A systems psychodynamic exploration of diversity management : the experiences of the client and the consultant.
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Authors
Cilliers, Frans
Issue Date
2007
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Diversity Management , Systems Psychodynamics
Alternative Title
Abstract
South Africa’s diverse work force offers many challenges for employees as well as
organisational development consultants. Since the first democratic election in
1994, organisations have implemented diversity management programmes with
the object of building bridges between employees from different cultures and
addressing conflict in the workplace. This study focused on diversity management
programmes presented from a systems psychodynamic consulting stance, using
group relations training methodology. The aim of the study was to gain an
understanding of the systems psychodynamic manifestations experienced during
diversity management workshops as a microcosm of the organisation, as well as
the experiences of the consultant to these workshops. Sixty-minute unstructured
individual interviews were conducted with eleven consultants, who explored their
experiences of employees’ diversity issues as well as their experiences in their
consultant role. Discourse analysis was done, applying the systems
psychodynamic interpretive stance. The manifesting themes indicate how South
African employees are obsessed with their split identity; how the anxiety around
primary and secondary diversity dimensions is causing projection and projective
identification, transference and countertransference, and how containment
becomes difficult in organisations with high levels of anxiety around difference.
Recommendations are offered towards optimising diversity consultations.
Description
Citation
Cilliers, F. (2007). A systems psychodynamic exploration of diversity management. South African Journal of Labour Relations, 31(2), 32-50.
Publisher
UNISA School of Management Sciences
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
03798410