Journal of European Industrial Training Emerald Article: Diversity training in organisations: an introduction David McGuire, Mammed Bagher Article information: To cite this document: David McGuire, Mammed Bagher, (2010),"Diversity training in organisations: an introduction", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 34 Iss: 6 pp. 493 - 505 Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03090591011061185 Downloaded on: 23-05-2012 References: This document contains references to 61 other documents To copy this document: permissions@emeraldinsight.com This document has been downloaded 2876 times. Access to this document was granted through an Emerald subscription provided by University of South Africa Library For Authors: If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service. Information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. 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The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/0309-0590.htm Diversity training in organisations: an introduction Diversity training David McGuire School of Business Enterprise and Management, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK, and Mammed Bagher School of Management and Law, The Business School, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK 493 Received 15 July 2009 Revised 22 January 2010 Accepted 23 April 2010 Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on diversity training and examine the effect of power, privilege and politics on diversity in organisations. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper examining the arguments in favour and against diversity training in organisations. It identifies the presence of dominant groups in society leading to the marginalisation and oppression of minority diverse groups. It introduces the papers to the special issue under the three themes of: organisational impacts and outcomes; identify and self-presentation and resistance to diversity. Findings – The value of diversity training to promoting inclusivity, equality and fairness in organisations is underlined as is the importance of the human resource development community adopting a more proactive role in addressing the issue of diversity through research and course cirricula. Originality/value – The paper introduces this special issue in “Diversity training in organisations” by examining the background concepts and providing an overview of the contributions to the issue. Keywords Equal opportunities, Training Paper type Conceptual paper Introduction Embracing diversity is one of the key challenges faced by both small and large organisations. Recognising, understanding and valuing difference is key, particularly in light of the dual trends of globalisation and the increasing participation rates of diverse groups in the workplace (Moore, 1999). In order to respond effectively to employees and customers, many organisations are seeking to embed diversity at the core of their business practices resulting in changes to attitudes, behaviours and outlooks both within and out-with the organisation. As such, in a global market, organisations are seeking employees from diverse backgrounds who have the cultural, linguistic and social knowledge to adapt products and practices to fit the expectations of customers (Vielba and Edelshain, 1997). The issue of diversity has, therefore, moved from being a social ideal to becoming a practical business mandate, especially as more organisations operate beyond national borders (Lattimer, 1998). Diversity is forged in an individual’s identity and encompasses both visible and non-visible aspects by which individuals categorize themselves and others (Ely and Thomas, 2001). As such, diversity is a multidimensional concept and can include aspects such as gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality class, religion, age Journal of European Industrial Training Vol. 34 No. 6, 2010 pp. 493-505 q Emerald Group Publishing Limited 0309-0590 DOI 10.1108/03090591011061185 JEIT 34,6 494 and disability. Consequently, organisations are rich with difference and valuing diversity in organisations can involve a complex process of moulding a common set of values inclusive of difference (Sadri and Tran, 2002). However, the drive to unify employees under a common values set, can produce dynamics where difference becomes submerged and hidden. Koene and van Riemsdijk (2005) argue that this collective identity orientation can reinforce an organisational structure with strong group divisions enabling easy stereotyping of others. Likewise, Swann et al. (2004) argues that through emphasising superordinate goals and identities, the distinctions amongst group members often becomes blurred, negating the true value of diversity. As such, differences become lost and secondary to the goal of unity. In this way, Byrd (2009) argues that a collectivistic values set can result in a diversity-blind attitude and an emphasis on sameness with a resulting generalisation of the language of diversity. By valuing diversity, the potential for creativity and innovation in an organisation is enhanced (Page, 2007; Finkelstein and Hambrick, 1996). It is argued that organisations that promote diversity can improve their effectiveness through maximising individual potential (Kim, 2006); enhancing their ability to recruit the most skilled applicants (Cox and Blake, 1991) and increasing job