Biographical characteristics and how are they relevant to ob

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Organizational Behavior, the 15th Edition focuses on diversity in organizations. As the American workforce has grown older, increased in women, opened to ethnic and cultural differences, and embraced religious variance, the challenges to managers and members of an organization recognize the differences and incorporate them into more effective relationships for greater productivity and success of the organization. In this chapter we will learn about the types of diversity in today’s workforce and how to prosper with it as an important component of our responsibilities.

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Chapter 2 Learning Objectives

After studying this chapter you should be able to:

Describe the two major forms of workforce diversity

Identify the key biographical characteristics and describe how they are relevant to OB

Recognize stereotypes and understand how they function in organizational settings

Define intellectual ability and demonstrate its relevance to OB

Contrast intellectual from physical ability

Describe how organizations manage diversity effectively

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The learning objectives of Chapter 2 can be defined in six concepts. First is to describe the major forms or workplace diversity. Second to identify characteristics of people and how they are relevant to OB. Third is to recognize stereotypes and understand how they effect organizational relationships . Fourth is to learn a definition for intellectual ability and to understand its relevance to OB. Fifth is to define and appreciate the differences between intellectual and physical ability as elements of OB concepts. And last, to describe how diversity issues are effectively managed in organizations.

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Describe the Two Major Forms of Workforce Diversity

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LO 1

Surface-Level Diversity

Deep-Level Diversity

Diversity Management

Everybody brings differences to an organization where they work. These differences can create energy and excitement in the workplace, but they can also cause conflict. So it is important that we have an understanding of how diversity works in organizations.

When we look at the workplace we can recognize two levels of diversity. Surface-level diversity represents the characteristics that are easily observed such as race, gender, age etc. Deep-level diversity represents the aspects that are more difficult to see at first glance such as values, personality, and work preferences.

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Describe the Two Major Forms of Workforce Diversity

Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

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LO 1

Insert Exhibit 2.1

Exhibit 2-1 lists definitions and examples of different types of discrimination (page 43). Under increasing legal scrutiny and social disapproval, most forms have faded. This observation and attention may have resulted in an increase in covert forms such as incivility or exclusion. Some forms are difficult to affect because they are unobservable. Whether intentional or not, serious negative consequences may arise for employers. Diversity is a broad term, and workplace diversity can describe any characteristic that makes one person different from another.