Creativity in Lebanese family businesses: the role of cultural diversity in the design sector

Abstract

Diversity management plays a vital role in improving human creativity and increasing business performance within the local or global contexts. Recent studies have gathered evidence on how managers use their positional power to create “inclusive” or “assimilative” cultural norms through diversity management practices. This thesis aims to explore the relationship between diversity management, cultural diversity, and creative performance. Through a systematic review of relevant literature on diversity management, culture, and creativity, the researcher identifies some important key reasons for local and international design companies to implement diversity
management in their practices.

This research study proposes a conceptual framework, which illustrates the relationship between diversity management perspectives, cultural diversity influences, and creative performance in the Lebanese family design businesses. The conceptual framework is evaluated within the context of four organisations operating in Lebanon. Within each organisation, semi-structured interviews and observation were conducted with employers and employees to elicit their understanding of cultural diversity, diversity management initiatives, and creative performance for this research, taking into consideration the research questions and analysing secondary documentation data related to the examined phenomenon. Empirical findings revealed that diversity management is not implemented or practised within the Lebanese family design businesses.

This thesis identified and discussed the factors affecting the role of diversity management within and across the four firms investigated. This research contributes to knowledge through presenting the conceptual framework, which uncovers the role of diversity management perspectives, cultural diversity influences, and creative performance in the Lebanese family design businesses. Furthermore, this research contributes to managerial practices, especially for Human Resource, (HR) managers and employers seeking to assume more strategic roles in promoting creativity in Lebanese family design businesses. Therefore, this research study develops a consistent framework for understanding the importance of diversity management, improving creativity
arising from diversity, and maximising the access of talented employees to Lebanese family design businesses.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Joanne Roberts: orcid.org/0000-0001-5337-1698

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