Skip to main content

Synonyms

Demoraphic variedness

Definition

Diversity is defined as the state of being different or varied. When speaking of diversity in an organizational context, one typically refers to a varied combination of demographic attributes, characteristics, and expertise contributed by individuals. Diversity in the corporate context recognizes that restriction to individuals from part of the talent pool only equates to a restriction of skills and knowledge at the same time.

In short, diversity embraces difference(s) and propagates the inclusion of so far underrepresented groups, be they women or ethnic, religious, national, or sexual minorities, as well as individuals of different professional or educational backgrounds, on teams and on all hierarchical levels of the organization. While the definition of diversity can hence comprise a broad variety of differences, each of which poses very different challenges, the most commonly understood dimensions of diversity both in the literature and in...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 1,600.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 1,599.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References and Readings

  • Carter, D. A., Simkins, B. J., & Simpson, W. G. (2003). Corporate governance, board diversity and firm value. Financial Review, 39, 33–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, T. H., & Blake, S. (1991). Managing cultural diversity: Implications for organizational competitiveness. Academy of Management Executive, 5, 45–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dass, P., & Parker, B. (1999). Strategies for managing human resource diversity: From resistance to learning. Academy of Management Executive, 13(2), 68–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eagly, A. J., Johannesen-Schmidt, M. C., & Van Engen, M. L. (2003). Transformational, transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles: A meta-analysis comparing women and men. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 569–591.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erhardt, N. L., Werbel, J. D., & Shrader, C. B. (2003). Board of director diversity and firm financial performance. Corporate Governance, 11(2), 102–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorbiecki, A., & Jack, G. (2000). Critical turns in the evolution of diversity management. British Journal of Management, 11, 17–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milliken, F. J., & Martins, L. L. (1996). Searching for common threads: Understanding the multiple effects of diversity in organizational groups. Academy of Management Review, 21, 402–433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richard, O. C., Murthi, B. P. S., & Ismail, K. (2007). The impact of racial diversity on intermediate and long-term performance the moderating role environmental context. Strategic Management Journal, 28, 1213–1233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, G., & Dechant, K. (1997). Building a business case for diversity. Academy of Management Executive, 11(3), 21–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Walt, N., Ingley, C., Shergill, G. S., & Townsend, A. (2006). Board configuration: Are diverse boards better boards. Corporate Governance, 6(2), 129–147.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christina Keinert-Kisin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this entry

Cite this entry

Keinert-Kisin, C. (2013). Diversity. In: Idowu, S.O., Capaldi, N., Zu, L., Gupta, A.D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Corporate Social Responsibility. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28036-8_42

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28036-8_42

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-28035-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-28036-8

  • eBook Packages: Business and Economics

Publish with us

Policies and ethics