commitment and performance amongst employees (Richard and Shelor, 2002; Iles and Hayers, 1997). Furthermore, Lattimer (1998) argues that managing diversity (MD) can help an organisation adjust to new challenges including securing new and emerging markets; dealing with globalisation; adjusting to a changing workforce and shifting employee values and integrating new technology and information systems. By fostering inclusivity and respect for the dignity and identify of the individual, it is also argued that organisations can free themselves of costly lawsuits, hostile environments and divisive conflict-ridden cultures (Aghazadeh, 2004). This introductory paper sets out some of the key issues affecting diversity training in organisations. It examines the case for diversity training outlining the rationale for engaging in investing in this form of training as well as the criticisms leveled at it. It also explored the diversity training priorities across the individual, organisational and societal levels of analysis. The effects of power and privilege on individuals and minority groups in organisations is discussed and the barriers facing these groups identified. Finally, the paper introduces the key themes that will be examined in this special issues and provides a preĢcis of the individual papers comprising the issue. Diversity training in organisations With the dual effects of globalisation and workforce mobility increasing, diversity training is becoming a more pressing priority for human resource development (HRD) professionals. Lai and Kleiner (2001) define diversity training as the process by which a workforce is educated about cultural, socio-economic, racial and religious differences among employees and taught how to embrace those differences so as to create and maintain an effective work environment. Diversity training, therefore, educates and trains employees to embrace difference, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, class or any other related dimension. Pendry et al. (2007) identify the primary goal of diversity training as facilitating the integration of minority groups into the workplace by attempting to confer on the workforce the skills, knowledge and motivation to work productively alongside dissimilar others and interact effectively with a diverse customer population. The intent of diversity training is, therefore, to reduce and end workplace discrimination and harassment of minority groups (Hemphill and Haines, 1997). Increasingly, diversity training is being valued by organisations for the ability to understand and leverage difference in making better decisions. For this reason, Anand and Winters (2008) argue that diversity is increasingly being positioned as a competency in organisations; the implication being that all employees need to be diversity-competent. Diversity training, therefore, involves guiding participants towards incorporating new worldviews into their problem solving and decisionmaking activities. Within this paradigm, research has indicated moves towards ending the hierarchical construction of difference, towards looking at difference in terms of it producing a unique culture and distinctive identity. Sandel (1999) questions whether deafness, rather than being considered a disability could be viewed as a distinctive identity. Similarly, Day (2007) subscribes to a developmental approach to diversity, recognising the cultural basis of difference and he argues that cultural differences represent an opportunity to strengthen organisations through shared learning, better communication and new perspectives. A summary of diversity training priorities at the individual, group, organisational and societal level can be found in Table I. Several criticisms have been levelled at the concept of diversity training. Broadly speaking, the main arguments here fall within two categories. First, much diversity training works on the basis of identifying and recognising dominance and privilege. Such activities identify diversity inequalities as implicitly resulting from the hidden power exercised by white males in the workplace. For this reason, Karp and Sutton (1993) argue that diversity training constitutes brainwashing and have the effect of intimidating white males (whether intentional or not). Lindsay (1994) maintains that this may lead to white males feeling over-exposed, targeted and maligned. In this way, it is argued that far from eliminating discrimination and division, diversity training Individual level Group level Organisational level Societal level Harness positive attitudes to diversity Promote an understanding of the effects of power and privilege Educate employees about diversity Develop and frame of self-identity Help employees overcome diversity barriers Promote teamwork through inclusive activities Foster respect and tolerance of difference Review group values Improve access and support Reexamine recruitment, promotion and other practices Provide career mentoring and coaching programmes Develop organisational policies towards diversity Promote a positive diversity climate Facilitate diversity workshops Appoint diversity champions Promote equality and social justice Eliminate discrimination Encourage greater participation of diverse groups Foster positive relations amongst diverse groups Dissemination of good practice Diversity training 495 Table I. Diversity training priorities across levels of