Managing Workplace Diversity: Challenges and Strategies
Managing Diversity
Diversity is a fact of American and International business and is a broader, more complex issue than one might initially believe. This paper will address the breadth and complexity of Diversity by reviewing: the nature of Diversity; legally protected classes within the United States; aspects of Diversity that fall outside the scope of U. S. legal protections; the benefits of Diversity for employers; the differences/challenges presented by Diversity for employers; general business adjustments/accommodations for Diversity; and suggested specific business adjustments/accommodations for Diversity. Though this paper cannot exhaustively address all aspects of Diversity, it is hoped that a review of all those aspects will give a good overview of modern businesses' Diversity issues and possible solutions. The nature of Diversity is shown to be much broader than the classes legally protected by U.S. Law; it also includes global issues created by international business and classes, such as our four generations of American workers, extending far beyond the narrow confines of U.S. law. As we have seen from our sources, there are many benefits for companies embracing Diversity, not only in "doing the right thing" but also in basic business advantages of greater employee skills, attraction for consumers and greater profitability.
Despite these advantages, Diversity exposes businesses to differences/challenges, such as the attitude of some businesspeople; societal prejudice; different attitudes of different cultures; the apparent tendency of business to inadequately honor international cultural differences; prejudice against Middle-Eastern workers in view of 09/11; challenges when women & minorities are not proportionately represented in upper management; and challenges presented by the different traits and expectations of our four generations of American workers. In order to meet those differences/challenges, most sources seem to agree on general business adjustments/accommodations for Diversity, such as: recognition of Diversity; recognizing the need for Diversity Training; establishing a "corporate culture" embracing Diversity and inclusion through communication, clear policy and insistence on Diversity; Diversity coaching; a clear plan for company-wide Diversity, with the company acting as a "moderator" of those values; training involving a "top-to-bottom" approach in which Diversity values start with the CEO and move down and throughout the company. Finally, some sources have offered propositions, simple plans and very complex plans for Diversity programs, all of which seem to agree with the general principles that the positive embrace of Diversity must come from the highest reaches of a company, move down through company channels and spread throughout the company for the greatest success.
Organizational Behavior: Perception, Social Learning & Self-Efficacy
This paper explains the core concepts of organizational behavior in the view of the case study of president of Great Northern American, Joe Salatino. The paper firstly explains the importance of perceptions and the attributions formed on the basis of those perceptions by the people. It also highlights the appropriate learning theory which could be deployed by Joe Salatino effectively in dealing with his employees. Moreover, it also explains how operant conditioning, learning theory and social learning theory could be instrumental in improving the performance levels of the employees. It also explains how self-efficacy could lend a hand to Joe Salatino in hiring new people within the organization.
Cognitive Development, Impulse Control, and Teen Decision-Making
Decision-making in humans mostly depends on the development. Highly developed individuals tend to make better decisions than those with minimal development. This also explains why people behave differently to different situations. Teenagers usually make riskier decisions, and this is because their development is at a lower level. Researchers use cognitive development studies to explain this.
Medical Management of Adolescent Athletic Knee Fractures
C.W. is a 13-year old middle school student who was admitted to Antelope Valley hospital complaining of severe pain in the right knee while playing football in his Physical Education class at school. As the patient turned to run for a pass, he twisted his right knee and fell to the ground. C.W. reports that he immediately felt a snapping and popping sensation at his right knee and experienced severe pain. The patient's knee began to swell and deform following his fall, and he was unable to bear weight. The coach for the Physical Education class called 911, and C.W. was transported by ambulance to Antelope Valley Hospital.