Essay on Diversity Management

Presented to: Prof.Dr.Reham Adel, professor of Management

From: Abdul-Rahman Aly Fathalla

I.D: 20226106

Table of contents

 Introduction
 Defining Diversity Management.
 Strategies to Achieve Diversity.
 Implementation of Diversity Management.
 Successful case of Diversity Management.
 Failure case of Diversity management.
 Conclusion.

Introduction:
What is meant by Diversity?

It is Variation in its simplest mean, it is also refers to accepting of all differences

between human beings regardless their Race, Type, Color and Religion. We can
notice diversity in everything around us, also in any work place.it is very important
and reflects very positives outcomes if it is cultivated and implemented well. It
influences workplace, workforce, and bottom lines:

 Varied perspectives – Different personal experiences and backgrounds bring a

wider variety of perspectives.

 Better problem-solving – Varied points of view result in a better-rounded

workforce—it makes people work harder, more creatively, and deliver a higher
quality of work.

 Larger audience – Your diverse workforce shows your commitment to equal

opportunities, giving your company a positive reputation and capturing a larger
share of the market.

 More job applicants – Job seekers will be more likely to want to work with your
company, which in turn, gives you a larger pool of applicants to choose from.

|Page1
  Higher profits – With high levels of racial and ethnic diversity, companies are
33-35% more likely to outperform their industry averages financially, and with
high levels of gender diversity, companies are 15-21% more liked.

When we add word, Management to Diversity, we mean that, we have a specific

organization with a definite number of employees, having many differences, and all
of them are accepted and have equal opportunities, without any discrimination, with
all respect of all differences, that all employees in the organization have.

Defining Diversity Management:

We can count up to 10 definitions of what Diversity Management is?

1. "An organizational approach aimed at achieving better organizational results

by creating a non-discriminatory, equitable and inclusive work environment." 1
2. "A voluntary organizational program designed to create greater inclusion of
all individuals into informal social networks and formal company programs,
and is an intentional design to foster appreciation of demographic, ethnic and
individual differences". 2
3. "A Management philosophy that includes “an understanding of the
sociopolitical and historical realities of discrimination and oppression".
knowledge of how organizations and systems work, and how they can change;
competence and experience in helping adults learn; and personal
understanding of one’s self in relation to others, especially across differences
of race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability” .3
4. A set of managerial actions to increase diversity, and/or promote amicable
and productive working relationships. 4
5. The practice of addressing, appreciating, and supporting individual differences
and multiple lifestyles within a defined group.5
6. Using of applied behavioral science methods, research and theory to manage
organizational change and stability processes, that support diversity in
organizations and eliminate oppression based on race, gender, sexual
orientation, and other human differences, in order to improve the health and
effectiveness of organizations while affirming the values of respect for human
differences, social justice, participations, community, authenticity,
compassion, protection and humility, effectiveness and health, and lifelong
learning.6
7. An organizational approach aimed at achieving better organizational results
by creating a non-discriminatory and equitable work environment where
people’s diversities are recognized, respected, enhanced, and integrated,
person’s needs are taken into account, and the individual’s potential
expression is fostered.7

|Page2
 8. Maximizing diversity through voluntary organizational actions and
implementation of specific policies and procedures.8
9. A system of strategies to help organizations attract and retain a diverse
workforce in terms of their ethnicity, age, race, and other attributes. 9
10. A managerial understanding that provides employment and equal opportunity
for all people without any discrimination in respect of the differences that all
employees in the organization have.10

In my point of view the best words to define Diversity Management are.

"It is a Courage and strategic Decision, taken by the head of Managerial Hierarchy,
in order to reach success and increasing the overall growth of his/her organization,
through inspiring and empowering all employees by treating them equally".

Strategies to Achieve Diversity:

1. Liberal Changing,
In which, the all have the same and equal opportunities, in workplaces. The goal of
liberal change model to have a fair labor market from which the best person is
selected for a job based solely on performance. To apply this change, a frame work
of formal rules should be created, and policy makers are responsible for applying
these rules to everyone, with no discrimination to anyone.

2. Radical Changing,
It occurs in workplaces in order to achieve a balanced workforce which directly
increases all aspects of growth.

