1) Suggest how each of the four perspectives would view current efforts to establish
greater diversity in the workplace. Explain your answer.
Answer:
1. Neoclassical Perspective This perspective argues that the forces of supply and demand,
if left to operate freely with limited state interference, will ensure optimal assignment of
skills and expertise throughout the economy as well as the fairest distribution of wealth.
Any attempt by governments to intervene in this process of free bargaining by employers
and workers will disturb these ‘market-clearing’ processes, producing harmful effects.
Therefore government should not implement diversity laws since those employers may
simply lose employees or find other ways around these laws.
2. Managerial Perspective. Managerialists argue that workers who are treated decently
and with respect will be the most productive workers and that the most successful
businesses will be those that provide good wages and benefits, and good working
conditions. Therefore, businesses will look out for employees’ concerns, because it is in
their economic interests to do so. Government should not need to intervene with laws
since it is in the interest of management to treat workers fairly; there is no need for
workers to look to government for protection.
3. Industrial Pluralist Perspective. Pluralists support an activist government that
intervenes in the work relationship in order to promote decent working conditions and
worker ‘voice’ in the determination of those conditions. Therefore we need more
government regulation to promote diversity.
4. Critical Perspective. The Critical perspective posits that employment regulation and
collective bargaining are at best only marginally useful in protecting workers from this
exploitation. Therefore these government regulations will not do anything to help the
plight of the under-represented groups. In fact, they could harm this cause since they may
be followed at a, minimal or be circumvented and create the illusion that diversity is
being promoted. The more important objective is of building class-consciousness, which
will be necessary to challenge the capitalist model and replace it with a more egalitarian
model. These groups need to create a greater awareness of their plight in society.
Diff: 3
Type: ES
Page Reference: 53-79
Skill: both
Objective: LO3-5
2) In today’s workforce, the employee has little control over their job security’.
Support that statement.
Test Bank for Karakowsky and Guriel, The Context of Business, 1e
Copyright © 2015 Pearson Canada Inc. 1
greater diversity in the workplace. Explain your answer.
Answer:
1. Neoclassical Perspective This perspective argues that the forces of supply and demand,
if left to operate freely with limited state interference, will ensure optimal assignment of
skills and expertise throughout the economy as well as the fairest distribution of wealth.
Any attempt by governments to intervene in this process of free bargaining by employers
and workers will disturb these ‘market-clearing’ processes, producing harmful effects.
Therefore government should not implement diversity laws since those employers may
simply lose employees or find other ways around these laws.
2. Managerial Perspective. Managerialists argue that workers who are treated decently
and with respect will be the most productive workers and that the most successful
businesses will be those that provide good wages and benefits, and good working
conditions. Therefore, businesses will look out for employees’ concerns, because it is in
their economic interests to do so. Government should not need to intervene with laws
since it is in the interest of management to treat workers fairly; there is no need for
workers to look to government for protection.
3. Industrial Pluralist Perspective. Pluralists support an activist government that
intervenes in the work relationship in order to promote decent working conditions and
worker ‘voice’ in the determination of those conditions. Therefore we need more
government regulation to promote diversity.
4. Critical Perspective. The Critical perspective posits that employment regulation and
collective bargaining are at best only marginally useful in protecting workers from this
exploitation. Therefore these government regulations will not do anything to help the
plight of the under-represented groups. In fact, they could harm this cause since they may
be followed at a, minimal or be circumvented and create the illusion that diversity is
being promoted. The more important objective is of building class-consciousness, which
will be necessary to challenge the capitalist model and replace it with a more egalitarian
model. These groups need to create a greater awareness of their plight in society.
Diff: 3
Type: ES
Page Reference: 53-79
Skill: both
Objective: LO3-5
2) In today’s workforce, the employee has little control over their job security’.
Support that statement.
Test Bank for Karakowsky and Guriel, The Context of Business, 1e
Copyright © 2015 Pearson Canada Inc. 1
