By properly managing cultural diversity, an organization attracts employees with different talents to its workforce. This is because people feel free to show and use their talents. As a result, employees can highly contribute to organizational growth by using their skills to increase efficiency in production.
What does managing cultural diversity involve?
what is managing diversity Managing a culturally diverse workforce by recognizing common to specific groups of employees while dealing with such employees as individuals and supporting, nurturing, and utilizing their differences to the organization's advantage
What are the challenges of diversity management?
Top Challenges of Diversity In The Workplace
- Communication issues. When you have a diverse workforce, communication between team members can become challenging. ...
- Too many opinions. With their different backgrounds and experiences, diverse employees have different ways of approaching the same scenario and putting forth their ideas.
- Hostility. ...
- Diversity implementation challenges. ...
- Retain bad talent. ...
What exactly is "cultural diversity"?
There are many types of cultural diversity, some of them are: Biological diversity, a term that refers to everything that surrounds nature. Functional diversity, a sociological term that refers to physical limitations. Sexual diversity, related to human sexuality. Cultural Diversity, which refers to the cultural richness of a human group. Religious diversity, which includes all types of religion in the world. More items...
What does it mean to respect cultural diversity?
Respecting cultural diversity means to appreciate and learn from differences and celebrate and build on similarities. Each of us was born into a society with a specific culture, which is the foundation of our beliefs, values, knowledge and rituals.
Why is cultural diversity management important?
Cultural diversity helps develop and maximise skillsets A range of ideas and expertise enables those to learn from a more diverse collection of colleagues. It can also boost problem-solving capabilities and increase happiness and productivity.
What is cultural diversity and examples?
Cultural diversity (also known as multiculturalism) is a group of diverse individuals from different cultures or societies. Usually, cultural diversity takes into account language, religion, race, sexual orientation, gender, age and ethnicity.
What is the simple definition of cultural diversity?
Cultural diversity is the quality of diverse or different cultures, as opposed to monoculture, the global monoculture, or a homogenization of cultures, akin to cultural evolution. The term "cultural diversity" can also refer to having different cultures respect each other's differences.
What are the 4 types of cultural diversity?
There are generally four different types of diversity: internal, external, organizational, and worldview—and you should aim to understand and represent them all.
What are the benefits of cultural diversity?
Diverse cultural perspectives can inspire creativity and drive innovation. Local market knowledge and insight makes a business more competitive and profitable. Cultural sensitivity, insight, and local knowledge means higher quality, targeted marketing.
What are 3 examples of cultural diversity?
Cultural diversity includes:Race.Ethnicity.Sexual orientation.Religion.Language.Gender.Age.Disability.
What are the 6 types of cultural diversity?
Here's a breakdown of these forms of diversity:Cultural diversity. This type of diversity is related to each person's ethnicity and it's usually the set of norms we get from the society we were raised in or our family's values. ... Race diversity. ... Religious diversity. ... Age diversity. ... Sex / Gender / Sexual orientation. ... Disability.
How do you manage cultural diversity in the workplace?
How to Manage a Multicultural TeamOvercome Language and Cultural Barriers. ... Consider Different Cultural Communication Styles. ... Plan Projects Around Different Time Zones. ... Allow Prep Time Whenever Your Team Needs It. ... Be Open to All Cultures and Their Differences. ... Organize a Cross-Cultural Training. ... Avoid Stereotypes.More items...•
What are the 6 types of cultural diversity?
Here's a breakdown of these forms of diversity:Cultural diversity. This type of diversity is related to each person's ethnicity and it's usually the set of norms we get from the society we were raised in or our family's values. ... Race diversity. ... Religious diversity. ... Age diversity. ... Sex / Gender / Sexual orientation. ... Disability.
What is South Africa's cultural diversity?
Black African 80.9%, Colored 8.8%, White 7.8%, Indian/Asian 2.5% (2018 est.)
What are some typical examples of cultural diversity in the work force?
Types of cultural differences in the workplaceGenerational. People's outlook and values tend to vary based on their generation. ... Ethnic. Ethnic, racial and national backgrounds have a significant impact on workplace norms. ... Religious. ... Educational. ... Dress code. ... Feedback. ... Communication. ... Teamwork.More items...
How can we see cultural diversity in our daily life?
