Annals of The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute THE ROLE OF Diversity and Inclusion in Modern Management
Annals of The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute THE ROLE OF Diversity and Inclusion in Modern Management
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ABSTRACT
Management places considerable emphasis on diversity and inclusion to influence
organizational culture, enhance employee engagement, and improve financial performance.
In a globalized and competitive landscape, promoting inclusive leadership and developing a
diverse workforce are essential for fostering creativity, improving decision-making, and
boosting workplace efficiency. This study aims to explore the impact of diversity and
inclusion (D&I) strategies on contemporary management practices. It specifically examines
how these strategies have resulted in higher employee satisfaction, reduced workplace
discrimination, and strengthened interpersonal relationships among colleagues. The
subsequent section of the article addresses the challenges organizations encounter when
implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, such as bias, resistance to change, and
insufficient leadership support. By analyzing best practices and case studies, this research
highlights the significance of D&I policies in creating a more equitable, innovative, and
economically sustainable workplace. The findings indicate that organizations that integrate
diversity and inclusion into their management strategies not only gain a competitive edge but
also contribute to fostering a more dynamic and ethical business environment.
Keywords: diversity and inclusion, management, corporate social responsibility,
INTRODUCTION
Modern management places a significant amount of focus on maximising the benefits of
diversity and inclusion, particularly with regard to the good influence that these factors have
on innovation, employee morale, and overall productivity within the workplace.
Organisations that recognise and appreciate the distinct viewpoints and experiences of their
workforce are in a better position to solve difficult problems and come up with inventive
solutions in a world that is becoming increasingly linked. Positive morale and increased
productivity are two outcomes that can result from an organization's efforts to ensure that
every member of the workforce feels included, appreciated, and empowered. Not only can
the successful management of diversity improve an organization's reputation, but it also
boosts the organization's potential to recruit bright personnel and a client base that is more
diverse.
Furthermore, diverse teams contribute to enhanced decision-making by incorporating a
variety of perspectives, reducing the likelihood of engaging in groupthink, and increasing the
ability to adapt to shifting market circumstances. Employees are more likely to remain with
the organisation when they work in an environment that makes them feel welcome, which
leads to lower rates of employee turnover. In addition, the act of cultivating a culture that is
both inclusive and equitable is congruent with the principles of corporate social responsibility
(CSR) and ethical business practices, which may result in the achievement of sustainable
growth and development. The current environment makes it very necessary for managers to
make diversity in the workplace a top priority. This may be accomplished by instituting
policies that are inclusive, ensuring that career growth possibilities are equal, and ensuring
that recruiting procedures are transparent. It is possible for businesses to boost their
innovation, boost their competitiveness, and ensure their long-term success in a world that is
becoming increasingly linked if they include diversity and inclusion into their corporate
plans.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION'S SIGNIFICANCE IN MANAGEMENT
In today's world, diversity and inclusion are not only essential components of corporate social
responsibility programs, but also of current management theory and practice. Some of the
quantifiable benefits that accrue to organisations who make diversity and inclusion in the
workplace a priority when employing new workers include increased creativity, improved
problem-solving, and greater morale. These advantages are accrued by firms that hire new
employees. The study indicates that heterogeneous teams are less capable of tackling
complex business issues than those that are composed of members from the same department.
This occurs due to the fact that diverse teams bring fresh perspectives, ideas, and experiences
to the table. According to an investigation conducted by McKinsey on diversity in the
workplace, businesses that have a greater number of CEOs who are of different ethnicities
and women tend to have better financial results than their rivals.
A further advantage of having a workplace that is inclusive is that it contributes to the
creation of an environment in which everyone feels respected and heard. By cultivating
cultures that are inclusive, businesses are able to reduce employee attrition, increase
employee engagement, and increase production. When employees have the perception that
their company places a high priority on diversity and inclusion, they are more likely to
perform with dedication, enthusiasm, and creativity. As a result of the fact that customers see
progressive, ethical, and socially responsible businesses as role models, this contributes to an
increase in customer satisfaction as well as the reputation of the firm.
OBJECTIVE
1. Examine how diversity and inclusion affect management, performance, decision-
making, and engagement.
2. To research inclusive workplace concerns and effective practices.
METHOD
This qualitative study examines how diversity and inclusion (D&I) affects modern
management practices. Data is collected using case studies, literature reviews, and semi-
structured interviews with experts from various fields. The literature study establishes a
theoretical framework by reviewing workplace diversity and inclusion research and its
implications on organisational success. Case studies demonstrate effective D&I tactics, while
the literature study evaluates them. Semi-structured interviews with HR managers,
executives, and workers were used to understand D&I's pros and cons. Thematically
analysing the data reveals trends, patterns, and best practices, revealing how D&I affects
management strategy and organisational culture.
The study uses qualitative data from primary and secondary sources to examine diversity and
inclusion (D&I) in modern management. Semi-structured interviews with human resource
experts, managers, and employees about D&I projects across sectors provide primary data.
