Purpose: For 40 years, it has been widely believed in the West that learning organisations would be healthier, flexible and more competitive than other organisations. By now, one might expect them to be widespread. However, fully developed learning organisations are rare in the West. In contrast, Chinese organisations seem naturally to be learning…

Cultural diversity is a fact of life in the workplace. The human resource manager who values diversity as a source of enrichment and opportunity can bring a wealth of benefits to the company. (JOW)

Awareness of diversity in the workplace is on the rise, but so is a backlash to some of the issues that it raises. Ways to prevent backlash include getting management support, involving employees in training design, using an inclusive definition of diversity, acknowledging resistance, valuing sameness, and affirming the value of individual views.…

Suggests that business communication teachers examine their course content to determine whether it contains assumptions and views limited to a particular culture. Offers appropriate guidelines and activities that are easy to implement in the business communication schedule. (JOW)

Before companies attempt to increase the diversity in their management ranks, it is necessary for them to learn to manage diversity. Managers should have a plan; focus on individual learning, human-relations, motivational, and communication styles; examine organizational culture; and offer diversity training. (JOW)

Describes differences between the cultures of the workplace and the school. Discusses what vocational instructors can do to promote cultural learning in the classroom and how they can help students, especially limited English speakers, understand the workplace. (SK)

Presents diversity as a resource to create a high performing work culture that enables all employees to do their best work. Distinguishes between diversity and inclusion, describes a model for diagnosing an organization's culture, sets forth steps for implementing a organizational change, and discusses the human resource professional's role.…

Multicultural activities should be integrated into technical curricula. Schools must make a serious effort to sensitize students to the nuances of other cultures so they are better able to meet the challenges of the workplace. (JOW)

Diversity implies differences in people based on their identifications with various groups and is also a process of acknowledging differences through action. Those organizations that have welcomed diversity are more productive and have a competitive advantage. Diversity training can be awareness based (cognitive) or skill based (behavioral). (JOW)

Discusses the issue of time and time management in France, explaining that many outsiders are frustrated at the way the French behave in the workplace and noting that time is not always money in the French workplace. Discusses monochronic versus polychronic cultures, looks at France's differing notion of time, and describes a French manager's…

This report of an American Society for Training and Development symposium discusses how important it is for companies to deal with diversity issues. It offers guidelines for making sure business communications reflect the diversity of the work force and customer base, and it compares affirmative action, valuing diversity, and managing diversity.…

Goals of diversity training may be compliance, harmony, inclusion, justice, and transformation. Effective programs are predicated on leadership support, authentic training strategies, and alignment with the organization's goals. (JOW)

Many diversity programs ask too much of managers, lack tangible standards, are the wrong tool, or may encourage stereotyping. Managing diversity requires communicating commitment to fair treatment, focusing on commonalities, prohibiting unacceptable conduct, teaching rules of civil behavior, and defining the issue as one of business risk…

"Anna and the Kaleidoscope" (Ingram) notes that work force diversity can apply to differences in aptitudes, outlooks, backgrounds, and learning styles as well as race, gender, and physical ability. "Managing Diversity in the Classroom" (Steffey) presents tips for uncovering the abilities of diverse participants and incorporating them into the…

Discusses the issue of sexual orientation in the workplace and how to deal with it as an aspect of workplace diversity efforts. Indicates the importance of having information about the experiences of gay men and lesbians in one's organization and offers suggestions for gathering the information. (JOW)