Multicultural Reviewer ages and providing cross-generation mentoring

Managing Cultural Diversity in the Workplace programs, these prejudices can be addressed
What is Cultural Diversity? 5. Workers with disabilities- disabilities can cover
• The Oxford Dictionary “the existence of a variety many differences, from the ability to form social
of cultural or ethnic groups within a society” relationships to physical disabilities. Part of this
• It’s a population where all differences are can be helped with a neurodiversity program, as
represented well as fighting against negative perceptions
• From a business perspective, types of workplace 6. Mental Health- focusing on mental health along
diversity include, “race, ethnicity, age, ability, with workplace wellness support can combat a
language, nationality, socioeconomic status, variety of issues, from absenteeism to behavioral
gender, religion, or sexual orientation” problems
• Is the representation of different cultural and 7. Neurodiversity- recognizing and providing a
ethnic groups in society supportive environment for those with
• [Workplace] it is the inclusion of employees from neurological differences that include dyslexia,
different backgrounds, different races, different autism and Tourette’s helps organizations to
sexual orientations and different political views celebrate differences and the benefits they can
Why is Cultural Diversity important? offer in well-matched job types.
• We’ve touched on the idea of the benefits cultural 8. Thought Style- different personalities and
diversity offers, but equality and diversity are thought styles can enhance creativity if the
something that hasn’t just received lip service individual and the role are well matched. In
within the media. There’s been extensive research contrast, it can cause stress if ill-matched
into its positive effects and the importance of Six Benefits of Cultural Diversity in the Workplace
business 1. Cultural diversity helps develop and maximize
• Is important give us solid stats to work from when skillsets- A culturally diverse workplace
thinking about its benefits empowers people to develop their talents and
skills
• Workplace diversity and inclusion allow
2. Cultural diversity improves the recruitment
businesses to build teams that bring different
process- surveys show that two-thirds of
viewpoints and talents to the mix, increasing
candidates cite diversity as an important
innovation and driving higher revenues.
consideration during a job hunt
Types of Workplace Diversity
3. Cultural diversity can help you to retain talent-
1. Gender- women make up a bigger percentage of
aside from attracting a broader talent pool in the
the workforce than ever before. But there is still a
first place, cultural diversity is the key to building
gap in terms of fair pay and the percentage of
the ideologies of respect between company and
women in leadership roles
employee, and cooperation
2. Race and ethnicity- as ethnic and racial identities
4. Cultural diversity improves your teams
evolve, standardized forms with ethnic groups fail
creativity- studies have shown the positive
to hit the mark. By opening the conversation with
impact a culturally diverse workforce can have on
employees and candidates on race and ethnicity,
a team and companies creativity
this goes a step towards improving cultural
5. Cultural diversity can help increase employee
diversity
engagement- the best way to learn about other
3. LGBT- the LGBT community includes a complex
cultures and ethnicities is by talking to someone
range of people in terms of backgrounds,
with that background
experiences and challenges. To work towards
6. Cultural diversity will improve your company’s
eliminating discrimination, careful attention
reputation- a company that employs people from
needs to be paid towards a strategy as an LGBT
all different types of cultures and backgrounds
employer
will be considered a good employer
4. Age- both younger and older workers can be
Lesson 1: One’s Global Perspective as a Tourism and
discriminated against in terms of preconceptions.
Hospitality Management
Through steps like opening apprenticeships to all
What is Global Perspective?
 • Comprehensive lens through which you see the • Globalization is the trend towards increasing
world around you. international interconnectedness among people
• It shapes your understanding of both your identity and entities worldwide.
and the identity of people you interact. • Driven by advances in technology and
• A global mindset includes understanding communication, it leads to the blending and
globalization and how regions are interconnected exchange of resources, products, and culture
economically, politically, and socially Types of Globalization
What are global perspective? 1. Social- refers to the idea a sha e now live in red
1. Interdependence and globalization – an society.
understanding of the complex social, economic 2. Cultural- refers to the spread and mixing of
and political links between people and the impact cultures around the world
that changes have on each other 3. Economic- refers to the increasing integration of
2. Identity and cultural diversity – an national economies around the world.
understanding of self and one’s own culture, and 4. Technological- refer to the spread of technology
being open to the culture of others around the world
3. Social Justice and Human Rights- an Global Perspectives
understanding of the impact of inequality and 1. Parochialism
discrimination, the importance of standing up for Etymology- The term Parochialism originates from the
our own rights and our own responsibility to idea of a Parish or ‘Parochia’ in Late Latin
respect the rights of others Meaning
4. Peace Building and Conflict Resolution- an • Viewing the world solely through one’s own eyes
understanding of the importance of building and and perspectives.
