Dana Stiffler, distinguished vice president analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain Practice, shares the results of the firm’s latest survey on supply chains’ progress toward adoption of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The latest research from Gartner finds 49% of supply chain organizations have formal DEI objectives — a 22-point annual increase in formalized targets. All this despite growing uncertainty and economic pressure to focus on profitability. How to explain that apparent contradiction? 

Stiffler says the survey sampled 314 supply chain professionals from North America and Europe includes a higher proportion of larger and publicly held companies. They’re more likely to have mature DEI programs, with a strong commitment to accountability, compliance and innovation outcomes. In addition, larger companies need to hire from the broadest possible labor pool. “They’re under more pressure — and perhaps have more benefits to gain at scale — from being good at DEI.”

Gartner reports even more positive news in the form of a shrinking — or even disappearance — of the “say-do” gap among corporate executives. The term describes the disparity between what some companies promise to do in furthering EDI, and what they are actually achieving. The result for 2023 was a surprise to the Gartner analysts. “Our hypotheses were all quite negative,” Stiffler says.

DEI programs are boosting the presence of under-represented races and ethnicities in North America and Europe. “This year, the pipelines are much healthier,” Stiffler says. Progress is being made on two fronts: in the actual number of those individuals being hired and retained, and programs to reduce bias by management when it comes to hiring and promoting participation in executive forums.

One worrisome trend is the pushback by a small number of shareholders and outside interests against DEI programs. “You can really feel it,” says Stiffler, although the sentiment is not generally reflected among corporate management, human resources and employees themselves. “It hasn’t yet shown up in supply chain leadership,” she says.