Abstract This paper discusses how the current businessenvironment is one of extreme competition and how culturaldiversity is one area that is often described as a method of achieving competitive advantage especially with reduced trade barriers within the international market. It examines how having employees of different cultural backgrounds is an effective way of building these social and business networks since employees from different cultural backgrounds have an understanding of the other culture. It also shows how a culturallydiverse workplace gives all employees the skills to communicate with any individual regardless of individual differences which increases the flexibility of the organization and enhances creativity within the organization.
From the Paper "With business becoming more international, organizations need to consider other countries and cultures. This could be simply to serve customers in other countries, to purchase supplies from other countries or to set up operations in other countries. A multicultural workforce means that employees are available that may represent the other culture. One article argues that cultural barriers are a major reason that companies do not pursue opportunities in other countries. The author argues that business and social networks that operate across national borders can overcome these barriers (Rauch 2001). Having employees of different cultural backgrounds is an effective way of building these social and business networks."
Abstract Summary: The purpose of this paper is to come up with effective strategies for the integration of a "culturallydiverse" employee (in this case, a 27-year-old single Japanese female) into the workplace of an American manufacturing facility.
This well-researched and informative paper analyzes the positive as well as productive aspects of maintaining a culturallydiverse staff while focusing mainly in the field of retail.
Abstract This paper discusses the benefits to the psychological well-being of a culturallydiverse workforce. This paper provides various strategies and methods for creating and maintaining a culturallydiverse workforce while also stressing the importance in equality amongst the genders. The writer of this in-depth paper contends and explains why the creation of a culturallydiverse workforce can and will ensure the long-term success of a business organization. The writer delves into the hiring practices of the Wal-Mart Corporation as well as other companies while discussing the pros and cons of their business practices as they relate to implementing a culturallydiverse staff. This paper also explores the issue of sexual and cultural discrimination in the workplace. This paper supplies the results of various published studies as well as statistics and data relevant to this particular topic.
From the Paper "Of course, there are many ways to view possible differences between cultures. Value systems work in some cases, but in others, something like power distance comparisons might be used. Relying on an interpretation of value system differences would be exceptionally useful in a group of collaborators, to guide discussions and prevent disagreements from deteriorating into loud arguments. Understanding cultural differences based on a system of power distances can help immensely when dealing with manager-employee relationships instead.
There are many "large-power-distance cultures". Virtually every society other than the American places more emphasis on the leader as leader. American managers working with multicultural groups may attempt to involve all employees in the decision-making process."
Abstract This paper discusses business values and culturaldiversity. It includes a background section outlining diversity programs in the workplace, as well as legal, ethical and social responsibility sections. Culturaldiversity in the workplace is considered from the utilitarian ethical standpoint.
From the Paper "Recent years have seen considerable attention paid to diversity programs in the workplace. Affirmative action has come under ..."
Tags:culturaldiversity, ethics, utilitarianism, utilitarian ethics, social responsibility
Abstract Southern California teachers have many issues to face in the classroom. Many students have special needs due to disabilities or because they are gifted. This paper shows that, in California, teachers have to be especially prepared for culturaldiversity. They must make adjustments in instructional and behavioral strategies and to their own biases. The paper includes new ways of looking at diversity and teaching methods to introduce. It also includes a table.
Paper Outline:
Abstract
CulturalDiversity in the California Classroom
Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies
Behavior Strategies
Final Thoughts
References
From the Paper "Dealing with molding behavior for a multicultural group is very similar to any group of students. Children need to feel respected and involved to behave appropriately. When diversity enters the classroom respect comes through cross-cultural understanding. The teacher can facilitate respect by modeling and reinforcing appropriate behavior (Burnette, 1999). There will be some students in the classroom that come from a multi-cultural household. These students have already crossed the barriers of diversity and are wonderful role models for uneducated students."
Abstract This paper explores the importance of culturaldiversity in nursing. The paper examines both the legal, and the moral/ethical obligations of professionals in the field to represent and embrace diversity. The paper concludes that in order to reach this goal, nursing education must include more trans-cultural coursework and emphasis.
From the Paper "Developing sensitivity to diversity is not only a legal obligation in the United States. It is also a moral and ethical obligation that speaks directly to aspects of the social contract and the longstanding human need..."
