The workplace in the 21st century is far more diverse than it was even a few generations back. Individuals who may have encountered employment barriers in the past due to religious views, ability differences, or sexual orientation now regularly participate in interview pools and on the job with their peers. Per se, companies are largely comprised of people of diverse attributes and backgrounds, including interests, personalities, ideologies, customs, traditions, languages and nationalities, working in unison to achieve a collective objective or goal.
However, these same aspects are credited with the possibility of contributing and fostering critical challenges to the organizations and the organizational culture. General Motors Company (hereinafter, GM), which is a major car manufacturer in the U.S., is not an exception. Generally, the automotive industry continues grappling with diversity challenges, with recent surveys showing companies like GM and Tesla to be overwhelmingly male or being accused of discrimination on the basis of race. Thus, this paper presents an expansive analysis of diversity and inclusion in the automotive industry, particularly in GM, while at the same time providing strategies that need to be undertaken to manage diversity in the workplace.
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- A Succinct Explanation of the Concept of Workforce Diversity
- The Benefits of Workplace Diversity
- Managing Workforce Diversity at General Motors Company
- Conclusion
- References
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the significance of workforce diversity in the 21st-century workplace, specifically focusing on General Motors Company (GM) as a case study. It aims to analyze the challenges and benefits of managing diversity within the automotive industry and explore strategies for effective diversity management.
- The evolving nature of the workplace and the increasing importance of diversity
- The challenges of managing diversity in the automotive industry, particularly at GM
- The benefits of a diverse workforce and the positive impact it can have on organizational performance
- Strategies for managing diversity effectively, including recruitment, training, and policy development
- The role of diversity in fostering innovation and competitiveness in the automotive industry
Chapter Summaries
- Abstract: The abstract introduces the topic of workforce diversity in the 21st-century workplace and its relevance to the automotive industry, particularly General Motors Company (GM). It highlights the challenges and benefits associated with diversity management and previews the paper's focus on analyzing diversity and inclusion at GM.
- Introduction: This section provides an overview of General Motors' commitment to diversity and inclusion, emphasizing its importance for market success and technological innovation. It discusses the company's position in the automotive sector and its transformation towards a global mobility provider.
- A Succinct Explanation of the Concept of Workforce Diversity: This chapter explores the multifaceted nature of diversity, categorizing it into primary, secondary, and tertiary dimensions. It delves into the key dimensions of diversity, such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, and handicap, and discusses the different perspectives on classifying diversity across various cultures and contexts.
- The Benefits of Workplace Diversity: This section outlines the numerous advantages of fostering a diverse workforce, including increased recruitment pool, improved individual performance, higher job satisfaction, reduced employee turnover, and enhanced customer experience.
- Managing Workforce Diversity at General Motors Company: This chapter delves into specific strategies for managing diversity at GM, including the implementation of diversity committees, advocacy groups, intercultural training, and identity-conscious human resource policies.
Keywords
Key terms and concepts explored in this paper include workforce diversity, diversity management, inclusion, automotive industry, General Motors Company (GM), recruitment, training, innovation, organizational performance, and cultural awareness.
- Quote paper
- Mutinda Jackson (Author), 2020, Managing Workforce Diversity at General Motors Company. A Thematic Literature Review, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1275272
