Business Chief APAC+ANZ Magazine March 2020 | Page 34

LEADERSHIP
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A s societies across the globe continue to break down old barriers between sexes , races and lifestyles , it is only natural that businesses should also adapt to accurately reflect and represent the countries they are operating in . However , as a relatively new concept around which there is little consensus , diversity and inclusion ( D & I ) measures can be difficult to implement effectively or understand .

The problem is compounded in the Asia-Pacific ( APAC ) region , where over 4.6 billion people live in more than 40 countries , speaking almost 2,200 languages . Furthermore , given the obvious difficulty of harmonising such a rich collective culture into an egalitarian framework , the question might arise : ‘ what are the practical economic reasons for doing so ?’
In a study by Hiromi Ishizuka , Professor at the School of Management ,
FEBRUARY 2020