Cultural Dicersity/ With References

Cultural Diversity in the Work Place

In today’s work environment, it has become more evident and vital than ever to foster cultural diversity. Business organizations that want to stay in business are integrating their global and local business efforts along with cultural diversification. However, the path that leads to cultural diversity is not an easy one. Issues and conflicts may slow down, and even restrain, efforts to integrate cultural diversity in the workforce, but the need to embrace and make cultural diversity work is a sensible and attainable prospect.

Diversity refers to all those differences that can mark human beings such as age, nationality, language; color of skin and the way people behave due to different cultural background. Prejudice is an unreasonable attitude or bias regarding those differences.

Awareness of workforce diversity has been growing since the late 1980's, when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Hudson Institute published "Workforce 2000." The report predicted major shortages of labor due to a drop in the nation's birth rate during the 1960's and 70's. Because the drop in birth rate was most profound among native-born Caucasian Americans, the report predicts a major shift in the demographics of the U.S. work force. White females, minorities and immigrants will comprise 85% of those entering the work force in the year 2000. This shift will change not just employment, but also benefits, advancement and other aspects of working in America.

As the workplace and marketplace continue to change, more and more companies are educating their employees on cultural diversity awareness. An understanding of the issues that arise due to the differences between gender, age, religion, lifestyles, beliefs, physical capabilities and cultures is needed to bring out the best in all of us. The creativity, flexibility and commitment gained from our interactions with other cultures and peoples will empower us all. Barbara Stern who is vice president of Boston-based Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC) argues that what has traditionally been a “soft” issue is now becoming a business necessity in terms of better serving customers, understanding markets, and obtaining full benefit from staff talents (Schmerhorn, pp.77).

The issues and conflicts that affect the effectiveness of cultural dive...

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...m feeling disregarded or left out, time wasted when conflicts and misunderstandings arise, and capital resources allocated on legal fees and settlements. Fortunately, today’s business organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of a more inclusive and equitable work environment as their bottom line.

When describing the need and path that business organizations require to stay competitive and successful in their local and global markets, cultural diversity will always require attention. Business organizations will not only understand and respond to the needs of its customers, but it will also ensure its survival and productive workforce.

References

Chen, Christine Y., Hickman, Jonathan. (2000, July 07) America's 50 Best Companies For Minorities [Online]. Reuters: fortune.com/ fortune/ diversity/ company4.html

Gardenswartz, Lee Ph. D., Rowe, Anita. Human resource focus, July 1998. V. 75 N7. PS1 (3) Why diversity matters.

Newstrom, J.W., Davis, Keith. (1993). Organizational behavior human behavior at work. NewYork: McGraw-Hill, Inc.

Schermerhorn, JR. jr., Hunt, J. G., Osborn, R.N. (2000). Organizational behavior. NewYork: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.