Abstract
M.Phil.
In this study, diversity management is introduced as an issue of global concern. Based on
the assumption that diversity, if well-managed, can be beneficial to organizations, a
positive approach to diversity is strongly supported.
Diversity management has an important role to play in South Africa for mainly two
reasons. Firstly, because of South Africa's rich cultural history and apartheid legacy,
diversity management issues arise as a concern more often than in other countries.
Secondly, due to apartheid, South Africa was internationally isolated for many years,
which gives issues around global competitiveness even more significance.
In the South African context, the engineering sector is regarded as a motor for the
country's development, in which the management of diverse workforces is highly
relevant. This has to be seen in light of a serious challenge facing the sector, where
diversity management requirements have to be reconciled with a skills shortage that
seems to afflict the engineering sector in particular.
All of these issues are illustrated by a case study. The practice of diversity management
in Siemens South Africa serves to demonstrate that diversity management in South Africa
is clearly centred on the contexts of race and race relations. Furthermore, the case study
presents a comprehensive example of how a diverse workforce can be managed in a
South African engineering company.