Workforce Diversity and Employee Performance in the Constitutional Commissions of Kenya

Abstract

Based on the report provided by quality assessment and performance improvement strategy it was established that Kenyan Constitution Commission witnesses’ low levels of performance of their staff members which resulted to reduced levels of employee’s satisfaction NCIC report on audit established that the commission displayed inequality in race and ethnically. This implies that the public resources like salaries only benefit few communities which greatly affects the growth of the country and also affects the unity of the country and also a key cause of unfair delivery of services. The study’s objective was to establish the influence of workforce diversity on employee performance in constitutional commissions of Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of gender diversity, age diversity, ethnicity diversity, and social diversity on employee performance in constitutional commissions of Kenya and to determine the moderating influence of organizational culture on the relationship between workforce diversity and employee performance in constitutional commissions of Kenya. The study was guided by social identification and categorization theory, similarity/attraction theory, information and decision-making theory, standpoint theory, organizational support theory and the capabilities model. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Targeted population was 15 Kenyan Constitution Commissions which formed the unit of analysis. The population of the study was staff members in the headquarters of the organization which was a total of 623 employees at managerial level. The sample of 244 members was used in the study and they were selected using Stratified random sampling method. Semi- structured questionnaire was selected as data collection tool where the researcher administered them to the entire sample selected. The study used Cronbach’s Alpha to test for reliability of the instrument and factor analysis to ascertain the validity of the tools. The data gathered was analysed using SPSS version 23. The study analysed the data using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics were used in analysing quantitative data and the findings presented in tables, figures and graphs and in prose form. The study found that gender diversity positively and significantly affects employee performance in Kenyan constitutional commissions; diverse age positively and significantly affect employee performance in Kenyan constitutional commissions; diverse Ethnicity positively and significantly affects employee performance in Kenyan constitutional commissions; education diversity positively and significantly affects employee performance in Kenyan constitutional commissions and diverse Social has a significant positive influence employee performance in constitutional commissions in Kenya. Therefore, when employing staff, it is important to ensure that they are diverse; this will encourage their improved performance. Equal promotion of employees is important because it motivates employees to be dedicated to their work. It is also important for the organization to provide favorable environment and working conditions for employees depending on their age. The organization should increase diversity and use work groups to maximally utilizing their great participation and synergy in order to boost employee and organizational performance. The organization should ensure that there is education diversity among its employees, both management employees and juniors.