Workplace Diversity and Organisational Performance in Selected Distilleries Firms in Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing effect orchestrated by the advent of globalisation has necessitated more forms of interactions from individuals from different background, culture, and sexual orientations. On a broader term, corporate organisations globally now prioritises being more culturally diverse, and high level of multiculturalism in their workforces. This is due to the distinction reflected herein as compared to what was in vogue during the traditional era of work. In this regard, an investigation from the nigerian perspective become necessary; therefore, this study analysed workplace diversity from the paradigm of organisational performance using selected distilleries firms in ogun state, which is one of the long-standing commercial hubs in nigeria. The theories, which underpinned this study, were similarity/attraction theory and social identity theory. The study population was seven hundred and forty-two personnel from five (5) selected firms and a sampling frame of two hundred and forty-nine (249) employees was drawn using the multistage sampling approach. It was revealed in the findings that cultural diversity has an effect on adaptive performance (r2=0.931<0.5) and age diversity significantly share a nexus with task performance (r2 = 0.812, < 0.05). The study concluded that the practicing diversity is a catalyst for enhancing a strong relationship among employees within an organization. As it affords them become more proactive and improve their creativity and skills. Thus, study recommended that management of distilleries firms in south-western nigeria should develop structures that are supportive in the facilitation of managing diversity through the engagement of melting pot pattern.