Tertiary diversity management: A critical success factor in modern nonprofit human services leadership

Abstract

With the advent of globalization and increasing multiculturalism in society over the past 25 years, much attention has been paid to workplace diversity and its role in enabling nonprofit human service organizations to respond successfully to changes in society that affect their performance. From a strategic human resource management perspective, a strong focus on diversity has been associated with enhanced organizational effectiveness. Traditionally, the management of organizational diversity has concentrated on two forms of diversity, primary and secondary. In this article, we explore the implications for executive directors and board members of a new type of diversity, tertiary diversity, to be included as well as prioritized when applying diversity management best practices for maintaining and enhancing organizational performance.