Integrating Diversity Management into the Management of the Organization: Multiple Case Study with the 7S diversity instrument

Abstract

Diversity is more and more seen as a competitive advantage in organizations. Organizations want to improve their diversity management. We developed an instrument based on the 7S framework of Peters and Waterman to assist organizations in the integration of their diversity management into the organization management and practice. From a social constructionist viewpoint we state that the development of a common image of the present and the desired-for-situation is crucial. Working with and discussing our 7S diversity instrument can support organizations to further develop their common image of the present and desired-for-situation concerning their diversity management. The instrument has been used in six organizations in different ways: in a solely research exercise by the diversity manager, in a workshop approach with different department heads and their co-workers and within a diversity project group. We evaluated the effects of using this instrument to integrate diversity management into the management of the organization, the effects of the different ways in which the instrument is used. We also give further advices and recommendations.