Hokkanen, P., Löf, M. (2019) The multiplicity of work communities in social and healthcare services: Evidence from diversity attitude in public and private sectors
Original Research
Author(s): Piia Hokkanen 1, Mari Löf 1*
1 JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Finland
Published by: JAMK-JHSS (2019)
Language of article: English
Citation: Hokkanen, P., Löf, M. (2019) The multiplicity of work communities in social and healthcare services: Evidence from diversity attitude in public and private sectors, JAMK Journal of Health and Social Studies, e8-e15.
Abstract: The equality legislation (607/1986) defines the basis for diversity management in Finland. The available work force, staff and the diversity of the client base set challenges for leading while still creating many unexplored opportunities. Thus, diversity management will be an important development target in future organizations. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the diversity of working life and employees’ experiences related to diversity in both the public and private sec-tors of the social and health care field. Another purpose was to examine how the diversity of a work community should be accounted for in human resource management and in the development of the social and health care sector. The work was based on essay material collected during a diversity project called Ylempi ammattikorkeakoulutus vahvaksi TKI–vaikuttajaksi [Enhancing the role of Master-level education in RDI] that was implemented during the years 2014-2015. The qualitative essay material was analyzed by using inductive data-based analysis. According to the results, the attitudes towards diversity were positive overall, and organizations appreciated diversity as well. However, based on the data, diversity was more appreciated by the work force than the management. The results also revealed that issues associated with diversity were seen to bring challenges to the management in the both private and public sector.