Answer to Question #229800 in Management for Graylin Lapi

Question

Discuss the advantages, disadvantages and the major challenges that contemporary organizations are facing in terms of workforce diversity, by focusing on ‘values across cultures’ . In your own words, write an essay of 1000 words Use relevant examples from the Pacific Island Countries. Marking guideline will be provided in moodle.

Answer 1

Workforce Diversity

Introduction

           Workforce diversity is characteristics of individual employees at a workplace that makes them very unique from other employees. Workforce diversity characteristics include abilities of individuals, personal ideologies, religion, gender, race, age, and sexual orientation. Pacific Island Countries have diverse cultures in their rich region, which is anchored on the traditions and customs based on ancient principles that promote a noble and honorable lifestyle that creates a large pool of employees who offer great values at their workplaces. Contemporary organizations in Pacific Island Countries such as New Zealand have high levels of workforce diversity in their setups. The concept of workforce diversity is a vital ingredient company ought to have in their organizations because of the very many benefits that come with it. This essay will explore the advantages and disadvantages of workforce diversity with a lens of values across cultures. Since workforce diversity poses challenges to contemporary organizations, I will equally reflect on the possible challenges organizations that embrace workforce diversity encounter in their organizations.

Advantages of Workforce Diversity

Variety of diverse and different perspectives

           Workforce diversity in organizations that embrace it brings forth diverse and unique perspectives into the organizations' mainstream activities. Organizations that encourage workforce diversity benefit by creating a pool of employees who have different skills, expertise, and experience, which makes a positive contribution towards the organization's success. People from diverse backgrounds bring their unique talents into the organization, which becomes a valuable and fundamental asset in the operations and achievement of the company's goals. Workforce diversity enhances the planning and execution of an organization's strategy in a more coherent and deterministic manner. Workforce diversity is equally important as it creates valuable insights for the customers of the organization.

Increase creativity and innovation

           Exposure of contemporary organizations to different perspectives based on the values created from diverse cultures increases creativity among the employees. When people come together from different cultures, they share ideas, which gives them a different approach to work, thereby creating and improving creativity among them. Equally, workforce diversity increases the rate at which employees innovate new things, which serves suitable for the organization. Multiple perspectives and values of people from diverse cultures combined with the different approaches this diverse workforce embraces lead to innovation. Creativity and innovation at the workplace are very beneficial to the organization if they tap the concept of workforce diversity.

Increased Productivity

           Organizations with greater workforce diversity achieve an increased rate of productivity in their businesses. Organizations that embrace workforce diversity can make rational decisions in a more holistic approach that encompasses every dimension, resulting in the realization of the set goals. Equally, the productivity of organizations is enhanced through quick problem solving, which is facilitated by workforce diversity that puts together different perspectives to help in problem-solving in the organization. Better decisions are made, and problems are solved much faster, thereby creating a competitive advantage over their possible competitors. The more diverse the workforce of an organization is, the more productive they are in their undertakings as the organization's employees.

Disadvantages of Workforce Diversity

Communication problems

           Workforce diversity at many times may create possible communication problems. Workers from different Pacific Island Countries do not speak a common language. Therefore there lies a big problem for an organization as they will find it hard to give instructions. Despite the very benefits of workforce diversity, co-workers will find it hard to communicate with one another. Diverse cultures at the workplace also impact the effectiveness of communication at the workplace. Communication at the workplace is very fundamental. Communication plays an overall role in ensuring that goals and objectives are met through proper understanding by the employees who can follow the instructions of their managers and work towards the realization of the organization's mission.

High chances of discrimination

           People from different cultural backgrounds have unique personal characteristics as they are socialized in different cultural backgrounds. They view and uphold each other differently due to a lack of knowledge of their counterparts' cultures and values. Workforce diversity then becomes a recipe for potential discrimination based on culture and how they value each other's culture. Instances of discrimination then create an environment that is not favorable to the workers. The employees who are discriminated against finding the environment hostile. Therefore, they cannot offer their best in places where they are discriminated against and viewed as inferior. In a nutshell, discrimination in the workplace affects the overall productivity of the company.

Challenges contemporary organizations face in terms of workforce diversity.

           Despite the very many benefits of workforce diversity, contemporary organizations have faced a considerable number of challenges that are unhealthy to the organizations' operations. These challenges pool back the organization as they are not able to remain productive in the short run. These challenges may include; creation of hostility and hatred among the diverse workforce, too many opinions which might not be fruitful in the long run, challenges in the effective implementation of the concept of workforce diversity, and lack of alternatives by organizations once they embrace workforce diversity they cannot revert and this necessitates retaining underperforming employees. The challenges may substantially hold an organization captive of the concept of workforce diversity, and they forget to recruit skilled and experienced workers.

Conclusion

           The concept of workforce diversity has taken center stage in many organizations in the Pacific Islands Countries. In the 21^st century, organizations for sure have to embrace workforce diversity due to the many benefits it puts forth. Workforce diversity, as explained, increases productivity, increases creativity and innovation and brings forth a variety of perspectives in the organization, which is more beneficial. Despite the many benefits, workforce diversity poses quite some limitations and challenges, as explained herein. These challenges are poor communication, the possibility of discrimination at the workplace, and the retaining of underperforming employees.