Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Management: Volume 6

Cover of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Management
Subject:

Table of contents

(12 chapters)

Section 1

Abstract

There has been an explosion of interest in “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion” (EDI) – also referred to as DEI among other acronyms. On the one hand, this management trend has the potential to draw attention to the ways in which organizational practices and climates can be transformed to have a positive impact on the underrepresentation of women and other marginalized and excluded groups in the workplace. On the other hand, there may be real consequences for women as EDI replaces other concepts such as women's rights, gender equality, affirmative action, employment equity, gender discrimination, etc. This chapter applies a gender lens to the EDI concept and management policy and practice. It juxtaposes EDI's emergence with the lack of progress on gender equality that is observed and measured in many regions of the world and highlights several critiques that may explain this lack of progress. It also identifies what EDI policies and practices need to take into consideration to better address gender inequality in the workplace. Legal approaches are discussed along with a list of potential areas of research on EDI and gender equality to determine the best path forward for making concrete progress on true equality for women in the workplace.

Abstract

While scholarship has identified the bias that maternal women (Arena et al., 2023; Grandey et al., 2020) and racial minority employees (King et al., in press) endure, few have taken aim at understanding how these identity characteristics might combine to concomitantly shape work experiences. Drawing from stigma theory (Goffman, 1963), the primary purpose of our chapter is to examine how the stereotypes of maternity might interact with race-based stereotypes to shape the experiences of working women. In doing so, we will be able to identify which stereotypes of maternity (i.e., incompetence or disloyalty; Grandey et al., 2020) might be exacerbated or weakened when varying race-based stereotypes are considered. After reviewing the potential for intersecting stereotypes, we then argue that mothers might experience different work and health outcomes – both pre- and postpartum – based on their race. We close by providing insight for future scholars and identify additional identity characteristics that may shape mothers' workplace experiences.

Section 2

Abstract

In this chapter, we seek to bring greater attention to language-based stigma at work and how it affects employees speaking English as their second language. We integrate research findings across multiple disciplines, including management, psychology, linguistics, education, and business ethics, identifying three major themes and knowledge gaps in this research domain. Based on the multidisciplinary knowledge integration, we suggest six promising future directions for organizational and business ethics scholars to pursue. We call for more empirical research focusing on how language-based stigma may harm nonnative English speakers (NNESs) with and without actual mistreatment or discrimination at work and how organizations may intervene to support NNESs. We hope our chapter will spark conducive conversations about mitigating language-based stigma in the workplace.

Abstract

Discrimination is a widespread problem in organizations and has been linked to a variety of negative personal and organizational outcomes (e.g., Hughes & Dodge, 1997; Jones et al., 2016). Confronting is one way to assuage these harmful outcomes. However, several factors can influence whether these confrontation behaviors take place. First, for individuals to confront, they must recognize the discrimination, interpret it as an emergency, take responsibility, identify a response, and decide to intervene (Ashburn-Nardo et al., 2008). In addition, factors like identity, type of prejudice, confrontation tone, and relationship to the perpetrator can influence decisions to confront, as well as the outcomes associated with these confrontation behaviors. Overall, this chapter reviews the literature on the antecedents, outcomes, and moderators associated with confrontation. Moreover, this chapter provides recommendations for organizations and future researchers based on the reported findings.

Abstract

Organizational research on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is at times siloed; the experience of one minoritized or underrepresented group is treated as completely separate and different from the experience of another group and thus research separately. For example, there are terms that are studied only in the context of one group, and a different term is used to study a very similar (or identical) concept among a different group. Indeed, there are many unique experiences that specific minority groups encounter at work. Because of this end, minority groups should not be fully categorized together, and their individual should not be erased. However, there are shared experiences that many or all minorities experience at work, whether they are a gender minority, racial minority, or a member of any other minoritized group. Recognizing these shared experiences can help scholars develop a deeper understanding of what it's like to be minoritized or underrepresented at work, and therefore help to better serve these communities. To this end, our chapter highlights three such shared but unique minority experiences: three experiences that are common across all minority groups but operationalize slightly differently in different populations. The first experience we discuss is discrimination, as all minorities typically experience some form of negative differential treatment at work. The second experience we discuss is identity management, as many minorities need to actively think about how they present their minority identity to others (regardless of if their identity is “concealable” or not). Finally, we discuss strength through adversity, as many minorities argue that their minority identity is a source of strength and an area that benefits them at work. We conclude the chapter with a call toward intraminority solidarity, suggesting that recognizing shared experiences and working together can help build better workplaces for all minority employees.

Abstract

This chapter explores a relatively underresearched assumption in the diversity literature, namely, that more variety in demographic characteristics, educational or functional backgrounds, or hierarchical status in the workforce represents a wider repertoire of perspectives, approaches, and ways of thinking. Using data from members of innovation teams across 27 organizations in 11 industries (for which variation in thinking should be highly valued), we explore at the individual level whether people with different demographic and informational backgrounds evidence differences in ways of thinking which we define in terms of cognitive styles, learning styles, cultural orientations, and communication preferences. We find large differences in ways of thinking due to culture and communication preferences but modest and limited differences in ways of thinking by level and type of education, occupational function, and hierarchical status. We find few differences by gender. The findings raise questions about the frequently repeated claims that categorical and informational diversity among organizational members reflects differences in ways of thinking.

