Diversity in the IT Workplace - Literature review Example

Briefing Paper: Diversity in the IT Workplace Course: Professor: Date Introduction The information technology workplace consists of a diverse workforce. The workplace management has to look for ways in which the workforce can be managed despite their diversity. Using information technology, the organizations are able to manage their workforce. The use of modern communication such as video conferencing, electronic boards and other IT based platforms, have helped reduce communication barriers to a great extent. The use of information technology has helped in making it possible for the organization to have good communication and collaboration among the diverse workforce. Different information technology tools have different acceptance by the diverse workforce. The organization has to look for the practices that are acceptable to the diverse workforce before applying them. Every employee has a form of information technology tool that they feel more comfortable with. The IT industry has played a major role in transforming the workplace. This has been achieved through quick access to communication and breaking the language barrier (Sahay et al., 2003). Tools in Information Technology Workplace The use of email has been rated as the most used means of communication in a diverse workplace. According to research, email is taken as the means of communication that helps a lot in reducing culture clashes. This is because; most of the workers from diverse backgrounds are capable of reading any language as compared to speaking it. Research has also supported use of non-verbal communication in a multicultural workforce (Zakaria, et al., 2004). This is to make it possible for all present to understand irrespective of their background. Email acts as a simple way in which those with an internet connection in the workplace can communicate with. Email reduces misunderstanding in a great way as compared to verbal communication. The main problem in using the emails as a means of communication is the lack of gestures that can give the true feelings of those involved in communication. This can act as a barrier in a workplace if email is used in excess. According to Pauleen et al., (2001), the use of email fails to give the true feelings that are exhibited by those communicating. He asserts that in a diverse working environment, the management has to use the right technology to deliver effective communication. Another information technology application that has been of great use in diverse workplace is video conferencing. This has been rated to be the best tool as members can see the speaker. Seeing the speaker helps in getting the facial expressions. It has been proved that being able to see the speaker and noting facial expressions is important in enabling social relationship. According to Adya & Kaiser (2005), videoconferencing is the best method which employees without English background can understand and use. Comparing with teleconferencing, the author has proved that teleconferencing leads to difficulty for those who are not fluent in the used language. Some people have problems in communicating with those they cannot see. Videoconferencing reduces misinterpretations that may occur during the dissemination of information. The main hurdles that videoconferencing faces is lack of sufficient bandwidth and the cost of installing (Sahay et al., 2003). Uses of computers in organizations have been a general purpose technology. According to Lacity & Willcocks (2001), the use of computers is an enabling technology that has helped to add more value to the organization diverse workforce. According to the authors, the use of computers has been attributed to increased output in a diverse working environment. This has been associated with ease of communication and reduction in costs incurred while communicating. A workplace where information technology is highly utilised have high integration between different departments. This has led to high quality management in the organizations and a greater collaboration among the workforce. There are greater interactions where the organizations utilize information technology to carry out their functions. This leads to an environment where the organization is able to work with different workgroups at ease. According to Sahay et al., (2003), integration refers to a situation where the organization is able to work with different parties. This is very useful in a diverse working environment. The use of information technology in a diverse workplace is a great step toward creating a coordinated working environment. The workplaces which have invested a lot in information technology are in a position to save more and hence increased profitability. This is supported by the fact that the diverse working environment is able to communicate more easily with each other hence avoiding coordination problems. Use of internet has provided workplace with the ability to hire diverse workers. This is because online job advertisements have offered a platform where employers can search for employees globally (Pauleen et al., 2001). Despite the advantages that the use of information technology has led in bringing up diverse workplace, there have been concerns regarding the disabled. According to the statistics, the uses of computers have not been well implemented to cater for those with disabilities. The employees with disabilities are in some cases disadvantaged in the use of information technology in the workplace. The information technology workplaces also have few disabled employees. According to research, accessibility has been a major deterrent. However, research has proven that those with mobility impairment have benefited a lot due to technology. This is because information technology makes information more accessible to them. There have been web applications that have been specifically designed for those with impermanent. These according to Lacity & Willcocks (2001), are some of the ways in which information technology is supporting diversity in the workplace. The websites have been designed with care taken to make