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8th Equality, Diversity and Inclusion International (EDI)
Conference
6-8 July 2015, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
Conference Theme
Dealing with diverse identities
Stream Proposal: Dealing with diverse religious identities in the global workplace
Stream Conveners
Alain Klarsfeld, Professor of HRM, Toulouse Business School, France
Email: a.klarsfeld@tbs-education.fr
Jawad Syed, Professor of OB and Diversity, University of Huddersfield, UK
Email: j.syed@hud.ac.uk
Charmine Härtel, Professor of HRM & Organisational Development, University of
Queensland, Australia
Email: c.hartel@business.uq.edu.au
Faith Ngunjiri, Director, Lorentzsen Center for Faith & Work
Associate Professor of Leadership & Ethics, Concordia College, USA
Email: fngunjir@cord.edu
Religious tensions and conflicts are commonplace in the world today not only in the
Middle East but also in parts of South and South East Asia, Africa, Europe and Americas. Such
tensions and conflicts found not only at inter-religions but also at intra-religion levels,
influence individual and group identities and behaviors, and are manifested in all aspects of
everyday life, including employment, education and wider society.
While enormous academic developments occurred in the field of management over
the last century, not much attention has been paid to religious diversity and its important
role in the workplace. The aim of this stream is to advance, generate and disseminate
knowledge in this area. The stream seeks to provide researchers and practitioners with a
broad overview of religious diversity at work from a global perspective, taking into account
the sources and arenas of religious tension in the world today. It positions itself at the
intersection of theory, research, and practice on this topic with a focus on its implications for
work and employment but also for wider society. It supports an interdisciplinary perspective,
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integrating contributions and insights from management, economics, politics, law, sociology,
psychology, and religion. It also features forward-looking essays from thought leaders and
practitioners in the field.
In the light of recent high-profile religion-based conflicts (e.g. the Israel-Palestine
conflict, the rise of the so called “Islamic State” in Iraq and Syria, the US invasion of Iraq, the
emergence of radical Islamism as well as Islamophobia and antisemitism), there is a need to
more deeply examine how faith-based tensions impact people, work, employment and
organisations. For example, to what extent do such tensions result in blatant or refined
workplace discrimination or hostility? To what extent do organisations/countries maintain
silence on this topic? How does it impact individual and team performance and productivity
in the workplace? What is needed for more transparent approaches to religion and religionbased tensions? To what extent do organizations/countries impede, tolerate, welcome,
facilitate the expression of religious faith? To what extent may organizational practices
create a culture of inclusion and cooperation? In addition to the above, the following is a
non-exhaustive list of some possible topics:
1.
Forms and expression of religious identity at work and implications for
individuals and organisations
2.
Silencing or tabooing of religious identity at work
3.
Intersectionality of religion, ethnicity, gender, and other forms of identity at
work
4.
Organisational approaches to religious diversity in the workplace
5.
Nature of religion-based tensions in the workplace and its impact on firm and
individual performance
6.
Implication of political conflicts in domestic or foreign societies for human
resource management and development
7.
Hate speech, stereotyping and othering of religious minorities and
implications for work.
8.
What makes people work together despite religion-based tensions? How does
or can work bring them together?
9.
Religion-based tensions and differences as an opportunity for dialogue,
mutual discovery/understanding, and respect.
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10.
Similarities and differences in work ethics of Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic
religions.
11.
Alternative approaches to religious harmony and integration at work.
Stream keywords: Diversity, faith, religion, spirituality.
Note: We welcome all types of theoretical or empirical contributions to this stream.
Contributions to the stream are eligible for submission to the “Religious diversity in the
workplace: Conflict, harmony and performance”, a research book co-edited by Jawad Syed,
Alain Klarsfeld, Charmine Härtel and Faith Ngunjiri.
Important dates:

Abstract/Developmental/full paper submission: March 1, 2015 on:
http://www.edi-conference.org

Response to authors (acceptance / rejection): April 15, 2015.

Deadline for full papers and best paper nominations and submission of best papers
to the relevant associated journal (as agreed by submitter): May 18, 2015.