Demographic+Diversity+and+Technology

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 * According to Websters Dictionary, Diversity is defined as the inclusion of different types of people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization.**

**I.** __**Cultural Diversity in the Workplace**__
toc (Julie Trausch) Diverse cultures bring a lot of benefits to a company or organization. Different cultures can ignite conflict, which in turn produces better results in groups and meetings.

Availability of more knowledge - this is a key aspect of a diverse group, especially since everyone has a unique background and was raised differently. Even if two people share so many aspects together, no two people will share the exact same opinion and knowledge about topics. Therefore, you have the benefit of more knowledge because people are more open to sharing the information.

More freedom of resources - this is geared towards the customers, meaning that the diversity within a company will allow the customers to have the opportunity to feel more at home given their likelihood of reaching somebody who shares the same culture. Therefore, companies who engage in a culturally diverse work environment will not only benefit internally, but also potentially gain a stronger customer base. (Kyong Seo Park) Since the technology grows every day, changes in technology can give a huge effect to any corporations. Cultural diversity and technology in the workplace is intimately related. Acceptance of new technologies might be different in every generations, genders, cultures, and many other criteria, and the separation caused by new technologies is called "Digital Divide". This division is based on these factors, and therefore contributes to the division between consumers and employees within an organization. It separates the people between the companies who have the resources for such technology versus the companies


 * 1) Generational diverse
 * 2) Baby boomers are most likely holding senior position in the corporations; however, their acceptance of new technologies are typically lower than both generation X and generation Y, even though technologies takes a big role in business lately. It is not because baby boomers are not trying or caring about new trends. It is because their frequency of being in touch with new technologies is significantly lower than younger generations, who have been living with capricious technologies since they were young. Since baby boomers haven't had enough chances to learn, accept, and adapt recent technologies, it can be hard sometimes for them to perform their works smoothly with younger generations always using fresh technologies. On the other hand, younger generations, like generation X and generation Y, can use their resources, new technologies in this case, to finish their jobs. It makes much easier for them to do their works.
 * 3) Gender Difference
 * 4) At first, view point of male and female toward the technology at workplace is different. Males tend to think technologies alter the outcome of production and females tend to think technologies alter the process of production.
 * 5) Different Country of Origin
 * 6) Where workers are originally from affects the acceptance of new technologies also. Where I am from, South Korea, almost everyone are really friendly with late technologies. In Korea, people always want to have new technologies in their lives, so the transition of old cellphone to new cellphone or old computer to new computer is really fast in Korea. However, in United States, there is huge difference between people who are interested in new technologies and who are not. Therefore, different country of origin of workers can heavily affect the work space.
 * 7) Digital Divide
 * 8) It is the separation caused by new technologies. Recently, most of corporations use computer or any type of technologies to product goods or perform services. However, differences in generation, gender, country of origin, and other things can cause the digital divide. Since those criteria affects workers behavior toward the new technologies.

[]

a. challenges

Many changes in the workplace occurred since business became international 6. How technology affects culture [|Time Magazine] 1. How society communicates with advances in technology 2. Just because technology is present, it doesn't qualify the necessity to conform to changes all the time. 3. How Twitter has changed the way people communicate
 * 1) Diversity in the workplace became important component in organizations
 * 2) Challenges when facing diversity differences in the workplace
 * 3) Different approaches of many organizations to overcome challenges
 * 4) Results of mismanagement of diversity
 * 5) ** Discrimination **: Prejudiced or prejudicial outook, action, or treatment
 * 6) ** Stereotype **: A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image
 * 7)  **Harassment** : To annoy persistently
 * 8) **Exclusion** : To bar from participation
 * 9)  **High turnover rate** : The ratio of the number of workers that had to be replaced within a given time period
 * 10)  **Absenteeism** : Unscheduled absenses from work
 * 11)  **Lawsuits** : An action or a suit brought before court []
 * 12) Promoting diversities brings positives effects
 * 13) Improving marketplace understanding
 * 14) Higher degrees of innovation
 * 15) Better problem solving
 * 16) Better Understanding and Service of Customers
 * 17) Lower Litigation Expenses

