Development and Psychometric Properties of the Organizational Diversity Inventory (ODI)

Abstract

A newly developed 20-item Organizational Diversity Inventory (ODI) is described. A battery of 200 statements dealing with various aspects of diversity was evaluated as to the statements' relevancy by a diverse group of 40 middle managers. Thirty-five items were selected for further exploration. Four hundred and fifty managerial employees from 27 organizations completed this 35-item inventory. Relying on half of the sample, a factor analytic solution was generated that comprised 20 items and five factors. The second half of the sample was used to cross-validate these results. A structural equations confirmatory factor analysis (LISREL 8.03) also supported these five factors. The resulting factors were labeled (a) Existence of Discrimination, (b) Discrimination Against Specific Groups, (c) Managing Diversity, (d) Actions Regarding Minorities, and (e) Attitudes Toward Religion.