Interactive Catalogue

The Mix That Matters. Innovation Through Diversity

Literature Item

Author Information:

• Name: BCG Boston Consulting Group
• Website: https://www.bcg.com/

Abstract:

BCG and the Technical University of Munich conducted an empirical analysis to understand the relationship between diversity in management (defined as all levels of management, not just executive management) and innovation. Although the research is concentrated in a particular geographic region (Austria, Germany and Switzerland), the researchers believe that its insights apply globally. Between the findings it can be pointed out: the innovation boost isn’t limited to a single type of diversity. The presence of managers who are female or from other countries, industries, or companies can cause an increase in innovation; to reach its potential, gender diversity needs to go beyond tokenism - In this study, innovation performance only increased significantly when the workforce included a nontrivial percentage of women (more than 20%) in management positions. Having a high percentage of female employees doesn’t do anything for innovation, the study shows, if only a small number of women are managers.

Keywords:

diversity, people strategy, women leadership, innovation development, financial growth

Publication Date:

Jan. 2, 2017

Source Specificity:

None, None, None

Website:

https://www.bcg.com/publications/2017/people-organization-leadership-talent-innovation-through-diversity-mix-that-matters

Power Domains:

Economic

Methods Tools:

Awareness-raising, Benchmarking

Country:

Austria

Implementation Scale:

International

Language:

English