AU/ACSC/0607C/97-03

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY ON ORGANIZATIONS

A Research Paper Presented To The Research Department Air Command and Staff College

In Partial Fulfillment of the Graduation Requirements of ACSC by Maj Molly K. Moon

March 1997

Disclaimer
The views expressed in this academic research paper are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of the US government or the Department of Defense.

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Contents
Page DISCLAIMER ................................................................................................................ ii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.......................................................................................... iv PREFACE....................................................................................................................... v ABSTRACT................................................................................................................... vi INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 FROM GRUDGING ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO MANAGING DIVERSITY .............. 3 IMPACT OF DIVERSITY ON INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS.................... 9 Diversity Climate Factors.......................................................................................... 12 Identity Structures................................................................................................ 12 Prejudice and Discrimination ................................................................................ 13 Stereotyping......................................................................................................... 16 Ethnocentrism ...................................................................................................... 18 Informal Integration