Diversity & Case Studies

Introduction

There is no doubt that today¡¦s business world is changing rapidly and many factors are also simultaneously interacting. Perhaps these factors are created by diversity.

According to the dictionary, diversity is a point or respect in which things differ. In fact, diversity in the population, the work force and the market place give many benefits for organizations. Managers are to gain more knowledge on internal diversity in order to maximize the efficiency of workforce and profit. Therefore, not only are changes inevitable while competition and improvement interacting, but also globalization is a crucial factor affecting all organizations. This essay will focus on and analyze some themes related to the diversity in today¡¦s competent business environment and a successful example will be discussed at the end of this paper.

Reform of traditional management

Bell and Harrison (1995) have an opinion on the ¡§past leaders¡¨. In the past business world, leader were required to show that they have the strongest ability among all other staff. Centralization of power seems to be the characteristics of a leader and certain information control helps to maintain leader control and management. As far as making profit is concerned, centralization coursed a lot of red tape and poor performance. Therefore, it is about time there was a reform.

Moreover, advanced technology has urged the reform of workplace nowadays. According to Casey, C. (1999), technological changes change the concept of leadership. The development of advance technology facilitates and speeds up the flow of information. Techniques, information and skills become possible to be enhanced, acquired and discarded in leaning that happens at work. Centralization of information and special skills are no longer regarded as element of leadership.

As far as diversity is concerned, setting the same target, sharing the same value and mutual understanding are essential. Therefore managers and employees are encouraged to challenge top managements in terms of various aspects: such as discrimination, norms, biases and inappropriate decisions. This emphasis on employee involvement should be continued shift to have an ultimate management change: shifting the centralizing management to a more personal development and work-together basis to maximize each employee¡¦s talent and ability.

In general, executin...

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...tionally, diversity makes McDonald¡¦s fast food kingdom easier to management. Thus, its branches can be seen everywhere.

Conclusion

In a competent business environment, effective management is the key of success. The larger the organization, the harder the effective management can be achieved. However, it is possible to overcome the difficulties by executing diversity within an organization.

Executing proper management control systems can facilitate the implementation of the organizations' strategies; diversity enables managers' to set their personal goals and their subordinates¡¦ within the organizations they manage. As employers and employees have to work close with each other to get benefits, appropriate strategies and training can improve the business.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(2001), Module 1 Thinking Skills and General Management, University of Leicester

Bell, J and Harrison (1995); B.T., Eds., Vision and Values in Managing Education, London, David Fulton.

Casey, C. (1999). The changing Contexts of Work in D. Boud & J. Garrick, Understanding learning at at Work, Routledge, London

Daft, R.L., (2000), Management, Harcourt Inc., USA.