Perceived challenges of leading a diverse workforce from a leader perspective
Nurminen, Peppi-Sisko (2023)
Nurminen, Peppi-Sisko
2023
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023062124257
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023062124257
Tiivistelmä
Diversity has increased rapidly in the previous years and presents challenges to leaders. Due to the new challenges, diversity management is even more important especially because it drives innovation, improves decision-making, enhances problem-solving, fosters understanding of customers, increases employee engagement and retention, expands the talent pool, ensures legal compliance, and contributes to a positive reputation in the marketplace. Diversity management has been studied before, but not in this perspective in Finland. The thesis aims to answer the question on how leaders perceive the challenges in leading a diverse workforce. It tries to find an answer to the following research question: What are the perceived challenges of leading a diverse workforce from a leader perspective? The study is conducted as thematic interviews with leaders that have different work tenures and industries and that are in a leadership positions. The study is made in leadership perspective. The results indicate that there are common challenges when leading a diverse workforce. The results are divided into three categories: 1) Communication challenges, 2) Leadership / Corporate culture challenges and 3) Workforce challenges. The results demonstrates that communication challenges, leadership/corporate culture challenges, and workforce challenges are interconnected and can significantly impact organizational success and workforce well-being. The findings highlight the importance of effective communication, inclusive leadership, and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workforce.