That can make a huge difference not only in whether the person gets hired, but also whether he or she is successful in the position and whether there are realistic opportunities for promotion (Tatli & Ozbilgin, 2009).
The third company type, the multicultural organization, has a number of different kinds of people and groups within it (Harvey, 2012). These companies want people who are diverse, and will deliberately seek them out, hire them, and encourage them. One of the reasons behind this is because people who own and manage these types of companies know that a more culturally diverse workforce can mean a number of new ideas that would not otherwise be seen (Harvey, 2012). Thinking outside of the box can be a highly significant way for individuals to operate companies and bring success to them. That is true whether the person is the manager, or only an employee. If everyone is the same, groupthink is often the outcome (Harvey, 2012). Naturally, that is not good for any organization, because it does not allow the company to grow. There are no new ideas, and every person in the company thinks the same way and says the same things. In multicultural companies this does not happen. People from different cultures and races look at problems differently, and come up with unique solutions (Eisenberg, Goodall, & Trethewey, 2010; Harvey, 2012).
That can create rivalry and arguments, but a certain level of that is a good thing. People are more likely to keep the company moving forward with their interesting ideas (Allen, 1995). When companies are able to move forward because of unique and different ideas, they are also able to stay ahead of competitors that are not as multicultural in their approach to things. This can and should be pointed out, because it means that a company that is focused on multiculturalism has a benefit that other companies like it do not have if those other companies are hiring people who are just like everyone else in the company (Eisenberg, Goodall, & Trethewey, 2010). While the temptation to do that can be understood because like attracts like, it is vital that any company that wants to grow and develop focuses on more multicultural and diverse options when hiring employees (Brownell, 2003). This can also have a direct affect on how the company relates to its clients and customers, as those people will likely be very diverse in nature (Allen, 1995).
Among the reasons why more diverse businesses are so successful, is the way leadership is addressed. There are a number of different leadership theories, all of which have changed throughout time. As these theories have evolved, the people who use them have also evolved. They have seen the value of diversity in the workplace, and how that also helps when dealing with the public (Miliken, Morrison, & Hewlin, 2003). As they see that, they begin to adjust the way they lead. When leading people who are all very similar, there is one way in which it should be done. However, when a person has the opportunity to lead a group that is very multicultural and diverse, the ways in which that leadership is handled need to be very different -- just like the people (Tatli & Ozbilgin, 2009). It can be challenging to find a leadership style that everyone can relate to, but doing so is certainly possible. One of the most common ways of doing that is to offer transformational leadership. This is also sometimes called servant leadership, and is designed to bring everyone in the group together for the common good, instead of simply giving orders (Tatli & Ozbilgin, 2009).
When people feel as though they are part of a team, they are more likely to work harder for the company (Fine, 1996; Page, 2007). That translates to nearly every culture and ethnicity, and is something that the vast majority of people can get behind. When leaders make everyone feel valued for their contributions and for their differences, those leaders are on the right track toward making sure each person in the organization is going to work hard and be appreciative of what he or she has (Mumby, 1988). This can make those who work in a multicultural organization very committed to what they are doing, and also to what they are getting in return. While there are challenges to this type of organization and the type of leadership,...
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