BARRIERS IN BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT - A case study of how certain organizational practices lead to non-inclusion from employees’ perspectives

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this master thesis is to explore the specific organizational practices acting as barriers in promoting inclusion at the workplace from employees’ perspectives. The same is explored with a two-fold approach, regional and international teams. Theory: In order to examine the above purpose, inequality regimes are referred to understand what and how organizational practices create non-inclusion. Secondly, inclusive management is referred to comprehend manager-follower relationships and interactions within the teams. Methodology: To investigate the reasons and barriers for inclusion, a qualitative case study has been conducted through interviews and observations. 25 interviews were conducted complemented by five observation meetings and three consultation meetings with diversity and inclusion representatives. Result: The empirical findings of the thesis yielded different organizational practices that could create non-inclusion. Namely, salary setting, hierarchy, promotions, training and development, work environment and communication practices in the regional teams. Whereas differences in salary, benefits, promotions and communication challenges in the international team.