Cultural Diversity - Essay Example

Introduction It is a fact that globalization is bringing people to a single world society. Herein, it will not be incorrect to that globalization is impacting the current trends of the hospitality industry. The reason behind it is that people from different cultures are working in this industry with different culturally diverse people and patients. However, it creates conflicts. Cultural diversity has both benefits and opportunities. Therefore, it can be said that there are different dimensions of cultural diversification. In order to deal with this cultural diversity and dimensions, it is necessary to manage the diverse workforce within the hospitality industry, which can lead to achieving the corporate goals. There are various theories on cultural diversity and for managing the cultural diversity. There are strategies and defined areas of policies that are adopted by hospitality firms. Herein, culture, cultural diversity, and its management within the hospitality industry will be described in this paper. In addition, benefits of managing cultural diversity in the hospitality industry will also be discussed and supported by the researches and theories. Discussion In order to understand the importance of cultural diversity within the hospitality industry it is essential to discuss aspects of the hospitality industry and cultural diversity with the help of researches. Therefore, following highlighted points, theories, and strategies will define the significance of cultural diversity within the hospitality industry. Importance of cultural diversity In hospitality industry that can be known as the service industry because it deals with different types of customers. It is a very vast industry, and it is a multi-billion dollar industry that provides maximum chances to maximize the profit for each organization working in this industry (Berger, 2012). As it is a very vast industry, it has a different organization that contains different people from different cultures and backgrounds to deal with multicultural customers. It is the reason due to which cultural diversity has significance importance within this industry (Barth, 2006). Thus, cultural diversity has a significant influence on the hospitality industry and its business. With the help of Berger & Huntington research, it can be said that the cultural diversity is beneficial for organizations in the long-term. It has been analyzed that the cultural diversity is highly important in the hospitality industry because it deals with global customers. However, those organizations that are in the hospitality business and growing internationally needs to identify the importance of cultural diversity (Brislin, 2008). The reason behind it is that while doing business internationally the cultural issues creates problems. Sometimes, language becomes a barrier and in some conditions, the cultural difference in terms of food clothes and norms becomes an issue (Bono & Heijden, 2011). The hospitality industry is a vast industry, and it has different small businesses that are running across the world. There are different businesses involved in this industry in which many employees and customers from different cultures and backgrounds come across (Walker & Miller, 2009). In order to deal with them it is necessary that the diversity approaches should be applied. By managing the cultural diversity, it can be possible that the business can grow. Although, there are different dimensions of culture even then, among similar cultures there are some differences exist (Berger & Huntington, 2003). While discussing culture it, can be said that culture is a complex concept because it has different meanings. It is a fact that culture is not a tangible thing however; it can be analyzed and expressed through art, clothing and food (Backman, 2012). Culture in societies gives directions to people to behave according to a socially and culturally accepted way for stability. On the contrary, the organizational culture can be articulated with the help of organizational vision (Backman, 2012). When it comes to cultural diversity, it can be defined as it is the mixture of different cultures and people in this world but respecting the differences by providing and expanding freedom of choices is diversity. In addition, cultural diversity is also multiculturalism in which cultural identities are not disregarded and valued (Bono & Heijden, 2011). Organizations adopt this practice of cultural diversity and manage cultural diversity to deal with culturally diverse customers and employees. According to Bojeun, it is necessary to recognize the backgrounds of employee and customers in a hospitality business because dissimilarities can influence in a negative manner on performance (Bojeun, 2013). Therefore, diversity management is essential for the growth of the company business, and it transforms the legal responsibility into an asset. It will help organizations to move in the right direction by avoiding the cultural differences and barriers. If the diversity is not being managed in an appropriate manner, then it is possible that the cross-cultures will create challenges within the industry and organization. It will not be incorrect to state that without diversity management there is a risk for hospitality corporations that these will be known as monoculture organizations (D'Almeida, 2007). It means that the organization has limited perspective for things. By establishing diversity within the industry, the organizations provide this prove that they are not limited to laws that support discrimination by any means. Diversity management suggests that the honor the differences between people and their cultures by allowing them to work in the best possible way (Ting-Toomey, 2012). It is significant for the organizations to realize this fact that cultural differences do exist. For the benefit of both workers and organization it, is better to manage the diversity. According to Parekh, the workforce of will becomes diverse because the economy is increasingly becoming global. By effectively managing the cultural diversity in the hospitality industry chances for growth, success and level of competition within the industry will increase (Parekh, 2002). In order to make the hospitality industry and its businesses more successful, it is essential to manage the work environment, human resources. For this purpose, human resource leaders and managers must redefine the importance of cultural diversity and its management (Walker & Miller, 2009). When hospitality organizations evaluate the diversity policies according to the plans, it helps them to remain profitable and valuable in the global hospitality markets. By giving value to the human skills rather than considering their cultures, it will produce economic value. Ting-Toomey suggests that organizations should understand the diversity framework it help them to explain the diversity and its practices in the organization (Ting-Toomey, 