| Using semistructured, in-depth interviews, this study examined the professional experiences of diversity officers of Fortune 1000 companies headquartered in the southeastern United States. The study identified the in-depth roles, responsibilities, and organizational support of the diversity officer; the consistency of the roles across industries; the consistency of defined versus actual roles; success factors and challenges that result from the implementation of the diversity initiative, and the ways in which diversity officers overcome challenges encountered in the performance of their duties. The findings of the study suggest that roles and responsibilities of the diversity officers are consistent across various industries. The diversity officers, charged with leading the implementation of diversity and inclusion efforts, in turn collaborate with employees at all levels of the organization in the actual implementation and sustainment of the initiative. The diversity officers place strong emphasis on the support of the executive management team as necessary to the success of their diversity and inclusion initiative. This study contributes to the diversity literature by providing a detailed focus on the roles and functions of the position of diversity officer and the collaborative approach to organizational diversity and inclusion. |