maintaining positive and trusting relationship and • Not recognizing that others have different ways of
ways conflict can be prevented or peacefully living and working.
resolved. • Falling into the trap of ignoring other’s values and
5. Sustainable Features- an understanding of the customs and rigidly applying an attitude of “ours
ways in which we can meet our current needs is better than theirs” to foreign cultures.
without diminishing the quality of the environment Example- Manager working in a global business world.
or reducing the capacity of future generations to 2. Ethnocentric Attitude
meet their own needs. Etymology- The word Ethnocentrism comes from the
Why Adopt a Global Perspective? Greek ethno, or "people" and centric, "center"
• An approach which takes into account the whole Meaning- A belief that one's own group, ethnicity, and
of human society and the environments in which nationality is of central importance and better than any
people live other
• An emphasis on the future, the dynamic nature of Example- Racism, Stereotypes, Xenophobia
human society, and each person’s capacity to 3. Polycentric Attitude
choose and shape preferred futures Etymology- The term polycentric comes from two Greek
• An opportunity to explore important themes such words: polús, meaning ‘many’ , and kentrikós, meaning
as change, interdependence, identity and ‘centre’
diversity, rights and responsibilities, peace Meaning- View that managers in the host country know
building, poverty and wealth, sustainability and the best work approaches and practices for running their
global justice business
• A focus on cooperative learning and action, and Example- diversified leadership
shared responsibility Best Approach-
• An emphasis on critical thinking and • Enhances market responsiveness
communication • Reduces cultural friction
• An opportunity to develop positive and • Utilizes local expertise
responsible values and attitudes, important skills 4. Geocentric Attitude
and an orientation to active participation
Globalization
Etymology- The word geocentric comes from the Greek • Nestle and Starbucks- it aims to elevate and
roots geo-, "earth, " and kentrikos, "pertaining to a grow the Starbucks brand in consumer-packaged
center." goods and out-of-home channels.
Meaning- A world-oriented view that focuses on using the • Uber and Spotify- Uber’s partnership with Spotify
best approaches and people from around the globe. lets Uber riders easily stream their Spotify playlist
Example- whenever they take a ride. This makes the Uber
• Open-minded attitude. experience feel more personalized, and
• Global view towards culture. encourages Uber riders to subscribe to Spotify
• Respecting origins at work. Premium (for more control of their tunes both
Best Approach- inside and outside Uber).
• Understanding of cross-cultural differences. 2. Joint Venture- A specific type of strategic alliance
• Consider and appreciate the differences of in which partners agree to form a separate,
customs and practices. independent organization for some business
Lesson 2: Types of International Organization purpose.
An International Organization is referring to global • Vitasoy & Universal Robina- Vitasoy
entities or associations that play a crucial role in International Holdings, Inc., the joint venture
promoting cooperation, standardization, and partner of URC in bringing nutritious and great-
understanding across different cultures. tasting plant milk to Filipinos, upholds the same
Multinational Corporation commitment to motivate, nurture, and reward
• Maintains operation in multiple countries. employees for their excellent performance.
• A company that has business operations in at Purpose: To promote high-quality sustainable plant-
least one country other that it's home country. based beverage products
Multi-domestic Corporation- MNC that decentralized • Subaru & Toyota- A collaboration between Toyota
management and other decisions to the local country. and Subaru to create BRZ sports car. In this
• H&M-H&M uses a multidomestic strategy by partnership, both companies shared their
adapting their products, stores and marketing to expertise in engineering and design to produce a
local tastes. The brand’s clothing lines show high-performance vehicle while maintaining their
fashion trends, the pricing, campaigns and store separate identities.
layout are customized for each market. 3. Foreign Subsidiary- Directly investing in a foreign
• Nestle- Nestle is a great example of a company country by setting up a separate and independent
that uses a multidomestic strategy. Nestle has a production facility or office
wide range of tastes and product variants to cater • A foreign subsidiary is a company that is wholly or
to local palates and nutritional requirements. partially owned by a parent company based in
• Johnson & Johnson- Johnson & Johnson uses a another country. It operates independently in the
multidomestic strategy by customizing their local market but is controlled by the parent,
healthcare products for several markets. To meet allowing the parent company to expand its global
local preferences and regulations they modify reach and manage operations abroad.
