Diversity issues in Nigeria’s healthcare sector: implications on organizational commitment. A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Workplace diversity is increasingly gaining the attention of healthcare organizations, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. However, little is understood from existing literature about how workforce diversity affects employees’ satisfaction and organisational commitment in the workplace. Consequently, this paper showed the direct and mediating relationships between diversity of workforce, job satisfaction and employee commitment to the organization. Methods: Copies of the structured questionnaire have been given to 133 public healthcare employees in Nigeria’s Ministry of Health in Lagos state.  Statistical analysis for the study included descriptive measures and multi-variate analysis, using structural equation modelling. Results: Outcomes from statistical analysis supports direct and mediating relationships between the research variables. Gender and ethical diversity had significant influences on job satisfaction at r = 0.35 (p < 0.05) and r = 0.28 (p < 0.05) respectively. The following mediating relationships were also statistically confirmed: job satisfaction related with affective commitment (r = 0.41, p < 0.05) and normative commitment (r = 0.26, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of the statistical analysis, the study concludes that there is a relationship between diversity of employees and job satisfaction, diversity of employees and organizational commitment and the influence of work satisfaction on organizational commitment.