pping into new markets. The most visible example is telecommunications companies whose profits are decreasing as a result of competition and are forced to venture into new markets and seek new customers.Diversity does not only pertain to minorities of racial and ethnic differences, as some believe, it also includes women as well. The rapid influx of women into labor markets worldwide is one of the most significant developments of the 20th century. Many social changes ranging from the rise in divorce rates to declining fertility have been influenced by the changing status of female workers, according to Marianne A. Ferber, professor emerita of economics and women's studies.The increase of women in the labor force has occurred in much of the developing worlds well as in economically advanced countries. It began slowly in the United States at the end of the last century, and then accelerated in this century, especially during the 1970s. As a result, workingwomen have climbed from 18.2 percent of the female population in 1890 to 60 percent in 1994. The historic gap between black and white female workers has virtually disappeared. Whereas in 1955, 46 percent of black women and 34 percent of white women worked for pay in the United States, by 1995 the labor force participation of both groups was nearly identical -- 60 percent versus 59 percent.Diversity has leaped from being a buzzword to a resource that will ensure the profitability of the companies that do it well. Technology has made this big world smaller and in that respect competition has no boundaries only customers. As businesses move forward in this ever-changing climate the challenge for the future will be to integrate the vision of diversity into our business structure before of competitors do....
