Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2009
Abstract
We propose qualitative research to understand how majority and minority undergraduate college students construe meaningful intercultural experiences (MIEs)\, under what circumstances these experiences are likely to occur\, and to what extent they lead to deep-level diversity in voluntary organizations. This research will facilitate greater understanding of the enabling and constraining factors that affect MIEs. The conceptual framework for this research focuses on individuals engaging in sustained interactions of favorable contact with diverse group members who are willing to move outside of their “comfort zones” and develop cross-cultural skills. The interview sample will focus on undergraduate student members and alumni of Alpha Phi Omega\, a national service organization. The prevalence of homophilous groups acts to inhibit the formation of crosscultural networks and skills (McPherson\, Smith-Lovin\, and Cook\, 2001)\, while heterogeneous groups have a broader range of knowledge\, expertise\, and perspectives and also produces higher-quality solutions to complex problems (Hoffman\, 1959). Organizations with a superordinate mission who maintain Ely and Thomas’ (2001) “integration-and-learning” perspective may develop a culture of diversity that helps individuals learn from members’ diverse experiences and gain bridging social capital. Understanding the influence of MIEs on organizational diversity will provide insight into ways organizations can move beyond representative diversity to pluralistic diversity (Harrison\, Price\, and Bell\, 1998).,Doctorate of Management Programs
Keywords
Diversity in higher education
Rights
© The Author(s). Kelvin Smith Library provides access for non-commercial, personal, or research use only. All other use, including but not limited to commercial or scholarly reproductions, redistribution, publication or transmission, whether by electronic means or otherwise, without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
Department/Center
Design & Innovation
Recommended Citation
Bernstein, Ruth Sessler, "Close Encounters of a Meaningful Intercultural Kind: Enhancing Deep-Level Diversity in Voluntary Organizations on College Campuses" (2009). Student Scholarship. 633.
https://commons.case.edu/studentworks/633