Diversity refers to dissimilarities …show more content…
One source of conflict is differing cultural attitudes and values and between members of an organisation. Varying values can result in low value congruence (McShane, Olekalns, & Travaglione, 2014, pp. 50-51). Low value congruence with the organization leads to a demoralizing sense of incompatibility between members of the organisation. Varying values can result in failed attempts to motivate other members of an organisation. According to the MARS model, values do have some influence on motivation. A person will not feel motivated by something she/he does not value (McShane, Olekalns, & Travaglione, 2014, p. 41). Many other problems and tensions can arise as people value things differently. One person may unintentionally disrespect something another person values. Cultural attitudes are related to values. A cultural attitude, an external environment factor, is an attitude learned from one’s culture about a person, thing, idea, or event. Cultural attitudes are very influential on the attitudes of individuals. As already mentioned, tensions can arise as people value things differently, with the potential result that one person unintentionally disrespects something another person values. But in addition to unintentionally disrespecting something another person values, a person’s cultural attitude may tell him/her to have a negative, suspicious, prejudiced, or derisive attitude toward that thing or even that person. An …show more content…
Because diversity means that diverse members of an organisation are necessarily different from each other, each member will bring a different mindset and perspective for a given situation. As diversity increases, so do the number and scope of mindsets and perspectives. This breadth of mindsets and perspectives fosters creativity. Diversity leads to creativity, creativity leads to innovation, and innovation fuels endless opportunities and advantages. Increased innovation leads to increased productivity as improved methods for accomplishing organizational goals occur (Ilmakunnas & Ilmakunnas, 2011, pp. 249-251; Orlando, 2000, p. 171). Increased innovation resulting from diversity also leads to superior problem-solving skills. One problem can be seen from many more perspectives than before (Mazur, 2010, p. 9), so better decision-making occurs (Kaczmarek, Kimino, & Pye, 2014). Open-mindedness resulting from diversity also creates greater “organizational flexibility” in the face of change (Rotter & O 'Connell, 1982 in Mazur,