An increasing number of organizations—from private corporations to the U.S. military—want their workforces to reflect the evolving racial, ethnic, gender, socioeconomic, ideological, and generational makeup of society. RAND conducts empirical research on managing diversity to help leaders clearly define the diversity, develop rigorous metrics to support that definition, and design and apply comprehensive accountability systems with real rewards and consequences for individuals and groups.
Blog
Senior Pentagon officials announced today that by 2016, women will be allowed to join front-line combat roles, including infantry, armor, and special operations. RAND has conducted research on the evolving roles of women in the military and has several experts available to discuss the DoD's policies.
Report
Lessons from the military can be used to inform police personnel management who are concerned about recruiting and promoting a racially/ethnically diverse workforce: qualified minority candidates are available, career paths impact diversity, and departments should leverage organizational commitment to diversity.
Journal Article
This study reveals that it is challenging to compare the experience of different armed forces due to their unique context and in particular the variety in their ethnic minority integration policies.
Report
Law enforcement agencies can use barrier analysis, a method of assessment aimed at identifying potential obstacles to obtaining resources or participating in a program, to better understand and address the challenge of creating diversity among their personnel.
Report
Most of the U.S. military positions that remain closed to women service members are those in Army and Marine Corps units and occupations that have a primary mission of engaging in direct ground combat.
Report
Although the retention and promotion of women and minorities has increased among officers in the U.S. military over time, the proportion of those groups in the senior officer corps remains relatively low.
Report
Lessons on recruitment and retention can help police departments create a workforce that represents community demographics, is committed to providing its employees long-term police careers, and effectively implements community policing.
Project
Through the Diversity Management Project, RAND Labor and Population will examine how best to achieve and harness workplace diversity, a growing priority for U.S. companies and government agencies who want their workforces to reflect the evolving racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and generational makeup of American society and meet the challenges of the global market place.
Research Brief
Local police agencies face recruitment and retention challenges. Existing research can help local officials identify what has been learned elsewhere and is applicable to their own situations.
Past Event
Sheila Nataraj Kirby will present findings from an assessment of U.S. Department of Defense recruiting efforts, admissions policies, graduation rates, and career success rates with respect to the diversity of service academy entrants and graduates, with remarks by Rep. Elijah Cummings and the Honorable Madeleine Bordallo.
Report
Descriptive analyses of data on service academy entrants show that women and nonwhites generally graduate and complete their initial service obligation at lower rates than their counterparts. However, graduation rates have improved in recent years.
Report
Examines the relationship between career field choice, race/ethnicity, and membership in the Army's senior officer corps.
Report
Evaluates the long-term impacts of AmeriCorps service on participants, particularly in the areas of civic engagement, future volunteerism, appreciation of diversity, and a number of other job and life skills.
Report
Identifies factors that explain trends in black and Hispanic representation among high-quality recruits in the Army and Navy; considers which policies are likely to be most effective in increasing high-quality enlistments within different groups.
Research Brief
The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking to increase its force to more than 10,000 officers. RAND researchers devised strategies for the city to improve recruiting and increase the efficiency of the hiring process.
Report
This book offers the Los Angeles Police Department ways to achieve its recruiting and diversity goals by identifying new recruiting markets, targeting and prioritizing applicants, and improving background-investigation processes.
Report
Explores ways to increase Hispanic enlistment in the U.S. armed forces.
Report
The San Diego Police Department has been operating below its authorized size in recent years. To bridge this gap, the department needs to maximize recruiting and minimize attrition. This book details RAND's effort to improve this recruiting program.
Research Brief
This research brief describes the initial steps that the Department of Defense should take in developing a department-wide strategic plan to achieve greater diversity within its active duty and civilian leadership.
Report
Discusses the initial steps that the Department of Defense should take in developing a department-wide strategic plan to achieve greater diversity within its active duty and civilian leadership.
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