.
Other Selected Publications
Urick, M. J. 2025. AI ethics. Lean AI: The lean practitioners guide to AI in manufacturing. Catalyst Connection, 19-20.
Urick, M. J. May 2024. From a Fellow: What can Tolkien teach us about modern organizations?. Inklings Quarterly, 3, https://www.inklingsproject.org/quarterly/iq3.
Urick, M. J. 2023. Tolkien’s Catholicism: A model for Middle-earth leadership. Conversatio: A Journal in the Tradition of Catholic, Benedictine, and Liberal Education, 3, 72-79.
Urick, M. J. Spring 2022. Guest editorial: Why do we need to explore the link between culture and excellence?. Measuring Business Excellence, 26, 141-142.
Urick, M. J. November/December 2020. Generational challenges in the (remote) workplace. Inside Supply Management. Institute for Supply Management, 48-49.
Urick, M. J. & Baehr, J. May 2018. Recognizing the influence of leadership and mentorship on the multigenerational workforce. ThomasNet, https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/recognizing-the-influence-of-leadership-and-mentorship-on-the-multigenerational-workforce/
Urick, M. J. Winter 2017-2018. Learning and knowledge transfer in Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Minas Tirith Evening Star: Journal of the American Tolkien Society. American Tolkien Society, 44, http://americantolkiensociety.org/minas_tirith_evening-star/essay_2.
Urick, M. J. & Baehr, J. M. October 2017. Improving intergenerational interactions. Inside Supply Management. Institute for Supply Management, 34-35.
Urick, M. J. July 2017. Improving intergenerational interactions in the workplace helps facilitate organizational learning. Perspectives. Pittsburgh Human Resources Association, 8-9.
Gnecco, J., Jackson, D., Cline, T. W., Urick, M. J., & Gnecco, E. C. February 2017. Practical ways to highlight environmental services’ value. Health Facilities Management, 31, 5.
Urick, M. J. January 2017. Want career success? Try face-to-face interaction. Perspectives. Pittsburgh Human Resources Association, 10-11.
Gnecco, J., Jackson, D., Cline, T. W., Urick, M. J., & Gnecco, E. C. January 2017. Boosting the morale of environmental services staff. Health Facilities Management, 30, 5.
Urick, M. J. 2016. Mentoring in the movies (Media review of “The Intern” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”). Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 14, 268-270.
Urick, M. J. & Coleman, L. March 2008. Linking continuing education to strategy. Perspectives. Pittsburgh Human Resources Association, 3.
Urick, M. J. November 2006. Making the case for continuing education. Perspectives. Pittsburgh Human Resources Association, 14-15.
