Marjolein Dennissen

90 The Herculean task of diversity networks To examine the diversity networking practices that occur in diversity networks, I have carried out a multiple case study with different diversity networks as my cases. I selected two organizations in the Netherlands, a financial service organization (Finance) and a governmental service organization (Govt), that accommodate different diversity networks. Additionally, this enables the exploration of diversity networking practices in different organizational contexts. I included the following diversity networks: an ethnic minority network, a network for women in middle management positions ( Ladies with ambition ) and a network for women in senior management positions ( Women at the Top ), an LGBT network and a disability network in Finance; and a women’s network, an LGBT network and a disability network in Govt. Data collection The examination of real-time practices requires data collection methods that are faithful to an observational orientation and allows an exploration of practice as it happens (Nicolini, 2012). To be able to witness what people actually say and do in a specific place and time, in situ observations are an indispensable way of collecting data (Carlile, 2002; Nicolini, 2012). Thus, my main data collection method was participant observation, accompanied by in-depth, semi-structured interviews and documents. Observations Research into practices has to make visible the “unspoken and scarcely notable background of everyday life” (Nicolini, 2009, p. 1392). By means of observations, I am able to capture the actual activities of collective networking when they unfold. Diversity networking practices happen in many places and different times (Czarniawska, 2007), for instance in network board meetings, cross-network meetings, network organized events, workshops, informal drinks and during meetings with other organizational stakeholders. I attended a variety of network meetings during a period of two years (2014-2016). Examples of the attended network meetings are: board meetings in which the course of actions is discussed, cross-network meetings of different diversity networks, meetings between diversity networks and the organizational management, and events or activities organized by diversity networks. In total, I have observed 36 network meetings that presented 116 hours of observation. Depending on the nature of the meeting, I was either an anonymous spectator or a visible participant (Bleijenbergh, 2013). During large-scale conferences, being present was less noticeable than for example during small meeting with the network board. During the latter meetings, I often sat at the same table as the network members and was included in a round of questions at the beginning or end of the meeting. When present for the first time, I was also invited to explain my presence and the goal of my research. I took field notes on as many details during the meeting as possible, such as what was said and done during the meeting and by whom, who attended the meeting, seating arrangements, food and drink arrangements, informal socializing moments and which additional documents or audiovisual materials were used.