Employee Resource Group (ERG) Research
Now Available: 2023/2024 State of ERGs Research & Annual ERG Leader & Member Impact Reports (Download)
We’re excited to share exclusive access to the 2023/2024 “State of ERGs” research study findings, the first study of its kind, as well as the Annual Leader & Member Impact report, led by Dr. Theresa Welbourne and CEO. Click here to access the latest insights and empower your organization’s journey towards inclusion.
Annual ERG Leader and Member Research (2024/2025)
The purpose of the “ERG Leader and Member Research” study is to measure the impact of ERGs on your organization. The overall impact research has been validated and utilized since 2012 to provide organizations with data-driven insights to help ERGs set goals, align strategies to business objectives, and drive impact.
By participating, you’ll receive a report that will include data that assesses the degree to which your ERGs impact the following: Talent management, culture, and company vitality for three stakeholder groups including individuals, the company, and external stakeholders. Custom online company quantitative reports are provided to firms (and ERGs) with at least 10 or more respondents, and qualitative comment reports are provided if the ERG has 30+ respondents, all at no charge.
State of ERGs Research
The purpose of the “State of ERGs” research is to provide you and other Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) executives benchmarking data on ERG practices. It requires DEI leaders or a designated leader that oversees all ERGs in your organization to complete an online survey. The aggregated findings will be shared with each of the participating organizations and published by the Center for Effective Organizations (CEO) at the USC Marshall School of Business. You also will be invited to forums to review the data and learn how to use it to help your organization and ERGs.
By participating, you’ll receive a benchmarking report that will include the following information:
- ERG Structure and Governance
- ERG Funding, Technology, Goals and Rewards
- ERG Leadership
- ERG Executive Sponsors, Allies, and Support/Training
- ERG Organization and Composition
This research cycle is now closed. The next will begin January 2025.
If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Sparks Taylor, Director of Corporate Relations & Executive Education, at sparksj@marshall.usc.edu.
About Dr. Theresa M. Welbourne
Affiliated Senior Research Scientist, Center for Effective Organizations
Will and Maggie Brooke Professor in Entrepreneurship and Executive Director, The University of Alabama
Entrepreneurship Institute, The University of Alabama
Founder, President and CEO, eePulse Inc
Research
Dr. Theresa Welbourne’s work focuses on human capital and leadership strategies that drive growth, innovation and high performance. She is known for her work on employee energy and how energy, direction and confidence come together to stimulate and sustain high sense of urgency cultures and organizational growth.
Theresa runs a large project focused on employee resource groups (ERGs) and how these programs are helping advance diversity and inclusion initiatives as well as overall firm performance, innovation and growth. The work consists of research, best practice studies, the annual Summit for ERG leaders which she founded in 2012, and training for ERG leaders.
Theresa also does extensive research and consulting with initial public offerings (IPOs) and firms undergoing high change, including mergers and acquisitions. Other areas of expertise include employee engagement, data-driven storytelling, Fast HR and entrepreneurship.