Abstract
It is generally perceived that there is diversity in the workforce of any endeavor, be it
business, government, or common society. This study therefore tries to discover the
impact of workforce diversity on organizational performance in cross river state in
Nigeria for the study. We utilized the Blau’s1977 list of heterogeneity to gauge the
diversity record. While resource development for the year 2008 and 2009, utilizing 2007
and 2008 as base year was utilized to gauge the development strategy. To decide group
diversity and performance outcome directed by work group context, a progression of
various leveled regression analysis were conducted. The study find significant
relationship between a portion of the diversity factors and also individual diversity
factors with the measures of organizational performance Likewise it uncovers that sexual
orientation, gender and ethnicity are negatively identified with both employee efficiency
and performance reward. What’s more the stud
1.1 Background to the study
The increase in world globalization today brings about continuous interactive session
between people and organizations from varied backgrounds. These days, for people or
organizations to be a constant competitor in the international or global market, there has
to be working experience and or business transactions outside their immediate
environment. Business organizations now have to put more resources and concentration
on the workforce diversity phenomenon for them to remain as an active and constant
competitor. In recent years there have been an increase in the study of workforce
diversification amongst scholars and students of management so as to know how far the
issue of workforce diversity is been handled. The recognition of workforce diversity
fosters creativity and in turn, creativity drives innovation, while innovation creates
competitive advantage.
Business organizations these days and most importantly managers need to be awake to
monitor so as to understand the ways their workplace is evolving through diversification
because managing an organization that is actively engaging in workforce diversity is a
huge organizational challenge so as not to be caught off guard. Although there is an
increase in the study of workforce diversification globally, there is no much information
on how this experience is affecting organizations in my area. Diversity according to
Weller is defined as representing a multitude of individual differences and similarities
that exist among people. He further explains that diversity encompasses many human
characteristics inclusively, race, age, creed, nationality, religion, ethnicity and sexual
orientations (Weller 2000). Gardenswartz and Rowe exemplified the definition of
diversity in a more understandable way as being like an onion that possesses layers that
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when one layer is peeled; there are still numerous cores to be revealed (Gardenswartz
and Rowe 1994).
Workforce, on the other hand, can be referred to as workers employed by an organization
that is engaged in specific activities. It is basically the number of employees that an
organization possesses (Merriam-Webster). Organizational performance can be
determined by many different activities that an organization is partaking, which can be
resulted into a successful performance. Performance can be defined as a measurement of
change in the financial level of an organization, or the financial result of managerial
decisions and execution of those decisions.
Unarguably, each of these activities carried out by an organization, and can be
recognized as a success, is unique. Furthermore, every business organization has unique
sets of situations, which makes their performances measurement situational (Cameron &
Whetton, 1983). As a result, a unified standpoint, workforce diversity will be studied to
determine its impact on organizational performance.
1.2 Statement of the problem
The improvement in the global market has paved way for a mass globalization, which at
the same time has made bilateral trade easier. Evidently, globalization is also making the
international market more diversified, which is really impacting positively on the
performance of the organizations that are actively engaging in workforce diversification.
Although most studies have focused on the workforce diversity and its impact on
organizational performance in the first world countries there are some gaps that are yet to
be filled, this now brings about my problem statement ” impact of workforce diversity on
organizational performance in selected business organizations in cross river state”.
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1.3 Research Questions
These following research questions will be used to determine the impact of
workforce diversity on organizational performance for this project.
? How active are businesses in cross river organizations involved in workforce
diversification
? How efficient has workforce diversity been in the day to day running of
organizations
? The impact workforce diversity is having on some organization
Statement of Hypothesis
The hypotheses of the proposed study will be tested in relation to the research
questions
Businesses in cross-river are actively involved in workforce diversification
Workforce diversity has tremendously contributed positively to the day to day
running of organizations
Workforce diversity is impacting positively on organizations
1.4 Purpose of the Study
To find out if organizations in cross river engage in workforce diversity
To find out if workforce diversification contributes positively to the day to day
running of organizations
To find out if workforce diversity is impacting positively to organizations
1.5 Significance of the Study
The significance of the study is to make organizations and management students know
the level at which organizations in Calabar, Cross River state practices workforce
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diversity, and also this study will serve as a body of general knowledge to everybody so
as to encourage continuous research in this area.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The research will cover various organizations that engage in workforce diversification
starting ranging from privately owned organizations to federal government agencies in
Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria.
