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1 – 10 of 286Muhammad Ali, Mirit K. Grabarski and Marzena Baker
In the wake of labor shortages in the retail industry, there is value in highlighting a business case for employing neurodivergent individuals. Drawing on signaling theory, this…
Abstract
Purpose
In the wake of labor shortages in the retail industry, there is value in highlighting a business case for employing neurodivergent individuals. Drawing on signaling theory, this study explores whether perceived neurodiversity management (neurodiversity policies and adjustments) helps enhance neurodiversity awareness and affective commitment and whether affective commitment leads to lower turnover intention.
Design/methodology/approach
A cursory content analysis of publicly available documents of randomly selected four retail organizations was undertaken, which was followed by an online survey of the Australian retail workforce, leading to 502 responses from supervisors and employees.
Findings
The content analysis shows that retail organizations barely acknowledge neurodiversity. The findings of the main study indicate that neurodiversity policies are positively associated with both neurodiversity awareness and affective commitment, while adjustments were positively linked to affective commitment. Moreover, affective commitment was negatively associated with turnover intention. Affective commitment also mediated the negative effects of neurodiversity policies and adjustments on turnover intention.
Originality/value
This study supports, extends and refines signaling theory and social exchange theory. It addresses knowledge gaps about the perceptions of co-workers and supervisors in regard to neurodiversity management. It provides unprecedented evidence for a business case for the positive attitudinal outcomes of neurodiversity policies and adjustments. The findings can help managers manage neurodiversity for positive attitudinal outcomes.
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Emily Russo, Dana L. Ott and Miriam Moeller
Despite many neurodiverse individuals possessing skills that are desperately needed, few organizations have redesigned their attraction, development and retention practices to…
Abstract
Despite many neurodiverse individuals possessing skills that are desperately needed, few organizations have redesigned their attraction, development and retention practices to capture them. In this chapter, we alert organizations that embracing neurodiversity bodes well for expanding the diversity of the talent pool, thereby mitigating talent risks. We proceed to analyse and explain how neurodiversity can be positioned within the talent management literature and identify opportunities for integrating neurodiversity and talent management research. We begin by exploring the concept of neurodiversity and in particular neurodiversity in the workplace. We then use this foundation to establish how neurodiversity can be engaged within the talent management literature. Finally, we outline a plethora of future research questions and avenues to further explore neurodiversity in the context of talent management.
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Kristen Gillespie-Lynch, Patrick Dwyer, Christopher Constantino, Steven K. Kapp, Emily Hotez, Ariana Riccio, Danielle DeNigris, Bella Kofner and Eric Endlich
Purpose: We critically examine the idea of neurodiversity, or the uniqueness of all brains, as the foundation for the neurodiversity movement, which began as an autism rights…
Abstract
Purpose: We critically examine the idea of neurodiversity, or the uniqueness of all brains, as the foundation for the neurodiversity movement, which began as an autism rights movement. We explore the neurodiversity movement's potential to support cross-disability alliances that can transform cultures.
Methods/Approach: A neurodiverse team reviewed literature about the history of the neurodiversity movement and associated participatory research methodologies and drew from our experiences guiding programs led, to varying degrees, by neurodivergent people. We highlight two programs for autistic university students, one started by and for autistics and one developed in collaboration with autistic and nonautistic students. These programs are contrasted with a national self-help group started by and for stutterers that is inclusive of “neurotypicals.”
Findings: Neurodiversity-aligned practices have emerged in diverse communities. Similar benefits and challenges of alliance building within versus across neurotypes were apparent in communities that had not been in close contact. Neurodiversity provides a framework that people with diverse conditions can use to identify and work together to challenge shared forms of oppression. However, people interpret the neurodiversity movement in diverse ways. By honing in on core aspects of the neurodiversity paradigm, we can foster alliances across diverse perspectives.
Implications/ Values: Becoming aware of power imbalances and working to rectify them is essential for building effective alliances across neurotypes. Sufficient space and time are needed to create healthy alliances. Participatory approaches, and approaches solely led by neurodivergent people, can begin to address concerns about power and representation within the neurodiversity movement while shifting public understanding.
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Muhammad Ali, Mirit K. Grabarski and Marzena Baker
Neurodiversity refers to a spectrum of neurological differences. Little is known about the benefits and challenges of employing neurodivergent individuals in the retail industry…
Abstract
Purpose
Neurodiversity refers to a spectrum of neurological differences. Little is known about the benefits and challenges of employing neurodivergent individuals in the retail industry and how knowing neurodivergent individuals/neurodiversity practices are linked to benefits/challenges. This study provides these insights using the lenses of the value-in-diversity perspective, stigma theory and intergroup contact theory.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from an online survey of retail supervisors and co-workers from Australia, resulting in 502 responses from various retail organizations.
Findings
The findings indicate that supervisors have higher awareness of neurodiversity and perceived benefits of neurodivergent employees. Knowing neurodivergents was positively associated with perceived benefits and disclosure challenges and negatively associated with equity and inclusion challenges. Neurodiversity practices were positively associated with benefits of neurodivergent employees, negatively associated with disclosure challenges and equity and inclusion challenges in small stores, and positively associated with equity and inclusion challenges in large stores.
Originality/value
Current empirical research on workplace neurodiversity is scarce. This study provides pioneering evidence for awareness of workplace neurodiversity in the retail industry and the impact of knowing neurodivergent employees/neurodiversity practices on benefits and challenges. It differentiates between supervisors' and co-workers’ perceptions, highlighting the importance of exposure to information in reducing stigma.
