Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)

Department

Public Policy and Administration

Committee Chairperson

Michelle Wade, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Kristen Crossney, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Jennifer Bozeman, Ph.D.

Abstract

Employee turnover presents significant challenges for organizations, such as diminished productivity, loss of critical knowledge, and heightened recruitment costs. Effective retention of talented employees is vital for organizational success, yet many organizations face difficulties in managing turnover. This dissertation explores employee turnover and retention through the framework of Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, which differentiates between motivators that enhance job satisfaction and hygiene factors that prevent dissatisfaction. Utilizing a multiple case study approach, the research examines one public sector organization and one private sector organization in Tioga County, Pennsylvania to analyze how Herzberg’s theory applies in varied organizational contexts and its impact on turnover and retention strategies. Despite the extensive literature on turnover and retention, there is limited research that offers a comparative perspective, particularly within the unique socio-economic context of a rural county like Tioga. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the differences and similarities in turnover rates, the factors influencing turnover, and the effectiveness of retention strategies employed by organizations in both sectors.

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