Cultural diversity and everyday life At the same time, we share and interact in the same environment which has many common values and norms, and we all act similarly in everyday events –like going to school or work, going for a walk, playing sports, shopping at the supermarket or watching television–.
What is cultural diversity?
Cultural diversity is synonymous with multiculturalism. Multiculturalism is defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as, “the view that cultures, races, and ethnicities, particularly those of minority groups, deserve special acknowledgment of their differences within a dominant political culture.”
Why is cultural diversity important?
Cultural diversity is important in every setting in life, but it can be even more pivotal when it happens within education. Students around the world have the right to equal access of quality education, and as such, there are many upsides that come along with it when institutions believe in the power of diversity.
How does cultural diversity help in education?
Cultural diversity in education helps to support: 1. Deep Learning. Learning happens within the curriculum and outside of it. With a diverse student population, students have the privilege of gaining more understanding about people and backgrounds from all over.
Why is it important to be culturally diverse?
If a workplace has done the necessary work, it’s bound to be culturally diverse. Attending a culturally diverse institute of education will prepare students for their future in a workplace.
What is culture in the world?
Culture is a broad term that encompasses beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and overall can be understood as our “way of being.”. When you go out into the world, you will come into contact with people from different backgrounds and walks of life. It’s a good rule of thumb to honor cultural diversity with your actions.
How to deal with cultural insensitivity?
Interact with people outside of your culture. Be open-minded to listen and let go of judgment. If you see anyone who is being culturally insensitive, speak out against it. Accept that differences are beneficial and not harmful. Don’t force your beliefs on people with opposing views.
Why is it important to have students from different cultures?
When students participate with people from varied cultures, it provides them with more confidence in dealing with things outside of their comfort zones. It can build strength of character, pride, and confidence.
Why is cultural diversity important?
This is because people feel free to show and use their talents. As a result, employees can highly contribute to organizational growth by using their skills to increase efficiency in production.
Why do employees leave a company when diversity is not well managed?
Moreover, employees will easily leave a firm where their diversity is not well managed because of the conflicts that are likely to prevail.
What are cultural frameworks used for?
On the same note, cultural frameworks have been used by many scholars in the past to study the cultural differences (Sirmon and peter 2004). Though they are not as objective as may be required, they will provide a good platform to understand national cultural differences (McSweeney 2002).
Why is resistance important in a different culture?
In a different cultural setting, it is important for an organization to adapt to the local culture if it has to win the market.
How does culture affect the social life of people?
It is also important to note that since culture involves internalization of norms, it ends up influencing the social life of people thus determining the materialistic and individualistic aspects of life, as well as the willingness of people to change.
How does culture affect people?
Culture determines how people conduct themselves and these includes the attitudes that people will have towards work and how they will manage time. Furthermore, culture influences national issues such as the socio-economical factors, political aspects and international relations (Kwok and Solomon 2006).
What is diversity in human life?
Diversity is an inherent characteristic that is found in virtually every aspect of human life. Culture being a unique aspect of human life differs from one region to the other (Moran, Harris & Sarah 2010).
How do different cultures affect the workplace?
Different cultures embrace different perspectives on important workplace issues, like time management, respect for authority, teamwork and responsibility. Conflicting interpretations of transparency and ethics, methods of communication and reluctance to give and receive feedback may also arise. When clients and co-workers operate based on diverse belief systems with conflicting attitudes, it creates barriers to on the job bonding. These barriers need to be broken down in order for an organization to run efficiently and harmoniously. The responsibility falls on the organization's leadership, and particularly HR professionals, to ensure that these issues are addressed and managed. To goal is to make each worker feel valued—and that their needs are being addressed and considered.
How to help senior leaders relate to other cultures?
Provide mentors cross culturally. This will help senior leadership relate to and understand people of other cultures as well as provide them with an experienced guide. Simply assigning a mentor is not enough; the mentoring relationship must be active. Senior leaders are not always comfortable with mentoring and may lack mentoring skills and motivation. Provide training to both mentors and mentees and institute a regular process for monitoring their progress.
What does "choose for talent, not quota" mean?
If you don’t have enough of a talent pool from which to select emerging leaders, then grow the pool. This means actively recruiting more diversity candidates for their leadership potential.
Is the American office diverse?
Jan 24, 2019. By Steve Morris. The typical American office has never been so diverse in terms of age, race, ethnicity and culture. In response, modern managers and HR professionals must come up with new solutions that embrace this growing diversity and learn how to manage cultural diversity.
