Dissertation
Power to change one's robes: an examination of the intersection of professional identity, meaning making, and voice amid major polarizing external events
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), Drexel University
Jun 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001725
Abstract
This is a research study on how major polarizing events affect, highlight, and inform the professional relationships, personal effectiveness and organizational identification of Black professionals. The specificity of this study was intended to allow the researcher to excavate learnings that could be reapplied for the broader benefit of all professionals. Moreover, this research seeks to understand if these types of events create a vicious or virtuous cycle for Black professionals and the corporate ecosystems within which they exist. This study is a critical examination of the intersection of professional identity, meaning making, and voice work amid major and polarizing societal events. This research looks beyond the routine, albeit tragic, stories that dominate America's news cycle, and to the rare events that become catalysts for corporate, political, social and personal change. Identity, voice and meaning making were specifically chosen as the three areas of study given their centrality to relationships, effectiveness and identification; and their connection to the primary causes of one recent event of note, the George Floyd murder, which became the context for how many Black Americans saw themselves. All Americans, not just Black Americans, were attempting to make meaning of their first pandemic. Lastly, the charged political environment left many attempting to find their voice or wondering if they were going to be silenced by others with differing views. While there is much to be studied on the individual components of identity, voice and meaning making, there is very little research that explores both the interactive and iterative nature of all three. This study develops a foundation for such future work. Finally, this research seeks to determine if any of the key findings can be used to improve or enhance existing DE&I training and development constructs. This pragmatic approach is an attempt to address an ever-changing corporate landscape.
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Details
- Title
- Power to change one's robes
- Creators
- Dennis Lee Hatchett
- Contributors
- Rajiv Nag (Advisor)Lauren D'Innocenzo (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 141 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Bennett S. LeBow College of Business; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021120114004721