Short answer
Designers of organizational policies and workplace environments should actively challenge and mitigate nationality-based stereotyping to promote equitable inclusion and collaboration.
- Field
- Innovation & Markets
- Source
- Contemporary Accounting Research (2023)
- Method
- Qualitative research
- Sample
- 40 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Professional identity and social boundaries in global cities are actively constructed by individuals through cognitive, aesthetic, and moral spacing, often leading to the exclusion of those from different nationalities. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Contemporary Accounting Research. Using Qualitative research with 40 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers of organizational policies and workplace environments should actively challenge and mitigate nationality-based stereotyping to promote equitable inclusion and collaboration.
Nationality-based stereotypes create inclusion/exclusion boundaries in global professional environments.
Professional identity and social boundaries in global cities are actively constructed by individuals through cognitive, aesthetic, and moral spacing, often leading to the exclusion of those from different nationalities.
Contemporary Accounting Research · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Cognitive spacing involves constructing accountants of other nationalities as 'strangers' through stereotype-based identity work and stigmatization.
- 02Aesthetic spacing creates boundaries based on perceived freedom of mobility and passport power, categorizing accountants as 'tourists' or 'vagabonds'.
- 03Moral spacing allows some individuals to resist exclusionary boundaries through acts of moral responsibility and care for others.
- 04Accountants actively reconstruct inclusion/exclusion boundaries within the profession and the city.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers of organizational policies and workplace environments should actively challenge and mitigate nationality-based stereotyping to promote equitable inclusion and collaboration.
How to apply
When designing team structures, onboarding processes, or professional development programs, consider how nationality or perceived 'otherness' might influence inclusion and actively implement measures to counter bias.
Project actions
- 01When researching user groups, consider how cultural background and nationality might influence their perceptions and interactions.
- 02Explore how physical or virtual spaces can either reinforce or break down social boundaries within a professional context.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides rich, in-depth insights into the lived experiences of professionals.
- +Explores complex social dynamics of identity and boundary construction.
Limitations
The findings are specific to accountants in Dubai and may not apply to all professions or global cities. The qualitative nature means results are not statistically generalizable.
Reliability & validity
The study's validity is supported by the in-depth qualitative data and the theoretical framework used. Reliability might be a concern due to the subjective nature of interviews, but the detailed description of the 'spacing' processes offers a framework for potential replication.
Think critically
To what extent are these 'spacing' processes inherent to human social interaction, and how can design interventions effectively mitigate their negative impacts in professional settings?
Design Principles
"Design for inclusive professional spaces by actively deconstructing and mitigating identity-based exclusionary practices."
Understanding how professionals perceive and create boundaries based on nationality is crucial for fostering inclusive work environments. This research highlights that 'stranger' perceptions, driven by stereotypes, can limit opportunities and collaboration, impacting team dynamics and talent acquisition in multinational organizations.
What This Means for Your Design
People in jobs in big international cities often create groups and decide who is 'in' and who is 'out' based on where they come from, using stereotypes and judging things like travel freedom. Some people try to be fair and include everyone.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to inform your understanding of user group dynamics and potential barriers to adoption or usability in your design project.
- 2.Cite this study when discussing how cultural factors or perceived 'otherness' might influence user behavior or acceptance of a design.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that in global professional environments, individuals actively construct social boundaries and professional identities through processes of 'spacing,' which can lead to the exclusion of those from different nationalities based on stereotypes and perceived mobility. This highlights the importance of designing inclusive systems that actively counter such biases.
Source
Contemporary Accounting Research
Strangers in the city: Spacing and social boundaries among accountants in the global city
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about nationality-based stereotypes create inclusion/exclusion boundaries in global professional environments?
- Designers of organizational policies and workplace environments should actively challenge and mitigate nationality-based stereotyping to promote equitable inclusion and collaboration. Evidence: Contemporary Accounting Research (2023).
- Why does "Nationality-based stereotypes create inclusion/exclusion boundaries in global professional environments." matter for design?
- Understanding how professionals perceive and create boundaries based on nationality is crucial for fostering inclusive work environments. This research highlights that 'stranger' perceptions, driven by stereotypes, can limit opportunities and collaboration, impacting team dynamics and talent acquisition in multinational organizations.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers of organizational policies and workplace environments should actively challenge and mitigate nationality-based stereotyping to promote equitable inclusion and collaboration.
- What were the main findings?
- Cognitive spacing involves constructing accountants of other nationalities as 'strangers' through stereotype-based identity work and stigmatization.. Aesthetic spacing creates boundaries based on perceived freedom of mobility and passport power, categorizing accountants as 'tourists' or 'vagabonds'.. Moral spacing allows some individuals to resist exclusionary boundaries through acts of moral responsibility and care for others.. Accountants actively reconstruct inclusion/exclusion boundaries within the profession and the city.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative research with 40 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Contemporary Accounting Research.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing team structures, onboarding processes, or professional development programs, consider how nationality or perceived 'otherness' might influence inclusion and actively implement measures to counter bias.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on accountants in Dubai, limiting generalizability to other professions or global city contexts. The findings are based on self-reported experiences, which may be subject to social desirability bias.