1st Edition
Organizational Culture and Social Equity An Experiential Guide
Social equity, or the lack of social equity, is practiced in all of our organizations. By focusing on advancing social equity in organizational culture, public and non-profit organizations can create more inclusive operations, correct historical injustices, and fulfill their mission to serve the community. Social equity is often explored as a grand theory, but it is critical for organizations to identify and practice strategies to apply theory into action. Organizational Culture and Social Equity: An Experiential Guide is the first book of its kind to provide the public service-minded reader with an opportunity to practice social equity. The chapters are designed to be both theoretical and practical, helping the reader develop knowledge to analyze social equity efforts in their own organization as well as the tools to act.
The contributing chapter authors in this book explore social equity through various dimensions of organizational culture: physical characteristics and general environment; policies, procedures, and structures; socialization; leadership behavior; rewards and recognition; discourse; and learning and performance. Each contributor provides a thorough overview of their respective culture category along with important theories and concepts, definitions, and strategies for practice. The chapter authors then examine social equity in each area of organizational culture through a learning activity, discussion questions, and a call to action. Each chapter further reinforces concepts with a vignette featuring a public administrator who has faced a situation related to that chapter. Organizational Culture and Social Equity is a timely and essential read for all those who wish to study or practice public administration through an equity lens.
Introduction
Stephanie Dolamore and Angela Kline
1. Physical Characteristics and General Environment
Kathryn E. Wassel
2. Policies, Procedures, and Structures
Sean McCandless
3. Socialization
Lindsey L. Evans and Mary Strawderman
4. Leadership Behavior
Shilpa Viswanath and Maren B. Trochmann
5. Rewards and Recognition
Simone Martin-Howard
6. Discourse
Adam Croft and Anthony Starke, Jr.
7. Learning and Performance
Samantha June Larson and Jack Tierney
Conclusion
Stephanie Dolamore
Biography
Stephanie Dolamore is Assistant Professor of Public Administration at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. She teaches using American Sign Language and English for the bilingual Master of Public Administration program for D/deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students. Her research explores the intersection of social equity, disability justice, and organizational culture in the public sector.
Angela Kline is Assistant Professor of Public Administration at West Chester University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches in the Doctorate of Public Administration and Master of Public Administration programs. Her research focuses on non-profit organizations, social equity, mentorship, and women in academia.
"Social equity is a central pillar of public service, but one many have struggled to convert into action—in the classroom and in the field. Building on foundational works, with an innovative design that is both theoretically rich and practically useful, Dolamore and Kline have created a blueprint for teaching our students how to build a more just and equitable public service. Students have been clamoring for more activities associated with social equity and I could not be more excited to use this book in the classroom."
Jessica E. Sowa, University of Delaware, United States
"This edited textbook by Dolamore and Kline does what it intends to do – offer theoretical and practical insights to the practice of social equity in public administration and management. Chapter authors provide readers with evidence that debunks existing myths related to the inability of fulfilling equity within organizations. The text acknowledges the challenges of implementing social equity in organizations rooted within systems of oppression while also providing readers with the foundation elements of social equity and offering insights for the future. This textbook is a critical read for those studying and seeking to study and practice public administration through an equity lens."
Tia Sherèe Gaynor, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, United States
"This is an excellent book on how to practice social equity and create a more inclusive society. The authors provide rich vignettes, practical steps, and insightful activities to foster social equity and manifest change in government. It has the power to change American society. A must read for faculty and graduate students in public administration, criminal justice, and political science."
Lorenda A. Naylor, College of Public Affairs, University of Baltimore, United States
