MGMT 310 CH 4

Foreign-born individuals make up ________ of the U.S. population.

13%

Approximately 43 million people in the United States today are disabled. Of that number, about ________ are actively employed.

15 million

The average age of American workers is:

39

The number of people over age 55 in the United States will grow by approximately ________ over the next decade.

45%

There are approximately ________ Latinos in the United States.

46 million

Latinos are expected to account for ________ % growth of the U.S. labor force between now and 2020.

50

The projected participation rate for women in the workforce is expected to reach ________ % by 2015.

50

Changing workforce demographics is exemplified by the fact that, of the 20 million jobs created over the next ten years, women and minorities will fill:

75%

Which of the following would most likely improve the effectiveness of a diversity training program?

Forming a diversity council that represents a cross-section of employees.

Which of the following is a true statement regarding family-related benefits?

In Sweden, parents are guaranteed a one-year leave of absence after childbirth.

Refer to Case 4.2. Which manager would most likely agree with the universal concept of management?

Paul

Refer to Case 4.1. Which of the following can most likely be inferred from Simon's attitude?

The company make-up should reflect its market to gain a competitive advantage

Refer to Case 4.3. What is a key issue for the CEO in implementing diversity training that would focus on understanding Hispanic culture?

The term "Hispanic" is a misnomer, since there are actually very diverse subgroupings of Latinos.

What types of challenges and problems are faced by women in the workplace? In what ways are employers trying to make their workplaces more "friendly" to women?

Women face sexual harassment in the workplace, as well as special challenges due to pregnancy and family responsibilities. Re: sexual harassment - Some companies are encouraged to develop no-tolerance policies in regard to sexual harassment, they are protected from sexual harassment by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Refer to Case 4.1. David most likely believes that:

a diverse workforce would improve the firm's ability to compete in multicultural markets

Some employers' experience with the disabled is similar to Pizza Hut's, which found the turnover rate of the disabled:

about 10 times less than the turnover of non-disabled employees

The best diversity management strategy for helping women balance careers and children is:

accommodating family needs.

Diversity is best defined as:

all the human characteristics that make people different from each other

A(n) ________ is a program in which promising prospective employees are groomed before they are actually hired on a permanent basis.

apprenticeship

A strategy to improve diversity management in a company which can be implemented before an individual becomes a permanent employee is:

apprenticeships

According to the ADA, the estimated costs of accommodating disabled employees:

are usually between $200 and $500

Generally, Hispanics:

come from a variety of racial heritages

The fact that most interactions within an organization occur between members of the same sex and race demonstrates the diversity management challenge of:

communication channel segmentation

Generally speaking, in many organizations, Asian-Americans are:

considered an advantaged group and therefore not eligible for special consideration

Workforce diversity can most likely enhance organizational effectiveness by:

creating greater human resource system stability

The idea that one can successfully infer an individual's motivations, interests, values, and behavioral traits based on that individual's group membership is referred to as ________.

cultural determinism

Which term refers to the idea that one can infer an individual's motivations, interests, values, and behavioral traits based on the individual's group membership?

cultural determinism

The ________ concept of management asserts that management practices should be molded to the different sets of values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors exhibited by a diverse workforce.

cultural relativity

According to the U.S. Supreme Court, individuals are designated as disabled if they have:

difficulties performing everyday tasks

A(n) ________ is a review of the effectiveness of an organization's diversity management program.

diversity audit

Which term refers to the activities involved in integrating nontraditional employees into the workforce and using their diversity as a competitive advantage?

diversity management

Programs that provide diversity awareness training and educate employees on specific cultural and sex differences, and how to respond to these in the workplace are referred to as ________.

diversity training programs

After work on Fridays, the male middle managers at Health Equipment, Inc. go to the golf course to play a quick nine holes and to discuss business for the upcoming week. Sharon, who is an excellent golfer, has tried to join them several times but is always put off. Her boss says, "We have our foursome." Sharon is most likely experiencing the effects of:

exclusionary networks

Shakil is a computer programmer confined to a wheelchair due to a spinal injury. He's been on the job for about six weeks. None of his co-workers have invited him to lunch, offered to car pool, or stopped by to visit. Shakil is facing a problem common among the disabled, which is:

experiencing a lack of social acceptance for his disability

Firms are most likely hesitant to perform official diversity audits because they:

fear the information could be used in a lawsuit

Which of the following is the LEAST likely reason for the earnings differential between women and men?

federal employment laws

Refer to Case 4.1. What should be the firm's first step in improving diversity management?

forming a commitment from top management to value diversity

Thelma is an older worker who has been employed at Hair Stylist, Inc. for over 25 years. Recently, Tracy, a 23-year old college graduate, has been hired as her assistant. Thelma feels slightly threatened by Tracy, who seems to be their immediate supervisor's favorite. Thelma believes that her job may be in danger despite her excellent job performance appraisals. Tracy likes Thelma but believes that her work methods need to change to keep up with the times.

generational conflict

A(n) ________ is the intangible barrier in an organization that prevents female and minority employees from rising to positions above a certain level.

glass ceiling

Which of the following is LEAST likely to occur in a firm with a glass ceiling?

high group cohesiveness

Refer to Case 4.1. Patrick is most likely directed by:

his own cognitive structure

One way to guarantee managers' buy-in and reinforcement of diversity efforts is to:

hold mangers accountable for fulfilling diversity objectives

Refer to Case 4.2. Rahkim's statements indicate the firm's general problem with:

inadequate career growth opportunities

African-Americans, as a group, tend to face two major problems in organizations. The first is intentional racism. The second is:

inadequate educational preparation for the workplace.

