Socially responsible diversity management
Jawad Syed
Kent Business School, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Robin Kramar
Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Macquarie University, Sydney NSW
PP: 639 - 651
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to develop a conceptual framework to describe 'socially responsible diversity management'. This framework seeks to demonstrate that the desired social justice outcomes of affirmative action programs and the business benefits of diversity management programs can be achieved but only by undertaking initiatives at a number of levels.
Traditional approaches to affirmative action have been unsuccessful in achieving their goal of equitable labour market outcomes and it is unclear that diversity management programs have contributed to business outcomes. The article argues that neither affirmative action nor diversity management has been able to fully achieve its objectives because of a number of limitations.
The article argues that organisations can achieve better business outcomes, as well as equity outcomes associated with a diverse workforce, by adopting a relational, multilevel framework of managing diversity. Such a framework provides for the creation of what is termed 'socially responsible diversity management'.
Keywords
affirmative action, diversity management, relational framework, multicultural organisation, socially responsible diversity management
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