Who Does Diversity Better? The Role of Servant Leaders in Promoting Diversity Management Across Public and Private Sector Organizations

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the association of servant leadership with inclusive organizational practices and diversity outcomes (percentages of minority employees and managers) across public and private sector organizations. Using data from a survey of 151 Canadian DEI managers we find that sector moderates the mediating relationship between servant leadership and diversity outcomes through inclusive practices. In both sectors, inclusive practices mediated the relationship between servant leadership and diversity outcomes. However, this mediation was stronger for private versus public sector employers. We discuss the implications of these findings and future research in this area.

Keywords

servant leadership diversity management equal employment opportunity affirmative action public sector private sector

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