A Qualitative Study on the Perception of Cultural Diversity in the Workplace among Blue-Collar Shipyard Employees

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 18, 267 - 285, 30.09.2025

İlker Afacan , Gönül Ozbag

https://doi.org/10.29064/ijma.1745339

https://izlik.org/JA97NM43DD

Öz

The principal aim of this study was to examine the perceptions of blue-collar individuals working in the shipyard sector on cultural diversity in the workplace. In the present study, semi-structured face-to-face interviews, representing a qualitative research method, were utilised, and a total of 12 participants were interviewed in depth. A thematic analysis approach was employed to analyse the data, with the analysis being divided into six main themes: belonging, perceptions of discrimination, in-group relations, daily work hierarchy, diversity policies and psychological safety. The findings indicate that despite the absence of overt conflict or discrimination related to cultural differences among employees, there is a prevalence of micro-level exclusion, cliquishness and favoritism in daily interactions. Furthermore, the absence of diversity policies at the institutional level hinders the establishment of an inclusive working environment. The research emphasises that cultural diversity should be considered not only as a demographic difference, but as a dynamic that extends throughout the organisational structure.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Shipyard , blue collar , cultural diversity , diversity management , perception of diversity.

Mavi Yakalı Tersane Çalışanlarının İşyerinde Kültürel Çeşitlilik Algısı Üzerine Nitel Bir Araştırma

https://izlik.org/JA97NM43DD

Öz

Bu araştırma, gemi inşa sektöründe mavi yakalı çalışanların çalışma ortamlarındaki kültürel çeşitlilik algılarını incelemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden yarı yapılandırılmış yüz yüze görüşme tekniği kullanılmış; toplam 12 katılımcıyla derinlemesine görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Tematik analiz yaklaşımıyla elde edilen veriler, altı ana tema çerçevesinde değerlendirilmiştir: aidiyet, ayrımcılık algısı, grup içi ilişkiler, günlük iş hiyerarşisi, çeşitlilik politikaları ve psikolojik güvenlik. Bulgular, çalışanların çoğunlukla kültürel farklılıklara dair açık çatışma ya da ayrımcılık yaşamasa da gündelik etkileşimlerde mikro düzeyde dışlanma, klikleşme ve kayırmacılıkla karşılaştığını ortaya koymaktadır. Ayrıca, kurumsal düzeyde çeşitlilik politikalarının eksikliği, kapsayıcı bir çalışma ortamı oluşturulmasını zorlaştırmaktadır. Araştırma, kültürel çeşitliliğin yalnızca demografik bir fark olarak değil, örgütsel yapının tümüne yayılan bir dinamik olarak ele alınması gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Tersane , mavi yakalı , kültürel çeşitlilik , çeşitlilik yönetimi

Kaynakça

• Barak, M. E. M. (2022). Managing diversity: Toward a globally inclusive workplace. Sage publications.
• Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
• Byrd, M. Y., & Scott, C. L. (Eds.). (2024). Diversity in the workforce: Current issues and emerging trends.
• Caligiuri, P., Phillips, J., Lazarova, M., Tarique, I., & Burgi, P. (2001). The theory of met expectations applied to expatriate adjustment: The role of crosscultural training. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 12(3), 357-372.
• Cox, T. (1994). Cultural diversity in organizations: Theory, research and practice. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
• Chuapetcharasopon, P., Neville, L., Adair, W. L., Brodt, S. E., Lituchy, T. R., & Racine, A. A. (2018). Cultural mosaic beliefs as a new measure of the psychological climate for diversity: Individual distinctiveness and synergy in culturally diverse teams. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 18(1), 7-32.
• Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage publications.
• De Aquino, C. T. E., & Robertson, R. W. (2018). Diversity and inclusion in the global workplace. Cham: Springer.
• Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative science quarterly, 44(2), 350-383.
• Greenberg, J. (1990). Organizational justice: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Journal of management, 16(2), 399-432.
• Hofstede, G. (2003). Cultural dimensions.
• Jehn, K. A., Northcraft, G. B., & Neale, M. A. (1999). Why differences make a difference: A field study of diversity, conflict and performance in workgroups. Administrative science quarterly, 44(4), 741-763.
• Judge, T. A., & Robbins, S. P. (2017). Essentials of organizational behavior (Vol. 3). Pearson Education (us).
• Mazur, B. (2010). Cultural diversity in organisational theory and practice. Journal of intercultural management, 2(2), 5-15.
• Mert, G. (2020). Uluslararası İşletmelerde Etnik Köken ve Kültürel Çeşitliliklerin Kuşaklar Bağlamında İncelenmesi. Yönetim Bilimleri Dergisi, 18(36), 339-371.
• Owuamalam, C. K., & Zagefka, H. (2014). On the psychological barriers to the workplace: When and why metastereotyping undermines employability beliefs of women and ethnic minorities. Cultural diversity & ethnic minority psychology, 20(4), 521-528.
• Nishii, L. H., & Mayer, D. M. (2009). Do inclusive leaders help to reduce turnover in diverse groups? The moderating role of leader–member exchange in the diversity to turnover relationship. Journal of applied psychology, 94(6), 1412.
• Ponomareva, Y., Uman, T., Bodolica, V., & Wennberg, K. (2022). Cultural diversity in top management teams: Review and agenda for future research. Journal of World Business, 57(4), 494-507, 101328.
• Rijamampianina, R., & Carmichael, T. (2005). A pragmatic and holistic approach to managing diversity. Problems and perspectives in management, (1), 109-117.
• Shore, L. M., Randel, A. E., Chung, B. G., Dean, M. A., Holcombe Ehrhart, K., & Singh, G. (2011). Inclusion and diversity in work groups: A review and model for future research. Journal of management, 37(4), 1262-1289.
• Stahl, G. K., Maznevski, M. L., Voigt, A., & Jonsen, K. (2010). Unraveling the effects of cultural diversity in teams: A meta-analysis of research on multicultural work groups. Journal of international business studies, 41, 690-709.
• Sonnentag, S., Tay, L., & Shoshan, H. N. (2023). A review on health and well‐being at work: More than stressors and strains. Personnel Psychology, 76(1), 77–106.
• Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., Torino, G. C., Bucceri, J. M., Holder, A. M. B., Nadal, K. L., & Esquilin, M. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for clinical practice. American Psychologist, 62(4), 271–286.
• Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1978). Intergroup behavior. Introducing social psychology, 401(466), 149-178.
• Thomas, D. A., & Ely, R. J. (1996). Making differences matter. Harvard business review, 74(5), 79-90.
• Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2022). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri (13. baskı). Seçkin Yayıncılık.