Diversity in the Workplace
Diversity in the Workplace, an Asset if Monitored Efficiently
Introduction
“It’s hard to define what diversity is because everyone has an opinion” (Working Woman magazine, October 2000) Workplace diversity is a personal issue, and it focusses on the characteristics that are brought into the firm. Whether it is attributes or differences that separate these people, these cultural dimensions that are introduced to any workforce can provide businesses with different options for further business growth or it can hold a business back. Carr-Ruffino suggests that “workplace diversity can be a major source of innovation, global savvy and profitability – or a source of conflict and chaos.” (Carr-Ruffino, 1999) Diversity can become a crucial component of a business’s success or can turn out to be major downfall in the future and I plan to discuss the factors that ensure that successful management diversity is implemented to its full potential, meanwhile highlighting the possible future benefits/drawbacks depending on how well it’s applied. Therefore there is a major emphasis on management to ensure that it provides the firm with future advantages. But what is diversity management? Some suggest there isn’t enough research done on the matter. Thomas 1991 defines it as “a comprehensive managerial process for developing an environment that works for all employees.” This implies that everyone must buy into diversity management; it’s not just the management. Another view is that “it requires one to look at the culture and mind set of an organisation and different perspectives that people being to an organisation.” (United Nations, 2000) I will demonstrate what is crucial towards the success of successful diversity management, including examples of how firms have dealt with this worldwide issue.
The Rise of Diversity Worldwide
So how much of an issue is diversity in the workplace? Well considering the higher numbers of diverse people entering the workplace, it was always going
Introduction
“It’s hard to define what diversity is because everyone has an opinion” (Working Woman magazine, October 2000) Workplace diversity is a personal issue, and it focusses on the characteristics that are brought into the firm. Whether it is attributes or differences that separate these people, these cultural dimensions that are introduced to any workforce can provide businesses with different options for further business growth or it can hold a business back. Carr-Ruffino suggests that “workplace diversity can be a major source of innovation, global savvy and profitability – or a source of conflict and chaos.” (Carr-Ruffino, 1999) Diversity can become a crucial component of a business’s success or can turn out to be major downfall in the future and I plan to discuss the factors that ensure that successful management diversity is implemented to its full potential, meanwhile highlighting the possible future benefits/drawbacks depending on how well it’s applied. Therefore there is a major emphasis on management to ensure that it provides the firm with future advantages. But what is diversity management? Some suggest there isn’t enough research done on the matter. Thomas 1991 defines it as “a comprehensive managerial process for developing an environment that works for all employees.” This implies that everyone must buy into diversity management; it’s not just the management. Another view is that “it requires one to look at the culture and mind set of an organisation and different perspectives that people being to an organisation.” (United Nations, 2000) I will demonstrate what is crucial towards the success of successful diversity management, including examples of how firms have dealt with this worldwide issue.
The Rise of Diversity Worldwide
So how much of an issue is diversity in the workplace? Well considering the higher numbers of diverse people entering the workplace, it was always going
References: Norma Carr-Ruffino (1999) Diversity Success Strategies, Butterworth-Heinemann, Woburn, Massachusetts Michael R Mustafa F.Ozbilgin (2007) Managing Diversity in Practice, supporting business goals, CIPD, Great Britain by Short run press limited, Exeter Peter J