DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF CHOMOGONDAY GROUP AT JAMES FINLAY KENYA LIMITED
Otieno J. A. - Masters Student, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Kipkorir S. C. - School of Business, Department of Business Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Organizations in the tea sector, whose interests are in tea growing, processing and sales have to deal with increased globalization, technological and economic change, quality and productivity issues, evolving demographics and workplace diversity among other challenges that affect their competitiveness. There is little literature on the effects of diversity management on organizational competitiveness in the private sector, especially in Kenya. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of diversity management practices on competitiveness of Chomogonday Group at James Finlay Kenya Limited. The specific objectives were: to determine the role of empowerment and examine the influence of affirmative action on organizational competitiveness. The study reviewed the Porter’s Diamond Theory, The intergroup Contact Theory and the Strategic Choice Theory. The study adopted descriptive research design to achieve its objectives. The target population was 1560 management and lower level employees of Chomogonday Group. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select 156 respondents. The researcher administered questionnaires to collect primary data for the study. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Data analysed was presented in narrative form, tables and graphs. The study found a positive and significant relationship between organizational competitiveness and empowerment and a negative and significant relationship between organizational competitiveness and affirmative action. The study recommends that the organization needs to review its diversity policies and that feedback on the policy effectiveness should be sought from employees and worked on to improve the working environment. The organization needs to employ more females and also to improve on communication of affirmative action initiatives. The study is important to Chomogonday Group management in determining better and relevant diversity management policies and putting in place appropriate systems that increase competitiveness.
