While you may have a staff that is made of people from the same national background, these people can be from many different places around the country, thus making. Here are 10 reasons why diversity on college campuses is crucial for all students. Although associates are interdependent in the workplace, respecting individual differences can increase productivity. Survey results that organisations are slowly awakening to the positive benefits available through a diverse workforce. Diversity in the workplace presentations on authorstream. Defining cultural values by defining key cultural values, employers can better understand their workforce and. Diversity in the workplace as stated in our book, workplace diversity is defined as diversity at work means having a workface comprised of two or more groups of employees with various racial, ethic, gender, cultural, national origin, handicap, age, and religious backgrounds. Cultural diversity in the workplace human resource. Thank you all for not only your time, but also for your courage to share, at times very painful, experiences, with me. By this measure, there are signs that we may be going through a period of precipitous decline in the worlds cultural diversity.
We are live in an increasingly multicultural society. They cannot be named, but without their input this book would not exist. Lets look at the top 10 economic benefits of workplace diversity. Increasing cultural diversity in both the public and private sectors has focused attention on the differences between various ethnic groups in their attitudes and performance at work. Workplace diversity makes the employees relationships stronger and. The effects of cultural diversity in the workplace clute journals. Workplace diversity despite having numerous benefits.
How well the workplace embraces cultural diversity may spell a companys competitive edge and profitability. Cultural diversity within a workplace is increasingly becoming. Managing cultural diversity in the workplace, part 2. From the virgin group to disney and pricewaterhousecoopers, organizations across industries are embracing the benefits of a diverse workforce.
Explain benefits and limitations of workplace diversity. Cultural diversity has increased in workplaces as companies have expanded globally. Diversity in the workplace means that the organization hires employees without any discrimination on the basis of age, race, creed, national origin, religion or sexual orientation. Benefits, challenges, and the required managerial tools 2 advantages. Managing cultural diversity at workplace diva portal. Diversity at workplace is a common occurrence workplace nowadays. The importance of cultural diversity in the workplace. In order to answer the research question the author defined the following objectives of the study. Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. The effects of diversity perspectives on work group processes and outcomes robin j. Cultural diversity is tricky to quantify, but a good indication is thought to be a count of the number of languages spoken in a region or in the world as a whole. Explore the required tools for managing workplace diversity. Nov 27, 2012 cultural diversity in the workplace todays workforce is truly mixture of different races, ages, genders, ethnic groups, religions and lifestyles.
As etsy, griffin and shorr hirsch point out, embracing and encouraging diversity allows businesses to create an environment in which workers learn from one anothers differences, discovering in the process new ways of thinking about problems and finding solutions. Although, throughout time it has improved greatly, there are still some problems with diversity in the workplace. Stephen butler, cochair of the businesshigher education forum, believes diversity is an invaluable competitive asset robinson 2002. The cultural diversity phenomenon in organisations and different approaches for effective cultural diversity management. Pdf advantages and disadvantages of cultural diversity.
More importantly, it estimates that from 1998 to 2008 some 41 percent of the people entering the u. However, a workforce that consists of different races, religions, ethnicities and gender can produce both positive as well as negative effects. In their neverending quest for talent, many organisations tend to forget about diversity in the workplace. Study the views of various companies regarding the choice and implementation of workplace diversity.
Diversity refers to having a representation of different types of people or things in a particular entity. This can be done formally, via surveys, or informally. The purpose of this study is therefore to contribute to the current field of crosscultural management and how cultural diversity is managed. Coping with diversity on a normative level means exactly this. Managing diversity at workplace 161 ignore nor minimize cultural diversity, but rather view it as a resource in designing and developing organizational systems adler, 1980. Thomas harvard university o 2001 by cornell university. Most people hold the belief that every human being is of equal worth, entitled to the same privileges and opportunities, without regard to race, gender, disability or age. May 31, 2017 diversity in the workplace should be more than just an issue of compliance with the law. Good communication requires an understanding of the. In part 1 of this article, we explored cultural differences, from communication to teamwork, from perceptions of time to differing cultural calendars. Among those disadvantages were increased ambiguity, complexity, and confusion. The benefits of a multicultural workforce can be realized through good communication. Diversity is beneficial to both associates and employers.
