Diversity attitudes and group knowledge processing in multicultural organizations

SummaryThe ability to locate, share, and use knowledge is vital for effective functioning of organizations. However, such knowledge processing can be complicated by increasing cultural diversity. Recent studies have suggested that a group’s diversity attitudes may increase group outcomes. In this study, based on a sample consisting of 489 members of multicultural academic departments, we set out to investigate the relationship between openness to diversity (linguistic, social category, value, and informational) and group knowledge processing (knowledge location, knowledge needed, bring knowledge to bear, and personal knowledge). We found openness to linguistic and informational diversity to have positive associations with all group knowledge processing variables. Openness to value diversity was positively associated with most group knowledge processing variables, while openness to social category diversity only had a positive effect on personal knowledge.

► Studies have suggested that groups’ diversity attitudes may enhance group outcomes.
► We investigate the relationship between openness to diversity and knowledge sharing.
► Openness to linguistic and informational diversity had most positive relationships.
► Openness to visible diversity had least positive relationships.