Theorizing Diversity in Management Studies: New Perspectives and Future Directions

Abstract

In this introductory article for the special issue of Journal of Management Studies, entitled 'Diversity perspective in management: Towards more complex conceptualizations of diversity in management studies', we highlight thematic research avenues that emerged out of the set of studies accepted for publication. Recognizing that even a set of articles as diverse as those in this special issue cannot realistically represent all new research directions in a field, we identify developing areas in diversity research and call out additional avenues for research. We hope our commentary inspires scholars to unveil new understandings of how diversity affects our organizational and work lives and can contribute to making the world a better place.

Addressing new leadership challenges in a rapidly changing world

“…Currently, society is becoming increasingly more sensitive for different aspects and levels of diversity because of mass migration, aging populations, changing career patterns, and so forth (Post et al, 2021). Thus, promoting and improving diversity and inclusion are critical worldwide.…”

“…Currently, we are experiencing a large scale of changes in business and society that make leadership more important than ever. For example, digital transformation is changing the way business and management are done (Hanelt et al, 2021); the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people work and live (Rigotti et al, 2020(Rigotti et al, , 2021; the globalisation/de-globalisation debate is influencing whether and how organisations and society should be managed worldwide (Contractor, 2022;Witt, 2019); and diversity and inclusion are urgent issues in business and society in times of mass migration, aging population, changing career patterns, and so forth (Post et al, 2021). Further, creativity and innovation are becoming crucial in creating breakthroughs to solve difficult problems for better business and society (Rank et al, 2004;Voegtlin et al, 2022), and ethics have quickly become a concern in business and society as corporate scandals, environmental destruction, and human rights issues in business and society continue to rise (e.g.…”

The psychology of diversity and its implications for workplace (in)equality: Looking back at the last decade and forward to the next

“…Guillaume et al’s (2013) special issue in this journal helped to provide a strong focus and energy to advancing our research efforts on the psychology of diversity at work, but the time has now come to stand back, take stock, and identify future paths forward. Management scholars, for example, have started to reflect on these aspects in relation to diversity research, such as Post’s et al (2021) special issue editorial on theorizing about diversity in management studies, Köllen’s (2021) critical review of diversity management practice, and Triana’s et al (2021) review of discrimination and diversity research within human resource management studies. These reviews generally focus on meso/macro factors and tend to draw on sociologically informed theoretical frameworks; often neglecting psychological perspectives.…”

Board diversity as strategic choice and why it should matter to SMEs

“…Diversity in boards reflects societal equality (Post et al, 2021), and as such, imbalances thereof could constrain the potential of SMEs. With SMEs substantially contributing to economic development and prosperity, their purpose has been extended to the resolution of societal ills (Kuratko and Audretsch, 2021).…”