Transitioning toward total equality: a theory of hybridisation and natural selection

Diversity researchers have focused on asserting a relationship between equality and positive economic returns. However, a theory that can explain how and why this relationship exists, while also accounting for internationalisation, has so far been limited. To this end, we draw on natural selection and hybridisation theory to explain how equality and a natural reduction in discrimination appears to be occurring over time and why this is leading to positive economic outcomes. Using a unified structure of cases from the extant literature, we create a five-stage multilevel conceptual framework. Through this model, we show that when entities are exposed (through hybridisation) to the economic benefits that can be achieved through embracing equality, they will likely imitate these equality-embracing behaviours via natural selection. Embracing equality will become the norm in society over time, leading to a natural reduction in discrimination. This research is important because researchers and practitioners should be in an improved position to account for not only the temporal nature, but also the stages likely to follow in sequence in the transition toward total equality.