product formula, packaging and marketing • The Coca-Cola Company is an American
messaging. multinational corporation founded in 1892. It
Global Company- MNC that centralize it's management manufactures, sells and markets soft drinks
and other decisions in the home country. including Coca-Cola, other non-alcoholic
Transnational/Borderless/Corporation- MNC that has beverage concentrates and syrups, and alcoholic
eliminated artificial geographic barriers: organized along beverages.
business lines that reflect a egocentric attitude. Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. Owner: The Coca-
Other Forms of Globalization Cola Company
1. Strategic Alliances- Partnerships between an Parent: Aboitiz Equity Ventures (40%)
organization and a foreign company in which both Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (60%)
share resources and knowledge in developing new Lesson 3: Hofstede’s 5 Dimensions for Assessing
products or building new facilities. Cultures
What is culture, and how culture be understood 3. Masculinity vs. Feminity (MAS)- A dimension
through Hofstede’s cultural framework which also reffered to as “tough vs. tender”, and
Culture is "the collective programming of the mind which considers the preference of society for
distinguishes the member of one group or category of achievement, attitude towards sexuality equality,
people from another." behavior, etc.
Why is understanding of culture critical to a manager 4. Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)- this
in a global environment? dimension reflects a society’s tolerance for
Understanding culture enables managers to adapt their ambiguity and risk
strategies, foster positive working relationships, and 5. Long-Term vs Short-Term Orientation (LTO)-
effectively lead in diverse, global environments. Without Long term orientation focus on the future involves
this awareness, managers risk misalignment, conflict, delaying short term success or gratificiation in
and inefficiency in managing international teams or order to achieve long term growth. While Short
operations. term orientation focuses on the near future
involves delivering short term success
gradification.
6. Indulgence vs Restraint (IVR)- examines a
society's attitude towards enjoying life and
controlling impulses. Indulgent cultures place a
high value on leisure, pleasure, and self-
expression, while restrained cultures emphasize
moderation, discipline, and social norms.

What is the Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory?

It is developed by GEERT HOFSTEDE, is a framework used
to understand the differences in culture across countries
and to discern the ways that business is done across
different cultures.

Global Management in Today’s World

1. Challenges
• Openness associated with globalization
• Significant cultural differences (ex:
Americanization)
• Adjusting leadership styles, management and
approaches
2. Risk
• Loss of investments in unstable countries
6 Categories that define culture • Increase terrorist
1. Power Distance Index (PDI)- Measures the • Economic independence
degree to which less powerful members of a Lesson 4: Definition of Culture
society accept and expect power to be distributed Etymology- Comes from the Latin word “colore”,
unequally. meaning to build on, to cultivate, to foster
2. Individualism v.s Collectivism (IDV)- Edward Tylor- “Culture refers to that complex whole
Individualist cultures prioritize personal goals and which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law,
individual rights, while collectivist cultures customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired
emphasize group loyalty, teamwork, and shared by man as a member of society.”
responsibilities.
 • Encompasses objects and symbols, the meaning 6. Ethnocentric
given to those objects and symbols, and the 7. Adaptive
norms, values, and beliefs that fill our social life. Common Reactions towards other Cultures
• Language is a defining aspect of culture. 1. Culture Shock- Refers to the feeling of surprise
Ralph Linton- "A culture is a configuration of learned and disorientation that people experience when
behaviors and results of behavior whose component they encounter cultural practice that are different
elements are shared transmitted by the members of a from their own.
particular society.” 2. Ethnocentrism- Refers to the tendency to
A more simplified defined CULTURE: Is the totality of assume that one's culture represents the norm or
learned, socially transmitted customs, knowledge, are superior to all others.
material objects, and behavior. • Ethnocentrism, as sociologist William
Culture and Society Graham Sumner (1906) described the term,
• Members of society learn this culture and transmit involves a belief or attitude that one's own
it from one generation to the next. culture is better than all others.
• Culture which is learned, passes from one 3. Xenocentrism- Refers to the tendency to value
generation to the next through the process of goods and culture or even ideas from a country
Enculturation other than one's own as better.
ENCULTURATION: • Xenocentrism is the opposite of
• The social process by which culture is learned and ethnocentrism.
transmitted across the generations. Asian vs European Culture
• It is also important to take note that society and
culture are not one and the same.
• But rather Society is "a fairly large number of
people who live in the same territory, are relatively
independent of the outside it, and participate in a
common culture."