Bruno Boj
"The program was an eye-opener as it taught me to look at the multicultural societies from a broader perspective. It prepared me to manage the diversity of people in organizations in a way everyone gets equal chances and opportunities."
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A Bachelor’s degree in general Culture Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Religious Studies, Communication Studies/Modern Language, Sociology, Anthropology, Business studies, HR studies, Organization studies.
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Why is Cultural Diversity important?
Recognizing that the world is made up of many different people from different backgrounds and cultures is the first step towards a more understanding and harmonious society. Differences are not what divides us, but rather it should be celebrated as something that unites us as humans.
How does cultural diversity affect healthcare?
Miscommunication in healthcare can have a devastating impact. Cultural diversity can ensure better and more efficient communication within the healthcare ecosystem.
What Is Cultural Competence?
To briefly describe the word culture, it is the distinct set of values, principles, norms, beliefs, and traditions that influence how individuals from a specific region or place think, perceive, behave, interpret, and decide on their judgments regarding their world.
What is a good Diversity quote?
Embracing cultural diversity is like a new great repeated way to experience our beautiful world new again, again, and again from new perspectives. Your life will become richer and richer every time you see it from a different len.
What is Cultural Identity?
Cultural identity is the most simple, essential cultural term anyone will encounter. Put it simply. Cultural identity refers to the idea of belonging to a particular tradition, heritage, ethnicity or nationality, and history.
What is Cultural Imperialism?
If others want to maintain their cultural isolation even at the expense of denying themselves the benefits of modern life and other cultures, sometimes it is because they have a regrettable experience regarding contact with others. Conquests and wars aside, they feel that others are out to obliterate their culture, heritage, tradition, and destiny.
How many stages are there in the cultural competence continuum?
The cultural competence continuum is composed of 6 stages that an individual undergoes to reach cultural proficiency. This model helps an individual to understand further the phases that are normally milestones for someone to be culturally competent.
What is diversity management?
Diversity management refers to organizational actions that aim to promote greater inclusion of employees from different backgrounds into an organization’s structure. Corporate Structure Corporate structure refers to the organization of different departments or business units within a company. Depending on a company’s goals and the industry.
Why are organizations adopting diversity management strategies?
Organizations are adopting diversity management strategies. as a response to the growing diversity of the workforce around the world. Advancements in technology now allow companies to hire and manage employees from around the world and in different time zones. Companies are designing specific programs and policies to enhance employee inclusion ...
What is intranational diversity?
Intranational diversity management refers to managing a workforce that comprises citizens or immigrants in a single national context. Diversity programs focus on providing employment opportunities to minority groups or recent immigrants.
What is cross national diversity management?
Cross-national, or international, diversity management refers to managing a workforce that comprises citizens from different countries. It may also involve immigrants from different countries who are seeking employment.
How can diversity be successful?
1. Commitment from top management. Workforce diversity can succeed if it is adopted by a shared vision within the company’s top management. The senior executives of an organization are responsible for policy formulation, and they can promote or eliminate workplace diversity depending on the policies they make.
How to encourage diversity in an organization?
The organization can start by encouraging and supporting its staff who volunteer in different causes such as a disability walk or an HIV/AIDs awareness forum.
Why is diversity important in business?
Unlike in the past when diversity management was viewed as a legal constraint, companies use the diversity strategy to tap into the potential of all employees and give the company a competitive advantage in its industry. It allows each employee, regardless of his/her race, religion, ethnicity, or origin to bring their talents and skills to the organization. A diverse workforce enables the organization to better serve clients from all over the world since diverse employees can understand their needs better.
What Is Diversity Management?
Diversity management, as part of HR management, is organizational action taken to promote the greater inclusion of employees across a variety of backgrounds. Its overall goal is to promote equality and diversity in the workplace through the social, cultural, and ethnic diversity of employees, by employing policies and strategies that are responsive to it.
How to implement diversity management practices?
In order to implement your HR diversity management practices, try and anchor your new values in concrete principles to ensure they are both present and measurable. Volkswagen, for example, has maintained its commitment to greater equality of opportunity and diversity within the company with its ‘TOGETHER Strategy 2025.’
How Should Diversity Management Be Structured?
