Managing cultural diversity in the workplace

Research Project

Abstract
The present study aim to analyse the issues faced by management in maintaining
effective communication due to diversity in the organisation. Therefore, it is a wide investigation
area which is effective in exploring the idea and knowledge base in regards to the chosen study
area. In this overall study is being executed over Marks & Spencer as it is a large multinational
firm on which study execution is easy as the firm is operating at global level and be concern over
resolving the issues that affects the management of equality and diversity. Therefore, culture
diversity is a major issue and for a multinational corporation managing diversity is essential to
effectively operate at international level and fulfil the desires of buyers. In the present
exploration work, quantitative research is recognised to be the selected methodology as it is
efficacious in conducting detailed evaluation with the support of accurate facts and figures. In
addition to this, in this existing evaluation both primary and secondary sources are applied to
assist the overall work in right manner. Primary investigation executed via the support of
developing questionnaire as it is efficacious in gathering information that are reliable for a
particular analysis. On the other side, secondary sources like books, journals, articles etc. are
significant in developing literature to enhance understanding over a specified area. Furthermore,
the study leads towards reaching at the outcome in which issues related with culture diversity are
analysed and how these are needs to be addressed via the help of implementing appropriate
strategies and methods. At the end recommendation are provided to make changes in the
operations that are required for a business to gain growth.

Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................2
Title:.................................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................1
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................4
Chapter 3: Research Methodology...................................................................................................8
Chapter 4: Findings and Analysis..................................................................................................15
Section 5: Discussion.....................................................................................................................24
Chapter 6: Conclusion....................................................................................................................25
Chapter 7: Recommendation..........................................................................................................26
Chapter 8: Reflection.....................................................................................................................27
References......................................................................................................................................29
Appendix........................................................................................................................................32

Title:
“Managing cultural diversity in the workplace”.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Overview of the Research
Work place diversity is defined as the variety of differences among individual in an
organisation which encompasses over gender, race, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive
style, tenure, business operations, education, background and other. In addition to this, diversity
is refers as the set of conscious practices which include an appropriate understanding and
appreciating interdependence of humanity, culture and the natural environment (Noe and et. al.,
2017). Culture diversity has developed the issue of communication, therefore, people from
different culture and religion affects the communication process of business. In the resent
investigation work Marks & Spencer is the chosen organisation, thus it is a large British
multinational retailer firm. This present study aim to cover the issues faced by management in
maintaining effective communication due to diversity in the organisation. Therefore, in this aim
and objectives are created to support the work in right manner. Literature review is effective in
developing a detailed theoretical evaluation which is appropriate in developing the understanding
of the researcher in regarding to the chosen subject area (Pemsel and Wiewiora, 2013). In
addition to this, methodological support helps the investigator in systematic arrangement of
investigation actions in appropriate manner. Data analysis is effective in analysing the
accumulated information to reaching at the potential outcome. At the end of the research,
conclusion and recommendation has been made over the findings of the research.
Background of the Research
Diversity can mainly be refers as recognising, understanding and accepting people
differences irrespective of their gender, race, ethnicity, age, class, physical ability. In the modern
business environment, the key purpose of businesses is to attaining higher growth and success at
market place via the expansion of business, therefore, diversified culture have both positive and
negative influence over the operations of the firm (Marquardt, 2011). Communication is
recognised as the key aspect which is mainly affected by the diversity at work place. Marks and
Spencer group plc is a wide British international retailer firm, with its headquarter is in
Westminster, London, the specialises of the firm is in selling high quality clothings, home
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products and food products. It is a large public limited company, which is founded in the year of
1884 by the potential efforts of Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. The headquarter of the firm
is in Waterside House, 35 North Wharf Road, Paddington, London, United Kingdom. The
company is having around 80,787 employees, who are contributing their significant efforts in the
growth and success of the business. Therefore, the company is concern over managing culture
diversity in respect to enhancing the overall operations and functions of the firm (Fowler, 2013).
Rationale of the Research
The investigation into consideration is based on identifying the issues faced by the
management in maintaining effective communication due to diversity in an organisation. This is
a wide area of investigation which is effective in providing a detailed academic support to the
researcher to assist their knowledge in right direction to gain benefits in their future perspective
(Holmes and Stubbe, 2015). The present study area is effective in exploring the idea and
knowledge base of an individual learner or researcher related with the chosen subject area,
therefore, this is beneficial in developing the personal and professional ability of an individual
which could be effective for them in attaining growth and success. The another reason for
conducting the research is the personal interest of the researcher, therefore, this personally
professional helps them in attaining growth in future perspectives.
Research Aim
To examine the issues faced by management in maintaining effective communication due
to diversity in the organisation. A case study on Marks & Spencer.
Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of cultural diversity in the context of an organisation.
 To explore recognition about the issues faces by the management due to the emergence of
cultural diversity at workplace. To articulate the potential impact managing communication for promoting diversity at
workplace. To critically identify the approaches of communication that can help management of
Marks and Spencer in maintaining diversity at workplace.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of cultural diversity in the context of an organisation?
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 What major issues are faces by the management due to the emergence of cultural
diversity at workplace?
 Which kind of impact does communication has over promoting diversity at wokrplace?
 What approaches of communication can help management of Marks and Spencer in
maintaining diversified workforce?
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Chapter 2: Literature Review
This refers as the most important part of an exploration which is effective in developing
the understanding of the learner and researcher towards a specified area of work., Therefore, this
is effective in developing an in-depth analysis which would be efficacious in assisting the overall
work in right direction to reaching at the potential outcome. This section of investigation is
consist over secondary sources, i.e. books, journals, published research articles etc. therefore,
these are suitable in providing valuable information to develop an appropriate discussion over
the chosen subject area.
The concept of cultural diversity in the context of an organisation.
As per the views expressed by Kimberly Amadeo, 2019, cultural diversity is arises when
population differences are effectively represented within a community. These mainly involves
ethnicity, race, ability, language, age, nationality, status, gender, sexual orientation etc. In the
context of an organisation, culture diversity has become a major issue as it is a direct result of
values, tradition, practices or belief of individual that are based on age, race, gender, religion and
so on. In the contemporary business world, workforces are made up of a diverse population of
employees from assorted part of the globe, therefore, it is effective in developing multicultural
and dynamic multiracial business (Leonardi, Huysman and Steinfield, 2013). As per the views
analysis of Jennifer Lombardo, 2018, Culture diversity has positive and negative impact over the
operations of the firm. Thus this is effectual in strengthen the workforce of the firm which create
value in expansion of business at wide level, but on the other hand culture diversity has direct
influence over the communication of the firm, therefore, differences are arises among the
employees due to non effective management of communication (Schermerhorn Jr and et. al.,
2019). However, communication is a key aspect of business which is significantly affects by
diversity at workplace. It is very hard for the organisation and its management to avoid different
cultures come together in a workplace environment, so it is important for the management of the
firm to manage diversified culture in respect to suitably assist the organisational activities in
effective manner.
The issues faces by the management due to the emergence of cultural diversity at workplace.
Management is defined to be the most imperative aspect of a business as the operations
of the business are effectively managed by the management for the intention of enhancing the
operations at wider level. Therefore, cultural diversity is recognised as the key aspect which is
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