Examples/Types of Culture
• Material Culture- Includes all the physical things
that people create and attach meaning to. Lesson 5: Factors that Comprise Culture
• Nonmaterial Culture- Includes the habits we 8 Factors
follow, ideas, customs, and behaviors, that any 1. Nature
society professes and to which they strive to 3 Types of Value Orientation
conform. Controlled by Nature- societies that believe that things
Characteristics of Culture in life are preordained and they have no control over their
According to Leslie White: destinies.
• Culture originated when our ancestors acquired Harmony with Nature- societies that believe that people
the ability to use symbols, that is, to originate and must alter their behavior to be in harmony with nature.
bestow meaning on a thing or event, and, Mastering Nature- societies that view themselves as
correspondingly, to grasp and appreciate such having supremacy of the human race to master nature.
meanings (White 1959,p.3). 2. Time
• These abilities are to learn, to think symbolically, 3 Types of Value Orientation
to manipulate language, and to use tools and Past Orientation- societies that look to the past for
other cultural products in organizing their lives solutions to present problems
and coping with their environments. e.g. respect for elders
Characteristics of Culture Present Orientation- societies that consider the
1. Learned immediate effects of their actions e.g. American desire for
2. Transmitted instant gratification
3. Symbolic Future Orientation- societies that look to the long term
4. Integrated results e.g. Japanese emphasis on long term planning
5. Changeable
 3. Trust- In certain societies there is a high emphasis • Reduced Space- this happens in Japanese
on trust in relationships. Relationships are society the managers sit in the same room as
important and business deals are based on word all his staff without devisive walls. It
of honor between parties. emphasizes their collective and group
• In certain western societies instead, there is interaction for harmony
high emphasis on legal proceedings and rule Lesson 6: Dimensions of Organization Culture
of law. Business contracts are an essential Organizational Culture- A system of shared meanings
part of decision making deals. and common beliefs held by organization members that
4. Power/Authority determines, in a large degree, how they act towards each
• High Powder Distance- Societies with this other.
emphasizes hierarchy and authority. Respect “The way we do things around here”
and deference to the leader (the ultimate 1. Values
decision-maker) is essential. 2. Symbols
• Low Power Distance- Societies with this have 3. Rituals
a closer relationship between the leader and 4. Myths
the subordinate. Information exchange is 5. Practices
frequent and decisions as well as ideas can be Implications of Organizational Culture
generated both from the leader and the Culture is a Perception- Organizational culture is not
subordinate. universally experienced in the same way by every
5. Individualism member. Each employee interprets and understands the
3 Types of Value Orientation culture based on their personal experiences, beliefs, and
Individualistic- societies that believe that individuals values.
should be responsible for their own actions. Culture is Shared- A strong organizational culture is built
Lineal Relationship- societies that are concerned with on common beliefs and practices that bind members
family line and hierarchy. together.
Colineal Relationship- societies that are concerned with Culture is Descriptive- An organizational culture reflects
group interactions. the actual behaviors and practices within the
6. Masculinity organization, rather than what is stated in policies or
• High Masculinity- societies that believe in the mission statements. It describes how things really
predominance of men for decision-making and happen on the ground—how employees interact, make
commerce while women’s role is nurturing and decisions, and carry out their work.
care for family. Example of Organizational Culture
• Low Masculinity- societies that have equality Google’s Organizational Culture & its Characteristics
between the sexes for education, commerce and 1. Openness- Employees are encouraged to share
family information to support creativity and innovation.
7. Communication Google designs its workplaces to promote
• High Context- societies where communication communication among employees, helping them
between members and their feelings are not exchange ideas and improve their work.
explicitly made known 2. Innovation- Google’s culture motivates workers
• Low Context- societies where communication to think outside the box and come up with new
between members is in explicit and precise codes solutions. This helps the company stay
Body Language and Non-Verbal Messages: competitive in the fast-changing tech industry.
Varies across cultures – body language can have 3. Excellence- Employees are pushed to strive for
different meanings in different cultures excellent results and not settle for mediocrity.
