The Role of Workforce Diversity in Improving Organizational Innovation; A case study on Ethio telecom

Abstract

The composition of an organization’s human resources is important in that it is closely associated with the achievement of its goals. This study sought to find out the impact of workforce diversity on improving organizational innovation with reference to the telecommunication industry. The study employed descriptive research design used quantitative approach. A survey was personally administrated to a sample of employees (n═248) at head office level. The finding of this study showed that gender, age and education background are positively linked with organization organizational innovation by high level of significance. Thus, the workforce diversity dimensions were considered as major determinant factors that affect organizational innovation. The implication is that ethio telecom has excellent age, gender and educational diversity composition and it needs to be manage properly to get the full advantage of the diversity. Additionally, the company needs to avail different skill maximization trainings to increase existing innovation capacity of the employees. Finally, based on the findings, the researchers forwarded recommendation and future research directions.