The influence of intergroup contact and ethnocultural empathy on employees' attitudes toward diversity
Brouwer, M.A.R. Boros, Smaranda
Brouwer, M.A.R.
Boros, Smaranda
Citations
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Publication Type
Journal article
Editor
Supervisor
Publication Year
2010
Journal
Cognition, Brain, Behavior. An Interdisciplinary Journal
Book
Publication Volume
XIV
Publication Issue
3
Publication Begin page
243
Publication End page
260
Publication Number of pages
Collections
Abstract
Intergroup relations at work become more complex with the cultural diversification of societies. A diverse workforce can be at the same time a competitive advantage and a source of internal organizational conflicts. Therefore, it is important to know the conditions that link intergroup contact to the emergence of an inclusive organizational culture. This case study proposes a model of intergroup contact that focuses on individual factors amenable to change. Therefore, we propose that ethnocullural empathy is the mediator that explains how contact leads to increased positive diversity-related attitudes and reduced negative diversity-related attitudes. Our case study focuses on the middle and higher management (147 respondents) of a Dutch organization which faces a problem with the promotion of ethnic minority employees. The data shows that ethnocullural empathy is a mediator in the relation between intergroup contact and positive attitudes towards diversity, but not negative ones. Hence, our findings suggest that while empathy can trigger more positive attitudes, it cannot prevent stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination.