Date

10-20-2023

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Rebecca Lindsey

Keywords

Diversity, equity, inclusion, talent acquisition, women of color, technology, IT, DEI

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions of hiring teams and women of color (WOC) in the Information Technology (IT) industry about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in talent acquisition practices. While many organizations advocate for DEI, the IT industry shows a notably disproportionate representation of WOC. The research utilized a qualitative approach to incorporate the viewpoints of 12 hiring professionals and 12 WOC from the IT field to uncover recruitment strategies to enhance DEI for WOC in technology positions. Data were collected through virtual interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The study reveals a positive correlation between DEI initiatives and elevated levels of innovation and productivity within organizations. However, challenges like unconscious and conscious biases and the low representation of WOC hinder DEI effectiveness. The study recommends routine DEI evaluations, building relationships with diversity-focused organizations, and starting mentorship programs for WOC. In underscoring the benefits, the study emphasizes the need for organizations to actively reduce bias in their recruitment process. The study concludes that a comprehensive DEI approach is essential for enriching the candidate pool and providing benefits to organizations, their management, and their workforce. It goes beyond the scope of merely hiring DEI specialists, advocating for an organizational strategy that fully integrates DEI objectives.

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