Date of Conferral
7-24-2025
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Business Administration
Advisor
Ashley Riebel
Abstract
Silo culture in nonprofit healthcare organizations hinders knowledge sharing and communication, which can negatively affect financial performance. This issue is particularly important for healthcare leaders and policymakers seeking to enhance organizational efficiency and improve patient care quality. Grounded in the competing values framework, the purpose of this qualitative, pragmatic research project was to explore the effective strategies used by nonprofit healthcare human resources (HR) leaders to reduce silo culture and enhance financial performance. The participants included six HR executives at the vice president level or higher from nonprofit healthcare systems with more than 5,000 employees in the Southeastern United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, peer-reviewed academic articles, and professional practice literature. Thematic analysis revealed seven key themes: (a) fostering cultural change, (b) increasing employee engagement, (c) implementing clear communication, (d) implementing leadership development programs, (e) enhancing cross-functional collaboration, (f) employing metrics tracking systems, and (g) prioritizing the patient experience. A key recommendation for healthcare leaders is to develop targeted leadership programs focused on breaking down silos. The implications for positive social change include the potential for healthcare leaders to improve patient care experiences and outcomes through more integrated and efficient healthcare models, particularly benefiting underserved populations with increased access to coordinated, high-quality care.
Recommended Citation
Mendez, Pedro E., "Effective Strategies to Reduce Silo Culture to Increase Financial Performance in Nonprofit Healthcare Organizations" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18126.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18126
