Journal-type
I need you to write Journal which is about the topic down:
we are focusing on diversity and the impact of diversity in organizations. This assignment reinforces and expands on this topic by exploring how our biases influence the way we interact with others and information.
Please reflect on what you know/think and write a journal-type entry of about 500-750 words. Below are questions to consider as you prepare to write. However, your journal
entry does not have to be limited to exploring and answering these questions:
1.What are possible challenges that you see for yourself regarding overcoming biases?
2.Have you ever tried to overcome a bias that you were aware of? What did you do to change it?
3.How would content from Chapter 2 related to overcoming biases?
4.What have been your experiences working with diverse colleagues? Colleagues of different ages? Colleagues from different cultures? Different backgrounds? Different demographics? Was the experience different from what you expected? Why or why not?
I did attach chapter 2 PowerPoint you may need it.
Organizational Behavior: Bridging Science and Practice, v3.0
Talya Bauer and Berrin Erdogan
©FlatWorld 2018
0
Chapter Learning Objectives
Understand what constitutes diversity.
Explain the benefits of inclusiveness.
Describe challenges of managing a workforce with diverse demographics.
Describe the challenges of managing a multicultural workforce.
Understand diversity and ethics.
Understand cross-cultural issues regarding diversity.
©FlatWorld 2018
Demographic Diversity
Diversity refers to the ways in which people are similar or different from each other
Any characteristic that varies such as gender, race, age, education, tenure, physical abilities, sexual orientation, religion, or functional background
1-2
©FlatWorld 2018
2
Benefits of Diversity
When examined with inclusion, there are many benefits of diversity
Inclusion involves allowing individuals to bring aspects of themselves that make them unique, while also being treated as insiders
The organization makes efforts to ensure that all individuals are allowed to participate in the organization fully
©FlatWorld 2018
Benefits of Diversity (Continued)
Higher Creativity in Decision-Making
In teams with different opinions and perspectives, people are more likely to consider alternatives and think outside the box
Research shows that diversity in values, thinking styles, knowledge, skills, and beliefs can stimulate creativity in members
©FlatWorld 2018
Benefits of Diversity (Continued)
Better Understanding and Service of Customers
A company with a diverse workforce may create products or services that appeal to a broader customer base
Companies lacking diversity may not be able to meet the needs of a particular segment of the population
More Satisfied Workforce
Employees that feel they are fairly treated tend to be more satisfied
Organizations with high employee satisfaction have lower turnover
©FlatWorld 2018
Benefits of Diversity (Continued)
Higher Stock Prices
Diversity can be a factor in how investors view how well a company is being managed which can impact stock market performance
Declines in stock prices can be seen for companies that announce settlements for discrimination lawsuits
Lower Litigation Expenses
Employees that feel discriminated against may file a complaint
The EEOC acts as a mediator between the company and the employee
©FlatWorld 2018
Benefits of Diversity (Continued)
Higher Company Performance
Companies that manage diversity more effectively tend to outperform others
Research shows a positive relationship between a company’s racial diversity and its performance
©FlatWorld 2018
Challenges of Diversity
Similarity-Attraction Phenomenon
The similarity-attraction phenomenon is the tendency to be more attracted to individuals who are similar to us
Risk in hiring because the hiring manager may feel more comfortable with someone similar to them
Even when candidates from underrepresented groups are hired, they may receive different treatment within the organization
©FlatWorld 2018
Challenges of Diversity (Continued)
Stereotypes and Unconscious Bias
Stereotypes are generalizations about a particular group of people
Unconscious biases are stereotypes held outside of conscious awareness
The problem lies in using stereotypes or unconscious bias to make decisions (as opposed to using data)
Steps to prevent stereotypes from affecting decisions:
Holding “blind” auditions or interviews
Removing personal data from applications
Making structural changes impacting employment decisions
©FlatWorld 2018
Specific Diversity Issues
Gender Diversity in the Workplace
Three laws prohibit gender discrimination:
The Equal Pay Act (1963) – prohibits discrimination in pay based on gender
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964) – prohibits discrimination in all employment-related decisions based on gender
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (2009) – gives employees 180 days to file a claim regarding a paycheck
©FlatWorld 2018
10
Specific Diversity Issues (continued)
Race Diversity in the Workplace
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964) prohibits race discrimination in all employment-related decisions
