The Principles and Practice of Effective Diversity and Inclusion

Book excerpt: The book reframes the discussion from a race-and-gender-based “business case for diversity” to explore the conditions which render Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policies beneficial or divisive. Based on biological, sociological evolutionary principles, and information theory, The Principles and Practice of Effective Diversity and Inclusion suggests a universal framework to apply to nations, religions, militaries, sports, and businesses. The authors analyse the impact of leadership, superordinate goals, organizational design, processes, and culture on the effectiveness or otherwise of EDI. The Principles and Practice of Effective Diversity and Inclusion examines EDI benefits within the context of the environment. Volatile environments tend to advantage diversity, provided appropriate action is taken to obtain its potential benefits. Such action is described, in a business or political setting, as inclusiveness. More stable environments tend to disadvantage diversity, because of the transactional costs of managing inclusiveness.