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HR Dive: How nonprofit training leveled the product management playing field

13 Oct 2020
Program participants complete "the type of work entry-level project managers at big tech companies also perform," Nancy Wang, CEO of Advancing Women in Product said.

Originally found at HR Dive, by Sheryl Estrada.

Although Silicon Valley tech companies have made gains in overall workforce diversity, there has been less change at the managerial level, according to some employers' own reports. And when women and members of underrepresented groups aren't in leadership roles, a lack of targeted skills-based training and executive mentorship can continue to hold them back, according to Advancing Women in Product (AWIP).

Tech companies stand to benefit from diverse management, research shows. Those with high levels of racial diversity in both upper management and lower management — known as racial diversity congruence — achieved the greatest levels of productivity, according to a study published June 9 in the Academy of Management Journal. A 1% increase in racial diversity congruence in management increased a tech firm's productivity by $729 per employee, according to the study.


Continue reading the original article at HR Dive.

 

Read the original research in Academy of Management Journal.

Read more about the original research in this AOM Insights Summary.

 

Learn more about the AOM Scholars and explore their work:

Orlando Richard, University of Massachusetts Amherst

María del Carmen Triana, Vanderbilt University

Mingxiang Li, Florida Atlantic University