Cultural Diversity within an Organization to the Society - Research Paper Example

RESEARCH PROPOSAL ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY Research proposal on cultural diversity Background The revolution of the worldinto a global village has made it rather easy for people of different cultures to move from one place to another, making different nation pay homage to people of different origins. The information from the Bureau of Statistics reveals that the United States, for example, acts as a home to people of varied cultures like those of Hispanic, African and Asian origins among others. Whereas cultural diversity can make people within a given set-up learn the beliefs that are held by different people, some negative elements within our community have been traced back to cultural diversity. This implies that cultural diversity has different effects, some of them being positive whereas others are negative. In the past, different stakeholders have carried out several surveys to assess the impacts of cultural diversity within different set-ups. The results from the surveys have indeed ascertained that there is much to cultural diversity than we presumed. This research proposal similarly seeks to provide more insight on cultural diversity. It aims to assess the positive and negative effects of cultural diversity across the community, notably within organizations. In as much as several studies have been done on cultural diversity, the event that this research proposal will be independent with minimal interference implies that the research would play a critical role in presenting the bigger picture of cultural diversity within an organization to the society. Literature Review Conser et.al, (2013) introduces a completely new meaning to the term cultural diversity. He says that the society should hinge cultural diversity on mutual respect, arguing that it is only with mutual respect that the society can make the best out of those who live within it. Similarly, Conser holds the opinion that when we hold with high esteem and respect the cultures of other people, we are in essence learning from them, thereby being the custodians of the much-celebrated UN charter on human rights, which prevents people from all forms of discrimination. Conser et.al (2013) acknowledges that there is no doubt that different cultures have different ideals that they hold closer to their hearts. He goes ahead to say that such ideals drive the respective communities, notably because such people know what the society expects of them. Conser’s opinion is that for us to respect and understand the cultures of several people, we should be flexible and borrow good traits from them. An example of a good culture is the Mediterranean diet that has been hugely embraced by those who live in the Mediterranean regions. Cheref (2010) provides us with some of the reasons as to why cultural diversity has been on the rise, notably within the last few years. Cheref holds the opinion that immigration of people from one nation to another is one reason for the rise in cultural diversity. On the same not, Cheref presumes true the fact that globalization is also a factor that has contributed to cultural diversity. This is majorly because people are forced to migrate across several countries in pursuit of better jobs or to exploit the opportunities that are available within such regions. Cheref makes it clear that in as much as there are several positive facts attributed to cultural diversity; it is rather disadvantageous in that certain cultures are at risk of vanishing, especially if they go all out and embrace the beliefs of other people within the community. Mackie (2003) presumes true the ideology that cultural diversity is quite advantageous in that people often learn from one another. Mackie similarly, holds the opinion that the fact that different people within a community do things differently alone is enough proof of how the different cultures add zest to life. Mackie, nevertheless, does not turn blind to the fact that certain cultures and beliefs can be oppressive to some genders. To support her reasoning, she gives the example of nations like Saudi Arabia, where it is a culture that those of the female gender should not testify in courts of law, hence leading to the obstruction of justice (Mackie, 2003). Miles et.al (2009) explains the importance of cultural diversity as a whole. They hold the opinion that the fact that the benefits associated with cultural diversity outweigh the costs makes cultural diversity of great significance. Nevertheless, they warn that it is uncalled for, for sections of the society to discriminate against those of certain cultures, notably those who have coloured skin as well as those who originate from cultures with a small number of people. Similarly, Miles et.al warns that cultural diversity can be disastrous if not properly used; an example is the African Question (Miles et.al, 2009). Miles holds the opinion that one major reason several African states are still developing is the fact that there are different cultures and that the cultures are used as tools of war rather than tools of development. Research Philosophy The philosophy of this research proposal is that, within a community, people hold different beliefs. Not everyone within a community will be of the same faith, and neither will they are speakers of the same language. To this effect, it is far-reaching to ensure that we understand the beliefs that are held by different individuals, because it is only mechanism through which society can live in harmony. Research Methodologies It is common knowledge that areas of our