Purpose The purpose with this research is to explore what management is doing in order to successfully manage the diversity needs in their workplace and to put up a conceptual model of the initiatives needed in order to reach a successful diversity strategy implementation. The questions are aimed at finding the barriers for managers to implement a successful diversity strategy. Our goal is to understand where the real practitioners of workplace diversity stand in the subject and which areas they wish could be taken a closer look by the researchers. We would also like to explore how mature the companies really are regarding the subject of diversity. Method The method for our thesis was to begin with an exploratory approach in order to gain a better knowledge of the subject and to learn where the literature stands today. To this we have added the collection of qualitative data through interviews made in eight different companies with a total of eleven managers in different levels of the organizations. Once all the data was collected and reviewed we ranked each manager and the company they work for to produce a picture of the diversity maturity present in these companies. Conclusions We have come to the following conclusions - Diversity is a strength and value for companies acting on a global market. - Diversity within a team make the team more productive, solutions are better since the input are from various angles. - To successfully maintain a diverse team puts more demands on the manager to realize that everyone is different and not to handle everyone the same. - There is a high level of maturity found in Swedish managers when it comes to diversity, but areas like training and recruitment policies need to be improved. - Swedish managers have a vast knowledge of what diversity means to their organizational process.

Prior research reveals that today’s students must develop a respect for diversity to function effectively in a global environment; otherwise they will be unlikely to succeed in the 21st century (Bikson & Law, 1994; University of Michigan Fortune 500 Amicus Brief, 1999; Abraham Lincoln Commission on Study Abroad, 2005). Unfortunately, many see diversity as having a mandatory acceptance policy attached to it. This view places the concept of diversity into a negative category. To help shift that negative slant a strategic effort is required to assist with redefining what diversity means and why acceptance of diversity adds value to an institution of higher education. Universities and colleges are comprised of staff, faculty, and students from differing backgrounds. Therefore it is important to maintain an environment that is conducive of respect, openness, and inclusion for all constituents served. By advancing that vision an institution can remain competitive and viable in today’s economy. As a commitment to promoting awareness of and appreciation for different types of diversity, many post-secondary Boards of Trustees and senior administrators are incorporating campus-wide diversity initiatives into every aspect of the campus framework (Ward, 2009). Specifically, senior-level positions referred to as Chief Diversity Officers are being created to oversee that diversity is incorporated as a core institutional value. The purpose of this study is to look at five similar public universities in Texas to see how the current demographic changes and projections are impacting both strategic plans and policies relating to diversity initiatives. Four research questions will guide this study: (1) What institutional and societal factors contributed to the establishment of the chief diversity office and the position of the chief diversity officer? (2) What is the difference between the role of the Chief Diversity Office and the role of a Multicultural Affairs Student Services Office? (3) How is diversity being made into a core value at an institution of higher education? and (4) How does the chief diversity officer assess that diversity is an institutional value? To gain insight into the research topic a qualitative methodology was used to collect and analyze the data. More specifically, the questionnaire and interview questions used in this study are a replication of David’s (1998) study of The Roles and Functions of Diversity Affairs Centers’ Chief Personnel Officers at Public Universities in Texas. The survey instruments were originally developed in 1992 by Ruth Moyer at Kent State University. The findings will be used to ascertain the extent to which institutions are making diversity a value. / text

In today’s society, companies strive to become diverse. Some organizations want to make us believe, that they like new thinking and want to integrate diversity into their organization. By using diversity management as a tool of analysis it is possible for organizations to work with diversity. Diversity is viewed as something positive by the public and therefore, is it possible to use it as an advantage. The purpose of this dissertation is to understand how organizations think about diversity and to give an idea of how organizations understand the term diversity. The aim is to explore how organizations understand diversity and what it will provide for the organizations. The outcome of this research will give a better overview of diversity in organizations. A qualitative research was made and respondents from three different companies were used, to understand how companies define diversity. Furthermore, this dissertation provides an idea of what type of characteristics that organizations think are important for diversity and what effects that may have.

In today’s society, companies strive to become diverse. Some organizations want to make us believe, that they like new thinking and want to integrate diversity into their organization. By using diversity management as a tool of analysis it is possible for organizations to work with diversity. Diversity is viewed as something positive by the public and therefore, is it possible to use it as an advantage. The purpose of this dissertation is to understand how organizations think about diversity and to give an idea of how organizations understand the term diversity. The aim is to explore how organizations understand diversity and what it will provide for the organizations. The outcome of this research will give a better overview of diversity in organizations. A qualitative research was made and respondents from three different companies were used, to understand how companies define diversity. Furthermore, this dissertation provides an idea of what type of characteristics that organizations think are important for diversity and what effects that may have.

