Join the Department of Psychology for a Social Area talk featuring Dr. Camellia Bryan from UBC's Sauder School of Business!
Date: Friday, Nov. 15, 2024
Time: 2:30 to 4:00pm
Location: Halpern 126, Burnaby Campus
The event will be hybrid* for those wishing to join online, please see Zoom link below:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://sfu.zoom.us/j/85957624288?pwd=iUzXfCxaZ3ySNibiCNlpo5IWn4Wa6O.1
Meeting ID: 859 5762 4288
Password: 383507
Title: DEI U-Turns: Understanding the Shifts in Attitudes towards DEI with Dr. Camellia Byran
Abstract: In recent years, there has been a noticeable decline in organizational support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, with many employees shifting from initial support to ambivalence or opposition. This study investigates the underlying mechanisms and consequences of this shift through a grounded theory approach, drawing on semi-structured interviews with 38 participants across various professions in Canada and the United States. The research reveals that the disenchantment process is driven by several key concerns, including perceived threats to meritocracy, the inorganic nature of diversity efforts, and the overemphasis on DEI in organizational practices. These concerns contribute to employees masking their true attitudes toward DEI, leading to unintended consequences such as reduced engagement and increased resistance. Our preliminary process model outlines the trajectory from positive initial attitudes towards DEI to disenchantment, highlighting the gap between DEI intentions and their enactment in the workplace. The findings suggest that the success of DEI initiatives requires ongoing and active support, and that organizations must address the unintended consequences of these programs to maintain long-term commitment among employees.
For any questions about this event, please email Elyse Collyer (elyse_collyer@sfu.ca) or Kristina Castaneto (kristina_castaneto@sfu.ca).