analysis JEIT 34,6 496 results in negative labeling and heightens tensions in the workplace (Hemphill and Haines, 1997). Second, diversity training deals with highly personal issues and experiences. As Lindsay (1994) points out, the participant and the trainer are the topic itself. She argues that the topic requires people to talk about fears, experiences and opinions which they may not feel comfortable doing in a public setting. As such, diversity training may touch upon emotionally charged topics and needs to be carried out with a high degree of sensitivity. Power, privilege and politics Power, privilege and political issues dominate critical analyses of diversity issues. There is widespread recognition of the dominance of white, able-bodied heterosexual norms in organisational norms, ideology and practices. (Broadridge and Hearn, 2008; Fassinger, 1995; Skidmore, 2004). Social dominance theory seeks to explain power differentials by examining how hierarchies are constructed based upon social group membership (McKay and Avery, 2006; Aquino et al., 2005). It argues that the dominance of a particular group confers disproportionate privileges on the “superior” group providing greater access to resources than the “inferior” group. For their part, Chattopadhyay et al. (2004) maintain that differentials in power and status are legitimated and maintained through ideologies shared by “superior” and “inferior” groups. This mechanism allows organisations to present an appearance of equality, while inequities remain hidden. Eriksson-Zetterquist and Styhre (2008) describe the dominant image of the white, heterosexual masculine norm that exists in organisations as similar to that of an anchor, from which diverse groups continually find themselves deviating from. Consequently, research has shown that diverse groups are more likely to suffer from higher levels of discrimination, victimisation and social support (Aquino and Bommer, 2003; Pratto et al., 1994). Indeed, diverse groups can sometimes engage in non-standard working patterns and are consequently perceived as less reliable and committed to the organisation, suffering career penalties as a result (Beauregard, 2008). Unearned privileges are often the outcome of power differentials in the workplace. McIntosh (1993, p. 31) describes the concept of privilege as “an invisible container of unearned benefits that operates in such a way as to maintain its invisibility, to keep its beneficiaries ignorant of its presence, and to preserve its existence”. She argues that there is often an unwillingness by the dominant group to acknowledge that they are advantaged and the invisibility of privilege means that it is more likely to be denied and thus protected. A study of race-related privilege by Rosette and Tost (2007) found that white employees had greater advantages over minority groups in the workplace, but that white employees viewed such advantages as normative and available to all employees. In the area of sexuality, the dominance of heterosexual norms means that it is often difficulty for homosexual employees to discuss their sexuality in the workplace. Studies exploring the experiences of gay and lesbian employees report strategies of closeting, hiding and lying about one’s sexual orientation in the workplace (Gedro et al., 2004; Adams, 1996). In many cases, homosexual employees may decide to pass themselves off as “straight” in order to avoid bullying and harassment. However, Driscoll et al. (1996) maintain that the partitioning of an individual’s personal and professional life can often result in lower self-esteem, higher stress levels and a lack of closeness in workplace relationships. While much has been written on issues of power and privilege, only limited research has focused on the politics of diversity. Harris et al. (2005) recognise that organisations are political arenas and that organisational political behaviour seeks to benefit, enhance or protect one’s self-interests to the exclusion of others. Therefore, organisational politics can play a role in sustaining inequalities and disparities by granting privileges upon certain groups over others. A paper by Ferris et al. (1996) argues that informal information, rules, norms and practices are selectively transmitted amongst dominant groups in the organisation to the benefit of privileged groups in the organisation. They argue that this also results in members of the minority group being closed out of the information network leading to a lack of awareness of how things get done and political skill deficiencies. Specific themes explored within the issue The papers within this special issue fall broadly within three categories: contributions that look at the effect of diversity training on organisational practices; contributions that look at how diverse employees present themselves in the workplace and contributions which examine resistance to diversity. Organisational impacts and outcomes Several commentators have noted that there is a distinct lack of research examining the effectiveness of diversity training. Holladay and Quinones (2008) identify a lack of empirical data documenting the design features that contribute to the effectiveness of diversity training. Likewise, DeMeuse et al. (2007) argue that greater attention needs to focus on the evaluation of diversity training initiatives. This absence of research may explain the commonly held