THE COMPANY NAME AND DIVERSITY

When the company was founded the term ‘Skater’ referred to someone with a passion for skateboarding - a "Skateboarder".  The naming of the company was influenced by this and also by the Beach Boys  "Catch a Wave" song featuring lyrics associated with skateboarding – including a “surfer boy”. In the period when skateboard companies were run by skateboarders, the (Male) MD established this company and named it “ScaterBoys”. The image of the skateboarder as a rebellious, non-conforming (male) youth has faded in recent years. Initially there were fewer women skateboarders. Later, participation opportunities expanded for women as did the status of women in action sports generally. According to Marie Case, Managing Director of Board-Trac, an action sports market research company, in 2010 there were approximately 18 million participants in the U.S. across skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing, 25 percent of whom were women.  Various organisations now aim to promote diversity through Skateboarding.

ScaterBoys itself is now reviewing its recruitment and selection policies seeking to prevent any form of discrimination. The company name is also under review. With regard to the simulation, members of the student group act as the management team,  thus reflecting a diverse ethnic and gender group, typical of a contemporary company. Users of the case study may wish to change employee names and diversity traits to match more closely typical company profiles.

From 2018 ScaterBoys will also be referred to as Scaters and eventually the term Scaterboys will be phased out.