Persons of color often experience a “glass ceiling”
Lawrence and Weber correctly not that women and persons of color often experience a “glass ceiling” and are promoted to the very top positions within companies at much lower rates than white men. What are some creative ways that companies can increase the representation of women and persons of color in top management and Board of Director positions?
Sample Solution
Corporate boards take actions and make decisions that not only affect the lives of millions of employees and consumers, but also influence the policies and practices of the global marketplace. Many organizations have recognized the importance of recruiting and retaining women and minorities for key positions to improve business or organizational performance and better meet the needs of a diverse customer base. Academic researchers and others have highlighted the importance of diversity among board directors to increase the range of perspectives for decision making, among other benefits. Based on the themes identified in our prior work, strategies for increasing board diversity generally fall into three main categories—making diversity a priority; enlarging the pipeline of potential candidates; and addressing the low rate of turnover. Boards should prioritize diversity. These strategies include setting voluntary targets for the number or proportion of women or minorities to have on the board. Boards setting voluntary targets for a specific number or percentage of women and minority candidates rather than externally imposed targets or quotas.
