Example Exam Questions Gender and Diversity in Organizations 2011

Example exam questions Gender and Diversity in Organizations 2011

1. Policies about equality and diversity have had different forms over the years. Kirton and Greene discuss those models in their chapter on the various policy approaches.

1. On which central points do the liberal, radical and managing diversity approaches differ from one another? Mention three points and explain the differences between the three approaches on these points.  
2. Which model offers the best measures to get more women and minorities in higher positions? Why?

• A: 6 points emphasis on Group (liberal, radical) versus emphasis on individual (MD)
• Emphasis on equality (lib & rad) versus difference (MD)
• Goal : equal treatment (lib) versus equal outcome (rad) and better performance of company (MD)
• interventions: equal treatment, laws and rules, vs positive action
• foundations: call upon social equality and justice or business case

b. 4 points. Various correct answers. Radical or MD can be argued both. Only mentioning the approach does not suffice, there has to be a clear argumentation as to why a combination is needed, or weighted how different approaches contribute to the goal. Radical because this strives for equal outcomes and (in some cases) reserves functions for people from those groups. That guarantees that women and minorities will get the positions.

Disadvantages: backlash and resistance from the outgroup; organizations and their structures of opportunities do not change when women and minorities are parachuted in from above.

MD is also possible because of its emphasis on individual talent and the need to use that well for the organization. MD does not have the resistance effect, but gives no guarantees for equal outcomes either.

1. Social identity theory

1. In chapter 8 of Hatch & Schultz the social identity theory is discussed using concepts of Ashforth and Mael. They state that there is a link between socializing individuals in the organization, the identification of individuals with the organization and internalizing the values of the organization. Explain this connection between socializing, identification and internalizing.
2. Individuals are members of several groups. This may cause role conflicts for an indivual. Individuals can cope with this through double standards or selective forgetting.

Give an example of a role conflict that a manager in a profit organisation can have.

Question 2; total max 10 points