Is Your Diversity Agenda Really Working? : A case study on Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Sweden

Sammanfattning: In the last decades, research in the field of diversity management has placed a focus on inclusion. It is argued that a diverse and inclusive workplace can lead to productivity and creativity, thus economic growth. However, in order to effectively manage diversity, it is important to recognize the differences in individuals as a focus on sameness can create an exclusionary environment where employees conform to the mainstream culture. This, according to more recent research in the topic, remains a diversity challenge. Further, diversity management has placed an increased awareness on the importance of creating an inclusive environment. Therefore, this thesis aims to understand what may hinder ethnic minorities within an MNC to feel included for effective diversity management to be achieved. Consequently, a qualitative and case study design has been implemented with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as a case company. It allowed for an in-depth company view and analysis of the thoughts and feelings of inclusion among the employees at BCG. The findings indicate that a lack of recognition of diversity and the fact that employees with a different ethnic background assimilate to the dominant office culture hinders inclusion. Therefore, the case company does not achieve effective diversity management.