Multicultural Diversity in Australian Universities and Organisations

This project outline explores the challenges and opportunities of multicultural diversity in Australian universities and organisations. It aims to promote diversity and innovation through strategies and recommendations. The research methodology includes secondary data collection, literature review, primary data collection through surveys and interviews, and group discussions.

Project Outline
Assessment Task 1 – Project Outline
“Multicultural diversity in Australian Universities and Organisations”
Research in Business
Study Mode: Distance
Lecturer:
Student Name and ID:
Word count:
BUSN20016: Assessment of Assignment 1
Criteria Total
marks
Marks
obtained
A brief statement of the problem
Research aim and objectives
A brief methodology
Accurate referencing, use of correct English and logical sequences
between sentences and paragraphs
In-class topic presentation (for face-to-face students) OR online
discussion (for distance students)
Total =
Penalty for late submission (if applied)
Penalty for Turnitin similarity (if applied)
Grand Total =
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Project Outline
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Aims and Objectives of the research..........................................................................................4
A brief on Research Methodology.............................................................................................4
Secondary Data collection......................................................................................................5
Literature Review:...........................................................................................................5
Primary data collection..........................................................................................................5
Surveys & questionnaire:................................................................................................5
Structured Interviews......................................................................................................5
Group discussion and statistical flow charts.................................................................5
References..................................................................................................................................6
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Project Outline
Introduction
Australia is considered as one of the most diversified country in terms of culture and
language. As mentioned in the latest census that more than 40% of the population of the
country is made up of immigrants and their kids. As a result, the citizens of Australia are in
constant touch with immigrants at workplace and in universities. The multicultural diversity
brings both challenges and opportunities. As mentioned in the 2001 census, more than over
120 ethnic communities are speaking 120 languages in the Queensland itself (QCOSS
community of Au, 2018). Hence, each of the companies and universities are now looking
forward to have more friendly conversation with each other beyond religious boundaries. It is
essential for an organization and also for the students of the university to accept those cultural
differences and work towards the common goals.
Many organisations are operating in different countries across geographies to avail the
benefits of globalization; in the same way people are crossing the geographical boundaries to
avail better work experience and knowledge; thereby leveraging opportunities. It is a fact that
immigrants and big corporations find these expansions much attractive and lucrative, but it
carries challenges and differences as well. So how do the differences arise? Differences arise
in terms of behaviour, working style and sometimes even due to skin colour. It has been
witnessed that effective knowledge and use of cross cultural diversity has an ability to offer
an innovative thinking and experience which enables the organizations and universities to
enhance the competitive position across the world. Each culture carries its individual
thoughts and beliefs on business operations, consultation, and dispute resolution.
In spite of having all benefits of cultural diversity in the universities or workplace,
there are challenges to accept and go ahead with the flow. Multi-cultural diversity may
interfere in the successful completion of organizational goals and hinder growth projectile.
Hence, to avoid the cultural misunderstandings and promote diversity, we would focus to
create a strategy which would help in promoting the benefits of cultural diversity on the
pillars of innovation and creativity.
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Project Outline
Aims and Objectives of the research
The report aims to have fair, diverse and truly cooperative environment for people
from all cultures to study and work in the organisation. This would help to have more
innovative ideas and nourish an institute with wide range of knowledge and experiences. We
aim to have such processes at the workplace which builds the discipline of fair and equitable
policies, systems and procedures amongst all and creates a comfortable work environment.
The report aims to build the environment where all perspectives will be welcomed and
students or staff can make meaningful contributions towards common objectives to excel and
succeed (Macquarie University, 2015-2019).
The objective of this descriptive study is to find out the challenges and opportunities
of multi-cultural diversity in universities and organisation in Australia along with
recommending strategies to minimise the negative effect and maximise the benefits. The
following objectives will help to accomplish the aim:
 To study the aspects of culture, diversity and their significance in Australian
organizations and universities.
 To study the several issues and challenges of cross cultural diversity that prevails
amongst the Australian population.
 After all behavioural and theoretical aspects of multicultural diversity, the report aims
to recommend the significant leadership strategies to manage culturally diverse
workforce and students within the organisations and universities respectively.
So, the objectives aim to understand the relevance of cultural diversity, issues of
diversity and thereby mitigate the issues related to diversity with recommendations.
A brief on Research Methodology
The collection of data will be more inclined towards secondary data sources with
some flavour of primary research as well. The report would mostly consist of an intensive
article review and analysis. It will also include behavioural study of the population of
Australia working at different workplace and students studying in the universities. The
theories will help study the modern cross cultural diversity strategies, ways to implement
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Project Outline
them and outcomes for the same. The behavioural models will help us to assess and observe
the actions of the students as well as employees. (Singh)
Secondary Data collection
Literature Review:
The secondary data collection will include studying several books, journals, reports
and white papers. The research will also include the different perspective of Australian
populations shared in several magazines and websites. I would study the aspects of cultural
diversity and their significance in Australian organizations and universities with the help of
past researches. Past researches will help us to study the various strategies executed by the
organisations universities along with its success ratio.
Primary data collection
Surveys & questionnaire:
As a part of the primary data collection, the report will include survey outputs based on
the questionnaires. The questionnaire will be prepared based on the secondary data collection and
survey will be filled online as well as offline.
Structured Interviews
Moreover, in behavioural analysis, structured interview will be taken. To study the
behavioural aspects, I will take the interviews of students studying in universities and employees
working in the large organisations (where possibilities of diversity are more). The interviewees or
the sample size will be a combination of immigrants and locals; this will throw some more light
on the gap between their working culture and opinions.
Group discussion and flow charts
Group discussions in the class will also help to analyse the challenges faced by students
of the university because of cultural differences. Different points will be listed out in order to
consider them for the final preparation of recommendations for the report. Overall quantitative
and qualitative research methodology will be used to study the overall comprehensive
information collected.
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Project Outline
References
Macquarie University. (2015-2019). Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan. Australia:
Macquarie University.
QCOSS community of Au. (2018, December 12). Cultural diversity in Australia. Retrieved
March 27, 2019, from https://etraining.communitydoor.org.au:
https://etraining.communitydoor.org.au/mod/page/view.php?id=283
Singh, D. (n.d.). Managing Cross-cultural Diversity: Issues and Challenges in Global
Organizations. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering , 43-50.
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