Episode 7.5: Diversity in the workplace

Meet Yun Chung, professor of management and human resources at University of Idaho. Chung is going to walk us through several studies about diversity in the workplace including how diversity on a company board affects the company’s success and some nuances behind different types of diversity in the workplace. 

Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. 

Can you name types of diversity that could influence a team’s working dynamic?

In this episode, Chung discusses her research on diversity and decision-making in corporate governance. Focusing on S&P 500 companies, the discussion explored how shared backgrounds between CEOs and board members — such as demographics or educational paths — can create subgroups within boards. These subgroups can protect underperforming CEOs to maintain their own power, even at the expense of company performance. Chung emphasized the importance of cultivating diverse boards with minimal overlap in background with CEOs to foster impartiality and accountability. 

The conversation also addressed workplace diversity among employees, highlighting the benefits of informational diversity, such as varied skills and expertise, and the potential challenges of demographic diversity. She stressed that a positive diversity climate — where employees feel included and valued — is key to maximizing the advantages of diversity while mitigating conflicts. The episode underscores the nuanced role of diversity in driving innovation, collaboration and effective corporate decision-making. 

Music

“Young Republicans” by Steve Combs via freemusicarchive.org, not modified.

“The Facts About Facts” by Micah Dahl Anderson via Amphibious Zoo Music.