Culturally Diverse Coalitions

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 527.

Working with Diverse Cultures

Text 1

Unit 2 Culture and change

1. Skim the text to find the general idea how cultural diversity is defined, measured and how it affects management.

By Bill Smith, Ann W. Miller, Thomas Archer, Carla Hague

Brazzel defines diversity in terms of human differences that play an important role in the culture and operation of organizations. The culture of an organization includes the customs, assumptions, beliefs, values, rules, norms, practices, arts and skills that define and guide members about:

· The reasons for existence of the organization.

· How its "work" is to be done.

· The rules for membership.

· How to relate to others in the organization and to those outside.

Cox states that prejudices are negative personal attitudes toward a member(s) of a cultural group; discrimination is "observable adverse behavior" toward the group member(s). The dimensions of diversity in organizations include:

· Age

· Educational background

· Ethnicity

· Family status

· Gender

· Income

· Military experience

· National, regional or other geographical areas of origin

· Ownership of property and assets

· Physical and mental ability

· Race

· Sexual orientation

· Social class

· Spiritual practice

· Work experience

These dimensionsneed to be considered when identifying, selecting and recruiting prospective coalition members. A heterogeneous group can work together effectively on mutual goals and objectives through consensus and cooperation.