Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Exploring Ethnic Diversity on Managerial Choices in Nigeria. Henry Odiri Imoni Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the African Languages and Societies Commons, African Studies Commons, Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, and the Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Henry O. Imoni has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Donna Brown, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty Dr. Marcia Steinhauer, Committee Member, Management Faculty Dr. Hamid Kazeroony, University Reviewer, Management Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Exploring Ethnic Diversity on Managerial Choices in Nigeria. by Henry O. Imoni MBA, Manchester Business School, 2013 BS, Usmanu Dan Fodio University, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University November 2018 Abstract In Nigeria, most citizens between the ages of 20-60 believe that ethnicity is the leading cause of discrimination. The central problem addressed in this study was how ethnic diversity influenced managerial choices in Nigeria. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the role of ethnicity in managerial choices in a Nigerian federal traffic management agency to gain an understanding of how ethnicity influenced managers’ recruitment, placement, and promotion of employees. Complexity theory and a consideration of African management practices constituted the conceptual framework. Participants were 11 managers who were recruited from a Nigerian government agency using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling. Data collection occurred through interviews, observation, and government document reviews. Through use of Yin’s 5-step process for data analysis, data triangulation, and member checking, 10 themes emerged regarding managers’ decisions: (a) federal character principle, (b) merit, (c) ethnicity, (d) influence of godfathers, (e) favoritism, (f) promotion, (g) productivity, (h) morale, (i) frustration, and (j) health challenges. A conclusion was that ethnicity played a role in managerial choices. However, the execution of the current Nigerian law to manage ethnic diversity allowed the alleged discriminatory actions of managers in government agencies. Recommendations included a change in the implementation strategy of the federal character principle to reduce incidences of discriminatory actions in government agencies. This study may contribute to positive social change by providing public service managers the knowledge to create an enlightened and fair public service, free of ethnically induced barriers that have underpinned Nigeria’s underdevelopment. Exploring Ethnic Diversity on Managerial Choices in Nigeria. by Henry O. Imoni MBA, Manchester Business School, 2013 BS, Usmanu Dan Fodio University, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University November 2018 Dedication God, the Almighty, deserves the utmost dedication for my doctorate. He gave me life, sustained my life, granted me wisdom and the resources to achieve this milestone. Another source of strength and fortitude was my wife, Ahunna, who travailed with me throughout my doctoral program by creating the environment for me to thrive. She provided a listening ear on numerous occasions when I was frustrated along the way. For her role in my life and in this doctorate, she deserves as much honor as is bestowed upon me. I love you forever. All my four children contributed immensely to this degree through numerous brainstorming sessions, academic research, and editing of my work. So, to Shawn, Stacey, Shantele, and Shane, thank you from a grateful and humble dad. Break greater barriers as I watch you surpass my feat. Thanks to my beloved mother and my mother-in-law, who were and are more excited about my accomplishment than I am. Thanks for all your counsel and prayers. Together we have accomplished our goal. Finally, my thanks go to my late dad who several years before I started this doctorate prodded and cajoled me to push myself beyond what I thought was necessary at the time. In hindsight, I realize that I need this doctorate for continuous growth and development. Acknowledgments My deepest gratitude goes to my chair, Dr. Donna Brown, my methodologist, Dr. Marcia Steinhauer, and my URR, Dr. Hamid Kazeroony. To Dr. Brown, my knowledgeable and amiable chair, who patiently bore the brunt of my repeated errors in judgment, articulation, and writing and calmly navigated me through my maze of confusion, I am grateful. For me, the appellation mentor does not adequately describe her. Thank you, Dr. Brown. To Dr. Steinhauer, my indefatigable second committee member, thanks for her precise and articulate counsel and intervention in my dissertation. Several times, she guided me in rephrasing my dissertation topic to save me some future complication. Thank you, Dr. Steinhauer. Thanks to the program director, Dr. Sandy Kolberg, who assigned Dr. Kazeroony as my URR. As a world-renowned expert in my field of study, Dr. Kazeroony helped to redirect my proposal to match up with current management thought; my proposal emerged better and more robust. I recall that Dr. Kazeroony’s approval of my reworked proposal was one of the happiest experiences of my dissertation. Dr. Kazeroony, I appreciate your guidance. Thanks to Dr. Samuel Aikhuomogbe, Dr. David Bassey, Dr. Aderonke Tayo- Tiwo, Dr. Adesina Adegunle, Henry Ationu (HEAT), Theresa Awala, and Julie Pettway Francis who provided listening ears and heads for collaboration and counsel. Kasia Disterhoft was my academic adviser and she was excellent in managing my affairs. Thank you, Kasia. Thanks to Walden University for providing the support structure that enabled me to concentrate on my studies. I enjoyed every bit of my doctoral journey. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ................................................................................... 1 Background of the Study .................................................................................................... 3 Problem Statement .............................................................................................................. 6 Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................................... 6 Central Research Question .................................................................................................. 7 Sub Research Questions .................................................................................................. 7 Conceptual Framework ....................................................................................................... 7 Nature of the Study ............................................................................................................. 9 Definitions......................................................................................................................... 11 Assumptions ...................................................................................................................... 13 Scope and Delimitations ................................................................................................... 14 Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 15 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................. 15 Significance to Practice................................................................................................. 16 Significance to the Body of Knowledge ....................................................................... 16 Significance to Social Change ...................................................................................... 17 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 18 i Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................ 20 Literature Search Strategy................................................................................................. 21 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................... 23 Literature