Assessment of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion adoption efforts in state and local emergency management agencies

Arjola Balilaj; Tanveer Islam

doi:10.5055/jem.0896

Authors

Arjola Balilaj, PhD
Tanveer Islam, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0896

Keywords:

diversity, equity, inclusion, emergency management, emergency management agency, community engagement, public sector

Abstract

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have emerged as pivotal dimensions in fostering productive and inclusive work environments. Many public organizations have come forward to embrace a DEI mindset. Since emergency management agencies (EMAs) serve a diverse population that may be vulnerable to disasters, they must recognize DEI in their efforts to create a diverse workforce as well as to serve the community. Although the best practices in DEI for public organizations have been well established, there is a dearth of literature regarding the DEI best practices in emergency management. The objective of this study is to begin to create or further define best practices for EMAs for the successful implementation of DEI, especially at the local level.

Author Biographies

Arjola Balilaj, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Management & Public Administration, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama

Tanveer Islam, PhD

Professor and Chair, Department of Emergency Management & Public Administration, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama

References

Pitts D: Diversity management, job satisfaction, and performance: Evidence from US federal agencies. Public Adm Rev. 2009; 69(2): 328-338.

Smith K: Beyond compliance: Recruitment and retention of underrepresented populations to achieve higher positions in local governments beyond compliance: Recruitment and retention of underrepresented populations in local government. Available at ICMA.org. Accessed November 10, 2023.

Channin J, Rojo-Mendoza R: Does gender matter? Using social equity, diversity, and bureaucratic representation to examine police-pedestrian encounters in Seattle, Washington. Adm Theory Prax. 2020; 42: 133-152.

Moon KK, Christensen RK: Realizing the performance benefits of workforce diversity in the US federal government: The moderating role of diversity climate. Public Pers Manag. 2020; 49(1): 141-165.

Riccucci N: Managing Diversity in Public Sector Workforces. New York, NY: Routledge, 2021.

Federal Emergency Management Agency: FEMA releases new strategic plan. Available at https://www.fema.gov/pressrelease/20211209/fema-releases-new-strategic-plan. Accessed January 31, 2024.

Marshall J, Wiltshire J, Delva J, et al.: Natural and manmade disasters: Vulnerable populations. In Global Health Security. Berlin: Springer, 2020: 143-161.

McCandless S, Bishu SG, Hernandez MG, et al.: A long road: Patterns and prospects for social equity, diversity, and inclusion in public administration. Public Adm Rev. 2022; 100(1): 129-148.

Frederickson HG: Social Equity and Public Administration: Origins, Developments and Applications. New York, NY: Routledge, 2010.

Johnson NJ, Svara JH: Justice for All: Promoting Social Equity in Public Administration. New York, NY: Routledge, 2015.

Riccucci NM, Meyers MK: Linking passive and active representation: The case of frontline workers in welfare agencies. J Public Adm Res Theory. 2004; 14(4): 585-597.

Riccucci NM, Van Ryzin GG: Representative bureaucracy: A lever to enhance social equity, coproduction and democracy. Public Adm Rev. 2017; 77: 21-30.

Ashikali T, Groeneveld S: Diversity management in public organizations and its effect on employees’ affective commitment: The role of transformational leadership and inclusiveness of the organizational culture. Rev Public Pers Adm. 2015; 35(2): 146-168.

Ashikali T, Groeneveld S, Kuipers B: The role of inclusive leadership in supporting an inclusive climate in diverse public sector teams. Rev Public Pers Adm. 2021; 41(3): 497-519.

Moon KK: Examining the relationship between diversity and work behaviors in US federal agencies: Does inclusive management make a difference? Rev Public Pers Adm. 2018; 38(2): 218-247.

Tierney K: Disasters: A Sociological Approach. Cambridge, UK: John Wiley & Sons, 2019.

Gaynor TS, Wilson ME: Social vulnerability and equity: The disproportionate impact of COVID-19. Public Adm Rev. 2020; 80(5): 832-838.

Rivera DJ, Knox CC: Defining social equity in emergency management: A critical first step in the nexus. Public Adm Rev. 2023; 83(5): 1170-1185.

Glover RE, Van Schalkwyk MI, Akl EA, et al.: A framework for identifying and mitigating the equity harms of COVID-19 policy interventions. J Clin Epidemiol. 2020; 128: 35-48.