perceptions that diversity training is “woolly” and the business case for diversity training requires clearer articulation. Some research indicates that attention should be paid to how studies of diversity in organisations are conducted. Cox (2004) argues for greater use of qualitative approaches in diversity research through the use of in-depth interviews and open-ended questioning. Addressing the need for longtitudinal case studies, both Krieger (2005) and Wentling and Palma-Rivas (1997) argue that diversity studies carried out over a long time period would allow a clearer identification of successful interventions and programmes. Meanwhile, Sippola and Smale (2007) identify a greater need for research amongst international firm as to how diversity is managed and diversity challenges are overcome. Responding to the lack of empirical studies examining the impact of diversity, this issue presents two papers that explore the effectiveness of diversity training. Jim Stewart and Victoria Harte examine the relationship between talent management (TM) and MD. They explore the implications of the inclusivity versus exclusivity debate within TM for diversity and equal opportunities within organisations. Through the use of semi-structured interviews discussions, the authors seek to establish the degree to which policy and practice in the areas of TM and MD are coordinated. It also seeks to ascertain whether TM policies help to achieve the goals of MD and inversely, whether MD supports the objectives of TM. In particular, attention is paid to whether HRD provides a suitable framework for linking both concepts. The paper recommends that a more integrated approach be adopted to link TM, MD and HRD. Diversity training 497 JEIT 34,6 498 Margaret Yap, Mark Robert Holmes, Charity-Ann Hannan and Wendy Cuk present the findings of a large cross-sectional study of diversity training practices in Canada. The authors note an increasing dependence on immigrants across the Canadian workforce and the likelihood of immigrants facing discriminatory treatment across a number of economic and social variables. The authors cite research showing that the isolation and marginalisation of diverse groups has a negative impact on career satisfaction and engagement as well as on organisational variables such as productivity, profitability and employee turnover. Using an online survey design, the authors collected data from over 11,000 managers, professionals and executives. The authors examined employees’ perceptions of their organisations’ diversity training programs, and the relationship that human capital, subjective and objective factors have on organisational commitment and career satisfaction. The paper concludes that diversity training programmes significantly affect levels of organisational commitment and career satisfaction and advocates greater awareness of the benefits of diversity training programmes. Identity and self-presentation Research has shown that the social identity that individuals derive is significantly influenced by the groups which individuals belong and the environment they operate in (Rink and Ellemers, 2007; Tajfel, 1972). A key aspect of social identity, therefore, is the degree of similarity between the individual and the group/organisation to which they belong. The existence of privileged hierarchies and cultures thus forces diverse individuals and communities to conform to masculine heteronormative organisational paradigm, where the rights of majority members are visible and unchallenged (Munn et al., 2009). In such cultures, individual identities and diversities may become submerged and behaviours constrained to fit with the dominant norms. In this special issue, we present two papers which explore the ways in which both women and lesbians operate within highly masculine-dominant contexts. Heather Kissack explores how e-mail has become a gendered form of communication. Using muted group theory, she examines the use of gender-preferential language highlighting the use of power in everyday communication. She argues that language is socially constructed and women must assimilate textual norms suited to replicating male dominance and the marginalisation and silencing of the female voice. She maintains that women must conform to language rules that do not allow for feminine voice and marginalises what is being said. The absence of in-person social cues imposes additional limitations on female expression, leading to the further exclusion of women. She argues for the need to embrace more effective inclusive forms of communication and a stronger critique of organisational life. She suggests that action research may usefully identify inequities and inequalities in organisations and provide a roadmap for developing more democratic respectful organisations. Julie Gedro in her paper entitled: “Lesbian presentations and representations of leadership, and the implications for HRD” examines the double-marginalisation of lesbians through gender and sexual orientation. She highlights the absence of research on lesbian leadership in the HRD and business literature and argues for greater attention to be devoted to sexual minority issues in the workplace. She identifies a series of key pressures for women in leadership including, the persistent prejudice amongst women working outside the home; sexism amongst followers; lack of acceptance of women’s leadership