Diversity in Organizations

(Chapter – 02)

By:
Dr. Aamir F. Shamsi

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Overview of the Chapter
1. Diversity
2. Demographic Characteristics
3. Levels Of Diversity
4. Discrimination
5. Biographical Characteristics
6. Other Differentiating Characteristics
7. Ability
8. Implementing Diversity Strategies

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 What comes in your mind when you
hear the term ‘diversity’?

Why is it so important to be ensured in

a workplace?

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Diversity…??

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Demographic Characteristics
o It refers to the ways in which
people are similar or different
from each other.
o It may be defined by any
characteristic that varies
within a particular work unit
such as gender, race, age,
education, tenure, or
functional background (such
as being an engineer versus
being an accountant).

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Levels of Diversity
1. Surface – level diversity
o Differences in easily perceived characteristics, such as
gender, race, ethnicity, age, or disability, that do not
necessarily reflect the ways people think or feel but that
may activate certain stereotypes.
2. Deep – level diversity
o Differences in values, personality, & work preferences that
become progressively more important for determining
similarity as people get to know one another.

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Discrimination
“Noting a difference between things; often we
refer to unfair discrimination, which means
making judgments about individuals based on
stereotypes regarding their demographic
group.”

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 How does workplace
discrimination undermines
organizational
effectiveness…??

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Stereotyping…??

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Stereotyping
“Judging someone on the basis of our
perception of the group to which that person
belongs.”

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Stereotyping Threat
“The degree to which we internally agree with
the generally negative stereotyped perceptions
of our groups.”

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Stereotyping Threat
o People become their own worst enemies when they feel
stereotype threat.
o Ironically, they may unconsciously exaggerate the stereotype,
like an older job applicant who talks about aging, rambles during
the conversation, & discloses too much.
o They may also over – identify with the stereotype.
o People, in some cases, also tries to be as busy as possible at
work & rushes conspicuously around the office may be
attempting to overcome a stereotype threat of a slow worker.
o Some people may perform differently when reminded of their
stereotyped group.

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Are you aware of the
intercultural dynamics…??

Assess your intercultural

sensitivity.

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Discrimination at Workplace

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Biographical Characteristics
“Personal characteristics – such as age, gender,
race, ethnicity, & length of tenure – that are
objective & easily obtained from personnel
records. These characteristics are
representative of surface – level diversity.”

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Positive Diversity Climate
“In an organization, an environment of
inclusiveness & an acceptance of the
diversity.”

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Disabilities & Hidden Disabilities

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Why does differentiating
characteristics factor in
Organizational Behavior …??

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Other Differentiating Characteristics
1. Tenure
2. Religion
3. Sexual orientation & gender identity
4. Cultural identity

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 What is the relevance of
intellectual & physical abilities
to
Organizational Behavior …??

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Ability
“An individual’s capacity to perform the
various tasks in a job.’

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Intellectual Abilities
“The capacity to do mental activities –
thinking, reasoning, & problem solving.”

Business Studies Department, BUKC

Business Studies Department, BUKC
 General Mental Ability
“An overall factor of intelligence, as
suggested by the positive correlations
among specific intellectual ability
dimensions.”

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Physical Abilities
“The capacity to do tasks that demand
stamina, dexterity, strength, & similar
characteristics.”

Business Studies Department, BUKC

Business Studies Department, BUKC
 Implementing Diversity Management
Strategies…??

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Diversity Management
“The process & program by which
managers make everyone more aware of
& sensitive to the needs & differences of
others.”

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Implementing Diversity Management
Strategies
1. Attracting, selecting, developing, & retaining diverse employees;
2. Diversity in groups;
3. Effective diversity programs;
4. Shaping up the behavior through other means, example:
o Classical conditioning
o Operant conditioning

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Experiential Exercise
o Make a group randomly, not by seating, friendships or preferences.
Without discussion, each group member first answers the following
question on paper:
• How diverse is your group, on a scale of 1 – 10, where 1 = very
dissimilar, & 10 = very similar.
• Now, putting the paper away, answer the following:
1. What games did you like to play when you were young?
2. What do you consider to be your most sacred value &
why?
3. Are you spiritual at all?
4. Tell us a little about your family
5. Where’s your favorite place on earth & why?

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Any Questions?

Business Studies Department, BUKC

 Thank You!

Business Studies Department, BUKC