Inclusion for LGBTQ talent: a practice theory approach

• Published in: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 2024-09, Vol.43 (7), p.1093-1118
• Main Authors: Dutta, Debolina, Srinivasan, Vasanthi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ability; Bisexuality; Case studies; Cisgender; Community; Competitive advantage; Congruence; Cultural differences; Culture; Diversity equity & inclusion; Emerging markets; Employees; Evangelism; Gays & lesbians; Gender identity; Heterosexuality; Human capital; Human resource management; Human resources management; Institutionalization; International standards; Leadership; Lesbianism; LGBTQ community; LGBTQ people; Marginality; Markets; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Organizational culture; Organizational research; Organizations; Partnerships; Prejudice; Psychological safety; Qualitative research; Research design; Self expression; Sexual orientation; Social environment; Theory; Transgender persons; Workforce
• ISSN: 2040-7149; 2040-7157
• DOI: 10.1108/EDI-09-2023-0296

PurposeThere is an emerging interest in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) inclusion among researchers and practitioners. However, the interplay of macro-, meso- and micro-level factors that influence the behavior of various agencies, systems, structures and practices in different national, cultural and social contexts still needs to be researched. This paper aims to examine how organizations meaningfully engage with the marginalized and underrepresented workforce, especially the LGBTQ community, to promote diversity and inclusion through comprehensive policies and practices, thereby developing a sustainable inclusivity culture.Design/methodology/approachAdopting a practice theory lens and using a case study design, including multilevel interviews with 28 different stakeholders, this study examines how organizations institutionalize LGBTQ inclusion practices in an emerging market context with a historically low acceptance of the LGBTQ community.Findings Findings indicate that macro influences, such as regulatory, societal and market pressures and adopting international standards and norms, impact meso-level structures and practices. At the organizational level, leadership evangelism and workforce allyship serve as relational mechanisms for institutionalizing LGBTQ-inclusive practices. Furthermore, collaboration, partnerships and enabling systems and processes provide the structural frameworks within which organizations build an LGBTQ-inclusive culture. Lastly, at the micro level, cisgender allyship and the LGBTQ micro work environments provide the necessary psychological safety to build trust for authentic LGBTQ self-expressions. This study also indicates that organizations evolve their LGBTQ inclusion practices along a trajectory, with multiple external and internal forces that work simultaneously and recursively to shape HRM policies and practices for building an inclusive culture.Originality/valueThis study addresses the significant gaps in diversity and inclusivity research on LGBTQ employees and contributes to the literature in three significant ways. First, this study examines the diversity management mechanisms at the organizational level and explicates their interplay at the micro, meso and macro levels to create congruence, both internally and externally, for engaging with LGBTQ talent. Second, this study adopts a practice theory lens to examine the behavior of various actors, their agencies, the “flow” of underlying and emergin