Date of Conferral
5-8-2025
Date of Award
May 2025
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
William Forrester
Abstract
Despite progress in workplace equality, women face barriers to advancement in the FBI. This underrepresentation raises concerns about organizational performance and decision-making. The purpose of the study was to explore the obstacles to promoting women to senior leadership positions within the FBI by focusing on gender roles, social expectations, and organizational culture. The qualitative phenomenological approach used interviews with female law enforcement officers in conjunction with feminist theory. The study findings identified biases in selection processes, discriminatory hiring practices, non-inclusive workplace culture, and limited professional development opportunities as barriers to promotion. Cognitive and cultural biases that hindered progress were stereotypes and status quo biases. The benefits of diversity and inclusion were improved communication, cultural sensitivity, problem-solving capabilities, enhanced public trust, and organizational productivity. Challenges to implementing diversity programs included a lack of leadership support, adequate resources, and deep-seated biases, which remained prevalent. Addressing these barriers through policy revisions, the creation of a more inclusive organizational culture, and enhanced mentorship programs could promote gender equality in the FBI. The study has implications for positive social change through the development of evidence that can be used to support a more equitable work environment for women working within the FBI.
Recommended Citation
Wallace, Joyce A., "Evaluating the Factors that Lead to a Lack of Gender Diversity Among Senior Level Executives in the Federal Bureau of Investigation" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17597.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17597
