Assignment:
Opportunities and Challenges of Workplace Diversity: Theory, cases and exercises (2nd Edition) Kathryn A. Canas and Harris Sondak Perason Education, Inc., publishing Prentice Hall, One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, NJ
1. In Opportunities and Challenges of Workplace Diversity, compare seven definitions of diversity as proposed by various groups and individuals. In your opinion, which definition is the most accurate? Justify your response.
According to our text, there are seven definitions of diversity: (1) Society for Human Resources, (2) Marilyn Loden, (3) Anita Rowe and Lee Gardenwartz, (4) R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., (5), Myrtle P. Bell, (6) David A. Thomas and Robin J. Ely and (7) Michalle E. Mor Barak.
2. Race, national origin, and color of skin are all covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Explain the differences between these three concepts. How are they related? How are these concepts related to one's culture?
3. Opportunities and Challenges of Workplace Diversity describes the leadership-based organizational paradigms for managing diversity. Give a brief description of each of the four paradigms, and identify which paradigm(s) you see in your own workplace.
(1) Resistance Paradigm, (2) Discrimination-and-Fairness Paradigm, (3) Access-and-Legitimacy, (4) Integration-and-Learning Paradigm
4. According to the systematic approach to managing diversity, recruitment and retention are a critical component of diversity management. Summarize the issues involved in recruiting and retaining a culturally diverse workforce. Regarding diverse employees and diverse markets, Cañas and Sondak argue that better-performing companies may simply attract the best talent among all groups of workers.
Explain the meaning, and discuss whether you agree or disagree.
5. In Opportunities and Challenges of Workplace Diversity, describes the integration-and-learning diversity management paradigm, and the systematic approach to managing diversity addressed is an expansion of this paradigm. Discuss the six diversity components and associated diversity initiatives that make up the systematic approach to diversity management. Why are these components important to managing diversity?
Systemic Approach to Managing Diversity: (1) Leadership Commitment (2) Communication (3) Recruitment and Retention (4) Diversity Incorporated into Main Work of Organization (5) Initiatives Linked to Outcomes (6) External Relations
6. What is the value of diversity in the workplace? Describe the aspects of business that are positively influenced as a direct result of a diverse workforce.
7. On a global level, intercultural management is often associated with international management and multinational business. However, in a diverse population such as in the United States, intercultural management refers to managing diversity in a domestic setting. Summarize the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. What is the relationship between Title VII and intercultural/diversity management?
8. What is affirmative action? Has affirmative action helped to alleviate discrimination in the workplace?