Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Mar 2024

The Rhetorical Function of Corporate DEI Reports

Josephine Walwema University of Washington ; Jennifer Bay Purdue University West Lafayette

Abstract

We analyze diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) reports from the top 20 Fortune 500 companies to particularly examine how these companies use visual design and representation to present an aspirational future that valorizes their current DEI efforts. We contend that if large corporations have the ability to affect outcomes among employees, stakeholders, and citizens, then educators have an obligation to prepare students to be well positioned to make change and to participate in conversations about change.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2024-03-01
DOI
10.1177/23294906231208415
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Topics
rhetorical criticism race and writing affect and writing
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Bay et al. (2025)
    A History of DEI: How Regulatory and Compliance Rhetorics Influence Organizations
    Technical Communication Quarterly

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