Workplace diversity in Portugal: a qualitative analysis of initiatives implemented by diversity charter signatory organisations

• Autor(a) principal: Bezerra, Maria Clara Cavalcanti
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10071/19705
• topic: Workplace diversity; Diversity management; Diversity charter; Thematic analysis; Diversidade no trabalho; Gestão da diversidade; Carta para a diversidade; Análise temática

Diversity, as one of the most representative aspects in contemporary societies, has been a topic of research of many disciplines since the 1950s (Crisp, 2010; Williams & O’Reilly, 1998). Nevertheless, it remains a great challenge to society, and, by extension, to its organisations. The Diversity Charters’ initiative represents a collective effort that seeks to foster diversity and inclusion in organisations. In 2017, the Portuguese Charter promoted the first edition of an award to acknowledge inspiring practices in diversity management. The present study sought to analyse the applications submitted for the inaugural edition of the Diversity Stamp, seeking to gain knowledge on how diversity was framed by the organisations in their submission, as well as to identify and present the dimensions of diversity explored, and types of initiatives that were enacted. A sample of 13 applications, drafted by six of the participating organisations, was analysed within the framework of thematic analysis. It was found that diversity was described as an asset by the participants, who mostly covered age, gender, disabilities, cultural background, and socioeconomic status as dimensions of diversity in their practices. Additionally, three broad approaches to diversity were identified: employee welfare (including work-life balance); tackling biases; and social responsibility. The results are discussed in light of the literature on diversity management, according to the relevant identified themes. Recommendations for future applicants and for future research are presented.