Managing Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

Research Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
P1 Research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis, supported by a
literature review...........................................................................................................................4
P2 Research methods to conduct primary and secondary research...........................................10
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................11
P3 Primary and secondary research methods by considering costs, access and ethical issues..11
P4 Analytical tools to analyse research findings and data.........................................................13
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................16
P5 Research outcomes ..............................................................................................................16
TASK 4 .........................................................................................................................................18
P6 Reflection on effective methods which are applied to meet research objectives.................18
7.Alternative research methodologies........................................................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

Topic: “Managing cultural diversity in the workplace”.
INTRODUCTION
The cultural diversity is group of the diverse people from various societies or cultures.
Cultural diversity arises at workplace when organisations are recruiting staff members from sorts
of various backgrounds, culture and religion. When firm hire and sustain the large number of
people then this brings about many advantages to firm along with staff members. A culturally
diverse team supports to represent both local as well as global mind-sets, and thence check that
their product and service are relevant to their marketplace and appeals to an international
audience. Approximately 172,000 people representing around 150 nationalities work for
Unilever (Unilever Shares 5 Ways Diversity is Good For Business, 2015). Under this, arisen of
conflict is one of the main issue that arise from the cultural diversity at workplace. Unilever is
British- Dutch consumer goods firm in United Kingdom. The product of this company consist
cleaning agents, personal care goods, beauty products, food and beverages. The present report
states about conflicts which arise at workplace because of the cultural differences among people.
The present report is going to discuss about different parts which considered in the research like
developing aim and objectives, literature review, methodology, findings, conclusion and
recommendation.
P1 Research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis, supported by a
literature review
Background of Research
Diversity at workplace is necessary for staff members because this manifest itself in
developing better reputation for an organisation, leading to enhanced profitability and also
opportunities for staff. The workplace diversity foster the mutual respect between staff members.
They work into the groups comprised of the co- workers with the different work styles and
disabilities. In this, cultural diversity can impact workplace by enhancing tendency of the
organisational personnel in order to indulge interpersonal conflicts. In context to Unilever,
culturally diverse teams assist to represent the local and global mindsets and assures the services
or products is relevant to market that appeals to global audience. The diversity is regarding em
bracing all the differences across cultural and physical boundaries, management styles, life
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stages and time horizons. Unilever believes that diverse business reinforces positive social
impact that assist in attract and also sustain the talented people which purchase goods.
Rationale of Research
The present report is based on impact of conflicts that occur because of diversity. Given
research helps in provide the proper understanding regarding workplace cultural diversity and the
factors which impact for arising conflict at workplace. This assist in improving and enhancing
competencies and skills of an investigator effectively so that proper outcomes can be attained
effectively. Through this, learner can able to gain better understanding about concepts and learn
the steps for completing an investigation in an efficient manner.
Problem statement: There are number of issues of diversity in the workplace Unilever
such as acceptance and respect, ethnic and cultural difference, accommodation of beliefs, gender
equality, mental and physical disability, conflict, generation gaps, communication and language
etc. These are major issues that have negative impact on business performance as well as
productivity of employees. Therefore, management of diversity is important for company as it
help them in retention of employees for long time and also support them in improvement of its
growth and success (Samnani and Singh, 2012).
Research Aim
“To identify impact of the conflicts which occur due to diversity.” A study on Unilever.
Research Objectives
 To examine equality and diversity at workplace.
 To understand concept of Cultural diversity.
 To examine drawbacks of diverse culture employees in retailing. To determine the impact of the conflicts which occur due to varied cultures of employees.
Research Questions
 What is equality and diversity at workplace?
 What is cultural diversity concept?
 What are the drawbacks of diverse culture employees in retailing?
 What is impact of the conflicts which occur due to varied cultures of employees?
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Literature Review
According to the Martin and et. al., 2017, conflict is a main issue faced by an
organisation due to diversity at workplace. There are several negative effects of workplace
conflict such as work disruptions, project failure, absenteeism, decreased productivity, turnover
and termination. Along with this, emotional stress that can be both a cause as well as an effect of
workplace conflict. As it has negative impact on business as well as employees performance.
As per the view point of Kelly, 2019. Equality within the organisation means that
employees prevailing at workplace is treated fairly as well as equally by the higher authorities of
company whereas diversity means an organisation welcomes candidate in the organisation who
belongs from different background as well as attitude. Adoption of this behaviour and attitude
within the organisation effects positive on the environment which is given to employees at
workplace. Equality and diversity plays vital role in an association as it builds healthy working
culture and reach company towards growth as well as success. Hiring of people pf all races &
gender develops organisation stronger and compatible. In order to become a leading company at
market, it is important for top level management to ensure that all the employees is treated
equally as well as fairly at the workplace.
An employee feel equality the organisation if there inputs is equal to the achievements
they gain by the higher authorities of company. An employee feel motivated when they are
appreciated and treated fairly in front of all the staff members by the manager of the company as
per the efforts they give towards the attainment of goals within the time frame. Diversity
involves religion, culture, gender, mental abilities and so on. In today’s world, every organisation
works globally or ant to work worldwide so it is important for them to hire employees from
diverse background so that employees can understand different markets and it is easy for them to
target as well as analyse their needs. In addition to this, it will also help company to deal with
any type of market or customers appropriately and gain the trust of customers which not only
increases company profitably but also enhance positive word of mouth.
Selection as well as acquisition of people from various background brings more
creativity and innovation within the organisation which leads to raise in sales and profit level of
company. It has also been stated that diverse teams resolve issues and problems effectively and
rapidly as compare to similar teams. Equality and diversity at workplace assist companies to
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