intercultural-training

Corporate social responsibility

Organizations can no longer limit themselves to producing products or services without regard for the impact they have on society. To be trusted by their customers and the public, they must be socially responsible. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) must be always addressed.

 

Demographic changes

The lack of proper governmental strategies has left many British companies struggling to deal with the impact of rapidly shifting demographics.

One of the major reasons behind these problems is a lack of consideration for cultural differences. People from different backgrounds ascribe to different sets of norms, values, and worldviews. We all have different ways of reacting to events, different ways of communicating and different behaviours. We tend to judge the others from our own frame of reference and that our way is the ‘right way.’

In a multicultural workforce this can lead to misunderstanding, mistrust, and disrespect. As a result, people distance themselves from those they consider different, and departments can begin to automatically segregate themselves. In the worst situations, this can lead discrimination and racist behaviour.

 

‘Legal’ does not mean ‘good’

Adhering to legal guidelines is not enough for organizations experiencing these situations. They must resolve these issues if they want to retain a productive workforce. Organization can be more socially responsible by contributing to a smooth cultural integration of ethnic minorities into the workplace.

 

Being more socially responsible

Integration means harmonising and synergizing differences. Business must develop cultural awareness, be open to differences and respecting other’s cultural background. When trust has been attained from all effected, solutions can be discussed. Different norms and values can be reconciled, and intangible elements of integration can then be defined. Shared ownership of the proposed solutions is essential to guarantee successful implementation.

These steps can take different forms: interviews, training programmes, and facilitated workshops can greatly assist those concerned. Alternatively, responsibility can be delegated to influential representatives of each group, who can then intervene as mentors to their peers.