...Multicultural Workforce In the past American business experienced few examples of multicultural workforce. Due to globalization large companies and small businesses are experiencing a growing multicultural workforce. These cultural changes are contributing to business success and at the same time affecting teamwork and communication. A multicultural workforce is one in which a company’s workers come from various ethnic, racial, religious, and gender backgrounds. In the past business leaders in the United States had limited experience working with a multicultural workforce and little was written or taught on the subject. However, today’s business owners, managers and corporate executives recognize that culturally diverse workforces contribute to success. A diverse multicultural workforce boosts a company’s success by bringing new ideas and ways to enhance decision making, creativity and innovation, marketing to foreign and ethnic minority communities, and distribution of economic opportunity. Researchers believe that most cultural challenges arise from three basic cultural preferences; how individuals approach work, how individuals share information, and how individuals view time. The researchers believe these three preferences have an enormous impact on teamwork effectiveness. However, cultural differences can be a factor contributing to increased costs when higher turnover rates, increased interpersonal conflict and communication breakdowns occur...
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...companies to develop innovative ideas and find human capital to develop capabilities and share expertise. Globalization has changed the face of 21st century workforce. In today's fast paced and growing economy, there is an exponential increase of cultural diversity within big businesses and corporations. There is an opportunity to "achieve higher levels of productivity and extraordinary performance" (Nykiel) for large corporations with a multicultural workforce. At the same time, it may also "be more challenging in a multicultural work and managerial environment" (Nykiel). Workforce Diversity Statistics The term "multicultural workforce" which represents the personal characteristics of employees in an organization is today superseded and replaced by a much broader term, "cultural diversity". Diversity refers to the way organizations respond to a multicultural workforce. The strategy in large organizations is to leverage differences in employees to increase creativity and have a competitive advantage in a fierce market. In the 2014 survey conducted by Diversity Inc; which is the leading publication for the education and benefits of large organizations, 1215 companies participated in an empirically driven and ranked competition for a diverse workplace. It was carried out to help acquire and retain a multicultural workforce. . Competition got assessed on the talent pipeline, equitable skill development, CEO commitment, and supplier diversity. The top ranking companies had 76...
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...organization. By understanding how this diversity can affect their organization, leaders are taking steps to assure a conflict-free environment and promoting positive outcomes for the business, as well as its employees. “Diversity today is being viewed as a key means to strengthen the human capital of an organization and improve overall performance” (Bowes, 2007/2008). Studies have shown that diverse workforces can positively affect and strengthen the organization, but what can organizations do to assure this type of environment? What programs or tools do leaders need to implement when looking to improve their ability to manage this diversity? The main purpose of this research paper will be to explore what methods organizations and leaders can use to successfully manage increased cultural diversity within the workforce. This research will reflect not only why it is important for organizations to embrace the differences in a diverse workplace, but will discuss the consequences that may occur if they do not incorporate effective methods for addressing a multicultural population. A clear discussion of the educational tools used to satisfy all those that are involved will follow; as well as the discussion of the benefits for an organization with a diversity program with a focus on its retention rates, increased employee productivity, increased employee satisfaction, access to wider customer...
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...Student Self-administered case study Importance of Diversity In The Workplace Case summary: Case duration (Min): Human Resource Management (HRM) 45-60 Promoting diversity Worldwide This case focuses on DIFFERENCE ‐ Interacting and working productively with others and how best to use human resources to meet organizational goals through high levels of performance (motivated, effective and efficient workers) and competing in the global marketplace. We begin this case by exploring the changing nature of the workplace; We then explore what is meant by diversity and consider the business case for promoting and managing diversity within contemporary organizations. Learning objectives: Evaluate diversity and multiculturalism as a source of sustainable competitive advantage and identify the benefits of diversity for organizations. Case problem: What is meant by diversity and should organizations seek to be diverse? Company Aramark http://www.aramark.com/ Food ‐ Major Diversified ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award‐winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. In FORTUNE magazine's 2009 list of "World's Most Admired Companies," ARAMARK was ranked number one in its industry. ARAMARK seeks to address issues responsibly that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy...
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...Final Research Paper-Multicultural Workforce COMM/215 December 1, 2014 Introduction-Worldwide Telecommunications Company Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations. It is driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology (The Levin Institute, 2014). Indeed, globalization has made our world smaller. As the markets for products, services, labor, and capital increasingly integrate worldwide, we are witnessing the increasing economic, cultural, demographic, political, and environmental interdependence of different locations around the world (Elfrink, 2014). In his book The World Is Flat, Thomas Friedman perfectly captured the essence of today’s new era of globalization. By flat, Friedman meant that the world is connected. The lowering of trade and political barriers, and the exponential technical advances of the digital revolution have made it possible to do business or almost anything else, instantaneously with billions of other people across the planet (Friedman 2005). However, with a more global business environment comes a host of new challenges including managing a multicultural workforce comprised of people with widely differing backgrounds. In a multicultural environment, where the meanings of various behaviors and practices are as diverse as the people demonstrating them, incorrect assumptions could easily lead to miscommunication (Lankard, 1994). The...