//7. How the iPod Affected the Music Industry and Culture:// http://techland.time.com/2011/10/21/the-ipod-turns-10-how-it-shaped-music-history/ //Talks about how the innovation of the iPod was contrary to most, it dictated what customers would want to buy.// //Changed music fans' perception of listening, changed the culture of music overall.//

**II**. __**Multiple Generations in the Workforce**__
__**(Dawn Thomas)**__ The fall of the economy has forced the older generation workers to stay in the workplace much longer than they may have planned. Because of this, the views about the use of technology at work my differ between the Millennials, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. Each age group has the own view of what's acceptable in the work environment as it relates to ethics and the use of technological assistance.

Millennials and are a lot more comfortable relying on technology to help them complete work tasks. The use of technology in the work place was already introduced by the time they entered the work force. They've incorporated the use of technology to help balance their success. They often have fixed work schedules that allow them to have flexibility in their career and still maintain a personal life. Millennials are also more aware of diversity and are readily open to assisting those less experienced. Millennials are known to be a more realistic group that prefers to work collaboratively, and possess a pragmatic point of view when it comes to problem solving.

Gen Xers are a complete different breed from the Millennials. Gen Xers were part of the movement that involved women entering the work environment, thus establishing two-income families. Many have said that this change may have also been the leading cause in the increase of divorce rates and latch key children. This group is also less like to remain committed to one employee, feeling the need to move around to get ahead. Gen Xers were the first breed to grow up with computers and are more eager to learn new things as it pertains to educational growth and advancements in the workplace.

On the other hand, Boomers are intrigued by the changing of the world and the innovation of technology. This group was most influenced by the optimism of political figures like John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. These figures praised a point of view of one taking matters into their own hands, not relying on mediums. Even with the progression of television and radio in their day, technology was never a factor in enhancing the progression of the work environment until recently. Because of this, their interest in technology is just as strong as their younger co-workers.

1. __**How they can benefit each other**__
 * There will always be some form of generational gap in the work environment as it relates to views of growth and the use of technology. What matters most is how these groups of workers can come together and bridge these differences and still maintain the development and success of the company. [|Bridging the Gap]

2. __**Issues for older generations and technology**__
 * As workers get older, there will always be new issues with current work trends and technology growths within the work environment. What's more important is how these groups, often referred to as traditionalists and baby boomers respond to the training methods with new, innovative technology. [|Generational Diversity Challenges within Technology]


 * (Megan Stoeckl)**

Nearly all of the workers in the business world today use at least a desktop or laptop computer, most use that with an Internet browser. All generations would agree that technology is useful for improving research and productivity.

Age diversity in the workplace is becoming more common as employers are seeing the benefits of mixing the generational age gaps. The four generations, Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generations X and Y, display different attitudes towards technology in the workplace as we will discuss in this section.

Generation X is said to be those born between 1961 and 1981, they are self reliant and comfortable working in settings that include race, gender, and sexual diversity. They have grown up with technology and are comfortable in a workplace filled with modern technology. They are comfortable using email, Blackberry's, and PDA ’s in the workplace. They are motivated by valuing the individual relationships, challenging work, freedom of time and work, and feedback (Starcevich).

Generation Y, they are born after 1982 and comfortable with using technology in their everyday lives. They rely on technology to get their jobs done, they are plugged in 24\7. Email and texting are the preferred method of communication for this tech savvy generation. The increased use of technology by this generation leads them to log longer workday hours then their previous generations. This generation wants a work-life balance and prefers feedback on their work activiity, good or bad (Allen, 18).
 * [|Differences between X and Y and their use of technology.]

