Question

While this chapter discussed the many benefits of diversity, an alternative view suggests that no empirical evidence exists to show that a diverse workforce has a positive effect on organizational performance, employee commitment, and employee satisfaction. In fact, anecdotal evidence indicates that diversity can negatively affect business performance because of the possibility for internal conflict, dissension, and turnover. What is your reaction to this perspective in light of the content of this chapter? Do these arguments have merit? Why or why not?

Answer 1

The concept of diversity and its benefits are relatively new, hence there is less research work available to show its true impact. The benefits of diversity rely upon the value, beliefs and ideas that come from the people with diverse backgrounds. But, these people are to be effectively managed to get suitable results. Diversity is beneficial and it is already proved by the success of many top and innovative companies such as Apple, Google and Microsoft. Besides, diversity is the way that eliminates discrimination and gives equal opportunity to everyone. It is itself a biggest benefit. Hence, I do not agree with the alternative view, because these issues are the result of mismanagement of human resources, wrong policies and poor HR planning. Besides, these issues are present in organizational perspective, when diversity was not practiced in the organization. So, saying that diversity, bringing these issues, is not correct.