Diversity decoupling in top European corporations: Myth or fact?

Abstract

Organizations make public statements to express their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, while progress remains low. In this research, we analyze the diversity talk, actions, and metrics of the top 50 European organizations, as communicated on their websites and reports in 2023, and propose a typology of diversity decoupling. Main symptoms of diversity decoupling are empty talk, fragmented actions, and a lack of meaningful metrics. First, organizations put much effort into public commitments to DEI, expressed through broad commitments, vague definitions of DEI, and an emphasis on the business case. Second, DEI initiatives are numerous, disconnected from DEI talk, and focus mainly on employees and externally oriented actions. Third, progress is weakly monitored or assessed using narrow indicators such as demographics. Implications for DEI management and institutional theory are discussed, along with recommendations for organizations to avoid diversity decoupling.