Van Ewijk, A. R. (2011). Diversity and diversity policy: diving into fundamental differences. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 24, 680-694

9 important questions on Van Ewijk, A. R. (2011). Diversity and diversity policy: diving into fundamental differences. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 24, 680-694

When do misunderstandings about the scope of conclusion or results are more likely to occur?

When the conceptual difference between diversity and diversity policy is blurred: the first refers to heterogeneity as a whole, the second to the approach towards that condition that can generate specific goals or objectives for certain groups/individuals

Which serious gaps does the study of diversity in empirical contexts contain?

Most of the few empirical studies that have been conducted only employed quantitative methods

Most studies have taken place in the USA
The few studies that have been done on diversity policy, are based on private organizations
The goal of most studies has been to formulate explanatory hypotheses about what factors influence whether defintions/policy will converge or differ

What are the equal opportunities approach and managing diversity approach?

Equal opportunities = aim for social equality by equal treatment in general and treatment adapted to differences to compensate for unequal outcomes
Managing diversity = aim for organizational benefits by treatment adapted to differences
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What are the three areas in which fundamental choices can be made to construct the analytical framework?

Definitions of diversity (the what) = political
Motivations for diversity (the why) = social
Diversity policy approaches (the how) = management theories

What is the difference between diversity from the mere presence of diverse aggregates and diversity?

The characteristic that makes someone different is not just any attribute, but a meaningful characteristic: one that influences the identity and the way of life of that person

What are the three fundamental choices in the definition of diversity?

1) Selection => which mode of diversity will we focus on?
2) Interpretation => how should the chosen mode of differentiation be interpreted?
3) Categorization => formulate categories to indicate fundamental differences in the nature of certain modes of differentiation

What is the main debate inside of the selection question?

Some characteristics like religion can be changed: but this carries also values and practices that can be difficult to intertwine

What is the first question that should be answered for the why?

Do we see diversity as supporting individuals or supporting collectives? Do policies aim to neutralize those differences or recognize and value those differences?

What are the two fundamental questions to the why approach?

1) The individual or the collective approach?
2) In the entire organization or have a limited role? High vs. Low intensity

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