Challenges in Workforce Diversity Management

Question: Discuss about theChallenges in Workforce Diversity Management. Answer: Introduction Background of the Research In the recent HR researches workforce diversity is given paramount importance only due to its efficacy in the business. Workforce is the very pulpit based on which a company gets to the pinnacle of success and hence workforce management asks for accentuated attention on the management of workforce diversity. The present research is extremely important as it will try to demystify the different challenges that HR management faces in managing a diversified workforce (Pitts Wise, 2010). The present study will discuss the research subject that is The challenges of managing workforce diversity and its impact on an organisation, with reference to the case study of Tesco Plc. Research Problem With the time passing by the global market has become really small with each and every organization having access to all kinds of resources in the market. In this scenario it is important that the companies focus on having an effective workforce that can help a company to gain competitive advantage in the market (Zanoni et al., 2010). Since the global market has extended its barriers effectively the collection of talent has also got extended and hence within an organisation one can see huge diversity especially in terms of workforce. With diversified workforce a company like Tesco could gain competitive advantage but it can also affect the productivity of the company if not managed effectively and hence the present study will try to highlight the key challenges of managing workforce diversity and its impact on the business (Barak, 2013). Research Objectives To assess the importance of workforce diversity management To identify the key challenges of workforce diversity management To evaluate the impact of the challenges in workforce diversity management on Tesco To recommend strategies to improve workforce diversity management Research Questions What is workforce diversity management? What are the key challenges that managers face in handling workforce diversity? What is the impact of the challenges faced by the managers in handling workforce diversity on the organisation? What are the possible strategies to improve workforce diversity? Literature Review Workforce diversity is one of the key subjects in the contemporary human resource management. It is important that workforce diversity is managed effectively by the human resource department of an organization or else it might have several implications on the business. Workforce diversity management has become a subject of growing importance in the business sectors since it has a very positive impact if handled effectively and vice versa (Shore et al., 2009). Workforce diversity in a simple way means the management of the workforce who are coming from the different backgrounds culture, caste, race, creed and color. In Tesco there are employees working from different ethnic groups which makes the company an interesting subject. It is extremely important for the human resource managers to focus on handling the different employees coming from the different regions in the world effectively. It could be said that workforce management becomes tougher when it comes to managing different kin ds of people within an organisation. Effective workforce diversity management could help to increase the productivity of the company (Thomas, 2012). There are different challenges that can affect the management of the workforce diversity. One of the most common challenges that managers have to face is prejudice. Prejudice among the employees to work with different groups from various cultures. Discrimination is also a key challenge where people have grown up with common dogma which at times affects the environment within an organisation. It could be said that discrimination can affect the productivity of the company Tesco. There have been number of problems regarding workforce diversity in Tesco which has apparently affected the company and its productivity. Hence it could be said that the challenges which the company has faced in regards to workforce diversity is directly responsible for its development or decline. It could be said that challenges in managing workforce diversity ca n negatively affect the business of Tesco (Zanoni et al., 2010). Methods Type of Investigation Using the right kind of methods for completing a study is extremely important for the researcher. In the present study the researchers has opted to go with a explanatory type of research as it will help to discuss and explain the key variables of the research and will also help to complete the research study successfully. There are commonly three different types of research design namely exploratory, explanatory and descriptive. For the present study the explanatory type of research is effective since it will not generate any new theory and is only focused on testing the hypothesis and the validity of the existing theories. On the other hand the present research will use the post positivist philosophy which will help to do the research merging both scientific reasoning and common sense. On the other hand this research will have a deductive approach to the research so that it can discuss the existing articles and theories which will help to prove the hypothesis of the research (Taylor et al., 2015). Research Strategy There are different research strategies namely survey, interview contextual research strategy. For the present research the researcher has taken up case study research strategy which will help the researcher to cover up the objectives effectively and complete the research successfully (Panneerselvam, 2014). Sampling and Sample Size There are two key types of sampling techniques probability sampling and non-probability sampling. For the present research both kinds of sampling methods are used. For choosing the respondents for the research the researcher has used the probability sampling technique in order to keep the choice unbiased. On the other hand to choose the managers of Tesco it could be said the researcher has applied convenient sampling technique as the researcher is lacking time and will use the non probability sampling. The chosen sample size of the research is 60 where 55 employee of Tesco will be used as respondents and 5 managers will be used (Flick, 2015). Data Collection The present study will use the primary research technique where both quantitative and qualitative data will be used. For the quantitative data online questionnaire would be set for the respondents which will be distributed to them, on the other hand for the qualitative data different articles and secondary sources will be used as well as the managers will be interviewed (Taylor et al., 2015). Data Analysis The quantitative data will be analysed with the help of software like SPSS and MS Excel and Pearson Correlation Table will be used to the see the correlation between the variables. On the other hand descriptive analysis will be used to analyse the qualitative data (Flick, 2015). Ethical Consideration The present study will have to consider different ethical aspects. The present study will not use any of its information commercially, it will not intimidate any respondents to get involved in the research, and it will make them understand the purpose of the research (Panneerselvam, 2014). Expected Outcomes The present study is likely to give results regarding the impact of challenges of managing workforce diversity and its impact on the organisation, as well as reveal the key aspects of workforce diversity. References Barak, M. E. M. (2013).Managing diversity: Toward a globally inclusive workplace. Sage Publications. Flick, U. (2015).Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research project. Sage. Panneerselvam, R. (2014).Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.. Pitts, D. W., Wise, L. R. (2010). Workforce diversity in the new millennium: Prospects for research.Review of Public Personnel Administration,30(1), 44-69. Shore, L. M., Chung-Herrera, B. G., Dean, M. A., Ehrhart, K. H., Jung, D. I., Randel, A. E., Singh, G. (2009). Diversity in organizations: Where are we now and where are we going?.Human Resource Management Review,19(2), 117-133. Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R., DeVault, M. (2015).Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource. John Wiley Sons. Thomas, K. M. (Ed.). (2012).Diversity resistance in organizations. Psychology Press. Zanoni, P., Janssens, M., Benschop, Y., Nkomo, S. M. (2010). Unpacking diversity, grasping inequality: Rethinking difference through critical perspectives.