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Othering diversity – a Levinasian analysis of diversity management

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  • Sara Louise Muhr

Abstract

Several studies have suggested both creative advantages and disadvantages of diversity. Much of this discrepancy can be explained by a deeper conceptual ambiguity. Levinasian ethics emphasises the Other as infinitely different. This article uses Levinasian ethics to investigate the distinction between categorisable differences and the multiplicity of otherness. In this process of 'othering' diversity, the ambiguity in the field is unravelled, as creativity in organisations depends not on 'managing' differences among people but on 'respecting' otherness within them. The first destroys creativity by reducing diversity to sameness. The latter is the creative aspect of diversity. Diversity management must be 'othered' and taken beyond the obvious categorisation of differences. That is, beyond management, and back to the Other, who resists being managed. This movement toward otherness is exemplified by a story from the making of South African justice policy: a story of an ethical encounter between two very different groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Louise Muhr, 2008. "Othering diversity – a Levinasian analysis of diversity management," International Journal of Management Concepts and Philosophy, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 3(2), pages 176-189.
  • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmcph:v:3:y:2008:i:2:p:176-189
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Shaw, Sally, 2019. "The chaos of inclusion? Examining anti-homophobia policy development in New Zealand sport," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 247-262.
    2. Janet Zhangyan Johansson & Sofia Lindström Sol, 2022. "Artistic Freedom or the Hamper of Equality? Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in the Use of Artistic Freedom in a Cultural Organization in Sweden," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 181(4), pages 811-825, December.
    3. Carl Rhodes, 2017. "Ethical Praxis and the Business Case for LGBT Diversity: Political Insights from Judith Butler and Emmanuel Levinas," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(5), pages 533-546, September.
    4. Laurence Romani & Patrizia Zanoni & Lotte Holck, 2021. "Radicalizing diversity (research): Time to resume talking about class," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 8-23, January.
    5. Kristian Alm & David S. A. Guttormsen, 2023. "Enabling the Voices of Marginalized Groups of People in Theoretical Business Ethics Research," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 182(2), pages 303-320, January.
    6. Eline Jammaers, 2023. "Theorizing Discursive Resistance to Organizational Ethics of Care Through a Multi-stakeholder Perspective on Disability Inclusion Practices," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(2), pages 333-345, March.
    7. Sarah Lauwo, 2018. "Challenging Masculinity in CSR Disclosures: Silencing of Women’s Voices in Tanzania’s Mining Industry," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 149(3), pages 689-706, May.
    8. Deborah Kerfoot & David Knights & Ida Sabelis & Sara Louise Muhr & Alf Rehn, 2015. "On Gendered Technologies and Cyborg Writing," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(2), pages 129-138, March.

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