style; appearance pressures and an expectation that women will conform to gender norms. She also discusses some key pressures unique to lesbians, namely, lack of attention to lesbian concerns even within lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered literature; pressures related to identity management and issues related to gender expression. She concludes that HRD can play an important role in dismantling the sexist and homophobic attitudes that continue to prevail within many organisations. Diversity training 499 Resistance to diversity Does the field of HRD embrace the concept of diversity? Historically, it appears that HR systems were designed to promote similarity in social characteristics, with Schneider (1985, 1987) arguing that individuals were generally attracted to organisations that aligned with their values and outlook and that over time, employees who did not fit with the dominant culture would leave the firm. Kuchinke (2002) argues that diversity is not well embedded in the core curriculum of graduate HRD programmes with only 44 per cent of programmes covering diversity as a topic area. This finding questions the commitment of the field to diversity issues. Laura L. Bierema presents an analysis of the resistance to diversity within the field of HRD. She argues that diversity presents a threat to the prevailing performance frameworks that emphasise productivity, profitability and resource efficiency. She maintains that research within the field ignores issues such as gender, homosexuality, women, race, social responsibility and power. She claims that accepting diversity as a core aspect of HRD would in the view of some commentators dilute HRD’s power base and challenge the power relations that privileges dominant groups in the workplace. Her conclusion is a call to arms for the field of HRD to reclaim diversity and realise HRD’s long-standing humanistic and developmental vision. A summary of the papers included in this special issue is provided in Table II. Conclusion Diversity training has a significant role to play in fostering greater equality, inclusion and fairness in the workplace. Critically, it can help diverse individuals and communities recoup important aspects of their identity and enjoy productive fulfilling careers in the workplace. Diversity fosters a new outlook in organisations through capitalising on the perspectives of all employees and giving voice to silenced minorities. It promotes greater understanding, communication and the integration of different worldviews in decision making and problem solving. To embed diversity effectively in organisations requires both leadership by senior management and a realisation that diversity will improve performance metrics, rather than simply being a socially desirable ideal. It involves recognising that promoting diversity and an inclusive culture is a shared responsibility and is not solely the preserve of diversity advocates or HR departments. As globalisation effects increase and the participation of diverse groups in the workplace grows, there is a clear need for the field of HRD to commit to promoting the cause of diversity. Diversity needs to become a priority item on the HRD agenda through embedding diversity into the cirricula of HRD programmes. Educating HRD graduates and practitioners about diversity issues is critical to fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities in the workplace. It is critical to prepare HRD practitioners JEIT 34,6 500 Table II. Summary details of papers included in the special issue Stewart and Harte Objective of the paper To explore how HR professionals connect TM and MD and how HRD practice helps/hinders these connections Theoretical approach TM; MD; HRD Methodology Document analysis; interviews with six HR professionals within a large metropolitan local council Key findings Poor HR professional understanding of TM and limited knowledge of linkages between TM and MD; evidence of TM and MD remaining separate initiatives in practice Implications for HRD Little evidence of HRD practice helping or hindering connections between TM and MD; need for an integrated approach linking HRD, TM and MD Yap, Holmes and Hannan Objective of the paper To examine the relationship between diversity training effectiveness, organisational commitment and career satisfaction To explore the relationship between being an immigrant, organisational commitment and career satisfaction To analyse the relationship between being a visible minority, organisational commitment and career satisfaction To evaluate the relationship between subjective factors, organisational commitment and career satisfaction Theoretical approach Synopsis of literature on demographic factors, human capital, subjective factors and objective factors Methodology Online survey of 11,000 managers, professionals and executives from nine large Canadian organisations Key findings Employees who believe their organisations diversity training programmes to be effective were more satisfied with their career and more commitment to their organisation Being an immigrant was positively associated with organisational commitment and negatively associated with career satisfaction Visible minority employees have higher levels of organisational commitment, but lower levels of career satisfaction Subjective factors were positively associated with organisational commitment and career satisfaction