Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Business Practices: A Study of Strategies, Challenges and Outcomes

Abstract

The study examined advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in business practices: A study of strategies, challenges and outcomes. Three research questions and two hypotheses were answered and tested. A descriptive research design of survey type was used. The population of this study comprised all staff of Nigerian Breweries, Imagbon, Ijebu-Ode local government area of Ogun State. A total of 55 staff of Nigerian Breweries, Imagbon, Ijebu-Ode local government area of Ogun State was selected as sample size of the study using simple random and stratified sampling technique. A self-researcher designed instrument tagged: Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Business Practices Questionnaire (ADEIBPQ) with reliability estimate of 0.91 for data collection. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used for answering research questions The findings of the study revealed that diversity training, inclusive hiring practices, employee resource group, mentorship, leadership commitment, and inclusive policies and practices were among the effective strategies the business use to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in their practices. The study recommended that there should be leadership commitment, comprehensive diversity training programs, inclusive policies and practices, and the promotion of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to foster a culture of inclusion and equitable opportunities for all employees.