Title: Critical diversity dimensions influencing effective diverse workforce: a grey-DEMATEL approach

Authors: Mavis Agyapomah Baafi; Jiang Xin-Ying; Ebenezer Fiifi Emire Atta Mills

Addresses: School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; PHD Media Ghana, No. 10 Examination Road, Ridge, Accra, Ghana; Ganzhou Academy of Financial Research (GAFR), Ganzhou, 341000, China ' School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China ' Department of Finance, School of Economics and Management, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, 341000, China; Ganzhou Academy of Financial Research (GAFR), Ganzhou, 341000, China

Abstract: In an attempt to increase organisational innovativeness and productivity, there is a need to identify the key diversity dimensions needed in the telecommunication industry of Ghana and the degree of influence and significance of these diversity dimensions. The contribution of this paper is in the proposed approach that combines the grey-DEMATEL to evaluate relevant diversity dimensions and their influence and significance. Diversity dimensions were sourced from literature and assessed by 15 experts. The findings revealed that the critical diversity dimensions which influence effective diversified workforce are age, educational level, gender, personality, ethnicity and cultural values, and physical abilities and characteristics. Age and gender are characterised as reason diversity dimensions, i.e., essential diversity dimensions influencing other dimensions. The managerial implication is that in designing strategies to achieve an effective and efficient diverse workforce that contributes to higher productivity or increased return on investment, prominence should be placed on the critical diversity dimensions.

Keywords: diversity dimension; workforce; grey-DEMATEL; mobile telecommunication industry; Ghana.

DOI: 10.1504/IJADS.2021.117448

International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 2021 Vol.14 No.5, pp.498 - 517

Received: 10 Jan 2020
Accepted: 24 Apr 2020
Published online: 07 Sep 2021 *

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