Date of Award

2012

Embargo Period

8-1-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Health Administration

College

College of Health Professions

First Advisor

Kit N. Simpson

Second Advisor

Abby Swanson Kazley

Third Advisor

Philippa Strelitz

Abstract

A preponderance of research suggests that the presence of minorities on the front lines of health care can improve access, satisfaction, and quality of care for minority patients, in addition to mitigating health care disparities. Yet, there is little evidence of the utility of diversity efforts focused on the upper echelons of health care. By examining employee satisfaction scores from 58 hospitals across the United States, this study explored the relationship between the presence of women and minority managers and executives and two key indicators-representation of minority employees and employee satisfaction. Quantitative analyses showed that gender and racial diversity in health care leadership has a positive impact on minority employee representation and a mixed impact on satisfaction. Furthermore, a token number of minority managers had a depressive effect on minority staff satisfaction while a critical mass of minority managers had a positive effect that increased as minorities in management increased. These findings help legitimize calls to increase diversity in the leadership of health care organizations.

Rights

All rights reserved. Copyright is held by the author.

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