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This might create misunderstandings and could result in unhappy customers (Sizoo, Plank, Iskat & Serrie, 2005). According to Gundlich & Zanchettin (2007) diversity in this case is not only defined by racial and ethnical differences but also by other factors including gender, age, religion, language, etc. These factors all have a certain amount of impact on the workplace whereas this can be neutral, negative as well as positive (Gundlich & Zanchettin, 2007). Another definition of diversity, which is less complex, given by Friday & Friday (2003) states that “diversity refers to any attribute that happens to be salient to an individual that makes him/her perceive that he/she is different from another individual.” (p.12). Research conducted by many authors (Kandola & Fullerton, 1998; Gröschl & Doherty, 1999; Kreitner, 2004 in Hearns, Devine & Baum, 2007) has shown the need of recognition of cultural diversity including its advantages and
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Management strategies to overcome issues related to cultural diversity
After having defined the disadvantages of cultural diversity including stereotyping and discrimination, organizations have recognized the need of implementing diversity management strategies that help to overcome the negative aspects of cultural diversity as well as enhance and ease the acculturation process (Graf, 2003; Magnini, 2003).
Furthermore as written by Mangnini (2003) it is very important to adapt these strategies according to every country in different ways, as there are different perceptions of foreign workers all over the world. According to Taylor & Finley (2009) acculturation strategies of foreign workers have a great impact on employees’ and customers’ satisfaction. Berry (1980) introduced an acculturation process consisting of three phases (Taylor & Finley, 2009).
1. Contact: the exposure of the worker to an unknown culture
2. Conflict: due to misunderstandings occurring between host and home culture
3. Adaptation: foreign worker adjust to the other culture in an either positive or negative …show more content…
The connection to economic issues such as globalization is stated by many authors (Pagell, Katz & Sheu, 2005; Volkmann, 2006; Gaburro & O’Boyle, 2003), as it is a phenomenon that is faced and coped with by all organizations and their managers. It describes how companies are moving away from their original home country and start operations abroad (Pagell, Katz & Sheu, 2005). The phenomenon of globalization also bears the threat of cultural traditions and values getting lost or changing as stated by Volkmann
Management strategies to overcome issues related to cultural diversity
After having defined the disadvantages of cultural diversity including stereotyping and discrimination, organizations have recognized the need of implementing diversity management strategies that help to overcome the negative aspects of cultural diversity as well as enhance and ease the acculturation process (Graf, 2003; Magnini, 2003).
Furthermore as written by Mangnini (2003) it is very important to adapt these strategies according to every country in different ways, as there are different perceptions of foreign workers all over the world. According to Taylor & Finley (2009) acculturation strategies of foreign workers have a great impact on employees’ and customers’ satisfaction. Berry (1980) introduced an acculturation process consisting of three phases (Taylor & Finley, 2009).
1. Contact: the exposure of the worker to an unknown culture
2. Conflict: due to misunderstandings occurring between host and home culture
3. Adaptation: foreign worker adjust to the other culture in an either positive or negative …show more content…
The connection to economic issues such as globalization is stated by many authors (Pagell, Katz & Sheu, 2005; Volkmann, 2006; Gaburro & O’Boyle, 2003), as it is a phenomenon that is faced and coped with by all organizations and their managers. It describes how companies are moving away from their original home country and start operations abroad (Pagell, Katz & Sheu, 2005). The phenomenon of globalization also bears the threat of cultural traditions and values getting lost or changing as stated by Volkmann