Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 1
Questions for Review
2-1. What are the two major forms of workplace diversity?
Answer: The two major forms of workplace diversity are surface level diversity and deep
progressively more important for determining similarity as people get to know one
another better.
AACSB: Diverse and multicultural work environments
2-2. How does workplace discrimination undermine organizational effectiveness?
Answer: Actual discrimination can lead to increased negative consequences for
promotions.
Learning Objective: Demonstrate how workplace discrimination undermines
organizational effectiveness
AACSB: Diverse and multicultural work environments
2-3. How are the key biological characteristics relevant to OB?
Answer:
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 2
OB
Learning Outcomes: Explain the relationship between personality traits and individual
behavior; Describe the factors that influence the formation of individual attitudes and
values
AACSB: Diverse and multicultural work environments
2-4. How do other differentiating characteristics factor into OB?
systemic. Religious individuals may also believe they have an obligation to express their
beliefs in the workplace, and those who do not share those beliefs may object. While
the bridge of workplace flexibility to meet both organizational goals and individual
needs.
Learning Objective: Explain how other differentiating characteristics factor into OB
Learning Outcomes: Explain the relationship between differentiating characteristics
traits and individual behavior; Describe the factors that influence the formation of
individual attitudes and values
AACSB: Diverse and multicultural work environments
2-5. What are the relevant points of intellectual and physical abilities to organizational
behavior?
Answer: The two types of abilities are intellectual abilities and physical abilities.
OB
Learning Outcomes: Explain the relationship between personality traits and individual
behavior; Describe the factors that influence the formation of individual attitudes and
values
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 3
AACSB: Diverse and multicultural work environments
2-6. How can organizations manage diversity effectively?
components:
values
AACSB: Diverse and multicultural work environments
Experiential Exercise
Differences
This exercise contributes to:
AACSB: Diverse and multicultural work environments
The instructor randomly assigns the class into groups of four. It is important that group
membership is truly randomly decided, not done by seating, friendships, or preferences.
2-7. How diverse is your group, on a scale of 1–10, where 1 = very dissimilar and 10 =
very similar?
questions:
What games/toys did you like to play with when you were young?
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 4
Are you spiritual at all?
Tell us a little about your family.
Where’s your favorite place on earth and why?
2-8. How diverse is your group, on a scale of 1–10, where 1 = very dissimilar and 10 =
very similar?
After groups calculate the average ratings from before and after the discussion, they will share
with the class the difference between their averages and answer the following questions:
average ratings increase after the discussion time?
rating would increase?
2-11. What do you see as the role of surface-level diversity and deep-level diversity in a
group’s acceptance of individual differences?
Teaching Notes
This exercise is applicable to face-to-face classes or synchronous online classes such as
(http://docplayer.net/19442732-Effective-use-of-collaboration-tools-for-online-learning-jennifer-pontano-k
e-anna-skipwith-drexel-university-e-learning-2-0-conference-march-2011.html) for more information.
Ethical Dilemma
Voiding the “License to Discriminate”
This exercise contributes to:
diversity in the workforce
AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning; Diverse and multicultural work environments
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play for the Brooklyn
Dodgers, a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Robinson was an excellent all-around player
and eventually was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame; but as the first black person on an MLB
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 5
In the workplace, tokenism refers to minority members being hired into a position because they
are different from other members and sometimes to serve as proof that the organization or group
is nondiscriminatory. Once in their positions, tokens are given work that would be stereotypically
“proof” that the group is nondiscriminatory).
Sources: J. Galbreath, “Are There Gender-Related Influences on Corporate Sustainability? A Study of Women on
Boards of Directors,” Journal of Management & Organization 17, no. 1 (2011): 17–38; L. Turner and A. Suflas,
“Global Diversity—One Program Won’t Fit All,” HR Magazine, May 2014, 59–61; and J. S. Lublin, “‘Pink Quotas’
Alter Europe’s Boards,” The Wall Street Journal, September 12, 2012, B8.
Questions
2-12. Can you think of other examples in which tokenism might emerge in the workplace?
What are they?
that companies may hire or promote one or two individuals from this community as a
way of indicating that they are open to alternative lifestyles. Other students might suggest
2-13. Organizations use a variety of diversity management strategies to make employees more
aware of and sensitive to the needs of others. Do you think that these same practices may
inadvertently (or intentionally) lead to tokenism or moral licensing? Why or why not?
Answer: The response to this question will spark considerable debate. Those who agree
with the quota concept are those who likely believe in other governmental quotas
2-14. What do you think can be done to limit tokenism in workgroups and organizations?
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 6
Case Incident 1
Can Organizations Train Diversity?
This exercise contributes to:
Learning Objective: Describe how organizations manage diversity effectively
Learning Outcomes: Explain the relationship between personality traits and individual
behavior; Describe the factors that influence the formation of individual attitudes and values
AACSB: Diverse and multicultural work environments
communication skills by focusing on emotional and social intelligence, ultimately seeking to
improve their ability to deescalate charged situations. “The idea is to deescalate whenever
possible—which in turn will reduce use of force incidents,” their police chief Tim Lentz notes.
