Final answer:
The correct answer is True. It is true that women and minorities are more attracted to organizations with diversity-promoting recruitment materials. Workplace diversity is not only a response to profit incentives but also an essential factor for businesses aiming to expand. Professionalizing HR practices is crucial for reducing hiring biases and discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that women and minorities have greater job-pursuit intentions and higher attraction toward organizations that promote workplace diversity in their recruitment materials compared to organizations that do not is true. Firms have a profit incentive to appeal to a wide customer base that includes people of all races, ethnicities, religions, and genders. Additionally, businesses seeking expansion may need to diversify their workforce if they find that relying solely on their traditional employee demographics—such as white men—is insufficient for their growth needs. This drives an incentive to hire more women and minorities.
On the other hand, some argue that hiring should be based purely on qualifications, regardless of race or gender, implying that a focus on diversity could challenge an institution's success. Yet, the reality in the labor market reveals significant discrimination with substantial disparities in hiring practices, as evidenced by studies showing that white names receive more callbacks for interviews compared to African-American names, and that women and individuals with disclosed disabilities receive fewer job opportunities.
Historically, affirmative action has been one approach to enhance the employment of minorities and women, albeit with varying degrees of success and controversy. A shift in perspectives among employers recognizing the benefits of a diverse workforce has been a driving force behind changing hiring practices.
Ultimately, professionalizing human resources functions may help reduce bias in hiring processes. Large organizations tend to have more professional recruitment strategies and experience with diverse staff, potentially decreasing discrimination faced by applicants with minority backgrounds.