Business Ethics In The Workplace Harvard Case Solution & Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Global and cultural diversity is one of the biggest and important challenges that organizations face nowadays. The diversity in the workplace means that the organization is becoming heterogeneous in terms of ethnic origin, age, gender, knowledge, nationality, sexual orientation, and occupation. Diversity in the workplace is considered as an advantage in this global world, and not as a disadvantage in obtaining the opportunity. The globalization of the world economy and the difference between various countries present numerous challenges and issues for the organizations.

The national and international organization becomes more complex, uncertain and fast-moving than ever before. Moreover, the working environment of the organizations on the global platform are changing rapidly, which leads the company to face challenges such as cultural differences, economic and political differences, social and diversification issues, and inflexible working environment. Furthermore, the issues and challenges include high competition among employees, unethical standards, and downsizing.

BARRIERS TO FOSTER DIVERSITY

The global and cultural diversity give rise to ethical problems in the workplace that can be challenging for managers and employees to resolve effectively and efficiently. Moreover, the researchers and organizational leaders discovered that diverse organization comprises of the many benefits such as innovation, lower absenteeism and turnover rate, higher-quality employee and maximize market share. Following are the past barriers of the workplace faced by the company’s managers and leaders.

Discrimination and prejudice

Managing diversity involves recognizing the value of differences, combating the discrimination and prejudice in the workplace. However, due to prejudice and discrimination, managers may also be challenged with losses in worker productivity and personnel. The negative attitude and behavior of the employees and the leaders increase the barriers to organization's diversity. The negative attitude and behavior lead the company to face ineffective working relationship among the employees and the managers and decrease the morale and the value of the organization (R Amuck, 1999).

Communication barrier

Communication barrier arises when two people face cannot perceive an event or situation in the same place. One of the biggest issues of communication barrier is the language difference in the workplace. However, communication barrier in the workplace has a serious effect to complete the task and achieve the company’s goal effectively. Even the minor communication barrier can dilute and reduce the effectiveness of communication among the employees and the management teams. Moreover, the communication barriers arise from poor listening, a difference of cultural background, and difference of emotional states (Badawy, 2011).

Stereotypes

Stereotypes are assumptions made by the managers and leaders of the company about the characteristics of employees in terms of culture and social values. Most stereotypes are negative or even hostile that leads the company to face serious issue of workplace communication. In many organizations, managers perceived that all employees are same while overlooking their individual differences. Gender, age, physical appearance, and sexual preferences are the key areas where stereotype issues can occur (AG Greenwald, 1995).

Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge the group according to their cultures values and standards. However, Ethnocentrism is not considered as communication of culture barrier, but can hinder employee morale and work productivity. In the workplace, the leader should not be an ethnocentric person because an ethnocentric individual believes that he is superior from others and misuse his sources of power (RA LeVine, 1972).Business Ethics In The Workplace Case Solution

LEADERSHIP AND ETHICAL DIVERSITY

Nowadays, numerous leadership and ethical diversity issues arise due to bribery, gender discrimination, power difference, ethnocentric behavior, miscommunication, poor listening skills, false information and intellectual property rights. However, it is important for the company to develop an ethical leadership approach and process in the workplace to produce diverse, and innovative organizational culture. This strategy will inspire the company to bring constructive change, increase productivity and profitability, and sustain the company’s growth in the long run.

Ethical leadership is considered one of the key components of all organizations. However, the leadership functions and capacity are becoming more complex with increased involvement in globalization and technology advancement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the leaders in the workplace is to develop a strategy to blend the organization culture. Moreover, this strategy can bring a wide range of challenges and advantages in terms of innovation, creativity, ideas, lifestyles, and effective communication channels into the workplace. Furthermore, it is the right and the duty of the leader to resolve racial discrimination issues through leadership development programs..................

This is just a sample partial case solution. Please place the order on the website to order your own originally done case solution.

Share This

SALE SALE

Save Up To

30%

IN ONLINE CASE STUDY

FOR FREE CASES AND PROJECTS INCLUDING EXCITING DEALS PLEASE REGISTER YOURSELF !!

Register now and save up to 30%.