Inroduction to the Handbook: a review of 23 diversity and inclusion indices
Book Chapter ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Recently, there has been a call for greater use of national indices – developed by various supranational, non-governmental/non-profit, professional, and media organizations – to facilitate comparative research to advance equality and diversity around the world (Klarsfeld et al., 2016; Ng & Klarsfeld, 2018). These indices encompass various measures, such as economic data and perceptual measures, and rely on various methodologies from national statistics (e.g., UN Human Development Index) to organizational surveys of managers (e.g., SHRM Global Diversity Readiness Index). Collectively, they cover a broad range of dimensions including human development, gender equality, migration and integration, multiculturalism, ethnic diversity, and societal attitudes towards minorities. The indices are developed to rank countries on a number of economic, social, and inequality indicators, and to assist with public policy setting aimed at eliminating inequality and improving the welfare of socially disadvantaged groups (Cherchye, Moesen, & Puyenbroeck, 2004; Heung, 2006). National indices (e.g., UN Gender Development Index) are also related to organizational support for work–life balance (Lyness & Kropf, 2005). However, the large number of indices provides an unwieldy picture of a country’s performance on equality and diversity. These indices also do not provide information on how well the data is collected or how well the surveys are completed. Researchers have criticized that existing indices are susceptible to political influences, cultural biases, and institutional agendas (e.g., Bardhan & Klasen, 1999; Hirway & Mahadevia, 1996; Klugman, Rodriguez, & Choi, 2011; Tayar, 2017) rendering these indices misleading and unhelpful.
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Handbook on Diversity and Inclusion Indices: a research compendium
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978-1-78897-571-1
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15
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Edward Elgar
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Cheltenham, UK
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