Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the U.S. Aerospace and Defense Sector: Barriers and Best Practices from a Single-Organization Case Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33423/b6z0qa74Keywords:
organizational psychology, Aerospace & defense (A&D), barriers, best practices, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)Abstract
Many industries place a high value on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), but the aerospace and defense (A&D) sector is behind in representation and fair practices. This qualitative study investigated the experiences of 16 U.S. A&D employees. Results show common challenges to DEI efforts are resistance to change, leaders not following through, unclear expectations, and everyday exclusionary. Good DEI practices include clear policies, mentoring programs, open communication, and diversity in leadership and outreach materials. Results illustrate how the industry’s structure and culture influence employees’ workplace experiences and are applicable in industries that change slowly and are strongly rooted in tradition.
References
Alahakoon, T., Beatson, A., Keating, B., Mathmann, F., Mortimer, G., & Worsteling, A. (2024). Diversity, equity and inclusion statements in recruitment materials: A systematic review and research agenda. Australasian Marketing Journal, 32(3), 263–274. https://doi.org/10.1177/14413582241255680
Allison, M.T. (1999). Organizational barriers to diversity in the workplace. Journal of Leisure Research, 31(1), 78–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.1999.11949852
American Bar Association. (2022). Diversity in the legal profession: A snapshot of racial and ethnic representation. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org
Angen, M.J. (2000). Evaluating interpretive inquiry: Reviewing the validity debate and opening the dialogue. Qualitative Health Research, 10(3), 378–395. https://doi.org/10.1177/104973230001000308
Avery, D.R., McKay, P.F., & Wilson, D.C. (2008). What are the odds? How demographic similarity affects the prevalence of perceived employment discrimination. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(2), 235–249. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.93.2.235
Azevedo, L., Haupt, B., & Shi, W. (2023). Equitable and inclusive mentoring programs for women faculty. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 29(4), 441–461. https://doi.org/10.1080/15236803.2023.2245505
Bakhshandeh, B., Mazid, S., & Imroz, S.M. (2024). A case study using SWOT analysis as an OD intervention tool. Organization Development Journal, 42(4), 37–50.
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191
Butler, T., Falk, E., & Kleinbaum, A.M. (2025). Workplace inclusion: A social network perspective. Research in Organizational Behavior, 45, Article 100221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riob.2025.100221
Catalyst. (2020, June 24). Why diversity, equity, and inclusion matter. Retrieved from https://www.catalyst.org/insights/2020/why-diversity-and-inclusion-matter
Corazza, M.V. (2024). Flying high: Revealing the sustainability potential of women in aviation. Sustainability, 16(16), 7229. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167229
Cox, C.B., & Nguyen, M.N. (2024). Counteracting the threats to DEI: The answer is accountability. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 17(4), 486–489. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2024.51
Data USA. (2026). Aircraft pilots & flight engineers. Retrieved from https://datausa.io/profile/soc/aircraft-pilots-flight-engineers?redirect=true#ethnicity
Eisner, E.W. (1998). The enlightened eye: Qualitative inquiry and the enhancement of educational practice. Prentice Hall.
El-Banna, M.M., Alrimawi, I., Davis-Collins, K., & Rollins-Monroe, K. (2025). Recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and students: Strategies for success. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 20(3), 286–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2025.02.034
Evers, J.C., & van Staa, A.L. (2010). Qualitative analysis in case study. In A.J. Mills, G. Durepos, & E. Wiebe (Eds.), Encyclopedia of case study research (pp. 750–758). SAGE.
Fackelmann, K., & Anderson, L. (2021, April 1). Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans severely underrepresented in health workforce, new study says. The George Washington University, Media Relations. Retrieved from https://mediarelations.gwu.edu/blacks-latinos-and-native-americans-severely-underrepresented-health-workforce-new-study-says
Feitosa, J., Almeida, A.M., & Ishee, T. (2025). Microaggressions in the workplace: A guide for managers. Merits, 5(2), 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/merits5020010
Folberg, A.M., Dueland, L.B., Swanson, M., Stepanek, S., Hebl, M., & Ryan, C.S. (2024). Racism underlies seemingly race‐neutral conservative criticisms of DEI statements among Black and White people in the United States. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 97(3), 791–816. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12491
Folberg, A.M., Myeong, H., Pham, L.N.H., Nguyen, L.T., Hebl, M.R., & King, E.B. (2025). Applying the culture cycle to understand anti-DEI resistance and intentionally craft a more egalitarian society. Research in Organizational Behavior, 45, Article 100224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riob.2025.100224
Fuentes-Fuentes, M.M., Quintana-García, C., Marchante-Lara, M., & Benavides-Chicón, C.G. (2023). Gender diversity, inclusive innovation and firm performance. Sustainable Development, 31(5), 3622–3638. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.261
Gichane, M.W., Griesemer, I., Cubanski, L., Egbuogu, B., McInnes, D.K., & Garvin, L.A. (2025). Increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the health and health services research workforce: A systematic scoping review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 40(7), 1487–1497. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-024-09041-w
Global Diversity Practice. (2018). Diversity and inclusion in the workplace: Embracing differences for a stronger organization. Retrieved from https://www.globaldiversitypractice.com
Gündemir, S., Kanitz, R., Rink, F., Hoever, I.J., & Slepian, M.L. (2024). Beneath the surface: Resistance to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in organizations. Current Opinion in Psychology, 60, Article 101922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2024.101922
Imroz, S.M. (2012). Improving team building in a customer care department: A case study. In The 2013 Pfeiffer annual: Consulting (pp. 189–194). Pfeiffer.
