Philippine E-Journals

Harnessing Workforce Diversity for Enhanced Employee Performance: Strategic Insights for Capacity Building

Katherine D. Anthony | Kathleen D. Trajico

Discipline: social sciences (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

Diversity, a consequence of evolution and globalization, has prompted businesses to reevaluate their organizational structures. This shift has created opportunities for management to harness the valuable perspectives and ideas of diverse employees, which serve as catalysts for success in the intricate and ever-changing business environment. Consequently, the primary objective of this study is to investigate the rela-tionship between employees' perceptions of diversity practices within the organization and their influence on employee productivity, engagement, and performance. Furthermore, the study seeks to explore effective strategies for managing workforce diversity. The majority of re-spondents belong to the age group of 41 years and above, are female, and are Tagalog employees. Respondents unanimously acknowledged that various diversity practices have a positive impact on employee productivity and overall organizational performance. However, significant organizational challenges such as resistance to change, communication barriers, and resource constraints hinder the successful implementation of diversity programs and, consequently, employee performance. However, there was no significant variation in the influence of diversity practices on employee productivity and overall performance across demographic groupings, such as age, gender, and ethnicity. The most effective diversity integration strategies employed within the or-ganization involved regular diversity training programs and the involvement of all employees in diversity initiatives. Furthermore, integrating diversity into employee performance leads to heightened employee satisfaction and a sense of belonging. Employees become more proactive in their roles when they feel included and valued within the organizational culture, resulting in elevated employee engagement levels in organizations that actively support and promote diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, the integration of diversity in employee engagement leads to diverse perspectives that contribute to improved decision-making and enhanced work outputs. The measurement and evaluation framework developed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for Diversity Management has been adapted to assess the impact of diversity initiatives on employee performance. The three-module training program was designed to help small businesses develop inclusive cultures and enabling work environments as well as strategies for bringing in, managing, and retaining a diverse workforce.