Chandni Mehta

Abstract

Acknowledging and adopting cultural diversity is one the of the most important traits of robust organizations who have permeated globally. This stands true for organizations like Google which advocates open access and rights for netizens globally and yet manages to thrive in a controlled economy like China. Still, cultural competence and understanding the environment we work in forms the very crux of survival of multinational organizations. Ikea which has recently started India operations faces this dilemma and cultural competence can become a deciding factor in its successful existence. It is here that Swami Vivekananda can come to its rescue and provide some valuable lessons to Ikea. Keywords: Cultural diversity, Ikea, Diversity, Integration, Retail, India.

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Abstract

Over past management research has positively identified benefits of cultural diversity and close integration on the organizational productivity. What we see lacking is emergence of contemporary Indian management ideas, framework and thought processes. Vivekananda was one of the first Indians with the ability to bridge Oriental and Western management philosophies, mold Vedanta within prevalent western beliefs. This trait of acknowledging innate diversity in the global world and yet finding common ground of brotherhood and humanity has been presented in a structured framework as part of this paper. We belief this framework has the potential to establish new paradigms of cultural acceptance and strengthen the increasingly globalized corporations. Keywords: Cultural diversity, Contemporary Indian management, Universalism, Diversity, Integration.

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