Abstract
Although the advantage of managing diversity has been acknowledged by a number of
researches and most managers in organizations, the practices of diversity used to be ignored
or be inadequate. In Australia, the concepts of managing diversity have been introduced for
more than two decades, whereas the overall performance is just about "mediocre". This paper
attempted to research the challenges accompanied by the introduction of diversity programs
and to recommend solutions of those problems. The findings indicated that resistance both
from majority and minority, lack of commitment from senior management, immaturity of
diversity management application and lack of evaluation of diversity programs as the main
challenges accompanied by managing diversity. In addition, the recommendations were full
participation of all parties in organizations, finding indirect benefits of diversity programs
which may be critical to certain business and seeing diversity program as the advantages
which may benefit organizations in the long term.
Introduction
Diversity management has become one of the primary challenges for HRM as organizations
become diversity worldwide. (Benshchop, 2001: 1166; D'Netto & Sohal, 1999: 530)
According to the U.S. Census Bureau project, 40% of U.S. residents will be members of
racial or ethic minority groups in 2030, while the percentage of minority groups is 28% in
1999. (Dansky et. al., 2003 : 243) Other research which conducted by Opportunity Now
stated that only 20% of U.K. workforce will be white, male, able-bodied and under 45 years
old by the year 2010. (Willmott, 2003: 2) Likewise, with the changes of economic condition,
social and legal environment, diversity also becomes one of c ...