A Call for Information
We have recently embarked on a research project exploring
linkages between equality/ diversity issues and organization
structure and design. Central to the study are the questions of
whether and how it may be possible to embed equality strategies
into organization structures (public or private). Further linked
questions at this stage in the research include:
What experience has emerged from organizations attempting to
embed equality/ diversity issues?
What links exist between concepts of managing diversity and the
management of change?
What equality implications are contained in the emerging
literature concerning network forms of organization?
How may network organizations be both effective (implying the
minimisation of transaction costs) and simultaneously safeguard
and promote equality strategies (implying the imposition of
transaction costs through formal regulation, contracts and
protocols)?
The research is situated in local government organisations in the
United Kingdom. These organisations are currently undergoing very
significant contextual and structural changes as a result of
central government legislation, thereby offering them an
opportunity to consider new organizational designs which might
seek to promote, enhance and protect equality/ diversity, both in
terms of the workforce and of the communities these organizations
serve.
We would be very pleased to receive any advice or assistance
listmembers could extend, from references and citations, through
examples and/or details of useful contacts, to comments and
responses regarding the questions and issues raised in this call.
A digest of responses will be posted to the list, if that would
be appropriate.
Very many thanks!
-- Dr Russ Vince and Charles Booth Bristol Business School University of the West of England Bristol BS16 1QY EnglandTel: +44 117 965 6261 Fax: +44 117 976 3851 email: r-vince@uwe.ac.uk