Running Head: STEREOTYPES IN HY DAIRIES, INC

Problems and possible solutions of stereotyping in Hy Dairies, Inc.

BUS 540 Organizational Behavior
Authors Name: Sudin Amatya
Professor: Shirley Chuo
Westcliff University
9/7/2016

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2
Abstract

This paper will be talking about the misunderstandings that occurred between the vice president
marketing and assistant brand officer caused by stereotyping. It will also be discussing about the
other perpetual errors that occurred in the organization and the ways the organization can deal
with them to overcome the misinterpretation and miscommunication occurred due to
stereotyping.

STEREOTYPES IN HY DAIRIES, INC

Problems and possible solutions of stereotyping in Hy Dairies, Inc.

Stereotyping is the process of categorizing or labeling people on the basis of a single
attribute (Griffin & Moorhead, 2012). Gender inequality still exists in 21st century and there is
stereotyping. We compare stereotyping within ourselves, in-group stereotyping, out-group
stereotyping, high and low status groups (Cadinu, Latrofa & Carnaghi. 2013). We human being,
often define ourselves by the groups we are emotionally attached to such as gender, society, age,
ethnicity, etc. Groups status is also an important factor in determining whether we include it to
our social identity, because the groups status and image can make us feel better (McShane and
Von Glinow, 2000). For example, in my profession as an aeronautical engineer, when some
mentions that he/she works for and Airbus or Boeing, we tend to think they are the best because
of the good reputation the company holds.
In this case of Hy Dairies, when vice president Syd Gillman offered Rochelle Beauport,
Assistant brand officer for the job of marketing research coordinator, Rochelle didnt seem happy
with the offer. She thought that she was being sidelined by her boss to keep her out of the top
management positions when Syd was only trying to appreciate her work with that offer because
few years ago, he himself had reached the vice president position through the management
research coordinator that had given him enough insights about the products and marketing. The
problem we can see here is that Rochelle was stereotyping her boss Syd because in her previous
job she had seen her then boss sideline her because the boss thought that women were not
capable of being in the top management positions and had given her the backroom job. Now
she feels that Syd was doing the same to her in Hy Dairies.

STEREOTYPES IN HY DAIRIES, INC

According to social identity theory, a person is emotionally attached to a group s/he

belongs to and she feels that she belongs to these groups women and black (McShane and
Von Glinow, 2000). Because of this, she thought that Syd was trying to sideline her because she
was a black woman.
Apart from the stereotype, other perpetual theory that are apparent in this case is the
categorical thinking. In an attempt to make sense of people, perceivers regularly construct and
use categorical representations to simplify and streamline the person perception process (Macrae
and Bodenhausen, 2000). Rochelle had categorized vice president marketing people in the same
category of women hating group. She thought that all male vice president marketing will sideline
their female subordinates and prevent them from moving on the top of the board.
Although, Stereotyping can be seen commonly in the global context, an organization can
still take steps to minimize if not completely eradicate this problem. First of all, as an
organization should be aware of the stereotypes happening in the organization. Only when we are
aware can we take necessary actions to avoid it. For example: whenever Nepali local resident
see tourists walking around Basantapur area, they stereotype them to be hippies, but we should
rather realize that we are actually stereotyping people and train our mind to think different.
Another way could be that we can remind ourselves constantly about stereotyping and
train ourselves to reflect upon our actions to avoid stereotyping. For example: There is a popular
saying in Nepali, that best exemplifies stereotyping, the saying translated in English is that
Brahmin are spoilt by entertainment and Newars are spoilt by Parties.
And finally, we can have meaningful interaction with our peers and colleagues to
understand each other. Only by communicating we can be empathetic towards each other and

STEREOTYPES IN HY DAIRIES, INC

understand the situations of the third person. This will help minimize stereotyping and prejudice
about others.
In conclusion, stereotyping means assigning certain characteristics to individuals based
on the general characteristics of a certain group. This is quite common in the world and has its
both pros and cons. However, this could be avoided through self-awareness, awareness of the
problems and through interaction with the other people.

STEREOTYPES IN HY DAIRIES, INC

Reference:
Cadinu, M., Latrofa, M., & Carnaghi, A. (2013). Self and Identity, 6 (12), Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Griffin, R. W. & Moorhead, G. (2012). Organizational Behavior: Managing People and
Organization. (10th ed.), 76-78.
McShane, S.L. and Von Glinow, M.A. (2000). Organizational Behavior: Emerging Knowledge,
Global reality. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Macrae, C. N., & Bodenhausen, G. V. (2000). Social cognition: Thinking categorically about
others. Annual Review of Psychology, 51, 93-120