Worker Productivity through Knowledgeable Interpersonal Relations: Understanding Cultural Differences in an Anglo-American and Latino Workforce
Lorrie Clemo, Karen Wolford.
Interpersonal relations in the workplace serve as a critical role in the maintenance of trust and positive feelings in organizations. Although the quality of interpersonal relationships alone is not enough to promise worker productivity, it can significantly contribute to it. At times gender and cultural differences may complicate good intentioned working relationships. Managers may show insensitivity and ignorance toward workers if they are not knowledgeable about how to connect with other cultures.
New political, economic, and trade relationships between the United States and Latin American countries have resulted in greater attention to management diversity training in order to capture expanded market opportunities, as well as to more effectively deal with a changed workforce. The rapidly increasing presence of Latinos in the American workforce has also served to uncover the recurring stereotypes that persist between neighboring nations.
In this paper we examine basic concepts of human interaction between Latinos and Latinos and Anglo Americans as they affect workers in general and managers in particular. Specific strategies are discussed that help managers appreciate cultural differences in order to increase employees' value. Topics addressed include: hiring networks, time and punctuality, styles of communication, language barriers, training, resolution of conflicts, direction and supervision, aggressiveness and competitiveness, work and leisure, value system, employee assistance, grief, customs, and attitudes.
New political, economic, and trade relationships between the United States and Latin American countries have resulted in greater attention to management diversity training in order to capture expanded market opportunities, as well as to more effectively deal with a changed workforce. The rapidly increasing presence of Latinos in the American workforce has also served to uncover the recurring stereotypes that persist between neighboring nations.
In this paper we examine basic concepts of human interaction between Latinos and Latinos and Anglo Americans as they affect workers in general and managers in particular. Specific strategies are discussed that help managers appreciate cultural differences in order to increase employees' value. Topics addressed include: hiring networks, time and punctuality, styles of communication, language barriers, training, resolution of conflicts, direction and supervision, aggressiveness and competitiveness, work and leisure, value system, employee assistance, grief, customs, and attitudes.
Presenters
Lorrie Clemo
(United States)
Associate Professor
Department of Political Science
State University of New York at Oswego
Department of Political Science
State University of New York at Oswego
Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Public Administration and Policy Program.
Karen Wolford
(United States)
Department of Political Science
State University of New York at Oswego
Keywords
- Interpersonal relations in the workplace
- Gender and cultural differences and employees' value.
(Virtual Presentation,
English)