Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction
The world’s increasing globalization requires more interac-
tion among people from diverse backgrounds. People no
longer live and work in an insular environment; they are
now part of a worldwide economy competing within a
global framework. For this reason, profit and nonprofit
organizations need to become more diversified to remain
competitive. Maximizing and capitalizing on workplace
diversity is an important issue for management.
1. This document is HR022, one of a series of the Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 2002.
Revised October 2015 and July 2019. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.
2. Derek Farnsworth, assistant professor; Jennifer L. Clark, senior lecturer, Food and Resource Economics Department; Kelli Green, former graduate
student; Mayra López, former graduate student; Allen Wysocki, associate dean and professor; and Karl Kepner, emeritus professor, deceased; UF/IFAS
Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services
only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status,
national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County
Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.
advantages. Stephen Butler, co-chair of the Business-Higher inclusiveness. Managers may also be challenged with losses
Education Forum, believes diversity is an invaluable in personnel and work productivity due to prejudice and
competitive asset (Robinson 2002). Managing diversity is discrimination, and complaints and legal actions against the
a key component of effective people management in the organization (Devoe 1999).
workplace (Black Enterprise 2001).
Negative attitudes and behaviors can be barriers to organi-
Demographic changes (women in the workplace, organiza- zational diversity because they can harm working relation-
tional restructuring, and equal opportunity legislation) will ships and damage morale and work productivity (Esty et al.,
require organizations to review their management practices 1995). Negative attitudes and behaviors in the workplace
and develop new and creative approaches to managing include prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination, which
people. Positive changes will increase work performance should never be used by management for hiring, retention,
and customer service. and termination practices (could lead to costly litigation).
Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges, and the Required Managerial Tools 2
where every member must listen and have the chance to Roosevelt, T.R. Jr. 2001. Elements of a successful diversity
speak, are good ways to create dialogues. Managers should process. The American Institute for Managing Diversity.
implement policies such as mentoring programs to provide
associates access to information and opportunities. Also, Zweigenhaft, R.L., and G.W. Domhoff. 1998. Diversity in
associates should never be denied necessary, constructive, the power elite: Have women and minorities reached the top?
critical feedback for learning about mistakes and successes New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
(Flagg 2002).
Conclusions
A diverse workforce is a reflection of a changing world
and marketplace. Diverse work teams bring high value to
organizations. Respecting individual differences will benefit
the workplace by creating a competitive edge and increasing
work productivity. Diversity management benefits associ-
ates by creating a fair and safe environment where everyone
has access to opportunities and challenges. Management
tools in a diverse workforce should be used to educate
everyone about diversity and its issues, including laws
and regulations. Most workplaces are made up of diverse
cultures, so organizations need to learn how to adapt to be
successful.
References
Black Enterprise. 2001. Managing a multicultural work-
force. Black Enterprise Magazine (July).
Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges, and the Required Managerial Tools 3