Frankmann Automotive: Globally Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

Frankmann Automotive (fictitious name) was a multinational corporation headquartered in Germany, with operations in both South Africa and Germany. The company had to find solutions for enhancing diversity, equal opportunities, and inclusion (DEI) to promote the attraction and retention of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) talent. The context for this case study is thus talent retention, with a focus on DEI. June Böckmann, a diversity manager in the corporate DEI Unit, had been tasked with a global-level project to establish more inclusivity in the company’s employment practices. Thus, June held a meeting with both German and South African managers to identify the challenges and barriers experienced by women, people of color (PoC), and members of minority groups. During this meeting, a pivotal question arose: if global procedures and practices were to be found, to what extent should local considerations be accommodated? This question necessitated consideration of the differing career development needs of individuals in different contexts embedded within one multinational company. Labor practices depicted in the case are strongly related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in particular to SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). Piloted in a global classroom setting, this case is suited for use in either a mono-cultural or multi-cultural higher managerial educational environment, e.g., international human resource management.