The effects of diversity on business performance: Report of the diversity research network

✍ Scribed by Thomas Kochan; Katerina Bezrukova; Robin Ely; Susan Jackson; Aparna Joshi; Karen Jehn; Jonathan Leonard; David Levine; David Thomas

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 153 KB
• Volume: 42
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0090-4848
• DOI: 10.1002/hrm.10061

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

This article summarizes the results and conclusions reached in studies of the relationships between race and
gender diversity and business performance carried out in four large firms by a research consortium known as the
Diversity Research Network. These researchers were asked by the BOLD Initiative to conduct this research to test
arguments regarding the “business case” for diversity. Few positive or negative direct effects of
diversity on performance were observed. Instead a number of different aspects of the organizational context and
some group processes moderated diversity‐performance relationships. This suggests a more nuanced view of
the “business case” for diversity may be appropriate. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.