INVESTIGATION OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND ITS ADVANTAGES ON THE INTER PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AMONG EMPLOYEES IN AN ORGANIZATION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Background of the study

As in other areas of the globe, organisations in Nigeria have increasingly become business oriented. This urge is partly because firms that do not earn profit frequently find it difficult to thrive in the competitive economy of the 21st century. Central to this profit drive in firms are the workers or human capital whose talents are necessary to control other organizational resources (financial and material) and transform them into products and services. This centrality of workers in work organizations has as such raised the advantages of efficiency as instruments of production (Bontis 2019, Iheriohanma 2018). (Bontis 2019, Iheriohanma 2018). Hence, the repeating issue in recent organizational literature has been in the domain of human capital development, notably skills development. As a consequence, less attention has been devoted to various other employee difficulties in the work organization which also influence their productivity such as diversity. This variety comprises color, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive style, tenure, organizational role, education, background and more. This research focuses on cultural diversity among workers in contemporary work companies. Having a culturally diversified staff might result in a competitive advantage for enterprises operating on foreign terrain. Alder (2021) highlighted greater knowledge of national personnel, local consumers and customers, as well as the local social, political and economic context as being the unique external benefits for these firms. However, having a greater awareness of foreign cultures is only a benefit if it leads in better interpersonal communication. Alder (2021) also mentioned many internal benefits of having a diversified staff in firms that operate on foreign terrain. The key benefits she cited widen the horizons of organizational rationality via the rise of fresh ideas, new views, and new interpretations. As she remarked, the subsequent growth boosts problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and innovation inside the business. Again it should be underlined that the interchange of ideas, viewpoints, and interpretations demands free and open interpersonal contact if extended problem-solving, flexibility, and creativity are to ensue. Interpersonal interactions in the workplace are an inevitable reality for all people working in the framework of an organization. As stated by Mainiero, (2022), it may be in the setting of these interactions that employees discover a social purpose. However, studies prefer to concentrate on the consequences and implications of bad interpersonal connections at work on organizational and employee outcomes. From an employee perspective, these studies invariably find higher levels of job dissatisfaction, intent to turnover, and negative physical and mental health outcomes among employees who have been subjected to such negative interpersonal interactions as aggression, social exclusion, and incivility (Bowling & Beehr, 2020). (Bowling & Beehr, 2020). However, what is suggested by the study on bad interpersonal interactions – and what has been supported in the literature discussed in this chapter – is that good interpersonal connections are connected with superior individual and work-related outcomes (Heaphy & Dutton, 2018). (Heaphy & Dutton, 2018). Healthy interactions may promote positive interpersonal connections, and it is through the creation and maintenance of these ties that many employees find satisfaction. Therefore, this study will investigate cultural diversity and its advantages on the inter personal relationship among employees in an organization.

1. 1. Statement of the problem

As the significance of productivity in the framework of the business continues to grow, firms spend significant resources in the process of enhancing the skills and aptitudes of their workforce. When this is done, other factors of the working environment that have an effect on an employee's performance are demoted to positions of insignificance, and little or no consideration is given to the influence these variables have on the efficiency and morale of the workforce. Therefore, in spite of the fact that there are differences in culture in the workplace, organizations continue to focus on human capital development activities that do not incorporate the requirement to address the issue of cultural diversity. Having a workforce that is culturally diverse can also result in a number of drawbacks for organizations. According to Alder (2021), overgeneralization and ethnocentrism are the root causes of many of the challenges that are peculiar to certain cultures. Overgeneralization and ethnocentrism are two forms of bias that may be mitigated by improving one's ability to communicate and work effectively across cultural boundaries. Hence, the study seeks to investigate cultural diversity and its advantages on the inter personal relationship among employees in an organization.

1. 1. Objective of the study

The general objective of the study is to investigate cultural diversity and its advantages on the inter personal relationship among employees in an organization. The specific objectives is as follows:

1. To examine the advantage of cultural diversity on employee in an organization.

2. To find out the impact of cultural diversity on inter personal relationship among employees.

3. To investigate whether employees inter personal relationship influences the growth of an organization.

4. To recommend how inter personal relationship can be improved on among employees.

1. 1. Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

1. What are the advantage of cultural diversty on employee in an organization?

2. Does cultural diversity have an impact on inter personal relationship among employees?

3. Does employees inter personal relationship influences the growth of an organization?

4. What are the recommended ways inter personal relationship can be improved on among employees?

1. 1. Significance of the study

this study contributes to the body of knowledge in that it shows that in this era of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and rapid globalization, organizations increasingly employ workers from heterogeneous cultures. It further highlights that when this heterogeneity is not properly managed, the impact can affect the level of performance of employees in terms of their productivity. It also attempts to show that organizations that are able to manage culturally diverse workforce will derive the benefits of increased employee satisfaction and commitment as well as improved performance in a world that is fast becoming culturally diffused but sensitive.

1. 1. Scope of the study

This study will examine the advantage of cultural diversity on employee in an organization. The study will also find out the impact of cultural diversity on inter personal relationship among employees. The study will further investigate whether employees inter personal relationship influences the growth of an organization. Lastly, the study will recommend how inter personal relationship can be improved on among employees. Hence, this study id delimited to Oyo State.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8Definition of terms

Cultural difference: the integrated and maintained system of socially acquired values, beliefs, and rules of conduct which impact the range of accepted behaviors distinguishable from one societal group to another.

Inter personal relationship: people's interactions with one another in social situations.

Employee: a person employed for wages or salary, especially at non-executive level.

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