<P> The combination of "transformational leadership" and "discursive leadership" allows and encourages mid-level managers to use diversity as an influential resource in order to enhance organizational effectiveness . In the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, C.L. Walck defines managing diversity in the workplace as "Negotiating interaction across culturally diverse groups, and contriving to get along in an environment characterized by cultural diversity". </P> <P> On one hand, there is a genuine lack of documented evidence for the claimed benefits to the organization and the individual . </P> <P> On the other hand, advocates of diversity claim (without presenting evidence) that diversity will bring substantial potential benefits such as better decision making and improved problem solving, greater creativity and innovation, which leads to enhanced product development, and more successful marketing to different types of customers . It is also claimed that diversity provides organizations with the ability to compete in global markets . Simply recognizing diversity in a corporation is also said to help link the variety of talents within the organization . The act of recognizing diversity is also said to allow for those employees with these talents to feel needed and have a sense of belonging, which in turn increases their commitment to the company and allows each of them to contribute in a unique way . </P> <P> Standpoint theory suggests that marginalized groups bring a different perspective to an organization that challenges the status quo since their socially constructed world view will differ from that of the dominant group . Although the standpoint of the dominant group will often carry more weight, encouraging conflicting standpoints to coexist within an organization which will create a forum for sanctioned conflict to ensue . Standpoint theory gives a voice to those in a position to see patterns of behavior that those immersed in the culture have difficulty acknowledging . From this perspective, these unique and varying standpoints help to eradicate groupthink which can develop within a homogenous group . Scott Page's (2007) mathematical modeling research of team work reflects this view . His models demonstrated that heterogeneous teams consistently out - performed homogeneous teams on a variety of tasks . Page points out, however, that diversity in teamwork is not always simple and that there are many challenges to fostering an inclusive environment in the workplace for diversity of thought and ideas . </P>

When did diversity research begin to emerge in the management literature