...Cultural Diversity I work in a diverse environment every day. It was a change for me, at the beginning being around so many different cultures. I didn't know how to speak, hold a conversation or interact with them. I used to stereotype and was afraid that I might say something to offend them. As time went on I began to see they are just like me but came from a different country. I begin to listen and ask questions. Realizing their struggles made them who they are. Their laws are different, they don’t have as many opportunities as we have in the United States. These are some of the reasons why they leave their country to come to the United States. To socialize with people from different countries you begin to understand why they live, act and speak the way they do. What is it like to be from a different country and to come to the United States? I learned that it was hard to adapt to the American way, because they are misunderstood and live differently. I developed patience to be able to communicate with them. I have a friend that's from Eritrea who showed me a lot of ways to deal with diversity. Meeting her has opened doors for me, which has allowed me to be able to travel to Africa. I had a chance to meet other Eritrea’s and Ethiopian’s with the same background. She introduced me to different types of foods. She also explained to me how I could open a business in order to export items to Africa. I met someone from Morocco and he’s Muslim. It was during...
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...EDFD 403 Culture Diversity The world today is a very interesting place. Because there are different nationalities around the world and each nationality has it own type of culture. These differences lead to a varieties ways of interactions and communications among its people, in a social environment. There are many things that the society of America faces each and every day, due to the culturally diverse of people, living in the United States. But the key to dealing with culture diversity is to get an understanding of the society. Therefore, no matter where you go in the world you will find languages, human behavior, and environment. The idea of language as a culture is one that stems back from the beginning of time. It is said that a man culture comes directly from their language. With the use of one’s native language, is a way to stay in touch with one’s origin and to continue to practice rituals that have been performed for many years. If we were to take away the right of a person to speak in their native language we would be taking away their first amendment right. The freedom of speech and religion, this goes against all that our forefathers fought for nearly 300 years ago One of the biggest problems that are facing America today is that of culturally diverse students, because of the language barrier that many face everyday. The problem of language development that many children face everyday is not being able to speak more than one language. Where by...
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...Diversity is defined as “the state of unlikeness” or “the condition of being different”.( Online Etymology Dictionary) Culture refers to our way of life, including everything that is learned, shared, and transmitted from one generation to the next. (The American Heritage) Athletic and country, step mother, ABA therapist, and OCD are four aspects of diversity that influenced my personal identity. I’ve played sports and rode horses all my life, so naturally I dress athletic with a mix of country. I am a step mother to a 12 year old boy and a 10 year old girl with a daughter of my own that is 1 and a half. They have completely made my heart bigger by being in my life. I am a ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis, therapist at a non- profit organization for children on the spectrum of being autistic or having Aspergers. I specialize in the serious behavioral kids. Kids that engage in severe self-injurious behaviors, property destruction and aggression towards others. That in itself have made me have a whole new outlook on life. I’m very OCD with numbers. My life revolves around even numbers. I have to have everything on an even number or am overwhelmed with anxiety. When working with kids using ABA, it is all about observable behavior. Daily I teach these children how to fit in their society. We teach characteristics of the human behavior that are more appropriate for the setting they are attending. For an example; how to act and dress during a funeral or a wedding. Both events...
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...Businesses have become more diverse with regard to gender, race, and equality. Completely different cultures bring skillful advantages to a workplace. It offers the ability, innovations, and aids in a higher cognitive process. However, in time, accumulated cultural differences may bring about social conflict. People must learn how to circumvent the problems this entails. Understanding cultural differences would be a step in the right direction; however, professionals must be compelled to develop cultural competency first. Taylor Cox and Stacey Blake proposed that there are six specific reasons that an organization should value diversity. They explain that the effective management of diversity may benefit organizations within the areas of cost, resource acquisition, marketing, creativity, problem solving, and system flexibility (Cox & Blake, 1991). Managers should realize the benefits as well as the potential downsides brought about by bringing together totally different cultures. The differences are a reality of life within every workplace. Individuals tend to stereotype people from different cultures or races. This should be overcome; however, it will be difficult. To be effective, managers as well as employees, must be compelled to accept, respect, and make the most of cultural differences. This can and may cut back on stress and build a stronger work environment. Cox and Blake proposed that if an organization develops a reputation for valuing all types of workers...