Abstract This paper states that the still very popular television series "Friends" is geared mainly toward a white audience, which is not representative of today's American landscape, and yet very much represents the marginal way diversity is presented in most television series. The author points out that the all-white "Friends" is being replaced by new sitcoms, such as "Scrubs", with more diverse casts although the main characters are still mainly white. The paper relates that even shows such as "George Lopez", based solely on a Hispanic family living in Los Angeles, fail to present culturaldiversity.
From the Paper "I feel the media relies too heavily on the stereotypical normalcies when showing certain minority groups on television. Most television, as well as motion pictures, portrays the white guy as the "good guy" and most other races as the "bad guy." If they are not the "bad guys," they are usually portrayed as the goofy sidekicks. Most programs, "Friends" is no exception, only use minorities in roles that will portray them a certain way. These may include the Asian dry cleaner owner, the Arab taxicab driver, the African-American gangster, ..."
Abstract This paper examines culturaldiversity in the media. The author focuses upon issues involving media panics, labeling, cultural background reports, anti-racism, subtle and blatant racism, programming quality, and the relationship between the media and violence.
This paper reviews and examines Carlos Cortes' book "The Children are Watching: How the Media Teach About Diversity" which focuses on the impact of television on children.
Abstract This paper analyzes the quality of the television programming content currently geared towards younger audiences while focusing on the lack of culturaldiversity in both film and television. This paper discusses the stereotypical manner in which minorities are often portrayed in film and television and its negative impact on young viewers. This paper examines the author's contention that professional educators must be more involved in the type of content being shown on television. The writer contends and explains why it is imperative for teachers to discuss with their students what they are seeing on television as well as how they perceive what they are seeing.
From the Paper "Cortes is a consultant with the people who make the Dora cartoon on television. He says the producers are trying very hard to show Dora's life correctly. Even though she is a cartoon, it has looks and sounds like Latin America. The show has a panel of people from Latin America who look at the cartoons. They are from countries like Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica and Argentina. "The idea is to put across messages of understanding, of building cross-cultural, bilingual bridges," Cortes says.
He also likes NBC's "Homicide: Life on the Street," because it shows that a multi-ethnic television show can be liked by a diverse audience. He also likes that the 1997 TV musical, "Cinderella," by Whitney Houston, had an African-American Cinderella with a Filipino-American Prince Charming. "I loved the way it included every combination of interracial couple in the ballroom scene," he says."
Tags: television, film, cultural, diversity, minority, educator, youth, children
A study of the constantly changing global businessenvironment and how effective human resource planning enables organizations to achieve their strategic objectives.
Abstract This paper critically evaluates the effects of technology and strategic human resource planning on the development of business enterprise in the turbulent global environment. It examines the effects of changes in human resource planning on the businessenvironment and compares experiences within the United States and developing countries.
From the Paper "Today more than ever, organizations must capitalize on a changing business environment, improve profitability and overall productivity, formulate and implement a planning process and make better strategic decisions. Perhaps the most striking change in Human Resource Management today is its increased involvement in human resource planning, while developing and implementing the company's strategy (the company's long-term plan for how it will balance its internal strengths and weaknesses with its external opportunities and threats to maintain a competitive advantage ). The concept of human resource planning takes an added significance, therefore, in firms that build their competitive advantage around their people. However, there are several basic trends, which pose a threat to the accuracy and validity of human resource planning predictions, and which prove to be important factors in determining the strategic direction of most firms today. The most obvious of these trends is the globalization of markets. Firms in days gone by, that competed only with local firms, now face competition from foreign firms. As one expert puts it, ?The bottom line is that the growing integration of the world economy into a single, huge market place is increasing the intensity of competition in a wide range of manufacturing and service industries.? Deregulation has reinforced this trend, as nations eliminate the legal barriers that protected industries from unbridled competition. More globalization means more competition and more competition means more pressures to improve the quality of the business sector ? that is; lowering costs to make employers more productive, and to find new ways of achieving cost-effectiveness while creating an avenue for doing things in better and more dynamic ways. Similarly, the Internet and Information Technology have been forcing and enabling firms to become more competitive. Technology is doing more than merely reducing costs and opening up new ways to compete; it also changes the nature of work and creates brand new kinds of jobs. Technology, however, is not the only trend driving the changes in the business environment, as workforce demographics are also changing. Of note, the workforce is becoming more diverse, as women, minority group members and older workers enter the workforce. Today, it is the firm's workforce ? that is, its knowledge, commitment, skills and training, that provides the competitive advantage, for World Class Companies, like Microsoft, Sony, AOL, and General Electrics (GE). For this purpose, increased attention has been given to the Human Resource Planning process: from the input stage, through analysis, forecasting, and implementation to evaluation and redesign of the Human Resource Plan."
