Diversity, equity, inclusion, and brand outcomes: a case of higher education
Journal of Product & Brand Management
ISSN: 1061-0421
Article publication date: 20 November 2024
Issue publication date: 26 November 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Diversity, equity and inclusion ideology is the latest appeal of individual compassion, institutional legitimacy and enlightened society. Specific to higher education, diversity, equity and inclusion is an honorable ideology, value and mission. This paper aims to (1) empirically recognize the differences in the level of importance between the university’s and faculty’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, (2) identify the diversity, equity and inclusion outcomes, such as university brand image and student intention to engage postgraduation, (3) uncover the moderating role of university brand preference attainment and (4) validate the mediating role of student identification in diversity, equity and inclusion literature.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 1,027 usable responses was employed to perform two moderations, four mediations and two confidence interval analyses.
Findings
The university’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are significantly more rewarding than the faculty’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for the university brand image and students’ intention to engage postgraduation. Findings uncover the mediating role of student identification and the moderating role of brand preference attainment.
Practical implications
Focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion at the institutional level is more impactful than at the faculty level. In industries where frontline employees have significant autonomy, such as higher education, the positive brand performance outcomes are related to the faculty’s diversity, equity and inclusion awareness, not the faculty’s diversity, equity and inclusion advocacy. Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives should align with the student’s shared values.
Originality/value
The study relies on institutional theory to underscore the asymmetric importance of the university’s and faculty’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in achieving perceived brand image and engagement.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Dean’s Summer Research Grant from the G. Brint Ryan College of Business, University of North Texas. We express our sincere gratitude for the financial assistance provided, which enabled the successful completion of this study.
Citation
Nguyen, T.D., Yaghi, M., Ganesh, G., Blankson, C., Paswan, A.K. and Pavur, R. (2024), "Diversity, equity, inclusion, and brand outcomes: a case of higher education", Journal of Product & Brand Management, Vol. 33 No. 8, pp. 949-967. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-05-2023-4545
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited