Diversities of Diversities-Fluctuating talk
DiscoursesDiversityHypocrisyNational contextManagement of enterprisesFöretagsledningManagementBusiness and Economics
Title: Diversities of diversity - fluctuating talk, meaning and practice of diversitySeminar date: 06.02.08 Course: Masters thesis in Business Administration, Programme for Managing People, Knowledge and Change, 15 University Credit Points (15 ECTS). Authors: Björt Ólafsdóttir & Clarissa Sia Choon YenAdvisors: Mats Alvesson & Susanne LundholmFive key words: Diversity, Discourses, Hypocrisy, Comparison, National contextPurpose: To identify and compare discourses around diversity within two companies operating in two distinct national contexts. One originated from and still situated in Iceland, while the other is a subsidiary for Asia-Pacific market in Singapore with American values from its headquarters in United States. We wish to explore what are the meanings and implications of diversity for the employees of each company, how their discourses on diversity reflect hypocrisy in the organizations and if and how national context has an impact on discourse on diversity.Methodology: Interviews were conducted, transcribed and codified. Comparison and evaluation of the different discourses were examined around diversity and in the talk of interviewees within the two companies. Theoretical perspectives: Discourses of diversity are being analysed and the model of organizational hypocrisy is being used to reveal how this is being use as a solution for the modern organization. Empirical foundation: Transcripts of interviews with 8 employees from the first company and 5 employees from the second companyConclusions: We found that the two companies both acted in hypocrisy, when examining the relation between talk, decision and the actions of diversity within the firms. This appeared in the same way with the two companies on some dimensions and differently on others. We conclude that companies? claims around diversity should be continued to be challenged and laid under critique, and that this would help to raise awareness of how companies are using positive and politically-correct term like diversity for justifying and maintaining status quo.