Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Management
Advisor
DR. COLLEEN PAEPLOW
Abstract
Most U.S. hospitals do not engage in succession planning at the executive level to account for retirees aging out of the workforce. The potential loss of institutional knowledge transfer threatens leadership development and organization stability. Guided by the leadership model succession theory, the purpose of this qualitative program evaluation was to offer a formative assessment to understand better strategies needed for effective succession planning by healthcare leaders. Five healthcare leaders from a single healthcare facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in the United States participated in semistructured, face-to-face interviews and provided company documents for review. Data were analyzed using descriptive and thematic data analyses. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (a) use of organizational strategies to promote succession planning for leadership structure, (b) encouragement of mentorship for retention, (c) training, and (d) communication. The overarching lack of communication revealed a gap in career advancement for leaders. Policies and procedures at the facility embodied in-house training and development to prepare potential talent for executive leadership roles; however, a key recommendation is for healthcare facility leaders to implement a formal career stepladder that supports effective succession planning. The implications for positive social change include the potential to address health disparities and increase patient safety and satisfaction.
Recommended Citation
CHAPPLE, MICHELLE, "Strategies to Implement Effective Succession Planning" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 12944.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12944
