Any given society's or group's culture is that collection of attitudes and behaviors learned by people as the result of belonging to that particular society or group. Culture allows each person in the cultural group to communicate with other members in the group comfortably and efficiently. Culture is the main factor that allows us to live together in a society. It gives us ready-made solutions to our problems, helps us to predict how others will act and to conform our behavior accordingly, and it helps us to know what others expect of us (Kluckhohn & Kelly 21). Every corporation is a small society within the larger society in which it does business. Consequently, every corporation has its own culture, which serves as a form of shorthand and guidance for its employees. The corporation's culture dominates the work environment and determines which people are comfortable and successful in that particular company (Cultural Competence 351). However, Coney's is now the third-largest restaurant chain in America, meaning it has grown beyond the geographical boundaries of Tanner's Southern culture. In addition, the fundamental changes in America's views of civil rights for all races and the increasing changes in America's racial make-up have made Coney's corporate culture obsolete and bad for business. That culture has already cost Coney's $134.5 million to settle a discrimination suit. If significant changes are not made, Coney's corporate culture will continue to cost the business money through more lawsuits and lost business. The United States is the world's most racially and ethnically diverse nation (ACLU 266). It is a nation founded on the constitutional principles of freedom and equality. In its commitment to work toward diversity, a corporation also makes a commitment to fulfill the American ideal. The Cultural Competence Model. UCSD. Studies have shown that companies with progressive human resource policies have higher long-term profitabil |