Implications for HRD Effective diversity training increases career satisfaction and organisational commitment Employees who perceive that the diversity training in their organisation is ineffective have significantly higher levels of career satisfaction and organisational commitment those who perceive that their organisations have no diversity training Kissack Objective of the paper To examine gender-preferential language in e-mail usage in organisations To explore mechanisms by which female voice is muted through e-mail usage Theoretical approach Muted group theory Methodology Theoretical paper Key findings Language difference between males and females are carried over into organisational e-mails despite the lack of contextual cues within e-mail Women’s voice in e-mail is not merely marginalised, but is muted Implications for HRD Higher ranked organisational employees speak more freely in their emails than those at lower ranks, indicating power cues Women must assimilate their language to mimic males in order to be heard The absence of social cues on e-mail forces individuals to infer gender from textual cues only, thus magnifying the importance and use of masculine language (continued) Without effective, inclusive communication, organisations will struggle to perform at maximum quality; muting the voices of women only exacerbates this struggle Gedro Objective of the paper To identify the pressures confronting women in leadership To highlight the unique pressures confronting lesbians in leadership To examine the role of HRD in reducing barriers to lesbian leadership Theoretical approach Critical HRD; gender and sexuality; women in leadership; lesbianism. Methodology Theoretical paper Key findings Locates some key pressures unique to lesbians, namely: negotiating the heterosexism of the organisation; invisibility versus visibility, and gender expression and gender role expectations Implications for HRD Identifies a key role for HRD in examining tacit aspects of leadership and creating a more equitable, accessible and fair workplace; HRD to become an agent for social justice in addressing privilege and marginalisation Bierema Objective of the paper To empirically illustrate how HRD resists issues of diversity To analyze research on HRD and diversity over a ten-year period To issue recommendations for a more authentic integration of diversity into HRD research, teaching and practice Theoretical approach HRD; diversity in HRD and OD Methodology Theoretical paper Key findings Very poor coverage of diversity issues in HRD textbooks; developmental and performance issues dominate HRD studies; an examination of HRD research highlighted that for every HRD and diversity study conducted, almost five studies looked at aspects of HRD and performance; performance-based HRD values are threatened by issues of diversity and inclusion Implications for HRD HRD needs to become an advocate for the marginalised and oppressed in organisations; the HRD community needs to recognise the lack of attention it has provided to date to diversity issues; diversity scholarship and diversity education need to be promoted in the HRD community to see diversity as core HRD business, rather than a peripheral add-on. As Beaver and Hutchings (2005, p. 595) put it: [. . .] the creation of a culture that values and appreciates differences requires major, systematic planned change efforts and creating such transformation depends upon a fundamental change in the thinking of HRD professionals. HRD needs to lead the field in documenting through research the experiences of diverse groups in the workplace. If HRD truly believes that employees are the true source of added value in an organisation, then it must affirm a commitment to improving the experiences of diversity groups and readjusting power asymmetries. HRD research can usefully examine topics such as: the barriers facing diverse groups; the effectiveness of various diversity training interventions; methods for fostering a diverse organisational culture; the role of leaders in embedding diversity or evaluating the effect of reward structures on diversity. In conclusion, if organisations are to achieve a goal of operating effectively in today’s global market, it is clear that they must learn how to effectively dismantle diversity borders. Diversity training programmes offer an important opportunity to discuss and explore workplace differences constructively. Through the papers presented in this special issue, we hope to provide HRD researchers and practitioners Diversity training 501 Table II. JEIT 34,6 502 with a set of useful ideas and concepts to beginning tackling the diversity challenges that we face and create organisations that respect and value difference. References Adams, M. (1996), “Selling out”, Sales & Marketing Management, Vol. 148, pp. 78-88. Aghazadeh, S.Y. (2004), “Managing diversity as an essential resource for improving organisational performance”, International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 52 No. 6, pp. 521-31. Anand, R. and Winters, M.F. 