Economists traditionally classify discrimination based on causes, such as different preferences or beliefs about the abilities of certain groups. Professor Daniel Ferreira (LSE Finance) offers up a fresh lens through which to analyse discrimination: transparency. The new perspective opens up a conversation about discrimination in terms of subtlety or overtness. Subtle discrimination is defined in this research "as biased acts that cannot be objectively identified as discriminatory." The key feature of subtle discrimination is plausible deniability.
To understand more about the implications and consequences of subtle discrimination in companies, as well as why some companies invest in building a progressive corporate culture while others are happy to maintain a conservative image, watch the video below, where Professor Ferreira elaborates on his research titled Subtle Discrimination, co-authored with Elena Pikulina (UBC Sauder School of Business).
