Factors that assist and barriers that hinder the success of diversity initiatives in multinational corporations

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify and provide information on the factors that assist and barriers that hinder the success of diversity initiatives in multinational corporations. Eight multinational corporations headquartered in the United States were selected for this study. Two methods of data collection were used: semi-structured face-to-face interviews and document analysis. Diversity managers/directors were asked to provide information on the factors assisting in the success of diversity initiatives and the barriers that hinder the success of diversity initiatives. This study revealed that having a strategic plan for diversity initiatives, integrating diversity initiatives into the corporation's strategic plan, recognizing that diversity is a business imperative, having a culture that values diversity and having top management support were the factors most likely to assist in the success of diversity initiatives. The study also disclosed that people not understanding the value of diversity, competing agendas, size and complexity of the corporation and economic changes were the barriers most likely to hinder the success of diversity initiatives in multinational corporations. Keywords: Diversity initiativesmultinational corporationsorganizational barriersdiversity