Essentials of

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 2

Diversity in Organizations

Demographics of
the U.S. Workforce
Todays workforce:
Is more ethnical
and racially diverse
Includes more
women and older
workers
Has a smaller wage
gap between
Whites and other
racial and ethnic
groups

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Levels of Diversity
Surface level
diversity differences in age,
race, gender, etc.
Less significant over
time

Deep level diversity

- differences in
personality and values
More important in the
long run

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Discrimination

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Biographical
Characteristics
Biographical characteristics
include:
Age
Gender
Race
Disability
Length of service
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Age
Relationship between
age and performance is
important because
Performance may
decrease with age
The workforce is aging
Mandatory retirement is
outlawed
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Gender
Do women perform as well on
the job as men?
Few, if any, important
differences
Perception that women in male
domains are less likeable, more
hostile, and less desirable as
supervisors
Working mothers prefer parttime, flexible work schedules and
telecommuting
Women more likely to turnover
and be absent

2-7

Race and Ethnicity

U.S. Census Bureau
Recognizes 7 racial groups
Distinguishes between native
English speakers and Hispanics

Research shows that

Individuals slightly favor colleagues of their
own race in performance evaluations,
promotion decisions, and pay raises
Substantial racial differences exist in attitudes
towards affirmative action
African Americans tend to fare worse than
Whites in employment decisions

2-8

Disability
Americans with
Disabilities Act
requires
employers to
make
reasonable
accommodatio
ns for people
with physical or
mental
disabilities

2-9

Other Biographical
Characteristics
Tenure
Religion
Sexual
Orientation
Gender Identity

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Ability
Ability: An individuals current
capacity to perform the various
tasks in a job
Intellectual abilities: Abilities
needed to perform mental activities
Physical abilities

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Intellectual Ability
Ability: An individuals current
capacity to perform the various tasks
in a job
Intellectual abilities: Abilities
needed to perform mental activities
Physical abilities

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Physical Ability

2-13

Implementing Diversity
Management Strategies
Diversity
management:
Makes
everyone more
aware of and
sensitive to the
needs and
differences of
others

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Attracting, Selecting,
Developing, and Retaining
Diverse Employees

Target underrepresented
groups
Ensure the hiring and
promotion is bias free
Develop a positive
diversity climate
Workers prefer
organizations that value
diversity

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Diversity in Groups
Diversity can both
help and hurt team
performance
Leverage differences
for superior
performance
Transformational
leaders are more
effective in
managing diverse
teams

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Effective Diversity
Programs
Teach managers about the legal
framework for equal employment
opportunity and encourage fair
treatment of all people regardless
of their demographic
characteristics
Teach managers how a diverse
workforce will be better able to serve
a diverse group of customers and
clients
Foster personal development
practices that bring out the skills and
abilities of all workers

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Implications for Managers

Biographical differences have minimal effects on performance
An effective job selection process will improve the fit between
employees and job requirements
Promotion and transfer decisions affecting incumbents should
reflect the individuals abilities
Managers can accommodate employees with disabilities by
improving the fit between the job and the individuals abilities
Diversity management
must be an ongoing,
organization-wide commitment
One-shot diversity programs
as effective as comprehensive
programs that address
diversity at multiple levels

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Summary
1. Described the two major forms of workforce
diversity.
2. Recognized stereotypes and understand how
they function in organizational settings.
3. Identified the key biographical characteristics
and describe how they are relevant to OB.
4. Defined intellectual ability and demonstrate
its relevance to OB.
5. Contrasted intellectual and physical ability.
6. Described how organizations manage
diversity effectively.

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