Functions of diversity climates in highly diverse workplaces, and their relationships with organizational systems

Abstract

This study aimed to classify the sub-factors of diversity climate and to investigate the functions and relationships between diversity-related Human Resource (HR) systems. We conducted an online survey of 618 employees working for diverse organizations. First, we made a scale of diversity climate composed of 5 sub-factors. The results of correlation analyses with HR systems showed that the most flexible working systems, such as short-time and flextime systems, were positively correlated with diversity climates, whereas systems like child-care leave were both positively and negatively correlated. Second, the moderation effects of diversity climate on workplace gender diversity were examined. Workplace gender diversity was seen to be a cause for higher turnover intention and lower work motivation among employees, unless they perceived diversity climate at their workplaces. The climate of inclusion for work style diversity seemed particularly important.