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...Integrating Culture & Diversity in Decision making: The CEO & Organizational Culture Profile Cassandra Numa Michel Strayer University Leadership & Organizational Behavior BUS 520 Dr Jelena Vucetic August 24, 2014 Google is one of the top companies in the world and the leading search engine site. As well-known as Google is for its tech ventures, it may be as equally well known for its organizational culture. The company’s infamous campus is located in California and is equipped with all of the creature comforts that you might expect at a resort, not a company. From the cafeteria which serves gourmet meals, to the outdoors activities that encourage biking, volleyball and more during breaks from a grueling day (Evans, 2014). Staff can take naps as needed, have access to haircuts on-site, enjoy free health and dental benefits, enjoy on-site massages, swimming and volleyball and more (Kim, 2014). The culture centers on taking care of the staff, who will in turn work that much harder for the company. Google is an example of an adhocracy culture. These cultures tend to be very dynamic in nature and encourage bold, big ideas from the staff. Google is the very definition of this, in the way that the staff is cultivated and in the way that the company continue to innovate in a field where it could start to feel like it’s all been done before. Google shows signs of this in a number of ways, both in the way that it finds and recruits the best and brightest minds and...
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...Integrating Culture and Diversity in Decision Making: The CEO and Organizational Culture Profile Trinna Filbert Dr. Elizabeth Delone BUS 520 May 8, 2014 W. L. Gore and Associates is a company founded in 1958 by Bill and Vieve Gore. It is an inventive technology enterprise who works to discover innovative products. Numerous products from GORE-TEX fabric, cable wiring, electronics, medical devices, pharmaceutical, tubing, and sealants. The organization is referred to as a team-based and flat lattice organization. There is no chain of command; employees are referred to as associates. Associates and Professional staff are free to speak to one another in their multi-disciplined team. It provided electrical products until the discovery of polymer fabric that is now used as a basis for all the products in the medical and industrial markets. There are four practices the Gore utilizes to hire such associates. The associates networks various self organized groups such as Native American, Asia, Latino-Hispanic, LGBT, physically challenged, veterans, African-American, female associates and white male. Next is their recruiting strategy. The company targets certain universities, career fields and organizations. They choose the brightest and the best. The internet in addition to diverse publications and firms are also tools for finding quality. Third is diverse awareness. All associates are given the opportunity for growth and advancement in the company. They are encouraged...
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...12-2008 Managing cultural diversity in hospitality industry Yi Gong University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the Hospitality Administration and Management Commons Repository Citation Gong, Yi, "Managing cultural diversity in hospitality industry" (2008). UNLV Theses/Dissertations/Professional Papers/Capstones. Paper 480. This Professional Paper is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Scholarship@UNLV. It has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Theses/ Dissertations/Professional Papers/Capstones by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact digitalscholarship@unlv.nevada.edu. 1 MANAGING CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY by Yi Gong Bachelor of Science China Chongqing University 1998 A professional paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science in Hotel Administration William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 2008 2 ABSTRACT Managing Cultural Diversity in Hospitality Industry By Yi Gong Gail Sammons, Committee Chair Professor of Hotel Management University of Nevada, Las Vegas Cultural diversity has become a major issue in the hospitality industry of the United States. This paper focuses on analyzing the change faces and current status of the cultural diversity in the hospitality workplaces...
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...Understanding Culture Diversity in the Workplace Diversity in the workplace refers to the variety of differences in people in the work environment. It is very important to understand cultural, ethnic, and gender differences by managers and professionals in a business setting these days. Majority of firms and companies have come to realize that staffs from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds as well as different gender bring a great deal of valuable perspectives in any business environment. The importance of understanding cultural, ethnic and gender differences by managers and professionals in a business setting is essential to make the work environment comfortable. In every culture, there are basic standards of thinking, and acting and these cultural differences strongly influence workplace values and communication. What one considers acceptable and natural in the workplace for one person may be unacceptable for another person. Diversity in the workplace can be beneficial as well as challenging. Respecting individuals and their differences can increase productivity. It could also reduce lawsuits, increase opportunities and the business’s image (Esty, 1995). On the other hand, some negative behaviors in the workplace may include prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination, which should never be a practice by management for hiring, retention, and termination practices. Negative behaviors can be barriers to organizational diversity because it can harm working relationships...
