Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Department

Bisk College of Business

First Advisor

Ivonne A. Delgado-Perez

Second Advisor

Radhika Krishnamurthy

Third Advisor

Edward Haberek

Fourth Advisor

Emily Martinez-Vogt

Abstract

This qualitative study examined job embeddedness theory and its impact on commercial and government aerospace procurement professionals in the Northeast United States. The research sought to understand the factors that influence why these professionals remain in their positions and what elements contribute to improved job performance. Job embeddedness theory explains employee retention through three key factors: perceived fit within their role, perceived links to organizational culture, and perceived sacrifices that would result from leaving.

The study identified six main themes. First, the research found both similarities and differences in how aerospace procurement specialists connect with aerospace culture in government subcontracting versus commercial procurement environments. Second, procurement specialists in both sectors developed important connections with their departments and functional groups. Third, professionals expressed varying levels of perceived fit with their organizations. Fourth, specialists evaluated different sacrifices and tradeoffs they would face when considering whether to stay or leave their positions. Fifth, job embeddedness directly influenced job performance among these professionals. Sixth, job embeddedness factors affected motivation levels for procurement specialists. These findings could help aerospace procurement managers develop strategies to increase employee retention while enhancing job performance in these critical roles.

Download

Share

COinS