Multiculturalism in Business

Multiculturalism is a term used both descriptively and prescriptively. It is used descriptively in reference to the cultural diversity of communities with a significant proportion of people with mixed cultural origins. It may describe the demographic makeup of an entire state or that of an organization such as a business, school, city, or neighborhood. Prescriptively, the term relates to principles and policies that value diversity and is inclusive of cultural variation in language, religion, dress, values, and basic assumptions about life. In terms of integration, multiculturalism is contrasted to assimilation and the expectation that immigrant groups should adapt to the cultural norm. Whereas assimilated communities are often described as “melting pots” or “salad bowls,” the term “cultural mosaic” is more apt to be used in reference to multiculturalism. The terms “bicultural” and “multicultural” are regularly used to describe individuals who have been deeply socialized in two or more cultures.