Managing Cultural Complexity

This unit explores issues of diversity within management in a globalised society with particular emphasis on the Australian context. The unit considers organisational diversity, the ways in which organisations are managed according to their constituents and the importance of inclusive leadership and authentic change to effectively embrace diversity principles.

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe cultural complexities within the global setting
  • Identify and analyse key environmental issues contributing to disadvantage of specific groups within the Australian workplace setting
  • Explain the significant place of indigenous Australians in society and how this is crucial to diversity management policies, programs and strategies
  • Develop strategies for identifying and combating discrimination
  • Critique theories of and practices in diversity
  • Analyse and evaluate diversity policies within organisational settings
  • Explore and analyse the social, legal and ethical issues associated with diversity in organisations
  • Describe the benefit and deficit models of diversity within organisations
  • Develop strategies for inclusive leadership drawing on understanding of diversity
  • Evaluate personal responses to diversity in the workplace

Content Areas

  • Historical and Contemporary Understandings of Diversity – Overview in the Global Context
  • Australia’s Multicultural Landscape
  • Age and Dis/ability Issues
  • Gender in the Australian Labour Market
  • Sexual Identity
  • Cross Cultural Communication in Management
  • Australian Legislative and Policy Responses
  • The Need for Change
  • Strategic Action
  • Applying and Analysing Diversity in Organisation and Management
  • Inclusive Leadership and Diversity
  • Current Issues – Future Trends

Unit Duration and Workload

This unit involves a total of 36 hours of face to face delivery or self-directed study including educator contact in flexible delivery modes, generating a further 120 hours of self-study per unit including research and related study activities, including assessment. This translates as 13 hours per week for the unit.