Images of a culture of diversity in a South African organisation

Abstract

This study was interested in assessing whether any disparity between formal policy and employee experience exists within a South African organisation. Specifically, the research identified the images and metaphors presented within an organization’s formal policy documents on diversity and then assessed the extent to which those images reflect a culture of diversity within the organisation. The researcher made use of qualitative methods in the form of content and discourse analysis and in-depth interviews. The results suggest that while the images and metaphors found in policy documents do in fact represent a culture of diversity in its stated intentions, practically, as experienced by employees, a culture for diversity remains limited.