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Josephine Go Jefferies and Wasim Ahmed
The purpose of this study is to develop a bottom-up segmentation of people affected by neurodiversity using Twitter data.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a bottom-up segmentation of people affected by neurodiversity using Twitter data.
Design/methodology/approach
This exploratory study uses content analysis of information shared by Twitter users over a three-month period.
Findings
Cultural currents affect how the label of “neurodiversity” is perceived by individuals, marketplace actors and society. The extent to which neurodiversity provides a positive or negative alternative to stigmatizing labels for mental disorders is shaped by differentiated experiences of neurodiversity. The authors identify five neurodiversity segments according to identifiable concerns and contextual dynamics that affect mental wellbeing. Analyzing Twitter data enables a bottom-up typology of stigmatized groups toward improving market salience.
Originality/value
To the authors knowledge, this study is the first to investigate neurodiversity using Twitter data to segment stigmatized consumers into prospective customers from the bottom-up.
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James Richards, Kate Sang, Abigail Marks and Susannah Gill
The purpose of this paper is to address a significant gap in the line manager, HRM and the diversity management literature, that of exploring the role and significance of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address a significant gap in the line manager, HRM and the diversity management literature, that of exploring the role and significance of emotional labour (EL) in relation to the lived experienced of line managing neurodiversity.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was used to explore lived experiences of line managers responsible for managing neurodiverse employees. Interviews were conducted with line managers employed in the UK transport industry.
Findings
The findings provide rich insights into line managing neurodiversity. A key overall finding is reasonable adjustments deemed essential to support neurodiverse employees require a myriad of hidden, complex, time consuming and often emotionally draining interactions with disabled employees, the employee’s wider team, and HRM and occupational health (OH) practitioners.
Research limitations/implications
This is an exploratory study and therefore limited by nature of the research design, industry focus, scope of study and sample size.
Practical implications
The findings have the potential to inform HRM and OH practitioner support for line managers responsible for managing neurodiverse employees.
Social implications
The study contributes to wider societal attempts to make employment more inclusive to a range of historically disadvantaged groups.
Originality/value
The study fills an important gap in the HRM literature on line managing neurodiverse employees. The study makes a specific and unique contribution to extensive literatures on line management, disability and EL.
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Ashley Molloy, Ashley O'Donoghue and Na Fu
Generation A, the number of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) entering the workforce in the next decade is expected to increase. However, the employment rate of people…
Abstract
Generation A, the number of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) entering the workforce in the next decade is expected to increase. However, the employment rate of people with ASD is still very low, and the access to services and support for them is inadequate globally. The research is very limited on understanding neurodiversity-based employment and its success factors. This study aims to fill this important gap via exploring the current inclusive human resource practices being adopted by neurodiversity champion companies. Interviews were conducted with six Irish organizations to identify their neurodiversity and autism practices.
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Nancy Doyle and Almuth McDowall
The aims of the paper were to highlight the dearth of applied practitioner research concerning the expression of neurodiversity at work and develop an epistemological framework…
Abstract
Purpose
The aims of the paper were to highlight the dearth of applied practitioner research concerning the expression of neurodiversity at work and develop an epistemological framework for a future research agenda.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic empty review protocol was employed, with three a priori research questions, inquiring as to the extent of neurodiversity research within mainstream work psychology, psychology in general and lastly within cross-disciplinary academic research. The results of the final search were quality checked and categorized to illustrate where studies relevant to practice are currently located.
Findings
The academic literature was found to be lacking in contextualized, practical advice for employers or employees. The location and foci of extracted studies highlighted a growing science-practitioner gap.
Research limitations/implications
The research focused on common neurominority conditions such as autism and dyslexia; it is acknowledged that the neurodiversity definition itself is broader and more anthropological in nature. A need for a comprehensive research agenda is articulated, and research questions and frameworks are proposed.
Practical implications
Guidance is given on applying disability accommodation to both individual and organizational targets.
Social implications
The disability employment gap is unchanged since legislation was introduced. The neurodiversity concept is no longer new, and it is time for multi-disciplinary collaborations across science and practice to address the questions raised in this paper.
Originality/value
This paper offers an original analysis of the neurodiversity paradox, combining systematic inquiry with a narrative synthesis of the extant literature. The conceptual clarification offers clear directions for researchers and practitioners.
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Sophie Hennekam and Kayla Follmer
This article provides an overview of lessons we can learn from human resource (HR) policies and practices related to neurodiversity.
Abstract
Purpose
This article provides an overview of lessons we can learn from human resource (HR) policies and practices related to neurodiversity.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted a practice-based review using information obtained from organizations’ websites, summarized the information and reflected on how scholars can continue to advance this area of research based on what is happening in practice.
Findings
The review provided a selective overview of programs and practices per HR cluster: selection and recruitment; onboarding, integration and retention; job design; flexible work options and working remotely; training; employee resource groups (ESGs) and support. The review provides a description of practices and policies implemented within organizations that focus on neurodiversity among employees.
Originality/value
Our review showed that organizations have a multitude of HR practices and policies in place to include neurodivergent individuals in their workforces, though many of these have not been empirically investigated. Sharing this knowledge is important so that research insights and practice can reciprocally influence one another.
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Robin Mackenzie and John Watts
Should those of us who are neurologically atypical be diagnosed as ill, so in need of treatment or cure, or accepted as embodying a different way of being, as called for by the…
Abstract
Should those of us who are neurologically atypical be diagnosed as ill, so in need of treatment or cure, or accepted as embodying a different way of being, as called for by the neurodiversity movement? We consider what legal structures and health and social care systems would be appropriate to promote neurodiversity, and how far this infrastructure in the United Kingdom today meets these criteria for those diagnosed with cognitive disability and learning disability.
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