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...Culture Diversity in the United States culture Diversity in the United States For decades, the human race has been identified as nothing more but unique! From the various shades of skin to the native language and geographic native land, people are diverse and have a major impact on our world and society. United States has had major culture changes as money continues to be one of the leading causes to mankind’s problems. However, knowledge of justice has help citizens and the governments realize to a degree, humans are the primary concern rather than the root to all madness “Money”. The effects of money has had an impression on the cultural diversity of the United States primary because power played the role of inequality that lead to the destruction of many families of minorities by the majority because of money. Moreover, the United States has overcome barriers to fix the disarray that power has had on individuals to help the citizens to reach out for understanding and answers that has led to the combination of knowledge, awareness and solutions. Let’s examine how! Understanding the history of how the United States met with cultural diversity has helped me to see that through history the effects begin with a negative view and later after harsh treatment was administered; lawmakers examined the outlook of the country to benefit the citizens. Two unique situations were race and gender that had an influential role of the American culture. Race was distinguished between...
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...Importance of Understanding Culture Diversity in the Workplace Jennifer Schulz Devry University Cultural Diversity in the Professions SOCS350 William Tutol January 10, 2014 Importance of Understanding Culture Diversity in the Workplace In business today it is important to have a diverse group of employees in the workplace. Our textbook defines diversity as real or perceived differences among people in race, ethnicity, sex, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, religion, work and family status, weight and appearance, and other identity-based attributes that affect their interactions and relationships (Bell, 2012, p. 5). It is very important to understand the cultural, ethnical, and gender differences by professionals and management in the workforce in this day and age. If an organization develops a reputation for valuing all types of employees, it will become known as an employer of choice, in which workers from all backgrounds feel they have the opportunity to work, grow, and be treated fairly (Bell, 2012, p. 4). By being diverse in its employees, a business has a better opportunity for new ideas and growth potential and less likely to be stymied. Despite extraordinary corporate and media attention paid to diversity in the past thirty years, discrimination, inequality, and exclusion persist in organizations (Bell, 2012, p. 4). As discussed this week in class, when the department head turned down the Jamaican friend for the position, even though he seemed...
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...Culture and Diversity in Nursing Amanda M. Jones Trinity Valley Community College Associate Degree Nursing Level II January 16, 2015 Culture and Diversity in Nursing Cultural Assessment With there being such a plethora of cultures in the world, there are so many different beliefs and practices involving health and wellness, that almost everyone has a different definition of health, and different views on disease and illness in general. My definition of health involves many different aspects, but most importantly living a healthy lifestyle overall; being free from illness, and doing everything possible to stay that way. Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep along with protecting your body from the harsh outside world, and maintaining proper hygiene are the most beneficial in being healthy. In fact, I believe that the main cause of illness aside from harmful pathogens and stress is lack of proper diet, exercise, sleep, and basic hygiene. Those things are essential to maintaining health. Anytime I start to get symptoms of a cold or illness, I immediately start taking vitamin C and drinking plenty of water. I usually do not seek medical care unless I am certain that I need antibiotics, as I like to take more of a holistic approach before using medicines any time possible. The same can be said about my pain management. I have a fairly high pain tolerance, and try to avoid using pain medications. When I am in pain I usually try to...
