Workplace Diversity Management and Team Performance in Multinational Corporations in Lagos

This research investigates the relationship between workplace diversity management practices and team performance in selected multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in Lagos, Nigeria's South West economic capital. As globalisation deepens Nigeria's integration into global business networks, MNCs increasingly manage ethnically, culturally, and professionally diverse workforces whose potential must be harnessed through effective diversity management. This study employs a descriptive survey design with data collected from 120 team members and HR managers across five multinational companies. A validated questionnaire was administered, with analysis conducted using descriptive statistics and regression. The study examines diversity management dimensions including diversity training provision, inclusive leadership practices, fair promotion systems, cross-cultural communication support, and anti-discrimination policy enforcement. Results indicate that inclusive leadership practices and anti-discrimination policy enforcement are the most significant predictors of team performance quality, measured through project delivery accuracy, creativity output, and inter-team collaboration scores. Diversity training showed positive but indirect effects on performance, primarily through improved inter-cultural communication. The study also identifies language barriers and unconscious managerial bias as persistent diversity management challenges. Recommendations include developing culturally sensitive leadership training programmes, strengthening grievance mechanisms, and institutionalising annual diversity impact assessments. Keywords: workplace diversity, team performance, multinational corporations, inclusive leadership, Lagos.