The EThIC model of virtue-based allyship development: a new approach to equity and inclusion in organizations

As organizations take on grand challenges in gender equality, anti-racism, LGBTQ+ protections and workplace inclusion, many well-intentioned individuals from dominant groups (e.g., cisgender men, Caucasian, heterosexual) are stepping forward as allies toward underrepresented or marginalized group me...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Warren, Meg A. (Author) ; Warren, Michael T. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Science + Business Media B. V 2023
In: Journal of business ethics
Year: 2023, Volume: 182, Issue: 3, Pages: 783-803
Further subjects:B Inclusion
B Motivation
B Aufsatz in Zeitschrift
B Equity
B Virtue
B Prejudice reduction
B Allyship development
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Summary:As organizations take on grand challenges in gender equality, anti-racism, LGBTQ+ protections and workplace inclusion, many well-intentioned individuals from dominant groups (e.g., cisgender men, Caucasian, heterosexual) are stepping forward as allies toward underrepresented or marginalized group members (e.g., cisgender women, People of Color, LGBTQ+ identified employees). Past research and guidance assume an inevitable need for external motivation, reflected in the ‘business case’ for diversity and in top-down policies to drive equity and inclusion efforts. This qualitative study explored internal motivations in the form of morally motivated virtues of 25 peer-nominated exemplary allies serving in leadership positions. In-depth life/career story interviews were used to identify the virtues that supported their allyship journeys. Findings demonstrated that they tapped into several virtues that served distinct functions in a 4-stage allyship development process: Stage 1 - Energizing psychological investment (compassion, fairness); Stage 2 - Thinking through allyship-relevant complexities (intellectual humility, perspective-taking, wisdom); Stage 3 - Initiating action (prudence, moral courage, honesty); Stage 4 - Committing to allyship (perseverance, patience). We call this the ‘EThIC model of virtue-based allyship development.’ This study has implications for theory and research on a virtue-based approach to diversity, equity and inclusion.
ISSN:1573-0697
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of business ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s10551-021-05002-z