Diversity in the Workplace and Its Impact on Organizational Productivity: A Study of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State.

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of diversity in the workplace on organizational productivity at Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State. The study aims to determine the extent to which diversity in terms of gender, age, educational background, and religion and ethnicity influences organizational productivity in the institution. The population of the study consists of all the one thousand two hundred and ninety six (1,296) staff of the Polytechnic as at September, year 2024. Using a stratified sampling technique, a sample size of 306 respondents (160 Academic Staff and 146 NonAcademic Staff) was drawn from the study population. Data was collected through a questionnaire administered between July and September, 2024 and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings from the study revealed a significant relationship between workplace diversity and organizational efficiency, highlighting the advantages of having a diverse range of perspectives and experiences for collaboration. It has been demonstrated that a diversity of employee values significantly affects corporate performance by fostering employee cooperation and collaboration, which in turn boosts productivity. Additionally, the study discovered that diverse and inclusive work cultures positively affect employee engagement, which raises organizational productivity. Furthermore, it was found at Federal Polytechnic Offa that a more productive and efficient public sector could be achieved by aligning employee values with organizational values, which also enhanced organizational culture. To sum up, this study underscores the importance of workplace diversity in improving organizational effectiveness and fostering a cohesive work environment enhancing teamwork among coworkers and increasing organizational productivity