International Diversity Management: Examples from the USA, South Africa, and Norway

This chapter develops earlier work in the field by Ozbilgin and Tatli (2008) and uses examples of three

countries–the USA, South Africa, and Norway–to illustrate the complexity of managing diversity across

national borders. Key challenges of international diversity management are highlighted. These three

cases have been selected using a theoretically driven, maximum variation approach. The concept of

diversity management initially evolved and was developed in the USA. In contrast, South Africa is of

interest due to its specific Apartheid past and its post-Apartheid challenges related to diversity management.

Lastly, Norway is ranked among the best and most equal countries in the world. By exploring these

different examples, we question the assumption that there can be a one best way to manage diversity in

an international context.