A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of Black Professionals in Employee Networks: Critically Exploring Social Interests and Participatory Learning at Work

Abstract

Although there are human resources policies, federal legislation, and workforce protection agencies that seek to minimize racial issues in the workplace, social issues are still a part of the lived experience of all employees, whether they are victims, oppressors, or bystanders of the social imperfections around them. Through the application of a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, this study explores the complexities of this time in American history by looking at how Black professionals experience and witness the enigma of racial tension outside of the workplace, as they work in a predominantly White corporate environment and maintain an affiliation to a Black employee network. When examining this phenomenon, Black professional development emerged as an overarching concept that is informed by Black-consciousness, social and participatory learning, and social networks. Additionally, critical race theory (CRT) was used as the primary framework during the data collection and analysis process, which helped to identify the lack of Black representation in leadership as a chief concern and issue in corporate America. Implications from these findings are discussed to challenge human resource development (HRD) and similar fields to be more inclusive and responsive to the needs of social groups, social interests, and alternative learning approaches in organizations.