Twenty-third International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on supplier diversity (SD), and uses content analysis to test several hypotheses about the types of organizations that have SD initiatives. Essentially, SD is about doing business with suppliers owned and operated by persons other than straight white males. The diverse communities include Indigenous Peoples; disabled people; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people; visible minorities and women. In Toronto, it is hypothesized that larger organizations, those with employee diversity (ED) programs and those with close links to American organizations (as parent or subsidiary) are more likely to have SD programs. The hypotheses are tested using data from organizations listed among the Greater Toronto Area’s Best Diversity Employers and GTA-based businesses listed on The Financial Post FP500. The largest Toronto firms are also compared with the largest firms based in the Chicagoland area, according to the Fortune 500. Compared to companies in Toronto, those in Chicago are expected to be more likely to have SD programs. The paper includes discussion of some implications for supply chain and diversity practitioners and researchers, i.e., theoretical contributions and opportunities for further study.