Globalization and Diversity and Its Effects on Organizational Behavior - Assignment Example

 Globalization and Diversity and Its Effects on Organizational Behavior 1. Relationship between globalization and diversity; how has this combination affected organizational behavior? Globalization is a term which encompasses a number of difficult series of economic, social, technological, cultural and political changes that have been happening from time to time on the global front. These changes have seen some serious strides that have been made with regards to increasing interdependence as well as mergers and interacting units between people from different locations and companies with diversified interests. The term started to take form in the year 1944 but it was not before the year 1981 that the economists actually started using it. The main person responsible for coining the term globalization is considered to be Theodore Levitt. With the passage of time, the phenomenon has grown at a steady rate whereby the setting under which it is held is one that focuses on the global patterns related with the sociological findings. (Aase, 2004) The aspect of whether or not globalization is a newer form of western imperialism is manifested in the definition of the same word. Globalization, for that matter, is remarked as Internationalization since the nature of the two terms is on a worldwide scale more than anything else. West tries to exploit the basis of globalization which the third world countries could bring to the benefit of the developed nations. However, on the part of the two terms, the one thing common however is the fact that these have identified themselves well with the changing (and growing) trends, where most of these are credited on the shoulders of the World War II, after which there has been a resurgent rat race nonetheless. Globalization is a phenomenon and it is one that is here to stay for long. The world has become a global village due to globalization and it is a good omen if seen in the proper perspectives. The impact of demographic diversities in a group means that more efforts are needed to be put in place so that each of the group members knows what his or her duty is and whether this person is communicated about the roles that are asked of him or her, both in the short term as well as the long run. (Kohler, 2003) Moreover, demographic changes mean that the leader has to focus more on a particular set of people or at times, the ones who are not very easy going along with the whole group. Hard work and commitment thus form the key in this whole equation of getting the best out of even the ordinary of people in the group. Similarly, we find out that cultural diversity can pose a number of problems for the group members but it is the duty of the leader of the group to make the group members hailing from different cultures to feel comfortable within the group and contribute to the best capacity they can, both as an individual and in the form of a group as a whole. Within the discussion which comprises of relating globalization with diversity basis, one finds that the two are pretty much in close association with each other. The reason for the same is that globalization looks to mix all forms of people from different spheres of life, no matter whatsoever region they might be living in. (Vanin, 2005) There is a direct connection between globalization and diversity if seen in the real contexts and this cannot be denied in any manner. When one speaks of the ways in which organizational behavior has been affected by the linkage of the two phenomena we find that the organization is usually benefiting from the whole exercise since it gets to find the best possible talent whilst paying for a lesser amount. What this means is that economically deprived individuals are given a fair chance to be a part of the organization’s undertakings yet they are paid according to the company’s budgets, thus benefiting both the parties in essence. More than anything else, this symbiotic relationship has facilitated in the development of organizational behavior tenets manifolds as well as opened up avenues of growth if seen in the proper scheme of things. Now there are more options available to the organizations when it comes to choosing talent without the notion of considering the sex, race, ethnic, age barriers which was not the case some 20 years back. With the advent of science and technology this has progressed for all the right reasons and that too in the positive direction – ahead. 2. How globalization and diversity have changed the world's way of doing business. Globalization is indeed more than a phenomenon. It is a culture that has changed the face of the earth and it will linger on for years to come. Similarly diversity has provided so much more to the world of business in recent years than was ever the case. Before any other movement comes and strikes on the global face, we have to find out for ourselves what are the plus points and the disadvantages of this phenomenon related with globalization and diversity since the tilt should more or less be on the benefits that these provide to the whole population of individuals without differentiating whether they hail from the developed nations segment or one that has been bracketed alongside the very poor. (Henderson, 1994) This also goes on to suggest that globalization and diversity will remain as strong forces that can shape the world to change in entirety and resist on the other movements that happen from time to time. The emphasis and focus of world’s top governing bodies only makes sure that globalization and diversity remain as two of the strongest advocates for the free work regime all over the world and there need not be any boundaries for any party, individual or group for that matter. The main emphasis is thus on the aspect of globalization being a healer for the poverty ridden population rather than coming as a burden for them. Diversity gives these people the chance to explore opportunities. Both aim to solve their problems rather than becoming one such nuisance. The benefits and downsides of globalization need to be weighed in properly before we comment upon whether it is on the right track or otherwise. It has connected the world economies and has thus raised the living standards many times which is a sure positive sign for one and all to see but the looming saga of cheap labor is something that we have to comprehend on the other hand as well. The change factor is pretty evident and more so in a quick fashion which is something that can be attributed as a major plus all this while but then again the pain it exerts on the young hands to make the lives of the rich and developed comfortable is debatable if not wholly deplorable. Diversity has made possible the recruitment and selection of individuals who were disallowed to right to express and freely work in line with their chosen areas of expertise. Furthermore, the point related with phasing out jobs in the name of technological changes and infrastructural requirements is a big bane in the present times, one that needs to be looked in the context of the losing party in a clear and