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...Integrating Culture and Diversity in Decision Making: The CEO and Organizational Culture of XEROX Tamico Little BUS520 Leadership and Organizational Behavior Professor Laura Jones Strayer University October 28, 2013 Integrating Culture and Diversity in Decision Making: The CEO and Organizational Culture of XEROX Company Overview Xerox is an American multinational company with its headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. The company was established in 1906 as a photographic paper and related equipment company under the name The Haliod Photographic Company. In 1958, the company changed its name to Haliod Xenon and later to Xenon in 1961. The name Xenon was derived from xerography which refers to the technology of dry printing. Xerox has a joint venture with Fuji Photo Film Company. Xerox also has subsidiaries like Xerox India and NewField IT. The company is presently engaged in a wide range of document and technology solutions including photocopiers, printers, document supplies and office technology consultancy services. According to Hoover's (2013) Xerox has grown from just a document company to both an information technology and document outsourcing company. Xerox's Organizational Culture In my view, Xerox has embraced the culture of diversity, opportunity and inclusion (Xerox, 2009). Xerox believes that employees bring to the organization different ideas and perceptions. These assets help employees from a diversity of backgrounds and cultures to create innovative solutions...
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...Integrating Culture and Diversity in Decision Making: The CEO and Organizational Culture Profile April Smith The organization I chose to research and discuss on is Zappos. Many individuals enjoy this organization because it is an online shoe store that sells name brand designers that is half the priced than an original shoe store within a mall. Nick Swinmurn, who started the online shoe retailer Zappos.com, founded this organization in 1999. His original idea was to generate a web site that presented great quality of selections of brands, styles, colors, sizes, and widths of the shoes. By 2010, Zappos had grown so much that there was need to restructure the company so that we could continue to offer customers the very best service possible. For us to have the flexibility to possibly sell anything and everything one day, we needed to make this change. On May 1, 2010, Zappos was restructured into ten separate companies under the Zappos Family umbrella "The Zappos Family Story." Zappos is just like any other organization that holds a culture of values of their organization. There unique culture provides ten family core values that their organization stand firm about business. Their first value is Deliver WOW Through Service, at Zappos anything worth doing is worth doing with WOW. They distinguish that value short and simply but it encompasses things with the organization. The philosophy at Zappos is to WOW...
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...when customers wanted them. The idea behind Zappos was to have a web site where customers could go to find their perfect shoes, one that was both affordable and stylish. Over the years Zappos has evolved into a company that provides the best online service, not just in shoes but in any category (Zappos Family Story: In the beginning let there be shoes, 2014). Zappos Culture Culture cannot be generalized across organizations, but must be viewed in context of the particular organization. This is due to shared and multiple meanings emerging in relation to the particular group of people and to the mission, vision statements, and their values (Cunliffe, 2008). Zappos culture is one in which customer service and satisfaction and employee empowerment is at the heart of what they do. The culture at Zappos is an extension of their core values, which include a mandate to deliver WOW through service, build a positve team and family spirit and a open and honest relationship through communication. Also included in their values is being passionate, deteremined, adventurous, creative and open-minded. Zappos culture takes into consideration not just their customers but also their employees. They realize the importance of building the character of their employees in order to meet the challenges they will face in delivering the WOW experience which they value. By investing in their employees they are allowing the company to be able to grow as the employees themselves experience...
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...Organizational Culture Profile 1 Week 8 Assignment 2: Integrating Culture and Diversity in Decision Making Michael Haidar Strayer University Professor Ronald Jones BUS 520 Leadership and Organizational Behavior November 30, 2014 Google, the most widely used web-based search engine, was founded in 1998 by Stanford University graduate students Larry Page and Sergei Brin. As a research project in 1996, Page and Brin began developing a search engine designed to look at the connecting links between web pages in order to determine a site’s authority. In 1998, Page and Brin set up their first data center in Page’s dorm. With the encouragement of fellow Stanford alum David Filo, who started Yahoo a few years earlier, page and Brin decided to start a company and started looking for investors to back them. Andy Bechtolsheim, one of the founders of Sun Microsystems, invested $100,000 in the company after receiving a demo of their search technology. The pair eventually raised over $1M (Anto, 2002, p. 188). Every organization has its own culture. Since many employees spend 40 or more hours at their workplace, their organization’s culture obviously affects both their work lives as well as their personal lives. Organizational culture is defined the system of shared actions, values, and beliefs that develops within an organization and guides the behavior of its members. Although each organization has its own unique culture, there are some...
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