As a rule, diversity management is integrated into a company’s HR or People function. However, some global corporations have whole teams or departments dedicated to it. These teams or employees typically help with some of the core tasks related to diversity management in the workplace, including:
What Are The Challenges In Managing Diversity At Work?
Although companies benefit from a diverse corporate culture, a very diverse range of employees working together also holds the potential for conflict. They are as follows:
How Do You Manage Diversity At Work?
We’ve already run through the importance of diversity in the workplace, but what are some of the key takeaways to ensure that you’re managing it effectively? Before we leave off today’s discussion, keep these five points in mind:
Why is diversity important in the workplace?
That’s because equality and diversity in the workplace can lead to better functioning teams, happier employees, and , on top of that, more revenue. Even though it sounds like an HR manager’s dream, diversity management can turn it all into a reality.
What is tokenism in diversity?
The tokenism problem: Candidates recruited as part of diversity programs are sometimes perceived as underperforming or over-advantaged “token minorities.” This can lead to a focus on their gender, skin color, or age rather than their abilities.
Why is multiculturalism a problem in project management?
And this creates problem in management because of the varied levels of misunderstanding. Instead of running away from this problem, it must be viewed as a challenge or a positive thing and be embraced.
How do cultural differences affect communication?
According to Dianna Booher, cultural differences create hotbeds of communication between project managers and their team. Even though “diversity” has been a frequent topic in many corporate training seminars, speeches and symposiums, there's still a big gulf between awareness of differences and appreciation. Appreciating the differences that is a result of attitude and motivation comes more slowly and with greater reward than mere acknowledgement.
What are the characteristics of a culture?
There are distinct features in which cultures differ from each other: the national character, perception, thinking, language, nonverbal communication, values, behaviors and social grouping to mention a few. Today, our society is so diverse and no doubt has resulted in creating numerous problems for an average project manager. Usually, the problem with verbal and nonverbal communication within a team is not only caused by the reluctance of Project Managers (PMs) to learn about the cultures of members of their team but also is as a result of the “cultural arrogance” of people from different parts of the world who found themselves in these countries and carry with them or loaded with their own ideas, terminology and ways of doing things and do not want to respect the values of their adopted countries.
Where do minority women come from?
Minority women come from all parts of the World and many of them are very visible in our workplaces. Some of the traits they display at work are shown below:
What does silence represent in culture?
Silence: People from some cultures like Nigeria, India, Japan to mention a few, feel comfortable with silence and discreetness, particularly with confidential information. They particularly admire someone who gives careful thought before answering questions or making a point. Americans talk to share feelings, Afro-Asians keeps quiet to share feelings. For North Americans, silence represents a breakdown in communication; for the Indians and Africans, silence represents harmony in communication.
Introduction
Importance of Managing Cultural Diversity
- If not well managed, cultural diversity can be detrimental to an organization or even the society as a whole. Culture can be defined as the collection of common believes, values and norms among a group of people which influences the behaviors, reactions and day-to-day activities of these people (Nelson and James 2012). Moreover, culture determines ...
Strategies of Managing Cultural Diversity
- In every aspect of life, the juniors usually follow what the seniors do. Therefore, organizations aiming at managing cultural diversity should start by implementing a plan where the managers and leaders will be required to incorporate diversity policies in every department of the organization (Bowen 2008). Arguably, success of cultural diversity management plan is highly d…
Challenges of Managing Cultural Diversity
- Though managing cultural diversity is a crucial aspect in any organization, it does not come without challenges. To begin with, there is communication barrier between different cultural backgrounds. Diversity management programs depend on the possibility of overcoming cultural and language barriers for their success (Ramady 2010). In this regard, all employees in an organ…
Conclusion
- It is a big fallacy for anybody to start imagining that a firm can operate without taking into consideration cultural diversity. Organizations are focusing on international markets for expansion of their customer base. It is important to note that foreign subsidiaries are compelled to work in different cultural settings from what they are used to (Javidan & Robert). People are socialized a…
References
- Abdallah, WM 2001, Managing Multinationals in the Middle East: Accounting and Tax Issues, Greenwood Publishing, Westport. Adler, NJ & Allison, G 2008, International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior,Cengage Learning, Hoboken. Ahlstrom, D & Garry, DB 2009, International Management: Strategy and Culture in the Emerging World, Cengage learning, Hoboken. Ball, DA …