Diversity and employee engagement in professional service firms

Abstract

Diversity has become topical in the international business arena with an increasing number of businesses globally embracing diversity as a means to sustain competitive advantage. Recent studies have begun to suggest that a diversity climate, diversity orientated leadership and diversity orientated HR practices are a means to foster employee engagement. In line with this context, this exploratory research sought to explore whether in South African professional services firms these were being employed and whether this was impacting on the engagement of the intended beneficiaries. The study was conducted in Gauteng with employees and directors from among the largest professional services provides in the South African and globally. Data for the study was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using coding as a technique. The findings of the study revealed that there had been progress in advancing diversity particularly from a human resource (HR) perspective, however, there was significant room to improve as there was a low commitment to diversity from leadership. Based on the results, the key recommendation was that a cultural transformation was required in these settings to foster integration. Leaders within the organisation would need to adopt diversity orientated practices and model the correct behaviours. HR practitioners would need to work with the companies’ leadership to ensure compliance and the correct culture and climate.