: Helena Desivilya Syna
: Diversity Management in Places and Times of Tensions Engaging Inter-group Relations in a Conflict-ridden Society
: Palgrave Pivot
: 9783030377236
: 1
: CHF 47.60
:
: Management
: English
: 195
: Wasserzeichen/DRM
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: PDF

This book focuses on managing diversity in regions and times of political tensions. Using Israel as an example, the author investigates diversity management in the socio-political context of a protracted national conflict - an area that remains largely unexplored.

Feat ring the voices of different protagonists, as well as case studies, the book draws on an intersection between social psychological perspectives and critical sociological theories. This integrative conceptual approach mirrors the professional development of the author, who throughout her career has sought to unravel the enigma of complex human interpersonal and intergroup relations using a multifocal and interdisciplinary lens. This book underlines the need for interdisciplinary work, flexible approaches in dealing with the complexities of human relations and social structures, and an interface between research and practice.



Helena Desivilya Syna (PhD) is a social/organizational psychologist and Head of the Sociology/Anthropology Department and the Center for Diversity and Intergroup Conflicts Studies at the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Israel. Her research on social conflict, organizational behavior, and diversity management has been published in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. She has also edited a number of books.


Foreword6
Acknowledgements10
Contents11
List of Figures14
List of Tables15
1 A Prelude: The Urgency of Studying the Interface of Diversity and Political Tensions16
The Structure of the Book22
References27
2 Exposition: Engaging Intergroup Relations in a Conflict-Ridden Society30
References47
3 Understanding the Interface of Diversity and Political Tensions in the Context of Divided Societies: A Multifocal Perspective of Social Psychology and Critical Theory52
References69
4 Case 1: Medical Staff Engaging Diversity at Work in Turbulent Times75
Study 1. The Peace Dove’s Comeback: Jewish–Arab Relations and Diversity Management at Work, Verging on Revival of Hopes for Peace80
Study 2. The Wounded Peace Dove: Managing Diversity at Work Following Escalating Political Tensions86
Study 3. Resuscitating the Peace Dove? Managing Diversity at the Interface of Active Escalation in the Protracted Israeli–Palestinian Conflict90
References100
5 Case 2: Managing Diversity in Academia: The Voices of Staff and Students in the Midst of Active National Conflict106
The Setting of the Case107
Perplexing Encounters with Diversity Interfacing Political Tensions in Academia107
The Project’s Main Features109
Studying Together with the ‘Enemy’ at the Interface of Protracted Political Conflict110
The Precarious Encounters of Academic Staff with Diversity in the Context of Protracted Conflict114
Internationalisation at Home? Diversity-Related Experiences of Academic Staff116
What Can Academics Tell Us About Encountering Diversity at the Interface with Political Tensions?121
The Living Dilemma121
Third Party Intervention123
Students’ Perspectives on Diversity in the Context of Political Tensions127
Arab Students’ Perspectives on Diversity132
Jewish Students’ Perspectives on Diversity133
References136
6 Case 3: Living in a Mixed City in Times of Political Tension143
The Historical Context of Jewish–Arab/Palestinian Relations in the City of Haifa144
Haifa in the Eyes of Jewish and Arab/Palestinian Beholders147
The Image of Haifa: Picturesque! Beautiful! Enjoyable! a Model of Coexistence? People Dancing Together, Shopping and Eating in the Wadi, but Actually Living Separately149
References158
7 The Last Act: A Guide for the Perplexed—Concluding Insights on Managing Diversity in Places and Times of Political Tensions162
What Do the Three Cases Tell Us About the Perplexing Encounters of Israelis with Diversity at the Interface of Political Tensions?163
Expanding Joint Spaces of Encounter: Engaging with Diversity in Times and Places of Political Tensions173
Concluding Notes on My Personal Voyage178
References180
Index186