WORKPLACE DIVERSITY

Workplace Diversity: A Framework For Success In The 21st Century Learning Organization

ABSTRACT

It is no doubt that our world is becoming a global economy. There is a shift in our global economy wherein the workplace in the 21st Century learning organization is increasingly becoming diverse in nature posing numerous challenges for management and organizational leaders. Because of this shift, businesses in the 21st century will have to take on a new face in order to meet the increasing challenges in achieving organizational success. The concepts of a learning organization have been a set of milestone to facilitate the change process for many organizations. One of such concepts deals effectively with an increasingly diverse population that has immensely impacted the workplace in recent years. This author addresses managing workplace diversity with respect to organizational diversity initiative program, its challenges, and benefits and to present an effective framework for success in managing a diverse workforce in the 21st century learning organization.

Workplace Diversity: A Framework For Success In The 21st Century Learning Organization

Introduction

Diversity in the workplace is not a strange aspect of organizational paradigm. The wave of immigrants to this country has forced organizations. As we look around us, we see that our world is rapidly becoming a global economy whether we like it or not. This aspect of globalization is having a direct effect in the American workplace. Almost every workplace in the United States is increasingly becoming diverse because of the rapid rise in the numbers of immigrants coming to this country. This has created new challenges for 21st century learning organizations. In order to be successful in achieving organizational objectives learning organizations are exploring ways to create a viable workplace of inclusion. The increasing challenges related to Workplace diversity in the 21st century learning organization have drawn the attention of organizational leaders at all levels.

In the 21st century, the successful organization will need to quickly and effectively adapt to the changing environment in which it exists. Many organizations have adopted the concepts of a learning organization in order to facilitate the process for change.

The purpose of this study is to provide a general definition for "diversity", discuss the benefits as well as the challenges of managing a diverse workplace, and present an effective framework for success in managing a diverse workforce in the 21st century learning organization.

Workplace diversity continues to be both an interest and a concern to organizations worldwide. Efforts to provide greater access to corporate careers for groups that have been historically discriminated against is not new. However, what is more modern is the examination of how inherent and subtle biases, as well as privileges, may facilitate the movement of some groups up the corporate ladder—while constructing a glass ceiling for others. Managing diversity efforts that focus on more closely examining the organizational norms, values, and practices that enhance or impede diversity can therefore be met by appreciation as well as resentment and backlash by organizational members and the public at large (Arredondo, ...