Diversity-oriented leadership, internal communication, and employee outcomes: a perspective of racial minority employees

ABSTRACT Based on a sample of 633 racial minority employees in the United States, the current study examined the effectiveness of diversity-oriented leadership on internal communication and key employee outcomes. Using the normative model of internal communication and organizational justice theory, this study advances the theoretical links among leadership, communication, and organizational justice, and their resulting effects on employee outcomes. The survey results showed that diversity-oriented leadership enhances symmetrical internal communication and racial minority employees’ perceived fairness of the organization, thereby increasing employee engagement and advocative behaviors. Theoretical implications for public relations and internal communication are discussed.