Role of informal integration in career advancement: Investigations in plural and multicultural organizations and implications for diversity valuation

The major question which this research examined is whether informal integra tion is likely to result in career advancement and perceived resources with in two different organizational contexts (plural and multicultural). Specif ically we examined interactions of race, gender and organization type on th e above two outcome variables. In plural organizations, employees are expec ted to assimilate into the dominant culture, while in multicultural organiz ations, cultural change for the individual and the organization is reciproc al. Hypotheses were tested with a combined sample of 101 men, 35 women, 29 persons of color and 107 whites. Results indicated that, congruent with pre dictions greater social integration occurred in an organizational context i n which valuing differences was a priority. Further the influence of inform al integration on career advancement was still important even after control ling for such variables as age, organizational tenure, education, and hiera rchical level within the organization. Implications of these findings for v aluing diversity are discussed.