Nassif-Pires L, Xavier LD, Masterson T, et al.: Pandemic of Inequality. New York: Levy Economics Institute of Bard College, 2020: 149. Available at https://www.levyinstitute.org/pubs/ppb_149.pdf. Accessed November 15, 2023.

Mor Barak ME: Managing Diversity: Toward a Globally Inclusive Workplace. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2022.

Atkinson CL, Alibasic H, Oduro Nyarko E: Diversity management in the public sector for sustainable inclusive organizations: Ideals and practices in northwest Florida. Public Integrity. 2022; 24(4/5): 400-413.

Sweeting KD: Strategies to foster engagement, empathy, equity, and ethics in public service: A conceptual model for public and nonprofit administrators. Public Integrity. 2022; 24(4/5): 432-447.

Barry-James RM, Blessett B, Emas R, et al.: Stepping up to the plate: Making social equity a priority in public administration’s troubled times. Public Adm Rev. 2020; 27(1): 5-15.

Meyer SJ, Johnson RG, McCandless S: Meet the new Es: Empathy, engagement, equity, and ethics in public administration. Public Integrity. 2022; 24(4/5): 353-363.

Alcazar FM, Fernandez PMR, Gardey GS: Workforce diversity in strategic human resource management. Cross Cult Manag. 2012; 20(1): 39-49.

Rosales R, Leon IA, Leon-Fuentes AL: Recommendations for recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce: A report from the field. Behav Anal Practice. 2023; 16: 346-361.

LePere-Schloop M, Beaton E: AFP-OSU workforce climate survey preliminary report 2. Available at https://afpglobal.org/sites/default/files/attachments/resource/AFP-OSU%20Workplace%20Climate%20Survey%20Part%202%20Final.pdf. Accessed December 13, 2023.

Beaulieu L, Addington J, Almeida D: Behavior analysts’ training and practices regarding cultural diversity: The case for culturally competent care. Behav Anal Practice. 2019; 12: 557-575.

Perry EL, Kulk CT, Golom FD, et al.: Sexual harassment training: Often necessary but rarely sufficient. Ind Organ Psychol. 2019; 12(1): 89-92.

Vaccarino F, Li M: Intercultural communication training to support internationalisation in higher education. J Intercult Commun. 2018; 46: 1-14.

Solis M: Racial equity in planning organizations. J Am Plann Assoc. 2020; 86(3): 297-303.

Emergency Management Victoria (EMV): The emergency management diversity and inclusion framework: “Respect and inclusion for all.” Available at https://auslanemergency.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Emergency-Management-Diversity-and-Inclusion-Framework.pdf. Accessed December 10, 2023.

El-Amin A: Improving organizational commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Social Justice Research Methods for Doctoral Research. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2022: 114.

Grindle MS, Hilderbrand ME: Building sustainable capacity in the public sector: What can be done? Public Adm Dev. 1995; 15(5): 441-463.

Galloway MK, Ishimaru AM: Leading equity teams: The role of formal leaders in building organizational capacity for equity. JESPAR. 2019; 25(2): 107-125.

Saja AMA, Teo M, Goonetilleke A, et al.: An inclusive and adaptive framework for measuring social resilience to disasters. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2018; 28: 862-873.

Kruger J, Hinton CF, Sinclair LB, et al.: Enhancing individual and community disaster preparedness: Individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. Disabil Health J. 2018; 11: 170-173.

McKee M, Steiner J, Mitre-Smith D: Conducting a needs assessment survey for deaf and hard of hearing populations. In Conference Proceedings of the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, November 10-14, 2018, Ann Arbor, MI. Available at https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi48Y-l6KuEAxXy4skDHcNKDH8QFnoECA0QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapha.confex.com%2Fapha%2F2018%2Fmeetingapi.cgi%2FPaper%2F419051%3Ffilename%3D2018_Abstract419051.pdf%26template%3DWord&usg=AOvVaw0wYgvEt5M-IGLa5gkpydvW&opi=89978449. Accessed October 19, 2022.

Domingue SJ, Emrich CT: Social vulnerability and procedural equity: Exploring the distribution of disaster aid across counties in the United States. Am Rev Public Adm. 2019; 49(8): 897-913.

Millar MM, Dillman DA: Improving response to web and mixed-mode surveys. Public Opin. Quart. 2011; 75(2): 249-269.

Ting MM: Organizational capacity. J Law Econ Organ. 2011; 27(2): 245-271.