Abstract

The cruise sector's workforce is highly diverse in terms of nationalities, age, and gender. However, diversity in the workforce does not guarantee business success.

Decades of research on the effects of diversity indicate that it can negatively or positively affect an organization's performance. A more diverse workforce does not automatically perform better financially, feels more committed to their companies, nor experiences higher levels of satisfaction. Indeed, data suggest diversity may produce more conflict, employee turnover, but if well managed can lead to greater creativity and innovation.

This chapter explores the cruise industry's diversity and inclusion challenges and management practices. To examine what cruise companies are doing in this field, we reviewed the public data of the four largest cruise companies. We analyzed how these companies define diversity, their commitment to inclusion, their practices, their metrics, and their primary objectives.

Firstly, there is no theoretical model that includes all variables that affect the management of diversity in the cruise sector. Secondly, companies communicate a commitment to inclusion in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports and refer to similar policies implemented by the hospitality industry. Thirdly, the main challenges are the multicultural environment and the limited female representation.

The major limitation of this study is the data source. We recommend further studies supported by nonpublic company data. We encourage cruise industry leaders to support the research to develop an empirically tested model that captures the specific variables that affect diversity management in the industry.

Abstract

This chapter delves into the complex interplay between ethics, law and business case regarding diversity and inclusion within organisations. While the business case for diversity and inclusion has gained prominence, the ethical imperative often lacks comparable influence. Despite the coercive forces of laws and regulations, ethical values struggle to exert significant pressure on diversity-related issues.

This study concentrates on “ambiguity of law” and “abstaining from complaint” about discrimination, mistreatment, or unfair behavior to explain the weak pushing effect of ethical values on diversity- and inclusion-related issues. The ambiguity of law fosters open-ended discussions and varied interpretations, complicating efforts towards equitable treatment. Furthermore, the reluctance to voice complaints regarding discrimination or mistreatment blurs the boundary between ethics and business.

This chapter points out ethical values in the shade of the business case approach and proposes strategies to strengthen the influence of ethics in diversity management. Moral awareness, a sense of justice, and ethical coding of decisions are prominent components of this chapter that may contribute to strengthening the ethical infrastructure of organizations.

Section 3

Abstract

This chapter underscores the increasing importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) education in business schools, citing societal disparities, corporate commitments, and social movements. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) emphasizes the role of diverse representation in faculty, staff, and curriculum to inspire learners and foster diverse leadership in business. The call for integrated DEIJ throughout the business curriculum is not new, and the text suggests introducing these topics through a stand-alone foundational course. It acknowledges the challenges of curricular changes and recommends democratic processes for effective implementation. This chapter encourages exploring the impact of biases in artificial intelligence (AI) and suggests incorporating discussions on AI tools like ChatGPT as educational opportunities to address biases within the context of business and society.

Abstract

Building inclusive businesses (IBs) that generate shared value (a value including both social and business benefits simultaneously) is essential to instill the principles of inclusion, diversity, and equity in society. Yet, few studies specifically address how shared value is created in IBs. Drawing on the exploratory insights of a single case study involving an inclusive company IntendiMe, we provide an empirical investigation of the process of shared value creation. The findings of this study have shown that to create shared value in IBs, firms need to implement different practices that can be grouped into the following three phases: (1) aligning the environment with inclusion, (2) execution of inclusive business operations, and (3) value construction. During the first two phases, business and social values are still perceived separately; only after the execution of the two preparatory phases, in the third phase, IBs build shared value with the close collaboration of different market players and stakeholders. Shared value can be translated into developing innovative, inclusive products and market expansions that satisfy multiple needs of socially excluded people. With this study, we contribute to the literature on IBs and shared value by offering a dynamic analysis of the development of shared value and delineating a concrete set of practices that managers may accomplish in their business to develop a more significant value proposition based on socially inclusive principles.

Abstract

Food security reflects the amount of access and availability of healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food and represents a significant problem both nationally and globally. Individuals and families that are considered food insecure experience disparities and inequities in food access and availability and insufficiency in the amount and kind of food required for a healthy lifestyle. We see high food insecurity as a violation of one's rights to a healthy and secure life and a denial of the opportunity for individuals, families, and communities to realize their full potential in society. Thus, we examine food insecurity from three distinct but related perspectives: social responsibility, social justice, and social sustainability. We then explore the link between food insecurity and the “built environment” as needed to shape research, practice, and sustainable solutions in the future.

Cover of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Management
DOI
10.1108/S2514-1759202406
Publication date
2024-08-13
Book series
Business and Society 360
Editors
Series copyright holder
Emerald Publishing Limited
ISBN
978-1-83549-259-8
eISBN
978-1-83549-258-1
Book series ISSN
2514-1759