Methods of Social Science Research

Description

Please see attached for instructions. First file is the first assignment that the second assignment builds off of.

Social Science Research Question
The social science research question that I will investigate will be; to analyse critically the impact of cultural diversity on the performance of an organization. The research question fits into social science because it captures cultural aspects that shape our society and impacts our lives. The research questions will enable us to understand how cultural diversity impacts organizational performance. According to Ayega & Muathe (2018), cultural diversity tends to bind all groups of individuals at all levels within an organization. Cultural diversity is important in measuring organizational performance because it allows companies to gain competitive advantage thus in turn influencing its performance.
Sources that Examine Issues related to the Research Question
Nederveen Pieterse et al (2013), conducted a study on team performance and cultural diversity . The study argues that workforce diversity tends to increase the performance of the team members. The article provides comprehensive evidence that there exists association between cultural diversity and performance of team members. The evidence is credible because cultural diversity often influences team performance of team members thus enhancing the company’s performance.
Ogbo, Anthony, & Ukpere (2014), carried research on the impacts of employees’ diversity on the performance of selected companies in Nigeria. The authors established that employees’ diversity is crucial in enhancing organizational performance and productivity. The journal provides evidence that workforce diversity is crucial in fostering competitive advantage of a firm and improving its performance leading to success. The article is a credible source because it provides substantial evidence on the connection between the employees’ diversity and organizational performance.
The Book on Cultural Differences and Improving Performance by Bryan Hopkins (2012)
The book by Bryan Hopkins (2012) on cultural differences and improving performance is a good text which I believe contains crucial information that can help us understand the research question better. I think that this text contains important information that can aid in addressing the research question because it examines the impacts of diverse workforces on organizations.
4 Peer-Reviewed Articles Related to the Research Question

The article by Agrawal, V. (2012), highlights some significant factors that should be considered in managing diverse teams within an organization. The study also provides a framework on how to manage diversified teams within an organization. The study offers evidence that diverse teams hold common goals, values, and beliefs which are crucial in helping the organization to achieve its set goals. Some of the ethical issues that researchers in this study might have faced include; anonymity, confidentiality, and lack of cooperation from research participants.
The study by Awadh& Alyahya (2013), examines the impacts of organizational culture on the performance of employees. The study provides evidence that there exists a link between the organizational culture and employees’ performance. The researchers support the argument that a strong culture is crucial in enhancing the level of employee performance (Awadh& Alyahya, 2013). Some of the ethical challenges that the researchers could have faced include; lack of anonymity and cooperation among the study population.
The study by Sabharwal, M. (2014), examines whether diversity management is sufficient in the organization. the findings of the study established that productive workplaces exist when employees are allowed to express their opinions when making a critical organizational decision. The ethical issue that the researcher could have faced is a lack of cooperation among the study population.
Saxena (2014), carried out a study on workforce diversity. The study established that a culturally diverse workforce is very key in enhancing organizational productivity. A diverse workforce leads to the making of crucial decisions within an organization thus aiding the decision-making process (Saxena, 2014). The ethical issue that the researcher could have faced includes; lack of cooperation and anonymity among the study population

References
Agrawal, V. (2012). Managing the diversified team: challenges and strategies for improving performance. Team Performance Management: An International Journal.
Awadh, A. M., & Alyahya, M. S. (2013). Impact of organizational culture on employee performance. International review of management and business research, 2(1), 168.
Ayega, E. N., & Muathe, S. (2018). A critical review of literature on cultural diversity in the workplace and organizational performance: A research agenda. Journal of Human Resource Management, 6(1), 9-17.
Bryan Hopkins (2012). cultural differences and improving performance.
Nederveen Pieterse, A., Van Knippenberg, D., & Van Dierendonck, D. (2013). Cultural diversity and team performance: The role of team member goal orientation. Academy of Management Journal, 56(3), 782-804.
Ogbo, A. I., Anthony, K. A., & Ukpere, W. I. (2014). The effect of workforce diversity on organizational performance of selected firms in Nigeria. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(10), 231-231.
Sabharwal, M. (2014). Is diversity management sufficient? Organizational inclusion to further performance. Public Personnel Management, 43(2), 197-217.
Saxena, A. (2014). Workforce diversity: A key to improving productivity. Procedia Economics and Finance, 11(1), 76-85.