Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration

Signal Fires: The Use of Diversity Value Signaling in Local Government Job Advertisements Following the Summer of Racial Reckoning

Xi Chen

Auburn University

Geoffrey A. Silvera

University of Alabama-Birmingham

Jonathan M. Fisk

Auburn University

Courtney N. Haun

Samford University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jsepa.v1i2.4816

Keywords: diversity, local government, hiring

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Abstract

Following the events of the summer of 2020, public and private sector organizations have engaged in a variety of actions related to promoting, valuing, and celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Perhaps due to their role as direct providers of public safety, local governments are along the front lines of DEI efforts and values. Using a novel dataset of International City/County Management Association job advertisements from July 1, 2020–November 1, 2020, this article examines why some local hiring authorities utilize DEI signaling language in their job advertisements while others do not. Results indicate that both external and internal characteristics are associated with diversity value signaling in local government administrations.

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Author Biographies

Xi Chen, Auburn University

Xi Chen (he/his) (xzc0049@auburn.edu) is an assistant professor in the Department of Politics & International Affairs at Northern Arizona University. His research interests include research methods for public administrators, environmental policy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Geoffrey A. Silvera, University of Alabama-Birmingham

Geoffrey A. Silvera (he/his) (gsilvera@uab.edu) is a management scholar who serves as an assistant professor of health services administration at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. His work centers on the ability of executive decision- makers to positively influence end-user outcomes such as patient care quality, patient experience, and inclusion.

Jonathan M. Fisk, Auburn University

Jonathan M. Fisk (he/his) (jmf0055@auburn.edu) is an associate professor of political science at Auburn University. His work focuses on state and local policymaking, environmental politics, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Courtney N. Haun, Samford University

Courtney N. Haun (she/her) (chaun@samford.edu) serves as an assistant professor and director of the Healthcare Administration Undergraduate Program at Samford University. The focus of her scholarly work is on healthcare quality improvement, cultural competency, and health policy implications.

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