Managing Cultural Diversity within Workplace

This research focuses on the importance of managing cultural diversity within the workplace, using a case study of Composite Wood Company Ltd. It explores the benefits of cultural diversity, strategies adopted by organizations, and research findings. The aim is to analyze the concept of cultural diversity, understand its benefits, and evaluate strategies for managing diversity.

Report

Table of Contents
Topic of the research is “To manage cultural diversity within workplace". A case study
of Composite Wood Company Ltd. ................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
Rationale of the research ............................................................................................................3
Research aim ..............................................................................................................................3
Research Objective .....................................................................................................................3
Research Questions ....................................................................................................................4
Gantt chart and work break down structure ...............................................................................4
Work break down structure ........................................................................................................6
LITERATURE REVIEW ...............................................................................................................6
The concept of cultural diversity at workplace ..........................................................................6
Different benefits of company by having cultural diversity.......................................................7
Strategies of cultural diversity adopted by organisations ..........................................................8
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................8
Primary and Secondary Research Undertaken.................................................................................8
.......................................................................................................................................................12
DATA ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................12
DATA INTERPRETATION ........................................................................................................13
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................20
Recommendations.....................................................................................................................21
Reflection .................................................................................................................................21
Implications for further research...............................................................................................22
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................23

Topic of the research is “To manage cultural diversity within
workplace". A case study of Composite Wood Company Ltd.
INTRODUCTION
Cultural diversity within workplace is defined as scenarios when companies are
open for hiring employees from different backgrounds, religion, race, culture, etc. There
are various benefits that a company possess while recruiting and retaining diverse pool
of individuals (Alkhazraji, 2018). A diverse culture at workplace leads to greater
productivity. This brings different talents together and all of these are working together
for achieving a specific goal. Companies are benefited by learning from experience of
different individuals and applying new knowledge in their work. The following research
is based upon knowing the importance of cultural diversity at workplace. Composite
Wood company Ltd. Is situated in Oldham, UK. This company provides wood products
to customers. These products are build for families and installers. This company
provides slip free, stain resistant, slip free and composite wood company products for
withstanding weather, paddling pools and garden parties.
Rationale of the research
Workplace consists of individuals coming from different backgrounds and places
who work together for achieving similar goals and objectives. This present research is
conducted for knowing what are the factors that help companies for managing the
cultural diversity at their workplace (Ng, and Sears, 2018). Composite wood company
is a company which has employees coming from different backgrounds and working
together. Thus, its is necessary for this company to know the different ways for
managing cultural diversity.
Research aim
The aim of this research is “To manage cultural diversity within workplace”
Research Objective
 To analyse the concept of cultural diversity at workplace
 To know different benefits of company by having cultural diversity
 To evaluate Strategies of cultural diversity adopted by organisations

Research Questions
 What do you understand by the concept of cultural diversity at workplace ?
 What is the need of cultural diversity in organisation ?
 What are the various Strategies of cultural diversity adopted by organisations?
Gantt chart and work break down structure
Gantt chart is defined as the representation of all activities that investigator has
used while conducting the research according to the the time allotted to these activities.
The Gantt chart for the present research is given below-

Work break down structure
This representation is defined as dividing project task into small activities which
makes project work easier. According to this breakdown, research work is done
effectively and within the assigned time frame. The WBS for present research is given
below -
LITERATURE REVIEW
The concept of cultural diversity at workplace
According to the viewpoint of Roberson, (2019), cultural diversity means the
existence of different cultures or ethnic groups within a society. Culture is defined as
underlying values which directs how individuals behave at workplace. Within workplace,
cultural diversity is defined as practice, value, belief or tradition of workforce the
depends upon age, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc. The economic globalisation is one of

