Cross cultural psychology and the workplace

Question 1

Develop an understanding of cultural diversity and wellbeing in the Australian organisational context.

Answer 1

How diverse is the Australian workforce?

• 1 in 3 Australians was born overseas.
• Nearly half the Australian population was born or has at least one parent born overseas.
• Skilled migration accounts for the highest migrant intake.
• Out of 6.5 million migrants, nearly 62% are in the workforce (DIBP, 2013).
• 97% of leadership are from anglo background
• most in the workfoces are also anglo
• multicultural leadership will improve organisations

Question 2

Examine the impact of migration on mental health in the workplace.

Answer 2

Pattern of immigrant workers in the Australian workforce
Migrants are a significant contributors to the Australian economy and the workforce – since the First Fleet
Post war period – skilled and semi-skilled migration – mainly from Europe.
End of White Australia Policy led to migrants from other countries entering the workforce – they mainly contributed to the shortage in the health and education sector.
Immigrant worker health in Australia

Better on measures of mortality, disability and health behaviour risk factors.
Greater workplace injury
Workers in construction and manufacturing industries – higher rate of fatality.
Reporting of injuries?
Greater life satisfaction

Psychological wellbeing of migrant workers is influenced by:

Acculturation
Adaptation
Social support
Discrimination

how does racism manifest in the workforce?
-campaign only wanting an anglo (white people)
-people doing the exact same thing getting paid different
-subtle cues
-different standards for different people, depending on their background
unconcious bias
-indigenous aus, high level of racism
-not likely to report racism
-hard to pin down subtle forms of racism.

Question 3

Examine the role of workplace cultural ideologies on organisational behaviour.

Answer 3

Hofstede’s cultural dimensions:
Influence of culture on values in the workplace
Individualism vs Collectivism
Individualism (I): people are more focused on the wellbeing of the individual self
Collectivism (We): focus is greater on the wellbeing of the extended family and society
Individualism: provides for a restricted social network
Collectivism: social network is tight
What is the influence of migration on individualism/collectivism and behaviour in the Australian workplace?
Power Distance Index
Distribution of power which is largely unequal;
Large power distance = hierarchy in organisations;
Low power distance = equal distribution of power
What sort of Power-Distance Index do you think the Australian workplace has? How does this impact on culturally diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers?
Masculinity vs Femininity dimension
Masculinity – the person is more aggressive, competitive ,and dominative in the workplace.
Femininity – the person is more cooperative, and has a caring attitude in the workplace.
Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)
It is the degree to which people feel comfortable or not about uncertainty and ambiguity
Countries with a strong UAI show less tolerance towards new behaviours and ideas; they work strongly according to set principles
Countries with a low UAI show a greater tolerance towards changes and have a more relaxed attitude
What is the effect of low tolerance on stress and coping?
How does this dimension affect migrant workers’ work ethics and practices?

Question 4

Evaluate the benefits and challenges of a culturally diverse workplace.

Answer 4

• multigenerational unemployment creates a consistent pattern of unemployment
• older workers finding themselves unemployed
• people with disabilities have trouble participation in the workforce
• migrants are still over-represented in un-employment
• welfare bill that is not sustainable
• increasing number of young people showing anti-social behaviour disengaging from their comunity
• rise in discrimitive behaviour, economic challenges
• justice, mental health, housing, drug and alcohol services are continuley challenged to meat demands
• quality and sustained employment is the most critical thing we can provide to improve the wellbeing of our communities, our social cohesiveness and our economy
• organisations are placing in policies for hiring cultural minorities.