num_pages: 296
description: Diversity Beyond The Numbers addresses the perceived crisis facing diversity consulting and HR management in today's age of uncertainty. It critiques the shortcomings of current diversity management practices as it provides readers with what is a synthesis of the latest relevant critical thinking in the human and physical sciences to serve as intellectual tools in their HR/consulting practices. It telescopically assesses the convergence of complexity theory with business management. It moves management science forward by taking a giant step back by revisiting old diversity management and Human Resource techniques through the lens of postmodern critical social theory and identity theory. Diversity practice, perceived to be too right and wrong (blame and shame) driven, gets a new theory to drive its practice. Adkins takes on the issues, with examples from his practice and by synthesizing the latest academic work. For example, increased workforce diversity, including immigration, remains a solid trend in the face of upcoming severe talent shortages. Daily, the press covers the ‘debate’ surrounding multiculturalism, including the challenges facing other countries. The world has undergone profound changes from globalization, terrorism, ethnic and culture wars, to disruptive technologies and the dot-com meltdown. Adkins gives Diversity Management its 'catch up'. Diversity consultants still apply old 1970’s affirmative action based ‘valuing diversity’ techniques while adopting the 1980’s professional language of ‘managing diversity’, resulting in disabled practices. To date, attempted new "paradigms" to manage diversity have not changed much at all. The theory that drives ‘managing diversity’ practice is a simplified civil rights theory, out of date and U.S. centric. It is numbers driven, representation focused. It was born in the industrial age of modernism. By embracing the global, the post industrial and the postmodern, it needs to consider ethnicity challenges, identity militancy, generation next lifestyle demands and the rise in religious diversity and fundamentalism. In fact, ‘managing diversity’ practices have become part of the problem. It is not about managing diversity, but managing for diversity. This he calls optimization. By making a strong business case for diversity, Adkins goes beyond diverse representation. Part of! the challenge is in understanding the rapid changes facing organizations. With change comes anxiety and fear. It stalks the halls at work and surfaces as plunging morale, conflict, lawsuits, sabotage and employee turnover. Adkins addresses all of this as he delivers to diversity professionals what they have been seeking all an integrated theory and practice with a much-needed ethical platform. By holding a critical spotlight to old diversity practices such as the popular diversity wheel that can create backlash, victimization and (theo)moralization, Diversity Beyond The Numbers provides businesses and consultants with solutions for optimizing talent, stopping the lawsuits and getting on with the business of service and innovation.
language: English
title: Diversity Beyond the Numbers: Business Vitality, Ethics & Identity in the 21st Century
titlecomplete: Diversity Beyond the Numbers: Business Vitality, Ethics & Identity in the 21st Century
ratings_count: 1
publisher: GDI Press