Diversity, profit don't correlate

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | May 11, 2003 | Dave Murphy

[sarcasm]

Having a diverse workforce does little to improve a company's business performance or bottom line, according to a study of several Fortune 500 companies by the Diversity Research Network, a team of leading scholars.

The study, published in the Spring issue of Human Research Management magazine, also finds that diversity education programs have little impact on performance.

[annyokie]

This reminds me of the stupid "culture of business" discussions I had in half my classes in grad school.

Send everyone in for re-grooving.

[glorgau]

What a suprise.

[Asclepius]

Kochan said training also needs to emphasize the importance of diverse ideas. Workers won't care as much about the company if their boss doesn't seem to care about their ideas, whether they're in a group of all white males or in an ethnically diverse workforce.

I'm confused. Are we talking about ethnic diversity, or simply fostering an environment that promotes a diversity of ideas? The one has nothing to do with the other.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

I certainly hope this was a government funded study. When it is discovered that hiring someone to fill a quota rather than hiring the best qualified applicant I want to make sure we all get the credit?

[Plain Old American]

A diverse crowd of idiots is still stupid. Seems this goes along with the study that showed no qualitative gain to the education of students attending a college with a diverse student body or faculty.

[thulldud]

Kochan said training also needs to emphasize the importance of diverse ideas. Workers won't care as much about the company if their boss doesn't seem to care about their ideas, whether they're in a group of all white males or in an ethnically diverse workforce.

Bingo. Diversity of thought is the only diversity that counts, and it develops naturally in a climate of freedom. No special programs needed. But, let's get real: woe betide if that putative workforce happens to be "all white males." That simply cannot be allowed.

[ChuckMartelRox]

"Having a diverse workforce does little to improve a company's business performance or bottom line"

Heresy! Heresy I say!

Mr. Murphy must now confess the heinous sin of politically incorrect heresy...on pain of torture! ;-)

[tet68]

I've got one of those retread lib bumperstickers.

Now it says, "Profits....not people!"

[BfloGuy]

You mean to tell me that "diversity is good" is not an axiom?

[jlogajan]

Duh!