Date of Conferral

2016

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Management

Advisor

Mohamad Hammoud

Abstract

Fifty percent of childcare employees leave their jobs by the close of their 5th year of experience. The purpose of this exploratory single case study was to explore what retention strategies some childcare center directors use to retain their employees in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area. The research population consisted of 5 childcare center directors who successfully implemented retention strategies in 5 different childcare centers. The conceptual framework for this study was the Herzberg, Mausner, and Snyderman motivation-hygiene theory. Data were collected via semistructured interviews with the directors and from centers-handbooks and strategic plans. Coding, word frequency, and thematic analysis were conducted, and member checking was employed to bolster the trustworthiness of interpretations. Three main themes emerged: the importance of employee compensation, communication and culture, and education and training to retain childcare center employees. Understanding the strategies to retain employees may help childcare center directors reduce the turnover and ensure stability for employees in that industry. The implications for positive social change include lower unemployment rates and a more stable childcare labor market.

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