Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
9-2016
Abstract
To attract a gender diverse workforce, many employers use diversity statements to publicly signal that they value gender diversity. However, this often represents a misalignment between words and actions (i.e., a diversity mixed message) because most organizations are male dominated, especially in board positions. We conducted 3 studies to investigate the potentially indirect effect of such diversity mixed messages through perceived behavioral integrity on employer attractiveness. In Study 1, following a 2 x 2 design, participants (N = 225) were either shown a pro gender diversity statement or a neutral statement, in combination with a gender diverse board (4 men and 4 women) or a uniform all-male board (8 men). Participants' perceived behavioral integrity of the organization was assessed. In Study 2, participants (N = 251) either read positive or negative reviews of the organization's behavioral integrity. Employer attractiveness was then assessed. Study 3 (N = 427) investigated the impact of board gender composition on perceived behavioral integrity and employer attractiveness using a bootstrapping procedure. Both the causal-chain design of Study 1 and 2, as well as the significance test of the proposed indirect relationship in Study 3, revealed that a diversity mixed message negatively affected an organization's perceived behavioral integrity, and low behavioral integrity in turn negatively impacted employer attractiveness. In Study 3, there was also evidence for a tipping point (more than 1 woman on the board was needed) with regard to participants' perceptions of the organization's behavioral integrity.
Keywords
Diversity, mixed message, employer attractiveness, women on board, behavioral integrity
Discipline
Human Resources Management | Organizational Behavior and Theory
Research Areas
Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources
Publication
Journal of Applied Psychology
Volume
101
Issue
9
First Page
1329
Last Page
1341
ISSN
0021-9010
Identifier
10.1037/apl0000107
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Citation
WINDSCHEID, Leon; BOWES-SPERRY, Lynn; KIDDER, Deborah L.; CHEUNG, Ho Kwan; MORNER, Michele; and LIEVENS, Filip.
Actions speak louder than words: Outsiders' perceptions of diversity mixed messages. (2016). Journal of Applied Psychology. 101, (9), 1329-1341.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/5736
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000107