Date of Award

Fall 10-17-2023

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

First Advisor

Alyssa Westring

Second Advisor

Jaclyn Jensen

Third Advisor

Grace Lemmon

Abstract

Building on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study focuses on employees from YMCAs across the United States and explores the relationships between individual resistance to change (RTC), attitudes towards organizational diversity & inclusion strategies (AODI) and engagement in anti-racist, multicultural (AMO) efforts. Utilizing the Resistance to Change Scale, the study argues that higher RTC results in lower engagement in AMO activities. Additionally, the study explores AODI predicting more positive attitudes result in greater AMO engagement and that AODI will moderate the relationship between RTC and AMO. A demographically representative total of 141 YMCA employees participated from across the country. Key findings show higher RTC is significantly associated with lower engagement in AMO efforts and that positive AODI is significantly associated with higher engagement in AMO. The prediction that AODI moderates the relationship between RTC and AMO engagement was insignificant and not supported. Overall findings elevate the importance of positive AODI as foundational for progressing and sustaining anti-racist, multicultural organizational development change efforts.

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