Diversity policy accomplishments and problems may be assessed using non-participatory
workplace observations. Secondary data sources include government papers, company case
studies, academic articles, and industry assessments to contextualise findings.
MANAGING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE
As a consequence of globalisation, the significance of diversity management in successfully
satisfying the requirements of stakeholders located all over the globe has been brought to
light. As a result of the liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation policies that were
implemented in India's markets in the early 1990s, many managers were exposed to a new
trend during this time period: a varied workforce. According to the findings of specialists
who study companies, in the not-too-distant future, the workforce composition of
organisations will consist of ninety percent women and members of minority groups. The fact
that migrants would make up a significant component of this workforce might potentially
create difficulties in terms of communication. In addition, the activities of the organisation
will entail participation from a comprehensive range of different ethnic groups. There is a
broad variety of approaches to managing a diverse workforce; nevertheless, businesses who
see the need of investing in the growth and development of their people are responding to this
trend.
The term "diversity" was defined in a number of different ways across a number of different
research studies. There is no definition of diversity that can be derived from traditional
categories such as race, gender, or disability. The phrase "the many ways in which
individuals differ from one another" is included in her definition. It takes into account, in a
more general sense, all of the following: racial or ethnic background, national or national
origin, age, religious orientation, personality, language, education, physical appearance,
lifestyle, marital status, beliefs, geographic origin, length of service to employer or
organisation, and economic position. Diversity may be broken down into four distinct
categories: racial, sexual, and ethnic harmony; cross-cultural understanding; respect for
varied cultural values; and complete inclusion are the four components that comprise
diversity. Due to the presence of variation, primary and secondary features collaborate with
one another. The primary features of diversity are unchangeable; they are responsible for
moulding an individual's perspective of themselves in connection to the world and other
people. The data shown in Table 1 demonstrates that secondary dimensions may be
influenced by a variety of factors, such as a person's location, level of education, duration of
work, and job title, among others.
Diversification is difficult to classify due to the fact that it is wide, ever-changing, and
evolutionary in nature. It also has far-reaching repercussions for both individuals and
corporations. Diversity has been defined in such a manner that it embraces all facets of a
community and its members, with the intention of cultivating an environment in which all
individuals are made to feel loved and accepted. The scope of the notion was broadened from
"some" to "all" in an attempt to emphasise the significance of diversity in the
business procedures that Starbucks employs have a cumulative effect on the company's
performance and reputation over time. It spends a significant amount of money on examining
the proportion of women and members of under-represented groups who hold important
positions and on diversifying its workforce. Furthermore, as a result of this, Starbucks has
developed into a highly sought-after employer among job prospects, a recognised and
socially aware corporation among its partners, and a model of inspiring leadership among its
competitors.
BEST PRACTICES FOR MANAGING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
A significant number of businesses have, over the course of the last two decades, come to the
realisation that the traditional methods of thinking about diversity in the workplace are not
actually applicable to the contemporary business environment. Among the most significant
diversity initiatives, the Conference Board's study of 166 leading companies identified the
following: first, activities related to career planning and development; second, initiatives
related to culture change, performance, and accountability; third, employee involvement;
fourth, communication; and fifth, initiatives related to learning and development.
Furthermore, Gottfredson (1992) categorised three gender and ethnicity-related diversity
concerns. These challenges include the following: how to accept immigrants; how to produce
career outcomes; and how to remove sex and ethnicity difficulties during changes in the
organisational environment. Two sorts of individual variations that contribute to diversity
difficulties are differences in approach to suit local conditions and variations in personality
among workers. Both of these types of variations are examples of these types of variations. In
another study conducted by The Conference Board, which included participation from 69
diversity managers, researchers, and consultants, seven creative diversity inclusion strategies
were found. The establishment of diversity action plans, the incorporation of diversity into
mission statements, the holding of workers responsible, the involvement of employees in all
activities, career development, community outreach, and long-term cultural change were all
included in these programs.
Along the same lines, research has discovered a multitude of approaches to managing
diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In Louw (1995), the process of managing diversity
is a five-step procedure that starts with an in-depth requirements analysis and continues with
the creation of a strategy, the formulation of a unique intervention and initiative, the
execution of the plan, and the continuous assessment and monitoring of its effectiveness. In
addition, Griggs (1995) stressed that in order to successfully manage the challenging
workplace, it is vital to adopt diversity techniques that accept and educate workers about
differences, identify distinctions within workgroups, and respect and appreciate those
differences while they are on the job. In addition to this, Loden and Rosener (1991)
discovered that forward-thinking businesses use a broad range of creative strategies for
diversity. There are a few key practices that they all have in common, including the
following: setting strategic goals, continuously monitoring all HR systems, creating a positive
work environment, prioritising training and retraining, rewarding and improving benefits
based on performance, and aligning hiring and promotion processes with the goals of the
organisation.