There are differing views between the generations about using technology at work. Gen Y is acutely aware of technology interfering in their jobs, twice as many of them believe the Internet causes disruptions at work. Boomer’s believe the smart phones and PDA ’s lead to a loss of workplace etiquette and that the use of laptops during meetings are distracting. Social networking websites decrease productivity for Gen Y, but not as much for Boomers.
 * [|Interesting article on the technology gap between legal and white collar professionals.]

Social networking and the workplace is a hot topic right now. Social networking can help an organization improve it’s collaboration and communication among employees. It contains the power to rid us of the long dreaded email chains and voice mails. Employees can search for answers to questions that have already been asked and open up communication filtered by relevance. Organizations need to set clear guidelines and training about usage and polices for these apps (Allen, 19).



Overall older generations have a different outlook on work, show up on time, do your work, and then take your work home with you. Younger generations like a better balance and having more flexibility in their jobs which is why they are hooked on technology, it brings more freedom.
 * "All generations have four things in common:**
 * • Success and reputation of employers.**
 * • Engagement of senior management.**
 * • Ability to advance their skills.**
 * • A greater desire for a work-life balance."** (Allen, 19)



(William Shields)
[] As the job market continues to shift from technology's dominance over real human workers, many see opportunity where others see failure. While some jobs are taken by technology over real workers, this also puts a greater demand in other jobs such as engineering. Engineers will be needed to build the technology that the businesses will use. This puts a greater emphasis on the fact that people will need a good education in the future as it appears that the jobs with less education required are the ones that are mostly affected negatively.

It has been found that only about 25% of the current human workforce is needed in order for businesses to thrive and prosper. This is primarily because most production can be done by machine. This highly benefits the company both cost and time wise, but that is where the ethicality comes into play. Businesses should try to take into account that not only should they make as much money as they can, but try to keep as many of their employees as they can despite what minor losses they might incur. It simply makes the company look bad if they get rid of the human element in a company by firing people, leaving them jobless so that they could make an extra buck.

Unfortunately, even health care sees it feasible that technology could take many current human workers' jobs. Health care sees that robots or technology in general could deliver medications and help with physical therapy. All the health profession would need is to add all the technology that it currently has to a moving object, and it would be a sure thing. Technology in health care already measures our pulse, tells us things about ourselves that we would never know without it. All that would be necessary for this to occur would be for scientists to humanize any device such as having it tell the patient to do what is needed in order to achieve the desired outcome.

Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology (William Shields)

http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/wtcomp.html

As people with disabilties continue to increase in the workplace, so does the demand of the instruments of technology that can further their abilities, and make their jobs more efficient. People with disabilities are able to utilize a much more independent work ethic nowadays and prove their true self worth with the assistance of all the technology that has been engineered.

Using a computer for those with mobility impairments can prove quite difficult. Difficulties range anywhere from the wheelchair not being the appropriate height of the desk to not having equipment that is flexible to where the monitor or keyboard can be easily moved to adjust to the person's handicap. Equipment that is flexible and can easily be adjusted to appease the handicapped person's needs is highly sought after. Keys on the keyboard are sometimes even changed to make the maneuvering of it easier for those who cannot click multiple buttons at once or release it quick enough in order to achieve a certain outcome.

One common disability in the workplace is that of people with learning disabilities. Technology for this demand is not only increasing, but improving drastically. The educational software to meet the demands of these individuals includes multi-sensory experiences, interaction, and positive reinforcement. Quiet work areas and ear protectors make for a better learning environment for those individuals that are sensitive to background noise. Technology that assists in accurate input can also aid, such as Spell Check and the Thesaurus to compensate for the high number of errors committed by the handicapped individual.

**IV. __Gender Diversity in Technology__**
(Jonathan)

I. Gender and Information Communication Technology
 * Social Media and Gender
 * Gender Behavior
 * Effects on society

Improvements and advances in communication technology, such as the Internet, email, cellular and smart phones, social media, have made it possible for people to share information and communicate with one another instantly through many channels and devices. The use of these technologies, such as laptop computers or smart phones, are common in education, business, and in people’s personal lives. However, the behavior and uses for communication technology, particular social media, differs between genders.

