Diversity management and work engagement of academic staff of kyambogo university, Uganda

Abstract

This study examined the influence of diversity management and work engagement of the academic staff of Kyambogo University in Uganda. Specifically, the study examined the influence of diversity management policies, diversity management programmes and diversity management climate on the workplace engagement of academic staff of Kyambogo University in Uganda. The study employed the correlational research design, hence adopted the quantitative approach. The sample comprised 188 academic staff of Kyambogo University. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The data was analysed using descriptive and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation modelling (PL-SEM) using SmartPLS. Descriptive results revealed that the workplace engagement of academic staff, diversity management policies, diversity management programmes, and the diversity management climate of the university were moderate. SEM results showed that while diversity management policies had a positive and significant influence on workplace engagement, diversity management programmes had a positive but insignificant influence on workplace engagement, and the diversity management climate had a negative and insignificant influence on workplace engagement. Therefore, it was concluded that diversity management policies are vital for the workplace engagement of academic staff, inadequate diversity management programmes hinder workplace engagement, and a low-level diversity management climate impedes the workplace engagement of academic staff. Thus, it was recommended that universities should adopt diversity management policies, leaders of universities should implement adequate diversity management programmes to enhance workplace engagement, and leaders of universities should promote a climate that favours diversity.