the driving forces of the cultural diversity within workplace. The modern workforce
consists of different ages, gender, ethnicity, nationalities, etc. The managers have
realised that there are a lot of benefits due to the cultural diversity within the
organisation. There are some different type of diversity within the workplace including
education, ethnicity, generations, workers with disability, gender and religion. Within a
workplace, there are different individuals who have studied from various universities and
have specialisation of different subjects. These work together for attaining same
organisational goals. Ethnicity is a type of workplace culture diversity which is present
when there is language barrier or difference in how business is run. Another factor
which is involved within the cultural diversity is gender. There are employees at
workplace who are discriminated on the basis of their sex. This must be avoided in
order to have positive environment at workplace. This also enhanced productivity of
employees.
Different benefits of company by having cultural diversity
According the thoughts of Gajjar, and Okumus, (2018), cultural diversity at
workplace is able to increase productivity levels of of the company to a greater extent.
Diversity helps in bringing different talents together and making them work towards a
common goals. Different organisations are able to gain from experience of each and
every employee and applying this knowledge in their work. Employees from different
sort of backgrounds are able to learn form experience of colleagues from different
perspective. In this way, they are able to bring fresh ideas to the project by thinking out
of the comfort zone. Cultural diversity is also helpful in increasing the employee
engagement. When employees are working together and meeting after office hours,
they come and share their personal experiences. This creates good bonding between
people and in this way involvement and engagement of employees for working within
the company increases. Another benefit that an organisation have from cultural diversity
is increase in creativity among teams and the ability for having diverse set of solutions
to specific problems. As per various researches, it is concluded that creativity and
innovation is constantly showing value of exposing individuals to experiences with

multiple perspectives. These are some benefits that a company has from having people
from different cultural backgrounds in workplace.
Strategies of cultural diversity adopted by organisations
As per the viewpoint of Poore, (2018), diversity at workplaces includes various
complex issues. A diverse workforce consists of individuals who are coming from
different backgrounds, economic histories, racial identities, religious beliefs, etc. the
various strategies used by management for controlling the cultural diversity at
workplace are Communicate Diversity Policies, Hold People Accountable and Develop
Policies Adhering to Company Goals. Diversity policy is developed and written and it is
clearly communicated. It is needed by employees to read and sign employee
handbooks. Diversity training sessions review policies and explain ramifications.
Another thing is holding people accountable. Policies are needed to include
ramifications which means disciplinary action for failure to follow the diversity policy.
When the diversity issues and needs are clarified, mission and vision of the company
are considered. Policies are developed that work in unison with ethics and values of the
organisation. An organisation seeks for development of talent through internal training
and development.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Primary and Secondary Research Undertaken
Research Onion: It was given by Saunders and so many authors in 2007 which
mainly have different types of layers in which researcher needs to follow few aspects for
conducting appropriate research (Kumar, 2019). Along with there are assorted stages
which is mainly followed for attaining unique results in a better way. There are few steps
in relation with research onion those are going to be discussed below:
Research Philosophy: It consist large number of value and beliefs which always
describes the overall investigation of nature. On the other side it is considered as a
knowledge about nature on the basis of overall justification that can be offered about
entire research to be undertake. Along with it mainly identifies about assumptions which
may can help to achieve targeted goals and objectives.

Research Approaches: There are 2 types of approaches which can be used by
the researcher, those are as mentioned below:
Deductive approach: It refers to the appropriate hypothesis research which is
developed on the behalf of pre-existing theory. On the other side it is known as research
only which can be used by researcher in order to complete past and present needs of
their project. Therefore, this type of approach does not consist any raw information in
this plan can be execute. Along with, this research take too much time to accomplish.
Inductive approach: This type of approaches always defines about procedure
and structure that generally include in deep knowledge about particular subject matter
of the research (Andrew, 2019). It is very helpful to maximise overall skills and
knowledge of particular topic which is selected by research. If researcher use these
assorted approaches so it can be based on qualitative type and can be also involve in
this. Therefore, it is helpful to gain appropriate and accurate information which is very
specific and also considered as a first hand.
Quantitative approach: This type of research approach involves large number
of statistics which is mainly used for the evaluate data validity. According to this
approach there are different types of respondents that all are includes determining the
results which can be involve feelings, social phenomenon along with viewpoints. So that
there are huge participants to whom questions are asked and accurate answer can be
take.
Qualitative approach: This is totally based on experiences and taking as a logic
which mainly supports data solutions from so many sources. It can be difficult little bit as
there is hard to gain unique outcomes as per the researcher opinion. It included open-
ended communication with the people to find out the different types of facts or such
sorts of reason about respondent thoughts who are involved within survey (VanKooten,
2019). Therefore, it generally shows the behaviour of people which helps them to find
out better results that is helpful for investigator to gain final results.
Research strategy: It refers to the different ways or several directions in which
entire research can be carried. Some of the ways and directions are includes like action
research, experimental research, case study research and so on. All these are helpful
elements by which entire research can be processed on time.