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IN DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
According to scholarly research, employee engagement (EE) represents a paradigm change in
the workplace. On the other hand, a significant number of the publications that were
were discussed earlier in order to choose a number of diversity and inclusion strategies from
the systematic literature review. These strategies are applicable to any organisation and may
be used in order to increase participation levels. It has been stated by McCain (1996:) and
Koonce (2001:), in addition to Morais et al. (2014) and Starbucks (2014), that intercultural
training and practices for open communication are essential. Strong senior leadership teams,
flexible workplaces, rules that promote a healthy balance between work and personal life, fair
rewards and recognition, participatory performance evaluation, and strong management are
all essential diversity and inclusion tools for the framework. The presence of contingency
variables has the potential to cause disruptions in the stability of the relationships that exist
between workforce policy and performance indicators. According to Delery and Doty (1996),
this disparity gives rise to the possibility that the diversity-inclusion tools that have been
revealed above—tools that have the potential to contribute to improved performance in any
environment—may potentially be in conflict with one another. Kossek and Lobel (1996)
were the first to explore the beneficial benefits of combining diversity-inclusion programs
with internal organisational features. At the same time, they were the ones who presented a
new way of thinking about diversity management theory. According to the findings of earlier
studies, the factors that are considered to be significant modifiers include organisational
strategy (Richard & Johnson 1999, 2001; Richard et al. 2006), organisational climate
(Richard et al. 2006), and worker characteristics (Benschop 2001, page 1167). According to
González and DeNisi (2009), these internal factors represent a "collection of organisational
strategies, structure, and values." The phrase "diversity climate" was used to refer to these
aspects within the organisation. Similarly, the unpredictability of the environment (Richard et
al., 2006), cultural difficulties (Sippola & Smale, 2007), and sector (Fernando, Pedro, &
Gonzalo 2013) were not highlighted by a significant number of European specialists. In
addition, research has presented a variety of hypotheses about the manner in which national
diversity-inclusion management strategies develop in response to developments in the
political, cultural, institutional, and sectoral environments.
FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
Approaches that prioritise diversity and inclusion are vital, regardless of whether we are
discussing the levels of financial success and sustainability at the national, institutional,
commercial, or personal level. In light of the constantly shifting global trends in workforce
management, organisations need to refine their strategies in order to remain competitive. As a
consequence of this, this section discusses the several significant developments that will help
drive diversity-inclusion policies in the years to come.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Act and other acts that are comparable to it are
examples of federal laws that try to prohibit discrimination against different workers.
However, businesses should take into consideration more than just these federal regulations.
The goal of efforts aimed at female economic growth should be to increase the number of
women who serve on boards of directors, remove prejudice in the advancement of leadership
positions, and ensure that women get equal pay for equal labour. There are a number of
economies throughout the globe that are concerned about the impact of an ageing workforce,
which slows down economic progress and boosts expenses for healthcare and pensions.
Therefore, the government ought to raise the retirement age in accordance with a variety of
variables, including a person's employment, their current state of health, and other
comparable circumstances. Work-from-anywhere and other types of flexible work
arrangements should be encouraged by businesses in order to assist in the management of
their workforces that are becoming more senior and female. Parents who are responsible for
the care of young children should also be eligible for health benefits and a stipend from the
government.
During the global crisis, the idea of rebalancing economies has become very popular among
countries all over the globe. Companies strive to improve their financial standing on a global
scale by expanding their presence into every sector, geographical location, and market on the
world. Furthermore, a large number of multinational firms have strict requirements, which
include a change in migration patterns towards workers with higher levels of qualification
and the capacity to swiftly adjust to new conditions. Businesses are keen to recruit migrants
because they believe that doing so would allow them to attract outstanding talent and fulfil
the conditions outlined above. Taking all of these considerations into account, in order for
companies and the workforces they employ to be successful, all of the individuals involved
need to be willing to learn from one another. It is possible for a company to become more
competitive if it has an educated leadership team that places an emphasis on performance
rather than differences in age, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. It is the responsibility
of leadership to devise diversity programs in a way that not only promotes and supports equal
treatment of all workers, but also acts as an example of how to make the workplace a better
place for everyone.
CONCLUSION
In the modern management system, diversity and inclusion are seen as being of utmost
importance for the achievement of success, innovation, and long-term sustainability in
businesses. When businesses make an effort to build an inclusive culture and recruit a diverse
team, they experience advantages in areas such as creativity, decision-making, employee
satisfaction, and bottom-line performance. Unfortunately, challenges such as discrimination,
a lack of readiness, and a reluctance to change may be roadblocks that prevent progress from
being made. Establishing comprehensive diversity and inclusion programs, investing in
training, and securing leadership commitment are some of the ways in which organisations
may develop workplaces that empower individuals, inspire creativity, and promote social
responsibility. It is necessary for effective and forward-thinking management in today's
changing business climate to adopt a staff that is both diverse and inclusive.
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