Challenges of workplace diversity taking full advantage of the benefits of diversity in the workplace is not without its challenges. Managing diversity is a key component of effective people management in the workplace black enterprise 2001. Cultural diversity impacts the workplace in a variety of. Given this fact, businesses, educational systems and other entities are investigating ways to better serve their constituents. Of course, there are legal requirements for hiring practices.
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%. Thomas harvard university o 2001 by cornell university. Defining cultural values by defining key cultural values, employers can better understand their workforce and. Inherent diversity is biological traits such as race, gender, and sexual orientation, while acquired diversity is things you gain from experience like religion, cultural experiences, and situations that make an impact on your thoughtprocess. Cultural diversity and information and communication impacts. Challenges exist in guiding a population that differs in personalities and cultures, but. The effects of diversity perspectives on work group processes and outcomes robin j. Achieving cultural diversity in the workplace can be difficult, especially in certain fields and occupations. Here is a partial list of the positive impacts a diverse workforce has on businesses of all types.
The importance of diversity in the workplace there are clear signs in the latest leadership, employment and direction l. But with benefits necessarily come challenges of working. We are live in an increasingly multicultural society. Just what is meant by cultural diversity presents its own set of theoretical complexities and prob lematic. People are different in not only gender, culture, race, social and psychological characteristics but also in their perspectives. Workplace diversity should be one of the top things businesses today should address. Understand the value of diversity and how it relates to the workplace. The shared experiences, training and racialcultural diverse human capital contributes to innovation which has positive results on productivity within organizations. Workplace diversity workforce diversity refers to the composition of work units in terms of the cultural or demographic characteristics that are salient and symbolically meaningful in the relationships among group members ditomaso, post and parksyancy, 2007, p. The benefits of workplace diversity greatly outweigh the barriers you may have to cross to get there. Here are ways to foster cultural diversity in the workplace and make sure employees feel accepted. Cultural competence to develop cultural selfawareness and take the lead in establishing a twoway process of cultural learning that results in adapting professional interpretations and recommendations to the value system of students disability will be presented as an important component of cultural diversity in these trainings. We can learn from one another, but first we must have a level of understanding about each other in order to facilitate collaboration and cooperation. Jan 25, 2020 how well the workplace embraces cultural diversity may spell a companys competitive edge and profitability.
Culture as problematic a number of authors bemoan the con fusion often made between managing diversity and managing culture. Survey results that organisations are slowly awakening to the positive benefits available through a diverse workforce. Workplace diversity despite having numerous benefits does have its flaws. The impact of workplace diversity on organisations core. A phenomenological study adam evans1 and harika suklun2,3 abstract. An introduction to culture and diversity in the workplace 2. The results demonstrate that cultural diversity does in fact add value and, within the proper context, contributes to firm competitive advantage. Managing a culturally diverse workforce diversity, equity and. This study provides background knowledge on cultural diversity among employees at the workplace and provides measures of organizational. How well the workplace embraces cultural diversity may spell a companys competitive edge and profitability.
The modern workplace is a mosaic of different ideas, beliefs and opinions, which taken together create an atmosphere of cultural diversity. 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 cultural diversity can be a source of tension, it can also bolster workplace productivity. The effects of cultural diversity in the workplace clute journals. Businesses should prioritize hiring diverse employees because of the many great things associated with it. 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. Everyone is in a cultural group when we speak of cultural diversity, were not just speaking of nationalities or ethnic groups, but also of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, physical abilities, where you live, plus subcultures within any of these categories based on occupation, education and personality.
The role of individual differences in attitudes and beliefs. Importance of cultural diversity in the workplace deputy. Defining cultural values by defining key cultural values, employers can better understand their workforce and what their expectations might be. The gap between their clients and is often superficially bridged at the image level by advertising, sales teams and marketing. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. 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.
The entrepreneur perceives an opportunity and often exhibits biases in taking the decision to exploit the opportunity. Workplace diversity is important to organizations talent management and leadership development look for the qualities and talents focus on bringing those out rather than on the differences. An inclusive work environment requires a clear understanding of both the inherent and acquired diversity within an organization. But even today, although it has become part of the. The current study examines the potential barriers to workplace diversity and suggests strategies to enhance workplace diversity and inclusiveness. Introduction culture is a word with many shades of meaning. Effects of gender diversity management on perceptions of organizational attractiveness. The responsibility for dealing with diversity issues belongs to every employee in the company. Benefits, challenges, and the required managerial tools 2 advantages.