African Americans are 4 times more likely and Hispanics are 3 times more likely to experience discrimination than Caucasians
Ethnic minorities can experience a glass ceiling and earnings gap
Race and gender combined can affect other’s reactions
Research shows ethnic minorities are less likely to have high job satisfaction and less commitment to the organization
©FlatWorld 2018
11
Specific Diversity Issues (continued)
Age Diversity in the Workplace
Although research shows that age is correlated with positive workplace behaviors, older employees often deal with age-related stereotypes
These may discourage older workers from remaining in the workforce or may act as a barrier to being hired
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (1967) prohibits discrimination against employees over 40 years old
Organizations can offer flexible work arrangements and learning opportunities to increase age inclusiveness
©FlatWorld 2018
12
Specific Diversity Issues (continued)
Religious Diversity in the Workplace
Title VII of the Civil Rights (1964) prohibits discrimination against using religion in employment decisions
Organizations must make reasonable accommodations for employees to be able to practice their beliefs unless it creates an unreasonable hardship
May require allowing for time off or adjusting the dress code
Organizations should avoid requiring employees to participate in religious practices – this is illegal
©FlatWorld 2018
13
Specific Diversity Issues (continued)
Employees with Disabilities in the Workplace
The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) prohibits discrimination in employment against individuals with physical or mental disabilities
People with disabilities often:
Experience barriers in hiring and stereotypes
Get dead-end jobs or ones requiring lower skills
Organizations can provide reasonable accommodations and foster supportive relationships to help employees with disabilities succeed
©FlatWorld 2018
14
Specific Diversity Issues (continued)
Sexual Orientation in the Workplace
There is no federal law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation
22 states and DC do have these laws
92% of the Fortune 500 companies have implemented non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity
Employees that fear disclosing their sexual orientation can experience:
Negative reactions from coworkers
Lower job satisfaction
Reduced organizational commitment
©FlatWorld 2018
15
Suggestions for Managing Demographic Diversity
©FlatWorld 2018
16
Build a culture of respecting diversity
Make managers accountable for diversity
Diversity Training Programs
Review Recruitment Practices
Affirmative Action Programs
Diverse Organization
Cultural Diversity
Culture refers to values, beliefs, and customs that exist in a society
An expatriate is someone who is temporarily assigned to a position in a foreign country
©FlatWorld 2018
17
Hofstede’s Cultural Framework: Individualism-Collectivism (Continued)
Individualism Collectivism
Cultures in which people define themselves as individuals and form looser ties with their groups. Cultures where people have stronger bonds to their groups and group membership forms their self-identity.
USA
Australia
UK
Canada
Hungary Guatemala
Ecuador
Indonesia
Pakistan
China
©FlatWorld 2018
18
Hofstede’s Cultural Framework: Power Distance (Continued)
Low Power Distance High Power Distance
A society that views an unequal distribution of power as relatively unacceptable. A society that views an unequal distribution of power as relatively acceptable.
Austria
Denmark
Israel
Ireland
New Zealand Malaysia
Slovakia
Philippines
Russia
Mexico
©FlatWorld 2018
19
Hofstede’s Cultural Framework: Uncertainty Avoidance (Continued)
Low Uncertainty Avoidance High Uncertainty Avoidance
Cultures where individuals are comfortable in unpredictable situations and have a high tolerance for ambiguity. Cultures where individuals prefer predictable situations and have a low tolerance for ambiguity.
Denmark
Jamaica
Singapore
China
Sweden Belgium
El Salvador
Greece
Guatemala
Portugal
©FlatWorld 2018
20
Hofstede’s Cultural Framework: Masculinity-Femininity (Continued)
Masculinity Femininity
Cultures where individuals value achievement, competitiveness, acquisition of money and other material objects. Cultures where individuals value maintaining good relationships, quality of life, and caring for the weak.
Slovakia
Japan
Hungary
Austria
Venezuela Norway
Netherlands
Sweden
Costa Rica
Chile
©FlatWorld 2018
21
Suggestions for Managing Cultural Diversity
Help Employees Build Cultural Intelligence
Cultural intelligence is a person’s capability to understand how a person’s cultural background influences one’s behavior
Avoid Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own culture is superior to other cultures one comes across
©FlatWorld 2018
What Do You Think?
What is culture? Do countries have uniform national cultures?
How would you describe your own home country’s values on the four dimensions of culture?
Reflect on a time when you experienced a different culture or interacted with someone from a different culture. How did the cultural differences influence your interaction?
How does culture influence the proper leadership style and reward system that would be suitable for organizations?
