Briefly explain workforce diversity as a major external force for change in organizations.

Answers will vary. Workforce diversity is a powerful force for change in organizations. Women's participation in the workforce has climbed steadily, and the proportion of women with college degrees has quadrupled since 1970. Women earn more than half of bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctorates. Currently, the U.S. labor force is 47 percent female. The workforce will be increasingly more culturally diverse as a result of globalization and changing U.S. demographics such as the dramatic rise in the participation of Hispanic Americans. As the workforce ages, there will be fewer young workers and more older workers. The global workforce is also diversifying. Following a high-profile bribery scandal (during which many top executives resigned), Siemens, the 160-year-old German technology and equipment firm, moved to represent better the diversity of its customers. Siemens hired a chief diversity officer who has since launched several programs focusing on mentoring and increasing diversity in the company's previously all-male managerial ranks. The percentage of women in management at Siemens globally has nearly doubled since 2002 to 15.6. Please see the section "Forces for Change in Organizations" for more information.