General Motors redesigned the Malibu, its first global midsize sedan, to launch in 2013 in nearly 100 countries. In its redesign effort, GM gave a prominent role to four women engineers, called the “Malibu Moms.” A May 2, 2012 article in the Detroit News quoted auto analyst Rebecca Lindland: “Automakers may want women engineers’ expertise because women buyers have different priorities and pay more attention to passenger room and cargo space. We approach the vehicle often times from a different standpoint from a man.” Engineer Suzanne Cody also noted that women customers give a high priority to safety and to quiet interiors that allow drivers to hear their children in the backseat. The new Malibu has acoustic laminated glass to cut noise from passing vehicles, and new noise-absorbent materials behind instrument panels, in doors, and carpets. Given that women buy about 50% of cars in the U.S., & participate in 80% of family car-buying decisions, GM expected that the new features would boost sales overall and among women in particular.
Which of the following effects of diversity does GM’s Malibu redesign effort best represent?
a. increased synergy and creativity in the workplace
b. the promotion of synergy by a process of "decibel reduction" in faultline conflicts
c. symbolic and public relations effects
d. increasing the company's knowledge of, and ability to appeal to, different market segments with its products.
e. the promotion of positive stereotypes based on demographic characteristics.