Exploring Organizational DEI Values and Metrics

By: Mubarak Iddrisu, Ogechi Vivian Nwadiaru, and Hamid Arzani

Faculty Team

• Andrea Hupman, University of Missouri-St. Louis
• Allison Reilly, University of Maryland
• Jun Zhuang, University at Buffalo, SUNY
• Gül Kremer, University of Dayton

Graduate Student Fellows

• Mubarak Iddrisu, University of Massachusetts Boston
• Ogechi Vivian Nwadiaru, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Hamid Arzani, University of Toronto
• Anh Phuong Ngo, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
• Dayu Wu, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has emerged as a critical element in contemporary organizational culture. The success of DEI initiatives hinges on the alignment of management-level commitments with the everyday experiences of individuals, the translation of DEI value statements into tangible actions, and the development of effective metrics to measure the impact of these initiatives. As 2023 DEI Ambassadors, our project explores the DEI values and metrics within organizations, shedding light on the mechanisms through which organizations can foster a more inclusive and equitable workplace. More specifically, we aim to answer the following research questions: 1) How do DEI commitments at the management level align with the perception of individuals' experiences in everyday practices? 2) How do organizations manifest their DEI value statements into actions? 3) What are the effectiveness metrics to measure the effects of DEI initiatives? Our project leverages principles from qualitative decision analysis methods such as value-focused thinking to identify what matters most to employees regarding DEI efforts, which can drive decision-making at the management level.

We presented our preliminary findings twice at the 2023 INFORMS Annual Meeting – first, at the Decision Analysis Society business meeting and second, Vivian Ogechi Nwadiaru, Mubarak Iddrisu (students), and Dr. Jun Zhuang represented the committee at the Ambassadors’ session. These findings show a misalignment between the rise in the number of DEI initiatives and the success rate of fostering the different aspects of DEI within organizations. A general inconsistency in the claims of managers vs their DEI actions. The reception of the work at both sessions was indicative of the relevance and timeliness of the research. The sessions created a platform for us to gain visibility and network with other members of the INFORMS community actively working towards DEI initiatives.

DAS DEI Student comments

“As a member of the DEI Ambassadors program for the past 2 years, I actively participated in weekly/bi-weekly discussions addressing DEI topics including aligning organizational missions with members' experiences and perceptions. I attended the 2023 INFORMS Annual Meeting, presented my work, absorbed diverse ideas from the research of fellow students and faculty, and networked with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This immersive experience has enriched my journey as a grad student, allowing me to benefit, contribute and thrive in a vibrant academic community.”

~ Mubarak 

“During the annual meeting, I had the opportunity to present our work on DEI metrics to the Decision Analysis Society and also actively participate in the business meeting. This was a great chance for me to interact with senior colleagues and receive feedback. Being a part of the DEI Ambassador program has been a rewarding experience for me as an early career researcher in the ORMS community.”

~ Vivian

As a follow-up to the feedback received at the annual meeting, we will be deploying the finalized survey through INFORMS Connect and presenting the results at the upcoming DEI Ambassadors’ session in 2024.