An Analysis of DEI Practices in the Sustainability Reports of Leading ESG Companies in Korea

The purpose of this study was to identify the current status and characteristics of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities implemented by companies in South Korea and to provide insights into future directions for development. To achieve this, the study analyzed the DEI-related activities of companies consistently rated as excellent in ESG management evaluations, based on their sustainability reports. Texts relevant to DEI from 86 sustainability reports for the year 2023, covering activities from January to December 2022, were collected and analyzed. The results revealed that, first, the term “D&I” is used more frequently than “DEI” in sustainability reports, and DEI is often presented in the context of human rights management. Second, within the Plan (input) - Do (execution) - See (output) framework, categories identified include in the Plan area: the establishment of DEI management principles, setting DEI promotion strategies, and constructing DEI governance; in the Do area: fostering a DEI organizational culture, DEI-based talent development, and DEI-based human resource management; and in the See (output) area: managing human diversity, board diversity, and DEI performance management. Based on the findings, both academic and practical implications were presented, along with suggestions for the future role of HRD in relation to DEI