The Challange of Cultural Diversity in Corporate America

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The Challange of Cultural Diversity in Corporate America

The expanding conflict over cultural diversity

in corporate America may present as many opportunities

and problems as affirmative action. Today, cultural

diversity is an important fact of life and business,

due to the changing face of society, and therefore,

the work place. It is growing ever more essential for

people to interact with others outside of their racial,

ethical, religious, regional, social, etc. boundaries.

To stay on top of their competitors, corporations must

change their approach, and see diversity not as a necessary

evil, but as a source of enrichment and opportunity

that may bring a wealth of benefits to the company.

In an examination of the U.S. workplace and

specifically looking at management positions, it is

clearly evident that minorities are "under"

represented. The reasons behind this seem to vary

depending on which point of view it is looked at.

Some argue that minorities "haven't been in the labor

pool long enough to work [their way] up". It is

ridiculous to believe this because there are plenty

of qualified minorities for any of those jobs.(1)

Others argue that "minority employees don't know the

rules that allow one to 'win' in the corporate 'game'".

If this is true, then what is keeping them from

learning these "rules" and what can be done to teach

them?(2) While these reasons may hold some truth, it is

also, as proven time after time in this country's

media, a matter of race and/or gender.

There is an inherit distrust on the part of

today's managers (typically white males who grew up

with little exposure to people from other cultures)

in the abilities of others outside of the white, male

work-forc...

... middle of paper ...

...of this society and this country. "Understand

that over the long term, the successful manager is

going to have to deal with large numbers of minorities

and women in business, and [it is] presume[d] most

managers want to be successful, want their company to

be successful. Therefore, don't walk away from

[diversity], walk up to it".(8)

1 Copeland, (June, 1988), pg. 53

2 Copeland, (July, 1988), pg. 44

3 Copeland, (June, 1988), pg. 54

4 Copeland, (June, 1988), pg. 54

5 Copeland, (July, 1988), pg. 45

6 Copeland, (June, 1988), pg. 53

7 Copeland, (June, 1988), pg. 54

8 Copeland, (July, 1988), pg. 49

Bibliography:

Copeland, Lennie (1988, Jun). "Making the Most of

Cultural Differences at the Workplace", Personnel,

pp. 52 - 54

Copeland, Lennie (1988, July). "Valuing Diversity,

Part 2: Pioneers and Champions of Change", Personnel,

pp. 44 - 49

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