Symantec is a company that specializes in antivirus protection for its customers. It is fair to say that they operate on a global scale due to the fact that their customers and employees are located around the world and the threat of destructive viruses is internet wide. The management of an operation like Symantec takes special consideration due to the scope and scale of the product that they offer. Consequently, the management has to be very versatile in its management style.
When considering the impacts of diversity that the external environment creates for this company, it is important to consider all aspects of the external components and how the company overcomes these challenges. Symantec operates worldwide and it has to manage employees from many different cultures, lifestyles and beliefs. The management team must work around the various sociocultural factors to complete the tasks that are crucial to a fast response since virus threats continually evolve. If it wasn’t for the communication skills of the managers, this company would lose the productivity that is necessary to keep them competitive in the ever changing environment of virus protection. A lack of effective communication resulted in conflicts, low employee morale, missed opportunities, reduced productivity, and lack of trust (Imachukwu, O. T. 2014). Understanding how the cultural differences impact the work relations of the employees is a precarious component in keeping the work force happy and on track. Remember, employees are hard for them to find that have the required skills, and retaining them is important to remaining competitive. In fact, I would say that it is one of the most important considerations of the managers when they are making decisi...
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Works Cited
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Workforce diversity refers to the existence of individuals with different cultural, economic and social backgrounds within an organization (Claretha, 2014). In the modern world, there is increased level of diversity in the workforce due to increased level of awareness and socioeconomic interactions among people. Therefore, organizations have become multicultural places which require effective communication to ensure organizational success. That is, in the modern global community, the workplaces in various organizations have become more culturally diverse (Claretha, 2014). This has had serious impact on the personal and professional relationships among employees depending on the communication model that is established in an organization. In addition, due to the increased level of competitiveness in the business environment, organizations have been forced to establish suitable framework to effectively manage human diversity. This paper will analyze the concept of workforce diversity and organizational communication and determine its benefits and possible disadvantages in relation to business success.
In spite of mis-representation, certain culture is prone to be seen in corporation. Managing any variety of cultures will require some form of flexibility an understanding of personality that may not their personal environment. In the next few paragraphs, diversity will be dissected how some minority thrive and struggle in some areas. Mr. Taylor and Kachanoff worked on a theory that emphasizes, there is a psychological aspect of diversity which may influence the horizontal and vertical aspect of multiculturalism (2015,
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In past experience, through travels outside of the country for business relations it was discovered very early on that most cultures will respect fairness and tolerance, but each to a different degree. American women in managerial positions have had to struggle to find ways to be effective in cultures where their authority and credibility are not traditionally the norm. Perhaps it was the value of fairness that clashed with tolerance or respect for diversity on this particular business trip to Japan over 10 years ago. However, even if there was an underlying agreement on such values, in this particular scenario these values were prioritized differently among the two different cultures and might have been expressed different for that reason.
In an attempt to understand the dissimilarities of employees from a cross-cultural perspective, Geert Hofstede (1980) conducted a pioneering survey that measured the work-related values of employees who worked for IBM subsidiaries located in 53 different countries (Hofstede & Bond, 1984). When analyzing the results, Hofstede discovered that cultures were divisible into four distinct categories, masculinity/femininity, power distance, uncertainty avoidance and individualism/collectivism (Bochner 1994). Hofstede stated that the four categories relate to the core cultural values of
...Harris, Sarah V. Moran (2011). Managing Cultural Differences, Leadership Skills and Strategies for Working in a Global World. 8th ed. UK: Elsevier Inc.. 10-25.
According to Robbins, DeCenzo, and Coulter (2011) “motivation is the process by which a person’s efforts are energized, directed, and sustained toward attaining a goal” (p. 267). Organizations are always looking for new ways to motivate employees. In a global economy it is important to understand that cultural differences can impact how an organization can motivate its employees. Geert Hofstede (as cited in Sledge, Miles, & Coppage, 2008) believed there are five dimensions of culture. These five dimensions are power distance, individualism versus collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity versus femininity, and Confucian dynamism (p. 1670). This paper will discuss each dimension of culture and how they could effect employee motivation.
Can the effects of cultural misunderstandings can be painful for the individuals, but also for the organization as a whole. Embarrassing situations and inadvertently insults, offenses and failure to achieve individual and organizational goals are among the consequences of the joint. Experience of many managers and researchers in the field of strategy, organization, and the development of the theory of the organization suggests all this ", the study of cultural issues at the organizational level is absolutely essential to a basic understanding of what goes on in organizations, and how it works, and how to improve" (Shin 1990).
Nowadays, the phenomenon of globalization has massively affected the social and cultural values and has made an assembled standard of uniqueness and obstacles. Moreover, international organizations such as multinational companies, corporate brandings, non-governmental organizations, and global media play a critical part by quickening communications among social societies worldwide (Ghodrati, Joorabchi & Muati, 2015). Especially for the effect of globalization, world has started become more culturally diverse and incorporated each and another. In today’s workplace, a constructive effect of cultural diversity in the work environment is that employees having a place
people who are different from each other to diverse the company culture to find different viewpoints and ideas to gain Competitive advantage (Simmons, 1996). Organizations that are lacking diversification and which are also being exposed to the general approach of minimizing the discrimination and injustice will unfavorably affect both customer and employee while diminishing the relationships with both parties (Kundu, 2001). Peters et al. (1982) conveyed that OC should create a diverse body of employees, customers and stakeholders that are being valued and integrated in to all dimensions of the work where that particular company may learn from the people they serve, by listening internally and externally to them.
Within an organization, there are always people that think and behave differently, all dependent on their personal values and cultures. Efficient managing of the human resources is an art, and it is hard to find a perfect solution/combination. It is important that management recognize and understand that people work differently. This is why it is important to have strong cultural foundations that also guides how employees are expected to behave and work. Thereby it should be easier for management to utilize the work force diversity to something meaningful.
Understand and heed cultural differences - cultural variables in transacting international business. (1991, January 28). Business America. FindArticles.com., Retrieved March 20, 2009, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1052/is_n2_v112/ai_10412261/pg_4?tag=content;col1
It is essential to encourage cultural and personal systems of language metaphors, worldviews and meanings in the present diversified workplace. Intercultural communication has aroused great interest in scholars over the years and some empirical studies have been done on the same. However, authors have varied perspectives and emphasis on intercultural communication. Most clashes in perspectives evolve around methodology or the question of the way to study this phenomenon. To have a balanced view of the issue, it is important to read from various authors and this paper has attempted to do so. However there is more research needed on the effect of technology on intercultural communication especially communication via Internet.