Diversity and Inclusion of Human Resources: A Path to University Reputation through Faculty Engagement

Abstract

The article intends to examine how diversity and inclusion affect the reputation of Jordanian universities and to explore if employee engagement acts as a mediator variable. Data was gathered from a sample of 509 faculty members in managerial academic roles (i.e deans, vice/assistant deans, department heads, and HRM unit administrative staff) in public and private universities in northern and central regions of Jordan using a questionnaire. This study is based on the premise that diversity and inclusion practices enhance universities' reputation. This study examines how employee engagement may act as a mediator variable. The study hypotheses were subsequently examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS SEM). The results indicated that diversity and inclusivity had a beneficial and noteworthy effect on universities' reputation. Diversity and inclusion were discovered to have a beneficial effect on employee engagement.  Furthermore, the findings showed that employee engagement plays a partially mediating role in the connection between diversity, inclusion, and universities' reputation. This study's results expand existing research by presenting evidence from a non-western country like Jordan. The study discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the findings, along with limitations and recommendations for future research.