ABSTRACT
Introduction In Chapter 1, we set out our objectives for this book. The primary aim of the book was to fill the gap identified within the broad field of equality and diversity, helping readers to more effectively ‘manage’ the study of the diversity of society within the context of employment. We wanted to situate current and emerging equality and diversity debates and issues within the context of the UK labour market. This involved providing the conceptual and theoretical underpinning, and broadening the agenda of the discussion to examine the social and economic contexts within which labour market activity takes place. Other aims included the desire to stimulate debate and critique of theory, policy and practice in the area of equality and diversity, and the need to trace developments in equality and diversity approaches, in order to identify possible future directions in the twenty-first century – in particular, whether the move to diversity approaches is to be viewed positively. This chapter attempts to summarize the key themes of the previous chapters in this book, and indicate how these objectives have been met.