Managing diversity is a key component of effective people management in the workplace black enterprise 2001. What are the benefits of cultural diversity in the workplace. And in this post, that is what we are going to discuss. The modern workplace is a mosaic of different ideas, beliefs and opinions, which taken together create an atmosphere of cultural diversity. Diversity is critical for organizations ability to innovate and adapt in a fastchanging environment. For any organization to perform up to its potential, its important to understand the ways in which. Our nation is changing, and our higher education institutions need to reflect this diversity. Diversity v multiculturalism advantages and disadvantages. Cultural diversity impact on the workplace business essay. The purpose of this study is therefore to contribute to the current field of cross cultural management and how cultural diversity is managed. Although cultural diversity can be a source of tension, it can also bolster workplace productivity. What are the advantagesdisadvantages of cultural diversity.
In this way, diversity is a key ingredient to growing a strong and inclusive economy thats built to last. The importance of diversity in the workplace there are clear signs in the latest leadership, employment and direction l. The research proven advantages to cultural diversity in the workplace include increased innovation, greater connection with diverse consumers, and increased ability to attract and retain diverse. Diversity management, challenges and opportunities in multicultural organizations patrick a. Businesses should prioritize hiring diverse employees because of the many great things associated with it. Defining cultural values by defining key cultural values, employers can better understand their workforce and what their expectations might be. What are some typical examples of cultural diversity in. My conclusion is that diversity in the workplace is not only good for employers and employees, but is also good for the welfare of the company. However, its important that diversity becomes a focal point during the recruitment process as its essentially the first step toward creating a multicultural work environment.
Diversity, workplace, cultural mentoring, organisation. She noted the impacts of cultural diversity on problemsolving, decisionmaking. Introduction workplace diversity is the issue of people, focus on the differences and similarities that people bring to an organization. The role of individual differences in attitudes and beliefs. The importance of cultural diversity in the workplace wednesday, september 21, 2016 11. This training program has been developed by the australian multicultural foundation amf, in association with robert bean consulting, as a resource. So its increasingly important to be informed about workplace diversity, and what it means to you. The benefits of cultural diversity in the workplace forbes. To develop a positive workplace atmosphere that embraces cultural diversity you could collect information about your workforce to learn what your organisations cultural diversity actually looks like. Global diversity and inclusion marriott international. Pdf managing workplace diversity issues and challenges.
Workplace diversity refers to the division of the workforce into distinction categories that have a perceived commonality within a given cultural or national context and that impact potentially harmful or beneficial employment outcomes such as job opportunities, treatment in the workplace and promotion prospects, irrespective of job related. Cultural diversity in the workplace mba knowledge base. Take a look at how progressive insurance invites and nurtures diversity to build an. Building an inclusive diversity culture the founding principles. To be prepared for the world today, your need information on awareness, communication, respect and. I feel very honoured that you showed me such confidence. Diversity management is a process intended by workplace leaders to create and maintain a positive working environment where the similarities and differences of employees are valued patrick. Corporate diversity promotes mutual respect between the corporates employees which will work to lessen the degree of any conflict and or facilitates the resolution of any conflict lee, 20. Why cultural diversity in the workplace is a winwin teams and companies that make diversity a priority offer a variety of ideas, perspectives and learning opportunities. Embracing cultural diversity in the workplace is an important first step for businesses that want to be competitive on an international scale. Leadership success in the 21st century involves the ability to have intercultural competence. In the field for more than 15 years, and with geographical expertise that covers the u.
