Managing Cultural Diversity in Workplace: A Study on SELCO Builders Warehouse

This research project aims to identify the significance of managing cultural diversity in the workplace, with a focus on SELCO Builders Warehouse. The study explores the meaning of equality and cultural diversity, investigates issues related to discrimination at the workplace, and analyzes ways of managing cultural diversity in the company. The research outcomes highlight the positive impact of diversity on productivity and the importance of reporting and taking action on diversity-related issues. Recommendations for managing diversity in the workplace are provided.

Research project
1

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Literature review..............................................................................................................................4
Research methodology.....................................................................................................................5
Data analysis and interpretation.......................................................................................................6
Research outcomes.........................................................................................................................14
Covered in PPT..........................................................................................................................14
Reflection and recommendations...................................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
Recommendation...........................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
Every organization consists of diversified work force which enable them to achieve
goals. The people belong to various caste, creed etc and work together to achieve common goal.
Moreover, there are many ways of dealing with diversified work force. Also, it is necessary to
maintain diversity culture so that positive environment is developed. However, discrimination
needs to be eliminated so that people respect each other dignity and values. This results in
boosting employee morale and trust. They start communicating with others in effective way. The
management is required to manage diversity through proper practice. For that various strategies
are followed which allows in providing positive culture to all employees. There are many
benefits of managing diversity at workplace. It results in increasing efficiency of staff and their
productivity. Apart from it, firm is able to gain competitive advantage within industry. This
results in creating a strong brand image of them in market. Employee also feels encouraged when
they get positive feedback from people. (Tuan, 2020)
Aims and objectives
Aim
“To identify the significance of managing cultural diversity in workplace: A study on SELCO
Builders Warehouse”
Objectives
 To understand conceptual framework of equality and cultural diversity
 To investigate issues related to discrimination at workplace
 To analyses ways of managing cultural diversity in SELCO Builders Warehouse
Research Questions
 What is the meaning of equality and cultural diversity in organisational context?
 What are the main issues faced by employees and business in the situation of workplace
discrimination?
 What are the major ways or tools through which company can manage workplace cultural
diversity?
Rationale
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Equality and diversity is the burning issue as many organization are dealing with the
same issue. Due to diverse workplace culture companies many time fail to manage it properly
that affect working efficiency of company. Hence this topic is being selected for further research
so that suitable solution can be find out to manage cultural diversity at organisation. Research
has completed education in the same field hence have knowledge about it so this is an interest
area for scholar hence this topic has been selected for further investigation (Dennissen and van
den Brink, 2020). Scholar has knowledge and also has capability to handle diverse workforce. As
individual has worked in company as HR, from where researcher gained insight detail about
significance of managing cultural diversity in organisation. This skill and experience has
encouraged the individual to choose this topic for further investigation.
Literature review
According to Froidevaux and Wang, 2020 work place diversity is helpful for business in
managing productivity in better manner. But it is very difficult for the management to deal with
different race, culture people. Hiring of diverse workforce helps in getting pool of talented
people those who can contribute well in the success of business unit. Also when diversity is
maintained it enables in reduction in conflict as there is effective communication between
employee. They interact and discuss personal problems. Furthermore, they gain knowledge about
ethics and value of others. There are several strategies which is followed by company to manage
diversity. By providing training to all it led to enhance in their and development. Besides that,
providing equal opportunity for growth makes it easy to manage staff. There are different ways
as well on basis of which employees are motivated. By providing offer and benefits by
measuring their performance diversity is maintained. However, there are certain policies as well
which is followed and applied by organization in diversity.
Suryani and Rahmaningtyas, 2020 stated that diverse workforce helps in aligning culture
of organisation in better manner. In order to manage this culture diverse workforce companies
need to enhance communication at workplace. Proper communication develop relationship
between employees and managers. It will led to solving of conflicts and sharing of personal
problems with one another. The staff interact with others and develop relationship with them. In
this way they get to know about values and ethics of other. However, manager also engage with
staff to develop strong relations. In this way, diversity is maintained. It is necessary to form
policy of cultural diversity so that things are clear to managers. It is followed by people and it

