In today’s hyper-competitive landscape, business success hinges on more than innovation or scale — it depends on the ability to build unique, hard-to-replicate assets. While technology and operations matter, companies that consistently outperform do so by leveraging a...
Research and Insights Archive
Research and Insights from the Center for Effective Organizations
Available Content

Organizational Climate and Culture: An Introduction to Theory, Research, and Practice
In this updated edition, Mark G. Ehrhart, Benjamin Schneider and William H. Macey present a thorough examination of both the history and current status of research in each field, as well as areas for their potential integration. Academics, practitioners, and students will all deepen their understanding of how organizations function and will gain insights into how to improve both organizational research and organizational effectiveness.
Is it time to dig in our heels or flex? What is next for employee resource groups?
On February 5, 2025, Charles Ezell, Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, issued a memo directing agencies to prohibit ERGs that promote unlawful DEIA initiatives, following the revocation of key executive orders. While primarily affecting...

WEBINAR: “State of ERGs” Research Findings
With Theresa Welbourne.
In this session, we will review the research findings of the first comprehensive “State of ERGs” research study to provide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) executives with benchmarking data on ERG practices.

Beyond Diversity: Is it Time for the Chief Relational Officer Job?
Have you noticed that the people working in diversity are having a bit of an identity crisis? The names of the departments have gone from Diversity to Diversity and Inclusion to Diversity Equity and Inclusion to some variations that include Diversity Inclusion and the term Belonging. Occasionally, you might see the term equality. For example, in numerous bold statements, Salesforce aggressively uses the word equality. Salesforce has embraced the term equality while in other organizations this language often is intentionally deleted from references to any diversity work.
The Impact of ERGs during COVID-19, Social Unrest, and the rest of 2020’s Surprises
The impact of ERGs during COVID-19, social unrest, and the rest of 2020’s surprises
with Theresa Welbourne
CEO Research Statement by Jennifer Deal
The Center for Effective Organizations is thrilled to welcome Jennifer Deal as a Senior Research Scientist. Her research statement follows: Overall Research Program My research is focused on addressing key issues leaders are facing by advancing theory and developing...
The ROI of Wellness: Why Taking Care of Yourself and Your Employees Is Good for the Bottom Line
Gratitude, mindfulness and empowerment. Not words usually associated with hard-charging, data-driven organizations—until recently. Increasingly, academic research is proving that employee well-being benefits company culture, employee retention and productivity, and the call to integrate these principles into everyday operations is entering the mainstream. Three USC Marshall researchers including CEO’s Jennifer Deal discuss details of their latest research into this topic.
The 2020 Diversity Impact Award Winners
Material from this post originally appeared in a press release from the Association of ERGs and Councils The 2020 Diversity Impact Award Winners have been announced! The Association of ERGs & Councils (a practice group of PRISM International, Inc. and Talent...
Collision and Reflecting: Why Employee Resource Groups Make Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Work
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is a hot topic today. It was always important, but now it’s ‘hot’ – that means people are paying attention to it like never before. Senior executives are looking to diversify their teams and boards while D&I professionals are striving to find the best way to engage employees, educate them and […]
How to Give Women a Fair Shot at Advancement
At most companies, the competition for career success is systemically skewed in favor of men. Here’s how to change that.
Presenting the ERG Impact Model
In this webinar Theresa Welbourne reviews data from the most recent ERG research and survey work. Using results from 50 different companies we examine findings that help us explore how ERGs are impacting their businesses, members and company employees.