However, your hr department has official duties regarding diversity and can provide advice or guidance if you have questions. Managing diversity well provides a distinct advantage in an era when flexibility and creativity are keys to competitiveness. Cultural diversity tips be more formal with people born in other cultures do not apply the golden rule treat people as. 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. The importance of cultural diversity in the workplace cant be understated. Cultural diversity includes but is not restricted to. Communication perceptual, cultural and language barriers need to be overcome for diversity programs to succeed. Barriers and benefits of diversity in the workplace. Diversity in the workplace edis university of florida.
The oxford dictionary defines cultural diversity as the existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society. And cultural diversity in the workplace, while valuable, can sometimes lead to challenges if employers arent aware of the key aspects of the culture and how to address them. Choosing from the largest group of candidates will ensure youre hiring a diverse and qualified. The study concludes that successfully managing diversity can lead to more committed, better satisfied, better performing employees and potentially better. Having diverse employees increases the bottom line and also assists in staying on the right side of the law. Cultural diversity within a workplace is increasingly becoming important as more organisations are embracing it within. Choosing from the largest group of candidates will ensure youre hiring a diverse and qualified workforce. The issue of managing cultural diversity is a primary concern for many international organisations.
Importance of cultural diversity in the workplace bizfluent. Culture is considered to be the underlying values that direct how people behave. Stephen butler, cochair of the businesshigher education forum, believes diversity is an invaluable competitive asset robinson 2002. There are major facts and trends that maneuver this in the beginning of this century. The manual includes all the materials needed to design and conduct training for. Recognize the role of stereotypes, assumptions, and other barriers to diversity, and the effect that they can have in the workplace and in our personal lives. Cultural diversity is important because our country, workplaces, and schools increasingly consist of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. Cultural diversity, communication, learning, cultural stratifications 1. Cultural diversity in the workplace is a result of practices, values, traditions, or beliefs of employees based on race, age, ethnicity, religion, or gender. Examine ourselves as we relate to all forms of diversity. Embracing cultural diversity in the workplace is an important first step for businesses that want to be competitive on an international scale. Researchers of cultural diversity in organizations must look to alternative theoretical perspectives, such as feminist theories. Pdf the acceptance and management of cultural diversity have been promoted and touted as a positive tool in social and organizational engineering. Explore the required tools for managing workplace diversity.
Managing diversity is defined as planning and implementing organizational systems and practices to. In this paper, the relationship between diversity and innovation in organizations is of interest. Cultural diversity is a growing phenomenon that has increased attention and importance in the 21 st century. The cultural diversity phenomenon in organisations and different approaches for effective cultural diversity management. Introduction workplace diversity is the issue of people, focus on the differences and similarities that people bring to an organization. Cultural diversity, diversity management, globalization, multicultural organization, organizational behaviour intertjailonaljournal of tlif diversity, volume 6. Thus, in its universal declaration on cultural diversity, approved in paris in 2001 specifically as a reaction opposed to the expansion of u. Click download or read online button to get cultural diversity in the workplace book now. Benefits, challenges, and the required managerial tools1. This is hard to achieve when employees belonging to the same culture are asked to analyze the same matter. And cultural diversity in the workplace is as critical as religious, gender and language diversity. Cultural diversity and information and communication.
For decades, the united states has seen an increasing number of immigrants, which has led to a significant increase in cultural diversity in the united states. Entrepreneurs are not necessarily motivated by profit but regard it as a standard for measuring achievement or success. It is your job to make the most of the diversity present in your company. Cultural diversity is a subject that has been getting growing attention not just internationally but also in sweden in the 21st century. Hiring a diverse staff for your business creates a workforce that possesses a wide range of skills, talents and ideas. Companies that have a clear diversity and inclusion policy and are seen to enforce this policy benefit from happier and more productive employees and a great. Executive summary best practices in achieving workforce diversity diversity affects the world advances in technology and the advent of a global economy bring the people of the world closer together than ever before.
The globalization of economies and the migration has dramatically increased opportunities while also affecting organizations in a manner that it. Aluko, olabisi onabanjo university, nigeria abstract. 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. From the virgin group to disney and pricewaterhousecoopers, organizations across industries are embracing the benefits of a diverse workforce. Study the views of various companies regarding the choice and implementation of workplace diversity. Cultural diversity in the workplace download ebook pdf. Diversity management, challenges and opportunities in. Workplace diversity and intercultural communication.
Diversity management, challenges and opportunities in multicultural organizations patrick a. Looking at how leaders, managers and nonmanagerial employees view diversity, it. Diversity, workplace, cultural mentoring, organisation. Diversity in the workforce journal of education and human.