Transformations  in
Business & Economics

CULTURAL DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN LITHUANIA
Dovile Baleviciene

ABSTRACT: The UNESCO Declaration states that cultural diversity is as essential to humankind, as biodiversity is to nature. Researchers equate cultural diversity to Schrödinger's cat - a dual state of existence, as at the same time it is both an asset and a challenge to an organisation. Cultural diversity is currently receiving increasing research intensity. There have been various studies conducted analysing opportunities created by cultural diversity on various levels. However, there is a lack of research that focuses on "how to manage” cultural diversity. Diversity management encompasses organisation strategies and programmes intended for employment, involvement, career development, and human resource preservation for those with cultural identities differing from those of most organisation employees. Even though cultural diversity management is currently receiving increasing research intensity, the topic is rarely analysed in Lithuania. Therefore, this study aims to investigate cultural diversity management practices in Lithuania. Research objectives: 1) categorise cultural diversity management practices; 2) empirically analyse cultural diversity management practices in Lithuania. Qualitative empirical research was conducted using various case studies.

KEYWORDS:  cultural diversity, diversity management.

JEL classification:  M14, O15, J24