Immigrants: The new “invisible men and women” in diversity research

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the invisibility of immigrants in diversity research in the management field.

Design/methodology/approach

Reasons for the paucity of immigrant research, focusing on discrimination, exploitation, and abuse of low‐skilled Hispanic immigrants in the USA, are examined. Considerations of what can be applied to the study of immigrants from extant diversity research are explored.

Findings

Experiences of Hispanic immigrants to the USA are largely absent from diversity literature even though immigrants are significant contributors to the diversity of the USA. There are clear differences in the employment experiences of native‐born Hispanic‐Americans and those who are immigrants, with the latter, both documented and undocumented, generally faring worse in wages, benefits, and interpersonal treatment when compared with those who are native‐born.

Research limitations/implications

Suggestions for research are provided to increase the inclusion of immigrants in diversity research.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on integrating the experiences of discrimination of low‐skilled Hispanic immigrants, who comprise the bulk of newcomers to the USA, into the mainstream diversity literature in management studies and provides questions to stimulate research in the area.

Citation

Bell, M.P., Kwesiga, E.N. and Berry, D.P. (2010), "Immigrants: The new “invisible men and women” in diversity research", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 177-188. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683941011019375