A Stakeholder Perspective on Diversity Within Organizations

Priyanka Dwivedi, Yashodhara Basuthakur, Sridhar Polineni, Srikanth Paruchuri, Aparna Joshi

Journal of Management · 2025 · Volume 51 · Issue 1

DOI: 10.1177/01492063241280718

Abstract

Research on the influence of internal and external stakeholders on diversity outcomes within organizations has grown in the past decade. Across multiple macro and micro theoretical domains, this body of research has examined various diversity outcomes at different organizational levels. Through an integrative review of literature from management, sociology, psychology, and entrepreneurship, we highlight the channels and pathways of influence and the underlying mechanisms through which four major stakeholder groups—organizational actors, resource exchange partners, institutional actors, and societal forces—impact diversity outcomes in organizations. We discuss future research directions, empirical and conceptual, and present a promising path for future studies to unpack the complex relationships between stakeholders and organizations regarding diversity issues, particularly at the intersection of multiple stakeholders and diversity aspects.

Keywords

stakeholder theory, diversity, equity, inclusion, social evaluations and stakeholder management, diversity practices, top management teams/upper echelon

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