The purpose of the research focuses on the development of a strategy for the management of diversity in secondary schools of the North West Province. The nature of diversity is explained from an ontological point of departure as the multiplicity of things with distinctive characteristics and qualities. A structure analysis of diversity emphasises a balanced perspective in which the interdependence and mutual coherence of all aspects of diversity are acknowledged in all spheres of life. An analysis of the different perspectives concerning multicultural education as an approach to deal with diversity leads to the identification of a limited focus on culture related concerns that fail to account for diversity in totality. Culture related concerns are not regarded as an exclusive constituent of a complex phenomenon like diversity and a more inclusive approach of diversity in education is recommended. A mixed methods research design is chosen for this research to provide a purposeful research framework in which quantitative and qualitative methods are combined to meet the demands of a sophisticated research problem. Findings of the research include inter alia the principles of respect and caring that are in relation to the concept of Ubuntu with a focus on humaneness and the affirmation of unity in diversity. Another finding of relevance is that a diversity strategy involves a clear rationale and policy framework for a process consisting of phases, objectives, action steps and persons involved. It is recommended that a diversity strategy must be tailor-made according to situation-specific needs and the unique manifestation of diversity. The contribution of this research is seen as a clarification of the concept of diversity and the development of a generic strategy for the management of diversity. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The purpose of the research focuses on the development of a strategy for the management of diversity in secondary schools of the North West Province. The nature of diversity is explained from an ontological point of departure as the multiplicity of things with distinctive characteristics and qualities. A structure analysis of diversity emphasises a balanced perspective in which the interdependence and mutual coherence of all aspects of diversity are acknowledged in all spheres of life. An analysis of the different perspectives concerning multicultural education as an approach to deal with diversity leads to the identification of a limited focus on culture related concerns that fail to account for diversity in totality. Culture related concerns are not regarded as an exclusive constituent of a complex phenomenon like diversity and a more inclusive approach of diversity in education is recommended. A mixed methods research design is chosen for this research to provide a purposeful research framework in which quantitative and qualitative methods are combined to meet the demands of a sophisticated research problem. Findings of the research include inter alia the principles of respect and caring that are in relation to the concept of Ubuntu with a focus on humaneness and the affirmation of unity in diversity. Another finding of relevance is that a diversity strategy involves a clear rationale and policy framework for a process consisting of phases, objectives, action steps and persons involved. It is recommended that a diversity strategy must be tailor-made according to situation-specific needs and the unique manifestation of diversity. The contribution of this research is seen as a clarification of the concept of diversity and the development of a generic strategy for the management of diversity. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2007. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Andrew J. Hansen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-101). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis (MTech(Business Administration)--Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 2004 / My central thesis is, that certain social systems and cultures have supported modern economic growth and human progress, whereas others have not. Countries and, winning organizations that have been able to jump ahead out of the laggard have done so, because they developed a conquering culture of rigor and work, removed from the influences of invisible forces. The world at the beginning of the twenty first century is still, divided between the few who are rich and powerful and the many who are poor and powerless, between the free and the oppressed. Traditional'explanations like imperialism, dependency, colonialism and racism are no longer adequate after so many decades. Increasingly researchers are reasoning that the principal reason why some countries and ethnic groups are better off than others lies in cultural values and beliefs and attitudes, which powerfully shape political, economic and social performance, and share the view that value and attitude change is indispensable to progress for those who are lagging. There is a methodological difference between myself and some people who are consistently uncritical of the values and attitudes of a culture, and think people ought to resign themselves to economic and social values that condemn them to poverty and subservience, in the name of cultural purity. The power of cultural values, beliefs and attitudes to promote or resist progress has been largely ignored. Culture is a significant determinant of a nation's ability to prosper, because it shapes individual's thoughts and behaviours, and the way individuals think about progress.

This thesis deals with the theme of diversity and its management, explains its significance and importance in today's dynamic times, historical development, legislative support, its benefits and costs to a company. It further describes the concept of gender, women's position in the labor market and the presence of women in the IT business. Thesis includes an analysis of diversity policies and strategies in multinational IT company and a research on this topic among Czech employees.