Many police and public safety departments across the United States are seeing a renewed push to
Overall, diversity training can take many shapes and forms. But how effective is it at improving
an understanding of diversity and reducing prejudice? A large-scale review of over 250
independent studies found that trainees react positively to diversity training and that it appears to
be quite effective at improving the way trainees think about diversity, although it affects behavior
another.
On the other hand, it appears as if many are not sold on the effectiveness of diversity training.
For example, some note that there is a large obstacle to overcome: We are wired to make quick
interpretations and automatic judgments. According to the esteemed behavioral economist,
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 7
toward others.
Either way, managers across a variety of industries and contexts are motivated to implement
diversity management activities in their organizations to promote equity and positive interactions
among their employees.
It’s Easier to Change Your Processes Than Your People: An Interview with Iris Bohnet,” Harvard Business Review, July 2016, 63–7; and Racial
Intelligence Training & Engagement [About Page], http://riteacademy.com/.
Questions
2-15. If you were to develop your own diversity training plan for an organization, what would
work?
Answer: This item can be assigned as a Discussion Question in MyLab Management.
Student responses will vary.
2-16. A variety of industries have unique problems that come with a lack of understanding of
2-17. Do you think diversity training is effective? If so, what about it makes it effective? If not,
what would you do to improve diversity outcomes in organizations?
Answer: Responses to this question will vary depending on each student’s opinion.
Case Incident 2
The Encore Career
This exercise contributes to:
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 8
AACSB: Diverse and multicultural work environments
Over the past century, the average age of the workforce has increased as medical science has
continued to enhance longevity and vitality. As we discussed in this chapter, many individuals
organizations are realizing the benefits of this needed employee group.
Dale Sweere, HR director for engineering firm Stanley Consultants, is one of the growing
number of management professionals actively recruiting the older workforce. Sweere says older
workers “typically hit the ground running much quicker and they fit into the organization well.”
over age 55 is 56 weeks, versus 38 weeks for the rest of the unemployed population.
Enter the encore career, a.k.a. unretirement. Increasingly, older workers who aren’t finding
fulfilling positions are seeking to opt out of traditional roles. After long careers in the workforce,
an increasing number are embracing flexible, work-from-home options such as customer service
Encore.org CEO Marc Freedman. Still others are gaining additional education, such as Japan’s
“silver entrepreneurs,” who have benefited from the country’s tax credits for training older
workers.
Individuals who embark on a second-act career often report they are very fulfilled. However, the
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 9
Sources: N. Eberstadt and M. W. Hodin, “America Needs to Rethink ‘Retirement,” The Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2014, A15; S. Giegerich,
“Older Job-Seekers Must Take Charge, Adapt,” Chicago Tribune, September 10, 2012, 2–3; R. J. Grossman, “Encore!” HR Magazine, July 2014,
Questions
2-18. What changes in employment relationships are likely to occur as the population
ages?
address issues of older workers.
2-19. Do you think increasing age diversity will create new challenges for managers? What
Student responses will vary.
2-20. How can organizations cope with differences related to age discrimination in the
workplace? How can older employees help?
should make it a priority to continually seek opportunities to update their skills and be
current in their professions.
MyLab Management
following Assisted-graded writing questions:
2-21. In relation to this chapter’s Ethical Dilemma, one recent study found that employees may
prejudiced by being kinder or more welcoming toward the accuser. Do you think these
2-23. MyLab Management only – comprehensive writing assignment for this chapter.
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 10
Instructor’s Choice
Personality and Innovation at Apple-Application of Abilities
Evaluation
This exercise contributes to:
AACSB: Diverse and multicultural work environments
“It’s Showtime!” is now a phrase that can adequately describe the art and personality of Steve
Jobs. At one time or another, Steve Jobs was called brilliant, creative, demanding, domineering,
eccentric, a predatory competitor, hard, unforgiving, or one of the best marketing minds ever—
quite an extensive array of abilities. One of Mr. Jobs’ passions was online music and digital
most recent product introduction, the color iPhone5, is one test of the company’s ability to
succeed without its revolutionary founder and leader.
Using a search engine of your own choosing, find an article about Steve Jobs that outlines his
successes and failures as a corporate executive and entrepreneur. What do you think are the
Instructor’s Note
To aid the student in this application project, suggest that they read “Show Time” by Peter Burrows,
found in Business Week (February 2, 2004, pp. 57–64). With respect to the intellectual abilities
presented in the chapter, Mr. Jobs would certainly rate high on extraversion, conscientiousness, and
openness to experience. He would also have an internal locus of control approach, be
Chapter 2 Diversity in Organizations Page 11
Disney and various film producers gave him a head start in the emerging digital entertainment field.
Exploring OB Topics on the Web
This exercise contributes to:
1. Do an Internet search on age discrimination. Choose three sites that each deal with a
we learned about older workers in this chapter.
2. Find a current article of an organization that has been involved in an age discrimination
some places to start digging:
AARP
3. Top executives and tough jobs. Learn more about the skills and abilities managers need,
sure to select links that look interesting, found in the left frame.