From Individual to Society: A Multi-Level Model for Diversity Training Reaction

Increasing diversity in the workforce and the #BlackLivesMatter movement compel organizations to invest in diversity initiatives, among which diversity training is of growing popularity. However, diversity training outcomes are not consistent. While abundant literature has explored factors influencing outcomes at the levels of the individual, the training program itself, and the organization in which it is applied, several concerns remain unaddressed. This paper explores the factors that lead to divergent diversity training outcomes and focuses on individual-level reactions toward training programs. We apply computational grounded theorizing and machine learning techniques to analyze discussions on Reddit and propose a multi-level model of diversity training reaction. This model reveals how factors at the unit, organizational and social levels influence individuals’ cognitive, affective, and behavioral reactions to diversity training. We contribute to diversity training literature by demonstrating the important yet rarely studied influence of social context on the individual’s reactions.