South Asian Academy of Management

Synopsis

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK represented a publicly funded healthcare system that operated on the principle of providing free healthcare services to all. As a public body, it was bound by the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty to promote fairness and reduce inequalities in both employment and service provision. However, the NHS faced significant challenges in achieving consistency in diversity management across its vast and decentralized structure, comprising nearly 500 organizations. Political shifts and budgetary constraints further impacted diversity initiatives, diverting resources to other organizational priorities. Leadership in the NHS needed to navigate these challenges by sustaining momentum in diversity efforts while adapting to a changing political landscape. A major concern was the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in leadership positions despite their significant presence in the general population. Addressing these gaps required strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement to ensure meaningful diversity and inclusion in the NHS.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

• Analyze the impact of political and economic factors on diversity and inclusion policies within large public organizations.
• Evaluate the challenges of implementing consistent diversity management in a decentralized organizational structure.
• Develop strategies for improving diversity representation in senior leadership positions.
• Propose practical solutions for diversity managers to navigate systemic and political challenges.

Target Courses and Programs

• Human Resource Management (HRM)
• Public Administration and Policy
• Organizational Behavior and Leadership

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Authors: Mustafa Ozbilgin and Jawad Syed

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