Cross-calture management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Cross-calture management - Essay ExampleResearchers studying the success of cultural diversity programs have identified models that gouge be implemented into organizational environments. Having support for of senior management for diversity programs is identified as a major theme among most of the program models (Matton & Hernandez, 2004 Jayne & Dipboye 2004). This paper will examine the background of diversity in organizations, benefits of workplace diversity, challenges of diversity, popular diversity management models, the relevant investigate related to the importance of having support of senior management for diversity programs, and the individuals responsible for implementing diversity programs, that is, the diversity practitioner. Overview Workplace Diversity and its Importance Diversity can be delimitate as, a mix of people of different socially relevant gathering identities working or living together in a defined social system (Cox & Beale, 1997, p.13). Healthy workpla ce diversity can provide an organization with the tools to improve problem solving, enhance marketing, be more creative and flexible, and ultimately improve productivity and the bottom line (Thomas, 2006 Cox, 1994). While a company may recruit in order to frame a climate of diversity, it can simultaneously open the door to truly hiring the best available talent in the global market instead of another company man. Diversity promotes a multiplicity of viewpoints, thus creating the potential to generate more creative ideas and stimulate consideration of non obvious alternatives (Kyriakidou, 2009). Further, diverse groups bring a broader and richer base of experience. This dynamic tends to create a higher level of critical analysis and a lower probability of group think (Cox, 1994). For example, studies show that women tend to be more extensive of ambiguity than men. As a result, they tend to excel in completing tasks that are cognitively complex and/or ambiguous. Individuals with bi lingual capabilities are another group that demonstrates a great capacity for flexibility. Thus, workgroups that incorporate individuals with these characteristics are likely to demonstrate greater group cognitive flexibility (Cox, 1994). With the minority population growing, organizations are finding the need to adapt products, advertising and services to appeal to diverse interests. Studies show that members of minority cultural groups are more likely to give patronage to representatives of their proclaim cultural group (Cox, 1994). Thus, organizations find the need to have their workforce mirror, at least in part, their clientele. In the for-profit sector, it has been seen that the evolving demographics in the United States have had a substantive impact on the manner in which products currently need to be marketed in order to maintain or increase market shares. For example, Cox (1994) notes cardinal examples of cosmetic companies, Avon and Maybelline, changing either their pr oduct or transferring the management of an otherwise unprofitable market of minorities, to people of color. Under different management these companies have commensurate their products using shades that are more palatable to people of color and have reflected these changes in their advertisement. The results have been very positive and profitable for these companies in a previously