A Qualitative Study on Supplier Diversity: Expanding Beyond Compliance through Leadership Commitment to Deliver Sustainable Outcomes and Create Value
Date of Award
Summer 2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Committee Chair
Tracy Greene
Committee Member
Eric Parker
Committee Member
Rachel Tate
Abstract
Background: Supplier diversity practices evolved from the early beginnings of the Small Business Administration (SBA) being established by Congress in 1953 as an independent federal government agency, to protect the interests of small businesses and help strengthen the economy. The topic of supplier diversity, and its alignment with corporate vision and objectives, have progressively been important since President Nixon signed Executive Order 11458 in 1969 and established the Minority Business Development Agency. The literature showed the topic has grown in relevance with more stakeholder awareness of corporate social responsibility. Study: The research explored scholarly context from a conceptual framework aimed at understanding the roles of leadership commitment and organizational structure in driving inclusivity in supply chain management, and the related stakeholder impact. The shift from a regulatory and compliance requirement focus to effective supply chain management practices suggested corporate willingness to engage minority- and women-owned business enterprises – and provided the basis to also explore the benefits and value from supply chain diversification. Methodology: The study utilized a general qualitative research approach using semi-structured interviews with corporate professionals in supply diversity program offices and supply chain management functions. The study was designed to explore the problem related to the topic of how supplier diversity practices can expand beyond regulations and compliance through leadership commitment and deliver sustainable outcomes while creating value. Findings: The study results showed that with effective leadership commitment strategies, including efficient organizational structure, long-term benefits and sustainable value are generated from diverse and inclusive supply chains.
Recommended Citation
Adams, Patricia, "A Qualitative Study on Supplier Diversity: Expanding Beyond Compliance through Leadership Commitment to Deliver Sustainable Outcomes and Create Value" (2025). All Doctoral Student Dissertations. 225.
https://fuse.franklin.edu/docpub/225
