A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study of the U.S. Army’s Performance Evaluation Process and Its Impact on Minority Groups: Bias, Diversity, and Military Readiness

Author

Laterrious StarksFollow

Campus Location

Dallas Campus (Online)

Date of Award

12-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Department

Organizational Leadership

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Committee Chair or Primary Advisor

Dr. Joe Perez

Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor

Dr. Wynona James

Third Committee Member or Committee Reader

Dr. Christie Bledsoe

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of the U.S. Army’s Officer Evaluation Report process on minority groups. Through a constructivist grounded theory framework, this research unravels the dynamics that influence performance evaluations and examines the Army’s ability to be a developmental organization. As the military sharpens its focus on identifying near-peer threats and updating the National Defense Strategy for large-scale combat operations, diversity and inclusivity policies are increasingly recognized as fundamental to military readiness. This study uncovers disparities that emerge from the organizational practices within the Officer Evaluation Report process. The finding highlights the implications for minority groups and the systemic impact on their career progression and sense of belonging. The study seeks to underscore the significance of addressing bias within performance evaluations to improve the U.S. Army’s ability to achieve individual and collective goals. This research contributes to the existing knowledge body by exploring the interconnections among performance evaluation processes, biases, diversity, and military readiness within the U.S. Army. The findings inform policy changes, training programs, and strategies that can lead to a fairer, more inclusive, and ultimately more effective U.S. Army.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Starks, Laterrious, "A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study of the U.S. Army’s Performance Evaluation Process and Its Impact on Minority Groups: Bias, Diversity, and Military Readiness" (2024). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 841.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/841