IRMA-International.org: Creator of Knowledge
Information Resources Management Association
Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

Managing the Modern Workforce: Cultural Diversity and Its Implications

Managing the Modern Workforce: Cultural Diversity and Its Implications
View Free PDF
Author(s): Indrawati Nataatmadia (University of Technology, Sydney, Australia)and Laurel Evelyn Dyson (University of Technology, Sydney, Australia)
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 4
Source title: Managing Modern Organizations Through Information Technology
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59140-822-2.ch141
ISBN13: 9781616921293
EISBN13: 9781466665354

Abstract

Diversity is a reality in the modern workplace across the globe. A culturally diverse workforce can present some disadvantages for an organization, however if managed well it can yield many advantages, such as developing employee and organisational potential, improving customer service and business growth, and also enhancing creativity and problem solving. In this paper the management of cultural diversity is discussed with the focus on two main issues: people management and knowledge management. In order to optimize the positive outcomes of the modern workforce, Information Technology (IT) is an essential tool. Using appropriate technologies is shown to break down cultural barriers and promote understanding and knowledge sharing between employees of different language backgrounds and hence lead to successful collaboration.

Body Bottom