LAUSR

The subject matter of the present study was employee development in the context of diversity management. The aim of the study was to identify and assess the influence of employees' characteristics (such as age, gender, position held in the company, etc.) upon the applied and preferred methods of competence development used by respondents. The empirical study was conducted among 2,076 employees by means of quantitative research with a questionnaire. The study took place in 2016-2017 in over 50 Polish innovative companies. Data was compiled in contingency tables, which were further analysed statistically. Results of the analyses indicated that characteristics of respondents have significant impact upon the applied and preferred methods of competence development used by them. Research results enable recommendations for managers and HR departments' employees to be made as regards the management of diverse teams.