Discovering the connection: Cultural Diversity and Innovation in Businesses. A case-based approach

Purpose – This study investigates the relationship between cultural diversity and innovation in the business environment, focusing on how cultural diversity influences the generation of innovative
ideas, decision-making, and the adaptability of organizations.
Design/methodology/approach – Through case analysis and interviews with professionals, data werecollected to provide a detailed insight into the experiences and perceptions of experts regarding
cultural diversity and innovation.
Findings – The results reveal the positive impact of cultural diversity on the innovative and competitive capabilities of companies, as well as opportunities for improvement in managing cultural diversity and promoting innovation. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how organizations can leverage cultural diversity as a strategic resource to enhance their innovative capacity in the market.
Originality/value – Key findings of the study highlight the variety of approaches and practices in managing cultural diversity and innovation in organizations, emphasizing the need to promote more inclusive practices and integrate cultural diversity into innovation processes. Additionally, the importance of facilitating factors such as knowledge of different languages, inclusive organizational structure, cultural diversity policies, and cultural diversity training is identified. There is a recognized need for greater connection between cultural diversity management and innovation management, along with the development of indicators directly linking both areas, holding significant implications for the research field of cultural diversity management and innovation. These conclusions underscore the importance of promoting policies and practices that foster cultural diversity and innovation in  organizations, emphasizing the need for future research to better understand the factors influencing this relationship and optimize management processes in these areas. Ultimately, these results will contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of organizations in diverse and globalized environments.

Diversity, Innovation, Cultural Diversity.