How to Reduce Discrimination in the Workplace: The Case of Austria and Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Vito  Bobek; Anita  Maček; Sarah  Bradler; Tatjana  Horvat

Vito Bobek
Anita Maček
Sarah Bradler
Tatjana Horvat

Keywords: discrimination, business practices, leadership, workplace

Abstract

To intervene against discriminatory in the workplace is tremendously important because discriminatory practices have an enormous economic impact, along with a severe impact on psychological health, which can result in illnesses such as depression and burnout. Such intervention requires a multidimensional approach, including the whole organization and a systematic procedure. The aim of this paper is to offer suggestions on how to reduce discrimination in the workplace in Austria and Taiwan. To reach this aim, a qualitative study was conducted. It showed that education, active positioning of companies, leadership and diligent selection of employees, discussion and analysis, psychological support, governmental policies, and aspects of language and talking gender-wise are the most important steps to decrease or eliminate discrimination in the workplace.

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Author Biographies

Vito Bobek

University of Maribor, Faculty of Economics and Business, Slovenia
University of Applied Sciences Graz, FH Joanneum, Austria
E-mail: vito.bobek@um.si, vito.bobek@fh-joanneum.at

Vito Bobek currently works as a professor of international management at the University of Applied Sciences FH Joanneum (Graz, Austria) and at the University of Maribor (Slovenia). Since 2017, he has acted as vice president for global operations at global platform for protection and communication of intellectual property Save-Ideas.com.© Other positions: manager and owner of Palemid LLC, member of supervisory board at KBM Infond, regional editor for Central and Eastern Europe at the European Journal of International Management, member of the editorial board at the International Journal of Trade and Global Markets, member of the editorial board at Imago Europae (Florence, Italy), and member of editorial board at the International Journal of Diplomacy and Economy.

Anita Maček

University of Applied Sciences Graz, FH Joanneum, Austria
Doba Faculty Maribor, Slovenia
E-mail: anita.macek@fh-joanneum.at, anita.macek@net.doba.si

Anita Maček holds a Ph.D. in economics (2009) from the University of Maribor, Faculty of Economics and Business. Currently, she is employed at University of Applied Sciences FH Joanneum Graz, Austria, and at Doba Faculty Maribor, Slovenia. In 2016, she became an associate professor of economics. Her main research interests are international capital flows, foreign direct investments, international business, smart cities, and regional development.

Sarah Bradler

Master Student at the University of Applied Sciences Graz, FH Joanneum, Austria
E-mail: sarah.bradler@edu.fh-joanneum.at

Sarah Bradler works in global sales operations at the Alicona Company in Graz, Austria. She graduated at FH Joanneum as with an MA in business in emerging markets. She is experienced in international/national project management, international/national marketing projects, sales, and CRM as well as personal coaching and training.

Tatjana Horvat

University of Primorska, Faculty of Management, Slovenia
E-mail: tatjana.horvat@fm-kp.si

Tatjana Horvat is an expert in auditing, accounting, financing, taxes, and public budgets for companies and public institutions, being engaged as an expert in several countries. She is also a certified state internal auditor (licensed by Ministry of Finance RS) and certified internal auditor for the business sector and a certified accountant (licensed by Slovenian Institute of Auditors). At the Ministry of Justice of Slovenia, she is a member of examination boards for court expert candidates and judicial appraisers in the following areas: economy/finance, valuation of companies, and forensic investigation of economic operations/forensic accounting. She also works as a university assistant professor for accounting and auditing. For many years, she served as the president of jury for the best annual (financial) report of big companies and financial institutions as well as the best CFO. At the most important daily business newspaper, Finance in Slovenia (Swedish ownership), she is the editor and head of area for business, finance, and tax-related articles as well as educational programs. She is the standard setter for transparent financial reporting of big companies, financial institutions, and educational institutions. She has written more than 300 papers, articles, books, and manuals, and she was a guest of many international scientific and business conferences. At the National School of Leadership in Education, she is involved as a professional in European projects for effective financial leadership in educational institutions.

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