EFFECTS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN ANAMBRA STATE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This work examined the effect of cultural diversity on organizational performance in manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study was carried out on the effect of employee cultural diversity on manufacturing companies more closely with their employee cultural background in order to enhance optimal performance. The objectives of the study are to: examine the effect of employee religion diversity on organization performance, and investigate the effect of language diversity on organization performance and assess the influence of gender diversity on organization performance. The study reviewed relevant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literatures. This study is anchored on Resource Based View (RBV). The study adopted survey research design. Cultural diversity religion diversity and language diversity were employed as the explanatory variables while organizational performance was employed as dependent variable. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study comprises of the Staff of the selected manufacturing firms Anambra State, Nigeria 2150. Sample size of four hundred twenty-one (421) respondents was selected for the study using Borg and Gall (1973) formula. Questionnaire was employed as the main instrument of data collection. The data generated were analyzed using frequency, percentage analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The study found that religion diversity has a significant negative influence on organizational performance in manufacturing firms. Language diversity has a significant positive influence on organizational performance in manufacturing firms. The study concludes that culture diversity has a significant effect on organizational performance. The study therefore recommends that there is a dire need to ensure that all employees are given an opportunity to practice their religion.