Demographic Diversities In Work Groups
Ankit Sachan Y5078
A STUDY OF DEMOGRAPHIC DIVERSITIES IN WORK GROUPS
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Abstract:
Although diverse work groups have a lot of potential advantages, converging dimensions of diversity sometimes result in conflict and less productivity. It is the perspective which the work group holds about diversity which determines whether the diversity will be a blessing or a boon. Three different perspectives are identified: the integration-and-learning perspective, the access-and-legitimacy perspective, the discrimination-and-fairness perspective. These perspectives contribute to work group harmony, interpersonal relations, interpretation of cultural identities at work.
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A work group is defined as two or more people,
interacting or working together in order to attain some certain goals. With the increasing globalization, organizations today consist of people with diverse backgrounds. Group diversity can be based on many different dimensions as race, gender, attitude, values, nationality, religion, functional background and several distinctions have been made on diversity (Pelled, 1996).Arguments have been made that diverse work groups result in increased efficiency, creativity, innovation and hence show a positive effect on overall productivity of the organization concerned. While the people on the other side of argument say that diversity ultimately result in confusions, contradictions and conflicts and hence show a negative effect on organization’s output.
A work group having people from diverse backgrounds put the organizations in an advantageous situation, whether it’s a matter of taking decision, starting new venture or dealing with the clients all over the world. Diverse perspectives and expertise which an organization gain by having diverse work groups result in enhanced team functioning by information...
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