Imagine that you will be sent to live in a foreign country different from your own in a month. What are the types of preparations you would benefit from doing?
©FlatWorld 2018
Key Terms
Diversity: The ways in which people are similar or different from each other.
Inclusion: The degree to which individuals can bring the aspects of themselves that make them unique while also being treated as insiders.
Similarity-attraction phenomenon: The tendency to be more attracted to individuals who are similar to us.
Surface-level diversity: Traits that are highly visible to us and those around us, such as race, gender, and age.
Deep-level diversity: Diversity in values, beliefs, and attitudes.
©FlatWorld 2018
Key Terms (Continued)
Faultline: An attribute along which a group is split into subgroups.
Stereotypes: Generalizations about a particular group of people.
Unconscious (or implicit) biases: Stereotypes about specific groups that are held outside of conscious awareness.
Glass ceiling: The situation that some qualified employees are prevented from advancing to higher level positions due to factors such as discrimination. Glass ceiling is often encountered by women and minorities.
Glass cliff: Tendency of women and minority members to be promoted to leadership positions in poor performing, struggling firms.
©FlatWorld 2018
Key Terms (Continued)
Sexual harassment: Unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal and physical conduct that is sexual in nature.
Affirmative action: Policies designed to recruit, promote, train, and retain employees belonging to a protected class.
Culture: The values, beliefs, and customs that exist in a society.
Expatriate: Someone who is temporarily assigned to a position in a foreign country.
Individualistic cultures: Cultures in which people define themselves as individuals and form looser ties with their groups.
©FlatWorld 2018
Key Terms (Continued)
Collectivistic cultures: Cultures where people have stronger bonds to their groups, and group membership forms a person’s self identity.
Power distance: The degree to which the society views an unequal distribution of power as acceptable.
Uncertainty avoidance: The degree to which people feel threatened by ambiguous, risky, or unstructured situations.
©FlatWorld 2018
Key Terms (Continued)
Masculine (aggressive) cultures: Cultures that value achievement, competitiveness, and acquisition of money and other material objects.
Feminine (nurturing) cultures: Cultures that value maintaining good relationships, caring for the weak, and emphasizing quality of life.
Cultural intelligence: A person’s capability to understand how a person’s cultural background influences one’s behavior.
Ethnocentrism: The belief that one’s own culture is superior to other cultures one comes across.
©FlatWorld 2018
Hofstede’s Cultural Framework: Individualism-Collectivism
Individualistic cultures – people define themselves as an individual and form looser ties with their groups
Value autonomy and independence of the person, self-reliance, and creativity
Attempt to change groups more often and have weaker bonds to them
May evaluate the performance of their colleagues more accurately
Collectivistic cultures are cultures where people have stronger bonds to their groups and group membership forms a person’s self-identity
Value family bonds in their daily lives – this extends beyond immediate family members
Are attached to their groups and create permanent attachments
Draw sharp distinctions between the groups they belong to and those they do not
Are more likely to be generous when evaluating their in-group members
Emphasize conformity to the group
©FlatWorld 2018
Hofstede’s Cultural Framework: Power Distance
Power distance refers to the degree to which the society views an unequal distribution of power as acceptable
Low power distance cultures believe egalitarianism is the norm
High power distance cultures believe people occupying powerful positions are more powerful and deserve a higher level of respect
In the workplace, the difference can be seen in whether employees conform or question authority
©FlatWorld 2018
Hofstede’s Cultural Framework: Uncertainty Avoidance
Uncertainty avoidance refers to the degree to which people feel threatened by ambiguous, risky, or unstructured situations
Cultures high in uncertainty avoidance prefer:
Predictable situations and have a low tolerance for ambiguity
To avoid risky situations and attempt to reduce uncertainty
Employment contracts
©FlatWorld 2018
Hofstede’s Cultural Framework: Masculinity-Femininity
The terms masculinity and femininity may be misleading – more accurately this dimension refers to aggressive-nurturing
Masculine (aggressive) cultures:
Value achievement, competitiveness, and acquisition of money and other material objects
Are characterized by a separation of gender roles
Feminine (nurturing) cultures:
Value maintaining good relationships, caring for the weak, and emphasizing quality of life
Believe values are not separated by gender
©FlatWorld 2018
Suggestions for Managing Cultural Diversity
Help Employees Build Cultural Intelligence
Cultural intelligence is a person’s capability to understand how a person’s cultural background influences one’s behavior
Avoid Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own culture is superior to other cultures one comes across
©FlatWorld 2018