Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects

Author

Tina Chumley

Date of Award

Spring 2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Department

Political Science

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to collect data from healthcare executives in hospital settings throughout the State of Georgia with a licensed bed capacity of 100 beds and greater in order to determine whether male executives are more successful than their female counterparts. Despite interest in this issue, there is no good answer to the question on how long pay disparity will continue between men and women healthcare executives.

The study provides insight that may help answer the question, and also supplies new information on why the disparity still exists. Data for healthcare executives were obtained through a self-administered, online survey that consisted of 14 closed-ended questions. In all, 225 executives from hospitals in Georgia were selected for the study with 51 responding. The overall response rate was 23 percent. The respondents were between 51 and 60 years of age, with men representing 56 percent and women representing 43.38 percent.

Salary is the key variable when comparing pay equity between males and females in executive positions. The average salary for both men and women was greater than $125,000.00; however, men’s compensation exceeded that of women. Although current position reveals a variance between males and females, about 39.13 percent of women are vice presidents, while 32 percent of men occupy chief executive positions. Overall, these findings demonstrate that men do hold higher positions than women. Despite the current positive trends for female healthcare executives, the paper concludes that there is still a tendency for women to fall behind their male counterparts in upward mobility.

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