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...Multicultural Workforce Eisha McKinney, Tuan-Anh Nguyen, Audrey Leonard, and Dontay Barnett COMM/215 April 2, 2015 Professor Rosemary Sykes Multicultural Workforce Introduction Case study analyses focus on Worldwide Telecommunications, Inc., which is facing a major issue related to cultural change. The company faces problems with the change in culture especially the extent to which multicultural teamwork has affected the company’s teamwork and communications within the organization. Worldwide Telecommunications, Inc., which was started in 1986, serves as a solution provider to its clients by providing phone services and data service in lodging services including restaurants and others in public venues all over the world. The need to serve the whole population has landed the company into problems for they have to hire workers from diverse cultures. The companies need to meet the modern organizational structure (one with employees from a wide range culture, gender, religion, race, ethnicity, and age) landed into more trouble. Worldwide Telecommunications, Inc., needs to reorganize the structure to accommodate multicultural differences to avoid future issues in the company. Multiculturalism can affect Team Work and Communication in Large Companies There are various implications of cross cultural communication and teamwork in big companies, but this is a broad study that has been explored by many researchers. The big companies in corporate America...
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...Global Operations Management MGMT415-1301A-06 “PPQ Parts” February 17, 2013 Abstract In this research paper will be addressing a number of concerns that will be taken places as the host foreign country undergoes expansion. Detailing what cultural difficulties and multiplicity concerns are generally stumbled upon by the MNC and worldwide companies. Will be researching diversity and how this is a significant issue in the worldwide arena. Detailing various political and economic concerns that will be encountered while world- wide growth. The business of PPQ Parts has concluded that for the business to develop worldwide over the next few years, its supervisors should be suitably educated in multiculturalism and multiplicity management. The company’s decision makers must be conscious of any opinionated and financial matters that will take place during the development. The research paper will give you insight into some of the worries for the upper management. Problems of Concerns The multitude nation of the PPQ Parts will be mass to an establishment applied to a diverse method of doing things, transpiring that the business...
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...community of our society, yet one that continues to struggle with diversity. Diversity is not new to the United States. This nation has always been a union of various cultures and has gone through repeated periods of uneasiness as the world’s melting pot. Some examples of diversity are race, religion, age, class, lifestyles, gender, language, education, and etc. Our advantages in having a country that is so diverse are creativity and innovations, provision of a broader range of skills, providing better service to diverse customers, and recruitment of the best talent from the entire labor pool. Problems we face with diversity in the workplace are “Glass Ceilings”, “The Good Ole Boys’ System”, stereotypes and assumptions. In today’s workforce more companies are employing managers with little to no prior management experience. Having poor strategic planning and leads to organizations who fail there employees and fail to provide workplace ethical issues. Fisher, Anne. Are you stuck in middle management hell? Fortune Magazine. August 15, 2006, http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/ Marching Side By Side. (1997, April). Online Newshour. Retrieved July 26, 2006, from http://www.pubs.org/newshour/bb/military/april97/coed Zdechlik, Mark (2004). U.S. military faces recruiting and retention challenges. Retrieved July 27, 2006, from http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/07/06 Vote Match: Require companies to hire more women & minorities. Retrieved September...
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...ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR BUS 311 Proposed Topic for Research Paper Gilbert Lee Gragg March 4, 2015 Topic #1. Newport News shipbuilding recurring racial and ethical issues regarding treatment of non-white workers. Topic #2. Consistent questionable treatment of employees at Newport News Shipyard. Topic #3. Preferential treatment of white employees over black employees at Newport News Shipyard. I worked at Newport News Shipyard in 2008 as a security guard and unlike recent cases state, treatment showed all workers showing disrespect and racial based jokes at the other group’s expense. A noticeable difference was the education in which the black work force lacked over white counterparts. Such a large workforce with considerable educational and historical backgrounds can lead to tension, especially when a group feels at a disadvantage. I plan on interviewing some of the management staff, equal opportunity representatives and possible employees in relation to the proposed topics of interest. There are few articles regarding the topics listed, however research conducted by interviewing employees and staff at the shipyard should and will yield the proper amount of needed evidence to conduct a thorough paper. This topic is of interest to me, because I would like to delve deeper into the organizational and psychological aspect to see if only people of non-white origin have wanted to search for a monetary gain and if it should be the company or the individuals...
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...Women gaining power in business The role of women in the workforce has increased dramatically over the last several decades. If we look at women these days, women have become very successful in balancing between both work and family to build a strong foundation for their children and future generations who may want to be just as successful, ambitious and accomplish the same goals. Women these days have so many more opportunities that they never had before, this opens the doors for women to achieve anything in terms of business. Women are gaining power in business these days because there are more women going into the workplace, women getting better education and finally women are getting hired more than men because they are paid less. Certainly, roles of women these days are different than what they were back in the days. Women had a very small role in business back in the days, we see a lot more women in the workplace these days. Today, women only take some roles in consideration. Staying home and taking care of the house is no longer women’s number one priority. Instead, working outside of the home whether its part time or full-time is much more popular. A large percentage of women these days choose to be in the workplace, to be independent and support their families rather than staying home. A lot of families depend on the mother’s income especially during these tough economic times. Years ago, not a big percentage of women were seen in the work force. During...
