There is a significant gap in the effectiveness of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies within organizations, noting that less than a third of respondents believe their teams have effective DEI strategies. This discrepancy raises questions about the barriers hindering the successful implementation of DEI initiatives. A key challenge identified is the localization of DEI policies, particularly for multinational corporations whose DEI frameworks are often developed at headquarters, typically based in the United States. This one-size-fits-all approach fails to account for the cultural and demographic nuances of different regions, especially in Asia, where the concept and priorities of DEI can vastly differ from those in North America.
The diversity of Asia's demographic groups means that DEI policies need to be tailored to address specific local issues, which may include caste, education, or colorism, varying significantly from the focus areas in Western DEI strategies. For instance, while discussions in the UK might center around black and minority ethnic groups, in Asian contexts, the minorities and groups facing discrimination can be entirely different, such as those based on caste in India. The lack of localization in DEI policies suggests that multinational corporations are not doing enough to adapt their strategies to meet the unique needs of their Asian branches. This oversight is reflected in the feedback from respondents, indicating a pressing need for organizations to understand and integrate local perspectives and challenges into their DEI policies to make them more effective and inclusive.
