Eighteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

Associate Resource Groups (ARGs), also known as “Employee Resource Groups” or “Affinity Groups,” are voluntary, company-sponsored groups organized around a common interest or identity (Welbourne, Rolf, and Schlachter, 2015). There is significant lack of research on ARGs, including ARGs’ influence on individual employee outcomes. Therefore, this study explores the influence of ARGs on employee engagement and workplace inclusion. For this purpose, a qualitative study in a major US retailer was conducted. Seventeen one-on-one interviews with ARG members and executives of the organization were administered in 2017. This paper discusses how the retailer employs ten types of ARGs at its corporate headquarters, including: Asian, African-American, the Alliance (LGBT and Allies), Hispanic and Latinos, Women’s Leadership, Veterans, and Parents ARGs. ARGs assist the organization significantly in a number of ways such as with product development (e.g. culture-specific products), policy development (e.g. “health and wellness” rooms that also serve as unisex restrooms at its new stores), and involvement in the community (e.g. charity fundraisers for cancer research). ARGs also serve as an internal community for employees, while providing the foundation to hire, retain, and develop diverse employees through, among other things: the strong social support network, mentoring, networking with peers, and exposure to executive leadership. In summary, this paper highlights how a major US retailer utilizes ARGs to influence employee engagement and workplace inclusion.

Presenters

Ada T. Cenkci
Associate Professor, Political Science, Criminal Justice & Organizational Leadership, Northern Kentucky University, Kentucky, United States

Jeffrey M. Zimmerman
Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Northern Kentucky University, Kentucky, United States

Tuba Bircan