Date of Award
6-2001
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Dr. Nancy C. Cornwell
Second Advisor
Melissa Gibson
Third Advisor
Melissa Gibson
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
We end this century at a unique moment for the United States, when our power and prosperity are greater than at any time in our history. However, there is one area where U.S. leadership is blighted: effective racial diversity in the workplace. In other words, the law mandates that organizations have a diverse workforce, but if the racial history is any indication, there will be resistance to this order, especially by the group in power: white males. This thesis takes a phenomenological approach and explores the traditional styles that organizations use to approach diversity, as well as the barriers minorities experience in seeking jobs in organizations, especially upper-level positions. Organizations can take this information as a means to increase understanding of the four groups represented in this study. In addition, this research study advances current communication theory on assimilation, diversity, and employee relations by exposing individual ethnic identity markers that interfere in effective communication between minority and majority professionals.
Recommended Citation
Greer-Williams, Nancy, "Diversity in the 21st Century: Perceptions of Minority Professionals in Organizations" (2001). Masters Theses. 4058.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4058