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Abstract
Affinity Groups are utilized by ninety percent of Fortune 500 companies to promote equity and inclusion. These groups aim to create inclusive environments that reflect a changing workforce. Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) are the most prevalent Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) intervention method utilized in the Information Technology (IT) industry. Like many other D&I interventions, WAGs have not been studied and their effectiveness has not been empirically assessed. This study investigates the women’s perceptions of the WAGS and their effectiveness through interviews and focus groups with WAG members and non-members. The study is grounded in Annabi and Lebovitz (2018) “Organizational Interventions Mitigating Individual Barriers” theoretical framework; it examines the characteristics of WAGs and the impact of these characteristics on women’s perceptions and utilization of WAGs. Preliminary findings highlight the complexity of women members’ and non-members’ perceptions and expectations of WAG.
Recommended Citation
Bhatia, Simran; Tari, Mina; and Annabi, Hala, "What Women Really Think of Women Affinity Groups in Tech" (2020). AMCIS 2020 Proceedings. 10.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2020/social_inclusion/social_inclusion/10
What Women Really Think of Women Affinity Groups in Tech
Affinity Groups are utilized by ninety percent of Fortune 500 companies to promote equity and inclusion. These groups aim to create inclusive environments that reflect a changing workforce. Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) are the most prevalent Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) intervention method utilized in the Information Technology (IT) industry. Like many other D&I interventions, WAGs have not been studied and their effectiveness has not been empirically assessed. This study investigates the women’s perceptions of the WAGS and their effectiveness through interviews and focus groups with WAG members and non-members. The study is grounded in Annabi and Lebovitz (2018) “Organizational Interventions Mitigating Individual Barriers” theoretical framework; it examines the characteristics of WAGs and the impact of these characteristics on women’s perceptions and utilization of WAGs. Preliminary findings highlight the complexity of women members’ and non-members’ perceptions and expectations of WAG.
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