Class Introduction

• Discussion of the upcoming class schedule and case study

  • Case Study due: November 4 (Tuesday)

  • Instructor plans to explain case study concepts after Chapter 12

Review Sheet

• Review sheet to be provided by the instructor

  • It will include all necessary terms for the test

  • Review on the upcoming Tuesday

Diversity in Business

Importance of Diversity

• Class questioned: "Why does diversity make good business sense?"

• Instructor will revisit this question after initial discussions.

Surface Level vs. Deep Level Diversity

1. Surface Level Diversity

   • Definition: Visible attributes such as gender, race, and age.

   • Examples: Male, female, various races.

2. Deep Level Diversity

   • Definition: Underlying attributes that are not immediately visible, such as beliefs, values, and personal experiences.

Diversity vs. Affirmative Action

• Diversity

  • Definition: Recognizing, valuing, and leveraging differences among people to improve inclusion and performance.

  • Examples of factors considered: Religion, race, gender, age.

• Affirmative Action

  • Definition: A policy designed to address past discrimination by promoting opportunities for underrepresented groups.

  • Legal aspects: Required by law, dependent on demographic considerations and court rulings.

Diversity Training Approaches

1. Awareness Training

   • Focus: Discuss and raise awareness of diversity issues.

2. Skill Building Training

   • Focus: Hands-on training to develop practical skills related to diversity implementation.

   • Instructor's perspective: Skill-based training is more effective than awareness training alone.

Arguments in Favor of Diversity

Cost Argument

1. High Productivity

   • Findings: Diverse organizations show higher productivity, leading to increased financial gains.

2. Low Absenteeism

   • Definition: Employees are present, reducing associated costs and enhancing product output.

   • Importance: Higher attendance ensures efficient production.

3. Low Turnover

   • Definition: Employees remain with the company, reducing hiring and training costs associated with new hires.

   • Discussion of factors leading to turnover: Poor job satisfaction, inadequate working conditions, etc.

Resource Acquisition Argument

• Diverse workforces facilitate relationships with diverse customer bases, enhancing customer service.

Marketing Argument

• Diverse backgrounds enable workers to relate to a broader range of customers, improving business outreach.

Creativity Argument

• A variety of perspectives leads to increased creativity and innovation within teams.

Problem-Solving Argument

• Diversity fosters more ideas and perspectives, aiding in effective problem-solving.

Systems Flexibility Argument

• Diverse organizations can adapt more readily to changing market demands and trends.

Best Practices in a Diverse Organization

Characteristics of Diverse Organizations

1. Pluralism

   • Aim: Groups in an organization to understand each other.

2. Full Integration

   • Importance of avoiding tokenism where representation is minimal and superficial.

3. Informal Networks

   • Encouragement of social interactions beyond work tasks to build strong relationships.

4. Stereotyping Awareness

   • Definition: Avoiding generalizations about individuals based on collective characteristics.

5. Open Communication

   • Encouragement of transparency and dialogue among all employees.

Case Study Overview

Requirements

• Length: Five pages, typewritten, double-spaced.

  • Note: Cover page does not count as part of the five pages.

Case Study Structure

1. Executive Summary

   • Length: Half a page to one page summarizing key points.

2. Issues Section

   • Describe the issues and provide examples from the case study.

3. Solutions Section

   • Define ethical considerations and solutions utilizing ethical guidelines, communications improvements, job descriptions, and training plans.

In-Depth Issues from the Case Study

1. Ethical Issues

   • Discuss a code of ethics to guide employee behavior.

   • Importance of ethical standards and repercussions for violations.

2. Communication Issues

   • Suggestions for improving both downward and upward communication channels.

3. Insubordination

   • Definition and examples of disrespectful behavior in the workplace.

4. Interpersonal Relationships

   • Importance of positive interactions between employees and management.

5. Organizational Structure

   • Need for clear definitions of roles and expectations.

   • Emphasis on a written chain of command.

6. Training

   • Identify training needs for all employees, including leadership training for management.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on the need for organizations to be culturally adaptable.

  • Discuss examples from specific companies (e.g., Disney and Oreo) to illustrate the importance of cultural awareness in business.

  • Encourage strategic partnerships and adaptation to local markets to increase success and acceptance of products globally.