Are women affinity groups enough to solve the retention problem of women in the IT workforce?

Abstract

Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) are the most prevalent diversity and inclusion (D&I) intervention method utilized in the Information Technology industry (IT) to improve the participation of women. Ninety three percent of organizations surveyed in the Mercer Global Equality report indicated having WAGs and relying on them to carry out D&I goals. Like many other D&I interventions, the effectiveness of WAGs has not previously been examined. As the IT field continues to invest in programs such as WAGs to improve the participation of women in its workforce, it is pertinent to assess the D&I interventions deployed in order to ensure their effectiveness. This paper utilizes the “Organizational Interventions Mitigating Individual Barriers” framework which examines the characteristics of WAGs in order to determine their potential opportunities and limitations to enhance participation of women in IT.