does not led to any discrimination. Besides that, they get insight about values of organisation and
what is prohibited and not to be done. Alongside, policy is followed at all levels of company that
is in either recruitment, training, performance appraisal etc.
As said by Sukalova and Ceniga, 2020 encouraging team by giving them rewards and
recognition is another way to manage diverse workforce. Then it develops a feeling of
belongingness among them and they become loyal towards firm and work hard to meet
organisational objectives. Along with it, giving them rewards without any discrimination create a
positive feeling among them. They start supporting each other in completion of task. Moreover,
it leads to increase in team work. So, there is effective communication as well within them. The
training and development needs to be given to all people. This improve their skills and
knowledge. They gain experience of doing task. Other than this, growth opportunities has to be
provided equally to all. It result in making things easy and reducing conflict among them.
Research methodology
Activities/Week W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7 W8
Selection of
research topic
Framing aim
and objectives
Gathering
information
about topic by
using literatures
of other authors
Selection of
research
methods to find
out suitable
5

answers of
research
questions
Data analyses
Framing
conclusion
Submission
Edit as per
requirement and
final submission
Data analysis and interpretation
Theme 1 in company diversity and equality is maintained
Q-1 do you think that in your company diversity and equality is
maintained?
frequency
Yes 10
No 5
Not sure 5
Total 20

Interpretation- it can be identified from above graph that a survey was conducted in SELCO
builders warehouse for managing diversity. So, it is stated that out of 20 staff, 10 said yes
diversity is effectively managed, 5 said no and 5 was not sure about it. Thus, in company there is
diversified work force working in it. They belong to different caste, creed, etc, and respect each
other dignity and values. The staff is having strong relations with one another. Along with it,
manager also monitor behaviour of staff. The policies are properly implemented as well.
Theme 2 type of strategies and practices are followed in it
Q- 2 what type of strategies and practices are followed in it? frequency
Recruitment and selection 8
Training and development 6
7
Yes No Not sure
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
frequency

Performance appraisal 6
Total 20
Interpretation- a study was done to find out importance of diversity in SELCO builders
warehouse. By interpreting data it is analysed that 8 staff said recruitment and selection diversity
is maintained, 6 said by training and development and 6 said performance appraisal. Therefore,
in company diversity practices are effectively followed. This has enabled in recruiting varied
people and providing them equal training. Furthermore, performance appraisal is done properly.
In this way, company is able to maintain diversity with help of these practices. They have formed
policy as well on all these elements.
Recruitment and selection
Training and development
Performance appraisal
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
frequency

Theme 3 manager build strong relations and solve conflict quickly
Q-3 does manager try to build strong relations and solve conflict
quickly?
frequency
Yes 12
No 4
Not sure 4
Total 20
9
Yes
No
Not sure

Interpretation- the scholar conducted a survey in company. For that primary data was gathered
of 20 employees. In that it was evaluated that out of 20 participants, 12 said yes manager build
relation and solve conflict. 4 said no and 4 was not sure of it. Hence, in this way it becomes easy
for manager to maintain diversity. Besides that, by solving conflicts quickly there is less negative
impact on others. Also, manager take strict action for it.
Theme 4 type of issues do you face related to discrimination at workplace
Q-4 What type of issues do you face related to discrimination at
workplace?
frequency
racism 6
Gender inequality 10
harassment 2
Physical abuse 2
Total 20

Interpretation- in order to achieve aims and objectives, a study was done in SELCO builders
warehouse. The researcher gathered primary data for it of 20 samples. It was analysed from data
that 6 staff said they face racism issue, 10 said gender inequality, 2 said harassment and 2 said
physical abuse. Hence, within company there still exits some issues and most common is gender
inequality. It highly impact on diversity and on culture.
Theme 5 issues are reported to top management and proper action is taken
Q-5 does these issues are reported to top management and proper
action is taken?
frequency
Yes 15
No 3
Not sure 2
Total 20
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racism Gender inequality harassment Physical abuse
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
frequency

Interpretation- from above graph it is analysed that in SELCO builders warehouse a research
was done to find out managing diversity. For that questionnaire was used to gather primary data.
It is identified that 15 staff said yes issues are reported to top management and action is taken. 3
said no and 2 were not sure of it. So, it is evaluated that top management is highly concerned for
it. They quickly take action if issue is reported. This shows that diversity is effectively managed
by them and there are strict policy formed as well in it.
Theme 6 diversity provides a positive work place culture
Q-6 do you think that diversity provides a positive work place
culture?
frequency
Yes 16
Yes
No
Not sure
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
frequency

