Managing the (in)visible: Reading between the lines of workplace diversity through group theory lenses

• Autor(a) principal: Almeida, Gerusa Roberta Martinelli de
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10071/29917
• topic: Groups; Diversidade -- Diversity; Equity; Inclusion; Interaction; Ambiente de trabalho -- Work environment; Grupos; Equidade; Inclusão; Interação de grupo

With the growing interest of companies in the topics of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we observe a significant increase in actions taken by organizations, such as hiring individuals from minority groups and implementing training programs that promote more inclusive and less stereotypical communication. However, it is regrettable that, despite this increasing focus on the subject, Group Theory, which offers a wealth of concepts and understandings about human interactions, has been underutilized in expanding the understanding of diversity management in the business context. This study aimed to establish a connection between Group Theory and the implementation of initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. To achieve this purpose, we collected responses from 84 professionals through an individual questionnaire containing four open-ended questions. Through thematic analysis, based on Braun and Clarke's methodology (2006), we were able to identify two predominant themes in the participants' discourse, relating to their perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organizational environment. The results of this study provided significant insights into the shallowness of understanding and experience of these issues within companies. We conclude that there is a long way to go, both in terms of research and practice, for the organizational environment to become truly inclusive and diverse.