Empirically linking diversity, equity, and inclusion policy to practice statements and domains

This study examined the human resource management (HRM) practice statements and domains in Canadian non-profit sport governing bodies’ (SGBs) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The following research questions were posed: What HRM practice statements are found in Canadian non-profit SGBs’ DEI policies? Are HRM practice statements in Canadian non-profit SGBs’ DEI policies consistent with the compliance or strategic development HRM domains? Grounded in an HRM framework to contextualise the practice statements according to HRM domains, 229 HRM DEI policy documents from a total of 757 Canadian national and provincial/territorial non-profit SGBs were identified and thematically analysed. HRM practice statements were related to nine overarching themes: the practice of gender-balancing; focusing on conduct; remuneration practices; offering equal opportunities; referencing recruitment, nomination, selection, and/or training; organisational support practices; organisational work practices; organisational work environment; and pressure towards human rights. These themes are consistent with practice statements from a compliance or strategic development HRM domain, and a novel type was identified: the development through regulation HRM domain. Practice statements and their consistency with domains showcase orientations in organisational actions to implement DEI policies. However, there are more practice statements consistent with the compliance HRM domain compared to the strategic development and development through regulation HRM domains. Findings provide constructs to advance prior DEI policy research via distinctive HRM practice statements and their focus on HRM domains. Non-profit SGB managers need to understand the stated practices and domains within DEI policies to ensure they are effectively leveraged in practice.