Managing Diversity: A Case Study of Nike

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Managing diversity: A case study of Nike
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1
MANAGEMENT
Assemblage of different cultures enhances the cultural diversity. This includes
different types of practices reflecting the humanitarian grounds for respecting other cultures.
One of an evident challenge in cultural diversity is conflicts and differentiation of opinions,
which degrades the cultural value. This reflects the necessity of adopting effective
management techniques for managing the diversity for preserving the cultural essence.
According to Dass. and Parker (1999), proactive approach towards developing frameworks
helps in systematizing the implementation practices. Within this, the reactive modes are to be
considered for assessing the response of the clients towards the implemented strategies. This
essay attempts to shed light on the diversity management practices adopted by Nike for
enhancing the workplace culture.
Nike creates a sense of belongingness within the employees. The employees are
involved in the sessions, lectures and seminars. This involvement makes them feel that they
are a valuable asset for the company. The managers assure that the employees have access to
the events and activities. Equality Act (2010) is followed for providing equal treatment to the
male and the female workforce (Yang and Konrad 2011). Along with this, mention can be
made of Empathetic leadership, where conscious approach towards inclusion enhances the
personality of the managers in terms of stabilizing the relationship with the employees.
Typical components in this are the intellectual and emotional perceptions regarding
respecting cultures.
Top down approach generates compliance with the ethical code of conduct for respecting
the workplace culture. One of the biggest challenge in this approach is that it lacks
commitment towards performance. Functional organizational structure is effective in terms of
allocating the roles and the responsibilities in an efficient and effective manner. Within this,
Ely and Thomas (1996) states that need analysis is crucial in terms of bringing the changes in
the workplace according to the identified and specified requirements.

2
MANAGEMENT
Automation is exempted in case of involving the people- Hiring people from diverse
cultures makes the workplace of Nike inclusive. In order to avert the instances of
disproportionate outcomes, the company conducts analysis of the experiences and the
expectations. Training programs are organized for the employees in terms of making them
aware of the inclusive workplace culture. Within this, the focus is laid on the new habits and
behaviours, altering the personality of the individuals. Surveys and feedbacks are used for
gaining an insight into the approach of the clients towards the adopted plans and strategies for
diversification (D'Netto, Shen, Chelliah and Monga 2014).
Mention can be made of the formalized practices, which Nike to manage the diversity
effectively. Concepts like diversity champions have generated value within the services
retaining the prospective customers. Diversity policies relates to the strategic human resource
management, which can be correlated with the standards and protocols of Equality Act
(2010). Strictness in these policies is reflected from the initiatives to reduce the instances of
discrimination and generating financial effectiveness. Barak (2016) states that involvement of
the stakeholders in all of the activities helps Nike to create positive working spheres,
generating value within the business operations, enhancing the cultural diversity. Typical
example of this lies in lifting the barriers in case of the recruitment and selection of the
candidates from the marginalized groups.
Structured interviews are considered for gaining an insight into the approaches of the
stakeholders and shareholders regarding the levied strategies and plans. Infusing Data
Protection Act (1998) is apt for Nike in terms of reducing the racial differences. Along with
this, Ely and Thomas (1996) mentions that diversity training programs results in the creation
of positive learning environment in the workplace.