Diversity And Ethics Research Paper

Diversity and Ethics

By

Karen W. Pouncy

May 30, 2010

Address: 201 Calhoun Street

Town: Clio, South Carolina

E-mail: [e-mail]

Instructor: Dr. Joan Durante More often than not organizations put their trust in small groups rather than individuals when pertinent decisions have to be made on the assumption that groups possess a broader range of informational resources than individuals do. This process could improve the quality of decision making because the groups are able to process task relevant information effectively. However, research indicates that groups are unsuccessful in exchanging their members’ unique informational resources; and when they do exchange this information, they fail to utilize
A large amount of research conducted on both the individual and group level effects of work group diversity suggests that diversity may be related with a group of positive and negative outcomes. The majority of theoretical analyses seem to embark upon the conclusions that diversity has negative effects on the psychological relationship between the individual and group and affective/evaluative responses to the group and the job (van Knippenberg, Haslam & Platow, 2007). Groups are often called upon within organizations when important decisions need to be made. This happens mostly when members of the group are different with respect to the information and the expertise they can provide. Groups more than likely will perform than individuals in terms of the quality of the decisions they make (Homan, van Knippenbert, Van Keef & De Dreu, 2007).
Organizations heavily rely on cross-functional work groups and project teams in an effort to stimulate innovation, solve problems and make decision. Frequently, informational diversity within such teams go hand in hand with differences on other dimensions, such as demographic characteristics and deeply rooted values and beliefs. Informational diversity is differences in knowledge bases and perspective that members bring to the group. Informational diversity has also been called functional or knowledge diversity (Homan et al,
Even though the characteristics of the moral situation can effect the decision making process in a negative and positive manner, it is important to be aware of them so that individuals can use these factors to heighten their moral sensitivity. It will also strengthen their moral judgment, increase the likelihood that they will intend to act morally, and strengthen their resolve to respond to a moral dilemma with moral courage (Lincoln et al,