Diversity Management

To attain a sustainable growth, businesses must consider and manage the full potential that diversity can offer. Diversity and inclusion practices contribute to improving managerial skills, communication, and information-sharing; more generally they improve human capital and enhance market opportunities, external recognition, and image, thus raising companies’ standing in society (i.e., developing partnerships with research institutions and NGOs, entering equality and diversity awards). In Europe there are several successful examples. For instance, in 2006, some German companies started a voluntary campaign (“Diversity as a Chance”) through the implementation of a charter of diversity aimed to create a work environment free of prejudice and a corporate culture focused on mutual respect and recognition of every individual (European Commission, EC 2005). Similar initiatives have been implemented in other countries, resting on the conviction that the promotion of diverse potentials yields economic benefits, generates positive effects on the company’s reputation, and has a positive effect on the whole society. In this vein, the dissemination of good practices is useful not only to explore opportunities and obstacles, but also to share good experience that allows companies to foster diversity management.