While the term“workforce diversity”

While the term“workforce diversity” is commonly used in scholarly articles as well as in the popular press, the focus and scope
of the research is both varied and broad. Until recently, most studies have focused on a single dimension of diversity (e.g., age, sex,
race) in a domestic, typically U.S. context. In a world of globalization populated by boundaryless and virtual organizations, it is time
to revisit the old theories of diversity and to create a new set of paradigms. Therefore, in this article we examine multiple
dimensions of diversity to assess the current status of the literature, and to make some suggestions going forward.
As a starting point, we examine six dimensions of diversity (race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and national origin)
to determine how these literatures have evolved. The purpose of this review is to provide a basis on which to focus on similarities
and differences in these separate literatures, in order to determine the extent to which an integrative framework of diversity is
meaningful and appropriate. To move toward identifying areas of similarity as a basis for integration, for each diversity dimension
included in this article wefirst briefly review theoretical paradigms and the extent to which associated predictions for the diversity
dimensions are positive, negative, or neutral. Since theories guide our research streams, we deem it important to evaluate the
extent to which present-day theories adequately represent the potential array of outcomes from negative to positive that may exist
for individuals, groups, and organizations. We also review literature on antecedents and outcomes studied within each diversity
dimension. Subsequently, we examine themes by reviewing current theoretical paradigms and then limitations across different
dimensions of diversity, with the goal of identifying points of integration and needed development for moving the literature
forward. Finally, we present a broad model of diversity that integrates key variables and suggestions for the diversity literature
going forward.