• Describe, compare and discuss management approaches and critical perspectives to diversity
• Relate these approaches and perspectives to the issues of common diversity categories
• Analyse and reflect upon these approaches from organizational as well as societal perspectives
• Analyse the advantages and problems with the notion of diversity when encountered in organisational contexts, and assess some of the practical implications following from the work with diversity in specific company cases
• Describe, apply and assess relevant analytical tools and methods to understand and identify diversity issues in an organisational setting

Diversity and inclusion are topics high on organizational as well as societal agendas. This course aims at providing the students with an in-depth understanding of the concept of diversity in organizations as well as in the different perspectives on and definitions of diversity management. We will discuss management approaches as well as critical perspectives on diversity. Different dimensions of diversity will be addressed. We read literature on diversity from different perspectives and contexts. The students analyse the diversity initiatives in organizations. During the class discussions, we  examine and debate what diversity is and what effects these definitions have on the organization and its stakeholders. We will also discuss why organizations address diversity from a firm perspective as well as from a societal perspective. The instructors use lectures, case presentations/analysis, company presentations, and student presentations-participation throughout the course. In addition, because one of the central objectives of the course is for students to develop an informed but critical understanding of diversity management, the course is structured to maximise student participation and engagement. Throughout the course, students may be asked to prepare small/informal presentations based on the readings, class discussions, company presentations, personal experience, and easily available texts/media (websites, newspapers, etc.).

The course’s development of personal competences:
Upon completion of the course, students are able to locate and evaluate research materials, organize and use data/research to create and support an original argument. In addition, students gain experience speaking in front of and with colleagues, developing their personal communication skills.

Books: Diversity in Organizations. Concepts and Practices (2019) 2^nd edition.  Edited by Heike Mensi-Klarbach and Annette Risberg. Macmillan.

Available as hard copy and e-book.

https:/​/​www.macmillanihe.com/​page/​detail/​Diversity-in-Organizations/​?K=9781137569271

Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., Jackson, P.R., and Jaspersen, L.J. (2018). Management and Business Research (6^th edition). London: Sage Publications.

https:/​/​uk.sagepub.com/​en-gb/​eur/​management-and-business-research/​book258074#contents

Selected readings. References will be uploaded on Canvas.