Diversity and Inclusion from an Organizational Behavior Perspective: Can AI Play a Role?
摘要
Organizational behavior is a multifaceted field of study that encompasses a focus on the micro (individual), meso (team/groups), and macro (organizational, structure, strategies, culture) levels of an organization, and where the aim is to improve organizational efficiency and employees’ quality of working life. Within this context, the chapter explores the evolving role, focus, and approaches for managing diversity and inclusion within organizations at the micro, meso, and macro levels, in a context where technological developments are transforming organizational processes. By integrating technological advancements, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), the chapter highlights opportunities and challenges in fostering inclusion in increasingly diverse, digital and virtual work environments involving AI. Specifically, it investigates AI’s potential to mitigate biases, improve communication, and support decision-making in diverse teams, alongside the risks of inadvertently reinforcing existing inequalities. The chapter proposes five key areas where AI can help enhance inclusion whilst acknowledging important issues regarding AI bias and fairness. These five areas are ensuring that all employees speak up and are heard, empowering employees digitally in decision-making, providing actionable feedback, creating a safe digital environment for proposing novel ideas, and incorporating feedback from all employees. Finally, we address the complex role of AI in managing a diverse workforce from an organizational behavior perspective, suggesting future research directions.