Communications of the ACM
Show, Don't Tell: Attracting A Diverse Workforce
"Activating" signals show how diversity and inclusion are actively embodied through organizational practices.
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A published study of messaging by companies and organizations about diversity and inclusion as part of their employee recruitment efforts found little evidence of the effectiveness of the messaging for its intended targets in hard-to-reach populations. The researchers studied how such signaling affects a job seeker's initial attraction to and perceived fit with a company.
"As organizations seek to attract a more diverse workforce, it's important that they're not just saying that they care but that they embody practices to attract individuals," says Kristie Moergen, assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship at Iowa State University, and a co-author of the paper published in Personnel Psychology.
The researchers focused on two types of signals on company websites: pointing signals "tell" prospective employees that diversity and inclusion is "embraced;" activating signals "show" prospective employees how diversity and inclusion are "actively embodied," such as an LGBTQ+ employee resource group.
The findings indicate that activating signals are more effective than pointing signals.
From Iowa State University
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