Changing attitudes towards diversity: The Netherlands and Morocco compared

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a cross-cultural comparison of the attitudes toward diversity among human resource managers working for the same multinational company in the Netherlands and Morocco.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 35 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted by telephone and were analyzed by the use of content analysis. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions were used as theoretical framework.

Findings

The findings suggest that attitudes toward diversity are changing and not always in line with Hofstede’s scores from 2010. Differences between the Netherlands and Morocco are discussed and trends in both countries are outlined.

Originality/value

While it has been argued that Hofstede’s cultural dimensions are relatively stable over time, the findings show that attitudes toward diversity are evolving in the light of the changing environment and that other cultural factors also play an important role.

Citation

Hennekam, S. and Tahssain-Gay, L. (2015), "Changing attitudes towards diversity: The Netherlands and Morocco compared", Management Decision, Vol. 53 No. 9, pp. 2135-2155. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-04-2015-0119