Pdf advantages and disadvantages of cultural diversity in the. Workplace diversity should be one of the top things businesses today should address. Diversity in the workplace essay examples 2349 words. Jun 21, 2016 encouraging cultural diversity in your workplace can introduce an array of skills, knowledge and expertise to your business, and can assist increased productivity, reach alternative markets and promote a positive company reputation. The manual includes all the materials needed to design and conduct training for. With a diverse workplace, everyone will be more openminded with their coworkers. Apart from differences in race and gender, workplace diversity includes many other forms like age, ethnicity, physical attributes, educational. Diversity in the workplace is an issue that still goes on today. Highereducated candidates who experienced diversity while at university may feel that a diverse company is more progressive and therefore will want to work there. Aluko, olabisi onabanjo university, nigeria abstract. Cultural diversity in the workplace extends beyond national origin and includes many factors pertaining to employees heredity and experience in areas such as religion, language, political views and moral codes. Cultural diversity,competencies andbehaviour 87 1901, canada has seen. The program was also developed to ensure that the message of the scanlon foundations taste of harmony campaign is translated into ongoing action at the enterprise level.
The worlds increasing globalization requires more interaction among people from diverse cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds than ever before. Workplace diversity refers to the division of the working force into separate categories that have a apparent unity or harmony within a given cultural context and that impact potentially beneficial or harmful outcomes of employments such as job opportunities, workplace treatment prospects of promotion of employees, irrespective of job related. A company that embraces cultural diversity in the workplace would immediately entices a wider pool of candidates for its job vacancies. Workplace diversity is a multifaceted concept that continues to evolve as more industries move towards a global marketplace. Jan 25, 2020 how well the workplace embraces cultural diversity may spell a companys competitive edge and profitability. Among the advantages of diversity in the workplace are.
The answer to this question depends on the context. Diversity management, challenges and opportunities in. Research by mckinsey and company report that companies with workforces comprising a large percentage of diversity in gender, race, and ethnicity often outperform the national industry median by as much as 35%. By integrating workers from culturally diverse backgrounds into their. Business advantages of diversity in the workplace the united states office of employment predicts that 29 percent of the u. Importance of cultural diversity in the workplace bizfluent. Diversity resources were the diversity specialists. As an international tax professional, marcela kane has seen firsthand the value of workplace diversity. That sounds simple, but diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive style, tenure, organizational function, education, background and more. It is the job of the management of the organisation to fit together different pieces of mosaic in a harmonious, coordinated way and utilizing the abilities and talents of each employee to its maximum. Amf managing cultural diversity training program it is my great pleasure to introduce you to the australian multicultural foundations managing cultural diversity training program. Diversity in the workplace can reduce lawsuits and increase marketing opportunities, recruitment, creativity, and business image esty et al. Companies that embrace and value these cultural differences can not only reduce conflict and increase regulatory compliance but also transform cultural diversity into a competitive advantage. Workplace diversity is the acceptance of the fact that every individual is unique, and respecting that their uniqueness could be because of their race, gender, age, class, and physical ability, sexual orientation, and religious inclination.
The study will be useful for the companies under discussion nevertheless it shall also be helpful for people who want to know more about workplace diversity, and how to manage it. In part 2 below, well explore strategies, skills and techniques for managing cultural diversity in the workplace, and developing cultural competence. As hp is a global innovative and learning organization, its key resource to manage diversity is cultural synergy. Benefits of diversity in the workplace categorized as business,miscellaneous benefits of diversity in the workplace the acceptance of the term globalization all over the world has made the term diversity quite prominent at workplaces. Impact of workplace diversity society of interdisciplinary business. Looking at how leaders, managers and nonmanagerial employees view diversity, it. Workplace diversity despite having numerous benefits does have its flaws. The impact of workplace diversity on organisations core. People no longer live and work in a narrowminded environment. Effects of gender diversity management on perceptions of organizational attractiveness. We outline eight amazing benefits of cultural diversity in the workplace having a more diverse team has been proven to help your company in many ways. According to the book managing diversity by gardenswartz and rowe 1998, using affirmative action alone in todays economic situation is no longer an acceptable management style. Cultural diversity affects the performance of an organization and various conflicts can arise due to misunderstandings among the culturally diverse workforce.
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