8. Space Training programs aim to develop smart, highly
• Enclosed Space- this happens in Western skilled workers who are committed to improving
cultures where managers are given rooms and their performance.
the higher the rank, the larger the room. 4. Hands-On Approach- Google promotes learning
Privacy is emphasized by doing. Employees get involved in projects and
 experiments to develop their skills and contribute • Creates a stronger employee commitment to the
to new products and services. organization
5. Small-Company-Family Rapport- Google • Aids in the recruitment and socialization of new
encourages a friendly and supportive work employees
environment, which boosts morale and job • Fosters high organizational performance by
satisfaction. Employees can easily share ideas, instilling and promoting employee initiative
creating a sense of community. Organizations with high staff turnover often have weak
7 Dimensions of Culture Organization Culture cultures.
1. Innovation and Risk Taking- The degree to which Sources of Organizational Culture
employees are encouraged to be innovative and • Organization’s founder (Vision and Mission)
take risks. These companies not only encourage • Past practices of the organization (The way things
innovation but give employees company time to have been done)
work on their own projects. • The behavior of top management
2. Attention to Detail- The degree to which
employees are expected to exhibit precision,
analysis, and attention to detail. Detail-oriented
companies are all about meticulous attention to
details.
3. Outcome Orientation- The degree to which
managers focus on results or outcomes rather
than on the techniques and processes used to
achieve those outcomes. How Employees Learn Culture?
4. People Orientation- The degree to which
• Stories - Narratives of significant events or
management decisions take into consideration
actions of people that convey the spirit of the
the effect on people within the organization. They
organization
value fairness and are supportive of individuals’
• Rituals - Repetitive sequences of activities that
rights and dignity.
express and reinforce the values of the
5. Team Orientation- The degree to which work
organization
activities are organized around teams rather than
• Material Symbols - Physical assets distinguishing
individuals. This creates strong, solid
the organization
relationships within working groups.
• Language - Acronyms and jargons of terms,
6. Aggressiveness- The degree to which employees
phrases and word meanings specific to an
are aggressive and competitive rather than
organization
cooperative. Has been willing to make enemies in
Lesson 7: Skills Needed for Multicultural/Cross
order to survive and thrive.
Cultural Communication
7. Stability- The degree to which organizational
Present World Context If we observe the international
activities emphasize maintaining the status quo in
economy today you will find the following characteristics:
contrast to growth
• Important of foreign investments- foreign
Strong Versus Weak Cultures
investments are crucial for our economic growth
Strong Cultures- Are cultures in which key values are
as they provide capital, technology transfer, and
deeply and widely held
job creation. They can enhance productivity and
• Have a strong influence on organizational
competitiveness in local markets, foster
members
innovation, and improve infrastructure e.g.
Factors Influencing the Strength of Culture
Manufacturing.
• Size of the organization
• Lively and vibrate international business- It is
• Age of the organization
characterized by dynamic interactions among
• Rate of employee turnover
diverse cultures, innovative practices, and robust
• Strength of the original culture
trade networks. One key elements to a lively and
• Clarity of cultural values and beliefs vibrant international business environment is
Benefits of a Strong Culture Global Collaboration
 • MNCs, global companies, etc.- play a significant - Self-awareness is critical in cross-cultural
role in shaping the international business communication
landscape. Since these enterprises operate in - Understanding and acknowledging personal
multiple countries, they have a significant biases allows executive to communicate more
presence in several countries. They can quickly effectively and empathetically with diverse
respond to global market changes, adapting audiences
strategies based on international trends and 4. Develop sensitive communication skills
consumer behavior. - Cultivating sensitivity in communication involves
• Multinational employees within a company- being attentive to cultural differences in language,
employees who come from various cultural, gestures, and customs
linguistic, and educational backgrounds, can 5. Maintain a sense of humor- the person who
leverage their diverse skills and experiences to looks for example of offense may find them where
work more effectively on global projects. none is intended.
• A multi-language context- multi-language - Humor can bridge cultural gaps and create a
context businesses have a Broader Market Reach relaxed atmosphere. However, it’s important to be
since Multilingual capabilities enable companies mindful of cultural differences in humor to avoid
to tap into diverse markets, enhancing customer unintentional offense, fostering positive
engagement and expanding their customer base interactions.
e.g Enhanced Customer Service Lesson 8: Advantages and Disadvantages of Diversity
Cross cultural management/management in in Multicultural Workplace
multicultural diversity in the workplace is important in Introduction of Multicultural
human resources management, business strategy, is more complex than simply noticing the diversity or
localization of market, communication between differences that exist in society. Multiculturalism focuses
international business partners, etc. on being inclusiveness, understanding, respecting, and
Skills Needed for Cross-Cultural Communication acknowledging unequal power in society.
