Chapter 2 Workplace Diversity
2
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Diversity means differences.
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Cultural diversity:
Cultural differencesTheir effects on
communication
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Successful businesses communicate effectively with various cultures.
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Diversity initiatives:
Help a workforce to develop multicultural communication skills
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Diversity initiatives improveCorporate cultureEmployee recruitmentClient relationsEmployee retention
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Culture:
Customary beliefsSocial normsRacial, ethnic, religious,
or social traits
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Multicultural business communication:
Exchange of information among people of different cultures
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Effective multicultural communicators:
Are aware of cultural differences
Are multilingual
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Understand nonverbal communication
Know behavior standards for different cultures
They also:
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Multinational communication:
Interaction among citizens of different countries
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Global perspective:
Multicultural and multinational concerns effecting the world marketplace.
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Ethnicity and race are the first two dimensions of cultural diversity.
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1. Ethnicity:
Common racial, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origins
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2. Race:
Distinct traits transmitted by a particular group of people
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Gender is the third dimension of cultural diversity.
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3. Gender differences:
Tendency of men and women to process emotional stimuli differently
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Men tend to use language asserting independence and maintaining group position.
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Women tend to use language creating connections and relationships.
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Age is the fourth dimension of diversity.
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4. Age:
Different attitudes and treatment of younger or older persons.
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The fifth dimension of cultural diversity is individuals with disabilities.
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5. Individuals with disabilities may:Use a wheelchair, cane,
or crutchesHave difficulty seeing,
hearing, or speaking
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To protect individuals with disabilities, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1964.
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Effective multicultural communicators
Know their cultureLearn about other culturesConsider language needs
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Multinational and global business people should
Avoid complex languageFocus on the reader
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Use an interpreter if needed
Practice with interpreter
When language difficulties occur
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Additional solutions
Talk directly to receiverUse back translation of
written messages
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What are examples of diversity in your workplace?