No 2
Not sure 2
Total 20
Interpretation - it can be identified from above graph that a survey was conducted in SELCO
builders warehouse for managing diversity. From data it is analysed that 16 employees said yes
diversity provide positive culture. 2 said no and 2 was not sure. Thus, it is identified that working
with diversified people create a positive environment. The people are able to share their ideas
with one another. They support in carrying out tasks and achieving goals in team work.
Theme 7 diversity impact on productivity in positive way
Q-7 Do you think diversity impact on productivity in positive way? frequency
Yes 18
13
Yes
No
Not sure

No 1
Not sure 1
Total 20
Interpretation - a study was done to find out importance of diversity in SELCO builders
warehouse. By interpreting data 18 respondent said yes diversity impact on their productivity in
positive way. 1 said no and 1 not sure. Thus, when different people work together they share
ideas and find out new ways of doing tasks. In this way, productivity increases. Along with it,
they help each other and finish task in effective way.
Research outcomes
Covered in PPT
Yes No Not sure
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
frequency

Reflection and recommendations
This research added value in my knowledge about diversity and equality in workplace.
There are several characteristics of this and on the basis of this advantage and disadvantage of
the diversity and equality can be identified. This research project familiarised me with these
benefits drawbacks of the diversity and those of equality in context of organisation. Concerned
with research project and its methodologies literature review was used for this project. This was
aimed at getting basic knowledge of the concept of equality and diversity in the organisation
because these issues have been previously worked and review of literature allowed me to get
basic knowledge on the basis of which I could carry on my further research. Later, questionnaire
was also designed for the purpose of research. This is an effective method which enabled me to
gather and analyse views of other specially those who are an part of the workplace with
diversity. Their views and answers through questionnaire allowed me to understand exact
opinion and thoughts of people based on their experience of being in diversifies workplace and
what they think about practices of equality.
I experienced several benefits of this method while I was involved in research some of
the benefits that I experienced regarding this method of research were that once questionnaire
were prepared I did not required to put additional time and efforts to gather answers and response
of the people who were used as sample for this research project. One drawback that I realised
and experienced about this research and research methodology was that once responses were
collected I was in dilemma about the reason because of answers in responses. This is because
questionnaire did not allowed me to know about exact reason because of which people gave the
answers.
On the basis of reflection and experience that I had during the completion of this research
project it can be said that this research project methodology had several benefits associated with
this. But at the same time there are some drawbacks of this methodology which is known as
Questionnaire (Dalati and Gómez, 2018). One of the drawbacks was that answers given in the
questionnaire could not be trusted completely and another was that questionnaire collected
different answers but this did not allowed to know why the answers are different.
Here it can be recommended that personal interview could be an alternative method for
research. This is because through personal interview researcher can identify the answers and
responses of people along with why they think and believe the way they do. This is because
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personal interview increase the scope of communication and researcher can know reasons behind
the thoughts and believe of their answers (Rahman, Islam and Sutradhar, 2018). This also
reduces possibilities of wrong answers by respondents because this becomes difficult to hide
rights thoughts and avoid answering. In this method interviewer can also understand who
answered what and why they gave the particular answer they gave.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of this report of research projects it can be concluded that diversity and
equality are important for several reasons for an organisation. The importance of this are
availability of several types of knowledge and expertise, varied perceptions of people employed
in the organisation which allows to look and think about the perceptions in extended way. For
the purpose of discussion and collection of data and research method for research involved
literature review and questionnaire design. Design of questionnaire for the purpose for research
was developed considering people employed in the organisation. This is because employees in
the organisation can answer on the basis of their experience. There are several benefits of using
this method for research like cost and time saving, less efforts required for the research purpose.
Drawbacks of this method are avoidance of the people to answer and giving wrong and
untruthful answers. For this method literature review was also used to create basis for further
research and creation of content for data and data analysis. Another method which could be used
for this method and research is personal interview which allows to know about the answers in
detail and interviewer can identify the reasons behind particular answers which are given the
respondents.
Recommendation
On the basis of above discussion and findings of research it can be concluded that most of
the responses that were given by the respondents were favourable for them. This also reflected
positive sides of the SELCO Builders Warehouse practices in terms of equality and diversity in
the organisation.
But this research also reflected that there are many answers from the respondents that are not
favourable for the organisation.
Here it can be recommended that SELCO Builders Warehouse requires taking proper actions to
identify what are the reasons because of which employees think in that way. For example

