Diversity in measuring different dimensions of diversity :a literature review

Abstract

Although organizational researchers have shed light on the topic of diversity and its performance outcomes, the literature has not exclusively studied the various dimensions of diversity researched and the different ways these dimensions have been operationalized. The present paper reviews diversity literature focusing on diversity and organizational performance outcomes from nineteen top-tier journals. We identify the diversity dimensions researched, the way it has been operationalized and methods used to aggregate these diversity dimensions in the literature. The findings of the review indicate that, predominantly, studies have used a single dimension compared to multiple dimensions, and gender, race and age were the top three dimensions researched. Three future research directions are discllssed to encourage diversity research.