EUDiM - Managing cultural diversity in small and medium-sized organizations

In response to a more and more culturally diverse workforce, a number of European private companies and public institutions have initiated so-called management of diversity programs. Despite increased research on this topic during the last years disagreement over what management of diversity means is restraining the development of a coherent body of knowledge. Much work is hypothetical and findings of empirical studies about diversity management are still fragmented and inconsistent.

Together with partners from Germany, Italy, Spain and Austria, the efms is conducting a study that will explore the management of cultural diversity practices directed at highly-skilled immigrants working for small and medium sized private and public organizations in these four EU member states. In line with important upcoming shortages of highly skilled employees in specific professional areas we intend to explore non EU immigrants working in the sectors of engineering, medicine and science.

The project follows a transnational, mixed method approach bringing together different researchers from various disciplines in order to provide solutions for the upcoming challenges of integrating highly qualified non-EU immigrants at their workplaces and make use of the potential of immigration in Europe. It is coordinated by the Bayreuth Research Institute for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (BF/M) that is affiliated with the University of Bayreuth.

EUDiM Website: http://eudim.eu/

Funding: Bayreuth Research Institute for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (BF/M), affiliated with the University of Bayreuth.
Duration: December 2013 - June 2015
Researcher: Luisa Seiler