Abstract
A study questioned 12 human resource personnel, corporation managers, and diversity trainers about their perceptions of diversity training needs in Pacific Northwest high tech organizations. The overarching research questions for the study were as follows: (1) What are the most frequently reported diversity training needs among human resource personnel and company managers currently working in Pacific Northwest high tech corporations? (2) What are the diversity training needs in high tech corporations reported by professional diversity trainers? All responses were analyzed using an analytical inductive approach. Emergent themes were identified and categorized. Results indicated that all participants expressed a need for common understanding of the concept "diversity" and"diversity training." Also, most participants felt a need to develop more extensive cultural diversity programs, though human resource personnel and managers expressed the need to obtain upper management support if diversity training was to become company policy. Finally, trainers voiced the belief that organizations look for more "quick-fix" approaches to diversity training rather than long term changes in organizational culture. These results are not necessarily generalizable. A study gathering data from a wider and more inclusive sample from other than Pacific Northwest high tech companies is in order. Also, findings from other studies comparing perceptions of other employees (e.g., top executives, line staff) could provide diversity trainers and high tech corporations with more complete information about employee needs and diversity trainer assessment of their clients' needs. (Contains 25 references and 4 tables of data.) (TB)