vivid manner rather than hushing up the whole issue once and for all. (Cross, 2000) The advantages of the phenomenon of globalization as well as that of diversity must outweigh the disadvantages to make the campaigners against the same notions change their minds in its favor. Wherever there is work, there surely is protest and criticism involved and these people are no exception to the same. Without a doubt, the world economy has grown in recent decades. So much so, that the pundits have said something good about it. International trade is something that is attributed to this upheaval. It has formed the motivating factor behind the very same. Developing countries have also stepped on to the bandwagon and are thus bringing in more and more opportunities for the developed nations to invest their money in their territories. One such example is that of outsourcing where developed nations are taking the plunge and entering into the developing nations’ zones and thus reaping huge benefits. Now outsourcing is a quintessential aspect which takes care both of the globalization as well as the diversity regimes. It should be kept in mind here that this is a symbiotic relationship, benefiting both the parties on a consistent basis. It has also been seen that the developed nations are more than happy to outsource their work and set up offshore avenues in order to earn revenues and make the most out of their business. However the litigations that are in place with regards to setting up these industries is something that needs to be delved into by them in detail and we, as students of the same, will try our best at understanding the whole ball game. Global sourcing is a phenomenon which is on the rise with the passage of time. It is also known as ‘outsourcing’ as it looks to cover the weak areas of a business, enterprise or a country for that matter in another’s area of strength, manpower abundance and availability of proper resources. (Miller, 1994) However all this requires sound planning and immediate provision of funds which will not only benefit the two parties, but also the major (and minor) stakeholders, the employees working at the sites and above all the whole society who is about to go on a radical shift in their fortunes. This comes directly under the diversity tenets of doing the business in a broad manner. 3. The future of globalization and diversity. The relation between globalization and diversity is a strong one. One can gain so much from their linkage that is pretty difficult to document here. The gains outnumber the negatives in the whole discussion and one should focus on what is achieved rather than moaning on what has been lost in the long run. Globalization and diversity regimes are intertwined with each other so much that the end result of their combination can bring in instant results, positive influences and alliances to form up in a quick and steady manner. This assures one and all of the positives that can be spelled out courtesy the linkage of the two potent forces for any developing or for that matter, a developed market. (Lerch, 2005) The coming times will see progress being made in the related areas since the business markets are expanding exponentially and there is so much to explore in the real sense of the word. No matter how much globalization and diversity boosts the world economy, it provides as a point of deterrence for the local area economies since there is a lot of liberalization that happens in the global domain. International trade barriers start becoming easy targets for the global regimes and thus the individual governments face one problem or the other due to the very same. This is also a fact that profits are poured in left, right and center but then this holds true for only the multinationals and large conglomerates in the real sense of the word. Some anti-globalization bodies also suggest that globalization gives rise to capitalism and thus should be banned from the face of the earth. Pretty similar is the case with diversity indeed. They believe that this form of movement is against the poor and it exploits upon their necessities and gets the best work done out of them for the cheapest possible money. The third world is thus at the receiving end of this game nonetheless, as they fathom. This is because the third world is being exploited upon excessively and there is no one to care about these people as such. The world’s top governing bodies need to stand up and take notice of the fact that whatever has been the case with these nations in the past should not sustain in the similar vein in the future years. (Lowe, 2006) This will enable people to people interaction on a regular basis as well as facilitate in trade and business exchange mechanisms – aspects which are intrinsic to globalization and diversity nonetheless. The future of globalization and diversity can be remarked as a booming one since the two have to go hand in hand to make a solid change within the different regimes of the world. This could possibly be more apparent in the business hubs than any other sectors of human undertaking. The businesses need to collaborate with each other on a proactive basis and this could only happen if they have the regulations made in favor of these practices essentially. This requires positive government interventions and steps need to be taken in order to encourage trade and linkages amongst different forms of businesses and not just stick to a singular field of profession. The coming times will surely witness the world shrinking even more and the accessibility of people will be made much easier. (Berberoglu, 2005) However this is easier said than done because steps need to be taken in the physical sense rather than jotting them down on a piece of paper. Organizations need to stand up and make their own selves count. There must be unison in their actions and undertakings which will eventually facilitate the running of the whole related industry. Thus a solid platform for supporting these initiatives must indeed be the order of the day when it comes to clear comprehension of globalization and diversity regimes all said and done. References Aase, Sara. (2004). Is Globalization a Powerful Force for Good or a Means of Exploitation? New World Order UMN news Berberoglu, Berch. (2005). Globalization and Change; The Transformation of Global Capitalism. Lexington Books Cross, Elsie Y. (2000). Managing Diversity--The Courage to Lead. Quorum Books Henderson, George. (1994). Cultural Diversity in the Workplace: Issues and Strategies. Praeger Kohler, Horst. (2003). The Challenges of Globalization and the Role of the IMF. International Monetary Fund Lerch, Marika. (2005). Challenges of Globalization: New Trends in International Politics and Society. Transaction Publishers Lowe, Kevin B. (2006). The Influence of Organizational Diversity Orientation and Leader Attitude on Diversity Activities. Journal of Managerial Issues, Vol. 18 Miller, E K. (1994). Diversity and Its Management: Training Managers for Cultural Competence within the Organization. Management Quarterly, Vol. 35 Vanin, Cristina. (2005). Real Costs of Globalization. Catholic New Times Word Count: 2,297 Read More