Imroz, S.M. (2019). A qualitative case study identifying metrics for ITIL request fulfillment process: Perspectives of an information technology service provider group. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 19(4), 78–97. https://doi.org/10.33423/jop.v19i4.2295
International Air Transport Association. (2024, September). Gender in aviation. Retrieved from https://www.iata.org/contentassets/cd7f1170cbf447c7824f63e8d138e5d0/gender-in-aviation-final.pdf
Junça-Silva, A., & Ferreira, N. (2025). Workplace micro-aggressions and affective consequences: The moderating role of emotional contagion. Current Psychology, 44(22), 17665–17680. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-025-07740-z
Kiliç, S., & Yanikoǧlu, Ö.P. (2023). Breaking the barriers: An analysis of diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies in the global aviation industry. Tourism in Southern and Eastern Europe, 7, 189–199. https://doi.org/10.20867/tosee.07.13
Krouse, S.B. (2009). Targeted recruiting for diversity: Strategy, impression management, realistic expectations, and diversity climate. International Journal of Management, 26(3), 347–353.
Lincoln, Y.S., & Guba, E.G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.
Lutte, R.K., & Morrison, S.M. (2022). "You'll never really be one of us": Women's underrepresentation in the aviation workforce. Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education and Research, 31(2). https://doi.org/10.15394/jaaer.2022.1929
McEwen, C., Pullen, A., & Rhodes, C. (2026). Repressive equality regimes: How diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives constrain equality and conceal politics at work. Work, Employment and Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/09500170251412770
Meadows, M., & Morse, J.M. (2001). Constructing evidence within qualitative research. Sage.
Mihaylova, I., & Rietmann, K. (2025). Diversity, equity and inclusion at a crossroads: A scoping review of the characteristics of its workplace backlash. International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, 10(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40991-025-00122-5
Mogilski, J., Jussim, L., Wilson, A., & Love, B. (2025). Defining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by the scientific (de)merits of its programming. Theory and Society, 54(6), 1173–1186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11186-025-09646-y
National Science Foundation. (2024). The STEM labor force: Scientists, engineers, and skilled technical workers. Retrieved from https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20245/representation-of-demographic-groups-in-stem
Parikh, A.K., & Leschied, J.R. (2022). Microaggressions in our daily workplace encounters: A barrier to achieving diversity and inclusion. Pediatric Radiology, 52(9), 1719–1723. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-022-05307-9
Patrick, H.A., & Kumar, V.R. (2012). Managing workplace diversity: Issues and challenges. SAGE Open, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244012444615
Prashar, A. (2025). Integrating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into operations and supply chains: Conceptual framework and research propositions. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 32(5), 7028–7047. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.70053
Rothwell, W.J., & Imroz, S.M. (2024). Taking care of your employees results in better care of customers: A case study of a hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In D.D. Warrick, J. Mueller, & A. Warrick (Eds.), Cases on critical leadership skills (pp. 153–162). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Scholnick, M. (2018). Fixing the lack of gender diversity. Airline Business, 34(7), 42–43.
Son Hing, L.S., Sakr, N., Sorenson, J.B., Stamarski, C.S., Caniera, K., & Colaco, C. (2023). Gender inequities in the workplace: A holistic review of organizational processes and practices. Human Resource Management Review, 33(3), Article 100968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2023.100968
Suau-Sanchez, P., Voltes-Dorta, A., & Lamolla, L. (2025). Board and executive gender diversity as a driver of airline efficiency: A network-DEA analysis. Journal of Air Transport Management, 124, Article 102745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102745
Wang, M.L., Gomes, A., Rosa, M., Copeland, P., & Santana, V.J. (2024). A systematic review of diversity, equity, and inclusion and antiracism training studies: Findings and future directions. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 14(3), 156–171. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibad061
Weddle, B., Sachs, K., Mygatt, E., & Akbari, Y. (2025). Accelerating progress: Maximizing the return on talent in A&D. Aerospace Industries Association. Retrieved from https://www.aia-aerospace.org/wp-content/uploads/AIA-McKinsey-Annual-Workforce-Study-2025.pdf
Wickham, M.D., Fiedler, T., & Donnelly, T.I. (2025). Addressing the diversity paradox: A resource-based view of DEI best practices. Sustainable Development, 33(4), 6260–6275. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3467
Wong, J., Adetoye, M., Parker-Featherstone, E., Lee, L., Greenberg, J.B., Holkeboer, J., & Bishop, T. (2025). Promoting diversity and health equity: Recruitment and best practices in education. PRiMER: Peer-Review Reports in Medical Education Research, 9, 32. https://doi.org/10.22454/PRiMER.2025.166556
Woods, S., Harris, M., Rice, S., Boquet, A., Rice, C., Rosales, D., … Crouse, S. (2024). Using social role theory to predict how gender and ethnicity of aviation job candidates affects perceived job classifications. Technology in Society, 76, Article 102481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102481
Yin, R.K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
