Understanding the implications of organizational culture and organizational structure for the role of the Chief Diversity Officer in higher education

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to add to our understanding of the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) in higher education by examining how the role is influenced by organizational structure and organizational culture at select higher education institutions. Eight chief diversity officers discussed their roles and the organizational contexts which influenced their work. Eight campus informants also contributed to our understanding of the CDO role at their respective institutions. This study’s findings highlight the variance between institution-level organizational culture and unit-level organizational culture, and the salience of the CDO’s placement within the institution-level organizational structure.