Case 8: What Does Diversity Actually Mean, and How Does This Shape Corporate Diversity Policies and Actions?: Insights from Germany

Nowadays, organizations in many national and societal contexts face the challenge of managing an increasingly diverse workforce. Yet, diversity does not mean the same in different countries and companies, and HR managers are seldom aware of this. As a result, every diversity campaign has its blind-spots. For managing human resources and employment relations strategically, this is a relevant finding. It suggests that HR first needs to identify what diversity ‘means’ to those involved, prior to being able to manage diversity globally or internationally. Also, national and local HR managers can learn from alternative approaches to diversity in other countries. Based on this insight, this chapter highlights the meanings of diversity in the German context, using the example of the German automotive supplier Robert Bosch. It also provides the reader with the techniques for a more holistic diversity management.