EFFECT OF WORKFORCE DIVERSITY ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN KENYA: A CASE OF KENYA SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT

Abstract

Today, workforce diversity is a major challenge that has easily turned into a losing situation for all involved, leading to demoralization of employees thus affecting employee performance in many organizations. The workforce diversity in terms of ethnicity and education aspects can lead to demoralization of employees thus affecting employee performance. The purpose of the study was to establish the effects of workforce diversity on employee performance in Kenya with a case of Kenya School of Government as the study area. The study adopted a case study research design. The target population was 690 employees at Kenya School of Government. A sample of 87 employees of the target population at Kenya school of Government and the study area was considered because of proximity to the researcher, accessibility and time limit. The study adopted stratified sampling method for primary data collection. The primary data was collected through the use of questionnaires and secondary data was obtained from published documents such as journals, periodicals, magazines and reports to supplement the primary data. A pilot study was conducted to pretest the validity and reliability of instruments for data collection. The raw information was analyzed to yield qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed with help of SPSS version 21 and MS excel. The variables were regressed and study findings showed that independent variables significantly and positively influenced employee engagement at Kenya School of Government. Education diversity was the most significant factor and had a positive significant relationship at 5% level of significance. It was established that all independent variables influenced employee performance. The study recommends effective policies and strategies regarding the, education background diversity and ethnic diversity in the workforce for better employee performance at Kenya school of government.