Article

A Rainbow Coalition or Separate Wavelengths? Negotiations Among Employee Network Groups

---

Abstract

Employee network groups are increasingly common in the workplace, such as a women’s network, an African American caucus, or a GLBT resource group. These groups may seem like natural allies for addressing inequality at work, particularly subtle forms of second generation discrimination. However, they often compete for attention, resources, and the limited political will of top managers to make changes. This article examines four cases in which employee groups were able to negotiate effective alliances across their own differences. They do so by reframing areas of shared interests, using and adapting social movement tactics, and reaching for outcomes with broader societal significance for equal economic opportunity.

Keywords: local activism, social movements, change, diversity

How to Cite:

Scully, M., (2009) “A Rainbow Coalition or Separate Wavelengths? Negotiations Among Employee Network Groups”, Negotiation and Conflict Management Research 2(1), 74-91. doi: https://doi.org/10.34891/b0t6-jy39