Workforce Diversity, Organisational Culture and Performance of Some Selected Multinational Food and Beverage Companies in Lagos Metropolis

Abstract

The disruptions in the global economy introduced by covid-19 pandemic have foisted on organizational management the adoption of policies and initiatives of managing their diverse work groups. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the influence of Workforce Diversity Dimensions (WFDDs) of sex, age and educational attainment on organisational performance (OP) and also the mediating effect of organisational cultural values (achievement values, employee involvement and equity) on the relationship between WFDDs and OP. Descriptive survey design was employed and a sample 464 respondents were drawn using Yemane (1967) method from among 3,280 employees of four selected Multi-National Companies (MNC(s)) in the Food and Beverage sub-sector of manufacturing companies operating in Lagos Metropolis. Data collected were analysed using both simple and multiple hierarchical regression statistical analysis. Results obtained of hypothesis One revealed that work force diversity dimensions (WFDDs) insignificantly influenced organizational performance (OP) with coefficient of determination at R2 = 0.0003. When the interaction term organizational cultural values were added to the regression model (MODEL 2), there was a significant increase in organizational performance of 16.3% (Δ R2 =0.163, p = 0.000) because R2 increased from 0.003 to 0.166. This result shows that organizational cultural values have enhancing effect on the relationship between workforce diversity dimensions on organizational performance. The study concluded that there should be a shift from that assumption suggesting direct positive effect of workforce diversity on performance. Rather, the context of the organisation in terms of the cultural values it emplaces will have any of the positive or negative consequences on the organisation performance. It is also suggested that leadership role and organisational business strategies can be investigated for their mediating contribution on the relationship between WFD and OP as further studies.