Diversity management discourse meets queer theory

Abstract

Purpose

The paper's aim is to examine how diversity management discourse reproduces heteronormative essentialist notions of identity in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a critical analysis of diversity management discourse that draws upon concepts, frames and the language of queer theory and insights from social identity construction to offer an alternative approach to reconceptualising diversity management. The key question of the paper is: what are the conceptions of identity underpinning the diversity management discourse and how do they reproduce heteronormativity?

Findings

The paper unveils the reproduction of binaries in diversity management discourse. Possible counter strategies from queer theory are proposed to alter the diversity management discourse.

Originality/value

This paper offers a first reading of diversity management discourse against the grain from a queer perspective and offers possible points of departure for altering diversity management discourse.

Citation

Bendl, R., Fleischmann, A. and Walenta, C. (2008), "Diversity management discourse meets queer theory", Gender in Management, Vol. 23 No. 6, pp. 382-394. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542410810897517