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ABSTRACT 

Date: 2020-06-08

Level: Bachelor thesis in Business Administration, 15 credits

Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University 

Authors:        Kiran Shahzad (87/11/03)                Niroshini Gabriel (85/07/04)                

Title: Diversity; Embrace it, Share it, Celebrate it; A study of employees’ perspectives on the CSR initiatives for a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment

Supervisor: Michela Cozza

Keywords: CSR initiatives, cultural diversity, inclusive work environment, organizational culture, employee perspective, gender diversity

Research questions: What are the CSR initiatives for creating a diverse workforce as well as an inclusive work environment? What are the employees’ perspectives on such CSR initiatives for a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment?

Purpose: The purpose of the research is to study the CSR practices implemented by the firms operating in an international environment that aims to be inclusive of cultural diversities represented by its employees. The thesis further investigates the employees’ perspectives on such CSR initiatives for diverse workforce and inclusive work environment.

Method: The research is conducted by a qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight employees working in different multinational firms in Sweden. All the employees interviewed belonged to a foreign background. The collected data were thematically analyzed where interviews were first transcribed, then coded and categorized into themes to analyze further.

Conclusion: We came to the following conclusions:

-       Firms take formal CSR initiatives to create a diverse workforce because they need a variety of skills and talent. However, they have more informal approach towards creating an inclusive work environment.

-       Organizational culture plays an important role in creating a working environment where inclusion is encouraged through shared values and mutual respect.

-       Employees appreciate initiatives that encourage women to take leadership positions, however, they insist that the hiring process should be based on talent and skills irrespective of gender.

-       Initiatives should be taken to change the mindset of leaders, managers, and colleagues to be more accepting of diversity.

-       Language is considered a barrier to career growth by employees from international backgrounds.