Is this your cultural place or mine? A global and personal career life-course journey perspective of diversity

Abstract

Purpose

Highlights the need to be mindful of the global implications of migration and the ecology of diversity in our economy and organizations. Argues that support and programs for diversity are essential to a sustainable economy and the life chances of all our citizens.

Design/methodology/approach

Explores diversity from a theoretical perspective and then provides details of one person’s struggle to gain acceptance in an alien culture.

Findings

Draws attention to the complexities and complications born of globalization and the challenge these pose for multi-national organizations. Advances the view that these complexities also relate to the émigrés who bought with them their different ways of thinking, behaving and speaking that were alien to the indigenous community, and for many still remain an enigma.

Practical implications

Highlights the need to develop an organization and leadership culture where every manager is an HR manager, assuming shared responsibility for promoting and developing diversity in the organization.

Social implications

Shows how difficult can be the struggle to gain acceptance for a person newly arriving in a foreign country.

Originality/value

Combines an academic view of immigration and diversity with one person’s experiences.

Citation

Wilson, D., Baruch, Y., Boulaye, P. and Hartog, M. (2015), "Is this your cultural place or mine? A global and personal career life-course journey perspective of diversity", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 23 No. 5, pp. 2-4. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-05-2015-0082