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Between Inclusion and Reality: Exploring Diversity Through Everyday Work-Life in a Swedish Organization

Zhang, Weiting LU (2025) TKAM02 20251
Division of Ethnology
Abstract
Sweden’s strong egalitarian ideals and national diversity policies have contributed to its global reputation for progressiveness. However, persistent labor market disparities between native and foreign-born individuals raise questions about how these policies are understood and experienced in everyday workplace settings.
This thesis examines how international employees perceive and navigate diversity and inclusion policies in their daily work lives within a Swedish organization, focusing on how these policies align with or diverge from their lived realities. Although the study is conducted in a single organizational case, its findings contribute to broader discussions on workplace diversity.
Using qualitative methods, including... (More)
Sweden’s strong egalitarian ideals and national diversity policies have contributed to its global reputation for progressiveness. However, persistent labor market disparities between native and foreign-born individuals raise questions about how these policies are understood and experienced in everyday workplace settings.
This thesis examines how international employees perceive and navigate diversity and inclusion policies in their daily work lives within a Swedish organization, focusing on how these policies align with or diverge from their lived realities. Although the study is conducted in a single organizational case, its findings contribute to broader discussions on workplace diversity.
Using qualitative methods, including individual interviews, media analysis, and observations,the study explores how identity markers such as race, ethnicity, physical appearance and gender shape employees’ sense of belonging, inclusion and professional development. Intersectionality serves as the central theoretical framework for understanding how overlapping identity
categories produce varied and complex experiences of inclusion and exclusion.
This study contributes to diversity research by highlighting the shared challenges international employees face in Swedish workplaces, regardless of racial or cultural background. Rather than focusing on a single identity group, it takes a broader view to examine how international employees experience and make sense of inclusion efforts. Importantly, this thesis does not treat them as passive recipients of these efforts but shows how individuals actively navigate,negotiate, and interpret diversity policies in practice. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Zhang, Weiting LU
supervisor
organization
course
TKAM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
workplace diversity, international employees’ lived experiences, intersectionality, Swedish workplace
language
English
id
9208902
date added to LUP
2025-08-15 14:39:35
date last changed
2025-08-15 14:39:35
@misc{9208902,
  abstract     = {{Sweden’s strong egalitarian ideals and national diversity policies have contributed to its global reputation for progressiveness. However, persistent labor market disparities between native and foreign-born individuals raise questions about how these policies are understood and experienced in everyday workplace settings.
This thesis examines how international employees perceive and navigate diversity and inclusion policies in their daily work lives within a Swedish organization, focusing on how these policies align with or diverge from their lived realities. Although the study is conducted in a single organizational case, its findings contribute to broader discussions on workplace diversity.
Using qualitative methods, including individual interviews, media analysis, and observations,the study explores how identity markers such as race, ethnicity, physical appearance and gender shape employees’ sense of belonging, inclusion and professional development. Intersectionality serves as the central theoretical framework for understanding how overlapping identity
categories produce varied and complex experiences of inclusion and exclusion.
This study contributes to diversity research by highlighting the shared challenges international employees face in Swedish workplaces, regardless of racial or cultural background. Rather than focusing on a single identity group, it takes a broader view to examine how international employees experience and make sense of inclusion efforts. Importantly, this thesis does not treat them as passive recipients of these efforts but shows how individuals actively navigate,negotiate, and interpret diversity policies in practice.}},
  author       = {{Zhang, Weiting}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Between Inclusion and Reality: Exploring Diversity Through Everyday Work-Life in a Swedish Organization}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}