DEI4SME REPORT

Part 3: Managing Diversity in Smaller European Businesses: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

PART 3:
Managing Diversity in Smaller European Businesses: Comparative Analysis

Two parallel surveys – one for SME owners/managers, other for employees – in Austria, Finland, Germany and Lithuania reveal that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is more of a expressed goal than a set practice. Most firms consider themselves “aware/compliant”, but formal roles, metrics and mentoring schemes are still the exception; many managers admit they are “just compliant” or even unsure where they stand. Formal DEI job titles are rare, yet roughly half of the employees assume someone is looking after the topic and issues, hinting at weak sign-posting rather than total neglect. Every country reports clear rules for pointing out harassment, but everyday supports such as mentoring, progress tracking and staff input are lacking and noticed by workers even less than by managers. Age, gender and language differences are widely recognised, but by contrast more marginalized identities are largely unrecorded especially in management roles, and many respondents simply “do not know” who is present. Overall, the findings indicate good intentions but struggles following through.