Increasing workplace diversity through goal setting
Purpose This paper serves to evaluate the effect of goal setting theory in remediating workplace demographic representation inequality. Design/methodology/approach This study evaluates the effect of goal setting theory in Fortune 100 companies' CSR on year over prior change in diversity representation using t tests and independent, repeated measures ANOVA. Findings Reporting companies significantly outperformed the population in minority and female leadership increases. Companies using specific goals and relevant feedback facilitated better outcomes for minority and female leaders, respectively. Research limitations/implications Dichotomous coding was employed. Qualitative coding over multiple years is suggested for future research. CSR reporting is voluntary, unaudited and inconsistent. Comparing outcomes for organizations with mandatory reporting or diversity quotas would provide interesting future comparatives. Despite the limitations, this research demonstrates the benefits of goal setting theory on s.