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Managing Diversity

Unit Code: MBM506

Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
12 weeks or equivalent	36 hours	Hawthorn

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

Related Course/s:

This unit is an elective unit in specified Graduate Certificates of Business Management. The Graduate Certificate programs form the first year of the Master of Business Management .

Aims & Objectives:

One-size fits all is no longer an acceptable approach to managing people in organisations. This unit introduces students to the complexities of managing a diverse workforce in the context of the organisations’ responsibilities to the community for social justice as well as sound business practice.

A multi-disciplinary approach provides an overview of the issues, problems and opportunities raised by the increasing diversity of the workforce. It evaluates organisational challenges and opportunities created by the need to attract, develop, and retain employees and managers from a diverse range of backgrounds and/or abilities.

Student will relate the management of equity and diversity to changes in work organisation, human resource management and industrial relations.

The aims of this subject are to:

1. Understand the dimensions of diversity in the workforce and the principles that underpin the management of diversity

2. Enable students to develop a strategic approach to the management of diversity

3. Understand the legal context of diversity

4. Understand and demonstrate cross cultural and inclusive communication

5. Understand the challenges and opportunities of diversity in the domestic and global marketplace

6. Understand and enable the development of diversity policies, initiatives and programs

Teaching Methods:

Lectures, guest speakers, industry visits, case study analysis, online delivery.

Assessment:

Individual assignment/report (30-50%)

Case-based project (30-50%)

Case study analysis and/or group-based discussion (10-30%)

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Swinburne University of Technology works to produce higher education graduates who are capable in their chosen professions, can contribute in an entrepreneurial and innovative way within their workplace or community, can operate effectively and ethically in their business life, and are adaptable and able to manage change.

It is expected that graduates will leave with a diverse wealth of experiences and will have developed individual knowledge, abilities and attitudes commensurate with professional standards appropriate to the business and wider community.

Within this context, it is the intention that this program will enable students to develop the following skills:

Teamwork skills
Analytical skills
Business research skills appropriate to addressing managerial challenges and problem solving
Problem solving and decision making skills
Communication skills
Reporting and presentation skills
Strategic thinking skills
Ability to work independently
Ability to address unfamiliar problems
Ability to engage in critical enquiry and discussion
Ability to identify and address ethical matters in business

Content:

The development and evolution of approaches to managing diversity; equal employment opportunity, affirmative action and diversity management
The categories of diversity (legal and organisational)
Principles of discrimination, equity, and social justice
The implications of diversity for organisational effectiveness
Organisational and managerial challenges in managing diverse workforces, locally and globally, including identification of skills necessary for effective management of diverse workforces
Organisational and managerial opportunities and advantages in managing diversity
Development, implementation, and evaluation of diversity programs, policies, and practices

Reading Materials:

Anca, C. & Vazquez, A. (2007), Managing Diversity in the Global Organisation, Palgrave MacMillan, UK.

Harvard Business School. (2009), Managing Diversity: Expert solutions to everyday challenges, Harvard Business School Press, USA.

Harvey, C. (2009), Understanding and Managing Diversity: Readings, cases and exercises, Pearson Prentice Hall, USA.

Maltbia, T. (2009), A Leader’s Guide to Leveraging Diversity: Strategic learning capabilities for breakthrough performance, Butterworth-Heinemann, UK.

Rowntree, L. (2009), Diversity Amid Globalisation, Pearson Prentice Hall, USA.