Workforce diversity and employee performance in higher education: Does organizational culture matter?

Abstract

Workforce diversity has become an increasingly important factor in enhancing organizational effectiveness, particularly within higher education institutions operating in diverse and globalized environments. In the Malaysian context, higher education institutions in the Klang Valley are characterized by a heterogeneous academic workforce comprising individuals from different demographic and educational backgrounds. Despite its potential advantages, the relationship between workforce diversity and employee performance remains inconclusive, with varying findings reported in previous studies. In addition, the role of organizational culture in shaping this relationship has not been sufficiently examined. This conceptual paper aims to examine the relationship between workforce diversity and employee performance in higher education, while exploring whether organizational culture plays a significant role in influencing this relationship. Focusing on academic staff in higher education institutions within the Klang Valley, Malaysia, this study proposes a conceptual framework that integrates workforce diversity dimensions with employee performance, with organizational culture as a moderating variable. The study is expected to contribute to theoretical understanding and provide insights for higher education institutions in managing diverse academic workforces effectively.