Workplace diversity management in a multicultural society

Abstract

This paper reports on an exploratory study into the extent of diversity management initiatives in organizations in one Canadian city. Diversity management originated in the USA where it is reportedly being embraced by many organizations and where it has become the basis of a large consulting business. Although a diverse workforce and workplace diversity management are often argued to be critical to organizational competitiveness, little is known about how Canadian organizations are reacting.

The impact of cultural diversity on the effectiveness of construction project teams

“…Managers working with a workforce that has cultural diversity have to use variable management and organisational behaviour techniques which harmonise different workforce needs and values (Wright and Noe, 1996). Miller and Rowney (1999) research on the management of diversity in the workplace pointed out the importance of management of diverse workforce through human resource training programs.…”

Diversity management versus gender equality: the finnish case

“…Since its adoption by US and Canadian companies and public sector organizations in the 1980s and 1990s (Johnston & Packer, 1987;Kelly & Dobbin, 1998;Miller & Rowney, 1999), diversity management (DM) has assumed greater importance in other parts of the world as well. Specifi cally, large companies are claiming diversity as a core value, and launching specifi c diversity policies and programs (Egan & Benedict, 2001).…”

The ‘slippery’ concept of ‘culture’ in projects: towards alternative theoretical possibilities embedded in project practice

“…At the end of the 1990s, the idea that a culturally unified workforce increases productivity was popular among organisations. There was also institutional research that recommended managing cultural diversity through specific human resource training programmes (Miller and Rowney, 1999). However, in practice, they have not always resulted in the desired outcome (see also Ogbonna and Harris, 1998).…”