sure that those with disabilities are catered for. This has been done by providing both text and pictures in the sites tom ensure that those with screen readers can benefit (Lacity & Willcocks, 2001). The information technology sector has a task to make sure that there is equity in accessing the technology. This is important as it can help in reducing the workforce gap and hence enhance diversity. The diversity in the workforce should be comprised of both men and women from different backgrounds (Adya & Kaiser, 2005). The disabled should also be part of the workforce through enhanced information technology tools. According to Lacity & Willcocks (2001) information technology has been acting as the link in a diverse workplace. There has been recognition of as global workforce through use of information technology. According to the current statistics on the use of information technology in the workforce, there is an expected rise in a global workforce. The information technology students should be well informed in the matters of multiculturalism in addition to technology. According to Varma (2006), the students should be able to support the organization in the diversity efforts and help in upholding multiculturalism. According to the author, the ability to understand how to cope with diversity has been cited as one of the most vital skills for the students of information technology. Due to the globalization trend in the current working environment, being prepared for a global client base is vital. The information technology students are required to be able to understand the diversity of the clients before they design the systems for them. This is the first step in making sure that there is smooth interaction between the computer systems and the users. Human diversity is an issue that requires appropriate attention. This involves conducting pilot studies for the information technology courses and noting how they address diversity (Ford & Chan, 2003). Managing a Diverse Workforce The management is tasked with making sure that the diverse workforce is well catered for. According to Brynjolfsson and Hitt, (2000), the management should ensure that all the members in the workforce are committed to diversity using information technology. The management is expected to utilize information technology in their hiring and career advancement according to the authors. There should also be strategic management support to the diversity in the workplace (Black and Lynch, 2001). The sharing of knowledge in an organization is one of the most important factors in enhancing value of the capital. Knowledge sharing is the most affected in cases where there are cross-cultural differences. The language barrier is attributed to the main cause of ineffective sharing of knowledge. According to literature, a lot of knowledge is lost through translation. Having information technology enhanced communication has been attributed to improved knowledge sharing. According to Varma (2006), sharing of knowledge through information technology in the workplace has been promoted by the improved channels of communication. Information technology according to Roberts (2000) continues to be a great aid in knowledge sharing within organizations. Conclusion Through information technology, managing diverse workplace has become easier. This has been done through information technology tools such as intranet, email and video conferencing. The information technology has been able to bridge the gap in the impaired work force and integrated it into the workforce. This has been through innovation of tools that can help disabled such as screen readers. Collaboration in a diverse workforce is essential to increase productivity. Information technology tools have helped in a great way to help different parts of the organization to be integrated. There has been need for the information technology education to help the diversity in the global workforce. The information technology workplace also requires diverse groups. These diverse workforces include women, minorities and people with disabilities. The participation gap in the information workforce needs to be looked at and improved. The knowledge should also be developed in a cross cultural context. This is to help the learners in the information technology field to be prepared for the global information technology workforce. References Adya, M & Kaiser, K 2005, “Early determinants of women in the IT workforce: a model of girls’ career choice,” Information Technology and People, Vol. 18, no.3, Pp. 230-259 Black, S & Lynch, L 2001, ‘How to compete: The impact of workplace practices and information technology on productivity,’ The Review of Economics and Statistics, Vol. 83, no. 3, p. 434-445. Brynjolfsson, E & Hitt, L 2000, ‘Beyond computation: Information technology, organizational transformation and business performance,’ Journal of Economic Perspectives, Vol. 14, no. 4, p. 23-48 Ford, D & Chan, Y 2003, ‘Knowledge sharing in a multi-cultural setting: a case study,’ Knowledge Management Research & Practice, Vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 11-27 Lacity, M & Willcocks, L 2001, Global Information Technology Outsourcing: Search for Business Advantage, Chichester, England, John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Pauleen, G., David, J & Yoong, P 2001, ‘Relationship building and the use of ICT in boundary- crossing virtual teams: a facilitator’s perspective’, Journal of Information Technology, Vol. 16, no. 4, p. 205-220. Roberts, E 2000, ‘Computing education and the information technology workforce,’ ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, Vol. 32, no. 2, p.83-90. Sahay, S., Nicholson, B & Krishna, S 2003, Globa`l IT outsourcing: software development across borders, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Varma, R 2006, ‘Making computer science minority-friendly,’ Communications of the ACM, Vol. 49, no. 2, p.129-134. Zakaria, N., Amelinckx, A & Wilemon, D 2004, ‘Working Together Apart? Building a Knowledge-Sharing Culture for Global Virtual Teams’, Creativity and Innovation Management, Vol.13, No.1, p. 15-29. Read More