Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Ethel D. Perry
Abstract
The need for strong African American leadership and increased diversity remains a significant challenge in healthcare. While the issue of women in executive healthcare leadership has gained awareness, they remain underrepresented in the industry. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological study collected data from 12 participants through semistructured in-depth interviews. In this study, the experiences and perceptions of African American women regarding the limited number of women being promoted to executive roles were examined. The glass ceiling and critical race theories were the theoretical foundation used to cultivate a voice for African American women who aspire to healthcare executive roles. However, findings indicated racial and occupational disparities in ethnic minority women who attempt to eliminate career barriers in leadership positions remain unvarying. Five key themes emerged from the results of this study: (a) African American women healthcare executives, (b) sustaining ethnic diversity leadership roles with mentorship and sponsorship, (c) operational leadership exceeding expectations, and (d) African American women unlikely to be promoted in the workplace, (e) social network of survival. Results indicated African American women experienced limited access to C-Suite opportunities, with the sustainability of structural unfairness, racism, emotional adversities, and indivisibility. The positive social change of building diversity in the corporate leadership pipeline is necessary to identify barriers and opportunities for African American women, simultaneously creating distinct solutions.
Recommended Citation
Sowell, Oriaku Hampton, "Lived Experiences of African American Women Climbing the Corporate Ladder for Executive Positions in Healthcare Administration" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13112.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13112
