The document discusses challenges and benefits of workplace diversity based on socio-cultural theory. It states that inadequate knowledge management and poor communication between employees from different cultural backgrounds can pose challenges. Socio-cultural theory suggests that language and symbols used during communication depend on cultural traditions, so conflicts may arise. However, adopting democratic leadership styles that encourage participation and effective training programs can help build strong relationships between diverse employees and create a healthy work environment.

1. Running head: WORKPLACE DIVERISTY ISSUE 1
"Based on the local and regional culture, socioeconomic and/or economic geography
environment, what in your opinion are the challenges and benefits of friendship at workplaces?"
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Introduction
Inadequate knowledge management and poor communication between employees of two
different cultural backgrounds can be referred as critical socio-cultural environmental challenges
for the employees as well as employer within the workplace. This assignment will discuss the
communication and knowledge management challenges in workplace diversity through the
implication of socio-cultural theory.
Discussion
It is important to discuss that individual of different cultural backgrounds or different
regions, or nations, or socio-economic backgrounds are found in a multinational organization.
Different individuals used to speak different languages. On the other hand, it is also important to
mention that different individuals have different perceptions on learning and knowledge
management process. Therefore, it is quite common that a communication gap or conflict ion the
communication process between two employees of different cultural background can be
identified. A socio-cultural theory can be adopted and implicated below to understand the
possibility and reason of workplace communication challenges between two individuals of
different cultural background. On the other hand, it is also important to state that the adoption
and implementation of socio-cultural theory will help in providing solutions to the particular
problems.
Socio-Cultural Theory
The social-science theory was developed by Vygotskian. According to the theoretical
development and approach, language and symbol used by individuals during the conversation

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process depends upon the cultural traditions. Therefore, it is highly essential to mention that
there is a possibility of conflict, when two different individuals of different cultural backgrounds
used to communicate with each other, but different languages and cultural approaches can affect
the overall organizational knowledge management process within the workplace. The managers
or leaders used to focus on the application of this theory in order to enhance effective knowledge
management process within the workplace and ensure significant as well as conflict free
communication process (Lehman, 2010).
According to the practical application of this theory, the managers as well as team leaders
used to adopt and implement democratic leadership style in the managerial and leadership
process as this particular approach ensures effective bottom-up communication approach within
the workplace. Effective cultural workplace diversity can be ensured through adequate adoption
and execution of significant participative leadership style.
Leaders used to play important roles in maintaining effective and conflict free workplace
environment. Therefore, it can be considered that effective democratic leadership style can
maintain effective socio-cultural sustainability within the workplace. Moreover, this particular
approach can help an individual in maintaining strong relationship with other employees of
different cultural background within the workplace (Canas, 2014). Hence it is clear that, poor
knowledge management and communication conflict is a collaborative issue of workplace
cultural diversity, but adequate implication of democratic leadership style can help an
organization to overcome such challenges. On the other hand, frequent training and
development programme along with several team-building activities and workshops can healthy
and conflict free workplace environment.

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Conclusion
It is identical from above discussion that workplace cultural diversity can create
communication conflicts and knowledge management challenges, which can be overcome
through adequate consideration of the democratic leadership style and effective training as well
as development programme for the employees.

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References
Canas, K. (2014). Opportunities and Challenges of Workplace Diversity. New Jersey: Pearson.
Lehman, C. (2010). Business Communication. Stamford: Cengage Learning.

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References
Canas, K. (2014). Opportunities and Challenges of Workplace Diversity. New Jersey: Pearson.
Lehman, C. (2010). Business Communication. Stamford: Cengage Learning.