3. Transformational Changing,
This model of change covers short term and long term equal opportunity plans, in
short term plan, new measures to reduce bias in actions like hiring process,
promotion process as well as communication process.

While in long term agenda, management of aging is the best example. Older
employees shouldn’t be treated like aging horses. The organization can utilize the
value of their long time experience also, their large relationships network, as well as,
it can use the creativity and enthusiasm of younger employees.

|Page3
Implementing Diversity in Workplaces:
First of all there must be a true interest and commitment from the top leaders and
managers of an organization. To apply diversity management programs, it starts with
analyzing where the organization is currently at, through a diversity audit. Then
Designing a strategic action plan, to change the existing culture into diversity
inclusion one. There are some steps to execute diversity including:

 Using inclusive language.

 Challenging unconscious biases (prejudice, discrimination and glass ceiling
effect).
 Educating leadership.
 Mentoring.
 Cultural events.
 Diversity training.
 Core organization values.
 Creating an environment that is suited to everyone.
 Listen to employees.
 Involve employees in the hiring process.
 Asking for support from stakeholder or specialized diversity management
providers.
 Putting measurable results and outcomes to encourage all the employees
in an organization.

Successful case of Diversity Management:

In a Multinational Infant Nutrition Company, there is a condition to join medical
sales representative department.

To be a Pharmacy graduates or veterinary graduates.

135000
140000 115000
100000
120000
100000
80000 Sales units
60000
40000
20000
0
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3

|Page4
But actually the head of the infant nutrition department was wise leader; he thinks
in diversification in his sales team, he took the courage decision and accepts a
science graduate candidate.

The result was completely winning story. That candidate increased the total sales of
his territories up to 35% during first three months of hiring.

It was a clear and obvious diversified managerial decision.

Failure case of Diversity Management:

Look to Another example, showing the undiversified policy.

In a well-established Egyptian pharmaceutical company, it only hires:

 Part-timer only.
 Physicians only.
 Males only.
 Religion oriented only.

This kind of requirements to hire a medical representative will hinder and minimize
the ratios of growth.

The end result of these minimizers of success.

o You are in second priority.

o Not all physicians are skilled to work as a medical representative.
o You are suffering from vacancies along the whole year.

So, what should we wait, after these undiversified managerial policies?

Actually after careful monitoring of the current situation, and corrective action
decisions, it is now accepted to hire a female medical representative. Also hiring
different scientific background graduated candidates.

260
300
250 190
200
Sales
150 90
50 Vacancies
100
35
50 15

0
Q1/2021 Q2/2021 year 2021

|Page5
Conclusion:
It is clear and understood the positive effects of Diversity Management. It increases
loyalty into your organizations. It increases productivity per each employee in every
department. It increases level creativity and innovation in the organizations. It makes
the organization dear to challenge and overcome external economic problems.

It makes your company more likable from 15% up to 21%, when you have high levels
of gender diversity.

Your company will be more likely to outperform their financial averages up to 33%.

Least and not the last,

If you were in a managerial position, think about how to be diversified in your
management style, and your communicating channels. Think about situational
management, it is an example of diversity management. It will enhance your
capabilities as a leader, and of course. You will be a highly performer leader.

References:
1. Handbook of Research on Race, Gender, and the Fight for Equality, 2016, pages: 25
2. (Gilbert, Stead & Ivancevich, 1999).
3. (Cross, 2000, p. 140).
4. Implementation Strategies for Improving Diversity in Organizations, 2021 |Pages: 23
5. Handbook of Research on Contemporary Approaches in Management and Organizational
Strategy, 2019, Pages: 19
6. Handbook of Research on Workforce Diversity in a Global Society: Technologies and Concepts,
2012, pages:18
7. Handbook of Research on Workforce Diversity in a Global Society: Technologies and Concepts,
2012, pages: 23
8. Handbook of Research on Workforce Diversity in a Global Society: Technologies and Concepts,
2012, Pages: 20
9. Accessibility and Diversity in the 21st Century University, Raquel Sapeg (Independent
Researcher, USA), 2020, Pages: 25
10. Industrial and Managerial Solutions for Tourism Enterprises, 2020 |Pages: 21

|Page6