Social media is a web-based communication medium used to share information, network, and socialize. Social media sites include Facebook,Twitter, Youtube, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and many other site and applications. Large numbers of both men and women use social media (Facebook alone has over 800 million active users), but the degree of use, reasons, perception, and outcome of using social media differ between men and women. Men and women differ in their behavior in the use of technology, particularly in social media. Men view technology as a tool for interaction and transaction, whereas women use technology for socializing and relationship-building or maintaining (Hoffman, 2008). For example, for social media, men extensively use LinkedIn more than women. LinkedIn is a professional networking and communication social media channel, where transactional exchanges of information ,such as meeting a new potential employer, occurs. After the transaction in the exchange or request of information is complete, men do not strive to build deeper relationships or socialize with their new contacts. Women are primarily use technology to stay connected, build networks, socialize, and build relationships with their friends, family, and acquaintances, especially through social media.

The effects of technology and social media in men and women are diminishing the perceived stereotypes of gender (Jackson, 2010). Companies and marketers are using information collected for social media site such as likes and interests to determine new marketing strategies and products rather than using typical demographics, such as age, gender, or race. For women, social media is creating more opportunities. Women extensively use social media much more than men, so women are more likely to be targeted by advertisers and marketers rather than men and also more likely be hired to run social media within businesses - which gives women opportunities to become executives within businesses.

Hoffman, Auren. (2008, May 19). The Social Media Gender Gap. //Bloomberg Businessweek.// Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2008/tc20080516_580743.htm Jackson, Nicholas. (2010, December 14). Social Media and the End of Age, Race, and Gender. //The Atlantic.// Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/12/social-media-and-the-end-of-age-race-and-gender/67969/ 

V. __Conclusion__
While diversity and the advancements of technology has proved to be complicated for many companies, it doesn't have to be. A vast range of workers from different backgrounds and life experiences can become a diamond in the rough. Having a diverse team will allow you to foster an array of point of views, thus better satisfying the needs and wants of your customers.
 * __(Dawn and Megan)__**

Here are a few tips for managers who may encounter diversity challenges in the work place:

1. **Be aware of fault lines**.Faultline is defined as a occurrence when group are split into a sub-group. A fault line can make or break the success of the team if not handled properly. The more diverse the team is, the more likely a faultline will ensue. Establishing norms for the diverse team will allow them to work more efficiently.

2. **Diffusing stereotypes**. Stereotypes are fixed or oversimplified images or ideas about a particular type of person or thing. People often use stereotypes when evaluating people or things they have minimal knowledge about. By keeping an open mind and opening yourself up to learning about diverse cultures in the business, you make an effort to learn from things you may not understand.

3. **Embrace Diversity**. To reduce the amount of turnover, employers should make sure each individual gets the same treatment. Treating each employee fairly builds the comfort level of the individual and allows them to build a bond with the company and maintain a low stress level.

4. **Reverse Mentoring.** This type of coaching can help different generations learn to respect what the other can bring to the table.

5. **Practice Diverse Hiring.** Making sure your management team and workforce is diverse will lead to increased productivity.

VI.__Sources__
http://www.aect.org/edtech/edition3/ER5849x_C025.fm.pdf http://www.flatworldknowledge.com/pub/organizational-behavior-v1.1/141363#web-141362 http://www.greenbook.org/marketing-research.cfm/millennial-cause-study http://www.jobs.co.za/job-seekers/career-advice/article/76/removing-stereotypes-and-prejudices-from-the-workplace http://legalcareers.about.com/od/practicetips/a/GenerationX.htm http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201101/baby-boomers-and-technology

Starcevich, Matthew. (N\A) //Coaching Generation X//.October 25, 2011, http://www.coachingandmentoring.com/Articles/x%27s.html

Allen, Lisa. "Gen Y, Employers Must Unite, Experts Say." //Central Penn Business Journal// 27.34 (2011): 17-19. //Business Source Complete//. Web. 27 Nov. 2011.