Workplace Diversity - A Driver of Job Satisfaction? Evidence from Medical R&D Teams

Abstract: Based on the increasing rate of globalisation resulting in a more diverse workforce, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between diversity and job satisfaction in medical R&D teams. Determining such a relationship is highly valuable for managers of R&D teams to ensure the best possible output from the team, reducing turnover and keeping existing talent within the team or organisation. This study’s investigation is based on the following research question; what is the effect of diversity on job satisfaction among medical R&D teams at Lund University? Following the literature review, a theoretical framework was created, and hypotheses were developed. The primary method of data collection was via a questionnaire sent out to medical R&D teams at Lund University. The questionnaire was used to collect data to calculate composite diversity (independent variable) and average job satisfaction (dependent variable) for each team. Composite diversity was calculated by including the following five attributes: personality, education, gender, age, and nationality. This data was then supplemented by seven in-depth interviews with team members from teams within the study. The findings from the empirical data demonstrate a moderately negative correlation between composite team diversity and job satisfaction, and that this relationship is likely mediated through an employee’s feeling of inclusion. The implication of this thesis is that to fully reap the benefits of a diverse workforce, managers and employers ought to ensure that the benefits of diversity are not counteracted by the negative effects of diversity on job satisfaction. This implication calls for further research into the field of diversity management and diversity training in relation to job satisfaction and the data collected from the interviews suggest a strong interest among R&D team members in participating in diversity training.