David Hofmann

David Hofmann is the Hugh L. McColl, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior and Senior Associate Dean of UNC Executive Development at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. His research focuses on organizational climate, leadership, safety in high-risk environments, and error management. He has held leadership roles including associate dean of the full-time MBA program and chairs in organizational behavior.

Education: Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Pennsylvania State University), M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (University of Central Florida), B.S. in Business Administration (Furman University).

Research interests emphasize leadership’s impact on safety culture, error prevention in healthcare and industrial sectors, and middle management dynamics. His work bridges academic theory and practical applications, such as improving safety protocols in offshore industries and healthcare systems. Key contributions include editing Errors in Organizations and serving on National Academy of Engineering committees investigating major safety incidents like the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Awardees include the APA’s Decade of Behavior Research Award (2006), a Fulbright Senior Scholar Award (Germany), and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant. His research has been applied globally, with executive development programs in over 15 countries.

Advising and grants: Hofmann has advised on error management strategies for nursing units and offshore industries. Grants include RWJF funding for healthcare safety studies. His work integrates multilevel analytical techniques and psychological theories to address systemic organizational challenges.

Labs/Teams: Collaborations with international institutions like the University of Giessen (Germany) and participation in interdisciplinary safety culture committees highlight his networked approach to advancing organizational science.