Managing Culturally Diverse
Running head: Managing Cultural Diversity
Managing Culturally Diverse
Work Groups within an Organization
Natasha Avies
Troy State University
Dr. Earl Ingram
November 28, 2004 Abstract
Cultural diversity has become widespread within many organizations today. The work groups in these organizations are increasingly being staffed by culturally diverse employees. The cultural differences exhibited in the groups can enhance or weaken the function of the work group, especially in a predominantly homogenous environment. These multicultural work groups present challenges to the organization and to the managers that must reduce these challenges in order to achieve the desired success of the organization. The biggest obstacle with cultural diversity in the work groups is the managers' lack of knowledge of how to lead a culturally diverse work group or team. This paper will focus on the disadvantages associated with culturally diverse work groups, and how managers can counteract those disadvantages to make culturally diverse work groups more effective within the organization. This paper will discuss the traps managers should avoid when leading a diverse team; how to develop group synergy among group members; and how to use the diverse groups to attain competitive advantages. This paper will also discuss the advantages the organization can attain once the managers have been educated on leading a diverse work group and the possible training programs available.
Managing Culturally Diverse Work Groups within an Organization
Diversity is comprised of many characteristics: internally and externally. Internally, diversity includes characteristics such as age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, and physical ability. External characteristics define our lives and the things we value. They include religion, geographic location, income, personal and recreational habits, education, appearance, and marital status. All of these characteristics work together
Managing Culturally Diverse
Work Groups within an Organization
Natasha Avies
Troy State University
Dr. Earl Ingram
November 28, 2004 Abstract
Cultural diversity has become widespread within many organizations today. The work groups in these organizations are increasingly being staffed by culturally diverse employees. The cultural differences exhibited in the groups can enhance or weaken the function of the work group, especially in a predominantly homogenous environment. These multicultural work groups present challenges to the organization and to the managers that must reduce these challenges in order to achieve the desired success of the organization. The biggest obstacle with cultural diversity in the work groups is the managers' lack of knowledge of how to lead a culturally diverse work group or team. This paper will focus on the disadvantages associated with culturally diverse work groups, and how managers can counteract those disadvantages to make culturally diverse work groups more effective within the organization. This paper will discuss the traps managers should avoid when leading a diverse team; how to develop group synergy among group members; and how to use the diverse groups to attain competitive advantages. This paper will also discuss the advantages the organization can attain once the managers have been educated on leading a diverse work group and the possible training programs available.
Managing Culturally Diverse Work Groups within an Organization
Diversity is comprised of many characteristics: internally and externally. Internally, diversity includes characteristics such as age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, and physical ability. External characteristics define our lives and the things we value. They include religion, geographic location, income, personal and recreational habits, education, appearance, and marital status. All of these characteristics work together
References: Sujansky, J. G. (2004). The Five Biggest Traps to Avoid when Leading a Diverse Group. Occupational Hazards 66(8). Retrieved 11/1/2004 from EBSCOhost database, TSU Library. Weiss, Joseph W. (2001). Organizational behavior and change: managing diversity, cross-cultural dynamics, ethics. Cincinnati, Ohio: South-Western College Pub., c2001. Vereen, V. S. (2004). Valuing Diversity: The key to successful relationship building Gibson, J. L., Donnelly, J. H., Ivancevich, J. M., & Konopaske, R. (2003). Organizations: Behavior, Structure, Processes. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, c2003. White, R. D. (1999). Managing the Diverse Organization: The Imperative for a New Multicultural Paradigm. Public Administration & Management 4(4) Ely, R. J., Thomas, D. A. (2001). Cultural diversity at work: The effects of diversity perspectives on work group processes and outcomes. Administrative Science Quarterly 46(2). Retrieved 9/29/2004 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Cox, T. H., Blake S. (1991). Managing Cultural Diversity: Implications for Organizational Competitiveness. The Academy of Management Executive 5(3). Retrieved 11/12/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Cox, Taylor. (2001). Creating the Multicultural Organization: A Strategy for Capturing the Power of Diversity. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass-A Wiley Company, c2001. Elmuti, D. (1993). Managing diversity in the workplace: An immense challenge for both managers and workers. Industrial Management 35(4). Retrieved 11/16/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Bruno, J. (2004). Implementing diversity in a meaningful way. American Water Works Association 96(10). Retrieved 11/27/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Ford, R. L. (2004). Guidelines for diversity management. Public Relations Tactics 11(4). Retrieved 11/27/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Frase-Blunt, M. (2004). Selecting a Diversity Consultant. HRMagazine 49(6). Retrieved 11/27/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Pellet, J. (2004). Driving Diversity. Chief Executive 198. Retrieved 11/27/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Wallace, C. E. (2004). Learning the "Proper" Way to Embrace Diversity. Franchising World 36(5). Retrieved 11/27/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Cochran, A. C. (2004). Building Trust in a Multicultural Setting. Work & Family Life 18(5). Retrieved 11/27/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Caldeira, S., Fernandez, G., Wood, K. (2004). Building diverse exec team takes single-minded focus on goal of multiculturalism. Nation 's Restaurant News 38(32). Retrieved 11/27/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language,(4th ed.). (2000). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. Evaristo, R. (2003). The management of distributed projects across cultures. Journal of Global Information Management 11(4). Retrieved 11/16/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Lavaty, S., Kleiner, B. H. (2001). Managing and Understanding the French employee. Management Research News 24(3/4). Retrieved 11/25/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library. Anonymous.(2004). Managing diversity in virtual teams across the globe. Human Resource Management International Digest 10(6). Retrieved 11/25/04 from ProQuest database, TSU Library.