Top Management Diversity and Organizational Culture on the Performance of State Departments, Kenya

Abstract

In the present-day dynamic business environment, the capacity of an organization to improve its performance is becoming important for its short-term and long-term sustainability. Diversity in employees’ teams is often portrayed as a positive force leading to effective functioning of an organization. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of top management diversity and organizational culture on the performance of state departments, in Kenya. The study was informed by the existing gap whereby the existing research work that has been undertaken with respect to top management diversity and organization performance has been carried out in profit-oriented entities and not public entities. In addition, the studies have not incorporated the mediating influence of organizational culture. Descriptive research design was adopted, with the target population being 10,033 top managers working in the 52 Kenyan state departments. The study was a census since all 52 state departments participated in the study. Stratified sampling technique was used to select a sample of 136 respondents. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire and analysed using descriptive measures and inferential statistics. The results revealed existence of a strong positive correlation between education and tenure diversity of the top management on performance of the state departments, while functional and social diversity had a moderate correlation with performance. The mediating role of organizational culture shows that a culture that is characterized by shared values, inclusivity, and effective communication—enhances the positive impact of diversity by fostering cohesion and mutual respect among leaders. The study concludes that an organization leadership with academic, functional, social and tenure diversities brings unique perspectives, specialized knowledge, and innovative problem-solving skills that enhance decision-making and strategic planning. The study recommends that state departments actively promote top management diversity to enhance organizational performance. This can be achieved through implementing affirmative action, rotational leadership programs and recruitment strategies that emphasize interdisciplinary knowledge and fostering leadership development programs that expose managers to different fields of study.