Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

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

School

Information Systems and Technology

Advisor

Dorothy Hanson

Abstract

Lack of workplace diversity planning leads to negative financial outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that business managers in the retail sector use to enhance workplace diversity planning for assuring compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations. The population included a single focus group of retail business employees as well as business managers of 5 distinct retail stores located in the Southeastern United States who have successfully instituted workplace diversity plans for assuring compliance with EEOC regulations. The conceptual framework for this study was cultural intelligence theory, which researchers have used to explore a person's ability to understand an unfamiliar context and assimilate the host culture. Methodological triangulation was achieved from the results of face-to-face individual interviews, a single focus group, and company documents. Interview data were analyzed using a modified van Kaam method. Analysis resulted in 3 themes (a) guiding principles; (b) training, including coaching and communication; and (c) hiring practices. The implication for positive social change includes the potential to provide new insights related to strategies applicable to workplace diversity planning in the retail businesses sector that can create or improve positive business and community relationships while potentially minimizing risk associated with profitability loss.

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