Date of Conferral
3-19-2025
Date of Award
3-19-2025
Degree
Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
Gary Kelsey
Abstract
In this qualitative case study, the employee retention problem of a rural nonprofit organization in North Carolina was explored. Specifically, the employees’ feelings regarding the issues affecting the organization’s employee retention problem were collected to provide administrators at the organization with recommendations to increase employee retention. Through interviews, participants shared their perspectives on employee retention and why they believe there is a retention problem at the organization. In addition, 10 exit interview records of previous employees were reviewed. Applying the conceptual framework of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the data collected from the interviewed participants and from exit interviews of previous employees were coded and analyzed to determine emergent themes. The results revealed that the nonprofit organization does indeed have an employee retention problem due to lack of communication within the organization, nepotism, and the culture of the organization, which led to high employee turnover. The study findings on employee retention can inform decision making among small nonprofit organizations, potentially leading to a positive social change by helping employees and administration to create a positive culture work environment that will lead to employees being retained in the organization. Study findings will be presented to administration and the board of directors in the form of a PowerPoint Presentation.
Recommended Citation
Cole, Melody Annette, "Rural Nonprofit Employees’ Perceptions of Employee Retention" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17510.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17510
