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  • Essay / The importance of cultural diversity within organizations

    When we discuss diversity, society talks about the group that possesses individual qualities that are different from those of other individuals. Diversity is the uniqueness that each employee brings to the workplace in an organization or establishment. Examples of differences include nationality, beliefs, disabilities, physical appearance, race, gender, age, education, sexual orientation and work experience, as well as social and family circumstances. In the workplace, valuing diversity means creating a work environment that respects and includes different individuals, maximizing the potential of all employees or in which every employee feels integrated within the organization. Cultural diversity means recognizing that other people, other voices and other cultures have equal rights in the world; we must view everyone as one human race. Inculcating cultural diversity practices within an organization begins with a structure that produces benefits and then is proven through success stories of organizations that have implemented various practices. The concept of cultural diversity contributes significantly to the success of organizations. Through the structure of the organization, individuals can see that a multicultural structure has many advantages over limited structures. The organization will be more successful because of its overall structure. According to Taylor Cox, there are three types of organizations that focus on developing cultural diversity. The three types of organization are monolithic organization, plural organization and multicultural organization. In the monolithic organization, the degree of structural integration (the presence of people from different cultures...... middle of paper...... ups, businesses, schools and corporations. New Jersey, United States: Princeton University Press. Proctor and Gamble (2011). Linton, R. and Herskovits, M. (1936). American Anthropologist, 149-152. Managing the New Global Workforce. Fostering Diversity, Forging Coherence in European Management, 16 (6), 644-652. Organizational Culture and Leadership San Francisco, California: United Nations. education, science and culture (2010-October 22 Cultural diversity. Retrieved February 5, 2011 from UNESCO - Culture: http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php- URL_ID=). 34321&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html.