Bellevue University College of Business
Name of Researcher: Kevin England
Title of Research: Employee Resource Group (ERG) Leadership Dynamics: A Grounded Theory
Purpose: The purpose of this research study is to explore the experience of employees who currently lead or previously led an Employee Resource Group (ERG) at their employer, in a volunteer capacity outside their primary job responsibilities. The study will focus on individuals who have been in the highest leadership role in their ERG, sometimes called a “national” or “global” chair, lead, or president. The end result will be an analysis of the paths that lead into ERG leadership roles, the experiences of individuals during their time in the role, the costs and benefits to the individuals during and after their time in the ERG leadership role, and success factors for organizations to best support the roles. Results will help individual ERG leaders, and the organizations that support them, maximize the value of the roles for employees and employers alike.
Methods and Procedures: A qualitative grounded theory approach will be used in this study which focuses on collecting data from individual employees. Participants will be asked to participate in a one-on-one interview by telephone or in person, typically lasting less than an hour, with questions about your career and your experience before and during your ERG leadership role (and if you’ve left the role, your experience after).
Time to Participate: The interview will take about 45-60 minutes and will be conducted by telephone or in person. There may be some additional follow-up by email, telephone, or in person if necessary.
Participation: Your participation in this study is voluntary; however, you must be at least 21 years of age in order to participate. You should also have been (or currently be) at the highest level of leadership within your ERG, in a volunteer separate from your primary job duties.
Risks / Discomforts: There are no known risks or discomforts associated with this research.
Benefits: As a current or former ERG leader, this research may provide valuable insights to you about best practices from your peers across organizations and industries. The insights provided will help organizations learn to maximize the value of ERG leadership roles, which will benefit employers and employees alike.
Compensation: Research participants will receive a $10 gift card in appreciation for your time.