Australian business is in an extraordinarily good position to make diversity one of our competitive strengths. For example, at Melbourne Business School the diversity of cultural and educational backgrounds, language proficiencies, industry and specialist knowledge, market and entrepreneurial experiences is truly stunning. But this diversity is unevenly pursued by recruiters. Improved business utilisation of Australia s diverse talent rests on an understanding of why we have been slow to utilise diversity in the past. To seriously build diversity into a competitive strength we need to map the resistances and impediments, as much as the opportunities.
History is as important as current workforce demographics and global imperatives.
Business may continue to think diversity or more accurately, the lack of diversity in leadership levels is not a business issue. But that lack of diversity sends out a very strong message about the way we do business to the rest of the world. While we may think of ourselves as serious global players, others may not be so convinced. Amanda Sinclair is professor of management at the Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne. The Business Case for Diversity D. Smith Mt Eliza Business Review, vol 1, no.