Choices: As per this researcher has so many methods and choices within the
research. Methods can be multi-method, mono-method and mixed-methods. So that
first choice of researcher is that single approach whereas, multi-method is when
research can be shown in the different segments. The third choice refers to the using of
so many approaches to attain proper outcomes.
Time horizons: It refers to the particular framework and structure which is
followed and applicable on the activities in order to fulfil project needs and demand.
Along with it is segmented in two types of categories like longitudinal and cross
sectional that based upon entire needs of research demand.
Data collection methods: This type of data are generally gathered and
collected by so many resources in order to make appropriate decisions that can be
applicable within an organisation. There are different types of research data, those are
going to be discussed below:
Primary research: It is the type of research methodology which is forms with the
help of original sources an that all are authentic. Along with it is known as fundamental
research in order to gain effective results which not have been ever used somewhere.
Therefore, this research includes interviews, surveys, observations and so on which all
are helpful to gain accurate information. This kind of research always have different
types of accurate informations and facts that helps researcher to collect data first time
(Knight, and Paroutis, 2019). There are two type of forms of this research, mentioned
below:
Explanatory research: This type of method and approach do not have any kind
of aim and purpose along with it consist it is based on extensive information from all
over the respondents which can be considered as effective input for the whole research.
Specific research: This research is considered always as very different
research from the above method as it mainly concentrates on the appropriate topic. So
overall scope of this research is fixed and that includes question and answer which
have been collected from explanatory research. Therefore, overall method of data can
be precise and relevant as well. Somehow, it can be costly and lengthy procedure that
is fruitful to understand entire matter.

Secondary research: When research is completed on the behalf of accurate
data and information so that have been collected with the help of primary resources.
Herein original data can be summarised from so many sources which is used to
interpretation to gaining different and effective outcomes. It mainly categorised on the
basis of research material that publish within the research reports and similar
documents. Along with this, some people can access these sorts of sources that comes
under the websites, data obtained, public libraries and so on from accomplished survey
as well. Therefore, these can be non government and government agencies in which
data has been collected and gathered can be recover for a long time. So that such kind
of data can be able, with the help of third party on the behalf of investigator.
In the present report, questionnaire is used for collecting data and making
interpretations based on that. The questionnaire for the present report is given below -
Questionnaire
Q1). Do you have knowledge about the concept of cultural diversity?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2). According to your view point, what is the impact of cultural diversity on the
performance of Composite Wood Company Ltd.?
a) Positive Impact
b) Negative Impact
Q3). What is the requirement of identifying cultural diversity within the
workplace?
a) Economic globalisation
b) Positive workplace environment
Q4). According to your point of view, what are the benefits gain by organisation
by having cultural diversity?
a) increased productivity

b) improved creativity
c) improved employee engagement
Q5). What are the strategies adopted by the management team of Composite
Wood Company Ltd. In order to enhance cultural diversity at workplace?
a) Communicate Diversity Policies
b) Hold People Accountable
c) Develop Policies Adhering to Company Goals
Q6). Do you think by managing cultural diversity in an effective manner,
company will be able to to increase productivity?
a) Yes
b) No
Q7). What are the major issues faced by manager of Composite Wood Company
Ltd. While managing cultural diversity within the workplace.
a) Non supportive behaviour of employees
b) Lack of funds
c) improper management
Q8). Give proper recommendations to management team of Composite Wood
Company Ltd.
DATA ANALYSIS
Questionnaire Frequency
Q1). Do you have knowledge about the concept of cultural
diversity?
Frequency
a) Yes 24

