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Importance of managing diversity
Importance of managing diversity
Importance of positively promoting diversity
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Introduction
Diversity is generally defined as acknowledging, understanding, accepting, valuing and celebrating differences among people with respect to age, class, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, spiritual practice, and public assistance status (Etsy,et al. 1995).
The idea of diversity emerged when globalisation came into the picture in 1990-91 (Bhatia, 2008). As globalization began to affect organisations, there was a coverage of workplace from diverse countries, cultures, values, and styles that presented tremendous opportunities as well as challenges (Bhatia, 2008). Organisations can have the ultimate lead in the market place if effective human resources are in place. Now in the 21st century, it is not an option but a necessity to embrace diversity. With all the available talent available, companies can no longer afford to restrict its ability to recruit talented employees because of his differences that did not sit well with the company.
Fortunately, organizations are becoming more comfortable with diversity. It is typically seen in an organization to have a diverse workforce; different race and ethnicity, gender, the handicapped, gays and lesbians, elderly, and people who are significantly overweight. Even though they work together, each of them maintain their characteristic, lifestyles, and their distinct identity. It is necessary for managers today to have the knowledge to live with these diverse culture in the office. If diversity in an organisation is properly managed, it can make a company blossom very quickly because of all the raw and fresh ideas, different perspective, and an increase of innovation and creativity that could not possibly be achieved without such diversity.
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...nd properly, it will allow for smooth communication and can possibly bring high value to the company. To solve most of the problems when it comes to managing diversity, it will be easier for companies to start off with a diverse group than companies that doesn’t because once a culture is formed in an organisation, it will be hard to break that culture.
References
Baltzan, P., 2011. Due Dilligence:// DUI in Gold Cart. s.l.:McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Bhatia, S., 2008. Diversity Management The Challenges And Opportunities. [Online]
Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/shruti27bhatia/diversity-management-the-challenges-and-opportunities-presentation
[Accessed 4 April 2014].
Punwani, T., 2007. Doing business abroad? Simple faux pas can sink you. [Online]
Available at: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2007-08-23-faux-pas_N.htm
[Accessed 4 April 2014].
The real definition of diversity includes different elements of the identity and culture of each person. Diversity involves cultural differences, such as origins, religious or political affiliation, race, and gender, and other more profound differences, such as experiences and personality. As Banks argues in her research, the real definition involves several elements of our identity (149). Therefore, the way in which we define and conceptualize diversity affects the way in which we interact with people of others culture, race, and affiliations.
Diversity has many definitions but only one true meaning. This concept Analysis is dedicated to exploring the broadened sense of diversity through active concepts with respect to term usage, and current literature research to support the understanding and relevance of the term itself.
Diversity can be defined as the act of being different in any given situation and happens
Now more than ever a company needs to be diverse in their leadership and throughout the entire company. Moreover, to reach this extraordinarily diverse market, it takes an extremely diverse workforce that is able to tap into to their various differences to understand exactly what a diverse customer base needs and wants, which provides greater innovation in productivity. Furthermore, research has proven that for every 1 percent rise in gender diversity there is an increase in sales of 3% and in for each 1 percent increase in ethnic diversity there is a 9% rise in sales, this can equate large revenues for the firm that reaps the rewards of having a diverse staff (Smedley, 2014).
Traditionally, diversity refers to an assortment of races, ethnicities, genders, ages, disabilities and perhaps sexual orientations. A definition of diversity, however, should not be constrained by traditional categories such as these. Such a definition should also include categories such as religion, educational level, life experience, geographic location, socio-economic background, marital status and work experience. Indeed, each person employed by a company possesses unique qualities that encompass many factors.
The impact of diversity in the workplace is contingent upon several factors. Across companies diversified workforces are becoming increasingly common. To successfully manage a diverse workforce, organizations are ensuring that employees understand how their values and stereotypes influence their behavior toward others of different gender, ethnic, racial, or religious backgrounds; are gaining an appreciation of cultural differences among themselves; and behaviors that isolate or intimidate minorities are being improved (Noe et al., 2010, pg. 302).
Diversity is defined as race, gender, age, language, physical characteristics, disability, sexual orientation, economic status, parental status, education, geographic origin, profession, life-style, religion, personality, position in the company hierarchy and any other difference[3]. In other words, diversity refers to ...
Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organisation, Diversity comes down to acceptance, respect and understanding of one another in the workplace, even when you may disagree, you need to be understanding and try your best to relate to everyone and embrace their unique differences.
When diversity is not taken into full account or at least not well managed, an organisation does not fully address the needs of its members. Put simply, when an organisation does not put premium on diversity, it comes short in integrating the desires and potentials of the huge portion of its workplace. Inability to manage diversity put risks to organisational growth and sustainability. A claim can also be said that valuing diversity does not provide tangible or direct results or proof of productivity and job satisfaction to the workforce. It is also difficult to prove that managing diversity directly correlates to high performance, greater job satisfaction and improved competitive advantage. It is but reasonable that promoting and valuing diversity be subject to continuous examination in order to establish the tenability of its supposed benefits to the organisation. Diversity is also in danger among employees who suppress their diverse or unique characteristics when drawn towards simplistic and convenient conformity to the stereotype of a ‘good employee’. One of the outstanding factors that weakens diversity is the general attitude of the management and leadership approaching diversity more as a challenge than opportunity for business growth. Resistance to diversity is more than an attitudinal issue. It also reflects the leadership and management approach that
There are several definition of diversity depends on the context. In general, diversity concerns to personal or group's socio-demographic behaviour
Diversity is defined as “a state of being different” however, the meaning extends further than just culture and race. It is a concept which revolves around acceptance and respect. Understanding each individual, their tradition, their belief, their uniqueness, and their importance in the community builds up the true meaning of diversity.
In spite of the view as espoused by the scholars above, diversity can be managed properly to achieve the intended benefits. The concept of concept of diversity management is clear and unambiguous in definition and it is often interchanged with the term managing diversity. The concept was first introduced in the United States in the 1980s. RR Thomas wrote in 1991: ‘Managing diversity is an idea whose time has come. The majority of corporations and organizations are becoming conscious of the fact that a diverse workforce is not a burden, but rather their greatest potential strength; when managed properly’ (Thomas 1991, viii). According to McCuiston et al. (2004), for example, proper implementation of policies to promote workplace diversity can result in an improved bottom line; increased competitive advantage; superior business performance; higher levels of employee satisfaction and loyalty; a strengthened relationship with multicultural communities, and attracting the best and the brightest candidates. Indeed, contemporary scholars concur: having and making use of a diverse workforce is beneficial to organisations (Stewart and Brown, 2010; Ivancevich and Konopaske, 2012; Dessler, 2013; Mathis et al., 2013; Mondy and Mondy, 2014; Noe et al.,
The researcher believes, in this fast-changing era, any kind of company or organization should be able to improve the quality of workplace diversity by having some important main factor to boost the new paradigm of a diverse workplace, such as:
The importance of diversity in the workplace that it can aid in a competitive framework
Diversity also gives many type of organizational culture inside the organization such as an employees can pursuing themselves into career position without being afraid with the gender, race, religion, nationality and other relevant factors that may relevant with the performance (Bryan, 1999). Besides, the diversity also brings the conve...