Effects of Workplace Diversity on Employees’ Job Performance in Selected Federal Universities in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of education and union affiliation diversity on employees’ performance as it relates to internally generated revenue in selected federal universities in South-east Nigeria. A sample population of 1,854, made up of 1,252 for University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), 373 for Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), and 229 for Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AEFUNAI) was surveyed. Data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics and linear regression model. The results of the linear regression showed that both educational and union affiliation diversities had significant effect on employees’ performance (on internally generated revenue) in the universities studied. The findings further revealed that employees affiliated to National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) had higher performance than others. It is concluded that performance of federal universities can be improved if they positively exploit the diversities of their employees. It is recommended that federal universities should continue to hire employees with diverse educational qualifications and union affiliations in order to sustain improved internally generated revenue. They should also invest in staff development programmes to diversify the educational qualifications of their employees and equally maintain harmonious labour relations.