Abstract In today's sports, business, academic and other professional environments, conventional wisdom suggests that demographic and culturaldiversity contribute positively to enhanced performance by groups or teams. Recent research suggests, however, that while diverse skills and abilities may in fact enhance group or team performance, demographic diversity (e.g. differences among team or group members in language, cultural, referential, or social background) may detract from it. This paper explores factors that make a group into a winning team, as well as analyzes both positive and negative effects of demographic characteristics and culturaldiversity, on group and team behavior and performance.
From the Paper "As demonstrated, then, within research; current events, and popular culture alike, demographic and/or cultural diversity either may or may not enhance a team's or a group's performance, depending on the group or team itself; its members; its management and/or other influences; and its shared values, goals, and philosophies. Diversity of skill and ability, research shows, is in general more likely to enhance group or team performance than is cultural diversity."
Abstract A culturallydiverse work place is one that includes people from various cultural backgrounds. This paper examines how this difference can be beneficial in the current businessenvironment and the criteria in order to make it succeed. It begins with an explanation of the various sources of competitive advantage related to it followed by a discussion of the characteristics of a successful multicultural organization. It concludes by evaluating the skills required of a manager in order to run a mulitcultural organization efficiently.
From the Paper "Having a multicultural workforce assists in customer focus because it helps ensure a better understanding of who the customer is. For example, a company consisting only of educated, white males would find it difficult to consider the many different types of customers they are appealing to. In contrast, a multicultural company with a mix of cultures would be better able to recognize the many different characteristics of their target customers. This applies equally within America and in regards to international business."
Abstract The global businessenvironment means that anyone who decides to do business in a foreign country should be familiar with the practices of the host country. One of the best examples may refer to an American airline based in the Middle East. Indeed, the Middle East and Arab world is an excellent example in which to analyze cultural differences, based on the well-known models developed by Geert Hofstede and Fons Trompenaars. This paper identifies the different models that discuss cultural differences. The paper outlines some of the problems that may appear in a Middle East-based operation and provides several solutions and answers to the issues raised.
From the Paper "In terms of control, the American management style promotes a direct form of control, with an emphasis on the individual performance. In the Middle East, the performance of the group is controlled and analyzed rather than the individual performance. As for coordination, the American management style means that the leader or manager coordinates the group and information generally goes from top to bottom. In the Middle East, information is generally done from bottom to top, in a sort of feedback essential for decisions."
Abstract This paper explores the impact that culturaldiversity is having on large businesses. It contends that the success of large firms depends upon their acknowledgment of culturaldiversity within their employee and consumer base. It also asserts that companies must implement human resource management strategies that take this diversity into consideration. The paper looks at some of the challenges companies face when their work force is multicultural and suggests that companies must upgrade and enhance the cross-cultural skills of company executives and managers in order to maintain a competitive advantage. Also examined are various domestic diversity models developed in order to deal with some of the problems associated with culturaldiversity and the ways in which they attempt to redress past grievances, cover the weaknesses of domestic diversity differences, and help organizations avert future problems.
From the Paper "The famous 'Fortune' magazine in its issue of 1994 notes that there has been a 2500 percent increase in the total volume of international trade between the period of 1960 and 1993, with numerous business organizations expanding their business portfolios from domestic to the international arenas. (Fortune, 1993) The same magazine in its issue of 1997 also noted that world trade witnessed a tremendous growth rate that was even faster that the world gross domestic product. (Fortune, 1997). It was further noted that the majority of chief executive officers of large national organizations expected that both employment and revenue generation would comprise largely from sources outside the organization's home country, and further that the success of such organization depended upon an effective management of human resources, and keeping an competitive advantage edge over their nearest competitors through such measures as alignment of human resource management strategies and diverse cultures."