For the Individual: What’s the Difference between a Diverse and a
1. Self awareness Multicultural World?
2. Take the first step to communicate Diversity refers to the presence of differences within a
3. Look beyond the surface of custom, etc. of a given setting, such as a society, organization, or group.
culture Multiculturalism, on the other hand, is a broader social
4. Be curious about the culture, its internal policy or philosophy that not only acknowledges diversity
meanings but also actively promotes the inclusion and preservation
5. Be aware of cultural stereotypes, ethnocentricity. of different cultural identities.
Most actions and behaviors are culturally relative Advantages and Disadvantages of Diversity in
6. Look for commonalities between cultures and Multicultural Teams
build on them, instead of differences Advantages:
7. Do not criticize, seek first to understand • Increased creativity
For the tourism and hospitality business executive • Wide range of perspectives
1. Involve many different people in decisions • More and better ideas
- Engaging a diverse group in decision-making • Less ‘ groupthink’
helps incorporate a variety of perspectives • Diversity forces enhanced concentration to
2. Send a message that you value diversity by understand other ’ s ideas, meanings, and
reaching out to customers of a wide range of arguments
backgrounds and characteristics Disadvantages:
- Actively reaching out to customers from diverse • Lack of Cohesion
backgrounds demonstrates that you respect and • Mistrust / Stereotyping
appreciate different cultures • More within-culture conversations
3. Look at your own cultural biases. Assess • Miscommunication / Less accurate
whether these make sense in the light of your communication
audiences. • Less agreement on content
Lesson 9: Challenges/Problems when Managing • More difficult to manage team members from
Multicultural Diversity in the Workplace diverse backgrounds, language and culture.
Introduction Unwritten Code of Practice- “How do we do things
Managing multicultural diversity in the workplace can around here”
present unique challenges due to differences in cultural Unwritten codes of practice within companies are
values, beliefs, an communication styles. informal rules or expectations that guide behavior without
Can arise from: official policies or manuals. These rules often reflect the
• Misunderstanding company's culture and can be as influential as written
• Biases rules. They are routines followed by most employees,
• Conflicts sometimes not aligning with organizational expectations
Corporate Values/Philosophy-Top Management’s or values. These rules are employee beliefs about the way
Mindset things are done in the company.
This refers to the fundamental beliefs, principles, and Example:
aspirations that guide a company's operations, decision- • The women are not allowed to hold certain
making, and interactions with stakeholders. These values leadership positions.
often shape the company's culture, define its identity, and • Avoiding putting pregnant woman at reception
influence its overall performance. because it is “not resentable” for image company
Examples: Deeply held Prejudice/Bias Against Diversity as it
• Top management may have preferences/bias makes it difficult to fulfill own KPIS
against diversity---fear less “profitable” for • Deeply held prejudice/bias - strong negative
company beliefs or attitudes towards people from different
• Top management does not have diversity code of cultures. These biases can be difficult to eradicate
practice because they are often deeply ingrained and may
• Diversity will only be accepted only if it profits the stem from personal experiences, cultural
organization and not bog the organization down. upbringing, or societal influences.
• Many companies are silent on diversity and many • Focus on individual KPIs - The staff's primary
have to accept it as an inevitable business reality focus on achieving their individual KPIs in a
More “Troublesome” (Time Spent Training, Managing stressful work environment can lead to resistance
Different Needs) towards hiring diverse individuals, as it may be
This discusses the challenges and potential benefits of perceived as adding more workload to existing
hiring foreign workers. It highlights the “troublesome” staff members.
aspects, such as the time spent training and managing Let Us Remember
different needs, and the potential problems that may • Diversity is the real or perceived differences between
arise due to cultural differences. individuals. This can include race, gender, sexual
orientation, size, cultural background, and much more.
• “Troublesome” aspects: The challenges
• Multiculturalism is a term that is similar to diversity, but
associated with hiring foreign workers, such as
it focuses on development of a greater understanding
training, managing different needs, and potential of how power in society can be unequal due to race,
cultural conflicts. gender, sexual orientation, power, and privilege.
• Cultural Differences: The differences in values, • Power and privilege is a system of advantages based on
beliefs and behaviors between people from one’s race, gender, and sexual orientation. This system
different culture. can often be invisible (to those who have it), which
• Inclusive Culture: A workplace where everyone results in one race or gender having unequal power in
feels valued, respected and included, regardless the workplace. Of course, this unequal power results in
unfairness, which may be of legal concern.
of their background or culture.
• Diversity is important to the success of organizations.
Examples:
Many studies have shown a direct link between the
• Hiring a foreign construction worker may give amount of diversity in a workplace and the company’s
other problem (e.g. housing, social behavior, etc.) success.
• Time and effort needed to assimilate foreigners
into local and organizational culture.