Diversity and Diversity Management in UNISA’s Open Distance Learning Through Bernstein and Foucault’s Lens

Abstract

This chapter is conceptual in nature. It problematizes the being-ness of diversity and diversity management in the University of South Africa's open distance learning (ODL) as both a human resource management (HRM) policy imperative and a philosophical challenge. The chapter proposes that diversity management can be viewed through Basil Bernstein's lens of symbolic control. It posits that diversity and its management should be viewed as forms of knowledge and discursive practices that are co-constructed through relations of power. The chapter unpacks the genesis and meanings of diversity and diversity management. It critiques diversity management as an ontological and epistemological concept. It conceptualizes diversity management as an organizational paradigm in ODL