2012). Those organizations that do not manage the cultural diversity in their organizations they face various problems. First of all, language becomes an issue while communicating with others. If language barriers with employees and customers are not cope up in an appropriate manner, then it is possible that the organization will suffer the consequences by less productivity and low growth. If the cultural diversity is not managed properly, then the customers and employee will be demotivated, and the business will not grow (Anon., 2014) Berger & Huntington exhibited a model strategy for diversity management. It was about how a company can manage diversity at workplace. The model is based on three themes that correlate with diversity by valuing culture, leadership, and opportunities. On the basis of this model, it can be said that a company can manage the diversity within the workplace by improving their concerns for equality (Berger & Huntington, 2003). Moreover, by conducting diversity training programs and by communicating and respecting the differences effectively with all employee's diversity can be manage within a company. In order to manage the diversity, equal pay and reward system also motivate employees (Bono & Heijden, 2011). Walker & Miller study suggests that for the maximum advantages from diversity the company needs to evaluate and confirm that the diversity strategy is working properly or not. In addition, it is also significant to analyze the strategy linkages by company’s culture, diversity initiatives, procedures and policies (Harrison, 2013). Brislin study and numerous studies provide evidence that by managing diversity in the workplace plays a significant role, which ensures profitable and competitive business. However, within the hospitality industry not all organizations are showing concern towards the diversity issues (Brislin, 2008). Benefits of cultural diversity To analyze the growth and the level of competition, it is necessary realize the importance diversity and its benefits. If any organization makes plans to deal with diversity and then implement those plans (D'Almeida, 2007). It helps organizations to create cultural competence successfully and in several ways, it also provides chances to attain the competitive advantage within the hospitality industry. Herein, it can be noticed that the cultural diversity in a workplace has sociocultural aspects. The management of cultural diversity enables employees to become more knowledgeable by overcoming the barriers and opening doors for learning (Bojeun, 2013). Frederick Herzberg suggested in his Herzberg's theory that motivation and hygiene are two dimensions that can lead employees to job satisfaction (Bono & Heijden, 2011). By applying this theory in the hospitality industry, employees will be motivated for work, and it can only be possible if cultural diversity is managed properly. It will benefit the company in the long term (Walker & Miller, 2009). An organization’s success and competitiveness depend on its ability to embrace the benefits of cultural diversity. When organizations realize the importance of managing cultural diversity and actively assess diversity issues, plans and implement those plans then it provide multiple benefits to the organization. Some of the benefits of cultural diversity included that it increases adaptability, provide a variety of viewpoints and broaden the service range. The reason behind this is that by employing a diverse workforce the company can get diverse individual talents and experiences that provide ideas and which can fluctuate the market and customers’ demands (Barth, 2006). Considering the hospitality firms, it can be said that there is a gap between the aforementioned strategies, theories and policies for cultural diversity. The reason behind this is that the hospitality firms are not practicing the model strategies and theories in an appropriate manner. The hospitality law and policies also suggest that the managers and leaders of the organizations in this industry should follow the rule to avoid discrimination and other differences of culture, race and ethnicity (Barth, 2006). The hospitality law also suggests following the code of ethics. It is the reason due to which managers are responsible to manage the cultural diversity within the organization (Barth, 2006). It can be evident from the researches that hospitality firms have adopted the multicultural diversity strategies to some extent. However, only some organizations are not practicing the theories and strategies due to which they are not attaining the competitive edge within the industry. Moreover, it will not be incorrect to state that the hospitality industry has adopted many cultural diversity policies and strategies that are helping to deal with culturally diverse customers (Berger, 2012). Conclusion On the basis of above discussion and analysis of theories, it can be concluded that the within the hospitality industry the growth is only possible when the cultural diversity is being managed. Therefore, it is important to manage the cultural diversity within this industry. It will be beneficial for the business, and it will provide the chance to attain the competitive edge. Any organization that seeks success and profits needs to manage the cultural diversity in the organization. The benefits that have been discussed here provided this understanding that by managing the cultural diversity there will be an increase in the adaptability. In addition, variety of viewpoints will make effective execution possible, and it will broaden the service range. It can also be concluded that the manager and leaders of hospitality firms apply cultural diversity strategies and theories to attain the competitive edge. Theories like Herzberg's motivation theory and cultural diversity model strategies play an essential role in the hospitality industry. The reason is that it provides a chance to achieve competitive advantage to the firms under this industry. Herein, it should also be noticed that there is a gap between practices and actual strategies and theories. It is because there are some organizations within the hospitality industry that do not follow and apply these rules and policies. However, it is evident that managing cultural diversity within the hospitality industry is important and beneficial for competitive advantage. List of References Anon., 2013. Measuring Performance. New York: Harvard Business School Press. Anon., 2014. Business structure. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 8 01 2015]. Anon., 2014. Our Employees. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 8 01 2015]. Backman, C. R., 2012. Sources for The Cultures of the West. New York: Oxford Public Press. Barth, S. C., 2006. 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Diversity Management Training Initiatives: A Profile of Current Practices within the Lodging Industry. Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, 1(4), pp. 79-96. Read More