#  MLD-310: Behavioral Science for Inclusive Organizations 

 





 Semester:   Spring 

|

 Year offered:  2024 

 

 

 

This course builds on insights from behavioral science to offer an evidence-based approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in organizations. While there is increasing awareness of the lack of DEI in business, government, and non-profit organizations, progress has been slow. This course argues that one of the reasons for this is that organizations have used the wrong approaches, often copying peers’ “best practices” that are not based on “best evidence” and attempting to find quick wins for specific groups and departments in an uncoordinated fashion with little regard for the long-term “DEI health” of the organization. To promote healthy behaviors, organizations have typically relied on “soft” instruments such as awareness-raising and appeals through training programs, or “hard” instruments such as command-and-control through rules, carrots, and sticks. This course argues that behavioral design (“nudges”) offers a middle ground to establish DEI health in organizations and is often more powerful than awareness-raising and less costly than shoves.

In working with and learning from practitioners across sectors—entrepreneurs who have built evidence-based DEI tools; Human Resources (HR) and DEI leaders; as well as policymakers and shapers—we will explore nudges that promote desired behaviors around effective talent management, organizational policies and practices aimed at leveling the playing field for all, and inclusive culture. The course emphasizes evidence-based reasoning to diagnose the DEI health of an organization, design potential treatments for what is broken, rigorously evaluate their impact, and motivate adoption of the best evidence. Students will work in small groups on a specific DEI challenge and will have the opportunity to discuss their ideas with real-life DEI leaders.

The course consists of three modules:

1. Diagnosis: What is broken?
2. Treatment: How can it be fixed?
3. Motivation: How can we promote change?



 

 



 

 See also:- [ Behavioral Economics ](/areas-interest/behavioral)
- [ Gender ](/areas-interest/gender)
- [ HKS Courses ](/teaching/courses)