Do Discriminatory Practices Influence the Hierarchical Structures of Business in the United States?
Open Access
- Author:
- Kirkpatrick, Da Quan
- Area of Honors:
- Management
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Jamie Campbell, Thesis Supervisor
Forrest Briscoe, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Cultural Dimensions
Discrimination
Hierarchy
Caste
Socioeconomic Status - Abstract:
- Discrimination along with the oppression of minority voices is a substantial part of the history here in the United States. Over the generations, the culture present in the U.S. has evolved; however, there are still residual issues that stem from a long history of oppressive practices. One of the places where we cite the most disparities in the United States is in the business world. People from various ethnic, culture and national backgrounds are disproportionately represented throughout corporate America. This is just as true for those with non traditional gender identities and sexual orientations. The history of the United States has proven that social and economic barriers can be established on a systematic level; this is what serves as the inspiration for this thesis. The best way to understand how discrimination influences business hierarchies in the United States, is to understand the three major themes of this paper. First, representation, diversity and inclusion are nuanced and should not be perceived as one in the same. Conflating these ideals establishes a breeding ground for disproportionate treatment within an organization. Second, having a performance focused business orientation still leaves room for disparities. This is because while a hiring practice may not be designed to discriminate, the lack of consciousness in the hiring process still remains a catalyst for implicit bias. Lastly, there are a number of social factors that contribute to how successful an individual is within an organization. This includes both external and internal factors. These three themes will serve as catalysts for answering the overarching question of this paper; do discriminatory practices influence hierarchical business structures in the United States.