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Workplace diversity and job satisfaction

Laetitia Hauret (Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg)
Donald R. Williams (Department of Economics, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA) (Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg)

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

ISSN: 2040-7149

Article publication date: 5 May 2020

Issue publication date: 7 May 2020

5589

Abstract

Purpose

This article estimates the empirical relationship between workplace diversity in terms of nationality and individual worker job satisfaction in the context of a multicultural country. It also examines the role of the level of communication between coworkers in moderating this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Using merged survey and administrative data, the paper estimates OLS and ordered Probit regression estimates of the correlations between two measures of workplace diversity and self-reported job satisfaction.

Findings

The relationship between nationality diversity and job satisfaction is negative. While there is some evidence of a nonlinear relationship, it depends on the specification and measure of diversity used. Contrary to expectations, the level of interaction between colleagues does not moderate this relationship.

Practical implications

The research highlights the need for employers to actively manage the diversity within their firms.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the diversity and job satisfaction literature by focusing on the nationalities of coworkers. It also is the first to measure the impact of the levels of interactions with coworkers on the diversity-satisfaction relationship.

Keywords

Citation

Hauret, L. and Williams, D.R. (2020), "Workplace diversity and job satisfaction", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 39 No. 4, pp. 419-446. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-01-2019-0030

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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