society are occupied by a larger section of specific people. In carrying out this survey, therefore, it is imperative to go for participants who represent several cultures. Such participants can be recruited from schools or from organizations. In handling this research, therefore, it is far-reaching to pick participants from organizations. This is majorly because several organizations have always tried hard to ensure that their employees reflect the face of nations (Miles et.al, 2009). The team of researchers to carry out this research should brief the participants on the importance of carrying out the research because that is the only mechanism of making the research independent. Similarly, the researchers should explain to the participants the need of having them give honest opinions as that will ensure that the research team gets the situation on the ground. I presume true that the questionnaire method is the best mechanism of carrying out the research on cultural diversity. This is because it will enable the researcher to acquire a large amount of information from a large population, within a short duration. Questionnaires are also beneficial, given that the administration of questionnaires can be carried out not only be the researcher in person, but those assigned to be part of the research team can also play an integral role in ensuring that the research is a success. Another reason for going for the questionnaire method is the fact that the data gathered from the whole exercise can easily be accumulated and analyzed to give the ideal picture of the situation of cultural diversity. The questionnaire should be kept short and brief (Miles et.al, 2009). This is to avert the situation of the participants being bored at the questionnaire being long upon first sight. The questionnaire should also be prepared using simple and clear language, making it easy for the participants to understand what the research team is asking. As is the case with other questionnaires, the research team should ascertain that they write the reason for administering the questionnaire at the top of the questionnaire. To ensure the anonymity of the participants, it is far-reaching for the research team to avoid asking questions that can in a way reveal the identity of the participant. Another factor to take into account while preparing the questionnaire is the logical flow of the questions. They should be arranged in such a manner that the participants do not have to go back to the previous question in order to respond to the next. Following the selection of the participants, the researchers should give them a questionnaire to fill. Though questionnaires can be administered online, it is far-reaching to issue the questionnaires, and then ask the participants to return them before a certain date. The questions should revolve around what the participants think of cultural diversity. Following the administration, the research team should take their time to analyze clearly the questionnaires upon return and come up with summaries and conclusions (Miles et.al, 2009). On the same note, the research team can come up with recommendations that the society can employ to make sense of cultural diversity. Another methodology that can be used in carrying out the research is interviewing. The research team can use the method in acquiring information from members of an interest group, whose participation can influence the research in one way, or another. In interviewing the parties of interest, it is important for the research team to make clear the purpose of the research. Similarly, those who are to do the interview should avoid forming their opinion in the course of the interview. Recording of the conversation using a video camera is of great significance because of two reasons. One, it ensures that the research team takes a look at the body language of those being interviewed, and it prevents the interviewer from battling to write down what is being said and listed at the same time. The questions should be rather direct, on the same the interviewer should not attempt to direct the interviewee in any way. It is of great significance to ascertain that the participants are briefed on why the interviews are to be recorded on video cameras. The research team should analyze the content of the videos before making conclusions. I presume true the fact that, over the past, people have always tried to carry out research on different matters, but failed (Miles et.al, 2009). The cause of failure is that, the team did not take into account, most of the things that matter while performing their survey, the research team should ascertain that it gets all the necessities right, majorly because that is the only way that the society shall be brought up to speed with the issues that revolve around cultural diversity. References Conser, J. A., Paynich, R., & Gingerich, T. (2013). Cultural Diversity in the United States Burlington, Mass Jones & Bartlett Learning Cheref, A. (2010). Understanding the Identity of Africa: Notably North Africa: Post colonialism and feminism in Maghrebi womens literature. London: Tauris Academic Studies. Fey, T. (2011). The Cultures of Our World New York: Little, Brown and Co. Fisher, C (2010). Economy of the Fifty States Harlow, Pearson Education Limited FURNHAM, A. (2008). Personality and intelligence at work: exploring and explaining individual differences of US States. London, Routledge Mackie, V. C. (2003). Citizenship, embodiment, and sexuality Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (2009). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook Thousand Oaks, Calif. [u.a.: Sage. Read More