Value of Diversity in the Workplace: Military

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Dear Student,
I have decided to give you two solutions - one that shows the value of diversity in an organization and the second which shows a disastrous situation where diversity could have aided in the organization's efficiency. For this solution however, I have taken to look into American history to present a very well-illustrated case of the value of diversity (see part 1). Your 'main solution' however is part two as it presents a corporate problem where diversity presented a solution. Being familiar with your course, I am sure you will have to study this company sooner or later. I hope this solution will aid you well. Thank you for using Brainmass. Good luck!

Sincerely,
OTA 105878/Xenia Jones
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Part I

The Value of Diversity

Diversity in its simplest terms refers to the differences that are many and varied. In a social setting, this refers to the following: Race, Culture, National Origin, Region, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Age, Marital Status, Politics, Religion, Ethnicity, Disability, economic differences, Family structure, Health, Values, etc. In most cases, diversity is seen to connote multiculturalism (also known as cultural diversity), referring to racial, cultural and ethnic diversity within the population/membership of a specific place or group, whether primary, secondary or referential like in a university, a corporation or business, a town, city or a country. Culture are the behaviours and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group. We live in a multicultural world where varied ethnicities and cultures interact in the process of living their lives. We barter and trade ideas, products and materials with people of other cultures and nations and in the process of the exchange; we assimilate facets of their way of life and include it in our own. The experience of cultural diversity in an individual does many things - it enhances perspectives, inspires and makes one see the good and bad of cultures and traditions outside of one's native culture.

During WW2 the diversity of the American populace proved to be invaluable in the success of the war effort. While there are instances when American ethnic diversity became a serious social issue (think the issue of Segregation and racial inequality), WW2 harnessed this diversity to protect the American nation. If you think of America, the American people cannot just be represented by one race, one social class. The American people are diverse because we follow varied religions, we have different ethnic and social make-up, we have varied social and political affiliations, we all belong to different social classes from the poorest to the richest. What makes us 'American' are our shared traditions and citizenship which, when pulled together bridges our differences as part of our unique identities.

The Problem

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese took America by surprise and plunged it headlong into the escalating global conflict. The problem was the Japanese had built up into learning about the mainstream American culture and language - they studied the American communication patterns having lived and studied in America for the purpose of infiltration. Messages were easily intercepted and utilised for their own ends by the enemy and operations could not be successfully mounted due to the Japanese familiarity with American language and Culture. The Americans to secure their communications in their Asian-Pacific effort needed a new communication strategy, a sure-fire system that would make the enemies unable to decode or ...