The Diversity Challenge: Part 1 of 5
What is the greatest challenge to achieving diversity in the workplace?
While measures to increase diversity are an integral part of management culture, achieving truly diverse and inclusive organizations is an ongoing struggle. This week, Management INK presents a 5-part series targeting specific diversity-related questions in order to foster discussion and research on best practices.
Part 1: What are some of the greatest barriers to achieving workplace diversity today?
Harold Andrew Patrick of Christ University and Vincent Raj Kumar of Baldwin Methodist College published “Managing Workplace Diversity: Issues and Challenges” on April 25, 2012 in SAGE Open.
The abstract:
Diversity management is a process intended to create and maintain a positive work environment where the similarities and differences of individuals are valued. The literature on diversity management has mostly emphasized on organization culture; its impact on diversity openness; human resource management practices; institutional environments and organizational contexts to diversity-related pressures, expectations, requirements, and incentives; perceived practices and organizational outcomes related to managing employee diversity; and several other issues. The current study examines the potential barriers to workplace diversity and suggests strategies to enhance workplace diversity and inclusiveness. It is based on a survey of 300 IT employees. The study concludes that successfully managing diversity can lead to more committed, better satisfied, better performing employees and potentially better financial performance for an organization.
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Up next in the series: Why do men outnumber women in academic leadership positions?
