Correlation Between Diversity and Type of Skills for Innovation Management: A Theoretical Model

Abstract

The right mix of diversity and skill sets can help a better management of innovation. The nature of diversity and innovation is multidimensional in terms of their applications in the business environment.  Diversity is studied across six demographic verticals: gender, age, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation of employees, religion and beliefs, and disability. The paper is an attempt to uncover the underlying relation between diversity and type of skill sets required for the management of innovation. The research methodology includes a literature review and analysis of key publications relating diversity and type of skills required for management of innovation. Variables have been studied under (a) Diversity attributes– demographic verticals: gender, age, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion and beliefs, and disability and (b) Skill set attributes – communication skills, technical knowledge, analytical skills, human relation skills, reading skills, and writing skills. In addition to the literature review, a few individual interviews were conducted in three sectors: education (primary education), hospital (Pediatrics) and information technology (software development) to conclude the study. The three selected sectors are knowledge intensive sectors. The result shows that there is correlation with respect to age and gender and skill sets in the selected sectors.