Cultural Diversity and Employee Engagement: A Study of Telecommunications Companies in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The 21st century work environment attracts professionals and workers from within and outside the country, each bringing their unique perspectives. However, despite the diversity in the workforce, there seems to be a lack of understanding on how to utilize these diversities in order to gain optimal results in the form of employee engagement. Employees from the different cultural backgrounds experience continuous conflicts, communication gaps, reduced creativity levels, inability to serve diverse customers, disengagement, and lower productivity all due to conflicting work styles. The purpose of the study is to therefore, examine the effect of cultural diversity on employee engagement in IHS Telecommunications Company Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopts the descriptive research design with a sample size of 154 employees out of a population of 250. Quantitative data was collected with the use of questionnaires containing open ended questions on a 4-Likert scale rating. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to test hypotheses and determine the type and strength of relationship. The results show a positive, significant, moderately strong correlation of 0.571 and a coefficient (R2), of determination of 0.326, indicating cultural diversity alone explains 32.6% change in the engagement levels of employees. It recommends strategies like cultural representation, diversity training, diversity structure and awareness to be included in organizations as this would promote engagement of employees from diverse backgrounds and settings in the workplace.