How are Diversity and Ethics interrelated - Essay Example

How Are Diversity and Ethics Interrelated? Diversity and ethics are interrelated because values differ from one culture to another and so do the social problems. What is deemed good in one culture might even be considered offensive in another culture. For example, a man and a woman shaking hands with each other in the office may be considered as a sign of empathy and good-will in the American culture but the same is considered an unacceptable practice in the culture of Saudi Arabia given either of the two is a Muslim.

Likewise, family structures differ from one culture to another. Chinese tend to have extended families wherein even close friends are considered as family members whereas American family is often limited to only immediate blood relationships like those of siblings, parents, and children. There are many other ways in which cultures differ as well. Differences between the cultures call for the need to implement different standards of ethics to entertain their interests. A code of ethics made by considering the values and social problems of just one culture may prove futile and impracticable in a culturally diverse organization.

“The ethical decision making process does not begin, however, with the analysis of principles, but rather with disagreements on controversial issues” (Brown, n.d.). In the present age, there is great tendency among the organizations to diversify in order to comprehend and address the needs of the rapidly diversifying society. Acquiring diversity at the workplace can cause the management to face many ethical dilemmas, but the benefits achieved in the long term are worth the trouble (Mann, 2012).

References:Brown, M. T. (n.d.). Concepts and Experience of The “Valuing Diversity and Ethics” Workshops at Levi Strauss and Company. Working Ethics. Retrieved from http://workingethics.com/valuesanddiversity.html.Mann, T. (2012). The Ethical Implications of Diversity in the Workplace. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/facts_5999396_ethical-implications-diversity-workplace.html.