GEORGE NEWS - NMU George Campus business and economic sciences lecturer, Dr Sam Webber, recently received his Doctorate for an extensive study on diversity management initiatives in South African businesses, within the context of diversity management being a strategic imperative in all organisations across the globe.
Webber, a passionate teacher of more than two decades, joined the university in 2011 as lecturer for management and retail management.
Practical
The study is of practical significance to the South African business environment, which is often plagued by perceptions of inequality and injustice.
It highlights strategies and practices that organisations can use to develop effective strategies to manage diversity, which would benefit both the business itself and stakeholders such as employees, customers and communities.
"Workplaces by nature consist of diverse employees, who in one way or another are different in terms of race, gender, religion, culture, age, or any other difference that may have an impact on the business and its employees.
"The differences among people need to be managed and used to the advantage of organisations," says Webber.
Integrated approach
The purpose of the study, titled The influence of diversity management initiatives on business and social outcomes, was to identify diversity management practices used in South African businesses and determine how these can be used best to ensure successful business outcomes and social cohesion.
Webber says that, though the literature differentiates between two types of diversity management initiatives, namely compulsory and voluntary ones, the study found that companies do not necessarily differentiate between these two types when they implement them.
Therefore it is recommended that businesses should adopt an integrated approach when implementing diversity management initiatives.
"This involves creating and articulating a shared vision, senior management demonstrating their commitment, using task teams as diversity watchdogs, using a top-down and bottom-up approach to diversity and creating a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, affirming all employees - within a formal change strategy programme," he said.
Determination
Besides applying his knowledge and expertise to the benefit of his students and industry, Webber is keen to rekindle some or the relationships and interests he had to place on the back-burner while focusing on his studies.
He said support from family, curtailing of community interests and responsibilities, self-discipline and maintaining a strict daily routine were critical elements in the completion of his studies.
One of the most compelling motivations that kept him going was the desire to rise above his childhood circumstances.
"In the small township from which I come, to my knowledge, there is only one individual who studied and obtained a PhD qualification.
"During my childhood it never occurred to me that one day I would be referred to as a 'Doctor' - mainly due to a lack of academic role models", he said.
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