Research Paper on "Perceived Diversity and Organizational Performance," University"

Research Paper 4 pages (1366 words) Sources: 10

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Perceived Diversity and Organizational Performance," University of Tennessee at Chattanooga researchers Allen, Dawson, Wheatley and White report on their study investigating the relationships between perceived diversity and perceived organizational performance across all levels of workers in organizations of many kinds. They claim that their research is unique in that it takes into account employee perceptions of diversity and performance, which are qualitative measures as opposed to the statistical data collected by most other studies on the topic. Also, the authors state that their research stands apart because it focuses on entire organizations instead of sub-units or work teams and because it looks at all levels of employee status, from senior management to middle management to non-managerial workers (Allen et al., 2008).

The study aimed at testing three hypotheses. The first hypothesis was that perceived diversity at the senior management level will be positively related to perceived firm performance. The second asserted that perceived diversity in other managerial positions will be positively related to perceived firm performance. Similarly, the third hypothesis stated that perceived diversity in non-managerial positions will be positively related to perceived firm performance (Allen et al., 2008).

The researchers decided to collect qualitative data in the form of employee perceptions of diversity and organizational performance based on the concept that perception is reality. While statistical analyses of workplace diversity and financial data concerning organizational performance is more concrete, the authors felt that perceived measures of these variables made for a richer, more complex data set. This approach also employs a kind of Rogerian viewpoint that assumes that a subject's perceptions of his or her world are valid in and of themselves (Allen et al., 2008).

The researchers collected data through structured interviews with a convenience sample of 391 managers and professional employees at 130 organizations in the southeastern United States. They ensured that they interviewed at least one minority and one non-minority worker at each organization. Each participant was questioned about her perception of diversity in her organization at the levels of senior management, junior management, and non-management. Also, each participant was asked to rate the performance of his organization in regards to quality, productivity, profitability, market share, return on equity, and overall performance. The researchers used the Dess and Robinson scale to ascertain the workers' perceptions of organizational performance (Allen et al., 2008).

The study's results are interesting and present a mixed bag of findings. Forty-two per cent of interview subjects strongly agreed that minorities are proportionately represented at the non-managerial level in their organizations. While not an especially high percentage, the numbers concerning the other two levels were even lower; 22% strongly agreed with that statement at the junior management level and only 10% strongly agreed that minorities were proportionately represented at the level of senior management in their firms. In fact, more than a quarter of respondents strongly disagreed with the statement in regards to senior management in their organizations (Allen et al., 2008).

Interestingly, the first hypothesis, concerning senior management diversity, received the strongest support. Across perceived measures of organizational performance, it was positively related to all of them except market share. Market share was, however, the only performance measure positively related to perceived diversity at other levels of management. The third hypothesis showed broad, strong support much like the first hypothesis did (Allen et al., 2008).

The study's findings suggest that perceived diversity at senior and non-managerial levels in an organization is most important to the perceptions of the organization's performance. At the senior management level, diversity might best fulfill its role as a strategic concept. Diversity at the higher levels may positively influence higher-level decision-making concerning the organization's overall strategic direction. Such big decisions are very visible to all in a firm and have obvious impacts on a company's performance. Moreover, diversity at the senior management level can send a positive message regarding the possibilities and opportunities for advancement within the firm, and that message can have a boosting effect on employee morale at lower levels in the organization's hierarchy (Allen et al., 2008).

Higher perceived diversity at the non-managerial level was related… READ MORE

How to Reference "Perceived Diversity and Organizational Performance," University" Research Paper in a Bibliography

Related Research Papers:

Organizational Behavior Organizational Behaviour the Contemporaneous Business Term Paper

Organizational Behavior

Organizational Behaviour

The contemporaneous business community is being constantly marker by new features which generate change and force companies to develop along and adapt. One such change is… read more

Term Paper 5 pages (1545 words) Sources: 10 Style: APA Topic: Management / Organizations

---

Organizational Behavior - Terminology and Concepts Term Paper

Organizational Behavior - Terminology and Concepts

Organizational Behavior: The field of organizational behavior has assumed increasing significance in the light of a rapidly changing, global business environment. This is because… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (826 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Management / Organizations

---

Performance Management I Question Essay

PERFORMANCE Management i

Question 1.Explain the key elements in a performance management process, and discuss why a well designed performance management system is important for both the employee and the… read more

Essay 9 pages (3130 words) Sources: 3 Topic: Management / Organizations

---

Performance Improvement Project Area to Be Targeted Term Paper

performance improvement PROJECT

Area to be targeted

Tasks and activities

Expected commencement dates

Expected results

Organizational

Skills

Employees will need to work in coordination with other employees

Employees will share… read more

Term Paper 6 pages (1747 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Management / Organizations

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>