TRANSFORMATIVE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND THEIR ROLES IN PROMOTING GENDER DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
Keywords:
Cultural Norms, Gender Diversity, HRM Practices, Inclusive Policies, Training Initiatives.Abstract
The study explored the roles of transformative human resources management practices in promoting
gender diversity and inclusivity in Nigerian Universities. Three specific purposes were stated and
three research questions were raised. A descriptive survey research design was used to achieve the
purpose of the study. Disproportionate stratified random samples were used to gather data from a
sample of 444 participants from four universities in North-East Nigeria. A four-point Likert ‘type’
scale questionnaire used as the data collection tool. Three specialists in educational administration
and measurement and evaluation ensured the content validity of the instrument. Cronbach's
alphamethod was used to calculate the internal consistencies of the items in the instrument, which
yielded a coefficient value of 0.75 and0.86. The data collected from the respondents was analysed
using mean and standard deviation. The result showed that there was a deficiency of all
encompassing strategies for gender equality in hiring, training, performance management, and
work-life balance efforts. Compared to men, the result revealed a lower presence or participation of
women in administrative and leadership positions. The implication of the result is that while gender
sensitization training is useful in fostering better attitudes and behaviours, its full benefits depend on
institutional culture change. The authors recommended, among others, that mentorship initiatives,
gender-sensitive training, and open performance reviews should be introduced in order to reduce
gender gaps and promote a transformative culture.
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