Critical Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Marketing: The Case of Business Schools in the United States

Abstract

This chapter argues that because Business Schools serve as a market for managerial talents for the markets and academic talents for Business Schools' faculty, a critical perspective on diversity, equity and inclusion in Marketing should also examine the state of affairs in Business Schools in general. With this argument the chapter focuses on the state of DEI in Business Schools in the United School and examines their makeup vis-à-vis the population of the US using longitudinal analysis. The results show that despite civil rights activities which called for equal rights for all Americans including African Americans, the affirmative action programs of the 1960s which were to ensure equal opportunity for all, and the fact that the minority group is projected to become the majority group in the US in approximately twenty years (i.e., by 2045), minority group members are still disproportionately represented (or included) at every level in the business academy. It is hoped that the current ground swirl for DEI would lead to a significant and permanent change that will include all Americans and ultimately improve the American society in general.