Cultural diversity in an organization is important because it fills in the gaps that exist in a mono cultural organization. For example, the world is becoming increasingly multicultural, so companies that are not culturally diverse sometimes do not have the appropriate resources to provide service and develop products for the actual marketplace. Diversity is also important because of "its contribution to organization decision making, effectiveness, and responsiveness" (Wilson, 1994, p. 27). A "diverse group of people provides better and varied ideas" because "their different backgrounds and cultures allow them to view things in a distinct light" (Espinoza, 2007, p. 43). Diversity increases motivation and productivity and creates "a powerful workplace" (Wilson, 1994, p. 27). Espinoza points out that a diverse group offers diverse skills: "If we look at diversity like a football team, you do not need all quarterbacks(you also need receivers, runners and blockers. Teams with diverse talents and skills that can work to complement their differences are normally very successful" (2007, p. 43). Moreover, a diverse workforce can attract additional workers with different backgrounds, as well: "It is attractive to potential employees to see others like themselves working at the company" (Espinoza, 2007, p. 43). Since "women like to buy from women," "people of color like to buy from people of color," and "The French like to buy from the French," a diverse workforce "opens up marketing opportunities" (Espinoza, 2007, p. 43). Furthermore, a work team comprised of a diverse group of individuals provides "better and varied ideas," with the "different backgrounds and cultures" influencing the development of different perspectives on a problem or situation (Espinoza, 2007, p. 43).
Trends in workforce diversity indicate that by the year 2010, "most of the projected 12% increase in the U.S. workforce will be made up of minori...