Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Gloria Billingsley

Abstract

Globalization has resulted in permeable boundaries resulting in a highly mobile labor force. Canada's multicultural environment and its Federal Skilled Worker's Policy, renamed the Express Entry Program, attract many immigrants seeking employment opportunities comparable to their qualifications and work experience. Instead of equality and advancement, black immigrants are often underpaid and face few opportunities for advancement. Research has indicated that strong diversity policies and management are promising solutions to these issues. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perception of skilled Black immigrants' workplace experiences and diversity strategies to mitigate discriminatory practices. Johnson's polarity management, as adapted in Benet's polarity of democracy, was the conceptual framework that guided this study. Narrative inquiry elicited information through in-depth interviews of 10 purposively sampled Black immigrant participants who spent a minimum of five years in the workplace. Interview data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis software. Thematic analysis indicated that increased diversity was perceived as a solution to inequality. The participants' perceptions showed the prevalence of either/or thinking and views of diversity in isolation from the interdependent pole that forms the unique polarity of diversity/equality. The findings identified a perceived need for a paradigm shift from understanding diversity as a standalone concept to seeing these workplace issues as a polarity dilemma—to better balance the diversity/equality polarity. The shift in thinking could address the ubiquitous challenge of paradoxes in diversity outcomes, which may have a positive social change implication for increased diversity in policy formulation and implementation.

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