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Chapter 2 Workplace Diversity

Diversity means differences.

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Cultural diversity:
Cultural differences Their effects on communication
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Successful businesses communicate effectively with various cultures.

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Diversity initiatives:
Help a workforce to develop multicultural communication skills
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Diversity initiatives improve

Corporate culture Employee recruitment Client relations Employee retention
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Culture:
Customary beliefs Social norms Racial, ethnic, religious, or social traits
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Multicultural business communication:

Exchange of information among people of different cultures
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Effective multicultural communicators:

Are aware of cultural differences Are multilingual

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They also:
Understand nonverbal communication Know behavior standards for different cultures
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Multinational communication:
Interaction among citizens of different countries
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Global perspective:
Multicultural and multinational concerns effecting the world marketplace.
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Ethnicity and race are the first two dimensions of cultural diversity.

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1. Ethnicity:
Common racial, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origins
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2. Race:
Distinct traits transmitted by a particular group of people
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Gender is the third dimension of cultural diversity.

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3. Gender differences: Tendency of men and women to process emotional stimuli differently
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Men tend to use language asserting independence and maintaining group position.
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Women tend to use language creating connections and relationships.

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Age is the fourth dimension of diversity.

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4. Age: Different attitudes and treatment of younger or older persons.

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The fifth dimension of cultural diversity is individuals with disabilities.

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5. Individuals with disabilities may:

Use a wheelchair, cane, or crutches Have difficulty seeing, hearing, or speaking
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To protect individuals with disabilities, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1964.
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Effective multicultural communicators

Know their culture Learn about other cultures Consider language needs
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Multinational and global business people should Avoid complex language Focus on the reader
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When language difficulties occur

Use an interpreter if needed Practice with interpreter
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Additional solutions
Talk directly to receiver Use back translation of written messages
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What are examples of diversity in your workplace?

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