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(2007), “Diversity as a basis for shared organisational identity: the norm congruity principle”, British Journal of Management, Vol. 18, pp. 17-27. Rosette, A.S. and Tost, L.P. (2007), “Denying white privilege: perceptions of race-based advantages as social norms”, Paper presented at the 67th Annual Academy of Management Conference, Philadelphia, PA. Sadri, G. and Tran, H. (2002), “Managing your diverse workforce through improved communication”, Journal of Management Development, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 227-37. Sandel, M. (1999), Genetics and Morality, Lecture delivered as part of the Raith Lecture Series broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 27 June 2009. Schneider, B. (1985), “The people make the place”, Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology, American Psychological Association, Bowling Green, OH, cited in Kossek, E.E., Lobel, S.A. (Eds) (1996) “Introduction”, Managing Diversity: Human Resource Strategies for Transforming the Workplace, Blackwell, Oxford. Schneider, B. (1987), “The people make the place”, Personnel Psychology, Vol. 40, pp. 437-53. Sippola, A. and Smale, A. (2007), “The global integration of diversity management: a longitudinal case study”, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Vol. 18 No. 11, pp. 1895-916. Skidmore, P. (2004), “A legal perspective on sexuality and organisation: a lesbian and gay case study”, Gender, Work and Organisation, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 229-53. Swann, W.B., Polzer, J.T., Seyle, D.C. and Ko, S.J. (2004), “Finding value in diversity: verification of personal and social self-views in diverse groups”, Academy of Management Review, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 9-27. Tajfel, H. (1972), “Social categorization (La categorization sociale)”, in Moscovici, S. (Ed.), Introduction a’ la Psychologie sociale, Vol. 1, Larousse, Paris, pp. 272-302. Vielba, C. and Edelshain, D. (1997), “Are business schools meeting the challenge of international communication?”, Journal of Management Development, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 80-92. Wentling, R. and Palma-Rivas, N. (1997), Diversity in the Workforce Series Report #3: Current Status of Diversity Initiatives in Selected Multinational Corporations, National Center for Research in Vocational Education, Berkeley, CA. Further reading Blum, T.C., Fields, D.L. and Goodman, J.S. (1994), “Organisational-level determinants of women in management”, Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 241-68. DeMeuse, K. and Hostager, T. (2001), “Developing an instrument for measuring attitudes toward and perceptions of workforce diversity: an initial report”, Human Resource Development Quarterly, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 33-51. Drazin, R. and Auster, E.R. (1987), “Wage differences between men and women: performance appraisal ratings vs salary allocations as the locus of bias”, Human Resource Management, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 157-68. Foster, C. and Harris, L. (2005), “Easy to say, difficult to do: diversity management in retail”, Human Resource Management Journal, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 4-17. Lefkowitz, J. (1994), “Sex-related differences in job attitudes and dispositional variables: now you see them . . .”, Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 323-49. Naff, K. and Kellough, J. (2002), “A changing workforce: understanding diversity programs in the federal government”, PriceWaterHouse Coopers Endowment for the Business of Government, Alexandria, VA. Ng, E.S.W. and Burke, R.J. (2005), “Person-organisation fit and the war for talent: does diversity management make a difference”, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Vol. 16 No. 7, pp. 1195-210. Nieva, V.F. and Gutek, B.A. (1980), “Sex effects on evaluation”, Academy of Management Review, Vol. 5 No. 2, pp. 267-76. About the authors David McGuire is a Lecturer in HRD at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. He is a Book Reviews Editor for the Journal of European Industrial Training and serves on the editorial boards of Human Resource Development Quarterly, Advances in Developing Human Resources and the Journal of Change Management. He is a former recipient of the Academy of Human Resource Development Early Career Scholar Award and a former Irish American Fulbright scholar and Government of Ireland scholar. His research interests lie in theory-building and HRD, diversity training, leadership and critical theory. David McGuire is the corresponding author and can be contacted at: dmcguire@qmu.ac.uk Mammed Bagher is a Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and Change Management, Leadership Learning and Development in the School of Management and Law, The Business School. He combines his work as an Editor and Researcher with Lecturing and Programme Directorship within the Business School. He is the Programme Director for MBA programmes and mainly lectures at postgraduate level on programmes such as the MBA, MSc Business Management, MSc in Managerial Leadership and MSc in Human Resource Management both in the UK and overseas. He has also acted as a consultant to senior managers and directors in outside industry and business commerce, for companies such as Airbus UK, BAE Systems, Bailey Telecom, Bombardier – “ADtranz”, Close Consumer Finance, Doncaster Council, Kingston Communication, Marconi plc, MITIE Group plc, MP UK, Private Label, Robinson Healthcare and UK Coal. To purchase reprints of this article please e-mail: reprints@emeraldinsight.com Or visit our web site for further details: www.emeraldinsight.com/reprints Diversity training 505