1.7 Research Method to be used
? Relevant research design: Descriptive
? Sampling approach: Non Probability Sampling
? Data collection approach: Questionnaires
? Measurement scale: Nominal
? Primary date
1.8 Definition of Terms
Diversity: according to Diversity Faculty Case Studies of Queens borough
Community College, the concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It
means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual
differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual
orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political
beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive,
and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond
simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity
contained within each individual. Simply put, diversity can be defined as recognizing
and accepting individual differences of either age, gender, culture or even work
experience.
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Age Diversity: Duncan, (2003) has argued that the business case for age diversity
may also be used to stake a claim against recruiting older workers, on an account of
higher employment cost. Scholars of diversity talk more on age-diverse and how it
displays a host of different knowledge, values and preferences. Medical,
psychological and economic research has also shown that employees of different age
groups differ in skills, attitudes and abilities and that these differing characteristics
have different effects on productivity, Gelner & Veen (2013). Companies are advised
to adjust to the aging population in different ways.
Gender Diversity: this day, gender diversity in the workplace has attracted more
attention because of the issue of feminism moving around the globe. The question that
comes to mind is if gender composition in an organizational workforce will affect
organizational performance. Some findings are against this question will some other
findings go for it. Men and women differences may provide insights to different needs
of male and female customers. Researchers have further argued that men and women
may also have different cognitive abilities. A combination of different rational
abilities in a gender diverse team may enhance overall team consistency, ingenuity
and innovation leading to improved organizational performance.
Work Experience Diversity: Avolto, Waldman and McDaniel (1990) noted that
work experience was a better predictor of performance than age. Work experience can
also have a positive effect on one’s value system, problem-solving capabilities,
emotional intelligence, leading to improved individual productivity and overall
organizational performance.
Cultural Diversity: Zgourrides and Watson (2002) were of the opinion that
differences in cultural characteristics can predict team scores which can further be
interpreted as an advantage of having ethnically different views for a team, resulting
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in increased problem solving and team performance. Many private firms have also
manifested this kind of diversity, although a good number hire on merits especially
the multinationals.
Workforce: As stated by the business dictionary workforce can simply be defined as
the total number of a country’s population employed in the armed forces and civilian
jobs, plus those unemployed people who are actually seeking paying work. A total
number of employee (usually excluding the management) on an employer’s payroll.
Management: According to the management guru Peter Drucker (1909-2005), the
basic task of management includes both marketing and innovation. The practice of
modern management originates from the 16th-century study of low-efficiency and
failures of certain enterprises, conducted by the English statesman Sir Thomas More
(1478-1535). Management consists of the interlocking functions of creating corporate
policy and organizing, planning, controlling, and directing an organization’s resources
in order to achieve the objectives of that policy.
Organization: Prassad Morye in his article-defined organization as the foundation
upon which the whole structure of management is built. The organization is related to
developing a framework where the total work is divided into manageable components
in order to facilitate the achievement of objectives or goals. Thus, an organization is
the structure or mechanism (machinery) that enables living things to work together. In
a static sense, an organization is a structure or machinery manned by a group of
individuals who are working together towards a common goal.
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Employee: Business dictionary defined the term Employee as An individual who
works part-time or full-time under a contract of employment, whether oral or written,
express or implied, and has recognized rights and duties. Also called worker.
Globalization: As defined by BBC the term globalization can be viewed as the
process by which the world is becoming increasingly interconnected as a result of
massively increased trade and cultural exchange. Globalization has increased the
production of goods and services. The biggest companies are no longer national firms
but multinational corporations with subsidiaries in many countries.