The complex concept of sustainable of diversity management:…and why forming policies in this area is far from straightforward

Purpose – Explores the notion of sustainable diversity-management practices.
Design/methodology/approach – Summarizes research into the sustainability of diversity management across four countries and provides examples of efforts to maintain high levels of diversity.
Findings – Looks at the activities of Africa House, an organization that develops business links with Africa, and of BEN Television, which is a television station that caters primarily for ethnic minorities.
Practical implications – Demonstrates that diversity is a multi-dimensional concept that can be structured within two frameworks: demographic diversity regarding, for example, age, gender and nationality; and human-capital diversity, such as cognitive diversity, skill and experience diversity.
Social implications – Highlights the complexity of diversity and so the difficulty of legislating in this area.
Originality/value – Explains that employees can also stifle attempts to engage in sustainable diversity management policies. A lack of understanding of local laws or language, or through limited social contacts, can prevent full participation by employees.