Effect of Workforce Diversity on Employee Performance in Domestic Systemically Important Banks (DSIBs) in Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing diversity amongst employees has prompted organizations to begin to craft their human resource strategy towards better diversity management which in turn will lead to greater employee performance. Conspicuous rapid development in global dynamics enhanced by ineludible economic interdependency, immigration and globalization has reinforced the social imperativeness and organizational impact of workplace diversity (WD) for the realization of strategic organizational goals.The main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of workforce diversity (age, gender and experience) on employee performance (employee engagement and employee satisfaction) in the five (5) Domestic Systemically Important Banks (DSIBs) in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design methodology. Questionnaires was used to gather data from 1881 staff in branches of the five DSIBs from the six (6) geo-political zones in Nigeria.  Regression analysis and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) – Maximum Likelihood was used for data analysis. The results showed a significant positive relationship between workforce diversity (age, gender and experience) and employee performance. The findings of this study will give guidelines on the management of workforce diversity in the banking and financial sector towards improved employee performance.