Strategies for managing a racially diverse workforce in corporate South Africa

Abstract

With increasing globalisation and mobility of skilled labour, there is pressure on organisation to transform. Leaders in corporate organisations therefore need tools to prepare them to manage a racially inclusive workforce effectively. Understanding how leaders in corporations manage diversity in a corporate workplace is therefore a critical requirement to finding sustainable ways to eliminate racial discrimination in the workplace, especially in a country with a racially segregated past. The aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how to address the issue of racial discrimination in corporate organisations by identifying strategies which leaders can adopt in their organisations to effectively manage a racially diverse workforce. A qualitative exploratory approach was selected for this study. Face to face interviews were conducted with eleven candidates in senior level and top level managers who manage racially diverse teams in the Financial Services and Manufacturing industries in South Africa. Research findings revealed the need for leaders to be aware of external factors and how they impact performance of individual team members. The importance of incorporating the inclusive leadership traits and competencies also emerged also emerged as key findings as well as the importance of making un-biased Human Resource decisions. An adapted Human Relations Management System is then presented which will encourage the creation of a multi-racially inclusive organisational culture.