regarding maintenance of diversity and equality respondents said that this is not maintained in
the organization (Foster, 2019). This requires SELCO Builders Warehouse to identify the reason
why employees think in that manner and in the same question 5 responses were that not sure and
this reflects that possibilities are there that employees do not want to respond or are avoiding to
respond.
Regarding type of strategy used for diversity and equality and its management in SELCO
Builders Warehouse majority of the answers suggests that recruitment and selection is the
strategy. Many of them also considered as training and development and others believed
performance appraisal. But most effective practice and strategy of this is training concerned with
behavior of employees at their workplace regarding diversity and equality. This is because
recruitment and selection and performance appraisal are based on performance of the employees,
this should avoid anything which is concerned with equality and diversity, this possess
possibilities that employees might get offended because of such practices involved in
performance appraisal and recruitment.
Another recommendation here is concerned with theme based on role of manager in
building strong relationship and resolving conflicts quickly. This question was answered by 20
people and among them 12 responses was in favour that manager builds strong relationship and
conflicts are solved quickly (Rojas, 2018). But the same questions was negatively responded by
4 people and 4 responses were not sure. This means that all the employees are not satisfied with
practices of manager and this is the reason that 4 responses were negative and 4 avoided
answering this question or were not sure about the practice of manager. Manager at SELCO
Builders Warehouse should ensure that all the employees are satisfied with their practices
because employee satisfaction is important for organization and its success. Because if any of the
employee remains unsatisfied this will affect organization in terms of productivity and
performance of a valuable employee.
One of the questions here was concerned with type of issues that employees experience
regarding discrimination and majority of the answers were that gender is the issue regarding
discrimination that they face at the organisation. This is a serious concern and here it is
recommended that management should think about this issue and what are the factors that gender
discrimination exist in the organisation (Sarvaiya and Eweje, 2017). This is because this
seriously affect organisation in terms of available talent and their performance. This will also
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affect the image of the organisation and particular gender will avoid SELCO Builders
Warehouse as a place for work. Management should look for this issue and identify the reason
and resolve them with priority.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Dalati, S. and Gómez, J.M., 2018. Surveys and Questionnaires. In Modernizing the Academic
Teaching and Research Environment (pp. 175-186). Springer, Cham.\
Dennissen, M.. and van den Brink, M., 2020. Rethinking diversity management: an intersectional
analysis of diversity networks. Organization Studies, 41(2), pp.219-240.
Foster, S., 2019. Accommodating Intolerant Speech: Religious Free Speech Versus Equality and
Diversity. European Human Rights Law Review. (6). pp.609-625.
Froidevaux, A. and Wang, M., 2020. Leveraging Aging Workforce and Age Diversity to
Achieve Organizational Goals: A Human Resource Management Perspective.
In Current and Emerging Trends in Aging and Work (pp. 33-58). Springer, Cham.
Rahman, M.H., Islam, M.D.S. and Sutradhar, B.C., 2018. Marketing Research: Personal/Face-to-
Face Interviews and Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews. J Account Mark. 7(285).
p.2.
Rojas, R.R., 2018. Diversity and workplace spirituality. In Diversity and Inclusion in the Global
Workplace (pp. 81-107). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Sarvaiya, H. and Eweje, G., 2017. Gender equality and diversity in the workplace: A partnership
between CSR and HRM. In Gender Equality and Responsible Business (pp. 135-152).
Routledge.
Sukalova, V. and Ceniga, P., 2020. Diversity Management in Sustainable Human Resources
Management. In SHS Web of Conferences (Vol. 74, p. 01033). EDP Sciences.
Suryani, N. and Rahmaningtyas, W., 2020. Diversity perspectives in teamwork. International
Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 9(1), pp.24-30.
Tuan, L.T., 2020. Can managing employee diversity be a pathway to creativity for tour
companies?. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.
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Appendix
Questionnaire
Q-1 do you think that in your company diversity and equality is maintained?
Yes
No
Not sure
Q-2 what type of strategies and practices are followed in it?
Recruitment and selection
Training and development
Performance appraisal
Q-3 does manager try to build strong relations and solve conflict quickly?
Yes
No
Not sure
Q-4 What type of issues do you face related to discrimination at workplace?
Racism
Gender inequality
Harassment
Physical abuse
Q-5 does these issues are reported to top management and proper action is taken?
Yes
No
Not sure
Q-6 do you think that diversity provides a positive work place culture?
Yes

no
not sure
Q-7 Do you think diversity impact on productivity in positive way?
Yes
no
not sure
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