IMPLICATIONS OF RACIAL DIVERSITY IN THE SUPERVISOR-SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIP

This study addresses the impact of race on the supervisor-subordinate relationship. The purpose is to examine this relationship with minorit y subordinates reporting to both majority and minority group members. Using the subordinates needs framework identified by Baird and Kram (1 983), 5 areas were addressed: supervisory support, developmental oppor tunities, procedural justice, acceptance or assimilation, and discrimi nation. The results indicated that African American subordinates with White supervisors experience less supervisory support, developmental o pportunities, procedural justice, assimilation, and more discriminatio n than African American subordinates with African American supervisors .