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...Cambodia Cambodia is a small country bordered by Thailand and Loas on the north and Vietnam on the east and south. The country has a rough population of 15 million and is the size of Missouri. The country consists mainly of grainy plains ringed by mountains and has two large body of waters Mekong River on the east side and in the center Lake Tonie Sap, which is the storage basin of the Mekong. Cambodia’s main language is 95 percent Khmer and then French and English are the other 5 percent. Their labor force is 8.8 million est. in 2012 with 75 percent of it being agriculture. The industries that they focus on mainly are tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, gem mining and textiles and that’s how the country gets a living. They also have almost 45 percent of women employed in nonagricultural sectors, which is very low for a country of any size. The country also has a very low percentage of females that have seats in their national parliaments with 20 percent so it shows that males dominate the work force and the nations power of voting for decisions. The Quantitative figures of this country and their labor force participation rates for men and women are actually very close over all despite the idea of men over taking women in the working fields. The figures actually show that men of Cambodia are actually 90.9 percent for primary completion rate. The women actually have the upper hand with a percentage of 91.7 and that’s above the men...
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...Over the years, many women have graduated out of colleges and universities, hoping to enter the workforce. Although, there are some workforce in the industries where there have shown low presence of growth, whereby quarter of these women stopped working and moved to being part- timers, according to Baig (2013). Yet, when it comes to sheer numbers, women’s participation rate in the labour force has increased greatly, from 30.3 million in 1970 to 72.7 million over four years. In Brunei, as stated by Ishak (2008), women’s participation rate in the workforce has also increase dramatically from 20% to over 59% today. The establishment of the Women’s Business Council in Brunei in 1999, aims to support business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for women to help themselves grow personally and professionally though leadership, networking education and national recognition, it is said that almost 50% of all micro, small and medium enterprises in Brunei are made of women. From there, to be on an equal standing with the men can be seen, be it in terms of salary or position. Hence, women today began to accept the equal opportunity given to men and women, due to the factors such as people’s prejudice towards working women, government policies such as the Legislation on Women in Brunei and others. These women do see themselves as a part of the “bread-winners”, a role usually hold by the men. Quality Work-Life balance, as stated by Cherrington...
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...Understanding the Multicultural Workforce: Challenges, Issues and Differences Michael Widdowson Organizational Behavior November 25, 2012 Understanding the Multicultural Workforce: Challenges, Issues and Differences Multicultural workforces are becoming more prevalent in today's business environment. Businesses that make effective use of the talents of the workforce and value the differences that are present within it will certainly prosper under these conditions. Those employers who realize that diversity relates directly to the bottom line will continue to be successful. Companies must learn to lead, not simply manage their workers. Business will need to go beyond the needs and objectives of affirmative action and look at issues of non-natives and minorities. The challenges of a multicultural workforce In a multicultural workforce there are many obstacles that exist from the company's viewpoint as well as the employee's perspective. Foreign-born and minority employees face an abundance of obstacles in their day-to-day lives. By far, the biggest challenge is the language barrier. However, there are many other areas of concern including economic issues, assertiveness issues, expectations, cultural biases, feelings of isolation, family values, lifestyles, and communication to name a few. An article written by Teresa R. Hammond and Brian H. Kleiner explains several of these fore mentioned obstacles. For example, people from many cultures have been brought up to...
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...birth. The Army would discharge a female soldier once it was determined she was pregnant as well confirming societies views that a mother needs to be home with her children. Finally marriage was used as their third justification for these limits. This justification assumes women marry and that the man’s job should be in the public sphere and the woman should remain in the home. All three of these reasons might have been seen as reasonable in early history because women were treated as a possession but with today’s society none of these justifications hold true. Today with divorce rate so high and more women are put into the place of single mother raising children alone the need for equality in the workforce is even greater. Since 1955 the number of women in the workforce has risen from 27% to over 70% and mothers with children under six years old have risen from 18% to over 62%. (InfoPlease). Men are still paid higher...
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...some of the onus on lower level employees will lead to a higher level of performance in the work place because employees will have to analyze and make decisions on their own that influence quality and performance. Decentralization also helps to promote a leaner organizational structure that is able to work more effectively. This leads to what is known as "Six Sigma" which is all about doing more with less. Staff that can make decisions wisely for the benefit of the work place without costing the business time and resources to make those decisions is valuable. Perfect decisions may not always be made and mistakes may occur but employees will learn from their mistakes and evolve to become wiser, more skillful and more capable. An educated workforce is more effective than one that needs to be monitored constantly. Typically in a business, the operating level knows more about how to control the processes then the ones further away from the action. Empowering employees means challenging themselves which will often lead to them rising to the occasion (goal congruence). Empowering the lower level is about motivating employees to care about their jobs. Being able to see how what they do as lower level employees ultimately affects the overall well being of an organization encourages that hard work. Involving the lower levels of an organization promote unison between "top level" and "shop level" workers and...
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