Diversity and Inclusion in Italy (eng)

History, geography, culture, and the legal framework influence the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion in and around organisations. Yet, most academics and practitioners still approach themes of diversity in organisations relying on standardised discourses and practices, often transferred uncritically from the Anglo-Saxon context. Adopting a contextual approach that takes into account the specificities of the Italian context, this book explores a wide array of themes related to diversity and inclusion in organisations and society.

Focusing on the Italian context, the book offers new insights into themes already well-established in the diversity debate, such as gender, age and disability. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on categories, organisational forms, and stakeholders rarely associated with diversity, such as social class, family businesses, and trade unions, but also to consider the role of technology and the arts as tools for both inclusion and exclusion. The contributions draw on different disciplines and perspectives and provide insights relevant not only with respect to Italy but also to other national and international contexts. This volume is aimed at both researchers and practitioners who wish to develop a more nuanced and mature understanding of diversity in organisations and society.

Simone Pulcher is an Assistant Professor of Business Organization at the Department of Management of the University of Bergamo. His research focuses on diversity in organisations, with a particular emphasis on ideological aspects such as heteronormativity and nationalism.

Stefano Basaglia is an Associate Professor of Business Organization in the Department of Management at the University of Bergamo, Italy. His current research interests include the diffusion and adoption of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices in organizations, as well as the historical perspective of these processes.

Simona Cuomo is an Associate Professor of Practice in Leadership, Organization & Human Resources at SDA Bocconi School of Management. Since 2010, she has also been the coordinator of the Diversity & Inclusion & Smart Working Monitor at SDA Bocconi. She is a psychologist, certified coach, and counselor, authorized to administer Hogan Assessments. Her research focuses on DEI topics, leadership and people management.

Zenia Simonella is a post-doc research fellow at the Department of Sociology and Social Research, University of Milan-Bicocca and fellow at SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan. Her main research interests are: discrimination in organisations and science; knowledge and society; history of ideas; methodology of social research.