b) No 6
Q2). According to your view point, what is the impact of
cultural diversity on the performance of Composite Wood
Company Ltd.?
Frequency
a) Positive Impact 28
b) Negative Impact 2
Q3). What is the requirement of identifying cultural diversity
within the workplace?
Frequency
a) Economic globalisation 16
b) Positive workplace environment 14
Q4). According to your point of view, what are the benefits
gain by organisation by having cultural diversity?
Frequency
a) increased productivity 10
b) improved creativity 10
c) improved employee engagement 10
Q5). What are the strategies adopted by the management team
of Composite Wood Company Ltd. In order to enhance
cultural diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Communicate Diversity Policies 13
b) Hold People Accountable 10
c) Develop Policies Adhering to Company Goals 7
Q6). Do you think by managing cultural diversity in an
effective manner, company will be able to increase
productivity?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 5

Q7). What are the major issues faced by manager of
Composite Wood Company Ltd. While managing cultural
diversity within the workplace.
Frequency
a) Non supportive behaviour of employees 12
b) Lack of funds 7
c) improper management 11
Q8). Give proper recommendations to management team of
Composite Wood Company Ltd.
DATA INTERPRETATION
Q1). Do you have knowledge about the concept of cultural
diversity?
Frequency
a) Yes 24
b) No 6
Interpretation – Cultural diversity is defined as the way by which people who are from
different backgrounds and places come together and work for attaining common goals.
24
6
a) Yes
b) No

From the above pie chart, it is concluded that out of the 30 respondents, there are
around 24 respondents who have knowledge about the need of cultural diversity at
workplace (.Kaschula, Mostert, and Wolff, 2019). The remaining respondents are not
aware about this concept.
Q2). According to your view point, what is the impact of
cultural diversity on the performance of Composite Wood
Company Ltd.?
Frequency
a) Positive Impact 28
b) Negative Impact 2
Interpretation - There are various companies in which people come from different
backgrounds and they work towards a common goal. This creates chances of cultural
diversity at workplace (Williams, 2020). According to the above pie chart, it is concluded
that out of 30 respondents, 28 respondents think that cultural diversity can create
positive impact on performance of Composite wood company Ltd. On the other hand,
the remaining 2 respondents think that this will create negative issues at workplace.
28
2
a) Positive Impact
b) Negative Impact

Q3). What is the requirement of identifying cultural diversity
within the workplace?
Frequency
a) Economic globalisation 16
b) Positive workplace environment 14
Interpretation – From the above pie chart, it is analysed that there are two
requirements of identifying cultural diversity within the workplace. These are economic
globalisation and positive workplace environment. There are 16 respondents who think
that there is economic globalisation so there is need of cultural diversity. Apart form this,
14 respondents think cultural diversity will help in developing bond between different
employees. This helps in creating positive environment at workplace.
Q4). According to your point of view, what are the benefits
gain by organisation by having cultural diversity?
Frequency
a) increased productivity 10
b) improved creativity 10
16
14 a) Economic globalisation
b) Positive workplace
environment

c) improved employee engagement 10
Interpretation – Cultural diversity enhances working of various people coming together
and working effectively. When different individuals are working together, it creates
bonding and good relation between people. The various benefits that a company can
gain by managing cultural diversity are increased productivity, improved creativity and
improved employee engagement. If various talented people are working together, the
organisation is able to make more innovative strategies. The creativity of employees
and organisation is also increased. This also enhances employee engagement. The
above pie chart shows that out of the 30 respondents, 10 respondents chose the option
of increased productivity, 10 chose improved creativity and 10 chose improved
employee engagement.
10
10
10
a) increased productivity
b) improved creativity
c) improved employee
engagement

