The Global Diversity Desk Reference: Managing an International Workforce

1.3. GLOBAL DIVERSITY AS THE NEXT STEP

Although more than 75 percent of major American companies now focus on diversity as a strategic advantage and business leverage in the United States, there is minimal carryover internationally, even while business becomes more global in scope. These companies find themselves in the perplexing position of attempting to "roll out" overseas those diversity initiatives that were designed for a domestic workforce—in many cases without knowing why or, more importantly, how. What are the issues and questions that emerge when organizational and national cultures come into contact and when the need to capitalize on global diversity poses significant dilemmas? Four key issues arise:

1. What is the business case for ...