The strategic management of workplace diversity initiatives: Public sector implications

Diversity initiatives have been and continue to be one of the most popular trends in contemporary management practice. Motivations of key decision makers in organizations for diversity initiatives run the gamut from a sincere desire to be socially responsible to reluctant compliance with employment discrimination laws. However, even the most well-intentioned, well-designed diversity programs can run into unanticipated problems. This paper utilizes two actual case studies to explore some of the controversies managers can expect when dealing with diversity and provides recommendations for the strategic conceptualization and management of diversity.