Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation has the right prescription for diversity: Company earns top slot in annual ranking

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the actions that have helped Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation to reach No. 1 in this year’s DiversityInc top 50 companies for diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

It examines the roles of the company’s executive diversity and inclusion council, diversity and inclusion councils, the diversity and inclusion department and employee-resource groups.

Findings

It reveals that the number of women in top-level jobs at the company has more than doubled in the past five years. Today, women account for more than 50 per cent of executive-leadership positions.

Practical implications

It advances the view that getting strategic about diversity and inclusion – and making these elements a natural part of the way a company does business – drives innovation and moves the business and people forward.

Social implications

It demonstrates that, as the US workforce becomes more diverse, all companies face the challenge of creating new and better ways of recruiting and retaining talent from all segments of the workforce – and creating an inclusive culture where all perspectives are valued.

Originality/value

It highlights the key role of diversity at a US affiliate of a multinational pharmaceutical company.

Citation

(2014), "Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation has the right prescription for diversity: Company earns top slot in annual ranking", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 22 No. 6, pp. 15-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-08-2014-0115