A case study of office discrimination in a housing estate

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the current circumstance of office discrimination in the field of housing estate. Although phenomenon of office discrimination is prevalent in Hong Kong, most of relevant studies only cover on general industries. Number of specific studies is insufficient to reflect the circumstance as for the property management industries. This study attempts to review on prior research and studies for concepts, theories, and analytical frameworks on the theme of office discrimination. Meanwhile, it attempts to develop the research method based on relevant studies to cover on the field of property management industries. In this study, it covers with the case study from a housing estate, “Kwong Ming Court” to act as the model for the representation of property management industries. In the findings, it finds that the situation of office discrimination is common, and it is perceived by the staff. Views from the staff tend to agree that the situation of office discrimination with its influences are both on the facets of individual and work. Context of office discrimination is found in indirect types with its patterns of behaviors among the interaction and dynamics of workplace. Other factors on office discrimination are also found from the individuals to external environment of workplace, including individual status, values, actions to the discrimination, atmospheres of workplace, and systems of company toward the office discrimination. Depends on the results of findings with analysis, this study attempts to implicate the related situation in future. It deduces that the potential difficulties with nature of office discrimination might hinder the possible improvements on the situation of office discrimination, especially the barriers on active responses from the staff toward discriminatory events. Situation of office discrimination might be continuous and even turn worse in future. Therefore, this study attempts to provide with the corresponding recommendations. It advocates the practices of working harmony and working ethics on property management industries. Meanwhile, it considers on more proactive policies to improve the current circumstance of office discrimination, including the possible ways of enhancements on continuous education, promotion, and training. It also advocates the possibility to consider on the increase of deterrent through further legislation with references to the foreign countries.