Which term is synonymous with diversity management and involves making all employees feel like an integrated part of an organization and its success regardless of race, gender, or age?

inclusiveness

Refer to Case 4.2. The case study shows a number of challenges to implementing a diversity managment program. Mercedes' concerns represent which of the following challenges?

increasing competition for opportunities

Which of the following is LEAST likely to occur in a firm with segmented communication channels?

increasing deterioration of groupthink mentality

Diversity is primarily a function of:

individual characteristics

Refer to Case 4.4. Which of the following is the most important step for Xavier as he institutes a diversity program at Hot Rods?

involving a cross-section of employees in designing the program

63) Refer to Case 4.1. Martinez's approach to diversity management:"

is most likely based on a perspective that people can control the factors that make them diverse

It is most likely a challenge to convince people to value diversity because:

it is seen as diminishing the common ground necessary to a viable society

Refer to Case 4.4. Xavier most likely realizes that more men than women hold leadership positions at Hot Rods, Inc. because:

men are more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors and tendencies in the workplace

Jamie has been a manager at a large firm for nearly 10 years. After a recent hiring period, he identifies a new employee named Carlos who shows potential for administration and advancement in the company. During the next three years, he coaches and encourages Carlos at his job, answers questions, and helps Carlos develop a career strategy. This is most likely an example of:

mentoring

Dixon Enterprises has a high turnover rate among its female employees. Which of the following would most likely help the firm retain more female employees?

offering flexible work hours

An informal social and business network of high-level male executives that typically excludes women and minorities is called a(n) ________.

old boys' network

Currently, the employment environment for homosexuals can best be described as: one with limited legal protection and more firms with gay-friendly policies

one with limited legal protection and more firms with gay-friendly policies

You are the HRM manager in a company with a highly diverse workforce. Over lunch you are explaining to a Caucasian, middle-class, line manager that she needs to use different training techniques with her Hispanic employees than with her Asian employees because of the difference in their cognitive structures. By "cognitive structures," you mean:

perceptions of the world

Colgate's rise to the top spot in the oral care market is primarily considered a result of:

product development teams focusing on aging populations.

While diversity programs offer companies a number of benefits, some potential pitfalls also arise, such as:

promoting stereotypes

Flextime and telecommuting are most likely examples of corporate efforts to:

reduce female employee turnover rates

Extended leave is LEAST likely to include:

regular paychecks

Refer to Case 4.4. Xavier institutes a diversity program at Hot Rods and, despite his best efforts, people make critical comments about it. Some men are complaining that more women have been hired simply because of their gender and that they lack the necessary skills to perform their jobs. This is most likely a manifestation of:

resentment

Refer to Case 4.2. As you review the comments and thoughts of these various managers, what challenge to managing diversity seems to be expressed by all?

resistance to change

Refer to Case 4.3. Carlos' comments about hiring disabled employees:

reveal a common misconception about accommodation costs

A diversity audit can most likely help managers to:

review the effectiveness of a diversity management program.

Shakira, who is Latina, is concerned that Latinos seem to be receiving less employment assistance and training than African-Americans at local businesses. Her concern is most likely the result of:

rising competition for job opportunities

Refer to Case 4.4. Xavier most likely finds that there is relatively little interaction between men and women and between minorities and non-protected class members at Hot Rods. These are clear examples of:

segmented communication networks

Refer to Case 4.2. Ana's concerns most likely reflect the experiences of women and minorities with:

segmented communication networks.

Which of the following is most likely NOT a characteristic of an organization that effectively manages diversity?

segmented communication systems

A support program in which senior managers identify promising women and minority employees and play an important role in nurturing their career progress is referred to as a(n) ________.

senior mentoring program

Refer to Case 4.3. Which of the following would most likely help women at the firm advance their careers?

senior mentors to provide strategic guidance

According to the universal concept of management, management practices should be ________.

standardized

Jorge is from Guatemala. Amanda, an American co-worker, assumes that Jorge, (and all Guatemalans) are just like her two Latina friends, and that the three share the same abilities, likes, and dislikes. Amanda is guilty of:

stereotyping

A(n) ________ is a group established by an employer to provide a nurturing climate for employees who would otherwise feel isolated or alienated.

support group

Yan is the only Japanese employee at All American, Inc. (AAI), which has a small minority of Asian employees. She wants to start a small weekly meeting for the Asian employees of AAI in order to encourage a nurturing climate for others who may feel alienated from the rest of the employees. In HR terms, Yan is hoping to organize a:

support group

Improving diversity management must begin with:

top management's commitment to diversity

When identifying individual characteristics in groups of people, it is very likely that:

two groups will have substantial overlap with regard to any given characteristic

The management concept holding that all management practices should be standardized is called the ________.

universal concept of management

The percentage of homosexuals in the U.S. population is best described as:

unknown

As with any other minority, Hispanic-Americans face a number of misperceptions and problems in the work place. Discuss.

