Managing Diversity

Scholarly Essay from the year 2009 in the subject Business economics - Personnel and Organisation, grade: A (1,0), Anglia Ruskin University, language: English, comment: - What is diversity? - What is managing diversity? - Chances of diversity - Equal Opportunities - Liberal approach - Radical approach - Ethical Responsibility - Social Justice Case - Compliance - Fear of paralysis - Model to implement a diversity business case - Obstacles of implimentation - How to evaluate the programm`? , abstract: Managing Diversity "If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity." (John F. Kennedy) Diversity - a word that is getting more and more important in today's life. Diversity has always been on earth because people can differ in many ways: gender, age, culture, sexuality or disability and many more. There is no explicit definition about what diversity is. But it is about differences and similarities. About visible and invisible differences. It encompasses acceptance and respect that each individual is unique. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive and nurturing environment. It is about moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual. Diversity is not about removing prejudices, but about recognizing that they exist (Aretz & Hansen, 2002, p. 15). Since issues like alteration, climate change, urbanization and globalization are changing the world every day the world now faces the topic diversity more than ever. The importance of diversity has grown since companies have recognized that diversity can bring a benefit to the company. However, how to manage this diversity became a new problem in today's business life. "It is not enough to get people from different cultures with different ages and genders together it is essential how these people get along with each other and with others, like employees and customers." (Daniel Goeu