Q5). What are the strategies adopted by the management team
of Composite Wood Company Ltd. In order to enhance
cultural diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Communicate Diversity Policies 13
b) Hold People Accountable 10
c) Develop Policies Adhering to Company Goals 7
Interpretation - There are various strategies adopted by the management team of
Composite Wood Company Ltd. In order to enhance cultural diversity at workplace.
From the above pie chart, it is clear that 13 respondents think that the most effective
strategy that can be adopted by the company for enhancing cultural diversity is
communicating diversity policies. 10 respondents think by making employees
accountable and 7 respondents think by developing policies adhering to goals of the
company are strategies for increasing cultural diversity.
Q6). Do you think by managing cultural diversity in an Frequency
13
10
7
a) Communicate
Diversity Policies
b) Hold People
Accountable
c) Develop Policies
Adhering to Company
Goals

effective manner, company will be able to increase
productivity?
a) Yes 25
b) No 5
Interpretation – It is concluded from the above pie chart that out of the 30 respondents,
there are 25 respondents who think that productivity of the company is increased by
adopting cultural diversity strategies. On the other hand, it is concluded that the
remaining 5 respondents think that the performance of the company is not affected by
adopting cultural diversity.
Q7). What are the major issues faced by manager of
Composite Wood Company Ltd. While managing cultural
diversity within the workplace.
Frequency
25
5
a) Yes
b) No

a) Non supportive behaviour of employees 12
b) Lack of funds 7
c) improper management 11
Interpretation – There are some major issues faced by manager of Composite Wood
Company Ltd. While managing cultural diversity within the workplace. It is interpreted
form the above pie chart that out of the 30 respondents, there are 12 respondents who
believe the major issue is non supporting behaviour of employees. 11 respondents
think that improper management is major issue for cultural diversity and remaining
respondents think that the major issue for managing cultural diversity is improper
management.
Conclusion
From the above discussion it is concluded that research objectives are achieved
by implementing strategies of cultural diversity within the workplace. This is essential for
management of the company to develop plans ans strategies that will help in making
12
7
11 a) Non supportive
behaviour of employees
b) Lack of funds
c) improper management

positive environment at workplace by overcoming cultural diversity issues. As there is
increase in the global business opportunities, there is increase in cultural diversity. Thus
different organisations must know how to manage problems developed by cultural
diversity. The proper management will help in managing issues of diversity in effective
manner.
Recommendations
From the above mention research, it has been analysed that there are various
recommendations which need to be followed by the management team of Composite
Wood Company Ltd. Which are discussed below -
 This is said that managers need to modify their strategies and policies according
to the cultural diversity. There are various strategies that management can adopt
for solving problem of cultural diversity.
 Furthermore, it is very essential for the management to control and manage
issues related to cultural diversity. This will help in increasing performance of
company. Also, in this way sustainability of the company within market is
increased.
Reflection
While I was doing this research, it was not easy to reach the research outcomes
easily. I had to work very hard for reaching the objectives of the research. I have to
manage different tasks and activities that were not easy and I have to perform them in
an effective manner. While doing this project, I learnt multitasking and communication
skills. This has helped me to develop future skills that will help in achieving effective
research objectives within specified time frame. I am a very confident person and this
helped me to focus on different tasks of research and achieve my goal. Also it is very
important for me to do all research activities effectively for reaching goals and objectives
of research. I am unable to work with other individuals but while I was accomplishing
this project, I get to develop various skills that will help in developing team management
skills. Also I develop communication skills by talking to various individuals who were
involved within the project completion. Also while filling of questionnaire, I was involved
in talking to other people and knowing their opinion about the need and consequences
of cultural diversity. I have developed a lot of skills that will help me in doing effective

research in future. The project scope is important thing that I will consider while doing
research.
Implications for further research
After conducting the whole research in an effective manner, this is analysed that
there are different strategies used by researcher for getting effective outcomes. If the
research is conducted in near future it has been said that investigator need to chose
interview method as it provide authentic data and information which assist in completing
the whole research in an effective manner.

REFERENCES
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Online
Benefits of Cultural Diversity in the Workplace, 2019. [Online]. Available
through:<https://inside.6q.io/benefits-of-cultural-diversity-in-the-workplace/>
The Importance of Cultural Diversity in the Workplace, 2019. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.deputy.com/blog/the-importance-of-cultural-diversity-in-the-
workplace>