"Hispanic" is the official government label, but they prefer "Latino" because their backgrounds are so diverse. Unlike some minority groups, race doesn't fit as a descriptor, as Latinos are of European, African, Indian, Asian, and Caribbean descent. There are 35 million Latinos in the United States.

What are the challenges a company typically faces in managing employee diversity? What are some methods that can help firms reduce conflicts caused by diversity?

"valuing diversity / striving for individual vs. group fairness / resistance to change by existing organizational cultures / group cohesiveness vs. interpersonal conflict / segmenting of communication channels, resentment by the existing majority / backlash by the same majority, retention of talented minorities and women /

Improving diversity management is an important challenge for companies. Explain at least five strategies for improving the management of diversity.

1) Top management's commitment to valuing diversity, 2) Diversity training programs, 3) Support groups, 4) Accommodation of family needs, 5) Senior mentoring programs, 6) Apprenticeships, 7) Communication standards, 8) Diversity audits, 9) Management responsibility and accountability.

Approximately one in ________ civil suits are based on harassment or discrimination complaints.

5

Discuss the major issues for African-Americans in the workplace and identify two major problems they face.

African-Americans constitute 12% of the workforce. There are significant barriers to their advancement. Their representation in management has tripled, and in professional clerical positions it has quadrupled. Yet 15% remain among the hard core unemployed. Their two major problems are intentional racism and lack of educational preparation.

________ and ________ are two groups that have experienced workforce participation increases in recent years, and they are expected to continue that trend in the future.

Asian Americans; Hispanic Americans

Which of the following would most likely help minimize offenses to female and minority employees?

Clear communication standards

________ is the management concept holding that management practices should be molded to the different sets of values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors exhibited by a diverse workforce.

Cultural relativity concept of management

What are the challenges a company typically faces in managing employee diversity? What are some methods that can help firms reduce conflicts caused by diversity?

Diversity training programs, support groups, accommodations for family needs, and mentoring programs can help minimize conflicts.

Which of the following is a true statement about Latinos in the U.S. workplace?

Most second-generation Latinos use English as their primary language

Which of the following is a true statement regarding foreign workers?

Nearly 40% of all science and engineering jobs in the U.S. are held by immigrants

What are some of the problems faced by disabled employees?

Nearly 43 million Americans have disabilities, 15 million are actively employed. They tend to face four problems. 1) Social acceptance of disabilities, 2) Perception that they are less capable because of the disability, 3) Employers fear they will quit more often when under pressure, 4) Employers tend to overestimate the costs of accommodation of the disabled in the work place.

Refer to Case 4.3. Which of the following is a true statement about older workers that management should consider?

Older workers have knowledge that can benefit younger workers, so mentoring programs can improve the firm's success.

Which of the following best explains why women frequently quit corporations in their late 20s and mid-30s?

Organizations fail to be flexible enough to meet the family needs of working women

What types of challenges and problems are faced by women in the workplace? In what ways are employers trying to make their workplaces more "friendly" to women?

Some companies have internal complaint resolution where the sexual harassment can be reported. Re: pregnancy and family responsibilities - U.S. companies have been slow to institute family-friendly policies, though more companies are beginning to do so. 6% of U.S. companies have day-care centers at the workplace. Some companies offer extended leave, flexible scheduling, job sharing, telecommuting, and other alternative work patterns.

As with any other minority, Hispanic-Americans face a number of misperceptions and problems in the work place. Discuss.

There is a wide divergence of economic and educational levels. Their number one problem is the language barrier. They also face a cultural clash and racial discrimination for those of Indian descent. They have made significant progress as there are 181 board seats occupied by Latinos and 70 more serving as executive officer.

According to the text, what is the best strategy to handle the various challenges of managing a diverse workforce?

Treat employees as individuals rather than as members of a group

Businesses are more frequently trying to control sexual harassment through:

employee training

The set of activities involved in integrating nontraditional employees into the workforce and using their diversity to the firm's competitive advantage is referred to as ________.

management of diversity

Refer to Case 4.4. In order to determine where biases are coming from, Xavier should consider which of the following?

performing a diversity audit

Men tend to emerge in leadership positions in U.S. culture because they are more likely than women to have a(n) ________ orientation.

task

Refer to Case 4.3. Which of the following should HR establish to complement its recruiting efforts and most likely improve retention rates for hourly African-American workers?

technical education training

The label "Hispanic" is best described as a:

term for administrative and research purposes